Moments later, inside the Night Raid camp, every member was present at the meeting – Leone, Bulat, Lubbock, Sheele, Mine, Akame, Tatsumi, Goku, and Vegeta stood at the sides, while Najenda sat in her chair as Tatsumi explained his situation to her and the others in the meeting room.
Najenda leaned forward slightly in her seat. "I see. I understand the situation completely. Tatsumi, would you like to join Night Raid?"
Tatsumi's expression was serious. "I'm dead if I decline, right?"
"No, that's not going to happen. But we can't let you go back – we could have you work as a laborer in our workshop instead. Either way, you won't die even if you decline. Given that... what do you think?" Najenda said to him.
Tatsumi clenched his fist, his face serious. "I came to the capital to be successful and save my village from poverty. But who knew the capital would be like this..."
Bulat folded his arms, his expression calm. "Tatsumi – people are suffering because the government is corrupt. As a man, don't you want to uproot the source of this corruption?"
Najenda remained seated as she added, "Bulat was once a very talented Imperial soldier. But he couldn't stand the corruption and joined us."
Bulat continued, "Our job is to eliminate those wicked people in the capital. This is much better than working for those corrupted scoundrels."
Vegeta folded his arms, his expression serious with eyes closed as he listened. "The way this man describes his time in the Empire reminds me so much of when I worked for Frieza," he thought, remembering his days under the tyrant's rule.
"But even if you kill bad guys little by little, the world won't change that much, will it? In the end, remote places like my village won't be saved by that." Tatsumi said, his expression serious.
Najenda nodded. "I see... if that's how you feel, then Night Raid is just right for you."
"How is that so?" Tatsumi asked curiously.
"In the far south of the capital, there's a base for the anti-Imperial Revolutionary Army."
"Revolutionary Army?" Tatsumi echoed, intrigued.
Najenda nodded. "It started small and has grown into a large-scale organization. They formed a group to carry out covert operations – like collecting intelligence and assassinations." She looked at Tatsumi. "That's us – Night Raid!"
She continued, "Although we're only eliminating the Empire's pests for now, when our army rises, we'll take advantage of the chaos and personally kill the Prime Minister – the root of all this corruption."
"Personally kill him?" Tatsumi murmured.
Najenda continued, "When the moment comes, this country will inevitably be changed completely."
Tatsumi went silent for a moment, then finally looked at Najenda. "Will the new country you speak of treat people well?" he asked with a serious expression.
Najenda nodded and said, "Of course."
"I see. That's awesome!" Tatsumi said. "So the people you've killed are bad guys... you're just eliminating the garbage. This is the so-called assassin of justice..."
As Tatsumi said that, all of Night Raid laughed at his words. Najenda only smiled, while Akame remained stoic. Goku narrowed his eyes, and Vegeta remained quiet.
Tatsumi looked around at everyone and asked, "What is it? What's so funny?" he said in a curious tone.
Leone smiled and said, "Tatsumi – no matter what you call it, what we do is committing murder."
Sheele nodded and said calmly, "There is no justice in this."
Bulat looked at Tatsumi with a serious expression. "Everyone here could die at any moment and be punished for our actions."
"You're too naive..." Mine said to Tatsumi. "Someone like him will have to wait another century to be our member..." She said dismissively as she walked toward the exit.
"Hold up," Tatsumi called to Mine.
Mine stopped and turned around, saying, "Huh?!"
"I...," Tatsumi said, clenching his fist tightly.
Najenda spoke in a calm voice, "Everyone has different reasons to fight. But we've been prepared." She looked at Tatsumi. "Are you prepared?"
Goku was about to speak, but Vegeta cut him and spoke first, drawing everyone's attention – including Goku's. "Hmph. You guys won't have to kill this Prime Minister. I'll do it alone!" He stepped to the center of the room next to Tatsumi, and everyone stared at him.
Najenda raised an eyebrow. "What?!" she said in surprise.
"You're joking, right?" Lubbock said, not believing him.
Mine scoffed. "Oh come on – you can't be serious! You vs. the entire Empire all by yourself?"
Vegeta's expression hardened. "I'm serious, and I'm not joking around. Why waste time planning when I can go to the capital right now and do it myself!"
"Vegeta! The Empire has a powerful army – there's no way you can take them all down alone. It's suicide! Plus, they have powerful generals who could wipe you out in an instant!" Bulat warned.
Leone nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I know you're a handsome and powerful guy, but one man can't possibly take down an entire empire by himself..."
Vegeta smirked. "Please – I've been through far worse. These armies and so-called generals are no match for me."
Mine scoffed again. "Oh yeah? What makes you so sure you can defeat them all?" She raised an eyebrow challengingly.
Vegeta closed his eyes, folding his arms with a serious expression. Then he instantly released a golden aura identical to that of a Super Saiyan – though he only activated False Super Saiyan, not the actual transformation. The aura engulfed his body and created a small crater in the floor, with cracks spreading outward. Everyone was shocked by his display of power, except Goku, who only chuckled.
"Man, Vegeta really knows how to make a point... well, that's Vegeta for you," Goku thought to himself with a small laugh.
Vegeta opened his eyes and looked at Najenda. "Does this answer your question, woman?" he said, his tail slowly unwrapping from around his waist until it hung loose.
The silence that followed Vegeta's display was thick enough to cut with a knife. Even Mine – who'd been quick to challenge him moments before – stood frozen, her eyes wide as she stared at the cracked floor beneath his feet.
Lubbock was the first to find his voice, stammering as he gestured at the crater. "Th-that's… impossible! No one should be able to do that with just their power!"
Sheele pressed a hand to her chest, her usual gentle demeanor replaced by pure awe. "I've never felt energy like that before… it's like standing next to a storm."
Bulat slowly uncrossed his arms, his expression shifting from concern to something closer to respect. "So you weren't bluffing. Your strength really is on a level we've never seen."
Vegeta let the golden aura fade, the floor creaking slightly as the pressure lifted. "Of course I wasn't bluffing. I don't waste time with empty threats."
Najenda had remained quiet through the display, her eyes studying Vegeta carefully. When he finally met her gaze again, she leaned forward in her chair, her mechanical arm resting on her lap.
"Your power is undeniable," she said, her voice steady despite the shock that had rippled through the room. "But even with strength like yours, charging into the capital alone would be a mistake."
"Hmph... You think so?" Vegeta demanded, his temper flaring slightly. "Because that clown over there and I are not from this world," he said, gesturing to Goku as he instantly returned to his base form.
They all became dumbfounded by what Vegeta had just revealed, unable to believe what they'd seen and heard.
Leone's eyes widened. "Wait, what?!" she said in a shocked tone.
Lubbock struggled to process the revelation. "Hold on – did you say 'your world'?"
Najenda frowned as she stood up from her seat. "What do you mean 'your world'? Are you saying both you and Goku aren't from this world?" she asked.
Goku scratched his head as he tried to explain. "Well, how can I say this – I'm from an Earth, but not this one. We're from another dimension." He chuckled. "I know it's complicated to explain, but we were planning to tell you guys our secret anyway."
Akame looked at Goku and asked curiously, "What do you mean by 'your secret'?"
Goku laughed awkwardly and said, "Heh… well, you got us. I guess it's time we told you the truth already." He scratched the back of his neck as he spoke.
Goku explained that he and Vegeta were not from this world, but from another dimension entirely – they had been sent here through a wormhole by a pink crystal. They weren't human – they came from a planet called Vegeta, and belonged to a warrior race born and bred for battle. They were Saiyans – a powerful people who loved to fight, and who once destroyed planets as part of their way of life. Saiyans resembled humans, but had monkey tails that could transform them into giant monkeys when exposed to the full moonlight. He also revealed how he had been sent to his own Earth as an infant to destroy it, but failed because he hit his head and was raised by his grandfather Gohan.
Silence filled the meeting room as Goku's words sank in. Everyone stared at him and Vegeta, their minds racing to process the impossible truth – that two of their new allies weren't even from this world.
Mine was the first to break the quiet, her voice sharp with disbelief. "So you're telling us you're aliens? And you used to destroy planets for a living?"
Sheele was next to find her voice, her tone gentle but full of wonder. "So… you were supposed to destroy your own Earth, but instead you became its protector?"
Goku nodded with a warm smile. "That's right! Grandpa Gohan taught me what it means to be kind and strong – to use my power to help people, not hurt them. It changed everything for me."
Vegeta shifted his weight, finally speaking up again. "I didn't have such luck. I was raised to believe power was everything – that the strong deserved to rule over the weak. I spent years working for Frieza, the tyrant who destroyed our home planet and nearly wiped out our entire race."
Lubbock responded quickly, his voice full of concern. "Wait, hold up... If your race conquered planets, does that mean you guys are planning to conquer our world too? Is that why you both are here?" he asked.
Goku shook his head and said, "No, we didn't come here to conquer you guys at all. Besides, I never got to do that because I bumped my head hard."
Upon hearing this, Akame immediately and hilariously rushed up to him and checked his head, which made everyone chuckle.
"Uh... Akame, what are you doing?" Goku asked curiously.
Akame felt for any bump on his head. "Hmm... I can see a scar, so that means you did have an injury to the head somehow. Would you like me to put a bandage on your head?" she said stoically.
Goku chuckled awkwardly and waved his hands, saying, "Oh no, I'm okay, Akame – that happened long ago. But... shouldn't you be afraid of me and Vegeta after what I said about our race?"
Akame nodded and said, "Well, here's my answer... I don't care. It doesn't matter now – you never became that Saiyan who was supposed to destroy Earth. Instead, you became one of the kindest people I've ever met, and you said Vegeta changed when he lived on your Earth. So I'm glad you became what you are now." She said this with a warm smile.
Akame's warm smile seemed to break through the tension in the room, and a few of the others began to relax – though doubt still lingered in some eyes.
Leone grinned mischievously and said, "My my, Akame – you're so clingy to Goku. Maybe next time that will end up in a kiss, huh?" She teased the two.
Akame's cheeks flushed a faint pink at Leone's teasing, but she didn't pull away from Goku. Instead, she simply looked up at him with her usual calm expression, though there was a softness in her eyes that wasn't there before.
Goku scratched the back of his head, laughing awkwardly. "A kiss? Hehe, I don't know about that – but Akame is really nice to me!"
Bulat then looked at Vegeta and asked, "What about you, Vegeta? What is your life story?"
Vegeta remained silent for a long moment, his eyes fixed on the floor as memories flickered across his face. When he finally looked up, his gaze was sharp but carried a weight none of them had seen before.
"My story..." he began, his voice low and steady. "I was born the prince of all Saiyans – heir to a warrior race that prided itself on strength above all else. From the day I could stand, I was trained to fight. My father, King Vegeta, made sure I knew that my duty was to lead our people to conquer worlds and expand our empire."
Leone grinned as she pointed her index finger at Vegeta, her eyes wide with excitement. "I knew it! I knew the moment I saw you and Goku in the capital three days ago that there was something interesting about you..." she said to Vegeta. "My animal instinct was correct all along – you are indeed the alpha male of your people." Lubbock, who already knew about this, only chuckled; Leone had told him before that Vegeta was an alpha male.
Vegeta scoffed as he folded his arms, his eyes closed. "What a foolish observation, woman... Of course I'm the alpha male – I'm the Prince of all Saiyans..." he said with an annoyed expression.
Leone just giggled off his annoyance and said teasingly, "Oh come on, don't be like that! It was a compliment – alpha males are strong, protective, and know how to take charge. Which sounds kinda hot!"
Vegeta clicked his tongue and looked away, though a faint pink tinge touched his cheeks before he could hide it. "Tch. I don't need praise from humans or... whatever you are," he mutters, but his posture relaxes slightly. "But I can say the same to you, woman. I can sense an animalistic lion presence from you," he says, his expression serious.
Leone's eyes light up with delight, a wide grin spreading across her face. "A lion, huh? You've got a good nose – or whatever it is you Saiyans use to sense things! My Teigu, Lionelle, lets me transform into a lion-woman. It gives me speed, strength, and those animal instincts I was talking about earlier."
Vegeta folded his arms, his expression serious. "Hmph. So I was right..."
Goku looks at Leone with an intrigued expression. "Wow, really? That's so cool... No wonder I can sense it too..." he says, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Leone is surprised and says, "So you feel it too, huh..." She looks at Goku.
Goku nods and says, "Yeah, maybe because I'm a Saiyan too. Hehehe..." He scratches his head.
Goku then turns to Vegeta with his usual bright grin. "She's right, Vegeta! Being an alpha is a good thing – means you look out for your people."
Vegeta scowls. "Shut up, Kakarot! I don't need your compliments!" He shouts at Goku.
Goku only chuckles. "Okay okay, fine... I was just making a point..." he says with a teasing smile.
Akame, who has been listening, can't understand why Vegeta is calling Goku "Kakarot" – when she and her sister Kurome had met him at the academy many years ago, Goku had introduced himself as Son Goku, not Kakarot.
"Wait a minute, Vegeta. Why are you calling Goku 'Kakarot'? Isn't Son Goku his real name...?" Akame asks, drawing everyone's attention – including Goku's.
Vegeta folds his arms, his expression serious with his eyes closed. "Because 'Son Goku' – or whatever you want to call it – is not his real name. It was given to him by his Earthling grandfather. Kakarot is his true name, his Saiyan name..." he says, finally opening his eyes. "As the Prince of all Saiyans, I will address him by his birth name, not his Earthling name – that would be an insult to the Saiyan legacy itself..." he says, his voice filled with pride.
The room buzzes with quiet murmurs as Akame's question and Vegeta's answer sink in. Even those who have already processed the truth about the Saiyans being aliens find themselves intrigued by this new detail.
Goku scratched the back of his head with a warm smile. "Oh right! I almost forgot about that. Kakarot is my Saiyan name – Grandpa Gohan just called me Goku, and it stuck so well I don't even think about the other one most of the time!"
Akame nodded slowly, the pieces falling into place. "I see... So even back then, you were hiding part of who you are."
Goku raised his hand. "Hey, it wasn't hiding!" He laughed. "I didn't even know I was a Saiyan until I met Vegeta – I just thought I was a regular kid who was really strong, with a monkey tail!"
"Kakarot..." Tatsumi repeated quietly, testing the name on his tongue. "So Goku's just a nickname he got on your Earth?"
Goku scratched the back of his neck with a warm smile. "Yeah! Grandpa Gohan gave me that name when he raised me on our Earth, so he named me Son Goku instead. I've always liked it – it feels like me."
"But your Saiyan name is important too, right?" Sheele asked gently, her eyes soft with understanding.
Vegeta nodded sharply. "Of course it is. Every Saiyan's name is tied to our heritage – it's who we are by blood. Even if Kakarot has forgotten his roots, I won't let him dishonor them by casting aside his birth name."
Goku's grin didn't fade, but there was a hint of seriousness in his eyes now. "I haven't forgotten, Vegeta. I know where I came from – but I also know where I belong. Both names are part of me."
Lubbock, who had been listening to the whole revelation, spoke up. "Wow, I didn't even know that other dimensions – or even another Earth – existed. I don't know what to say to that..." He said with an awkward expression as all attention turned to him.
Goku scratched his head. "Yeah, same here! Vegeta and I didn't even know another Earth existed besides ours. Hehe..." He chuckled.
Lubbock then asked, "So you said you two are from an alien race called Saiyans, right?" Goku nodded in agreement.
"So the abilities you guys showed in the mansion three days ago – like flying – are those powers of the Saiyans...?" Lubbock asked Goku. Mine and Bulat's eyes widened as they remembered seeing Goku and Vegeta fly. Leone, Akame, Sheele, and especially Najenda – who was sitting in her chair – were surprised to learn the two could fly.
Goku smiled and said, "That's actually a very good question, Lubbock... But no, it's not a Saiyan ability specifically. It's a type of power you can awaken if you master your Ki..." He explained.
"Ki?" Najenda spoke up for the first time since the revelation about the two had started. Leaning forward in her chair with a focused look, she asked, "What exactly is that?"
Goku's face lit up – he loved explaining things about fighting and power. "Oh, Ki is like the life energy inside every living thing! All creatures have it – animals, plants, everything with life..." He said, raising his index finger. "And once you master it, you automatically unlock three basic abilities: flying, shooting Ki blasts from your palms, and sensing the life force of living things. You can tell if there's a strong power level nearby, or if someone has evil energy. There's also the ability to suppress your Ki so other Ki users can't detect you."
Najenda steepled her fingers, her mind racing as she processed the information. "So anyone can learn to use this... Ki? Even us?"
Goku scratched his nose and tilted his head, unsure if he could teach them to awaken their Ki. Since he and Vegeta had been teleported to this world, they hadn't been able to sense any Ki – only life energy.
"I don't think that's exactly possible..." Goku said thoughtfully, surprising everyone except Vegeta.
Bulat looked at Goku with raised eyebrows. "What do you mean it's not possible...?"
Goku looked down, scratching the back of his head. "Well, you see – the moment Vegeta and I were teleported here by the crystal, we noticed that Ki doesn't exist in this world at all. The reason we can sense everyone's life energy – including yours – is because that's what it is: life energy, not Ki. So even if we trained you to awaken Ki, I don't think you'd be able to use it, since Vegeta and I haven't felt any Ki energy here at all..." He said with a sad expression.
Vegeta nodded, his arms folded and his expression serious as he turned his back. "Kakarot is right. Ki does not exist in this world, so no matter what training you do, you will never awaken it..." He said coldly, his tail twitching slightly.
A heavy silence fell over the room as the news settled in. The hope that had sparked in some faces – the thought of unlocking powers like flight or energy blasts – faded into disappointment.
Lubbock let out a low whistle. "So we're stuck with just what we've got, huh? No chance to level up like you guys?"
Mine crossed her arms, her expression stubborn. "But what about our Teigu? We have our own powers – they might not be Ki-based, but they're still strong enough to take on the Empire."
Najenda leaned forward, her gaze sharp despite the news. "She's right. We've come this far using what we have. But understanding the difference between Ki and life energy could still be valuable. Goku, you said you can sense our life energy – can you tell anything about us from it?"
Goku perked up slightly, his sadness lifting a little. "Oh! Yeah, actually! I can tell how strong someone is, or if they're hurt or really angry. Like right now, I can feel that most of you are a bit down, but you're still determined to keep fighting!"
Najenda leaned forward, her expression still sharp and focused. "Even so, knowing this changes things. It means we won't waste time chasing impossible abilities – instead, we can focus on maximizing what we do have: our Teigu, our training, our teamwork."
Sheele nodded gently, her hands folded in her lap. "That's okay. We've come this far with what we have, right? And you two are here now – that's already more help than we could have hoped for."
Mine crossed her arms, a small pout on her face that quickly shifted to determination. "Yeah, well, even without Ki, I've still got Pumpkin! I can take down enemies from miles away – that's nothing to scoff at."
Bulat cracked a grin, flexing his muscular arms. "And I've got my Incursio. Between that and my combat training, I can hold my own just fine. Though I'll admit, flying would've been pretty cool."
Goku perked up more, his sadness giving way to his usual optimism. "Hey, don't be down about it! You all are already really strong – I could tell the first time we met! And even if you can't use Ki..." He said with a big smile.
Leone grinned and stretched lazily. "Well, that's useful at least. And hey – even if we can't learn to fly, maybe you two can teach us some hand-to-hand combat techniques? Your fighting style looked pretty impressive when you took down those bandits."
Vegeta scoffed but didn't look away. "Hmph. Human bodies are far too fragile for proper Saiyan training. You'd break every bone in your body trying to keep up."
But Goku disagreed, looking at Vegeta. "That's not true, Vegeta... You do realize I trained in the Turtle School style, right? It's an Earthling martial art created by Master Roshi." He said to Vegeta.
Vegeta clicked his tongue, finally turning to face them with a skeptical glare. "Master Roshi? You mean that perverted old man? What could he possibly teach a Saiyan?"
Goku's eyes lit up with excitement. "Hey, he might be a pervert, but he's a very good master! He taught me and Krillin everything we needed to know – how to focus my energy, how to fight with strategy instead of just brute force, even how to sense danger before it hits. He also taught us techniques that helped us fight our enemies, plus wisdom and discipline."
Lubbock and Leone's eyes widened when they heard that Goku's master is a perverted old man – similar to Lubbock. This made Leone chuckle, remembering that Lubbock is also a pervert.
Vegeta scoffed, crossing his arms again. "Hmph. Focus and strategy? A Saiyan's strength comes from raw power and the thrill of battle. Discipline is for weaklings who can't rely on their own might."
Goku raised his eyebrows and teased, "Whatever you say, Vegeta. Is that why I'm one step ahead of you – because I've had lots of masters training me, while you only trained by yourself...?"
Vegeta's face darkened instantly, his tail bristling with irritation. "One step ahead? Don't make me laugh, Kakarot! I've pushed my body to its absolute limits through sheer will alone – something you'd never understand!" He stepped forward, his aura flaring faintly despite the lack of Ki in the world.
Goku just grinned, unfazed by his friend's anger. "I think I do understand, actually! But pushing yourself isn't a sign of improvement, Vegeta... remember that resting is also part of training." He said, sharing the Turtle School teachings with Vegeta. "I remember what Master Roshi always told Krillin and me when we were young. He'd say, 'Work hard, study well, and eat and sleep plenty – that is the Turtle Hermit way.'" He said with a warm smile. "I wouldn't be the great martial artist I am today, Vegeta, without his teachings."
Vegeta's jaw tightened as he turned his back and looked away, folding his arms again. "Hmph. Eating and sleeping plenty – that sounds like an excuse for laziness to me. A true warrior trains until their body can take no more."
Goku shook his head. "No, Vegeta – that's not laziness. That's called training smarter, not harder..." He said calmly, making sure everyone could hear. "We both train hard, but our methods are different. You push your body to the limit, training until it breaks, while I train smarter – I sleep well, eat plenty, and still train hard. I still practice all of Master Roshi's techniques, even though Krillin and I are grown adults now..." He said to Vegeta with a calm expression. "Maybe if you allowed yourself to be trained by some masters instead of only relying on gravity training, you might understand what I mean..."
Vegeta fell silent for a long moment, his shoulders tensing as he processed Goku's words. When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter but still sharp. "Gravity training builds strength that no Earthling master could ever teach. It pushes the Saiyan body to evolve beyond its natural limits – something your 'smart' methods could never achieve."
Goku chuckled and folded his arms. "We'll see about it, Vegeta – we'll see about that..." He said with a big smile.
Even as Vegeta didn't respond, a flicker of something crossed his face – a brief moment where his pride wavered, as if he'd remembered all the times Goku had pulled ahead through ways he couldn't quite grasp. He'd watched Goku surpass him time and time again, and deep down, he knew there was more to his rival's strength than just raw power.
Najenda cleared her throat, leaning forward in her chair as she tried to steer the conversation back to their cause. "Regardless of how you two train, we're grateful for any help you can offer. Even if you can't teach us Ki, sharing combat techniques – like those from Master Roshi's school – would be a huge advantage against the Empire's forces."
Goku beamed, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Of course! I'd love to teach you guys some basics – like the Crane Stance, or how to punch with more power by focusing your whole body into the hit. And maybe even some defensive moves to help you avoid attacks better!"
Leone rubbed her hands together eagerly. "Now that sounds good! Imagine how much more effective we'd be with Saiyan-style fighting mixed with our Teigu abilities."
Even Mine seemed interested, though she tried to play it cool. "Well... I suppose learning to defend myself better wouldn't hurt. Pumpkin takes care of long-range, but close combat is never a bad skill to have."
Tatsumi looked up at Goku, his eyes bright with renewed purpose. "Really? You'd be willing to train us?"
"Of course!" Goku beamed. "Especially you, Tatsumi – the first time Vegeta and I met you in the capital city, I sensed huge potential coming from you..." He said to Tatsumi. "And if you're interested, just ask me. I might not be able to teach you to awaken your Ki, but I can guarantee you that I will make you the strongest Earthling to ever exist on this planet..."
Tatsumi's eyes widened with astonishment. "Really? You can do that for me, Mr. Goku?"
"Every word!" Goku nodded firmly. "But fair warning – training with me isn't all easy. Master Roshi made us do things like deliver milk to the whole village, plow fields with our bare hands, and even climb a mountain carrying heavy water buckets. It builds more than just strength – it builds character too!"
Bulat let out a hearty laugh, slapping his knee. "Now that I can get behind! Hard work like that is right up my alley – beats sitting around wishing we could fly any day."
Vegeta clicked his tongue, though a small part of his gaze drifted toward Tatsumi. "Hmph. Building 'character' won't help him against the Empire's strongest soldiers. If he wants to be truly strong, he'll need more than just farm work and stances."
Goku grinned mischievously, looking at Vegeta. "You wanna bet, Vegeta? You wanna bet that I can make this kid the strongest in the world? Remember, I trained my son Gohan – who has more potential than any pure Saiyan, because he's a hybrid. And look what he did to Cell – he demolished him without difficulty. If I say I see potential in this kid, I can guarantee he'll become the strongest in the world. Though of course, it depends on whether he's willing to put in the work to improve..." He said, looking at Tatsumi with a smile.
Bulat stood up straight, striking a confident pose. "You bet I'm in! Incursio gives me incredible strength, but learning proper martial arts form could make me even more deadly in battle. Plus, I want to see just how much I can push myself alongside Tatsumi!"
Just then, Akame stepped forward from where she'd been standing quietly by the wall. Her expression was as calm as ever, but there was a sharp focus in her red eyes. "I will join too. My swordsmanship is honed for killing, but understanding different combat styles might help me protect my comrades better. Every advantage matters against the Empire." She said with a warm smile.
Leone glanced toward Akame with a teasing tone and said, "Hmmm... yeah, Akame – I can see you want to have some alone time with Goku... don't worry, we won't intervene..." She teased Akame.
Akame's cheeks flushed slightly – a rare sight for the usually stoic assassin – as she shook her head gently. "That's not it at all, Leone. I simply want to become stronger for the sake of the team."
Leone winked and laughed heartily. "Sure, sure – whatever you say! We all know you and Goku have history together, so it's pretty obvious..."
Goku tilted his head in confusion, scratching the back of his head. "Alone time? But we're all training together, right? The more the merrier!" His innocent response made everyone chuckle, even Akame's faint blush fading into a small smile.
Then Goku turned to Najenda and said, "What about you, Miss Najenda? Won't you join us too?" He said with a big smile.
Najenda let out a small laugh, adjusting her eyepatch as she considered the question. "I appreciate the offer, Goku – and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious about your training methods. But someone needs to keep our operations running smoothly while you're all building strength. I'll be coordinating intelligence, supply routes, and planning our countermeasures against those new assassins."
She leaned forward in her chair, her voice growing more serious. "That said, I'll make time to learn at least the basics – even a leader needs to be able to defend herself if the situation calls for it. Maybe you can teach me some of those defensive moves you mentioned earlier."
Goku gave a thumbs-up and said, "That's good to hear, Ms. Najenda... just tell me anytime you want to join, and I'll be happy to teach you some of my techniques..."
"Wait, so why are you guys living on Earth, though? Shouldn't you be back on your planet right now?" Lubbock said to the two.
Goku and Vegeta fell silent. Goku had a neutral expression, while Vegeta's face darkened – but he was not angry.
Leone rolled her eyes at Lubbock's blunt question. "Oh way to go, Lub – you just made them feel homesick," she said with an annoyed look.
Lubbock looked at Leone and said, "What? I was just asking a question."
Goku was about to answer, but Vegeta responded first. "Our planet was destroyed," he said, his expression serious but calm.
Everyone was shocked to hear about Goku and Vegeta's home planet being destroyed. Tatsumi was the first to speak. "Your home planet was destroyed?!"
"Yes...." Vegeta said, his voice filled with sadness but still sounding serious.
"But how?" Mine asked, wanting to know the answer.
Goku scratched his head and spoke up. "Well... Our planet was destroyed by an evil tyrant named Frieza," he said with a sad expression.
Everyone was shocked to learn that Frieza – the name Vegeta had mentioned earlier – was the one who destroyed their planet.
Akame spoke with a serious expression. "Frieza? You mean the name Vegeta mentioned earlier?"
Goku nodded, while Vegeta remained silent.
Najenda frowned and stood up from her chair. "So you're telling me there's someone out there even worse than the Prime Minister and your race was under his control?"
"Yes. Frieza was the ruler of a large part of our universe. His father, King Cold, came to our planet one day and forced us Saiyans to work for him until he retired and put Frieza in charge," Vegeta said, his expression serious.
Leone looked saddened by the revelation, especially for Vegeta. "That's horrible! Even though your race wasn't perfect, this Frieza is far worse than even Esdeath."
Tatsumi tilted his head and asked, "Who's Esdeath?"
"She's one of the Empire's generals, Tatsumi. I'll explain her to you once you've made your decision," Najenda said, looking at him.
"But why would he destroy your planet? Didn't he need you guys to do his bidding?" Mine said, still trying to understand.
Vegeta's expression remained serious as he said, "Hmph – Frieza couldn't care less if we were destroyed. The only reason he did it was because he started to fear a legend about our people – the Super Saiyan."
"Super Saiyan?!" everyone said together.
Mine looked curious and asked, "What's that?"
Vegeta turned to Goku with a serious expression. "Do it, Kakarot – show them what the legendary Super Saiyan is."
Goku gave Vegeta a thumbs-up and said, "You got it, best buddy," smiling at him.
Goku stood in the middle of the room as Night Raid, Tatsumi, and Vegeta watched. Silence fell as he took a deep breath and adjusted his stance.
Goku breathed in deeply, then exhaled. "Alright – you're gonna love this," he said with a smirk. He clenched his fists as he focused his Ki for the demonstration. His legs were spread wide to create a stable base, his knees bent to lower his center of gravity. He roared loudly: "Rrrraaaaahhhh!!!"
His torso tensed and leaned slightly forward, as if containing immense energy. A bright white aura – the visual sign of his base form energy – enveloped him, and the ground formed a massive crater again. Both arms were bent at the elbows, held close to his body, with fists tightly clenched as he channeled his power. He roared even louder, making the entire meeting hall shake: "Hrrraaaaahhhh!!!" His monkey tail went still as the intensity built.
At that moment, Goku's hair levitated, defying gravity. A radiant golden aura surrounded his body from head to toe, sending waves of wind through the room and causing small, constant tremors. Everyone struggled to keep their balance as unfamiliar vibrations shook the space. Even Akame watched in awe as strange phenomena unfolded around him.
Tatsumi fought to stay upright, thinking to himself: "Whoa! What the hell?! Everything is shaking!"
Sheele and Lubbock clung to pillars to steady themselves – Sheele's glasses fell to the ground, and she tried to find them.
Lubbock's face was terrified as he said, "What the heck is going on?! It's like the world is about to end!!!"
Najenda fell back into her chair with a shocked expression. Bulat was caught off-guard as Mine and Leone grabbed onto him to stay upright, their chests pressing against his head.
Bulat looked surprised and said, "Hey! Quit pressing those melons on me!"
Mine had a pissed-off expression and snapped, "I'm just trying to hold on tight, you moron!"
Leone tried to steady herself and said, "Both of you be quiet! I'm trying not to fall!"
As Goku's power continued to rise, his hair and eyes shifted to new colors, including his tail. His muscles increased slightly in size, and sparks of electricity crackled around him.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh!" he roared, the sound echoing through the room. A powerful gust of wind swept through the space, and a brilliant light illuminated the meeting hall – as bright as the sun – forcing everyone to cover their eyes. Vegeta stood calmly to the side, arms folded, his expression serious as he watched.
After a few moments, the light dimmed and sight returned. What they saw left them speechless. Every single person stared in total shock and amazement, eyes wide and jaws dropped at his transformation.
Goku looked almost completely different. A golden aura engulfed his body – similar to what Vegeta had shown earlier, but far more intense. His natural black hair had turned golden blonde, and his eyes were now a striking emerald green; his tail turned golden as it wiggled to the air. Vegeta smirked at their reaction. Before anyone could speak, he began to explain.
"This is the Super Saiyan – the fabled transformation spoken of in Saiyan history, used by the last one who appeared 1,000 years ago. The 'Legendary Super Saiyan' comes from the tale of Yamoshi, who achieved both Super Saiyan and Super Saiyan God forms. The ability to become a Super Saiyan was once nothing but a myth, as it hadn't been seen in over a thousand years. This is the legend Frieza feared all along," Vegeta said, his expression unchanged.
The silence stretched on for several heartbeats as Night Raid processed what they'd just witnessed. Even Bulat – who'd faced down countless Imperial soldiers – stood frozen, his eyes locked on Goku's golden form.
Sheele was the first to find her voice, fumbling to put her glasses back on as she spoke. "I… I've never seen anything like this. It's like you've become a different person entirely."
Goku grinned, his emerald eyes gleaming with power but still warm with his usual kindness. "It feels pretty different too! All my energy just surges right up – makes me want to test my strength against something really tough!" He flexed his hand, and small sparks of electricity danced between his fingers.
Mine stared, her earlier skepticism completely gone. "So this is why you were so confident about taking on the Empire alone… you can become this?"
Vegeta spoke, his expression growing more intense as he did so. "This is just the beginning. Super Saiyan has multiple levels – each one more powerful than the last. Kakarot here has pushed it further than any other Saiyan in history."
Tatsumi took a shaky step forward, his gaze fixed on Goku. "If you can do this… why haven't you just gone after Frieza already?"
Goku's grin faded slightly, and he let his power settle – the golden aura shrinking to a gentle glow as he returned to his base form, his hair turning back to black and his tail to brown. "We already have. Frieza's gone now – I beat him when I first became a Super Saiyan, and we've stopped him from coming back more than once since then." He looked down at his hands, his voice growing quieter. "But even with all this power… we couldn't bring our planet back. Or our people."
A heavy sadness settled over the room, but it wasn't despair – it was understanding. They all knew what it meant to lose everything to evil.
Sheele looked at Vegeta and Goku, adjusting her glasses once more. "So… um… Mister Goku and Mister Vegeta, how did you both survive your planet's destruction?" she asked calmly.
Vegeta spoke with a serious expression. "I was on a planet with four of my comrades when we heard the news of our planet's destruction. We were told it was caused by a meteor shower – I didn't learn the truth until a few years later."
Tatsumi frowned and clenched his fist tightly. "That's awful! I can't believe he did that… he lied to you and used you for his own means… That Frieza will pay for what he did!"
The members agreed and vowed to help rid the universe of Frieza – that is, until Goku revealed otherwise.
Goku chuckled, trying to calm Tatsumi down. "Don't worry, relax guys – he's no longer around."
Akame's expression remained stoic as she spoke. "It's good he isn't around to continue harming innocents anymore. How did you end up on Earth?"
Goku scratched his head and said, "Well, to be honest, I don't know all the details. What I do know is that my brother Raditz told me long ago that I was sent to Earth to destroy it. That's what led me to feel conflicted about my own race – I didn't like what they did." Everyone was surprised to hear that Goku had a brother named Raditz.
Akame nodded thoughtfully. "I see…" Suddenly she realized Goku had never mentioned this before. "Wait – you had a brother?"
"Yeah!" Goku said with a big smile.
Akame looked up at him with a slightly angry pout. "Why didn't you tell me before?!"
Goku rubbed the back of his head, his smile turning sheepish. "Oh! I guess I just never thought to mention it… Raditz and I didn't get to know each other very well. When he found me on Earth, he tried to make me follow our people's old ways – to destroy the planet like I was supposed to."
Akame's eyes widened slightly. "He tried to make you destroy Earth?"
Before Goku could answer, Vegeta spoke up. "No – it was more than that. I ordered Raditz to convince Kakarot to join me, Nappa, and himself to form a rebellion against Frieza. But Raditz ended up being killed…" He said coldly, not showing remorse. "Before he died, he told us about the Dragon Balls from his scouter – which led us to invade Earth. Goku and his friends fought Nappa, then Goku and I faced off one on one for the first time."
The room fell quiet as Vegeta's words settled in. Even Leone – who usually had a quip ready – processing the idea that Goku had once fought to protect Earth from his own kind.
Tatsumi was the first to speak, his voice quiet but firm. "So you… you invaded Earth to steal these Dragon Balls?"
Vegeta crossed his arms, his expression unflinching. "We needed them to wish for immortality – to give us the edge we needed to defeat Frieza. At the time, I would have done anything to achieve that goal."
Goku stepped forward, a gentle smile on his face. "Yeah… and we fought like crazy that day. Vegeta was stronger than anyone I'd ever faced – I had to push myself to Kaioken times four, further than I thought possible, just to stand a chance against him."
Everyone tilted their heads in confusion. "Kaioken… what is that?" Mine asked.
Goku smiled and explained, "Oh, it's a technique I learned from King Kai in my world. He told me I could only use Kaioken times three, but I pushed it to four because of how strong Vegeta was – which left my entire body paralyzed from the strain."
Akame looked between the two Saiyans, her red eyes sharp with understanding. "But you didn't kill each other. Instead, you ended up fighting alongside each other against Frieza."
Vegeta clicked his tongue, looking away for a moment before meeting her gaze. "Do not be mistaken – I did not lose that fight. His son and friend helped him while he was paralyzed, while I fought to the death despite being wounded. Although… even if I had won, he beat me mentally. I suffered humiliation having a low-class warrior like him match a super-elite like me." He turned his head away, reminding everyone of his earlier speech about his life.
Lubbock leaned against a pillar, still processing everything. "So the Dragon Balls you mentioned earlier – they're real? They can grant wishes?"
Goku's face lit up again. "They sure can! On my Earth, we've used them to bring people back to life, fix planets, even wish away entire armies. That's why Vegeta and I were talking about using them to bring Tatsumi's friends back – if we can figure out how to make them work across dimensions."
Tatsumi's breath caught in his throat. "You… you'd really do that for me?"
"Of course!" Goku said firmly. "What good is having the power to make wishes if you don't use it to help people who need it?"
But then Vegeta spoke up. "Even if the Dragon Balls can grant wishes, I don't think they'll work for someone from another world. Your dimension and ours have different rules – they might not recognize life from here at all."
Tatsumi's face fell briefly, but he quickly straightened his shoulders – determination shining in his eyes. "Even if it might not work… just knowing you'd try means more than you know."
Najenda stood up from her chair, her mechanical arm whirring softly. "This changes things. If there's even a chance we could bring back those we've lost – not just Tatsumi's friends, but all those killed by the Empire – we have to explore it."
Leone nodded, her playful demeanor replaced by seriousness. "You're right, boss. And even if the wish doesn't pan out, having two warriors like Goku and Vegeta on our side gives us a shot at ending this corruption for good."
Najenda spoke with a commanding tone. "Now, before we end this meeting – does anyone still have questions for Goku and Vegeta?"
To be continued.