- Krillin -

Krillin frowned as he turned towards Goku. "Goku! Why would you tell him about the Dragon Balls?" he hissed, his fists clenching at his sides. "What if he wants to use them for himself?" His eyes darted between Bulma and Master Roshi, seeking support. "That guy is suspicious as hell!" Krillin continued, jabbing his finger in the direction where Raditz had flown off.

"Krillin, I trust him!" Goku replied nonchalantly, his hands resting behind his head. "I didn't sense any ill intent from him. His Ki may not be entirely pure, but you heard what he had to go through with that Frieza guy. He's been through a lot."

"I think you're just angry because he called you a midget and sent you flying," Bulma added with a smirk, unable to resist the urge to tease him.

Krillin's face reddened slightly at Bulma's comment, his mouth opening and closing as he struggled to find a retort. Finally, he sighed and decided to back off for now.

"Well, we should make our way back to the island," Krillin suggested, his shoulders slumping in defeat. The others nodded in agreement. As he and Goku entered the ship, a crying Gohan immediately rushed forward and hugged his dad's legs. Goku picked him up, patting his back gently.

"Hey, it's okay, Gohan," Goku said softly, ruffling his son's hair. "Daddy's here now. No need to cry."

Gohan sniffled, burying his face in Goku's chest. "I was scared," he mumbled.

"I know, but you were very brave," Goku replied, giving him a reassuring squeeze.

As Gohan clung to his father, Krillin couldn't help but feel a pang of worry. Goku's trust was admirable, but was it misplaced? He glanced at Bulma, who was already deep in thought, likely considering the same concerns.

Krillin watched the scene unfold, a fond smile curving his lips. It was still wild to think about, wasn't it? Goku had a child. Memories of their past antics flashed through his mind as the ship's engines roared to life, and they took off, heading back to Kame Island.

"Well, he's going to need a place to stay, and my island already has too many people," Roshi grunted, giving a deadpan stare towards Krillin, who sheepishly chuckled.

It wasn't his fault that housing prices were ridiculous, and having grown up as a monk meant he had no chance of securing a well-paying job. Bulma had offered to get him a house and a job several times, but he had declined, not wanting to take advantage of his friend's generosity. Still, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt at burdening Master Roshi.

Ah, whatever. The perverted old master liked having him around, even if he wouldn't admit it. Krillin smirked to himself, knowing that despite Roshi's grumbling, the old man appreciated the company. After all, living on a small island could get lonely, and Krillin's presence added a bit of life to the place.

"He can stay with me!" Bulma popped up. "And unlike a certain someone, he likely won't feel ashamed at staying with me," she said, deadpanning towards him as he sheepishly scratched his cheek.

"Alright!" Goku said, smacking his fists together. "I can't wait to spar again!" Krillin blanched at that. He loved Goku like a brother, but sometimes he needed to calm down.

"Woah, woah. Take it easy, Goku!" he replied. "You guys just fought!" Krillin exclaimed with exasperation as his friend simply chuckled and scratched his cheek sheepishly. Krillin huffed, a smile on his face.

As they prepared to land, Krillin couldn't shake off the feeling that they were stepping into unknown territory. Trusting Raditz was one thing, but dealing with the repercussions was another. He resolved to keep a closer eye on their new ally, just in case.

- Raditz -

I touched down on the small island and took in a deep breath.

"Hey Raditz!" Kakarot opened the door to the Kame House, popping his head outside. "Come on in!" he called out cheerfully.

Kakarot was ridiculously trusting and naive as well. I was aware that he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, to say. I would have to look out for him, I am Raditz.

I should have read over the finer print in all the options that I chose. Substitute didn't mean that Raditz stopped existing, I merged with him. It was why I wanted to humiliate Vegeta so much, I wanted payback for him and Nappa for all of their insults. I'm relieved that I didn't take over someone like the Joker from DC, even if I doubt the Company would have let me lose myself in his insanity… well, they might have.

I entered the small house and looked around. The main room was quaint, filled with simple wooden furniture and quirky decorations that gave it a cosy, lived-in feel. A small table in the centre had a few mismatched chairs around it, and a compact kitchen area was off to the side, with just enough space for the essentials.

I took a seat, my eyes scanning the room as an oppressive silence descended upon us. It wasn't until Krillin's trembling voice broke through the stillness that everyone seemed to collectively exhale.

"S-so, w-what do we do now?" Krillin stuttered, his eyes darting nervously from face to face. His bald head gleamed with a thin sheen of sweat as he continued, his voice growing more frantic. "The Saiyans that are coming… they're much stronger than us." The midget's words hung in the air, giving voice to the dread that had been silently gnawing at everyone's hearts.

I watched as the impact of Krillin's words rippled through the group. Goku's usually carefree expression hardened, his jaw set in determination. Bulma's eyes dropped to the floor, her mind no doubt racing through countless scenarios, each more dire than the last. Even the old man, Master Roshi, couldn't maintain his usual nonchalance. His face remained stern, but I noticed the slight narrowing of his eyes behind those ridiculous sunglasses.

It was Kakarot who finally broke the tension, his voice cutting through the heavy atmosphere with surprising firmness. "We'll train, of course. We need to get stronger if we want to protect Earth." The resolve in his tone made everyone sit a bit straighter, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride. My little brother might be an idiot, but he had the heart of a true Saiyan warrior.

My gaze drifted to Bulma, and I found myself drinking in her form despite the gravity of the situation. I'd never been particularly fond of that boyish haircut, but there was no denying her beauty. Her natural light blue hair framed her soft features perfectly, and even though her outfit did its best to conceal them, I could appreciate the ample curves beneath. I pushed down the primal urge rising within me, reminding myself of the task at hand.

"You said that you could work on a Gravity Machine of sorts?" I asked, addressing Bulma directly. "I've heard that our ships use technology that lessens the effects of gravitational forces. I should have thought of it before destroying my pod," I added with a sigh, genuine regret coloring my voice.

Bulma's expression fell, her teeth worrying at her lower lip in a way that made me have to take a deep, steadying breath. "That… could have been useful," she said, disappointment evident in her tone.

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to look away. The urge to claim her right then and there was almost overwhelming, but I reined it in. I had no desire to make an enemy of my brother - not out of fear, mind you. I could kill him easily enough if I wanted to. But that wasn't the point. I needed allies, not enemies, if we were going to face what was coming.

"Kakarot, where is your Attack Pod?" I questioned, recalling the details of his arrival on this planet. His pod had survived the crash, a valuable piece of Saiyan technology going to waste.

"My what?" he asked, tilting his head like a confused puppy. "I don't remember having a pod."

"The spherical ship that brought you to this planet," I clarified, struggling to maintain my patience.

"A ship?" Goku's brow furrowed, his expression earnest. "I rode a cloud here. Remember? Grandpa Gohan found me in the forest."

Krillin and Master Roshi, unable to contain themselves, exchanged weary glances and sighed. Even for Goku, this level of obliviousness was astounding.

"Goku," Bulma interjected, her tone firm yet laced with concern. "He means the ship you arrived in and Chi Chi is probably worried sick. You told her you'd be back hours ago!"

Goku's eyes widened, his face draining of color as the realization hit him. "Oh no," he muttered, his carefree demeanor vanishing in an instant. "We need to go now." He swept Gohan into his arms, turning towards the door. "You coming, Raditz?"

"Lead the way, Kakarot," I said, my tone clipped as I followed close behind. Lingering any longer would only lead to further delays and pointless conversations. I had a planet to prepare for imminent destruction, and time was of the essence.

As we stepped outside, Goku cupped his hands around his mouth, his voice echoing through the air. "Nimbus!"

A moment later, a small, fluffy yellow cloud drifted into view, a stark contrast against the expanse of the blue sky. It looked more like a child's toy than a viable mode of transportation. I eyed the cloud with suspicion as it drew closer, a faint, warm energy emanating from its core. It was unlike anything I'd ever encountered - was that Magic? I assume so as [Soul Talent] allowed me to get a feel for the energy, but it was still hardly a match for even the most basic Saiyan spacecraft.

Gohan, sensing my scrutiny, clambered onto the cloud before Goku could even suggest it. He clung to its golden mane, his eyes wide with lingering anxiety as he glanced between me and his father.

Deciding to make an effort, I crouched before the boy, forcing my features into what I hoped resembled a non-threatening smile. The act felt foreign, unnatural.

"Hi, Gohan," I said, the unfamiliar endearment feeling strange on my tongue. "I'm your Uncle Raditz." I greeted him awkwardly.

For a beat too long, Gohan remained silent, his gaze darting between my face and my outstretched hand. Finally, he extended his own small hand, his grip hesitant as he offered a shaky, uncertain smile as I barely caught his greeting and his introduction.

"Ready when you are, Raditz," Goku called out, his usual enthusiasm slightly subdued by the urgency of the situation.

With that, we took to the skies, leaving the others behind as we flew towards Mount Pazou.

The scenery shifted below us as we flew. Lush green forests, sprawling across rolling hills, gave way to towering mountain peaks, their rocky slopes cloaked in a patchwork of vibrant green moss and clinging vegetation. We soared over rushing waterfalls, their cascades creating shimmering rainbows in the afternoon sun. I spotted herds of dinosaur-like creatures grazing in valleys, their scales a striking mix of emerald and sapphire, their massive forms dwarfed by the towering trees that surrounded them. A flock of winged lizards with scarlet underbellies and razor-sharp beaks swooped past, their cries echoing through the air as they chased after some unseen prey.

"The Attack Pod should be around here somewhere here in the forest," Goku shouted over the rush of the wind, as he gestured at the massive mountain range as I let out a sigh, this was going to be a pain in the ass to search for.

As we landed in front of a modest wooden house nestled at the edge of the treeline, the door flew open. Chi-Chi emerged in a blur of motion, her face a mask of fury, and before Goku could utter a single word, she delivered a well-aimed roundhouse kick that sent him hurtling through the air.

The impact resonated through the clearing, followed by a surprised yelp from the usually impervious Saiyan. I couldn't help but be mildly impressed by the display. Earthlings, as weak as they were, had a knack for surprising me.

Ignoring her husband's plight for the moment, Chi-Chi turned her attention towards Gohan, who had wisely chosen to hop off the Nimbus Cloud the moment his mother appeared. Her anger seemed to melt away as she pulled Gohan into a tight embrace, tears of relief streaming down her face.

"Where have you been? I've been worried sick!" she scolded, her voice choked with emotion. "And why wasn't Roshi picking up his damn phone?"

Goku, now sporting a sheepish grin and a rapidly-bruising cheek, ambled over, pulling his wife into a hug. "Sorry, Chi-Chi," he chuckled, seemingly unfazed by his brief flight. "We ran into a little trouble."

It was only then that she seemed to notice my presence. Her eyes widened in alarm as she took in my unfamiliar Saiyan armor, her grip tightening instinctively on Gohan.

"Goku, who is this?" she asked, her voice wary, laced with suspicion.

Before Goku could answer, my stomach chose that inopportune moment to rumble loudly, a deep, primal growl that echoed in the sudden silence. I cursed inwardly, hating the loss of control, even for a moment. An equally embarrassing growl erupted from Goku's stomach, and we both chuckled sheepishly.

"How about we discuss everything over lunch?" Goku suggested the peacemaker. "You go on ahead, Chi-Chi. We'll be right in."

Chi-Chi hesitated for a moment, her gaze darting between us, before she finally nodded. "Fine, but you better have a good explanation for all of this," she warned, her tone leaving no room for argument. With one last worried glance in my direction, she ushered Gohan inside the house.

I followed Goku inside, as I let my muscles loosen. I wasn't interested in Chi-Chi nor did I want her to be a part of my eventual harem, though, I would certainly like to have her and Kakarot's relationship deepen, he was still my brother and it wouldn't cost me much.

We gathered around a low table in the center of the room, the aroma of spices and something unfamiliar - but delicious nonetheless - wafting from the steaming plates piled high with food. Chi-Chi, despite her earlier anxiety, was a surprisingly good cook.

As we ate, I decided to rip the bandaid off. "Chi-Chi," I began, my voice serious, devoid of any pleasantries. "There's something you need to know. Kakarot… he's not from Earth."

All pretense of normalcy vanished as I explained the truth about our Saiyan heritage, our home planet Vegeta, the brutal reign of Frieza, and Kakarot's true purpose on this planet - a purpose he'd failed to fulfill.

I watched her carefully as I spoke, gauging her reactions. Her initial shock gave way to concern, then a flicker of something akin to pride when I described Kakarot's strength and resilience. But her gaze always returned to Gohan, her expression a mixture of worry and a fierce, protective love.

"What about Gohan?" Chi-Chi finally asked, her voice barely a whisper, her unease palpable.

My attention shifted to Gohan, who was attempting - rather poorly, I might add - to disappear behind his bowl of food. "Gohan, like his father," I stated, pointing a finger towards the boy's tail, currently concealed beneath his clothes, "is a Saiyan. He possesses a tail, just like us."

"And what does that mean?" Chi-Chi pressed, her gaze fixed on her son, her voice sharp with a mother's apprehension.

"It means," I explained, my voice devoid of inflection, "that under a full moon, he can transform."

"Transform?" Goku echoed, tilting his head in that way that always made it difficult to tell if he was genuinely confused or merely playing dumb. "What do you mean?"

"Saiyans… we have a trump card," I said, my gaze meeting Goku's. "A hidden power that emerges when we're exposed to the full moon's blutz waves. We transform into…" I paused, letting the weight of my words hang in the air, watching their reactions. "A Great Ape."

The blood drained from Goku's face as the memories came flooding back, his eyes widening in horror. "The monster… the one that killed Grandpa Gohan…" He choked out, his voice barely a whisper.

I cursed inwardly. In my haste to impress upon them the gravity of the situation, I'd forgotten that, at this point, Kakarot was entirely unaware of the Oozaru transformation. He was just a child when it happened, driven by instinct, with no control over his transformed state. It wasn't his fault, a truth I knew both he and Chi-Chi needed to hear.

Both Chi-Chi and I moved to comfort him, our intentions vastly different. While she tried to soothe him with gentle words and a comforting hand, I found myself losing patience with his uncharacteristic display of self-pity.

"Kakarot," I snapped, unable to contain myself any longer. "There's no point in moping about it now. It wasn't your fault."

His expression remained unchanged, his eyes distant, haunted by the memory of that night. Frustration surged within me, a potent cocktail of anger and a strange, unfamiliar sense of protectiveness. I couldn't stand to see him like this - broken, defeated. This wasn't the Saiyan warrior who'd gone toe-to-toe with me, or the one that I grew up watching.

Without another word, I stood abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. I cocked back my fist, gathering my strength before delivering a swift, sharp blow to his jaw.

The force of the impact snapped Kakarot's head back, jolting him back to the present. A bruise was already forming on his cheekbone, a testament to the strength behind the blow.

"Snap out of it," I commanded, my voice laced with steel as I glared down at him. "We don't have time for this. What's done is done. We move forward."

Kakarot's shoulders slumped, his gaze finally meeting mine. He looked like a scolded child, and a part of me, a small, unfamiliar part, regretted the harshness of my actions.

"You're right," he mumbled, his voice barely audible. He rubbed his jaw, wincing slightly, but the haunted look in his eyes had faded, replaced by a glimmer of his usual optimism. "What happened, happened. We can't change the past."

He was right, I knew, but knowing and accepting were two entirely different beasts.

"I'll go and look for the ship, these mountains are ridiculously large," I said as I walked outside, taking to the skies immediately. The cool mountain air whipped past me as I ascended, the modest house, and the inhabitants within, shrinking below. Thankfully for me, speed was something I had in abundance.

I took in a deep breath, reaching for the familiar wellspring of Ki that resided within me. It responded instantly, eager to be unleashed. Slowly, I drew it outwards, letting it flow through my meridians, feeling its power coursing through my veins like a living current. It felt good to tap into my Saiyan heritage, to feel the raw strength that set us apart from these… Earthlings.

As I opened my eyes, the world around me seemed to grind to a halt. The birds, previously soaring effortlessly through the sky, now hung frozen in mid-flight, their wings caught between beats. The leaves, rustling gently in the breeze, stilled completely, their dance suspended in time. It was as if the very fabric of reality bent to the power of my Ki.

With a thought, I was moving. Not just moving, but flying at a speed that would make even the swiftest Earthling aircraft look like a snail crawling through molasses. Forests and valleys whipped past in a blur of greens and browns, the landscape a dizzying canvas of colors and textures.

Yet, even at this speed, my senses remained razor-sharp. I could feel the faintest tremor in the ground, hear the rustle of a lizard's tail through the undergrowth. It wasn't long before I spotted it, tucked away on a narrow ledge near the peak of one of the tallest mountains. It looked almost pitiful, dwarfed by the sheer scale of the surrounding landscape. With casual ease, I descended, landing softly beside the pod. It was battered and scarred, its once-pristine exterior now bearing the marks of its crash landing.

I reached out, wrapping a single hand around its cool, metallic hull. It was far lighter than I remembered, but then, Earth's gravity was laughably weak compared to what I was used to.

Without another thought, I launched back into the sky, the Attack Pod effortlessly following in my wake. As I soared back towards Kame Island, my thoughts drifted back to Kakarot and his family. I decided it was probably best to leave them be for now. The news I'd brought was a lot for anyone to process, especially someone as simple-minded as my brother. Besides, I had a feeling that Chi-Chi, could handle any lingering emotional turmoil far better than I ever could.


This is where I should have ended the previous chapter. I've been feeling very unmotivated as of late, if I'm being honest.

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