Six days later, a spacecraft plunged into the atmosphere and headed straight for Earth.
The cabin door opened, and Raditz stepped out.
He surveyed the surrounding environment and muttered, "This planet looks pretty good. I wonder what that guy Kakarot has been up to all these years."
"Who are you?" a farmer demanded, gripping his gun tightly.
Raditz's eyes lit up with mild interest upon seeing a human. He activated the scouter on his right eye. The reading showed a power level of only 5.
"Tsk!" Raditz scoffed. "A power level of 5? Are you trying to make me die of laughter?"
Bang! Bang!
The farmer fired two shots in quick succession, but Raditz caught both bullets effortlessly with his bare hands.
Impatiently, Raditz muttered, "Kakarot, why are the people on this planet still alive, you idiot?"
With a swift kick, he sent the farmer flying and continued scanning with his scouter.
As he observed the readings, his expression changed. "Wait… some of these people have power levels in the hundreds. And… this one?"
"The scouter says over a thousand? Could this be Kakarot?"
Raditz frowned as the scouter beeped in another direction.
"Impossible! Someone else has a power level over 1,000? Close to 1,300 points?!"
"Damn it! How could anyone on this planet be this strong? This is going to be troublesome…"
Raditz realized he might be in for a challenge—his own power level was only 1,500.
After recovering from the initial shock, Raditz laughed. "Haha! The strongest one has less than 1,300 power. He's no threat to me. But… it might still be a tough fight. This planet could be very valuable."
Although he had planned to retreat, the potential value of the planet tempted him to investigate personally.
Raditz then flew toward the individual with the strongest power signature.
Meanwhile, Goku, resting on the grass in front of his house, opened his eyes calmly. "Raditz is coming… Looks like he's going after Piccolo. Interesting."
"What's wrong, Dad?" asked Gohan, curious.
"It's nothing, you just play here. Dad's stepping out for a bit." Goku called for the Flying Nimbus and leapt onto it, heading toward Piccolo.
Goku likely guessed why Raditz was targeting Piccolo.
His own power was suppressed to around 1,000, while Piccolo's exceeded 1,000. The choice was obvious.
Piccolo, however, was now even stronger than in the original story, thanks to his crushing defeat at Goku's hands five years ago. This motivated him, the former Great Demon King, to train even harder.
Unfortunately for Piccolo, Goku's current progress still outpaced him significantly.
In a rugged mountainous area, Piccolo stood atop a cliff, muttering, "What was that energy a few days ago? How could Goku's power feel so sharp? It's completely unlike anything in this dimension. Damn it!"
Suddenly, he sensed a fast-approaching power. "Who's coming?"
Moments later, he spotted the source and snorted, "Not Kakarot, then."
Raditz hovered in mid-air, eyeing Piccolo. "So it's not Kakarot. But for a low-level planet to have someone this strong… that's rare."
"Who are you? What do you want? Planning to die here?" Piccolo demanded, taking a battle stance. Despite the aura, he wasn't intimidated.
"Hahaha!" Raditz laughed. "How arrogant! You think you're strong!"
Just then, Piccolo noticed Goku approaching on the Flying Nimbus.
Goku landed gracefully beside him. "Hey, Piccolo. It's been five years!"
"How did you get here?" Piccolo asked.
Raditz, shocked, glared at the newcomer. "Kakarot! Haven't you remembered your mission? How is this planet still in good condition?"
"Oh, Raditz, my big brother! Hehe… Sorry, I really like Earth. As for your little team, I have no interest," Goku replied with a sarcastic smile.
Raditz turned pale. This was an utter humiliation.
He roared, "Kakarot! As your big brother, I'll make you truly fear me!"
The two opponents were extremely strong. Raditz knew he couldn't be careless. Kakarot's power level was 1,000, and Piccolo's was 1,288.
Careful strategy would be needed to defeat them both.
Piccolo, still confused, asked, "Goku… what's happening?"
Seeing Piccolo's concern, Goku explained the situation succinctly.
"I see… the universe beyond Earth is vast indeed," Piccolo murmured with a laugh.
Goku glanced at Piccolo.
Piccolo's stats:
Actual Combat Power: 1,618
Suppressed by heavy clothing: 1,288
Today, Piccolo had made remarkable progress compared to the original timeline.