Bulma and Dr Brief grew more animated as they discussed the future.
Dr Brief even suggested traveling to other planets himself.
Vegeta had no objection to taking him to Planet Vegeta 79.
If that world was truly to become his base of operations, he would eventually need his father-in-law's help.
But just then—
Vegeta sensed a ki.
A very familiar ki.
He narrowed his eyes.
"…This energy…"
Surprise flickered through him.
Then disbelief.
Then sudden clarity.
There was only one person on Earth with ki like that.
Nappa.
Of course.
The wording of the first wish had been:
"Revive all lives on Earth who died because of Vegeta and Nappa."
To an outsider, it sounded fine.
But to Shenron, "Vegeta" was still Vegeta.
And since the original Vegeta killed Nappa, Nappa also counted among those killed "because of Vegeta."
So he had been revived as well.
Bulma noticed his expression.
"What is it? Something happened?"
She had spent enough time with Vegeta now to read the small changes in his face. When Vegeta looked like this, something unexpected always followed.
Vegeta let out a soft chuckle.
"Seems the wish was worded poorly. Nappa revived too."
Bulma froze, then instantly understood.
She had never forgotten Nappa's monstrous presence from the news broadcasts.
That towering brute who had crushed cities as if they were made of paper.
The one who killed Tien, Chiaotzu, Yamcha and Piccolo.
A demon wearing Saiyan armor.
"So… what are you going to do with him? Kill him again?" she asked uncertainly.
"We'll see." Vegeta's tone was calm, even amused.
"If he can be of use, he lives. If he is stupid enough to cause trouble, I'll kill him."
He truly hadn't expected Nappa to revive.
But now that it had happened, he was mildly curious.
In the memories he inherited, Nappa had been loyal and obedient.
The original Vegeta killed him only because he wanted all the benefits of the Dragon Balls for himself, not because Nappa had betrayed him.
Seeing Vegeta's attitude, Bulma didn't worry.
Whatever Vegeta decided, he would make sure Earth remained safe.
He had once told her that Earth was a good place, and he intended to settle here.
So he would never allow anything to threaten it.
…
Central Gizard Wasteland
The barren site where the great battle had taken place months ago.
Because the land was remote and desolate, even an apocalyptic battle had drawn little attention.
Now, atop the scarred ground, a massive figure stood trembling—
confused, overwhelmed, furious, grateful, terrified—
Nappa.
Just moments ago he had still been in Hell.
Still being tormented by the hands of Frieza and King Cold.
All because of Vegeta.
Death had not been the end for him.
Even in Hell there had been no peace.
Especially after Frieza and King Cold arrived, Nappa became their personal punching bag.
Why?
Because Vegeta killed them.
And Nappa, being Vegeta's old subordinate, was the perfect outlet for their rage.
His days in Hell were misery beyond words.
Even worse, he never understood why Vegeta killed him.
He had failed in battle, yes.
He had grown stagnant, yes.
But he had followed Vegeta faithfully.
He had never betrayed him.
He had always believed in him.
He could still remember the moment Vegeta extended a hand toward him—
Then blasted him to oblivion.
That moment replayed endlessly in his mind throughout his half-year of torment.
He began to hate Vegeta.
Then he began to despair.
When Kui arrived in Hell, he beat Nappa senseless and told him Vegeta had defected from Frieza's forces.
Nappa was dumbfounded.
Why was he blamed for everything?
Then Dodoria arrived.
Then Zarbon.
Then Frieza again.
Then King Cold.
Each time, Nappa was beaten into the ground.
He suffered endlessly.
He hoped Vegeta would die and join him in Hell, just so he could laugh at him.
But Vegeta never came.
Neither did Kakarot.
Nappa began to crack.
Then—
in an instant—
He revived.
No more being tortured.
No more being Frieza's sandbag.
He had come back to life.
Even someone as simple-minded as Nappa pieced together a "truth" in seconds.
"Prince Vegeta must have used the Dragon Balls to revive me…"
His logic was… creative.
"He must have used my death to awaken himself! By killing me—his final subordinate—he ascended to the power of legend! A Super Saiyan!"
Nappa's eyes began to shine with fanatic devotion.
"He killed Frieza! He killed King Cold! He freed the Saiyans from their chains!"
And now, in Nappa's mind—
"He revived me to fulfill his promise! The prince never abandoned me!"
Clenchin
he roared into the sky, fully convinced of his own fantasy.
Feeling the warmth of life returning to his massive frame, Nappa unleashed his ki—
"Hahaha! My power… it increased?! Even if I face Kakarot again, I might not lose!"
His laughter echoed through the wasteland.
He had never been more wrong.
But he was alive.
And that was enough to ignite his misplaced loyalty once more.
~~~~~~
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