Root was the captain of a team assigned by the Galactic Justice League to the Phaeda galaxy, with his main duty being to maintain local law and order. His position wasn't very high-ranking—Angila hadn't even let Raditz meet him during the last inspection—but his actual power was significant.
Regular merchants were afraid of Root and would act cautiously whenever he showed up. Especially after Root started working with the Galactic Patrolman, his influence became even more extraordinary. He overshadowed other team leaders and built quite a reputation in the Phaeda galaxy.
Seeing Ariel chatting with some big, stupid guy, Root's expression immediately soured. He glanced at the corner of the street, then back at Nappa. After thinking for a moment, Root and his group of subordinates walked over with faces as hard as steel, clearly furious.
"Hey, you big stupid oaf—yeah, you." Root tapped Nappa's muscular arm from behind. "Move aside. I have business with Ariel." He said this while pushing hard, trying to shove Nappa aside like he was opening a curtain.
Nappa was half a head taller than him, and when he turned around, his eyes pierced down from above like arrows being shot, making Root shiver.
But Root didn't think much of it, assuming it was just the cold weather. He pulled his collar tighter.
"We'll talk business later." He half-pushed Nappa away with a disdainful look, deliberately straightening his body to show his authority.
Nappa had never been insulted like this before. Apart from being a little intimidated by Vegeta and Raditz, who else could push him around and make him wait? This guy was asking for death! Nappa's eyebrows shot up and his expression changed completely.
Root didn't notice and turned to Ariel with a smile plastered on his face. "Ariel, you should know who I am. Bottom line—I've taken a liking to you! Major Babar is throwing a party, and I want to invite you to come with me. Let's go today..."
"Sorry, I'm very busy."
"What could you possibly be busy with? Just this little shop... Ariel, with my protection, your business will definitely grow bigger and bigger." Root pulled out a badge symbolizing his captaincy in the Galactic Justice League and played with it in his hand.
People around watched from a distance, then looked away. That badge represented serious power.
Ariel shook her head and rejected Root. Then she turned away coldly, unwilling to pay attention to this group. Anyone with eyes could see that Root was completely out of line.
But Root wasn't the type to give up easily. With a wink, two of his men rushed forward, grabbing Ariel from both sides.
"What are you doing?!"
"You're coming whether you want to or not! The Galactic Justice League runs the Phaeda Galaxy now!"
The arrogant Root reached out to touch Ariel's cheek, but instead touched something hard as muscle, like warm marble.
Looking up, he realized he'd touched Nappa's chest.
"Don't bully Ariel!" Nappa's eyes once again showed that terrifying aura, and the feeling of being pierced by countless arrows hit Root's heart again.
One of Root's men jumped forward and laughed mockingly: "Master Root invited the girl to have some fun—what's it to you? Where'd you even come from? You should be ashamed wearing that suit with your looks. You're even wearing cologne—tsk tsk, how pathetic..."
Nappa felt embarrassed about his appearance, and being called out like this made his face flush red with angry humiliation.
BANG!
Before the man could finish speaking, he went flying backward, crashed straight through the spaceship, and passed out. The spaceship was left with a gaping hole and made a loud bang.
If Nappa hadn't remembered Raditz's warning about not killing people here, that man would already be dead.
Root looked at Nappa with changed eyes, unable to help but panic. "You... what did you do?"
"Hmph!"
Nappa didn't bother explaining. He grabbed the two men who were holding Ariel, one in each hand, and threw them away. BANG! BOOM! Two sounds rang out one after another as they hit the ground.
Then Nappa exploded with energy, sending everyone else flying. Root and all his men were knocked down instantly.
They were all shocked. No one had ever dared oppose them in the Phaeda galaxy—they were members of the Galactic Justice League! Even Frieza had lost to them, so who dared to challenge them!
But the big man in front of them didn't seem afraid at all. His powerful strength shocked them, and everyone broke out in cold sweat.
Ariel was free now. She stepped forward and grabbed Nappa's arm, half-hiding behind him. Nappa immediately felt like she was depending on him. In contrast, Root looked absolutely pathetic, unable to speak and just glaring at Nappa with a sullen expression.
"What's your relationship with Ariel? I advise you not to stick your nose where it doesn't belong!"
"I, I..." Nappa wanted to speak but couldn't get the words out. They stuck in his throat. "I'm Ariel's boyfriend!" After saying that, Nappa's face turned red.
The big guy had finally mustered up all his strength to get that out.
Ariel didn't agree or refuse—she was scared and stayed close to Nappa, tugging at his sleeve.
Nappa was so excited that his tail unconsciously emerged from his clothes and started swinging.
A Saiyan!!!
"Mr. Nappa, you're actually a Saiyan!" Ariel exclaimed.
Root instantly turned to stone.
No one could mess with a Saiyan—the ones who defeated the Frieza Force were Saiyans! Root was stunned and immediately shouted: "I was wrong! I was wrong! Miss Ariel, I won't dare disturb you anymore!" He grabbed his useless men and ran like hell. "Run! Run!"
People burst into laughter, doubling over.
Philip the Galactic Patrolman stood there stunned. Was that it? He stood there confused until Root turned back, swept him up, and ran off with him too.
"Don't just stand there—run!"
Thud, thud, thud... The two of them were unsteady on their feet, fell to the ground and rolled around, kicking up dust and smoke as they scrambled away.
Nappa didn't bother chasing them. He fired a ki blast that destroyed the spaceship and received everyone's admiring looks as it exploded with a thunderous roar.
Like a farce that ended abruptly, people on the commercial street gradually dispersed after watching the show, though many were still talking about it.
Not long after, Root quietly changed his clothes and came alone to Raditz, bowing respectfully: "Lord Raditz!"
Yamcha, Krillin, and Tarble were all stunned. Wasn't this the same bullying thug from just now?
Raditz smiled slightly: "Not a bad performance. I'll tell Angila about promoting you, and those who got hurt will be compensated well. Wait for my word."
"Hey, Lord Raditz, please call me for good gigs like this next time! Back on my home, I met many professional actors who won many awards..."
"Stop, stop! Get going—I don't want Nappa to see you again." Raditz couldn't stand the flattering expression.
Root immediately shut up, bowed, and retreated.
Raditz couldn't help but feel he'd put a lot of thought into Nappa's situation.