Chapter 70: Departure
Naruto stood in the middle of his apartment, looking down at the packed bag by his feet. The room was quiet, but his mind was a storm.
Clothes, gear, essentials—all packed neatly, ready for the mission. But no amount of preparation could pack away the weight he was feeling. Sakura, Ino, Frieza… the trip ahead felt like it was going to be a battlefield of its own, even before they reached Frieza Planet 304. There was nowhere to hide on that ship, nowhere to run from the tension that had been building between him, Ino, and Sakura.
He closed his eyes, running a hand through his unruly blonde hair, trying to shake the thoughts from his mind, but they clung to him like burrs. Sakura... she was unofficially his ex-girlfriend now, but it hadn't always been that way.
She had wanted things he couldn't give—purity, tradition, patience.
She wanted to wait until marriage, to do things the right way.
He respected that, he really did. But he had grown tired of waiting. Tired of feeling like he was living a life that didn't feel like his own.
His thoughts drifted to Ino, his friend with benefits. There was no love there, not the way there was with Sakura, but Ino had been… available. She understood what he wanted, what he needed. She had given it to him without hesitation. They had hooked up more times than he cared to count, and neither of them had bothered to lie about it.
People knew—Sakura knew. That's what caused the hardened rift in the first place.
He sighed, slinging his bag over his shoulder as he prepared to leave. It was a mess. His love life was a tangled web of bad decisions and unsaid words. And now, he was going to be stuck on a ship with both of them—Sakura, the one he still loved but had hurt, and Ino, the one who gave him what he needed but who he would never truly love.
'This is going to be a nightmare,' he thought bitterly.
But it wasn't just that.
Frieza.
The name alone sent a shiver down his spine. A being even Goku seemed to be taking seriously. And if Goku was worried, Naruto knew that meant something. Not just something—absolutely everything. This wasn't like anything they'd faced before. This was bigger.
He felt the weight of the mission adding to the already heavy burden of his personal life.
There was only one thing left to do before he headed to the Iron Cave: talk to Kakashi and Shikamaru.
He needed to get this off his chest.
Naruto made his way to the Hokage Tower, his mind racing as he moved through the familiar streets of Konoha. People passed by, unaware of the classified mission he was about to embark on. The village was surprisingly relatively peaceful despite the recent string of events, and most people had no idea of the storm that was brewing beyond their world.
He spotted Konohamaru in the distance with his friends Moegi and Udon, laughing like they didn't have a care in the world. Naruto clenched his fists. He wished he could be that carefree once more, but he was practically a man now. He turned eighteen in less than a year after all.
As he entered the Hokage's office, he found Kakashi sitting at his desk, lazily reading a book, while Shikamaru leaned against the wall, arms crossed, eyes half-closed as usual.
"Naruto," Kakashi greeted without looking up from his book. "All packed and ready for your big adventure?"
Naruto nodded, tossing his bag onto the floor before slumping into a chair. "Yeah, but… I needed to talk to you both about something."
Kakashi closed his book, setting it aside with a knowing look. "Let me guess. This isn't about the mission, is it?"
Naruto shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "It's part of it. But it's… more than that." He glanced at Shikamaru, who opened one eye lazily, already knowing where this conversation was headed.
"Trouble with the ladies?" Shikamaru asked with a smirk. "Why am I not surprised?"
Naruto scowled. "Not funny, Shikamaru. It's a mess."
Kakashi sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Sakura and Ino?"
Naruto nodded. "Yeah. I don't know how I'm supposed to deal with both of them on that ship. We're going to be stuck together for who knows how long, and… well, you know how things ended with Sakura. She wanted to wait. I didn't. And Ino… well, you know about that too."
Kakashi looked at him thoughtfully. "It's not going to be easy, Naruto. You've made your choices, and now you're going to have to deal with the consequences. You hurt Sakura, and that's not something that can be fixed overnight. But you can't avoid this forever. You'll have to face it head-on, just like any other challenge."
Naruto groaned, rubbing his temples. "I just wanted… I dunno, what Sasuke has with Haku, or what Neji and Tenten have. I didn't want to wait around forever. I wanted something real, something now."
Shikamaru, ever the realist, shrugged. "Love and relationships aren't as simple as training for a fight, Naruto. It's about patience. Sakura was trying to give you something real too, just in a different way. Probably better all things considered. But you and Ino—well, that's just you taking what's easy. You didn't want to work for it."
Naruto shot him a glare. "Easy? You think this is easy?"
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. "Compared to dealing with the emotional baggage that comes with a real relationship? Yeah, I'd say it's easier to hook up with someone who doesn't expect anything from you."
Naruto opened his mouth to argue but found that he didn't have a good retort. Shikamaru was right. Ino didn't ask for anything but what they already had. No strings, no promises...
But that wasn't what he wanted deep down.
Kakashi's voice softened. "Naruto, this mission is going to be dangerous. You can't go into it with your mind distracted by personal issues. If you still care about Sakura—and I know you do—you need to decide what you want. But more importantly, you need to make sure you're clear with both of them."
Naruto sighed, leaning back. "I don't even know how to start that conversation. Especially not with everything else going on."
Kakashi smiled behind his mask. "You're Naruto Uzumaki. You've faced worse things than awkward conversations. Trust me, you'll figure it out."
Naruto stood up, picking up his bag. "Yeah… I guess I don't have much of a choice, huh? Can't run away from this one."
Shikamaru smirked. "You could, but you'd just be running in circles."
Naruto gave him a half-hearted smile. "Thanks, Shikamaru. I'll try not to fuck this up too much."
"Good luck with that," Shikamaru replied, his tone teasing but supportive.
As Naruto made his way to the door, Kakashi called after him. "And Naruto?"
He turned, looking at the Hokage.
"Whatever happens with them, remember this: when it comes down to it, you're stronger than you think. You'll make the right choice."
Naruto nodded, a new sense of determination settling over him. He still didn't know what he was going to say or how he was going to fix things, but at least he knew one thing for sure—he couldn't keep running from his problems.
With that, he left the Hokage Tower and headed for the Iron Cave. There was no turning back now.
Sasuke, dressed in his typical attire, stood tall, his face as unreadable as ever, but the tension in his shoulders betrayed the weight of the moment. His family gathered around him—Haku, her eyes shimmering, her composure hanging on by a thread; Sarada, wide-eyed and confused, clung to her mother's kimono with tiny, trembling hands. Itachi and Yugao stood nearby, their son Shisui too young to grasp the significance of what was going down.
"Papa, you're really leaving?" Sarada's voice was small, trembling with the uncertainty only a child could express, her grip on Haku tightening as if she could hold her father there.
Sasuke hesitated, feeling a pang in his chest. He knelt down, bringing himself eye-level with Sarada, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "I'll be back, Sarada. I promise." His voice was calm, steady, the kind of reassurance he knew she needed to hear, though the words felt heavy. He looked into her innocent eyes and smiled gently. "Before you know it, I'll be back home."
Sarada stared at him for a moment longer before nodding slowly, but her eyes stayed glued to his face. She didn't fully understand, but she could sense the gravity of it, even if she couldn't name it.
"You'll bring me something, right?" she asked hopefully, her voice almost a whisper.
Sasuke's smirk softened. "Of course. Something from far, far away. You'll love it."
Sarada gave a small smile, but her lip trembled as she buried her face into Haku's leg again, still not quite ready to let go.
Sasuke stood, turning his gaze to his wife. She stood quietly, her usual calm expression barely holding as her emotions threatened to break through. Her eyes glistened, but she didn't cry. Haku was always strong, for him and their family, but he could see the worry etched in the lines of her face.
"Promise me," she said quietly, her voice unwavering. "Promise me you'll come back."
He stepped closer, pulling her into his arms. "I promise, Haku." His voice dropped lower, just for her. "I'll come back. I've got Goku, Naruto, and the rest. We'll handle this." He kissed her on the forehead, the moment lingering as he held her tightly in an embrace.
Haku's breath hitched as she closed her eyes, resting her forehead against his chest. "You better," she whispered, her voice breaking just a little. "I can't lose you. Sarada… we can't lose you."
Sasuke nodded, his jaw tightening as he kissed her one last time, gently but with a weight that spoke of the uncertainty neither wanted to proclaim. "Take care of them," he whispered, his lips brushing her ear.
"I will," she breathed, holding on to him for just a moment longer before letting him go, her fingers reluctantly slipping from his.
As Sasuke turned, Itachi stood by the door, watching him. His older brother gave a firm nod. "Make it back, otouto," he said quietly, his voice gruff but full of a brotherly affection he rarely expressed. "Be better than me."
Sasuke met his gaze, a slight smirk pulling at his lips. "I intend to."
Yugao, standing beside Itachi, offered a small smile. "Keep your guard up, Sasuke," she said. Her voice was gentle but filled with the wisdom of a veteran. She knew what it was like to lose both of her love interests in Hayate and Itachi, and in resonance with Haku, the fear of losing Sasuke simmered just beneath her exterior.
Sasuke gave her a respectful nod, appreciating the strength in her words. Finally, he knelt down to Shisui, Itachi's young son, who looked up at his uncle with wide, curious eyes. Sasuke ruffled the boy's hair, the innocence in the child's smile a stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere.
"Be good, Shisui," he said with a softer tone. "Next time we meet, I'll show you some new tricks."
The boy clapped his hands, smiling brightly, oblivious to the gravity of the moment. Sasuke gave a final glance to his family, eyes lingering on Sarada and Haku. His heart ached, but he pushed it down. This was his duty, his path.
Without another word, Sasuke turned and began to walk away toward the Iron Cave, the weight of the upcoming battle settling over him. Every step felt like a mile, but he didn't look back.
He couldn't.
Lee stood at the gates of Konoha, his heart pounding with the weight of what lay ahead. The man standing in front of him was a beacon of light in his life. Gai-sensei. The man who had shaped him, who had pushed him to defy every limit, stood tall with a pride in his eyes that Lee could feel deep in his soul.
They didn't speak at first, but the silence between them was far more meaningful than words. It was the silence of two men who understood each other better than anyone else ever could.
Gai finally broke the silence, his voice rich. "Lee... I've watched you grow from a boy who was told he had no talent into one of the strongest shinobi this village, this world, has ever seen. Your hard work, your perseverance, your dedication—these are things no one could ever take from you. You've surpassed even my expectations, and that, my boy, is no small feat."
Lee's eyes glistened for a moment, but his expression remained composed, the determination that had always driven him now tempered by wisdom. "Everything I am... everything I've become... it's because of you, Gai-sensei." His voice was calm, but there was a fire beneath it that spoke of the respect and love he held. "You showed me that my limits were nothing but illusions. And now, as I face this next challenge, I carry your lessons with me."
Gai smiled as memories of their countless training sessions flowed freely—of the times when Lee was pushed to the brink, only to rise again, stronger than before. "Remember this, Lee," he said, his tone more serious. "The flames of youth burn brightest in the darkest moments. When the world is at its most hopeless, that's when you will find your true strength. You are the embodiment of hard work. You are the proof that determination can overcome anything, even fate itself."
Lee's fists clenched at his sides. His entire life had been a battle against the odds, and now, as he stood on the precipice of something far greater than himself. But instead of fear, there was only will.
His voice was soft but unyielding. "I won't forget, Sensei. No matter how hard it gets, I will push forward. I will make you proud."
Gai stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Lee's shoulder. "You already have, Lee. Every step you take now is just another victory for the man you've become. But remember—it's not about being invincible. It's about standing back up, no matter how many times you fall. It's about the spirit, the drive, the unwavering flame that cannot be extinguished."
Lee bowed deeply, his posture the epitome of respect and humility. "I swear... I will protect everything I hold dear. I will not falter."
Gai watched him for a moment longer, his heart swelling with pride, but also with the bittersweet knowledge that his student had surpassed him, had grown into a man ready to face the world on his own terms.
There was nothing more a teacher could wish for.
Lee turned, his back straight, his steps deliberate as he began to walk toward the Iron Cave, where his comrades awaited. As he moved away, the wind shifted, carrying with it the distant hum of the village behind him. He didn't look back—he didn't need to. The bond between him and his sensei was unbreakable, forged in fire and even in death.
But before he disappeared from sight, Gai called out one last time, his voice booming with the energy that had always defined him. "Lee! No matter what happens, remember—you are the embodiment of youthful spirit! Never let that flame die!"
Lee paused, a smile breaking across his face as he glanced over his shoulder. "I won't, Sensei! I promise!"
With that, he moved toward his destiny, aware that Gai's words would follow him, lighting his path even in the darkest of battles.
"Ino," a voice came low and steady, but beneath the gruffness was a current of concern. "Don't do anything reckless out there."
Ino paused, taking in his words. She knew the stakes of the upcoming mission—the uncertainty of it, the danger that lurked around every corner. This wasn't like anything she had faced before, and her father knew that just as well as anyone.
"You make it sound like you don't trust me," she teased, trying to inject some levity into the atmosphere. She forced a weak smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm not some kid anymore. You know I'm strong enough for this."
Inoichi's eyes softened. "It's not about that," he said, his voice dropping. "You are strong, so much stronger than I ever imagined you'd become. But this… this is different. I've seen what happens when things go wrong. You're more than capable, but not invincible."
Ino's smile faltered, replaced with a more sober expression. She had trained for this—every battle, every mission, had led to this moment. But even with all the preparation, the uncertainty was hard to blot out.
"I know what I'm walking into," she said softly, her voice more serious now. "But we can't run from this. Not anymore. The others are counting on me. I'm not about to let them down."
Inoichi's gaze hardened in the fierce love of a father trying to protect his only child from a world that had grown darker and more dangerous than either of them had ever anticipated.
"You better come back, Ino," he said, his tone gruff once more, as if he was shielding his own vulnerability with a herculean effort. "You've got too much left to do here. This clan, this village... they still need you."
Ino's heart clenched, and for the first time in a while, she felt the pull of home really kick in. The flower shop, the village, the memories of simpler times—all of it felt so distant, yet so close in the moment. The thought of not returning wasn't something she could stomach.
"I'm coming back," she promised. "I've got a lot more to fight for. And besides…" She grinned, trying to regain the playful edge that had always been a part of her. "You wouldn't know what to do with the shop without me."
Inoichi chuckled, shaking his head. "Damn right I wouldn't. You're the only one who knows how to keep this place running. I'd have to shut it down without you."
The humor was a thin veil over the very real fear they both felt, but in that moment, it was enough. Ino stepped forward, wrapping her arms around her father. The hug lingered longer than it usually did—neither of them wanted to let go, but eventually, she pulled back, her eyes meeting his for a final moment.
"Take care of yourself, tou-san," Ino said, her voice softer now. "I'll be back before you know it."
Inoichi reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're my daughter," he said, his voice barely above a whisper and thick with emotion. "You've got more fight in you than anyone I've ever known. But don't let that pride get in the way. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is know when to pull back and live to fight another day."
Ino nodded, absorbing his words. There was wisdom in them, hard-earned through his years of service and battle. She gave him one last look before turning, her heart heavy but resolute as she walked away, her steps taking her toward the Iron Cave.
As she trekked, she could still feel her father's presence, his love, and his prayers lingering in the air behind her.
Sakura stood in the kitchen of her childhood home, and her parents sat at the table, watching her with expressions that mirrored a blend of pride and deep worry. The atmosphere was thick due to the weight of the decision she had made.
Her mother, Mebuki, was the first to speak, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to remain calm. "Sakura… you don't have to do this," she said. "You're not like the others, you're not a—" she stopped, the words caught in her throat. "You're not a fighter like them."
Sakura flinched slightly at the words, but she forced a smile to reassure her mother. "It's not about fighting," she replied softly, her tone more resolute than she felt. "They'll need me to heal them. That's my role. I have to go."
But there was more than just the mission on her mind. Recent betrayals—Ino's harsh words, Naruto's divided heart, the cracks in friendships that once felt unbreakable—they all swirled in her thoughts, stinging like fresh wounds that refused to close. She bit her lip, trying to keep her emotions at bay, knowing she couldn't afford to dwell on them now. There were lives at stake, and those lives—their lives—depended on her ability to do her damn job.
Her father, Kizashi, stepped forward, his face tempered with understanding. "Sakura… we're not asking you to stay because we doubt your strength," he began. "We know how strong you are. We've always known." His gaze softened as he looked into her emerald eyes. "Just come back to us. That's all we ask."
Sakura's heart clenched at his words. She could see the fear behind his calm demeanor—the fear of losing his only daughter to the dangers that awaited, the fear that she might never return home again. Her mother, too, wore the same expression, staring at Sakura as if she were still that little girl who used to run through these same halls, giggling and carefree.
For a brief moment, the urge to stay, to not leave them behind, tempted her. To live a quiet life, away from the battlefield, to let someone else take on the burden of war.
But that wasn't who she was. Not anymore. She had grown. She had fought alongside the best—alongside Team Seven—and she had saved lives in the process. No, she wasn't a fighter in the same way they were. But she was a healer.
And in a world tearing itself apart, she knew her role was just as vital.
"I will come back," Sakura said, her voice determined. "I promise."
She stepped forward, wrapping both of her parents in a tight hug. Her mother clung to her, burying her face into Sakura's shoulder, and for a moment, the illusion of normalcy returned.
Just for a second, she allowed herself to be the daughter again, not the shinobi tasked with saving lives on the frontlines.
Her father pulled back slightly, his eyes glistening. "We believe in you, Sakura," he whispered, his voice prideful. "We always have."
With a final nod to her parents, Sakura turned and walked toward the door, her heart heavy but her resolve unshaken. The cool air of the day hit her face as she stepped outside. Her mind was still a whirlpool, thoughts of betrayal, her duty, and the uncertainty of the future swirling together like an unstoppable storm.
But for now, all she could do was take one step forward. One step at a time. The mission was all that mattered. She had to be strong. She had to be the one to heal them all—even if she couldn't heal the wounds she carried inside.
Far above the ground, Goku and Hinata soared through the skies like two blazing stars against the calm horizon. The wind whipped against their faces, but to them, it was a comforting feeling—a quiet reminder of the adventures they'd shared. Goku's face, though outwardly calm, betrayed the rapid thoughts racing through his mind.
"This fight..." the Saiyan murmured, his voice trailing off, though he knew Hinata could hear him clearly. "It's gonna be different."
Hinata, glancing at him from the corner of her eye, furrowed her brow. "You're worried," she said, her voice barely cutting through the rushing wind.
Goku shook his head, a small grin tugging at his lips. "Not worried," he corrected. "Just... thinking about what's coming. Frieza's not gonna be like anything we've faced before. He's... on another level."
Hinata remained quiet, her own thoughts swirling. Despite not knowing anything about the guy other than his bone-chilling voice and the gusto surrounding him—she knew without a doubt that Frieza was something else. His name carried a weight, whispered in fear even among those who had never seen him.
But no amount of fear would paralyze her. Not when everything she loved was at risk. To hell with tha.t
She looked at Goku, seeing the subtle tension in his jaw. Her hand found his, a simple touch, grounding them both. "Whatever happens, we face it as one," Hinata said, her voice strong. Her Tenseigan glimmered in her eyes, a reflection of her belief.
Goku's eyes flicked toward her, his grin widening slightly. "You know it," he replied with quiet confidence. "Frieza might be strong, but we've got something he doesn't—each other."
The wind howled as they approached Korin's Tower, the structure piercing the clouds below. As they descended, the familiar sight of Yajirobe lounging lazily greeted them. Nearby, Korin was perched on the ledge, stirring a pot of senzu beans with his usual expression.
"About time," the latter said, his tone rough but not without fondness. He tossed a small sack of senzu beans to Goku, who caught it with ease. "You'd better make those last, kid. You've got no idea how bad things are gonna get."
Goku nodded, tucking the beans into his belt. "Thanks, Korin. I won't waste 'em."
Yajirobe, never one to care for dramatics, chewed lazily on a chunk of meat. "Yeah, yeah," he muttered, waving them off. "Good luck not getting vaporized."
Hinata bowed respectfully to both Korin and Yajirobe, her natural grace never leaving her. "Arigato, Korin-sama, Yajirobe-san."
Goku chuckled. "We'll try our best not to, Yajirobe," he quipped before placing a hand on Hinata's shoulder. "Let's go."
With a final nod to Korin, the pair shot into the sky once more. Their next stop was the Hyuga estate—a place that held as many memories as it did responsibilities.
As they descended from the sky, they spotted Hiashi Hyuga standing on the porch. By his side stood Hanabi, her youthful energy tempered with the seriousness of what was to come.
Akamaru, Hinata's faithful companion, lay quietly by Hanabi's feet. His once-vibrant energy had faded somewhat with age and grief since Kiba's passing four years ago, but the loyalty in his eyes remained unchanged.
Hiashi's gaze shifted from Goku to Hinata. Then, after a deep breath, he spoke. "I believe in you, Hinata." He glanced at Goku, offering a nod. "In both of you."
His daughter stepped forward, her expression calm. "Thank you, tou-san. I will protect Earth. I'll protect our family." She wrapped her arms around him in an embrace that carried years of unspoken love, a still rather rare gesture between them.
Goku grinned, rubbing the back of his neck in his typical manner. "Thank you," he said. "We won't let you down."
Hanabi, ever the spark in the family, stepped forward with a grin. "Goku, make sure to bring back some cool alien souvenirs, okay? Maybe a weapon or something awesome!"
Goku chuckled, his easygoing attitude shining through. "I'll see what I can do."
Hinata smiled, glancing back at her father and sister. "We'll return," she promised. "All of us."
Hiashi nodded, though his expression betrayed his concern. "May the heavens watch over you both."
With their goodbyes said, Goku and Hinata once again took to the skies, leaving the Hyuga estate behind.
In the quiet that followed, Hinata glanced at Goku, her mind filled with thoughts of what lay ahead.
"Goku-kun," she said softly, "no matter how strong Frieza might be... I believe in us. In you."
Goku's grin returned, though there was a seriousness in his eyes that hadn't been there before. "Thanks, Hina. I'm counting on you too. This... this is gonna be the toughest fight we've ever had. Calling it now. But we're gonna come out on top, we always do."
The sun blazed down on the barren wastelands, and amidst this desolate expanse, Piccolo sat, his form a dark silhouette against the light, unmoving as he meditated. The world around him seemed to hold its breath, the wind dying down to a whisper as the Namekian warrior delved deeper into his inner consciousness.
And yet, the silence was not meant to last.
A faint rush of air, and Piccolo's eyes shot open. Goku and Hinata descended from the sky in tandem, their aura shifting the dust and stone around them like a storm. The Namekian stood, his eyes narrowing but with no hostility. There was a knowing look between them, an understanding without words.
"Well," Goku said, his voice breaking through the stillness, "if you were any more isolated, Piccolo, we would've ended up in the north or south poles looking for ya."
Piccolo's face twitched with the slightest of smirks. "Isolation suits me, Goku. Especially when there's madness brewing in every corner of this damn planet." He cast a brief glance at Hinata and nodded in acknowledgment. "Hinata."
She bowed her head respectfully. "Piccolo-san."
Piccolo's eyes sharpened as he took in the sight of Goku and Hinata, now a married pair and warriors about to plunge headfirst into the deadliest fight of their lives. He crossed his arms, his gaze falling on his rival. "So, this is it, then. You're off to confront Frieza."
Goku nodded, that carefree grin still plastered on his face but with a touch of steel in his eyes. "Yeah. It's time to finish this. Frieza won't stop until the whole universe is his playground, and I can't let that happen. And..." he paused, scratching the back of his head as if debating whether to follow through with his next words. Then he shrugged, smirking broadly. "Looks like you're in charge of Earth while we're gone."
There was a flicker of something in Piccolo's eyes—maybe humor, maybe irritation. He chuckled dryly, shaking his head. "You've got a real way of dumping responsibilities on people, you know that?"
Goku laughed. "Well, you're the only one I trust with this stuff. And besides, if anything comes up, I know you'll handle it."
Hinata, her voice soft yet sarcastic in tone, spoke next. "We know you'll protect Earth, Piccolo-san. Who else will? World domination is still apart of the plan after all."
The Namekian's expression hardened, his eyes shadowed by a deep, burning intensity. "Kick Frieza's ass, Goku, and you too Hinata," he said, and his voice was low, but there was fire in it. "For me. For Namek. For all the people he's killed."
Goku's grin faded, and for a moment, the air felt heavier, charged with an unspoken promise. "I will," he said simply, but the tone carried a weight, an assurance that left no room for doubt.
Without another word, Goku and Hinata floated up, leaving Piccolo behind in the wasteland. As they rocketed into the sky, the dust and debris from their takeoff scattered in all directions, and the Namekian watched them go, standing alone under the endless sky.
Deep within the Iron Cave, the cloaked jet sat idle, the only sign of its power the occasional flicker of its cloaking technology. Naruto, Sasuke, Ino, Sakura, and Lee, all donned in their battle-ready attire, made their way down the expanse of the cave, the air thick with the kind of silence that speaks louder than any words.
Tenten stood by the jet's open hatch, giving each of them a brief nod as they entered. "Let's make this smooth, everyone. Once we're in the air, no backing out."
Neji, ever the calm, level-headed shinobi, had his fingers flying over the cockpit controls. "We take off as soon as we clear the escape route through the back of the Hokage monument. Be ready for a jolt." He didn't look back as he spoke, his eyes glued to the readouts on the screen.
The team settled into their seats, the only sounds being the low hum of the jet's engine warming up. Neji and Tenten shared a quick glance before powering up the jet, and in an instant, the cloaking shimmered as the jet faded from view, shooting through a narrow tunnel carved into the backside of the Hokage monument.
Naruto stared out of the small window, watching as the village receded into the distance. His face was uncharacteristically serious, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest. Next to him, Sasuke's gaze was fixed straight ahead, while Ino, Sakura, and Lee each had their own silent thoughts racing through their minds.
Across the globe, Goku and Hinata landed just outside Capsule Corp, where Bulma was already waiting for them. "Well, about time you two got here," she quipped, hands on her hips. "The rest of the team is supposed to show up any minute, and the guest of honor can't be late, now can he?"
Goku laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "Sorry about that. We had one last stop."
Hinata nodded in agreement, though her focus was already on the approaching jet in the distance. The sleek vehicle descended without a sound, the cloaking technology disengaging to reveal Tenten's private jet as it landed smoothly on the Capsule Corp grounds.
The hatch opened, and the shinobi team filed out—Naruto, Sasuke, Ino, Sakura, and Lee, their eyes adjusting to the bright sunlight. There was no need for introductions; they all knew each other well enough, and the air around them was immediately tense, ready.
"Where's the prince?" Goku asked casually, glancing around as if Vegeta would appear from thin air.
Bulma scoffed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "He's changing. Couldn't stand the BADMAN shirt any longer. Wanted to 'switch up his style,' whatever that means."
As if on cue, Vegeta emerged from the entrance of Capsule Corp, his new armor gleaming in the light. It strikingly carried an unmistakable likeness to the armor he had worn in another timeline on Namek—the navy blue bodysuit, the sleek white and brown plates—but it carried a sense of purpose. It was fitting for the prince he was, and the warrior he had become.
"Tch. The other sets were beneath me," Vegeta muttered, flicking a glance at Goku and then around at the others. "I'm not going to wear something that makes me look like those idiots Raditz and Nappa."
Hinata's eyes flickered with interest. "You plan on getting better armor?"
Vegeta's lips curled into a sardonic smirk. "If we survive, yes. If not, I won't need any at all."
"Optimistic as ever," Ino muttered under her breath, earning a scathing glance from Vegeta.
Neji and Tenten watched from a distance, standing near the entrance of Capsule Corp as the last of the team assembled. The latter raised a hand in farewell, her eyes meeting Lee's for a lingering moment, while the Hyūga's expression remained composed.
"Good luck, all of you," Neji said, his voice carrying a gravity that none could ignore. "You've trained for this. Trust in your strength."
Tenten nodded, her usual playful demeanor replaced with something more serious. "Give 'em hell out there."
As Goku, Hinata, and the rest of the team boarded the Capsule Corp ship, Bulma took her position as the pilot, her hands moving expertly across the control panel as the door sealed behind them with a loud hiss.
The engines roared to life, a deep rumbling filling the air as the ship began to lift off the ground.
Hinata tightened her grip on Goku's hand, and he returned it with a squeeze. "This is it."
The ship trembled, and then with a deafening roar, it blasted off into the sky, breaking through the atmosphere in a blaze of light and speed, leaving behind the world they knew, and rocketing into the abyss known as space.
The ship tore through the atmosphere, its powerful engines roaring like a dragon's breath, and in an instant, they were free of the Earth's pull. The blue and green sphere they had known all their lives shrunk within a second, swallowed by the endless void of space. The cabin of the Capsule Corp vessel shook for a moment before stabilizing, and the roar of the engines died down to a low hum.
Then, all at once, they were met with pure silence—a silence so all-encompassing that it felt alien, surreal, almost haunting.
The universe stretched out before them, an infinite expanse of darkness, pricked by the brilliant glow of distant stars. Nebulae splashed color across the void, great swirls of purple and red light curling in the distance like galaxies painted on an obsidian canvas.
The viewports of the ship gave a breathtaking view of it all, of the cosmos itself.
Goku's face lit up with a grin as he pressed his face close to the viewport. "Woah... this is amazing!"
His breath fogged up the glass, his eyes darting around like a kid in a candy store. "It's so... so... big!"
He banged the viewport playfully, and then laughed. "I thought it'd be quiet, but it's like... really quiet. Like a still lake."
Hinata stood beside him, a look of wonder gracing her face, her lavender eyes wide and glowing in the faint reflections of the stars. "I've never seen anything like this," she murmured, her voice soft and almost reverent. She gently touched the glass, her hand pressing against it as if she could reach out and touch the beyond. "It feels... infinite. Peaceful."
Naruto bounded over to Goku's side, his mouth dropping open in awe. "Oh man, Sakura-chan! Look at this!" he yelled, pulling Sakura by the wrist to join him without thinking twice. He practically vibrated with excitement, his blue eyes sparkling in the starlight. "We're really out here, aren't we? Space, like real space! And not just the moon!"
Sakura's expression was one of quiet awe. She let out a long breath she didn't realize she'd been holding, shaking her head in disbelief. "It's... it's surreal. All this... and we're just this tiny little dot in the middle of it all." Her fingers unconsciously intertwined with Naruto's, squeezing tightly as if to make sure he was real, that this wasn't some bizarre dream.
Beside them, Ino let out a soft whistle, a mix of appreciation and anxiety in her voice. "Guess it kinda puts things into perspective, huh? We spend so much time fighting over small stuff down there... and up here, it's like we're just... ants." She laughed, but it was the sort of laugh someone gives when they're too stunned to make a sound.
Lee, standing apart from the viewport, closed his eyes and took a deep, controlled breath. "The air... feels different," he said, his voice still calm. "Crisp. Like it's thinner, but somehow more... alive." He opened his eyes and looked toward the vast expanse outside the ship, and a genuine smile crossed his lips. "I feel... very focused."
Bulma sat at the pilot's console, adjusting the ship's heading, but her lips curved into a smirk as she listened to everyone's reactions. "Y'know," she said over her shoulder, "as incredible as space is, you'd better get used to it quick. It's gonna be nothing but stars and blackness for a while." She punched a few keys, and the ship's thrusters flared briefly, altering their course to head directly toward their target: Planet Frieza 304. "Hope you're all ready for the long haul."
As the ship glided through the stars, Naruto's eyes darted around eagerly. "So, how long until we get to where we're going?" He tapped his foot impatiently, clearly not one for long journeys. "I mean, I can't wait to show this Frieza guy what we're made of. Right, teme?"
"Hn." Sasuke's gaze remained fixed on the stars outside, his face a mask of indifference. "Don't be too eager, Naruto. The real battle hasn't even started yet. And out here..." He paused, his voice dropping to a low, serious tone. "You never know what you'll run into."
In the corner, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and his face twisted into an irritated scowl, Vegeta's patience ran thin.
"You're all a bunch of imbeciles," he sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Acting like a bunch of kids on a school trip. Kakarot, you might have the luxury of ogling at space like some slack-jawed fool, but for me, this is just another Tuesday." He turned his head to the viewport, the stars reflected in his dark, penetrating eyes. "You're all lucky this is your first time out here. I've been staring at these damn stars my whole life, and they've never given me anything but reasons to fight."
Goku laughed, unfazed by Vegeta's anger. "Lighten up, Vegeta. Maybe if you stopped scowling for once, you'd enjoy the view!" His eyes darted back to the stars, and he let out a satisfied sigh. "Besides, look at all this... it's like being in a dream, but way cooler."
Vegeta's fist clenched at his side, the knuckles turning white as he glared daggers at Goku. "Don't think for a second this trip is going to be anything like your soft little dreams, Kakarot. Out here, in the depths of space, it's kill or be killed. And Frieza... he's not someone you fuck around with." He scoffed, his lips curling into a vicious smile. "That's a lesson all of you will learn soon enough. Assuming any of you survive, that is."
"Vegeta," Hinata said, turning toward him with an even expression. "You've seen space for what it is. You know the risks, the battles that we'll face. But that doesn't change the fact that we're here... that we're ready." Her voice was soft, but there was a strength to it, unyielding and unafraid. "We will face what comes, and we won't lose."
Vegeta's eyes met hers, and for a split second, he seemed to pause, as if considering her words. But then he let out a dry, bitter laugh. "That's all fine and good for you to say, but bravery without power is useless. Don't mistake your naivety for strength. You and your ninja friends might be strong by Earth standards, but Frieza's empire is a different league."
Ino rolled her eyes, throwing her hands up in mock exasperation. "Great, more of the 'Frieza is the strongest in the universe' speech. We get it. He's terrifying, the worst guy in the galaxy. But newsflash, Vegeta—if we were so so scared of him, we wouldn't be on this ship, now would we?"
"You don't know fear until you've stared death in the eyes, girl," Vegeta snapped back, his voice harsh. "And make no mistake, Frieza is death incarnate."
"Then let him come," Naruto said, his voice firm and unwavering, the fire back in his eyes. "We've faced death before. And we're not gonna back down just 'cause some self-proclaimed emperor thinks he's stronger than all of us."
"Just don't get carried away, dobe," Sasuke interjected, his voice cold. "Words alone won't win this. We have to be prudent."
Bulma, ever the voice of practicality amidst the bravado, chimed in. "You boys play nice now. We've got enough enemies out there without you trying to make them on the ship." She adjusted a few controls, and the ship's lights dimmed slightly as they entered autopilot mode, the main thrusters propelling them through the infinite void.
Hinata stayed close to Goku, her hand resting on his arm. "This... everything about this... it's all so different from home. But I feel like this is where we're meant to be."
Goku's face softened as he turned to her, nodding. "Yeah. I get that feeling too. I mean, it's not like we're just lookin' at the stars... we're part of them now. And whatever happens out there..." He glanced back toward the darkness beyond the viewport, his smile fading slightly but not disappearing. "We'll handle it. One way or another."
Vegeta scoffed but said nothing, turning his eyes away from the group and back to the stars. He'd long since grown used to space travel, and yet, there was something about this journey that was different, something that he didn't quite understand.
And that lack of understanding made his blood boil even more.
As the ship drifted deeper into the abyss, the team settled into a watchful silence, each of them facing their own thoughts, their own fears and hopes, as they hurtled toward the battle to come. The stars blinked in and out of view, the universe stretching without end.
And somewhere in that vast expanse, a great evil waited—a force they had never encountered, a power they had never known.
But they would find it soon enough.