Planet Namek
"Send word to the Ginyu Force. Tell them to push past all limits and reach Namek within half an hour!"
Frieza's face was like carved ice, his cold presence suffocating every soldier around him. Sweat dripped down the trembling trooper who received the order.
"Y-Yes, Lord Frieza!" He stumbled away in terror.
"Two useless fools…" Frieza muttered, recalling the losses of Dodoria and Zarbon. "It seems I'll need to be more careful about the quality of my subordinates."
West Galaxy
"Lord Cooler, word from our spy inside Frieza's army!" Sauza announced, eyes gleaming.
"Oh? And what news would that be?" Cooler's voice was calm, elegant, but carrying an edge of interest.
"Planet Namek… possesses mystical orbs said to grant any wish. They're called the Dragon Balls. Frieza destroyed two of his own ships just to reach them faster."
The butterfly effect Frieza's rash acceleration had tipped Cooler's hand. Suspicious of his brother's strange urgency, Cooler had already ordered his infiltrators to investigate.
"What did you just say…? Any wish?"
Crack crunch.
Cooler rose from his throne, every step making Sauza's heart pound.
"Confirmed, my lord. Our spy was certain."
"Damn it… damn it!! Because of Father's orders, I left the Northern Galaxy to that idiotic Frieza. And now it seems I was the fool all along!"
Cooler's aura flared with violent malice, the walls trembling.
"Sauza! At our maximum speed, how long would it take to reach Namek?"
"L-Lord Cooler… two years!"
"…Two years."
The pressure vanished. Cooler stood silent, but the temperature dropped even lower.
"What of Dore and Neiz? Have they returned from their games?"
"Not yet, my lord."
"Call them back. The three of you will find me a way to reach Namek faster. If you fail…" Cooler's eyes narrowed, bloodlust seeping out, "…then you can die."
Sauza's knees nearly buckled. Calm, aristocratic Cooler was gone this was unhinged fury.
"I… understand, Lord Cooler!"
"Oh, and Sauza…" Cooler added coldly.
"Yes?"
"You were wise to kill the spy Father planted in Frieza's ranks. Well done."
"…Thank you, Lord Cooler."
Sauza quickly bowed and fled to summon Dore and Neiz.
Back on Namek – The Grand Elder's Village
"Strange… we can feel Frieza's vile energy, but why hasn't he moved yet?" Goku frowned.
"Kakarot," Raditz growled, "knowing Frieza, he's simply too lazy to dirty his hands. He's waiting for the Ginyu Force."
"The Ginyu Force? Are they strong?" Goku asked curiously.
"Heh. To us now? They're like insects," Nappa sneered.
"Goku," Nail stepped forward, "we can't just sit and wait. We should take the initiative."
Piccolo crossed his arms. "Agreed. Too many of Frieza's grunts are lurking nearby. We should wipe out some of the trash first." His voice carried more weight here Namek was his home, too.
"Alright. Then we move," Goku nodded firmly. "Nail, please protect the Elder."
Nail looked to Piccolo. "If things turn dire… come back to me. I'll merge with you, for Namek's sake."
Piccolo's eyes flickered, but he simply said, "Understood." Cold words, but inside he was moved.
Goku, Raditz, Nappa, Piccolo, and Krillin soared into the skies, streaking toward Frieza's ship.
Frieza's Fleet
"Lord Frieza! Five power signatures are heading straight for us!"
"A pack of vermin, eager to die. Very well… I shall grant their wish. Ho-ho-ho-ho!"
Moments Later
"Kill them!"
Frieza's soldiers swarmed, surrounding the five intruders.
"Out of my sight, trash!" Raditz roared. A storm of ki blasts erupted from his hands, vaporizing dozens.
"Pathetic!" Nappa raised two fingers, recreating the same devastating technique he once used on Earth. The soldiers around him were instantly erased.
Piccolo, Krillin, and Goku also unleashed sweeping attacks. Yet unlike the others, Goku held back his opponents merely collapsed unconscious, stripped of their fighting strength.
High above, Merus crossed his arms. "Strange. Saiyans weren't supposed to be this strong."
Gohan smirked. "That's because of me. They've always had limitless potential, but never learned how to unlock it. I made sure they did."
Without hiding anything, he explained how he had carefully guided Goku, Raditz, and the others toward their current breakthroughs.
"…Clever boy. You're far from ordinary." Merus was quietly impressed. Gohan's openness only deepened his trust.
Gohan chuckled. "Heh. Just a little foresight, big brother."
Frieza's Ship
"Lord Frieza! The First Corps… completely annihilated. They're no match!"
"Useless filth!"
Fwoosh!
A crimson death beam pierced the soldier's chest. His eyes went wide before life faded.
Outside, the battlefield fell silent. The ocean of troops had been wiped clean. Only those Goku had spared remained, unconscious in the dirt.
Creak crack.
Frieza slowly stepped out of his ship.
"Well, well. Raditz… Nappa. If I recall correctly, yes? And where is Vegeta?" His voice was mocking. "When did you monkeys gain the courage to challenge me?"
"Frieza!! You destroyed Planet Vegeta! You killed my father! I've come for vengeance!!" Raditz roared, hurling himself forward.
At this point, Frieza still wore his first form small, almost childlike. His power level barely half a million.
BOOM!
Raditz's charge sent Frieza crashing straight through his own mothership, the impact tearing metal apart.
"Brother! Careful. I can feel it… something's off!" Goku shouted.
"Don't worry, Kakarot! He's nothing compared to me now!" Raditz laughed, drunk on triumph.
Piccolo's eyes narrowed. "No… that evil ki doesn't match what he's showing on the surface."
"Which means… beating him won't be that easy." Goku's grin widened, battle-lust igniting. His whole body trembled with excitement.
Piccolo, Nappa, and Krillin all exchanged a look.
(…Did he just say 'not easy' with that smile?)
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