Escarot POV.]
Guru had told me a great threat was coming.
A Namekian long banished; the great evil of Namek, Slug.
A Namekian whose power, according to Guru, far surpassed Nail's.
That alone was concerning.
But what really got to me?
That name hit me like a punch to the gut. I knew who this was.
Slug.
I hadn't heard that name… in a long time…—hell, I hadn't even considered him until now. I had been so focused on the main storyline, the major players like Frieza, the Saiyans, and the Androids, that I never even stopped to consider the movies.
If the movies were real… then what else had I overlooked? Other villains? Side stories? Even— I shuddered. The mobile games?
I really hoped that wasn' t the case.
Either way, I didn't remember much from the movie his character came to be, just bits and pieces. The general plot. His abilities. His whole "Evil Namekian overlord" thing, and the fact he stole King Piccolo's entire plot.
Other than that, there was one thing I did remember.
Slug wasn't just a strong Namekian—he was a Super Namekian.
That put him in an entirely different league.
If Nail was the strongest warrior on Namek, and this guy made him look weak? That meant I was nothing in comparison. If he arrived tomorrow, I'd be dead before I could even throw a punch.
The logical part of me knew this was bad.
The Saiyan part of me, though?
It was fucking thrilled.
My instincts burned, urging me to seek out this challenge, to push myself, to fight, to face this threat with all I got. But my gut told me that if I wasn't careful, I'd be throwing myself straight into a grave.
I needed to be smart about this. Because my Saiyan genes apparently lacked all sense of self-preservation.
I frowned, crossing my arms as I stared out over the Namekian landscape.
Based on my loose memories of the movie, I could make a few rough estimates of how strong Slug was. It all really boiled down to one thing:
Had Goku already gone to Namek or not?
If he had… well, I was fucked.
If he hadn't, well… I was still fucked, but I had a chance.
Either way, fucked or not; I had a few months to prepare.
A few months to get as strong as possible.
I rolled my shoulders, feeling the energy thrumming beneath my skin. I was strong—stronger than I'd ever been before. But it still wasn't enough.
I needed more.
I needed to take this training seriously. Well… more seriously.
Which meant pushing past whatever limits I thought I had.
Which meant getting stronger than even Nail.
Which meant bringing Okara to Guru.
I glanced back toward the small island where I had left my squad.
Okara had improved—massively. Almost twice as strong as when I first met her. That kind of growth was insane. If Guru unlocked her potential, she'd get even stronger. Maybe even strong enough to be an actual asset in a real fight.
But could I really trust her with that?
Okara was still reckless, still prone to throwing herself at fights she had no business being in. If she found out about Slug, she might do something stupid, like trying to fight him alone, and I really didn't need her getting herself killed.
And if she got herself killed? That'd be on me.
I guess I had five months to do something about her reckless behaivor.
—--
Taking Okara to meet Guru was… an experience.
For one, she wasn't exactly thrilled about it.
"Why are we going to see that old green alien again?" she muttered, arms crossed as she flew beside me. "I still don't understand why you befriended them… it stupid."
I sighed. "You want to get stronger, don't you?"
She huffed. "Yeah."
"Then trust me. This is worth it."
She shot me a skeptical glare but didn't argue further. That was the best I was going to get from her.
We flew in silence for a while, the Namekian landscape rolling beneath us. The green fields, the scattered villages, the massive lakes stretching as far as the eye could see; it was all so different from Planet Vegeta. Peaceful. Untouched.
It was basically the opposite of Planet Vegeta.
Okara, of course, didn't appreciate any of that.
She was too busy grumbling under her breath.
When we finally landed outside Guru's home, I stopped her before we went in.
"Alright, listen," I said, turning to face her. "This guy is important. Really important. So don't screw this up."
She scowled. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means be nice."
Okara scoffed. "I'm nice."
I raised an eyebrow.
She folded her arms and looked away. "…Sometimes."
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Just… try. Please."
She muttered something under her breath but didn't argue.
Good enough.
We stepped inside, and just like before, Guru was there, waiting. His massive form rested comfortably, his calm presence filling the room. Nail stood nearby, arms crossed, ever the watchful guard.
Guru's eyes opened slowly, studying us. Then, they landed on Okara.
And she, in turn, stared up at him, unimpressed.
"…Shit, you're huge," she muttered.
"Okara," I warned, feeling immediately like a hypocrite considering that was my same reaction.
She flinched, then quickly corrected herself. "I-I mean… uh… wow! You're huge! In a, uh… strong way?"
Guru let out a deep, amused chuckle. "Quite the fiery one, aren't you?"
Okara blinked. "Wait, you're not mad?"
"If I were offended by every child that set foot in my home, and said something they shouldn't, I would be in a constant state of rage."
Yeah, that checks out.
Okara tilted her head. "Huh. I like you. For a big green thing, you are fun."
Well… that was surprisingly easy.
Nail twitched slightly, clearly less amused by her attitude than Guru was.
Guru simply smiled. "I see why you brought her, Escarot. She carries great potential."
I nodded. "Yeah. That's why we're here."
Guru studied Okara for a moment longer, then slowly lifted his massive hand and gestured for her to step forward.
"Come closer, child."
Okara hesitated, glancing at me.
I gave her a nod. "Just go with it."
She frowned but obeyed, stepping forward until she stood right in front of the massive elder.
Guru reached out, placing his large hand on her head.
For a second, nothing happened.
Then—
Okara's body tensed.
Her breath hitched, her fists clenching as a rush of energy surged through her.
I recognized the feeling immediately.
Her power was being unleashed.
Her potential unlocked.
Her whole body trembled, her muscles flexing instinctively as the raw force within her was set free. She let out a sharp breath, eyes wide in shock.
I could only imagine what that felt like for her.
I had been ready for it. I had expected it.
She?
She had no idea what she was in for.
And from the way her aura flickered around her, sparking like an untamed wildfire, she wasn't handling it as smoothly as I had.
Then, just as suddenly as it started, it was over.
Guru removed his hand, and Okara staggered back, her breathing heavy.
She blinked rapidly, looking down at her hands, flexing her fingers like she wasn't sure if she was still in her own body.
"What…" she breathed. "What was that?"
"The power that was already within you," Guru rumbled. "Now brought to the surface."
Okara's eyes snapped up, wide with realization. "Wait. That was all mine?"
Guru nodded. "Indeed."
She clenched her fists, then let out a wild grin. "Ha! I knew I was strong! Now fight me! Escarot! I will defeat you!"
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Don't let it go to your head."
Too late.
Okara practically bounced on her feet, shifting into a fighting stance. "I gotta test this out! Escarot, fight me!"
I snorted. "You sure about that?"
She grinned. "Hell yeah."
Nail let out a small sigh. "Saiyans…"
Guru, on the other hand, just chuckled.
"Go, young one," he said to Okara. "Test your strength. But remember… strength alone does not make a warrior."
Okara blinked, then frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Nail replied, as I grabbed her by the collar, dragging her toward the exit. "It means don't be an idiot."
"Hey—HEY! Lemme go, I'm gonna kick your ass!"
I chuckled. "We'll see about that."
As we left, Guru's voice echoed behind us.
"Escarot."
I paused, glancing back at him.
His eyes met mine, calm and wise. "Take care of this one."
I nodded. "I will."
—--
After dragging Okara back to the island—kicking, screaming, and trying (and failing) to punch me in the face—I left her to burn off her newfound power alone, with the promise to spar with her later, before flying straight back to Nail.
Why?
Well, I had one request.
"I need weighted clothes."
Nail raised an eyebrow. He was standing with his arms crossed, posture as rigid as ever, his sharp eyes scanning me with that usual unreadable intensity. "Why?"
I smirked. "Because I need to get stronger. Fast."
For a moment, he didn't say anything.
Then, slowly, he uncrossed his arms, stepping forward. "Training with weight is effective," he admitted, tilting his head slightly. "But you already train with that ridiculous boulder. Do you truly need more?"
I rolled my shoulders. "The boulder is great for endurance. But it limits my movements, I need something that allows me to adjust to the weight more naturally."
Nail studied me, then gave a slow nod. "Very well."
He lifted his hand, palm facing me, and suddenly—
I felt it.
A shift in the air, a faint glow of energy, and before I could blink, my clothes changed.
The Saiyan armor, the bodysuit—all gone.
Instead, I was now clad in a traditional Namekian gi. A deep purple tunic, a blue sash tied around my waist, and a white collar.
The second I registered the change, I immediately felt it.
My knees almost buckled.
It was heavy.
Really, really heavy.
It felt like someone had just thrown a mountain on my back, pressing down on my shoulders, sinking into my limbs, making every movement ten times harder.
I let out a slow breath, adjusting my stance, trying to distribute my weight better. "Okay," I muttered. "That's a lot heavier than I thought."
Nail didn't look impressed. "This is just the starting weight."
I blinked. "You can make them heavier?"
His expression remained neutral. "I can, I simply adjusted this set to what I believe your body can currently handle. I will increase over time as you grow stronger."
I straightened, testing my movement. Even walking felt sluggish. But I grinned. "Good. That's exactly what I need."
Nail nodded. "Then we begin immediately."
I smirked. "So eager to get your ass kicked?"
Nail simply lifted his hand, and with a single flick of his wrist, he vanished.
Before I could even think to react, a powerful force slammed into my stomach.
I choked, the air blasted out of my lungs as I was sent flying across the plateau, smashing into a boulder with enough force to crack it in half.
I groaned. "Okay… ow."
Nail landed a few feet away, arms crossed. "Your movements are too slow. If you are to help my people, you need to grow stronger."
I pushed myself up, rubbing my stomach. "Yeah, no shit."
I took a deep breath, forced my body to adjust to the weight, then charged.
We clashed in an instant.
Fist met fist, shockwaves rattling the ground beneath us. Nail was faster—much faster—but I was getting used to the weight. Every punch I threw was sluggish at first, but the more we exchanged blows, the more my body adapted.
Still, Nail was leagues ahead.
The moment I tried to create some distance, he was already behind me. A sharp kick to my side sent me skidding across the ground.
I barely caught myself before he was on me again.
I ducked under a strike, countered with an uppercut, but he caught my fist and threw me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing.
I hit the ground hard, coughing.
"Better, but still too slow," Nail said.
I groaned, rolling onto my side. "Give me… a second."
"No."
And just like that, he was on me again.
For hours, we fought.
Or, well—he fought, and I got my ass kicked. But hey, I was learning.
Every time I was knocked down, I got back up. Every time he sent me flying, I came back swinging. Every time I thought I couldn't move, I forced my body to keep going.
Because I had to.
This wasn't just about training anymore, for the sake of training.
This was survival.
Slug was coming. And Nail…
He wasn't just training me.
He was training himself.
I could see it in the way he fought. This was different to our normal spars. I could see it in the way he pushed himself just as hard as he pushed me. He wasn't just testing me; he was testing himself, sharpening his own skills, preparing for the fight that was coming.
He wasn't going to rest until he knew, without a doubt, that he could protect his people. That I could protect his people.
That realization hit me harder than any of his punches.
I exhaled, shaking off the pain, pushing myself up.
Nail watched me, waiting. "Again?"
I wiped the blood from my mouth and smirked. "You bet your ass."
We launched at each other once more.
This time, however, I think I wasn't quite as slow as I had been a few hours ago.
And we still had months to go.
I began experimenting with Ki after my training with Nail. In what little free time I had.
I had multiple reasons to do this, but mainly… I wanted to have an Ace under my sleeve, in case Slug was more than we could handle straight up.
So here I was, experimenting.
If Ki was energy, and it flowed as such, then… there had to be a way to increase the flow of energy, in turn, increasing my power.
Even if said increase was momentary.
I mean, the Kaio-ken existed.
So, there was a way to push past normal limitations.
But how?
I sat cross-legged on a boulder, palms facing upward. I focused, gathering Ki into my hands, watching the soft glow pulse between my fingers. Normally, I let it rise slowly, evenly, like pouring water into a cup. But what if I… forced it?
I clenched my fists.
Nothing happened.
Okay, maybe forcing wasn't the right path. It wasn't just about more energy, maybe it had to be faster, the kaio-ken looked fast, right?
Nodding to myself, I took a deep breath and focused again, this time trying to increase the flow rate, like turning a faucet from a trickle to a rush.
The energy spiked; for a second. A flash of warmth shot through my arms, but then it faded. It wasn't stable.
"That didn't work…" I muttered.
Shaking my head, I tried again.
This time, I pushed harder, pulling Ki from deep inside me and forcing it outward in one go.
A sudden burst of power surged through my body; my vision blurred, my heart pounded against my ribs, and for half a second, I felt… powerful. My muscles tensed, every part of me felt alive.
Then, just as fast as it came; it was gone. My limbs shook, and I barely caught myself from falling forward.
I sat there, panting. "I… think I'm heading in the right direction."
That was certainly different.
But it was also pretty painful.
I rubbed my arms. My muscles ached, like I had just sprinted at full speed without warming up. If I had pushed harder, would I have injured myself?
Probably…
So, increasing the flow rate of Ki worked; but there was a limit. If I forced too much at once, I would probably tear myself apart.
But maybe… maybe that was one of the kinks I had to iron out?
I mean, If my body couldn't handle the increase, then I needed to adapt to it. Strengthen myself, train my endurance, condition my body to handle heavier loads of energy.
That sounded right.
I think…
This was all new to me.
Snorting, I stood up.
One more time.
I gathered my Ki, but this time, I didn't just release it. I held it back, let the pressure build before suddenly unleashing it.
BOOM.
The ground beneath me cracked. My vision flickered. I felt faster, stronger, but it only lasted a second before my legs buckled and I collapsed to one knee, sweating. My heartbeat slamming in my ears, painfully.
I gasped for breath. "Holy fuck…" My body wasn't ready for this.
I think I pulled every muscle, and some.
But I was close.
I learned a few things today.
This wasn't just about increasing Ki flow. It was about control. Timing, and Endurance. If I could find the balance between release and restraint, I could… theoreticaly, if I didn't blow myself up… maintain this state without burning out instantly.
I grinned to myself.
This was going to take a lot of practice.
But I was onto something.
And I wasn't stopping now.
I really hoped King Kai didn't copyright his move.
Now… if I succeeded, and I would. How should I name my technique?
"Overclock?" I muttered, immediately hating the name, though if I had been an android, it would've been a cool name for a technique. ""Maybe I should ask Nail. Then again… He'd probably call it something like 'Ki Reinforcement' or 'Battle State'—practical, but lame."
Okara maybe?
No…
She would call it something like, Ultra Murderous Killing Bloody Decapitation mode.
—--
[Okara POV.]
I was angry.
No, scratch that—I was pissed.
At him.
Escarot.
That smug, tail-wagging bastard.
He had promised to train me. Promised. And instead of keeping his word, he handed me off to a bunch of Namekians while he ran off to do his own training.
I mean, sure, these Namekians were stronger than me. And yeah, I was learning new stuff—actual techniques, proper form, things that went beyond just throwing punches until one of us couldn't stand anymore.
But that wasn't the point.
I wanted to train with him. Not these green, weird-voiced, water eating, antenna-having—
I stopped mid-thought, blocking a kick aimed at my ribs. The force pushed me back, my boots dragging against the dirt, but I held my ground.
The Namekian in front of me—Rend, or something like that—nodded approvingly. "Better. But you hesitated."
I scowled, shaking out my arms. "I blocked it, didn't I?"
"You did," he admitted. "But you reacted instead of anticipating. You need to sense the attack before it comes, not after."
Tch. That was the problem with these guys. They fought different. No scouters, just… feeling the fight. It was weird. But they seemed to know what they were doing most of the time.
So, I didn't hate it.
But I still wanted to fight Escarot. That smug bastard.
I had been training like crazy ever since we got to this weird, empty, water-covered planet. I was stronger than when we first arrived—way stronger. And I wanted to prove it.
To him.
Not to these guys.
But no. He was too busy training with the big strong Namekian.
I grit my teeth, my tail flicking behind me in irritation.
Fine.
If he wanted to ignore me, I'd just have to get strong enough that he couldn't ignore me.
—--
[Paragus POV.]
I stepped into my quarters, rolling my shoulders, still sore from my latest mission. Four months off-planet, and the first thing I saw when I returned?
Tomat.
She sat on the edge of the bed, arms crossed, tail flicking lazily. Still armored, still looking as fierce as the day I first laid eyes on her.
I smirked. "Didn't expect to see you here."
"I didn't expect to be here," she shot back. "But apparently, being pregnant means you can't do shit."
I blinked. Then grinned. "So, we're having another cub."
"Yeah, seems like it."
I chuckled, stepping further inside, peeling off my gloves. Another cub. Huh.
Tomat didn't strike me as the motherly type—not by Saiyan standards, anyway. She wasn't the soft or gentle kind. Then again, neither was I.
But she was strong.
I still remembered our first meeting. How she had tried to kill me, despite knowing I was stronger than her.
Hell, she still tried to kill me at least once a month whenever we were on the planet together.
At that moment, back then, I knew—she was the Saiyan for me.
"So," she said, tilting her head. "Where's our first cub?"
I smirked. "He was personally assigned a mission by King Vegeta."
I was proud of my cub.
Tomat raised a brow. "Really?"
I nodded, arms crossed. "A mission for Lord Beerus himself."
She let out a short chuckle. "And here I thought I was actually going to meet him."
I frowned slightly. "You still haven't?"
"Please," she scoffed. "I spent months off-planet before they shoved me back here because of this." She gestured vaguely at herself. "By the time I returned, he was already gone."
I considered that for a moment. It was true—she'd been on an assignment when Escarot had first emerged from his pod. She had never actually seen him.
I smirked. "He takes after you, y'know."
Tomat snorted. "So, he's a pain in the ass?"
I chuckled. "Something like that."
I leaned against the wall, arms crossed as I watched Tomat stretch.
"Have you thought of any names for our future cub?" I asked. I had named our first cub, so it was only fair she had the honor of naming our second.
"A few," she said, stifling a yawn. "Shallot, Beetok, and Broly."
I mulled them over. Good names. Strong names.
But if I had to pick…
"Broly," I said, the name rolling off my tongue with weight. "I think I like that one."
Tomat smirked. "Broly it is then."
She stretched again, cracking her neck. "Can't wait to push this little parasite into the incubation pod. I hate doing nothing."
I chuckled. "And here I thought you'd enjoy the break."
She shot me a glare. "I'd rather be on a mission, breaking bones."
Of course she would. That was the Tomat I knew. The first time we fought, she had nearly gotten herself killed trying to take me down. And even now, even pregnant, she hated the idea of sitting idle.
I smirked. "Well, at least we know Broly's going to inherit your temper."
Tomat snorted. "Good. I'd hate to raise some soft-blooded weakling."
I grunted in agreement. Strength was everything to a Saiyan. It was the only thing that mattered. And if our cub was anything like us, like his brother, he'd be strong.
Very strong.
She flopped onto our bed, arms stretched above her head. "So, where exactly did our first cub get sent, anyway? You said it was a mission straight from King Vegeta, but you didn't say what kind."
That was true. I hadn't.
Not because I didn't want to, but because, quite frankly, I had no idea what to make of it.
"The king assigned him to a special mission," I said, keeping my tone even. "Something… unusual."
Tomat raised a brow. "Unusual how?"
I exhaled, leaning against the doorframe. "Beerus."
She blinked. "…What? You mean that hairless purple cat that is a God?"
"Yes, Lord Beerus himself gave the order."
For the first time since she walked in, Tomat looked genuinely surprised. She sat up, her dark eyes narrowing. "Beerus? As in, The Destroyer?"
I nodded.
She frowned, her tail flicking behind her. "Since when does a god of destruction bother with lowly Saiyans? Didn't you say he only goes to bully the King or something?"
I… did say that. And she was right.
Which was what made this whole thing so strange.
"I don't know," I admitted. "But whatever the case, the king wasn't happy about it."
That part was obvious. King Vegeta was prideful to a fault, most of us Saiyans were, but he was even more than the rest of us. The only authority he acknowledged was his own. But Lord Beerus? That was one of the few beings in the universe he had to bow his head to, and the fact that Beerus had taken a sudden interest in our cub clearly didn't sit well with him.
But… he hadn't killed our cub, so everything was fine.
Tomat crossed her arms. "Tch. So what's the mission, then? Some kind of planetary destruction?"
I exhaled sharply. "…Pillow hunting."
She stared at me.
Then she blinked.
Then, she burst out laughing.
A full, head-thrown-back, belly-clutching laugh.
I scowled. "It's not a joke."
"It sounds like a joke!" she cackled, wiping a tear from her eye. "A Saiyan warrior—our cub—sent on a high-priority mission… to find a pillow?"
I didn't respond.
Because yeah, it did sound ridiculous.
But that didn't change the fact that it was real.
Tomat took a few moments to get the laughter out of her system before shaking her head. "Unbelievable. And here I thought King Vegeta assigned him something important."
I narrowed my eyes. "If Lord Beerus ordered it, then it is important."
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, sure. Nothing's more crucial to universal balance than a god's beauty sleep."
I let out a low grunt, deciding not to argue. Tomat was stubborn, and once she had an opinion, it was almost impossible to change it.
Still, I had to admit—I didn't know what to make of it either.
Beerus had his pick of warriors, planets, entire armies to order around. Hell, he could order King Cold himself to look for that pillow… So why assign a single child to this mission?
None of it made sense.
"Well, whatever," Tomat finally said, flopping back onto the bed. "I guess we'll find out what it's all about when he gets back. If he ever does."
I stiffened. "He will."
She smirked at my tone. "Oh? Confident, are we?"
"He's our cub," I replied simply. "He will return."
Tomat hummed, resting a hand over her stomach. "Guess we'll see if this one takes after him."
I glanced at her, at the small swell of her stomach that would soon grow into a life of its own. Another Saiyan. Another warrior.
Another reason to be proud.
I reached over, pressing a firm hand over hers. "He'll be strong. Just like his brother."
She smirked. "Just like us."
For a moment, we sat in silence.
Then, with a sigh, she muttered, "Three more months until I can throw this parasite in the pod."
I snorted. "You talk like you're the only female who hates pregnancy."
"I am the only Saiyan who hates it this much," she grumbled. "All that wasted time. No missions. No fights. Just sitting around like some weakling."
"You're hardly weak," I said dryly.
She grinned, sharp and cocky. "Damn right."
I shook my head. "Three more months, huh?"
"Three more months," she confirmed. Then she tilted her head, glancing up at me. "You gonna be here when it happens?"
I exhaled, rubbing the back of my neck. "Depends on where my next assignment is."
She scoffed. "Figures. You miss one, you miss the other. Don't think you're getting out of training him, though. I will drag you back by the tail if I have to."
I smirked. "I'd like to see you try."
Tomat grinned. "Careful. You know I like a challenge."
I chuckled, shaking my head. Three more months. And then, we'd have another warrior in the making.
A warrior named Broly.
I was starving.
Which, considering I had just spent the last six hours getting my ass handed to me by Nail, wasn't surprising. Training was brutal, even more so now that he wasn't holding back as much. Every punch felt like getting hit with a damn spaceship.
Still, I couldn't complain. I was getting stronger. And that was what mattered.
But at this very moment, the only thing that mattered was food.
I cracked my neck as I flew over Namek's endless blue waters, scanning the surface below. I had asked to be the best chef in the universe—might as well put that to the test. And what better way to do that than with fresh, local ingredients?
I dipped lower, letting my eyes trail over the shallows, my new chef instincts kicking in. I knew exactly what to look for.
Fish.
Crustaceans.
Edible plants.
I smirked. Namek wasn't exactly known for its cuisine, mostly because Namekians didn't eat solid food, I think they mostly ate water. But that didn't mean the planet didn't have ingredients.
And I could already see them.
I landed softly on a rocky outcrop, just by the shoreline. The water was crystal clear, revealing the creatures below. Schools of silver-scaled fish darted through the currents, their sleek bodies reflecting the teal sky. Further out, larger shadows moved beneath the waves.
And near the shallows?
Bingo.
I crouched, peering down at a group of massive crabs scuttling across the seabed. They weren't like the crabs back on Earth—these were bigger, their shells a dark green with strange, bioluminescent markings along their backs.
"Alright, come to papa."
With a quick flick of my wrist, I sent a small blast of ki into the water, just enough to stun them without ruining the meat. A few of them flipped over, legs twitching before going still. I reached down and yanked one out of the water, its shell still faintly glowing.
I grinned. "You'll do nicely."
Throwing it over my shoulder, I moved in-land. I knew Namek had edible vegetation—I had seen it during my flights. Large leafy plants, root vegetables, even some weird-looking pods that smelled vaguely like garlic.
I plucked a few, my hands moving almost on autopilot. It was strange—this wasn't knowledge I had before, but thanks to my wish, I instinctively knew what everything was, how it could be used, how to pair flavors together.
By the time I returned to the small campsite, I had everything I needed.
Fish.
Crabs.
Some kind of Namekian tubers.
And a bundle of long, green stalks that smelled like onions.
I rolled my shoulders. Time to see if this wish was worth it.
Building a fire was easy. A small ki blast took care of that. Setting up a cooking area? That was a bit trickier. But before long, I had a makeshift station, complete with a flat rock I was using as a cutting board.
I grabbed one of the crabs first, flipping it over with practiced ease. I knew exactly where to press, exactly how to break it apart without ruining the meat. My hands moved on their own, separating the legs, pulling out the shell, extracting the soft, white flesh with expert precision.
I blinked.
Damn. I really was the best.
Next, the fish. Scaled, gutted, filleted—all in a matter of seconds.
I smirked to myself. Maybe this wish hadn't been a waste after all.
With the prep done, I moved on to cooking. The tubers I sliced thin, tossing them into a heated pan with a bit of oil. They sizzled immediately, releasing a rich, delectable aroma. The crab meat followed, then the fish, all seasoned with a mix of crushed sea salt and the garlic-like pods.
The smell hit me like a truck.
My mouth watered.
Holy shit. This was going to be good.
I worked fast, flipping the fish, stirring the vegetables, making sure everything cooked evenly. The flavors blended together perfectly, the scent alone enough to make my stomach growl.
Within minutes, it was done.
I plated it onto a flat rock, stepping back to admire my work.
Golden-brown fish, flaky and tender.
Crab meat, buttery and rich.
Crispy, caramelized tubers and fragrant greens.
I didn't even hesitate. I grabbed a piece of fish and took a bite.
The moment it hit my tongue, I nearly blacked out.
This was—this was—
I had never tasted anything this good in my entire life.
And I had made it.
Me! The guy whose best dish was instant-ramen before all this!
I sat down, inhaling my meal like a starving man, which I might as well be, considering what Saiyans eat. Every bite was perfection, every flavor balanced just right. It was almost unfair how good this was.
When I finally finished, I leaned back with a satisfied sigh.
Yeah.
This wish had definitely been worth it.
"I think I'll make seconds," I muttered.
—--
[Okara POV.]
One second, I was training.
The next?
I was practically drooling.
What the hell was that smell?!
I had been in the middle of shadow sparring, throwing punches at the air, imagining myself beating the crap out of Escarot for ditching me with these stupid Namekians for weeks. But then, out of nowhere, my nose caught something.
Something amazing.
My stomach growled so loud I swore the Namekians I was training with; heard it.
I sniffed the air, turning my head towards the source. My body reacted before my brain did, my feet leaving the ground as I shot off toward the scent like a missile.
I wasn't sure where I was going. Didn't care, either.
I needed to find it.
I zoomed over the open waters of Namek, following the trail like a predator hunting prey. The smell got stronger, richer. My mouth watered so much I had to wipe my chin. What the hell was that?!
Then—
I spotted him.
Escarot.
Sitting on a tiny island, leaning back like he had just finished the best meal of his life.
A fire crackled in front of him. Next to it, a plate—or, well, a rock—with the remains of something golden, crispy, and absolutely mouth-watering.
I didn't think.
I dove.
I hit the ground headfirst, kicking up a cloud of dust as I crashed. I popped back up immediately, stomping toward him.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!" I practically yelled, jabbing a finger at the plate.
Escarot blinked at me, looking completely unfazed. "Uh… food?"
I growled. "No shit, it's food! I mean, what kind of food?!"
He smirked, sitting up. "Namekian seafood."
Seafood?
Wait.
Namek had seafood? Didn't they eat water?
Nevermind that!
I had been on this planet for months, eating nothing but ration packs and whatever scraps the Namekians offered, and this idiot had been out here cooking?!
Wait… HE COULD COOK?!
"You mean to tell me," I said slowly, my eye twitching, "that this whole time, while I've been suffering, you have been making actual, real food?!"
Escarot's smirk widened. "Well, to be fair, this is my first time cooking."
I twitched. My tail bristled. My fists clenched.
I was going to kill him. He cooked this! And didn't invite me?!
But first—
I stomped past him, crouching over what little food was left. My stomach growled again, louder this time.
There was barely anything left—just some crispy bits of fish, a few pieces of golden vegetables, and some weird green things I didn't recognize.
Didn't matter.
I grabbed the biggest piece and shoved it into my mouth.
And then—
My entire world changed.
The moment the food hit my tongue, I saw stars.
It was crunchy. It was soft. It was perfect. The fish melted in my mouth, the flavors blending together in a way I didn't even know was possible.
I didn't realize I had groaned until Escarot snorted. "Good, huh?"
I swallowed, barely chewing. "What—how—why—WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!"
Escarot leaned back on his hands, looking far too smug. "Food."
I grabbed another piece—okay, all the pieces—and stuffed them in my mouth.
It was even better the second time.
I had never cared about food before. Saiyan rations were bland, sure, but we weren't picky. Food was food. As long as it gave us energy, that was all that mattered.
But this?
This was something else.
I sat back, licking my fingers, still trying to comprehend what I had just eaten.
Escarot chuckled. "Guess that means you like it."
I glared at him. "How the hell did you even do this?"
He shrugged. "I am the best chef in the universe."
I stared.
Then, very slowly, I narrowed my eyes.
"…Since when?"
Escarot paused for half a second before smirking. "Always."
I twitched violently. "Bullshit."
He stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Believe what you want."
I scoffed, crossing my arms. "Yeah, well, if you always knew how to cook, why didn't you tell me?"
Escarot smirked, standing up. "I dunno. You never asked."
I twitched again. My eye, my tail, my whole body.
I was going to murder him.
After I got more food.
I twitched violently. "I hate you."
"You just inhaled my food."
I gritted my teeth. Damn it, he had a point.
Crossing my arms, I huffed. "Okay, fine. I don't hate you. But I do hate that I've been eating rations while you've been making this."
Escarot stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Then maybe you should learn how to cook."
I scoffed. "Yeah, no thanks."
"Suit yourself," he said, standing up. "But I'm not cooking for you every day."
That made me freeze.
Wait.
No more food?
No more of that food?
My pride and my stomach wrestled for dominance. My stomach won.
"…Fine," I muttered. "Maybe I'll learn a little."
Escarot smirked. "That's the spirit."
I glared at him. "But if you ever stop cooking for me, I will kill you."
He just laughed. "If you kill me, I can't cook for you."
Wait…
FUCK!
—--
[Third Person POV.]
[King Cold]
King Cold reclined on his throne, eyes narrowed as he gazed at the image of Planet Vegeta displayed on the vast screen before him. His long, purple tail flicked lazily against the polished floor, betraying his idle amusement.
Of all the planets he had conquered, Planet Vegeta was his favorite. It had a… ruggish charm to it.
Behind him, Berryblue stood with her usual composed demeanor, clipboard in hand. The elderly attendant's expression was neutral, her sharp eyes focused as she observed her master.
"Quite the sight, isn't it?" King Cold's voice rumbled, deep and smooth, some might even say, elegant. "So full of life... and potential. Too bad most Saiyans are just stupid."
Berryblue nodded politely. "Indeed, sire. Good thing their use doesn't require brainpower."
King Cold chuckled, the sound cold and calculated. "Vicious, yes. But hopelessly primitive. Still, I suppose their brutish strength serves its purpose."
Berryblue took a step forward, her tone flat. "Lord Cold, the preparations for your retirement are nearing completion. Within the next three to five months, everything should be in place for you to pass on your reign to Lord Frieza."
Cold's lips curled into a thin smile. "Excellent." His gaze remained fixed on the screen. "My son... he will bring this universe to its knees. Such promise, such power. And, unlike his brother, he's delightfully ruthless."
Berryblue inclined her head. "Indeed, Lord Frieza's methods are... efficient."
King Cold chuckled again, tapping a claw against his chin. "Ah, my dear Berryblue, efficiency is one of Frieza's greatest strengths. He understands that power is meaningless unless wielded with precision. Fear... that is his greatest weapon. The fear he instills in his subjects is nothing short of marvelous."
Berryblue's expression remained calm, though her eyes sparkled with a hint of amusement. "He is truly your son, sire."
Cold's smile grew, a touch of pride creeping into his otherwise cold demeanor. "Yes. He will surpass even me in time." His tail flicked again, the movement sharper. "But that time is fast approaching. My days of conquest are coming to an end."
Berryblue nodded. "You've built an empire that spans the known universe, Lord Cold. Your legacy will endure."
"Legacy..." King Cold repeated, the word rolling off his tongue like a promise. "It's not enough to simply conquer. One must rule with an iron fist. The galaxy must know who their master is—who holds the power to destroy worlds with a flick of their wrist."
His eyes drifted back to Planet Vegeta. "The Saiyans... their strength is admirable, but their pride is a double-edged sword. Left unchecked, it could lead to their downfall. But under Frieza's rule, they'll remain useful pawns."
Berryblue tilted her head slightly. "If I may ask, sire... have you considered the possibility of any resistance from the Saiyans? Their king has been... restless as of late."
King Cold's expression darkened, his amusement flickering out like a dying flame. "King Vegeta is a fool. Any thoughts of rebellion will be crushed before they can take root."
He leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "And should they grow too bold... well, there's always a more permanent solution."
Berryblue's eyes gleamed with understanding. "Of course, sire."
Cold's smile returned, cold and cruel. "It's almost endearing, really. Their desperation to prove themselves worthy. But strength without intelligence is nothing but wasted potential."
Berryblue inclined her head, her voice respectful. "And Lord Frieza has both in abundance."
"Precisely." Cold's voice was filled with pride. "Frieza is the perfect successor. His power will soon rival my own, and his ambition knows no bounds. He will take this empire and shape it into something far greater than even I could have imagined."
He paused, his gaze turning contemplative. "Of course, I will remain available for guidance. A wise ruler knows when to step back... but also when to offer a guiding hand."
Berryblue's lips twitched in a faint smile. "Your wisdom is unmatched, sire. The empire will remain strong under Lord Frieza's rule."
"Indeed." Cold's eyes glowed with confidence. "And should he falter, well... I still have one more son."
Berryblue's expression remained neutral, though her eyes flickered briefly with understanding. "Lord Cooler is... equally formidable."
Cold chuckled darkly. "Oh, yes. My dear Cooler has always been... diligent. But he lacks Frieza's power. He's too focused on efficiency to see the bigger picture. But... perhaps that's not such a flaw after all."
He reclined back in his throne, his tail flicking idly. "Between the two of them, the universe will tremble. And my legacy will endure."
Berryblue nodded. "The preparations will continue as planned, sire. Shall I arrange for a formal announcement of your retirement?"
"Not yet," Cold said, his eyes glinting with anticipation. "Let's see how Frieza handles these next few months on Sector Delta. If he continues to prove himself worthy, then we shall proceed."
"As you wish, Lord Cold," Berryblue replied smoothly.
The screen flickered, shifting to display various sectors of the empire—planets under their control, reports of conquered worlds, and more.
Garlik was not a fighter.
He never had been, and I doubted he ever wanted to be. I had tried to push him to train, to become stronger with Okara and me, but he didn't really like it, but that didn't mean he had to stay weak.
Which is why, after weeks of putting it off, I finally decided to drag his ass to Guru.
It wasn't that I didn't want him to be stronger—it was more that he never seemed that interested. Unlike Okara, who threw herself into training like a lunatic, Garlik had been more focused on maintenance, like making sure our pods didn't randomly explode mid-flight.
Which, to be fair, was important. Very important.
But strength was just as important, especially in our universe, where a lot of people had the power to blow planets for fun. And while I didn't think Garlik needed to be a warrior if he didn't want to be, I wasn't about to leave him as the weak link in our group.
At the very least, I wanted him to have the power to defend himself.
So here we were.
Standing in front of Guru's massive chair, the old Namekian watched us with that same unreadable expression he always had.
Garlik, for his part, looked... uncomfortable.
"Are you sure about this, sir?" he muttered. "My potential was already deemed far too low to be a warrior, so… this might not work."
I replied. "Don't worry about it."
He huffed, crossing his arms. "That's my job, to worry about things. And besides, I don't need to be strong to fix things around."
"True, but you being stronger might save your life," I pointed out.
That shut him up.
Guru chuckled, the deep rumble of his voice filling the chamber. "Strength is not merely for battle, child. There are many things the strength of oneself can achieve."
Garlik hesitated, then sighed. "Fine."
Guru gestured for him to step forward.
The moment Garlik did, Guru placed his massive hand on the smaller Saiyan's head, fingers practically engulfing his skull.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then Garlik stiffened. His eyes widened, his body trembling slightly as an unseen force surged through him.
I could feel it.
His energy spiked—slowly at first, then rising higher, faster, more than doubling in an instant. It wasn't a sudden explosion of power, but a gradual, overwhelming surge, like a dam breaking.
The air around him vibrated. His tail bristled. His breath hitched.
And then, just as quickly as it came, it stopped.
Guru pulled his hand away, his expression calm. "It is done."
Garlik staggered back, his breathing uneven. He looked at his hands, flexing his fingers like he wasn't sure they were his.
Then he clenched them into fists.
"…That was something," he muttered.
I smirked. "So, how do you feel?"
He frowned, shifting his stance. "I feel… amazing." His brows furrowed, like he was trying to process it. "It's not just strength, I think I feel… sharper? Like my mind is clearer."
Guru smiled. "Potential is not merely physical. Even though some might think it is. It is also of the mind. You have always had the capacity for greatness, child. You simply lacked the means to access it."
Garlik stared at him, then at me. "So, do I have to be a warrior now?"
"Not if you don't want to," I replied.
—--
[Nail POV.]
I arrived just as Escarot and his companion, Garlik, stepped out of Lord Guru's home.
The moment I sensed Garlik's energy, I knew.
His power had increased significantly.
I wasn't surprised. Guru had done the same for Escarot and the other Saiyan girl, it had been a matter of time before he unlocked the potential of this one as well. But while Okara had been eager to grow stronger, this one—Garlik—hadn't shown the same drive.
According to Escarot, Garlik was an engineer, not a warrior. Strength had never been his focus. But based on what he had told me, this had been a fate enforced on him, not one he picked himself.
Yet now, even as he rolled his shoulders and adjusted to his newfound power, I could tell he felt different.
Perhaps time would make a warrior out of him.
Escarot turned to leave, but I called out to him. "Escarot, are you ready for our training session today?"
He grinned, stretching his arms behind his head. "You even have to ask?"
I nodded. "Good."
The last month had been… enlightening.
When I had first begun training him, I saw Escarot as nothing more than a strong-willed Saiyan with an unusual amount of self-control. But now?
Now, he was more than that.
He had become much stronger.
And so had I.
Training him… training with him had forced me to push my limits in ways I hadn't before. According to Lord Guru, Saiyans had a strange way of growing—every battle, every loss, every push beyond their limits made them stronger at a frightening pace.
Escarot was no exception.
Every time we fought, every time I thought he had reached his peak, he broke past it.
But it wasn't just his raw power.
It was the way he fought.
The way he adapted.
Every session, he adjusted to my techniques, studied my movements, and found ways to counter them. It was frustrating. It was infuriating.
And it was exactly what I needed.
Because we weren't training just to train.
We were training for war.
Slug was coming.
And if we wanted to have any hope of saving Namek, of protecting Guru, my people—my entire world—then we had to become stronger. Much, much stronger.
Escarot smirked. "So, what's on the menu today?"
I crossed my arms. "We'll fight, without holding back."
I needed to push his nature even further. If training had pushed him this far, a real fight would help him soar beyond limitations.
His grin widened. "Finally!"
Garlik let out a long sigh, rubbing his temples. "I don't know how you two do this every single day."
Escarot clapped him on the back. "It's fun, don't knock it until you try it, Garlik. You should fight Okara, knock her around for a bit."
Garlik chuckled. "Maybe."
I watched their exchange quietly.
Escarot had grown close to his squadmates during his time in Namek. At first, I had assumed it was just camaraderie, but that didn't fit the description of the Saiyans.
I had seen him cook with Okara.
Talk with Garlik.
He cared about them.
And that… was unusual.
Lord Guru had told me that Saiyans were known across the universe for their selfishness, their pride, their bloodlust. They valued strength above all else. The weak were left behind, cast aside, or used as fodder.
Escarot was different.
He was strong. That was undeniable.
But he didn't act like he was supposed to, like all of his race.
He had protected the girl, Okara. He had made sure Garlik wasn't left behind. He didn't just see them as tools, but as comarades.
It was… strange.
"Let's go," I said, turning toward the training ground. "We're wasting daylight."
Escarot cracked his neck. "Ehm… Namek has no night cycle. It's all daylight…."
—--
[Escarot POV]
"Ready when you are," I said, cracking my knuckles.
"Go ahead," Nail replied with a faint nod.
The moment Nail gave the nod to start, I launched forward, kicking off the ground so hard the dirt cracked beneath me. He was already in his stance, as my fist shot toward his face.
Or at least, it should have.
Nail's forearm snapped up at the last second, blocking my punch clean. A dull thud rang out from the impact, but he barely budged. I grinned. He was strong—good. That's what I needed.
I didn't stop.
I twisted my body, swinging my knee up toward his ribs. He dodged, but I was already following up with a kick aimed at his head. He raised his elbow, deflecting it, and the impact sent a small shockwave rippling between us, cracking the earth beneath our feet.
The force of our clash threw me slightly off balance; just for a second, but against Nail, that was all he needed.
He lunged forward, aiming a sharp strike at my ribs. My instincts screamed at me to move, and I barely managed to throw myself back in time. His fist passed just inches from my side, the wind pressure alone strong enough to send an exciting chill through my skin.
"Your reaction time is improving," Nail said, taking a step back.
I rolled my shoulders, cracking my neck. "I am getting trained by the best, aren't I?"
He didn't take the bait. "Then show me you're learning."
I smirked. "Gladly."
I kicked off the ground again, but this time, I didn't aim straight for him—I blurred out of view, moving from side to side, appearing behind him in a flash. My tail whipped out, aiming for his legs.
But he jumped. Damn it.
Before I could recover, his fist shot toward me—except it wasn't just his fist. His whole arm stretched unnaturally, flying at me like a damn snake. I jerked my head to the side at the last second, feeling the air shift as it barely missed my face.
"Okay, that's gonna take some getting used to," I muttered. I knew Namekians could do that, but it still caught me up by surprise.
And unfortunately for me, Nail wasn't done. His other arm stretched forward this time, a blur of green rushing toward me.
I reacted on instinct. I caught his wrist and yanked, pulling him toward me while twisting my torso. My tail lashed out, aiming for his side, realizing a little too late that—
He let me pull him in.
Before I knew what was happening, his arm bent unnaturally, wrapping around my own like a snake. Before I could even think of countering, his foot planted on my chest, and with one powerful push, he flipped backward, throwing me forward in the process.
I slammed into the ground and rolled, skidding until I planted a hand down and pushed myself back onto my feet. I wiped a bit of dust from my mouth, still grinning.
"Okay, that was cool," I admitted.
"You're still leaving openings," Nail said, closing the distance fast.
I barely had time to plant my feet before he was on me again. His arms blurred as he launched a barrage of attacks—punches, palm strikes, kicks. I blocked and dodged as best I could, my tail coiling behind me, ready to counter.
Then I saw my chance.
As he swung a punch toward my chest, I ducked and planted my hands on the ground, twisting my entire body as my tail snapped upward in a sharp arc
Bingo.
It struck Nail square in the chin, knocking his head back. He staggered slightly, rubbing his jaw.
"Better," he admitted.
I smirked. "I learn fast."
"Not fast enough."
His arm shot out again, stretching toward me, but this time, it didn't come alone. Both of his fists whipped forward like projectiles, each one from a different angle; forcing me to go fully on the defensive. I ducked, sidestepped, swatted a few away, but he was overwhelming me with pure reach.
Then I made a mistake.
I saw an opening—thought I saw an opening—and I lunged in for a counter. That's when his fist curved mid-air and slammed into the back of my head.
I stumbled forward. That was all he needed.
Nail was on me instantly. He drove a powerful kick into my stomach, forcing the air from my lungs, then retracted his elongated arm in an instant—just to uppercut me straight into the sky.
Pain flared in my jaw as I shot upward, but I didn't have time to recover. He was already moving.
"Not this time!" I yelled, forcing my body to flip midair. I threw my hands forward, energy crackling between my palms.
A split-second later, a barrage of golden ki blasts erupted from my fingertips, raining down toward Nail.
He barely flinched. Raising one hand, he swung his arm in a wide arc, releasing a shockwave of energy that erased my blasts before they even reached him.
Oh, come on.
Then he disappeared.
Where—above!
I barely turned my head before his foot crashed into my face, sending me rocketing toward the ground. I slammed into the dirt with enough force to kick up a cloud of dust and debris.
That last hit hurt.
But, damn, I was loving this.
I wiped my mouth from blood, and let out a breathless chuckle. "Alright, Nail," I said, cracking my knuckles. "Round two."
Nail landed a few feet away, arms crossed, eyes calm. "Go ahead."
I felt my blood pumping, energy thrumming beneath my skin. My aura flared, ki crackling around me as I dug my heels into the dirt.
Time to test the technique I had been practicing for the last few weeks.
"Surge!"
Immediately, a bright white aura swarmed around me, as my muscles contracted, hardened, and my strength increased dramatically.
Nail's expression barely changed, but I could tell he noticed the shift. His eyes flickered with recognition—he knew I was now stronger than him.
Perfect.
I grinned. "Now it's my turn."
I launched forward—no, I vanished. The air itself cracked from my sudden acceleration, and before Nail could react, I was already in front of him. My fist slammed into his guard with enough force to send a deep, concussive boom echoing across the Namekian landscape.
Nail slid back, his feet digging trenches into the dirt. He barely had a moment to plant himself before I was on him again. I twisted my body, swinging my leg in a brutal roundhouse kick. He raised his forearm to block, but this time, the impact hurt. His arm trembled slightly from the force, his stance wavering.
I saw it.
I pressed forward, hammering him with a relentless barrage of punches. Each strike was faster, heavier, sharper than before. Nail tried to deflect them, but for the first time, he was the one struggling to keep up.
A sharp grin spread across my face. "What do you think?"
Nail didn't answer—he couldn't. I slammed my knee into his gut, knocking the wind out of him, then spun and brought my elbow crashing down toward his head.
But just before I connected, his arm shot out—stretching again.
His fist wrapped around my wrist like a whip, stopping my strike cold. I tried to yank free, but his grip tightened.
"Tch—"
Before I could react, he twisted, swinging me like a damn wrecking ball before slamming me into the ground. The force sent a shockwave through the earth, and cracks spiderwebbed outward from the impact.
Dust clouded the air, but I wasn't done yet.
My tail shot out from the debris, wrapping around his ankle.
His eyes widened slightly. "What–"
I yanked with all my strength.
Nail lost his footing, falling forward—and I was already moving. I flipped up from the ground, my fist cocked back. As he fell, I drove a punch straight into his stomach.
The impact sent him flying. He rocketed backward like a missile, skidding across the dirt before coming to a stop, hitting a mountain.
I let out a slow exhale, rolling my shoulders. "This is getting fun," I said, my white aura still flaring. "Looks like the tables have turned."
Nail slowly pushed himself up, brushing some dust off his shoulder, and blood from his mouth. His expression was unreadable, but his stance shifted—every so slightly.
He exhaled. "Not bad."
I raised a brow. "Not bad? I just knocked you across the field, and that's all you have to say?"
Nail closed his eyes briefly—then smirked. "You are… shockingly strong for one so small."
I took a step forward, grinning. "Damn right I am
Guru POV.]
I could feel him.
My brother.
The scourge of Namek.
Slug was close.
I could feel his energy, nearing… festering wound in the air—foul, oppressive, drenched in absolute malice. It twisted through the currents of the universe like a storm on the horizon, drawing nearer with each passing day.
There was no doubt anymore.
He was coming.
After centuries of exile, after all the precautions I had taken, after all the prayers I had whispered to the Gods so that he might never return—he was coming home.
But this was no homecoming.
It was a reckoning.
I closed my eyes, exhaling slowly.
How much time did we have?
Days.
Maybe a week.
No more than that.
And we weren't ready.
Escarot and Nail had improved a lot. I could feel it. In just a few months, their power had grown tremendously, far beyond what I had anticipated. Their daily battles had shaped them into warriors more formidable than any Namekian had seen in centuries.
But it still wasn't enough.
Not against him.
Slug wasn't a mere warrior.
He wasn't just a powerful opponent. He was the first Super Namekian. A being that had long transcended the limits of our people. The last time we had crossed paths, before the Great Cataclysm, I was still young. Naïve. I had thought him misguided. Thought he could be reasoned with.
I had been wrong.
And that mistake had nearly doomed Namek once before.
Now, the mistake was coming to collect.
I opened my eyes, staring at the vast landscape of Namek before me. The blue skies, the rolling green hills, the gentle streams of water reflecting the light of our three suns. Peaceful.
How much longer would it remain that way?
How many of my children would die because of him?
"Elder."
I turned my head slightly.
Nail stood before me, fists clenched, his expression firm but questioning. He had felt it too.
"How long?" he asked.
"Days," I rumbled. "No more than a week."
Nail's jaw tightened. "Then we need to push harder."
I nodded. "You must."
He looked down for a moment, thoughtful. I could see the gears turning in his mind, calculating, strategizing. He knew just as well as I did what they were up against.
When he lifted his gaze, his eyes were filled with steel. "Escarot and I will train until we can no longer move."
"You already have," I reminded him.
"Then we will push past that."
He was determined. He always had been. And yet, I could sense the weight pressing down on his shoulders. The unspoken truth neither of us dared acknowledge aloud.
They weren't ready.
Not yet.
But they would have no choice.
I wished, more than anything, that it wasn't their burden to bear. That Slug's evil could have remained nothing more than an old, terrible memory.
But fate had decreed otherwise.
And all I could do now…
Was trust them to face a threat they never should have had to face.
—--
[Nail POV.]
I flew straight to Escarot's island, cutting through the clouds in the sky.
Lord Guru's words echoed in my mind. He is close.
The great evil of Namek, the darkness that once threatened our people before the great cataclysm… was nearly here.
Slug.
I could feel him now. His energy was still distant, but it loomed at the edge of my senses like a storm on the horizon. Heavy. Malicious. Overwhelming.
I had never thought possible for one of our own to… be this evil, this corrupted by malice.
We weren't ready.
Not yet.
We had grown stronger… but we were still weak.
I landed near Escarot's training ground, only to find him in the middle of a spar with Okara. She was breathing heavily, her stance loose but determined, while Escarot barely looked winded. He was coaching her as they fought, sidestepping her attacks with ease, correcting her footwork in real time.
But the moment I arrived, his head snapped toward me. His eyes locked onto mine, and I saw something I didn't expect.
Recognition.
"Escarot…" I began, but he cut me off.
"Yeah… I can feel it too."
I stiffened. He could feel it?
That wasn't possible. That shouldn't be possible.
Escarot had only learned to sense ki recently, a few months ago. And very recently, he had struggled to pick up anything beyond a few miles. Yet now, he had sensed Slug's approach just as I had?
I had come to warn him—to tell him what was coming.
But he already knew.
"He's much more powerful than we are," Escarot stated, his voice disturbingly calm. But his tail flicked behind him, the only sign of the tension I could spot.
Okara, still catching her breath, scowled between us. "Oi, what the hell are you guys talking about?! Who's 'he'? And why are you both acting like something's about to explode?!"
Neither of us answered her.
Slug's ki pressed against my senses like a growing tidal wave, still distant, but undeniable. It carried no restraint, no subtlety. Just raw, oppressive strength. The kind that crushed worlds beneath its heel.
I turned back to Escarot.
"We need to resume training. Immediately."
His grin widened. "Good. I was getting bored."
I narrowed my eyes. "Escarot, this isn't a game. Slug isn't just some strong opponent coming to spar. His power is monstrous. If we don't prepare, we will die."
I expected him to sober up.
Maybe even falter.
Instead, his pupils dilated. His breathing picked up.
"You know…" he muttered, rolling his shoulders, "Even knowing this guy is way stronger than us… I can't help but feel—" He exhaled sharply, his smirk stretching wide. "Excited."
My grip tightened.
For a moment, I didn't see the young warrior I had been training.
I saw a Saiyan.
A true Saiyan, like Lord Guru had described.
And despite myself…
I felt it too.
—--
[Escarot POV.]
I could feel him.
Slug.
His ki pressed against my senses, growing closer with every second. Heavy. Overwhelming. Suffocating.
And yet…
A hungry grin stretched across my face.
Because he was strong.
So much stronger than me.
I knew it the moment I felt him—his presence dwarfed mine like a mountain standing over a grain of sand. He wasn't just powerful. He was a fucking monster.
And still, my blood burned with excitement.
A thrill shot through me, my heartbeat hammering like a battle drum in my chest. My tail lashed behind me, my body thrumming with energy, my muscles coiling like a spring ready to explode.
Every fiber of my being was screaming at me.
Telling me to fight.
To challenge.
To win.
I clenched my fists, barely able to contain the sheer need surging through me. The instinct, the hunger, the Saiyan thrill of battle, it was intoxicating. My body didn't care that Slug outclassed me. It didn't care that he could obliterate me with a flick of his wrist.
Every part of me wanted to face this foe… head on.
I clenched my fists, feeling my ki flicker in response. This was it. This was what I had been waiting for.
The real thing.
The Saibamen?
Nothing.
My spars with Nail?
Training. There was no real danger to them.
But this?
This was an actual battle. A real fight. The kind where losing didn't mean a bruised ego or a few broken ribs. It meant death.
And it thrilled me.
I let out a slow, shaky breath as my body trembled, my grin widening. My instincts were running wild, my body begging to throw itself into the fray, to tear into the enemy, to test myself against an opponent who could actually kill me.
This was newground for me.
That being said… instincts or not, I couldn't be an idiot, so I exhaled sharply, forcing my excitement down. I had to keep a level head. Charging in blindly would be suicide, and despite how eager my instincts were, I had to be smarter than the average saiyan.
I had to be careful… Slug was a true adversary. An actual threat. Someone who could—and would—kill me if I wasn't careful.
I needed to be smarter. Stronger.
I needed to be ready.
I rolled my shoulders, shaking out the tension building in my muscles. Calm down. Focus. The battle would come soon enough.
For now, I had a few days to train a bit more.
And I was going to use those days to push myself harder than ever.
This was the moment I had been waiting for.
And I was not going to waste it.
—--
[Third Person POV]
[Lord Slug ]
The darkened halls of Slug's command ship hummed as the ship moved forward. The only sound that broke the silence was the faint beeping of the navigational system, confirming what Slug already knew.
Namek was in sight.
Finally.
A few days away.
He had searched for his homeworld for centuries. The place of his birth. The world that should have belonged to him, the benchmark of his empire. Instead, his foolish brother had exiled him, had cast him out into the farthest reaches of space, fearing his ambitions.
Slug's wrinkled lips curled, his thick fingers gripping the armrests of his throne.
But now, here it was.
A green jewel in the vast nothingness of space, untouched by war, unclaimed by any empire. And soon, it would be his.
No, not just Namek.
Everything.
With the power of the Dragon Balls, he would cast aside his limits. He would return to his prime, a force greater than any had seen before. The so-called "Cold Demons" would fall, the PTO would crumble, and he would carve his name into the stars.
But first, he needed those wishes. He needed the Dragon Balls
And he was not a patient man.
Slug turned his head slightly. "Angila."
His second-in-command stepped forward, bowing. "My lord?"
Slug's eyes remained locked on the growing sight of Namek. "Take a squad and begin the invasion. I want those Dragon Balls collected before I arrive. Kill whoever gets in your way, except for Guru… he's mine to kill."
Angila rolled his shoulders, stretching as if he were preparing for an exercise. "Please, my lord. If we actually needed your strength to handle this backwater planet, I'd be disappointed." A flicker of energy crackled at his fingertips. "We'll have them before dinner, and save you the dessert."
Slug's gaze finally shifted, his glowing red eyes narrowing. "Don't get complacent, Angila." His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, a sharpness beneath the surface. "I've waited far too long for this, if you fail… I will kill you."
The smirk on Angila's face faltered—only slightly—before he gave a fearful nod. "Understood, my lord."
Slug leaned back, exhaling through his nose. He did not expect resistance. His kind was a peaceful race, weak, pathetic, their warriors barely worth noting. Even their strongest would be nothing before him.
Still. He had waited centuries. He was not about to take any chances.
His eyes flicked across his other warriors.
"Zeeun. Dobodaro. Medamatcha," he commanded. "You're going with him. Any Namekian foolish enough to resist—kill them."
Zeeun saluted, his posture stiff.
Dobodaro chuckled under his breath, his claws flexing in anticipation.
Medamatcha, the toad-like warrior, merely grunted, crossing his bulky arms.
"Spread out," Angila ordered. "Find the villages, shake them down, and bring me those damn balls."
Slug closed his eyes as his warriors left the throne room. His fingers tapped against his armrest.
Soon.
Soon, he would have his prime. Soon, he would take what was rightfully his.
A cruel grin formed on his lips.
"Immortality, eternal youth…" he murmured. "The universe will kneel. The Cold Demons will fall. And Guru…"
His bony fingers clenched into a fist.
"Will burn for what he did to me."
—--
Power Level Section:
Lord Slug (Old): 610,000
Super Namek: 916,000
Angila: 48,000
Medamatcha: 42,000
Zeeun: 40,000
Dobodaro: 39,500
Escarot: 38,879 48,250
Escarot (Surge): 60,313
Escarot (Oozaru) 482,500
Escarot (Oozaru Surge) = 603,125
Nail: 44,250 53,750
Okara: 2278 7115
Garlik: 604 5326