"The scouter's talking! It's his companion!" one technician said with certainty.
Another technician started tracing the source of the voice on his computer.
With that search, it was easy to pinpoint Vegeta's location with precision.
Right away, a specialist opened a line to Vegeta.
"Hello, we're Saiyans from Planet Sadala. Are you a comrade of Raditz?" the specialist asked in standard interstellar language.
"Oh? Saiyans from Planet Sadala?" Vegeta suddenly became interested and chuckled. "I'm Vegeta."
"Mr. Vegeta, we Saiyans are a race that protects peace in the universe. I hope you'll stop doing evil and give up this path. Otherwise, you'll regret it for the rest of your life." The specialist's tone was stern.
Vegeta: "…"
"You don't know who I am?" Vegeta laughed and asked.
"I know exactly who you are. You're the descendants of those evil Saiyans from long ago, aren't you?" the specialist replied.
"And what about you?" Vegeta snorted. "Who are you? The descendants of the people my great-grandfather defeated? You've really picked a good hiding spot—enough to breed an entire planet full of your kind?"
Even though they were speaking on the same channel, the two sides were completely talking past each other.
Instinctively, both sides believed that they were the true Saiyans.
"Didn't your king ever tell you that we Saiyans from Planet Vegeta are the genuine Saiyans?" Vegeta snorted.
"Arguing about that is meaningless. It doesn't matter who the 'true' Saiyans are. Only those with a heart of justice are real Saiyans. Evil people like you, who invade other planets, will be punished sooner or later!" the specialist declared righteously.
Vegeta: "…"
"Where's Raditz?" Vegeta demanded.
"He's been locked up in our great prison, of course. Before long, he'll be executed in public." the specialist answered truthfully.
"In that case, once I'm done with what I'm dealing with here, I'll pay Planet Sadala a visit." Vegeta said, then immediately cut the connection.
On the other side, the technicians began carefully analyzing the relevant data.
They soon located a planet called Earth.
"Didn't Earth get destroyed three hundred years ago? I heard the humans wiped themselves out in a nuclear war."
"I've heard about Earth too. Such a tragedy. That war unleashed more than a thousand nuclear bombs in waves."
"The whole planet was bathed in nuclear radiation. In just a day or two, it became a dead world, and every living thing on it died."
"Without realizing it, more than three hundred years have gone by… Just thinking about that war sends chills down my spine."
"Even though we Saiyans are a warrior race, some of the weaker Saiyans probably wouldn't survive weapons like that either."
Many of the technicians gathered there were discussing it, genuinely mourning Earth's destruction.
But the tech division quickly pulled up live visuals of Earth.
When they saw the planet's civilization—humans and green vegetation thriving there—every one of them widened their eyes in shock.
"Is this a joke? Is… is this really Earth? Did we lock onto the wrong planet?" someone asked in disbelief.
"It's definitely Earth. The coordinates are correct."
"In just three hundred years, the planet recovered its life?"
"So those two Saiyans who went to Earth want to plunge it back into crisis?"
The tech division immediately reported the situation to the king.
"In such a distant star sector, on a planet called Earth, something this strange is happening?" The king frowned in thought.
He called Cabba in at once.
Cabba stepped forward and bowed.
"Cabba, I want you to go to Earth." the king ordered. "Raditz's two comrades are both there now. They're likely planning to invade that planet."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Cabba replied respectfully.
"If possible, you'd best ask Frost to go with you. The two of you can go together." the king suggested.
"Understood, I'll contact Frost. We partnered on a mission before, and we worked together quite well." Cabba nodded, with no objections.
"Set out as soon as you can. It'll take a long time to get from here to Earth." the king instructed.
"Yes!" Cabba responded.
After leaving the palace, Cabba contacted Frost immediately.
"Earth, huh? With two evil Saiyans on it?" Frost was slightly taken aback, then agreed at once. "All right, no problem. I'll go with you."
"Thank you, Frost." Cabba said gratefully.
"Come on, Cabba, no need to be so formal. We worked together great last time. I'm sure we'll catch those two evil Saiyans in no time this time as well." Frost laughed.
…
Universe 6, Earth.
After finishing his call with Planet Sadala, Vegeta casually yanked off his scouter and tossed it to the ground.
"Prince Vegeta, what's the deal with this Sadala place anyway?" Nappa was completely confused.
"It's simple. Some evil Saiyans must have found a way to reproduce quickly and seized a planet as a base." Vegeta chuckled. "After all these years, it's only natural that there'd be thousands, maybe tens of thousands of Saiyans on that world."
"That many Saiyans?" Nappa was a little surprised.
"Perfect. I can go there and be their Saiyan king." Vegeta said with a proud little smile. "Once we've ground Kakarot into the dirt, we'll head straight for Planet Sadala."
"What about the Dragon Balls?" Nappa asked.
"First we gather the Dragon Balls and make our wish. Then we attack Sadala." Vegeta laid out the order.
"Great. First we ask for eternal life, then we can keep getting stronger by surviving near-death again and again." Nappa said excitedly.
But as soon as he said that, Nappa suddenly felt something was off.
"That's odd, Prince Vegeta…" Nappa muttered.
"What?" Vegeta shot him a sideways glance.
"It's strange… I almost got beaten to death by Broly just now, remember? Then he gave me that weird bean, and my power went back up to full. But I just realized—why didn't my strength increase at all after coming back from the brink of death?" Nappa frowned, lost in thought.
"Hmph, there's nothing strange about that. It just means you've hit your ceiling." Vegeta snorted.
Nappa: "…"
The words pierced Nappa's heart like a dagger.
"Prince Vegeta, your battle power hasn't increased much all this time either. Could it be that you've hit your ceiling too?" Nappa ventured.
Vegeta's eyes narrowed, a murderous glint in them.
Just you wait. You've pushed my buttons one too many times. Sooner or later, I'm going to wipe you out.
Once you're no longer useful, I'll get rid of you.
I don't need bald Saiyans.
…
Capsule Corporation Headquarters.
"They're not fighting anymore?" Bulma stepped out of the lab and saw that the battle had stopped, so she walked over and asked.
"Halftime. We'll continue when Goku gets back." Ken replied calmly.
"Wait… the headcount doesn't add up." Bulma's face went pale as she looked around. "Where are Tien and Chiaotzu? Don't tell me they…"
"It's fine. We'll just find a way to bring them back." Ken consoled her.
"Okay… but you'd better think this through. Tien is one thing, but Chiaotzu has already died once. Shenron can't bring him back again." Bulma sighed softly.
"The Namekian dragon can revive people who've already died once." Ken said. "You can head to Planet Namek and look for the Dragon Balls there."
"Planet Namek?" Bulma blinked.
"That's right." Ken nodded.
"All right, got it." Bulma didn't object.
…
World of Void.
Merus was leading Goku as they flew at high speed through the empty expanse.
"Whoa, what is this place? It's amazing!" Goku looked all around, full of curiosity.
"The World of Void. It's a part of the multiverse that's never been developed." Merus explained.
"I don't really get it… but it feels like there's nothing here." Goku scratched his head and glanced around again. Then he asked, "By the way, Merus, are you a friend of Ken's?"
"Yes, I'm Ken's friend." Merus nodded.
"What's with those rings on your neck? They're different colors." Goku pointed at the blue halo around Merus's neck.
"It's just an accessory…" Merus wiped away cold sweat.
This guy Goku really talks a lot.
"Right—how's your Ultra Instinct coming along?" Merus changed the subject and asked.
"You sure know a lot… I've barely taken my first steps. This thing is really hard to learn." Goku shook his head, still full of amazement.
"It is difficult. After all, it's a technique only us angels use." Merus replied with a smile.
"I heard Ken used to be a Saiyan and became an angel through training, right?" Goku asked curiously.
"That's right." Merus nodded, not denying it.
"And after he became an angel, did he get way stronger?" Goku pressed.
"Yes, he became very powerful." Merus answered.
"Then I'll train hard too and become an angel one day." Goku clenched his fists, eyes shining.
"Actually, Ken wants to train you to become a Supreme Kai." Merus gave a dry laugh and hurriedly corrected him.
Did you really think just anyone could become an angel?
He's the only mortal in hundreds of millions of years to reach that level.
There won't be another angel born from a mortal anytime soon.
Becoming a Supreme Kai would already make you an incredible existence.
"A Supreme Kai? Are they strong?" Goku asked.
"Yes… very strong." Merus nodded.
Was there anything wrong with that answer?
Not at all.
Given Goku's current level, a Supreme Kai really was overwhelmingly strong—strong enough to swat him like a fly.
"Then I'll start by becoming a Supreme Kai." Goku nodded, his expression turning serious.
Merus let out a small sigh.
You're oversimplifying this way too much.
"Mr. Goku, Ken and I actually have an agreement. In about fifteen years, our two Supreme Kais are going to be tested. Part of that test will be a battle of strength." Merus explained with a smile.
"I get it. I'll become Ken's Supreme Kai, and you'll have your own Supreme Kai. In fifteen years, we'll have a match. That's what you mean, right?" Goku caught on quickly and already understood.
He might act airheaded most of the time, but when it came to something important, Goku missed nothing.
"Exactly. So you really have to train hard." Merus said with a smile.
"The gap between me and your Supreme Kai is huge, isn't it?" Goku asked again.
"Yes. Enormous. That's why you need to train as hard as you can." Merus replied.
"Can you tell me his name?" Goku's curiosity flared.
"Jiren." Merus said.
"Jiren, huh? I'll remember that." Goku nodded firmly.
The two of them continued chatting as they flew.
Suddenly, a streak of purple-red light shot toward them from the distance and stopped not far away.
Merus focused his gaze and saw that it was Heles, the God of Destruction from Universe 2.
Heles was the only female God of Destruction among the twelve universes—aside from Ai.
Her looks were only average, but her figure was quite impressive.
"A trainee angel?" Heles narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Merus from head to toe.
"Hello, Heles-sama. I'm trainee angel Merus, currently undergoing training in Universe 7." Merus greeted, respectfully.
"Merus, who is she?" Goku asked curiously.
"Goku, be respectful. This is Heles-sama, the God of Destruction of Universe 2." Merus introduced.
Goku nodded repeatedly to show he understood, then waved at Heles in greeting.
Heles's face darkened.
This mortal really had no manners.
Who waves at a God of Destruction like that?
"You should address her as Heles-sama." Merus sighed.
Why does this Goku feel just as hard to handle as Majin Buu?
Exactly what difficulty level is Ken challenging here?
And that Vegeta he picked is quite the character too.
With those two clowns… there's only so much I can do.
"Have you met Broly?" Heles asked, blinking her large eyes as she looked at Merus.
"I haven't." Merus hesitated for a moment, then gave that answer.
When it came to the Great God of Destruction's rules, even Merus didn't know all the details.
But there was one thing he understood very clearly: angels were forbidden to get involved.
"You hesitated. That means you have seen him." Heles snorted.
"Angels aren't supposed to get involved in this, are they? Anything related to the Great God of Destruction…" Merus thought it over and looked at Heles seriously as he spoke.
"You're right. Angels don't take part." Heles nodded. "Hmph. A newly appointed, trainee God of Destruction from Universe 18, and he thinks he can become the leader of all the Gods of Destruction? Who does he think he is? He really believes he's the strongest God of Destruction? Even someone like Beerus wouldn't dare brag like that!"
While they were talking, Goku suddenly put on a very pained expression.
"What's wrong, Mr. Goku?" Merus blinked.
"I need to pee… find me a public toilet." Goku said.
Merus: "…"
"Just go here." Merus wiped away another sheet of cold sweat.
A public toilet?
Where would you find one out here?
"Then I won't hold back." Goku said, about to undo his belt.
"Hey… hey!" Heles's face went black. "Can't you see there's a lady present?"
Goku: "???"
"Is there a problem? I just need to pee." Goku replied, entirely self-righteous.
"Boy, just you wait!" Heles ground her teeth. "I'll remember you."
With that, she turned and left.
Goku, meanwhile, shamelessly relieved himself in the World of Void.
"Phew…"
"That feels much better." Goku patted his stomach. "I must've drunk too much water at King Kai's place before we left. I've been wanting to say I needed to go for a while now."
Merus: "…"
"You peed right in front of Heles-sama… Do you really think that was appropriate?" Merus was at a complete loss for words.
"What's wrong with it?" Goku asked, still not understanding.
"Aren't you married?" Merus was genuinely speechless.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Goku was even more confused now.
"Forget it." Merus couldn't talk anymore. He felt like he was going to choke on his own frustration.
"Let's hurry up and get going. I've got a feeling we're already running late." Goku urged.
Merus nodded helplessly and started flying even faster.
…
Universe 6, Earth.
Time ticked by, second by second.
Goku still hadn't returned.
At the battlefield…
"The three hours are up. That coward Kakarot isn't coming back." Vegeta shook his head in disappointment. "And that coward wants to be my lifelong rival? What a joke."
"No, my dad isn't a coward!" Gohan shouted back.
"Why isn't Goku back yet? Where did Ken take him?" Krillin grew more and more uneasy.
"Prince Vegeta, what now? Should we just wipe them out?" Nappa asked.
"We'll beat them within an inch of their lives—killing them is fine too. Then we'll look for the Dragon Balls. After that, we head for Sadala." Vegeta laid out the plan.
"Got it. I'll handle the beating. If they're unlucky and die, that's not on me. They're just too fragile." Nappa said, punching his fists together.
Cold sweat streamed down Krillin's back.
This is it. I'm done for.
Can I at least get a girlfriend before I die?
"We only have a sliver of hope. If it works…" Piccolo said slowly.
Krillin paused and glanced at him.
Gohan's eyes were also fixed on Piccolo.
"First, Krillin draws his attention." Piccolo laid out his plan. "Then I go for a Saiyan's weak spot—the tail."
"Okay." Krillin nodded, his expression growing heavier.
"When he can't fight back, Gohan hits him with everything he's got." Piccolo continued, watching Nappa as he kept walking toward them. Then he asked Gohan, "You can do it, right?"
"Y-yes! I definitely won't run away this time. I promise!" Gohan said, face twisted with fear, but nodding with all his strength.
"Don't let me down." Piccolo's expression was grim.
Krillin let out a small breath.
Good thing Piccolo is here.
I can see a sliver of hope.
Maybe we really can beat them.
The problem is that Vegeta is even stronger.
How are we supposed to fight him…?
"Have confidence, Gohan. If you can be brave, your power far outstrips mine." Piccolo added.
Gohan was shaking so hard his teeth nearly chattered, heart pounding up into his throat.
I want to say I'm scared.
Nappa watched the three of them with a cat-and-mouse grin on his face.
"All right, let's do this!" Krillin shouted and rushed forward.
"A surprise attack?" Nappa blinked and smirked.
"Looks like some kind of trap." Vegeta snorted.
Gohan grew even more nervous.
Piccolo silently prayed in his heart: Just keep his attention on you…
"Yaaaaaah!"
Krillin charged in, flailing his arms. He slammed both hands down toward the ground, blasting energy into it.
Riding the erupting blast, Krillin shot up into the sky.
Seeing this bizarre attack, Nappa was honestly confused.
What exactly are you trying to do?
"Swish!"
Piccolo didn't hesitate. He lunged in, grabbed Nappa's tail from behind, and squeezed hard.
"Gohan!" Piccolo shouted.
"Waaaah!" Gohan yelled at the top of his lungs to psych himself up and dashed at Nappa.
"We did it! That's awesome!" Krillin cried excitedly.
"Idiot." Nappa sneered, smashing a vicious elbow straight into the top of Piccolo's head.
Piccolo took a direct critical hit. Bloodshot veins filled his pupils, and countless little stars burst before his eyes.
As he blacked out, Piccolo was utterly bewildered.
Isn't a Saiyan's weakness supposed to be their tail?
Why did nothing happen when I grabbed his?
"What's going on…?" Piccolo couldn't accept it.
Gohan, who had just rushed in, slammed on his mental brakes at the horrifying sight. He froze in place, trembling, face gone white.
Krillin was stunned into silence, unable to form words.
"Hey, don't die on me now… Good, it's just a knockout." Nappa said with a wicked grin.
"You idiots." Vegeta snorted. "Did you really think we'd just leave a weakness like that alone forever?"
"Heh heh heh. The strongest fighters on this planet are completely worthless." Nappa's grin widened.
"This is the end…" Krillin felt nothing but bone-deep despair.
"Let this guy sleep for a while. I'll have some fun with the little ones." Nappa chuckled, his laughter turning sharper as he strode toward Gohan. "Let's start with Kakarot's kid. You've got Saiyan blood in you—I actually like you. But your father threw you away. That coward isn't showing his face and is letting his own child get abused."
Gohan was so terrified he couldn't even move.
"Wham!"
Nappa kicked him, sending him flying into the air.
"Stop!" Krillin couldn't stand it anymore and shouted.
Nappa grabbed Gohan by the head and slammed him into a nearby rocky outcrop.
Then he ground Gohan's head hard against the rock.
"Yep, pinning someone to a mountain and grinding them really does feel great." Nappa laughed wildly as he scraped Gohan along the stone.
"Bang!"
With a final shove, Nappa buried Gohan's head in the rock, wedging his whole body into the formation.
Nappa stomped his foot.
"Boom!"
The rocky hill split in two.
"Crash…"
Gohan tumbled out into a pile of broken stone.
But he soon staggered to his feet again.
"That's more like it. Hahaha, now this is fun. Isn't it?" Nappa's laughter grew even more crazed as he charged Gohan again.
"You bastard!" Krillin couldn't take it anymore. He launched himself forward and kicked Nappa hard in the face.
Caught off guard, Nappa took the hit.
Krillin followed up with a heavy punch to his chest, knocking him backward.
Krillin gave chase.
Nappa quickly twisted in the air and landed on one foot.
Seeing that, Krillin's face changed. He immediately abandoned the attack and darted to the side, narrowly dodging Nappa's incoming punch.
Krillin rolled several times across the ground, then planted a foot and slid to a stop at a safer distance.
"Very nimble." Vegeta commented with a smile.
"That little bald guy actually came over to die on his own." Nappa snorted and charged at Krillin.
Krillin raised his right hand and shouted, an oblong disk of energy forming in his palm.
The disk gleamed as it spun rapidly in place.
"Kienzan!" Krillin called and flung it forward.
"Who?" Nappa blinked, then gave a contemptuous smile. He stopped in his tracks, straightened up, and got ready to take it head-on. His mouth didn't stop either as he mocked, "Cheap little trick. I'll stand right here and let you hit me. You won't even scratch me."
Vegeta: "…"
Idiot.
Forget it. I'm not saving him.
I don't want to be on a team with an idiot. It makes me look stupid.
"Shrrrrip…"
The Kienzan sliced straight through Nappa's body.
The instant it touched him, Nappa felt overwhelming terror.
A sense of imminent death exploded in his mind.
For a brief second, he desperately wanted to dodge.
But he was still a step too slow.
"Splurt…"
The Kienzan cut him cleanly in two at the waist.
His upper and lower body were now separated at the middle.
At the last moment, Nappa had managed to twist just enough that his body wasn't completely severed.
Even so, blood sprayed wildly from his waist. His entire body trembled uncontrollably as he forced himself to take a single step forward.
(End of chapter)
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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