Chapter 57: New Crisis
After hearing his subordinate's report, Frieza remained silent, still swirling his wine glass while savoring the contents.
The entire room gradually quieted. Nearby Dodoria and the kneeling subordinate didn't dare even breathe heavily—only waiting silently.
After quite some time, Frieza on his throne finally spoke slowly: "You said Vegeta's clansman, that one called Na..."
Halfway through, Frieza got stuck. He'd suddenly forgotten the name of that Saiyan who'd always followed behind Vegeta.
"Nappa!" Seeing this, Dodoria immediately reminded him quietly.
Receiving Dodoria's prompt, Frieza understood. He gave Dodoria an appreciative glance before continuing:
"Oh right, Nappa. You're saying this Nappa's scouter suddenly detected battle power exceeding 20,000—and still rising—while our Prince Vegeta's scouter remained inactive the entire time?"
"Yes, my lord. Since half a year ago, Prince Vegeta's scouter hasn't been activated once. Moreover, Prince Vegeta's battle power has already surpassed 20,000."
"Ohohoho!" Hearing this, Frieza laughed exaggeratedly. Turning toward Dodoria, he said: "Mr. Dodoria, I recall your current battle power is only 22,000? Seems Vegeta has already surpassed you."
Dodoria's expression soured. As someone who'd participated in Frieza's destruction of Planet Vegeta and as Frieza's confidant, Dodoria had always looked down on Vegeta.
As a stray dog who'd lost his home, what right did Vegeta have to act arrogant?
He'd wanted to request from Frieza permission to lead a team killing Vegeta. But somehow, he suddenly recalled that Saiyan years ago who'd dared attack Frieza.
Dodoria hesitated briefly before ultimately abandoning the idea.
Frieza didn't know Dodoria's thoughts. He didn't take Vegeta seriously at all.
Though his father constantly reminded him to beware the golden-haired warrior among Saiyans, Frieza held tremendous confidence in his own strength. He simply wouldn't fear any golden-haired warrior.
However, Vegeta remained a decent fighter. If he simply disappeared, Frieza would feel somewhat regretful.
After considering, Frieza asked Dodoria: "Where is Zarbon currently?"
"Zarbon is handling a planet sale transaction. He probably can't address Vegeta's situation right now."
"I see. Then inform Ginyu to handle this matter." Frieza showed no disappointment, immediately making alternative arrangements.
"Captain Ginyu? Yes, I'll find Captain Ginyu immediately."
Hearing Frieza's arrangement, Dodoria immediately grew excited.
The Ginyu Force—Frieza Force's special unit—represented the elite among elites. Each member possessed special abilities. Even the weakest, Guldo, possessed the rare ability to stop time.
And their captain, Ginyu, commanded battle power exceeding 120,000. Most importantly, the Ginyu Force members didn't get along with Vegeta. In Dodoria's view, with the Ginyu Force mobilized, Vegeta's fate was sealed.
Seemingly already envisioning Vegeta's demise, Dodoria's lips curved into a cruel smile.
Soon, five white spherical spaceships departed from the legion's base planet, flying toward Earth's direction.
---
Meanwhile, though Turles didn't know Frieza had already dispatched the Ginyu Force toward Earth, he didn't dare be careless. He could only prepare according to worst-case scenarios.
But his upcoming Namek trip presented difficulties.
The problem troubling Turles was precisely Vegeta.
If he left Vegeta on Earth, Turles felt uneasy. Given Vegeta's temperament, if anyone provoked him, the next second he might slaughter all life on Earth.
Though Earth people bore no great relationship to himself, he'd at least received Popo's guidance and used Earth's Dragon Balls. Allowing Earthlings to be massacred by Vegeta wasn't something Turles wished to see.
But bringing Vegeta along meant exposing Namek to Vegeta's awareness. He didn't want too many people knowing about Dragon Balls yet—especially ambitious individuals like Vegeta.
Current Vegeta wasn't the later reformed Z-Fighter who'd redeemed himself on Earth.
Turles remained conflicted when Vegeta found him. His very first words dispelled Turles's hopeful thinking.
"Turles, that one called Deru is a Namekian, correct?" Though phrased as a question, Vegeta's tone held absolute certainty.
Seeing Vegeta had recognized Deru's identity, Turles could no longer hide it. He generously nodded: "That's right—a Namekian. You know about them?"
Hearing Turles's affirmative answer, Vegeta showed contemplation. After considering, he probed: "Could it be that you and Raditz increased your battle power so rapidly by using those miraculous orbs belonging to Namekians?"
"What? You know about Namekians?" Turles felt somewhat shocked.
Vegeta looked at Turles with contempt, scoffing: "As Saiyan Prince, is knowing about such species strange?
Rather, isn't it you—did you wish upon those Namekian miraculous orbs to increase battle power so quickly? Are the Namekian legends actually true?"
Vegeta convinced himself with his own speculation. Otherwise, he truly couldn't imagine how Turles—this low-class warrior—possessed such tremendous battle power.
Vegeta's eyes burned as he looked at Turles, anticipating seeing the desired answer on Turles's face.
Watching Vegeta's expression, Turles internally thought "as expected." Helplessly, he spoke: "If I told you I didn't rely on Dragon Ball wishes, you definitely wouldn't believe me. Coincidentally, I'm heading to Namek this time. Why not come along?"
Turles had figured it out. Since Vegeta already knew about Namek's existence, he'd find ways to go regardless. Better to bring him this time—precisely letting Vegeta give up hope.
"Those orbs are called Dragon Balls?" After considering, Vegeta agreed to Turles's invitation.
Thus, Turles's Namek group expanded by two—Vegeta and Nappa.
Having resolved Vegeta's situation, Turles visited the Lookout, informing Kami about the potential crisis of Frieza's forces arriving on Earth.
After listening, though internally resentful about Vegeta bringing this unwarranted disaster, Kami—whose strength was insufficient—could only swallow this bitter pill.
Seeing Kami's worried expression, Turles consoled: "The situation might not be so dire. According to Vegeta's group, enemies need at minimum half a year reaching Earth. Moreover, it probably won't be Frieza himself—most likely his subordinates."
Turles's consolation didn't relax Kami. He knew that without Turles and others' help, even Frieza's subordinates exceeded current Earth's capabilities.
Because even Earth's current strongest fighter, Goku, only possessed battle power around 1,000.
Seeing Kami still worried, Turles felt somewhat helpless. He definitely wouldn't remain on Earth half a year helping resist Frieza.
Suddenly, Turles conceived an idea. He asked Kami: "Can you contact King Yemma in the afterlife?"
"Lord Yemma?" Kami felt puzzled but still nodded. "It's possible. As Earth's Guardian, I'm under King Yemma's jurisdiction. When I first became Earth's Guardian, the previous Guardian brought me to meet Lord Yemma once."
"Earth's Guardian has such connections in the afterlife?"
Turles didn't quite understand. But he quickly tossed these questions aside, directly stating:
"That's perfect! I've heard King Yemma can grant living people qualifications to traverse Snake Way. At Snake Way's end resides the North Kai who governs North Galaxy—an excellent martial artist. You can send Goku to find this North Kai. I believe Goku can achieve tremendous strength improvement there!"
That's right—Turles's suggestion matched the original story: sending Goku to North Kai. Though timing was somewhat early, given Goku's talent, learning Kaio-ken and Spirit Bomb within half a year shouldn't be problematic.
Plus, with Goku's protagonist aura, he should definitely handle this crisis. If truly desperate, Turles had also left Bulma a communicator for contacting him.
Kami was first hearing about such a great deity existing in the afterlife. This made him somewhat joyful. Believing such a great deity should resolve Earth's crisis, Kami finally relaxed slightly.
After resolving this matter, Turles found Popo, asking how to solve Broly's problem. Unfortunately, Popo had never met Broly, so he obtained no effective solutions. After regretfully bidding Popo farewell, he departed.
Finally finishing Earth matters, Turles's group once again boarded the hyperspace ship, departing toward Namek.
Just after the ship had launched, a figure completely unexpected by Turles appeared before him.