Earth, Mount Paozu…
Gohan stared at the bright clear skies above, in awe as two of the most powerful warriors he knew traded blows. The shockwaves from their kicks and punches would split the clouds in the distance - colorful explosions as their Ki attacks collided with one another would force the young half-Saiyan to shield his eyes from the strong wind.
After the talk with his father, Gohan was determined to prove himself to his father and Mr. Piccolo. Both have high expectations of the boy, and he wasn't planning to let them down, but to see these two merely sparring made it clear for him that this wasn't going to be an easy journey.
They were beyond him in power, skill, and experience. He had his work cut it out for him, but this did not discourage him. In fact, it made him even more determined to grow more powerful, to show that he's capable of catching up to them.
"Man, and here I thought I was gonna close the gap," Krillin said while rubbing his head, watching the battle alongside Gohan. "Those two are way out of my league."
"It just means that we have to train harder," Tien said, not quite bothered by the display of power in front of him. "Goku said something about this Kaioken technique a while ago. If we pick up on it, then we'll be able to catch up."
"That's fair, but can we really learn it that quickly?" Yamcha noted. "The ship Bulma's made will arrive on Namek in a few days according to her."
"We'll just have to try and see." The three-eyed warrior responded.
Up in the skies, Piccolo stretched his arm and threw a jab at Goku's face, who blocked it with a grunt. He tilted his head to avoid another strike before unleashing a quick ki blast at his opponent. The Namekian easily slapped it away, eyes sharp in focus as he continued his onslaught.
Goku struggled to dodge, but with a calm head, he even managed to counter-attack, landing blows on Piccolo's side and stomach that left him reeling. The Saiyan slammed him down with a yell, following through with a Kamehameha wave.
Piccolo growled in annoyance and blocked the ki wave with his forearms, his aura flaring as he rushed back, closing the distance in an instant. The two warriors traded blows, punches, and kicks flying faster than the eye could see.
They were evenly matched, with Goku only having a slight advantage, but it was too insignificant to really call it one, because even with his superior strength, Piccolo had an upper hand in stamina and toughness. Of course, Goku knew he could easily end the battle if he activated the Kaioken, but where's the fun in that?
After all, it's not every day he gets into a fight like this where there are no risks to account for. Piccolo wasn't just more powerful than before, but he was a lot sharper and calmer too. He feels like a completely different person, unlike the one he once defeated in the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament.
He wasn't sure why exactly. Was it because they fought together for once? Did Piccolo develop some sense of camaraderie? He doesn't know - according to Remiel, Piccolo changed his ways due to Gohan's influence, and the others did say that Gohan trained mostly with Piccolo. so maybe that's how.
Piccolo also seemed a little stubborn. He wasn't as receptive as the others when Goku offered to teach the Kaioken, his own pride likely getting in the way. As far as the Saiyan knew, Piccolo felt like it was an insult. To be taught by his own enemy?
That's what Remiel said anyway, he told him to wait until Piccolo warms up to them before offering again. Goku didn't fully understand it himself, but he listened.
Refocusing on the battle, Goku narrowed his eyes as his opponent unleashed a powerful Ki wave, bracing himself for impact. The Saiyan gritted his teeth as he stopped the giant yellow wave with his hands, ignoring the strain on his arms as he slowly pushed it away.
But Piccolo didn't simply wait for him to do that, as he flew behind the Saiyan, readying another Ki attack. Piccolo smirked and brought up two fingers over his forehead, the tips sparking in electricity.
Goku recognized the move and acted quickly. He knew Piccolo wasn't aiming to kill him, but that doesn't mean he didn't want to hurt him badly. With a roar, the Saiyan's aura turned crimson before he kicked the wave away.
"TIMES FOUR!"
Just as he got rid of the wave, Piccolo unleashed his attack, the spiraling beam heading towards Goku. He quickly turned around and deflected the attack, grinning confidently as he dropped out of the technique, his aura becoming white once again.
Piccolo clicked his tongue in annoyance. "That damned technique…"
"I told you, it's pretty helpful," Goku replied.
"I don't need it." The Namekian scoffed, declining before Goku could even offer. "I'll just surpass you like this."
"Why does he have to be so stubborn?" Goku frowned. "I just want to help."
"As I said, you need to give him time." Remiel reminded him.
"He wasn't as stubborn when I told him about Gravity Training."
"Those are not the same, Goku. That was merely pointing him in a certain direction." Remiel explained. "Having him train under you will likely be a humiliating experience to him. He's a warrior through and through, he has his own pride."
Goku's frown deepened as he got into his stance again. "I don't really get it."
"You will one day."
The Saiyan decided to drop it for now as he returned to the fight, but just as soon as Piccolo charged at him, a voice from below called out to him. Goku and Piccolo both paused as they looked down, the former spotting his wife waving at him.
He noticed the wrapped bags in her other hand and smiled widely. Finally, it's lunchtime.
"Sorry, but I have to cut this short," Goku said to his opponent. "I'm starving up here."
"So what, you're giving up?" Piccolo raised a brow.
"What? No, we can continue after I'm done." Goku blinked. "Unless you don't want to fight me at my best. Can't fight well on an empty stomach."
Piccolo frowned in silence as his rival floated down, following him seconds later. Damned simpleton.
As Goku landed on the ground, his wife had already set up multiple blankets and many plates and bowls of food, for she had made enough for everyone and not just her husband. Chi-Chi came prepared.
It was a… weird sight, to say the least, but she didn't particularly dislike it. It reminded her of the old days before Raditz came to Earth, the quiet life with Goku and their son, where sometimes the three would go on picnics.
The weird thing would be the context of this 'picnic'. A few days later, her husband alongside his friends and even his biggest rival will travel to an entirely different planet to defeat some space tyrant who plans to become immortal using wishing orbs on said alien planet, and what they're doing now is testing their powers via training.
They'd use the spaceship, but Bulma made it clear that she didn't want to be interrupted as she upgraded it, mostly to make it tougher so it doesn't get destroyed in the middle of their overly destructive sparring matches.
And to add a few more rooms further away from them because she'd be going along with them. Training can be loud, Chi-Chi would've never guessed.
She was worried if she was being honest. Of course, she didn't want a genocidal space monarch to become immortal, but at the same time, she didn't want her husband to die again, because he already died once.
The Earth's dragon balls can't revive someone who died once already. Goku dies again and he stays dead. Hell, if Piccolo dies, so does Kami, and the dragon balls will become inert permanently. It was too scary to think about.
She just doesn't know what to think. Chi-Chi can't stop her husband if he made up his mind, she knew that, so all she can do now is hope for the best.
Sometimes, she cursed herself for not at least trying to keep up with him. An extra set of hands would've been useful.
She sighed as she sat next to her husband, leaning her head against his shoulder as she watched him and everyone else enjoys the feast. Well, except for Piccolo, who brooded with his back against the tree.
Good, she doesn't want that kidnapper anywhere near them.
Chi-Chi blinked as her son approached him instead, almost getting up from her comfortable position to stop Gohan from getting close to the son of the Demon King, but paused to witness the scene.
Gohan, unlike the rest of the fighters, wasn't anywhere near as nervous as them when he was around Piccolo. He simply walked up to the Namekian with an easy smile on his face and tugged at his shirt.
Piccolo opened one eye and stared down at his pupil. "What?"
"Why don't you join us?" Gohan asked innocently. "There's a lot of good food."
Piccolo frowned. "I don't need to eat."
"Why?"
"I can live without it."
"How?"
Piccolo's frown deepened in annoyance. "I only need water to sustain myself. That's how 'Namekians' work."
Gohan blinked. "But you can still eat, right?"
The Namekian didn't answer for a second. Why is he so damned persistent? Why am I even humoring him?
"...I suppose."
"Then come on, there's enough food for everybody," Gohan said, pulling Piccolo by the arm.
"Wha- no, stop." The Namekian grimaced, but he didn't pull his arm away. "Gohan, I don't need to eat."
"But you gotta taste it!"
Piccolo wasn't sure why he didn't slap the kid away and simply flew off until his rival was done with his break, but he couldn't bring himself to do that. He pushed these strange feelings to the back of his mind.
Fine, I'll humor him. Piccolo scoffed internally. What's the worst that could happen anyway?
Unbeknownst to them, Chi-Chi and Goku watched the whole thing unfold, the former looking more puzzled than the latter. There's definitely something different about Piccolo, he was nowhere near this tolerant before. What happened?
"Goku?" Chi-Chi muttered to her husband, who just finished stuffing his face with food. "Is it me or does Piccolo seem… nicer?"
"Nope, he definitely is." Goku nodded. "His ki doesn't feel anywhere near as malicious, he just doesn't realize it."
"But how?" She frowned. "Why is he like that?"
"I think it's because of Gohan." He replied. "Maybe he influenced Piccolo to be more tolerant, or maybe the fight with the Saiyans did that. Probably both though."
She remained quiet.
"From what Remiel told me, Piccolo was supposed to lose his life protecting Gohan against the Saiyans." He explained. "So Gohan played a big part in changing his ways."
"Right, this seer friend of yours." Chi-Chi sighed, grimacing a second later. "So he was within you the whole time?"
"Yeah, that's what he said."
"So he saw everything?" She mumbled, face turning a little red.
"Yep, apparently he couldn't speak before I died though," Goku confirmed. "But he was with me the whole time."
"No, I mean-" Chi-Chi sighed in frustration. "E-everything?"
Goku raised a brow. "Uh yeah? That's what I just said."
Her cheeks flared up even more and she groaned, hiding her face in embarrassment. This just confused the Saiyan. Why is she acting like that? What's wrong with her? Is she sick?
"Tell her that I deeply apologize," Remiel said solemnly. "It… was not an enjoyable sight for me either."
"I don't get it."
"You don't have to."
He scratched his cheek and looked at his wife. "Remiel said he's really sorry for some reason."
"...Apologies accepted." Chi-Chi ground out. "For now."
Goku flinched at the hostile tone, thankful that it wasn't directed at him.
"...Perhaps getting a body might not be a good-" Remiel suddenly cut himself off, and continued with a grim tone. "I sense a malicious presence approaching the planet."
"What?" Goku's eyes sharpened. "Is it Vegeta?"
"No, not a Saiyan's ki. Something else." Remiel replied with a negative. "...Something strong. It's similar to Piccolo's, and from how fast they're moving, they should land in little under an hour from now."
Goku suddenly stood up, the shift in his ki taking the attention of all the fighters around. All of them noticed the serious frown on his face, prompting them to all look at him in confusion.
"What's wrong?" Tien asked.
"Remiel says there's an evil ki approaching Earth soon," Goku explained simply.
"Your friend never mentioned anything about that." Piccolo narrowed his eyes. "What's the meaning of this?"
Goku glared back at the Namekian, not giving a response.
"I-I don't know. This shouldn't be happening." He tried to explain himself. "I clearly remember what I saw. Nothing should be approaching Earth until you defeat Freeza."
"Don't worry, I trust you," Goku assured him.
"We can talk about it later." The Saiyan said. "Let's figure out what it is and deal with it first."
Piccolo frowned but didn't argue.
"You need any Senzu Beans, Goku?" Krillin asked, getting on his feet too. "We have a few left."
"I'll be fine, I'm not that beat up." Goku grinned. "What about you, Piccolo?"
"I don't need any."
Goku nodded, then glanced at his son. "Gohan, take your mother with you to Capsule Corp. Stay there, alright?"
"B-but I wanna help!" He said. "I can be useful, I promise!"
Goku frowned, conflicted as he glanced at Chi-Chi''s worried face before trying to come up with a compromise.
"Regardless of his recent increase in power, a possible battle of that magnitude is beyond him," Remiel advised. "This ki is higher than the strength of Vegeta as a Great Ape."
"That powerful?!" Goku grimaced, looking at his son's hopeful expression as everyone else kept their distance, letting the two have a moment.
With context, the Saiyan did not want his son anywhere near that kind of power. Something this great heading to Earth? Gohan might be a warrior, but he's a mere child. He's nowhere ready to handle that kind of enemy.
But to him, this is an opportunity, and Goku doesn't have the strength to break his son's heart like this.
"...A little help?" Goku asked inwardly. "You're way better than me at making words sound convincing."
Remiel merely chuckled. "Very well."
A few seconds passed, with Goku looking deep in thought before he patted his son's head. "Sure."
"Really?!" Gohan grinned.
"What?!" But Chi-Chi scowled.
"B-but under one condition." Goku winced at his wife's outburst, quickly elaborating. "You'll be on the defensive this time."
"What? But I wanna be on the frontlines with you and Mr. Piccolo!"
"Then who's gonna protect your mother? Or Bulma?" He questioned.
Gohan paused, listening to his father.
"The rest of us will be too busy, that's why I want you to be our last line of defense, the most important job," Goku said with a smile. "We don't know how many enemies we could be fighting. It could be one, two, or even a hundred, right? We can't handle a hundred, some might slip past us."
"Y-yeah…" Gohan agreed reluctantly.
"That's why you're perfect for this. They wouldn't expect someone this young to be so strong.." He ruffled his son's hair. "So go take your mother back to West City and protect everyone else, like a hero."
Gohan's eyes brightened before he nodded with a confident smile, feeling more motivated than ever. "Alright, I'll protect mom and Ms. Bulma."
"That's my boy." Goku grinned.
"How do you keep doing that?" The Saiyan thought, surprised.
"Even when Gohan is quite intelligent for his age, he is a child, and children are simple beings. Twist your words and rephrase your sentences, and you'll eventually get through them." He explained. "You've excluded and simultaneously included him in the battle, thus keeping him safe while also making him feel useful."
"That's… uh, okay?"
"That's fine, right mom?" Gohan turned to his mother, who looked surprised at her husband. "You'll let me help, right?"
"I… w-well, sure, of course." Chi-Chi caught on and smiled. "Now let's go to Bulma's, okay?"
Gohan nodded and called Nimbus as she walked up to Goku. "I'm sure you have a plan, but be careful, okay? I've lost you once, I don't want to lose you again."
"It's a little intimidating, but I'll be fine." He assured her, caressing her cheek. "If anything, I'm a little excited, too."
"Of course you are." She rolled her eyes. "Just don't push yourself too hard."
"With everyone else here, we'll win." He said with confidence. "Hopefully Gohan won't have to get involved."
"I hope so too."
"Let's go, mom!" Gohan interrupted them.
Chi-Chi smiled and took his hand, giving Goku a small wave as the two rode the flying cloud, speeding off to the horizon seconds later. Goku glanced at the other warriors and nodded, prompting them all to get ready.
Goku doesn't know who this evil ki belongs to, but they'll regret coming here to threaten his planet.
Out in space, Freeza Planet 447…
"You'd think after all this, he'd be healed already." A soldier said, gazing at the Saiyan inside the healing chamber neutrally. "It's been what, three days?"
"Have you seen the condition he was in when he landed here?" A doctor narrowed his eyes. "Broken limbs, fractured skull, internal bleeding, and a few pieces of his ribs pierced his lungs. He was mere minutes away from death."
"And he lived through the entire journey from E-arth to here?"
"It's pronounced 'Earth' and yes, due to the cryostasis of the pod, it managed to keep him alive even with those injuries." The doctor responded. "Though, his physiology is to be considered of course. Saiyans are one of the toughest races in the universe, after all, their endurance to take so much punishment without dying is commendable."
"True, that's why Lord Freeza got rid of 'em." The soldier said with a smirk. "Those monkeys don't know their place."
The man inside the healing chamber twitched as he heard the conversation, conscious enough to comprehend what was going on. Freeza got rid of the Saiyan race? What did that mean?
What the hell is going on?
"So how long do you think he'll take?" The soldier asked once more. "Saiyans have a decent healing factor, and even if the healing chamber is that of an older model, it shouldn't take this long."
"He'll be up shortly. Minutes in fact." The doctor pointed at the healing chamber with his pen. "Look, he's getting up."
The man in question slowly opened his eyes, vision blurry from the healing liquid as he tried to recognize the two chatting in front of the chamber. One in robes and the other in armor from the looks of it. The doctor and soldier respectively.
As he squinted and his vision cleared a tiny bit, he noticed that the soldier's skin was purple. Once the soldier spoke again, he almost groaned when he recognized his voice finally, wishing that he could go back to sleep.
But what the hell were they talking about just now? Did he mean what he said? Freeza got rid of the Saiyans? Last he was told, a meteor made contact with the planet and wiped out the whole race.
…He knew something felt off about all of this. Yes, it makes sense now. Freeza ordered all the Saiyans to go back to planet Vegeta before they were destroyed, it would align with him annihilating his world.
"Well, well, well, seems the prince is finally done with his nap." Cui chuckled. "Long time no see, eh Vegeta?"
Vegeta did not give a verbal response as the healing chamber drained the liquid. The Prince of Saiyans pulled off the mask as the chamber opened its door, prompting him to walk out of it. Vegeta scanned the room, only spotting the doctor and Cui before speaking.
"What planet is this?"
"Freeza Planet 447." The doctor replied, a little nervous.
"You'd think with all the free time he has, he'd come up with better names," Vegeta muttered to himself, then turned to the doctor. "You. Get me some armor."
He flinched and cleared his throat with a nod. "V-very well."
"Woah there, buddy." Cui grinned. "Not even a 'thank you for saving my life'? When did you get so cold-"
As Cui was about to pat the Saiyan on the shoulder, Vegeta quickly grabbed his arm tightly, startling the alien. With a glare, the Prince growled. "Keep your filthy hands off me."
Cui flinched, pulling his arm away before nursing it. "Alright, alright, was just a joke. Sheesh."
If he could get away with this, he'd turn this moron into dust, but acting hastily on one of Freeza's planets isn't wise. He'd have difficulty in taking him down before, seeing how close in power level they were, but now? A single blast is enough to vaporize him.
Moron dares to call himself his rival. What a joke.
"Here's your armor, Vegeta." The doctor said, handing him the item he requested. "I'll say, you were in quite a bad shape when you got here. What happened?"
Vegeta paused for a bit as he started putting on his armor, remembering the unexpectedly difficult battle he went through. Mere humans, a Namekian, and a low-class Saiyans were enough to manhandle him and his partner. How? How can such a thing happen?
They were supposed to be nothing to him, but the humans had an average power level of five thousand each, and Kakarot alongside that Namekian were close to him in power. It was unreal, mind-boggling. It didn't make sense.
Those two combined were barely able to defeat Raditz, a worthless fighter with a power level of 1500, and one of them had to die for it. How in Beerus' name were they able to gain so much power in a single year? What sorcery was this?
"Heh, yeah tell us what happened on E-arth-"
"Earth."
"Earth." Cui glared at the doctor then smirked condescendingly. "C'mon, Vegeta. What sort of monsters kicked your ass? Thought the highest power level there was what, 500?"
"Zip it, Cui, or I'll blast you to Oblivion." The Prince clicked his tongue. "Purple bastard."
"Someone's grumpy…"
That's not mentioning this strange red aura of his. Even when he was barely conscious, he witnessed Kakarot able to bring down Nappa, who was in his Great Ape form, before swiftly cutting his tail. Could it be that Kakarot wasn't even showing them his full power?
Vegeta scowled and clenched his fist. He was toying with them, that low-class trash humiliated them. He was easily able to beat them down in an instant but chose to play around instead.
If only he was able to transform into a Great Ape, then this wouldn't have happened. He'd have crushed that worthless upstart and razed the planet to the ground. He'd have gotten his wish, his immortality, then dethroned Freeza.
But it's all because of that lowly scum.
Vegeta pulled the gloves, pausing as he noticed something- someone was missing.
"Where's Nappa?" He asked.
"Dunno, probably dead." Cui shrugged. "You're the only one who got here from the looks of it."
If that's the case, then how the hell did he escape? Last thing he remembers is Kakarot knocking him out - how was he able to get the pod? He had assumed that Nappa managed to get him and get out of there.
But if Nappa isn't here, then how?
"You know, I thought you'd at least be a little sad that your buddy didn't make it," Cui said.
"He's not my 'buddy', he's nothing but a middle-class Saiyan." Vegeta scoffed, walking out of the medical room. "If he died on that planet, then so be it."
"Ice cold, prince." The fellow Freeza soldier sighed with a shake of his head, following the prince.
Well, the least he could do for Nappa is avenge him. He'll gut those Earthlings alongside Kakarot and that Namekian before blowing their planet up. He'll get his pride back that way too, but seeing how much stronger he got after healing…
He wasn't sure what his current power level is at now, but he feels much more powerful. But he knew that this wasn't enough. This 'Kaio-whatever' technique that Kakarot used against him increased his power level to insane heights.
Even with this new boost he received, Vegeta isn't sure he'd be able to defeat Kakarot. It's sickening to admit it, even in his head, but without his tail, he'll be powerless against them. Considering that he has no backup either, it isn't much of a contest.
Going to Earth again will only result in his death. He needs another plan if he wants to take revenge and get the Dragonballs.
"By the way, you heard?" Cui spoke up. "Lord Freeza rescheduled his trip to Namek; he's going there a lot earlier than first planned."
Vegeta froze, his eyes widening.
"What?"
"Yup, at first, Lord Freeza wanted to eh, you know, research a bit before going there, in case there were any nasty surprises. A race that can create a wish-granting device oughta have some tricks." He elaborated. "But he had to move the trip a little forward due to some outside party interfering."
Vegeta remained quiet and listened. Freeza was going to Namek? Why wasn't he told that? He knew that something was off when he never made a course to Earth, letting the Saiyans get there ahead of them, but now it makes sense.
The mothership is far faster than the pods, so they could afford to go to a planet at the far edge of the galaxy like Namek. The only reasons Nappa and Vegeta went to Earth were because of the low average power level of 2, and the distance.
But Freeza shouldn't be bothered by either power level or distance. He has a power level of over 500,000, and the mothership can cross long distances in days at most.
This is bad, if Freeza gets his hand on the Dragonballs and wishes for immortality, then they're doomed.
His mind trailed back to the time Kakarot offered a truce, to join forces against Freeza. Is this it? Did Kakarot know about Freeza's plan? If he did, then everything makes sense. Even the brain-damaged low-class traitor on a backwater planet knew the tyranny of the emperor somehow.
If that's the case, then Kakarot and his friends will head to Namek as well, to stop Freeza from getting the wish.
His face broke into a tiny smirk as a thought crossed his mind.
And Vegeta can take that chance to get his immortality and destroy them all.
"Oh?" Vegeta raised a brow, feigning ignorance. "Why's that?"
"Some of the scouts noticed remnants of Slug's army heading towards Namek," Cui explained. "The senile old fool is nothing to him of course, but Lord Freeza didn't want to risk Slug getting the Dragon Balls before him."
And Vegeta needs to go there before Freeza gets his wish. An immortal Freeza is nothing short of a galactic disaster.
"So he decided to go there early?"
"And scare them off, yeah." He nodded. "Slug may be senile, but he knows better than to mess with the Freeza Force."
"Who's with him?" Vegeta asked.
"Hm?"
"Did the Ginyu Force go with Lord Freeza?"
"Oh! Nah, just Zarbon and Dodoria." Cui answered. "I think the Ginyu's are heading to a planet called Yardrat or something? They haven't left yet though, still on Freeza Planet 236."
Good. Vegeta's smirk widened a little. Last thing I need is the Ginyu's making everything harder.
"So where are you going anyway?"
"Namek," Vegeta answered. "I don't trust Zarbon and Dodoria not fucking things up with their incompetence. I'll assist Lord Freeza in gathering the Dragonballs."
"Woah, and here I thought you were going back to Earth." Cui chuckled. "Well, if you're going there, take this."
Vegeta caught a red scouter thrown his way, inspecting it up close before putting it on, but leaving it turned off.
"Newest model, same one used by elites," Cui said. "Just don't get on Lord Freeza's bad side again, yeah? You and your buddy pissed him off last time. Don't want a death beam going through your skull."
"You're not going there?" Vegeta raised a brow. "And here I thought you'd be following me around like a lost puppy."
"Oh so you can crack jokes." His fellow soldier snorted. "Nah, I'm going with another squad to assist Lord Cooler in dealing with some pesky space pirates."
"Pirates?"
"Crusher Corps or something, dumb name, I know." Cui then took off his scouter, leaned closer to Vegeta, and whispered. "Not gonna lie, but I kinda want to transfer. Lord Cooler is a lot nicer from what I've heard. I hear his soldiers get days off."
Vegeta remained silent. All of them are the same. Freeza, Cooler, Cold - all of them are slimy bastards with too much power in their hands. Though, in all honesty, he doesn't know a lot about Freeza's older brother, only that he's given a small corner of the galaxy and left alone.
But any relative to Freeza is a bastard. Once he deals with the tyrant, he'll slaughter the rest of them. No skin off his back.
Cui put the scouter back on and blinked at what Vegeta assumed a new message. "Welp, guess I'm gonna have to go now. The pirate bastards attacked another planet in Lord Cooler's section."
Vegeta didn't respond.
"Good luck, prince." Cui patted him on the shoulder, and this time, Vegeta didn't push him away. "Try to not die, eh?"
With that, they parted ways. Vegeta fished out enough information for now - knowing Freeza is heading to Namek without the Ginyu Force is good, but this isn't enough. Freeza likely knows Vegeta isn't going to be on his side, and the moment he lands on Namek, he'll send his soldiers at the prince.
Then again, that's if he's caught by the scouter's sensors, so he needs to avoid that somehow. It'll be hard with his newfound power.
…Unless he manages to hide his power level, like those Earthlings did.
He'll figure it out later. Right now, he needs to go to Namek and stop Freeza from getting his immortality.
Earth, wastelands…
Multiple enormous spaceships covered the Earth's blue skies, casting a shadow over the defenders as they stared at the incoming invaders nervously. All of them could sense this, thousands of ki signatures slowly landing on the planet's surface.
Individually, the powers aren't really powerful. Ten of them combined barely have half the power of the weakest Earthling warrior, but there were a lot of them. Remiel expected a hundred at most, but when they got closer, it was clear that they were dealing with a full-force alien invasion.
"Do guys sense that?" Krillin muttered. "It's insane…"
Of course, as the bald Earthling said, one specific power level made them nervous. This power was gigantic, far above anything they thought was possible. Even Goku was worried - he knew how powerful this new adversary would be due to Remiel's warnings, but to sense it for himself?
That's not mentioning the other three higher power levels, all of them roughly having the same power as Vegeta. They realized that this wasn't gonna be easy - Goku would be too busy dealing with the main enemy to help his friends.
Even still, he's not sure how he's gonna defeat them. Not even a times 10 Kaioken would be enough.
"This is gonna be tough," Goku muttered, clenching his fist. "But I can't help but feel excited."
He had faith, though.
Because even if he's less powerful, a future version of himself managed to defeat even Freeza.
Then why couldn't he beat someone weaker?
This might have slow updates, but at least I'm not abandoning it... right?
Look, this fic is significantly harder to write than my other ones for some reason. Usually, the start or early stages of a fic are the easiest to write for me, but for this its different.
I'll try to put more focus on this, but don't quote me on that.
You can join my server and convince me (Read: yell at me) to work on it more.
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