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Chapter 19
Veil Discarded–Earth's Struggles Begin

Bulma directed everyone to the living room where Chichi gave Bulma and Yamcha a proper introduction. "He's a warrior from a distant country, he's here to look for his brother." Yamcha, with his knowledge on Kakarot's true species, saw right through this backstory. He recognized this "distant country" must really mean his home world and said brother must mean the invader was his brother. A chill ran up Yamcha's spine, if his guess is true then this might be a plot of revenge rather than conquest. Still Yamcha found the backstory noteworthy in a sense.

He thought to himself, "He's more honest than I thought he would be. Sure, his story is a load of garbage but just swap a few phrases and he's basically telling the truth." Yamcha added a caveat that that's assuming there isn't something more he's after. It was now Bulma's turn to introduce herself and Yamcha, "Hello, I'm Bulma and this is my boyfriend Yamcha." Yamcha added, "Hey, how's it going?" Kakarot exchanged a hesitant wave which only stressed Yamcha out even more, though he kept his true feelings hidden. This is when Bulma gave a passing glance at Kakarot and then Yamcha before looking at Chichi and saying, "Hey Chichi how about you help me make some tea for everyone?"

Chichi looked confused as she said, "Me… but you usually have the maid-bo–…" Bulma cut her off saying, "Come on now, we have guests. Tea requires a woman's charm when it comes to guys." Chichi frowned at her, taking this as another attempt by Bulma to tease her about Kakarot. Bulma began pushing Chichi into the kitchen, but Chichi offered less resistance when Bulma whispered into her ear, "Let's give the boys time to talk, they look like they want to have a chat." Chichi and Bulma soon exited the room and headed for the Kitchen leaving Yamcha alone with Kakarot.

Once they got to the kitchen, Bulma immediately went against what she said and set a robot up to make the tea, giving Chichi and her time to chat. Bulma then said in a clear tone, "So, were you just playing hard to get or…" Chichi let out an exasperated sigh and said with an annoyed tone, "Had I known you would get this nosey if I brought a boy over then I would have asked him to stand outside." Bulma let out a cheerful chuckle and said, "I'm only joking… well partly. I am rooting for you, you know, romance can be fun." Chichi finally said, "No, we're not dating. Besides I've only known him for a week, that's hardly enough time to really consider this a serious relationship." Bulma pointed a finger at her and said, "So there's a chance."

Chichi rolled her eyes, but her expression soon dropped as she hesitantly said, "Well… we do get along…" Chichi quickly raised her tone as she threw a caveat in, "But it's a mutual relationship. We teach each other about Ki, and I'd hardly call it romantic." The robot, having finished the tea during their conversation, handed the two ladies their cups of tea. They both began to periodically sip their tea as the conversation continued. Bulma then asked, "How'd you meet him anyway?" Chichi had a look of guilt as she admitted their first meeting wasn't very peaceful. "I… saw him near father and Master Gohan's grave and assumed the worst."

Bulma's expression dropped into a sour look, "What happened?" Chichi with a low tone explained, "I threw a kick and the next thing I know; I'm throwing everything I have at the guy and getting angry over every little thing he does." Chichi then exaggeratedly threw her hands in the air as she continued, "He looks at my back and I assume he has his eyes… elsewhere." Bulma lets out a nervous chuckle and says, "You really went all in on him." Chichi immediately said in a raised tone, "It was embarrassing, not to mention wrong and worse yet it got me in trouble." Bulma arched an eyebrow as she asked, "What kind of "trouble?"

Chichi paused for a moment before asking something that seemed off topic, "Do you remember Giren?" Bulma gave her a confused look as an answer which is when Chichi clarifies, "It was that big Dragon man who fought Master Gohan in the 21st Tenkaichi Budokai." Bulma let out an exaggerated "Oh!" Before giving Chichi a face that screamed, she remembered. Chichi took that as an opportunity to continue, "He ambushed me in my house with a number of thugs." Bulma immediately said, "Like he could get the best of you." Chichi meekly said, "Kakarot took a lot out of me, so he knocked me out."

Bulma suddenly looked worried as she said, "Chichi, are you alright?" Chichi looked hesitant as she said, "Yes… thanks to Kakarot." Chichi hesitantly told her the rest of the story about how Kakarot drove Giren and his men off and how they decided to visit West City. At the end of the story Bulma said with a loving tone, "How sweet." Chichi immediately said back, "I assault the guy and then he goes and does me the biggest of favors." Bulma added with a cheeky tone, "Not to mention act as your knight in shining armor." Chichi groaned while saying, "Stop it, we still need more time!" Bulma let out a cheerful laugh and finally said, "Alright, alright enough romance talk."

Bulma suddenly gave Chichi a serious look before saying, "It's… been a while. Was Kakarot the only reason you left the mountain?" Chichi reluctantly said through a nervous tone, "He… might have been the only way I would have left the mountain… he was also… blunt with me." Bulma asked what she meant, to which Chichi answered with, "I thought I saw Piccolo on the road." Bulma's expression dropped dramatically followed by Chichi saying, "I think it was just my imagination, but Kakarot saw me break down. Later he confronted me about it and he "encouraged" me to apologize to the guys."

Chichi let out a quick chuckle before continuing, "He said I was the only one stopping myself from taking that step." Bulma smiled as she said, "I think you should listen to him." A thought occurred to Chichi, "Hey, you said Yamcha and Kakarot needed time to chat, what do you think they are talking about?" Bulma shrugs the question off saying, "Their both muscle heads so… I bet they are comparing their muscle sizes." Right after Bulma and Chichi left to have their chat, Yamcha and Kakarot were stuck staring at each other. Meanwhile the fight between Piccolo and Tien was getting heated. Despite being handicapped with his weighted cloak and turban as well as forced to fight one handed, Piccolo still outclassed Tien.

Tien threw in a barrage of jabs using half open palms with his index, middle finger and thumbs outstretched; however, Piccolo simply deflected the blows with his free arm. When that didn't work Tien swung a right roundhouse kick with his knee aimed at Piccolo's side. He was aiming for the side Chiaotzu was on, hoping to break Piccolo's grasp on him by striking his arm. Piccolo simply raised Chiaotzu's body by a couple feet, putting him in the path of the strike. Tien stopped the roundhouse kick mere inches away from his friend's head but that left him wide open. Piccolo yelled, "You're too predictable!" before kneeing him in his midsection three times in quick succession which stunned the three eyed fighter.

He removed his knee but didn't stop there, Piccolo then yelled, "I'm not done!" Right then Piccolo slammed his left elbow down on Tien's head sending him hurtling toward the ground below. However, before he hit a rock formation Krillin appeared in between Tien and the rock, catching his ally in his arms. Krillin managed to stop Tien's descent despite the speed he was launched at. Krillin immediately asked, "Are you alright Tien?" Tien let out a weak, "I-I'm fine, we need to get Chiaotzu away from him." Krillin replied quickly, "I know, I know." Krillin supported Tien until his feet touched the ground, which is when he whispered to Tien, "Prepare yourself to catch Chiaotzu."

Tien didn't bother to ask questions, instead he gave him an affirmative grunt. Piccolo looked down at them and said to himself in a low voice, "Darn, I hoped I would have more time." Krillin then yelled out, "Piccolo, what the hell are you doing?" Piccolo let out an arrogant grunt and said, "Clearing the trash out of my way." Piccolo then gave them a sinister grin and said, "Speaking of which…" Piccolo then tossed Chiaotzu to the side forcing Tien to dash to grab him. Piccolo didn't stop him, instead telling him, "You'd better get that weakling a Senzu Bean, he might die otherwise."

Tien yelled back at Piccolo, but Piccolo interrupted him by saying, "Quickly now." Despite the words seeming to be meant to warn Tien, the ominous tone betrayed the statement. Tien let out an angry growl while saying to himself, "Damn it, he just wants to take us out one by one." Krillin yells to Tien, "Go ahead Tien, I can handle him for a few minutes." Tien looked uncertain but caught the bag Krillin threw to him and retreated since he trusted him. Piccolo let out a laugh and said, "Handle me, you say?" Piccolo let out a short chuckle before saying, "Now I have to take you seriously." Piccolo immediately removed his Turban and Cloak which fell fast toward the ground due to the fact they were weighted.

Piccolo popped his knuckles before saying, "Are you not going to ask why?" Krillin let out an irritated grunt and said, "As if you'll give me a straight answer." Piccolo grinned some more before saying, "You know me so well." They soon engaged in another scuffle. Back with Yamcha and Kakarot, Yamcha decided to break the ice with a question, "So how'd you two meet?" Unexpectedly Kakarot threw out a surprising statement, "No, you want to ask me something else." Yamcha threw out a surprised, "huh?" Kakarot continued regardless of not getting a real answer, "You want to ask me how I fooled Chichi."

Yamcha was dumbstruck by Kakarot's decision to forgo the false narrative he put on in front of Chichi. Kakarot then said, "It's the real question you want to ask this "invader", right?" Kakarot let out a humorless chuckle which was answered by Yamcha who gave him a serious expression as he stood up from his seat. Kakarot didn't make any attempt to move, Yamcha then spoke with a serious tone, "Why did you bring her along, you're not here to make friends with us. Neither was your brother." Kakarot's expression hardened into a much more serious look, "If ya think I'm gonna dispose of her, after she led me to my brother's killers then you are mistaken." Yamcha was surprised by this honest sounding answer and was unnerved when Kakarot stood up to meet his gaze.

Kakarot then said, "I ain't ungrateful, she gave me a taste of what could be." Yamcha didn't know what that last statement could mean but decided he could at least trust that Kakarot didn't mean Chichi any harm, at least for now. Yamcha then asked, "I think I already know but let's hear it from you. What are you here for? You haven't attacked any villages, outside of those people you torched on Mount Paozu." Kakarot let out another chuckle and said, "So you're the one who was on my tail. Didn't like the surprise I left you?"

They began to circle each other while locking eyes, Yamcha let out a disgusted grunt and said, "You're as twisted as I expected you to be, especially given that "bonfire" I found." Kakarot retorted with, "I ain't an angel or a hero but those bastards deserved what they got." Yamcha barked back, "Like I'm gonna take what you say at face value." Kakarot grinned as he declared, "If I didn't step in then those bastards woulda' wrung Chichi for all she was worth, all for a damn fortune which doesn't even exist." Both Kakarot and Yamcha stopped as they heard the echoes of Bulma and Chichi's voices getting closer and closer. Kakarot peered at their direction and said, "We'll finish this elsewhere, you prefer it that way, right?" Yamcha didn't give him a response, by the time Bulma and Chichi arrived in the living room it was empty.

Bulma let out a confused, "Huh, I thought I heard them just now. Where did they go?" Chichi however looked worried as she mumbled, "Their leaving." Bulma turned to Chichi and said, "Come again?" Chichi clarified while turning in a seemingly random direction, "They left, they flew that way." Chichi points in the direction she was facing with a very concerned look on her face. Bulma had the exact same look and wondered what could have happened. Meanwhile, with Piccolo and Krillin, their Ki flared up at the same time. Piccolo threw a barrage of punches, the first three Krillin dodges by swaying his upper body from side to side.

He then caught both of his fists stopping his assault but the dangerous look in Piccolo's eye didn't change. Piccolo opened his mouth which caused Krillin's eyes to widen in surprise. Krillin ducked under a Ki wave which was launched from Piccolo's mouth while keeping a grip on his fists. Krillin immediately countered with a double kick to Piccolo's stomach, launching him upward. Krillin wasn't done yet as he cupped his hands together while pulling them behind him as he twisted slightly to one side. He began to chant, "Ka-me-ha-me…" Piccolo immediately stopped his ascent and thrusted arm forward aiming an open palm toward Krillin while yelling, "You ever get tired of that trick?!"

Piccolo then gripped the wrist of his outstretched arm while yellow electricity began going up and down his arm. Krillin immediately yelled back, "You're one to talk!" Right then they both yelled, "HA!" Krillin thrust his cupped hands forward firing a blue Ki wave while Piccolo fired a yellow wave. The beams collided creating a great shockwave which blew the clouds they were surrounded by away. The beams pushed against one another in a violent pattern which sent sparks everywhere. Soon enough the blue Kamehameha wave was pushed back but before it could reach Krillin, Tien came from his left and tackled him out of the way.

The beam missed Krillin and hit the ground, sending Krillin and Tien flying upward thanks to the shockwave of a massive explosion which engulfed the green, grassy plains below. When the dust settled however Krillin and Tien were high above Piccolo though their clothes had taken some damage. Tien's shirt section of his outfit flew away with the wind while Krillin was missing the top left half of his overshirt. Despite the close shave they smiled at each other, Tien said, "Just like old times, huh." Krillin let out a friendly chuckle before saying, "Yeah but let's not repeat this song and dance again." Tien let go of Krillin who straightened himself as they glared down at Piccolo.

Before another exchange begins, Tien sends Krillin a mental message via telepathy, "I sent Chiaotzu to the Lookout, it's starting to get too dangerous for him." Krillin mentally said, "Good idea, things are getting hairier by the second." Krillin and Tien then get into their respective stances and charge back at Piccolo who does the same. Meanwhile Kakarot and Yamcha landed several miles away from West City. They now stood in a dark blue valley, surrounded by gray rock formation, under a dark blue sky with large clouds brewing above. The tension was thick as Yamcha and Kakarot locked eyes with each other. Yamcha was the first to say, "Alright, I did as you said. I wanted to talk to you without any prying eyes anyway."

Yamcha was also glad they were away from people, if fighting started then he would only have to worry about his own neck. Instead of saying anything back or making a remake about the previous statement, Kakarot pulled out his green Scouter from under his shirt and uncurled his tail. He then said, "You obviously have seen this device before… my tail is probably also familiar." Yamcha nodded before saying, "Yes, an alien arrived three months ago and destroyed a farming villain and South City and yes, he had a tail and the very same device on his face. Though it got broken in the fight so we couldn't get a hold of it."

Kakarot added, "Then you and yer' cohorts ambushed him, I lost contact and… here we are." Kakarot put emphasis on the last three words while stretching his hands to his far right and left. A bead of sweat dropped down Yamcha's forehead, but he didn't say anything in response. Kakarot then said, "If this was a year ago… maybe I wouldn't have cared about all of this. But things have changed in the last three months… and the last week." Kakarot's face softened for a moment as his gaze shifted to his right as if he didn't want to make eye contact, "I can no longer… blame you lot for defending your world, your… people. I know my brother is dead and that he… wasn't innocent or deserving of mercy."

Halfway into his sentence Kakarot winced, he shut his eyes as if finding his words difficult to say. However, directly after this Kakarot's eyes shot wide open, his gaze returning to Yamcha, this time looking directly into his eyes. His expression darkened as rage filled his voice, "But I still can't shake this… this burning anger, knowing he died doing a mission that wasn't even meant for him!" Kakarot's muscles clenched and bulged out as if trying to demonstrate the anger the Saiyan warrior was experiencing at the moment. Kakarot then yelled out, "You're too weak to have killed my brother! You will tell me who assisted you and where I can find them."

Yamcha, despite being unnerved by Kakarot's rage-filled demands, says back to him, "I'm not about to throw my friends under the bus." Yamcha dropped into an animalistic stance and said, "You'll have to make do with me instead." Kakarot dropped into his own stance in response to Yamcha's open defiance. Elsewhere, Krillin and Tien work in unison to break down Piccolo's defenses. Piccolo struggles to fend off an assault from his front and back. He blocks three punches from Krillin with his left hand and forearm, while he quickly twists his waist to his right to allow him to block a kick from Tien with his right knee.

Simultaneously Piccolo blocks an elbow from Tien with his right forearm. Piccolo's body stressed under the barrage but regardless their assault continued, eventually nailing him in his midsection and back. Piccolo roars with rage while unleashing a burst of Ki which knocks Krillin and Tien back by ten feet, giving Piccolo some breathing room. Krillin remarks, "I can't believe he still has this much power!" Tien then adds, "It just shows how terrifying he can be. He turned these plains into a half desert with a single attack and yet he still has Ki to spare." Krillin looked a bit confused for a moment before his expression broke into a confident grin, he then said, "Wait, do you feel that?"

Tien was confused at first but soon realized what Krillin was referring to, "Yeah, his Ki just dropped halfway, that blast must have cost him more than we thought!" Krillin yelled out excitedly, "Right, let's lay on the hurt!" They nodded in agreement and the both paired together and then charged at Piccolo in a unique, two-man formation. Piccolo steadily retreated as Krillin and Tien gave him an unrelenting barrage of attacks. Krillin threw in a series of kicks and knee strikes while Tien took advantage of Krillin's short stature by delivering a series of jabs, hooks and elbow strikes all right over Krillin's head.

The unique formation did the trick as Piccolo's defenses soon fell apart and he took the brunt of the barrage. Soon enough Piccolo fell flat on his back down into the sea of sand. He was breathing heavily which was a sure sign of his defeat. Krillin and Tien hovered over him, feeling satisfied with their win. Tien then said, "I guess the Crane and Turtle are superior to the Demon." Krillin's expression changed to an unhappy one when he said, "You better be grateful, your connection to Kami is the only reason we haven't finished you off yet." Unexpectedly Piccolo flashed a grin unfitting of someone covered in wounds and sand. He then weakly said, "I-I'm not the one you should be worried about g-getting finished off."

Krillin disliked the sound of that but then realized something was dreadfully wrong. Tien was the first to voice this realization, "It's Yamcha's Ki, I can barely feel it!" Tien and Krillin's expression twisted into utter shock and disbelief. Piccolo then mockingly said, "P-perhaps you should have been f-focusing on the real threat rather than one measly f-fighter." Tien growled angrily at this response, but Krillin yelled, "We don't have time for him, we gotta go!" Tien yelled, "What about Piccolo?" Krillin quickly said, "I hate to say it but he's not important right now, if the fight is still on, I'll need your help!"

Piccolo laughed maniacally while Tien and Krillin rushed to Yamcha's position. On the way Krillin remarked, "Did he plan this?" Tien asked, "Planned what?" Krillin immediately answered, "Look how far we are from West City, we definitely weren't this far before rescuing Chiaotzu." Tien growled angrily again and said, "For what purpose, to buy time for the invader?" "I-I don't know, but I have the horrible feeling he hasn't revealed all of his cards yet." Back with Kakarot and Yamcha before Krillin and Tien defeated Piccolo. Kakarot and Yamcha's fight began with Yamcha making the first move. He yelled out, "Wolf Fang Fist!"

A blue aura erupted from his body as he launched a barrage of quick strikes using his hands which were positioned as if they were claws, opened palmed but his fingers were curled downwards. Kakarot effortlessly blocked or deflected each strike. Kakarot took some mental notes of his fighting style, "He has more power behind his attacks than Chichi and his moves are savage, like a wild beast." Yamcha threw a right swiping attack which Kakarot deflected away from him. Kakarot however, had another thought, "However…"

When Yamcha threw in two swiping kicks aimed at both of his sides, Kakarot blocked the right kick with his right knee and the left kick by catching it with his left hand. Kakarot however gripped the leg he caught and immediately delivered a strong punch to Yamcha's gut. The wind was knocked right out of Yamcha as he gasped for air. Kakarot then finished his thought, "His moves are too erratic. He's attacking so fast he can't really keep up with it in his head. He's just trying to overwhelm me with the sheer number of attacks and against an opponent on my level, a game of speed only invites a counterattack." Kakarot didn't let up as he pulled upward on Yamcha's leg, yanking him into the air before letting go of his leg.

Kakarot then pulled his fist back and delivered a strong forward-facing kick to his chest, launching him several feet away. Kakarot thought to himself, "He probably guessed I could keep up with him. So, he threw out attacks faster than he could properly plan them out in hopes I would get overwhelmed despite the difference in our abilities." Yamcha writhed on the ground as he grasped his torso, he however, fought back against the pain and forced himself to his feet. He thought to himself, "I knew I was no match for him, but I didn't think the difference would be this great."

Right when Yamcha was beginning to get his breath back, Kakarot closed the distance between him and Yamcha in an instant. Yamcha didn't even have time to look him in the face before Kakarot planted his full knee into his stomach. Simultaneously he pulled Yamcha's body closer into his knee. In that instant Yamcha had a realization, "This isn't even a regular fight, this is an endurance test. Will my will break or my body? Either way I'm not getting away from this in one piece." Kakarot pulled his knee back and allowed Yamcha to fall forward onto the ground, looking at him from Yamcha's right side. He then barked an order, "Tell me who delivered the killing blow!" Yamcha gritted his teeth as he forced his arms and legs to pull himself up. Yamcha spoke through a clenched jaw and a weak smile, "Not…my…style… freak!"

The literal second the word "freak" passed through Yamcha's lips Kakarot delivered a strong roundhouse kick to the middle of Yamcha's back. An agonizing wheeze escaped Yamcha's lips as he was sent flying forward before having his flight ended prematurely with a elbow to his face delivered by Kakarot who met him on the side in a matter of seconds. Yamcha then fell onto his back with his arms stretched outward. His right cheek was now lightly bleeding which was where Kakarot struck him. Right when Yamcha began to lift his right arm, Kakarot pinned it to the ground with his foot.

Yamcha reflexively grabbed his stomped arm while letting out a series of painful grunts and groans. Kakarot then spoke in a serious tone, "I ain't a sadist like that arrogant bastard." Kakarot's tone shifted to be angrier as he continued, "But my patience is short, I don't want to hurt someone who is this dedicated to his comrades, but I have little choice!" Kakarot heard a snap as Yamcha's arm broke under the weight of Kakarot's foot. Yamcha screamed out in pain, "D-damn you, n-not again!" Kakarot took his foot off of Yamcha's broken arm and yelled angrily while Yamcha gripped it briefly, "He'll be a laughingstock! Killed by a pack of weaklings on a planet full of level fives! His legacy will be that of a runt who was outdone by an even weaker runt! Tell me who killed him already!"

Yamcha forced out a few words, "I…don't give…a damn about…that bastard's legacy. He got what he deserved; I saw to it myself." Kakarot stomped down on his chest pressing down on him with enough force to create a small crater under Yamcha. He yelled out in pain as he was crushed under foot. That was until a purple Ki blast was flung at Kakarot out of nowhere. He knocked it to the side with ease before looking in the direction of the surprise attack. However, both Kakarot and Yamcha's gaze locked onto the newcomer. "Would you stop tormenting that fool? He's giving me a headache." said Piccolo who stood before them with a toothy grin.

Author's Note: Hope that last fight wasn't too brutal, I'm doing my best to keep the fights from becoming a gorefest. Broken arms aren't new to Dragon Ball but I'm going to try and restrain myself until we get into a more climatic fight scene.

Side note–I might have said this before, but I didn't expect fanfic writing to be the hobby that forces me to use math to figure out battle power, luckily Power Levels get ditched after the beginning of the Android arc.

Power Levels:

Bulma– 5

Chichi– 800

Krillin– 2,200

Tien– 2,000

Piccolo (Reborn)– 2,214 (Weighted Cloak and Turban)
Piccolo (Reborn)– 2,300 (Unencumbered)

Yamcha– 1,500

Kakarot– 4,000

Raditz (For Scaling Purposes)– 2,900 (Post Prune Zenkai Boost)

One last side note– Maybe I should have stated it in an earlier chapter however, just in case anyone has any questions about power levels. Remember in this timeline Krillin and friends had a completely different time with their challenges due to the influence of Grandpa Gohan. So if you're wondering why Character (A) is stronger than Character (B) keep in mind there are story reasons behind it.