---
Mr. Popo turned to the group with a solemn expression.
"At that time, none of you had even arrived on Earth," he explained. "I remember when Son Goku was a child, he once went to the Outer Demon Realm to rescue a little girl. During that event, the Outer Demon Realm managed to open a passage to Earth. But I sealed it up shortly after."
"So that's how it is!" everyone murmured in unison.
Goku and the others hadn't been on Earth during their early years, so none of them had known of this event.
Rayden thought to himself, "I hadn't even come to Earth back then!"
Cell added silently in his mind, "That was before I was even created!"
Mr. Popo's expression grew more serious.
"You all understand now, I hope. I won't interfere with anything you do—as long as you don't interfere with my duty. My only mission is to help my master guard the seal in the Temple of the Gods."
He looked at each of them pointedly.
"And you are not allowed to speak of this to anyone. Not even to Son Goku."
"Understood!" they responded firmly.
Rayden nodded. "Mr. Popo, if you ever need help, don't hesitate to ask us."
But Mr. Popo shook his head. "You're still far too weak. If the seal truly breaks, you won't be able to help at all. Focus on your training."
With that, he walked into the inner chamber, carrying the seven Dragon Balls.
"Too weak…?"
Rayden, Broly, Cell, and Paragus looked at each other, doubting their own strength for the first time in years.
A few moments later...
"Dende, we're heading out. Take care!" Rayden called.
He, Broly, Cell, and Paragus rose into the sky, flying toward their training ground.
Dende stood motionless, stunned. Rayden was the strongest person he had ever met—someone who could defeat even the Gods of Destruction.
But even he… was considered weak?
---
Later, at the training ground...
A few minutes later, the four arrived at the open field where Trunks and Goten were waiting.
"Trunks, where are your dad and Goku?" Rayden asked, confused. Neither Goku nor Vegeta had been at the Heavenly Temple or anywhere on Earth.
Trunks replied, "Uncle Rayden, Dad and Uncle Goku went to the Dragon God Realm to train."
Son Goten nodded. "We wanted to go too, but they said we had to stay on Earth to protect Mom and Aunt Bulma since you guys weren't around."
"I see," Rayden said, nodding. "Training in the Dragon God Realm is definitely more effective than any regular sparring session."
"I want to train in the Dragon God Realm too!" Paragus added. He didn't want to fall behind the others in strength.
"Broly, Cell, why don't you come along as well?" he suggested. "I'll stay behind with Trunks and Goten."
"Alright!" Broly and Cell agreed.
---
Originally, neither of them had planned to continue training. Their strength was already comparable to that of the Gods of Destruction. But after what Mr. Popo revealed, their fighting spirit was reignited.
All three—Broly, Cell, and Paragus—took out their Dragon God Realm passes and activated them, sending a message across dimensions.
Suddenly, a crack opened in the sky with a roar of thunder and lightning.
A golden Shenron burst forth, exuding divine energy as it hovered majestically in the air.
"He looks amazing!" Trunks and Goten shouted, eyes sparkling with awe.
Golden Shenron's red eyes glowed as he spoke:
"Master Long has sent me to escort you to the Dragon God Realm. If you wish to go, climb onto my back."
Broly, Cell, and Paragus took to the air and landed gently on Shenron's back.
"Aren't the three of you coming too?" Shenron asked curiously.
Rayden shook his head. "No, Shenron. Just take them."
"Very well. Farewell."
Shenron rose higher into the sky, then dove into the space rift. The crack sealed shut behind him with a final flash of light.
"Uncle Rayden, when can Goten and I go to the Dragon God Realm?" Trunks asked with longing in his eyes.
Rayden chuckled. "Don't worry, I'll take you both when the time is right."
"Yeah!!" Trunks and Goten cheered with excitement.
"Now then, start sparring. I'll give you feedback as you go."
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the universe...
A giant spaceship resembling a donut sped through the dark void of space.
Inside, a short blue-skinned alien wearing the Frieza Corps uniform and a white cape stood fuming at his soldiers.
"Useless! All of you are absolutely useless!" he yelled.
"You can't even take control of a small, pathetic planet!"
The soldiers stood silently, ashamed, their heads bowed low.
Suddenly, a panting alien with a toad-like head ran into the room.
"What now?" growled the commander, Solbe. The Frieza Corps had been falling apart ever since Lord Frieza was killed by the Saiyans. They'd been forced to flee, hunted relentlessly by enemies and the Galactic Patrol.
"Lord Solbe, we have news—about Namek!"
Solbe's eyes widened. "Are you certain? You know what happens if you lie to me."
He had been waiting for this moment. With Frieza revived, the Frieza Corps could rise again, reclaiming its position of terror in the universe. No more hiding from space pirates and patrols.
"Yes, my lord. One of our scouts near Planet Akira found a colony of Namekians on Planet 9240yx, in region SU-72."
"Excellent!" Solbe laughed. "Plot a course for Namek immediately!"
"Yes, Lord Solbe!"
The soldiers quickly departed to relay the command.
---
A week later...
Solbe stood aboard the bridge, smiling at the vastness of space.
Once Lord Frieza returns, this universe will bow before us again, he thought smugly.
Just then, a soldier burst into the room. "Lord Solbe! We've arrived! Planet Namek is just ahead!"
"Perfect! Prepare for descent."
The soldier nodded and turned to leave, but Solbe suddenly stopped him.
"Wait."
The soldier froze in panic.
"Yes, my lord?"
"Pass the order. Once we land, no one is to leave the ship without my command."
"Understood!" the soldier replied, hurrying away.
Tagoma, Solbe's lieutenant, looked confused. "Lord Solbe, why not just storm the planet and take the Dragon Balls?"
Solbe smirked. "Tagoma, the Namekians are a peaceful race. If we can retrieve the Dragon Balls without unnecessary conflict, we avoid attracting attention."
He paused. "Don't forget—the Galactic Patrol is still tracking us."
---
Namek.
A group of Namekians worked calmly in the fields, tending to large puffball-like plants.
Suddenly—
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
A loud noise echoed through the sky as the enormous spaceship descended from above.
The Namekian warriors instantly sensed danger and flew toward the craft from all directions.
CRACK.
The spaceship's hatch opened slowly, revealing Solbe and Tagoma standing inside.
An elder stepped forward from the group of Namekians. "I am Robo, elder of this village. Who are you, and what business do you have on Namek?"
Solbe bowed slightly and spoke with fake politeness.
"Greetings, Elder Robo. We humbly request the use of your Dragon Balls."
In truth, Solbe had no intention of showing force—at least not yet.
Once Lord Frieza returns, he thought, the time for patience will end.
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