Despite her innocent appearance, little Yalun had asked some surprisingly complex questions that even left Karnel scratching his head. Some
Despite her innocent appearance, little Yalun had asked some surprisingly complex questions that even left Karnel scratching his head. Some of her childish inquiries about life, the universe, and why bad people existed had no easy answers, forcing him to rely on awkward laughter and vague responses until her mother finally arrived to collect her.
"Finally," Karnel muttered with relief as he waved goodbye to Yalun and her grateful mother. "Chatting with a four-year-old is more mentally exhausting than fighting cosmic-level enemies."
Shaking his head with a bemused smile, he picked up his fishing rods from where he'd set them down and headed toward a familiar energy signature he'd sensed nearby, one that was radiating frustration and barely contained rage.
Near Mount Paozu, an uninvited guest had taken up residence. Prince Vegeta of the Saiyans had established what could generously be called a temporary camp in the woods near Goku's home.
Ever since witnessing Goku's transformation into the legendary Super Saiyan during the battle with Frieza on Namek, Vegeta had been consumed by a mixture of shock, envy, and determination. The sight of that golden aura, that impossible surge of power, had shattered everything he thought he knew about Saiyan hierarchy.
'How can this be possible?' Vegeta had asked himself countless times. 'A low-class warrior like Kakarot achieved what I, the Prince of all Saiyans, could not? The legendary Super Saiyan transformation that was supposed to be my birthright?'
After being transported to Earth along with the other survivors via Porunga's wish, Vegeta had immediately sought out Goku's residence. When he discovered that Goku hadn't returned from Yardrat yet, pride and stubbornness prevented him from simply leaving. Instead, he'd constructed a crude shelter and... appropriated... the gravity training chamber from the Son family property.
Chi-Chi and Gohan, being normal(not really) humans, were hardly in a position to stop the Prince of Saiyans from taking whatever he wanted.
"Kakarot!" Vegeta roared from inside the gravity chamber, his voice echoing through the mechanical hum of the training equipment. "I refuse to accept this! Super Saiyan! How do I achieve this transformation?!"
A crimson streak flashed across the sky as Karnel followed Vegeta's energy signature to its source.
"Well, well," Karnel chuckled to himself, observing the familiar gravity chamber and the ramshackle hut beside it. "Vegeta actually moved in next to Kakarot's house and refuses to leave. He even stole the gravity room. What dedication to... friendship."
Karnel approached the gravity chamber's entrance and knocked politely, his two fishing rods slung casually over his shoulder like a weekend angler heading to his favorite pond.
The heavy door hissed open, revealing a sweat-drenched and visibly agitated Vegeta. The Saiyan Prince's expression shifted from irritation to recognition, then to something resembling wariness.
"Vegeta! It's been ages," Karnel said cheerfully before the prince could speak. "I heard you got quite the show on Namek, saw the power of the Super Saiyan firsthand, didn't you? Must have been quite the eye-opener. Feeling a bit envious? Desperate to achieve that transformation yourself?"
Each word was delivered with the casual confidence of someone who knew exactly which buttons to push.
Vegeta's face darkened with fury. "You!" he snarled, pointing an accusatory finger. "You mysterious bastard! You've known how to transform into a Super Saiyan all along, haven't you? Why didn't you tell me the method?!"
"Oh my, such hostility," Karnel replied with exaggerated concern, wagging his finger from side to side like a disappointed teacher. "You seem rather upset, Vegeta. Yes, I certainly know how to achieve the Super Saiyan transformation. But since you're not the real Vegeta yet, I'm not inclined to share that information."
"What the hell do you mean, 'not the real Vegeta'?!" Vegeta exploded, his fist connecting with the gravity chamber's metal wall with enough force to leave a dent. "I am Prince Vegeta of the Saiyans! Are you mocking me?!"
Karnel shook his head with theatrical disappointment. "Your character needs work, my friend. Haven't you figured out your connection to Kakarot yet? He's your destined partner. If you follow in his footsteps, and yes, that includes learning the art of fusion, you'll naturally achieve Super Saiyan in time. I'm fairly certain I've mentioned this before."
"My connection to Kakarot?" Vegeta's face went slightly green at the implication. "Follow his footsteps? And what did you mean by 'fusion'? That sounds absolutely revolting!"
Karnel burst out laughing at Vegeta's horrified expression. "My, my, Vegeta! Your mind went straight to the gutter, didn't it? I had no idea you were such a... creative thinker."
"Ahem," Karnel cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "Let me clarify, fusion isn't what you're apparently imagining. It's actually an incredible combat technique that combines two warriors' power and amplifies it dozens of times over. Quite impressive, really."
Setting his fishing rods against the gravity chamber wall, Karnel's expression grew more serious. "But let's set that aside for now. What I really want to discuss is your fundamental problem. You still carry the brutality and cruelty that defined the Saiyan race's darkest instincts. You lack basic humanity, Vegeta. Tell me, what do you think of Kakarot? Do you understand the difference between you and him?"
Vegeta scoffed, his expression dripping with disdain. "Kakarot? That self-righteous fool who thinks kindness is strength? He's nothing but a naive weakling! How could he possibly compare to me?"
'Well, he's not wrong about Goku being a bit of a saint,' Karnel thought with amusement.
"That's not what I'm referring to," Karnel continued patiently. "Kakarot was able to transform into a Super Saiyan because he possesses something extremely important, something precious that both he and I have, but you currently lack. Until you obtain this crucial element, you'll never be the true Vegeta you're meant to become."
"Something important?" Vegeta's eyes narrowed with intense curiosity. "What could possibly be so vital?"
Vegeta, having been raised on Planet Vegeta under Frieza's brutal regime, couldn't comprehend the human values that defined life on Earth. His mind raced through possibilities, power levels, techniques, royal bloodline, but came up empty.
"You have no idea, do you?" Karnel picked up his fishing rods with a knowing smile. "Would you like to find out? Because without this mysterious element, no amount of raw power will ever be sufficient."
Vegeta's eyes blazed with desperate hunger for knowledge. His fists clenched and unclenched repeatedly as veins bulged along his muscular arms.
"The answer you seek is actually quite simple to discover," Karnel announced, extending one of the fishing rods toward the prince. "Come fishing with me. This type of activity will help you master your inner power and improve your state of mind much more effectively than endless physical training."
Vegeta stared at the offered fishing rod as if it were a venomous snake. "What did you just say? You want me to go... fishing? With you? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! I am Prince Vegeta! I don't engage in such mundane, pointless activities!"