Deep in the North Galaxy, a vast armada—countless warships fused together like a moving fortress—floated in silence within the cold void of space.
At the fleet's core, inside the largest and most luxurious command chamber of the flagship, Frieza lounged lazily on his oddly shaped hover pod. His slender fingers tapped the armrest now and then, crimson eyes carrying a trace of boredom.
Below him stood his three most trusted lieutenants—Zarbon, Dodoria, and Kikono—heads bowed respectfully as they reported on the legion's recent affairs.
"…In summary, Lord Frieza, your army's expansion in the North Galaxy has been proceeding extremely smoothly."
Zarbon stepped forward, smiling ingratiatingly.
"Three more resource-rich planets have expressed their willingness to submit voluntarily. With a single order from you, they can be incorporated into your dominion at once."
"Hohoho~~"
Frieza let out that peculiar laugh, clearly in high spirits.
"Zarbon-san, you've done well. Starting today, you will be officially promoted—like Dodoria-san—to one of the highest-ranking officers of the Frieza Force."
Zarbon's eyes lit up with delight. He dropped to one knee at once, voice trembling faintly with excitement.
"My deepest gratitude, Lord Frieza! The success of these missions is entirely due to your majesty! Those planets didn't even dare put up a token resistance once they heard your name!"
"Hohohoho~~"
Frieza seemed to savor the flattery, his laugh growing even more pleased.
But the light mood didn't last.
Dodoria hesitated, then stepped forward, his expression unusually grave.
"Lord Frieza… there is one more matter to report."
Frieza's smile tightened. His gaze slid to Dodoria, and a subtle pressure crept into his voice.
"Oh? What else do you have for me, Dodoria-san? Speak."
Dodoria glanced at Zarbon and the ever-silent Kikono, inhaled, and continued.
"It concerns the mission to locate Vegeta's squad. The Ginyu Force completed preliminary reconnaissance of all star systems near the planet where Vegeta landed yesterday. For now… we have not found their exact whereabouts."
Frieza's face darkened instantly. A cold killing intent seeped through the chamber like frost.
Slowly, he spoke, patience fraying.
"Dodoria-san, you disappoint me. Three Saiyan monkeys—one of them a low-class grunt not even worthy of being called a monkey—and you still haven't found them?"
Sweat beaded at Dodoria's temple under that icy pressure. He hurried to add:
"Please forgive us! But, Lord Frieza—during the search we found something unexpected. A truly remarkable planet!"
Frieza's attention hooked. He lifted a brow.
"Oh~ Remarkable?"
Dodoria rushed to explain.
"The planet is called Namek. According to scattered intelligence and testimonies from captured natives, the Namekians seem to possess a mysterious power. They can create an extremely peculiar set of orbs!"
Frieza's interest sharpened.
"What orbs? And what are they for? Dodoria-san, my patience is limited."
Dodoria didn't dare stall.
"They're called Dragon Balls. Seven in total, scattered across the planet. If one gathers all seven… they can grant any wish."
"Any wish?"
Frieza's tapping fingers froze. He repeated each word slowly, dangerously.
Seconds passed. Then he leaned forward, crimson eyes glinting.
"Dodoria-san… are you certain you mean any wish?"
He rose from his pod in a single smooth motion, his small body bursting with terrifying aura.
All three officers felt their hearts squeeze.
He strode to Dodoria, voice like ice laced with threat.
"Dodoria-san~ you do understand that if you deceive me on this… or if your intel is wrong…"
He glanced at Dodoria, who had begun to tremble violently.
"Your end will be ten thousand times worse than those filthy Saiyan monkeys. Hohoho~"
Dodoria dropped to both knees, forehead slamming against the floor.
"I would never! I swear it, Lord Frieza! The Ginyu Force is already closing in on Namek to confirm everything. Once they arrive, you can question them personally and know the truth!"
Frieza stared down at him for a few beats. Then the chill in his face melted into that harmless-looking smile again.
"Hohoho~ no need to be so nervous, Dodoria-san. I, Frieza, am a reasonable man. I was only making a little joke."
Dodoria rose shakily, his battle suit drenched in cold sweat.
Back in his pod, Frieza rested his chin on his hand, eyes glittering with a dangerous delight.
"Dragon Balls that grant any wish… hohohoho! How wonderful!!! (Absolutely perfect!!!)"
He turned to the silent Kikono.
"Kikono-san."
"Yes, Lord Frieza."
"Transmit the order. The entire fleet turns course. Destination—Planet Namek. I want us there as soon as possible."
"As you command, Lord Frieza!"
Kikono bowed with a smile and departed for the communications center.
The massive Frieza Force stirred like a waking beast.
Engines flared across countless ships. The armada shifted formation and surged toward Namek at terrifying speed.
Zarbon and Dodoria traded a glance, both seeing the same mix of excitement and awe.
They knew the shape of the universe itself might soon shift under their lord's new ambition. (It won't.)
While the Frieza Force began its march, far across light-years, atop a mountain on Namek…
Inside a giant conch-like chamber, the elderly Grand Elder sat dozing in his immense chair.
Suddenly, his wrinkled eyelids trembled. He opened them.
Those cloudy yet wise eyes carried a flicker of deep unease.
He lifted a heavy arm as if to summon his guardian, Nail—but halfway through, he stopped.
He gazed out at the tranquil green sky beyond the window, and at last released a long, weighty sigh.
In a voice barely above a whisper, he murmured:
"A vast evil draws near… I only hope… you will arrive in time…"
Then he closed his eyes again, as if he had never awakened at all. Yet the worry etched between his brows proved the moment had been real.
Earth, in the snowy mountains near North City.
Thin flakes drifted from the sky. Winter wind hissed through bare branches, making them moan softly.
To ordinary humans, this cold was brutal. To Saiyans, it was nothing.
Yet Vegeta felt a blazing heat churning inside him—an abnormal, surging fire that threatened to burst through his chest.
He glared at the relaxed, smiling Vitri before him, fists tightening until they shook. His voice was strained with suppressed fury.
"You bastard! What the hell do you mean by this?! Did you come here just to toy with me, Vegeta?!"
His ki began to roil uncontrollably, ready to explode at the slightest provocation.
He knew he wasn't a match for Vitri. But if Vitri was mocking him over something like this, Vegeta would bite off a chunk of him even if it cost his life.
Vitri looked at him calmly, shook his head, and didn't answer.
Instead he swung a palm into Goku's back—hard enough to make a loud smack.
"Hey! What was that?! Oww!"
Goku stumbled, rubbing his back.
"You explain it."
Vitri jerked his chin toward Vegeta.
Goku blinked, then quickly said to Vegeta:
"Ah, right—Vegeta, we're planning to go find Frieza and wipe him out for good. Vitri thought we should bring you, so we came to ask if you want to—"
"Enough talking!"
Vegeta shoved Goku aside and fixed Vitri with a sharp stare, as if trying to find any hint of ridicule.
"Answer me. When do we leave?!"
Goku froze—then his face broke into a grin.
"I knew you'd say yes!"
Vitri watched Vegeta's attempt to look composed in spite of the excitement boiling out of him. He rubbed his chin.
"Hmm… I could just sense Frieza's ki and Instant Transmission us over there… but that feels kinda lacking in style."
He thought for a moment, then snapped his fingers.
Under Goku and Vegeta's baffled looks, Vitri cleared his throat, tilted his head toward the falling snow, and shouted:
"Whis! WHIS—! You hear me? Get to Earth! I'm calling in a favor! I'll treat you to a feast after, all you can eat!"
Goku was totally lost.
"Huh? Vitri, why're you calling Whis? Isn't he your teacher? We're going after Frieza, right?"
Vegeta's heart jolted.
Teacher? Vitri has a teacher?!
He spun toward Goku.
"Kakarot! You said Vitri has a teacher? What is this?!"
Goku nodded like it was obvious.
"Yep! Whis-san's super strong. Vitri went to him on purpose to train. I wanted to go too, but Whis-san said my basics were too weak, so he didn't take me."
His tone carried a little regret.
Vegeta's pulse hammered. His eyes flickered as a wild thought rose.
Vitri's secret… the reason he's so strong… is because of this 'Whis'?!
Just then, after yelling, Vitri calmly pulled out a capsule case from his battle suit pocket.
He picked one, pressed the switch—
PFFFT.
Smoke burst out.
In his hand was… a red alarm clock.
Goku and Vegeta stared at the absurd object, their brains short-circuiting.
"Hey! What are you pulling now?!"
Vegeta's suspicion spiked. He stepped back half a pace.
"An alarm clock?! What's that supposed to mean?! Are you messing with me again?!"
Vitri didn't even look at him.
He wound the clock, clicked the timer on, and set it on a flat stone.
Being ignored only made Vegeta more wary.
Goku scratched his head, muttering:
"Vitri… are you pranking us again…?"
Vitri rolled his eyes and gave a scornful snort.
"Hmph. Look at your faces. You think I came all the way here to mess with you? Your imaginations are impressive."
He pointed at the ticking clock.
"I'm just waiting for someone—and timing it. Sit tight. You'll see."
Then he folded his arms, closed his eyes, and started resting as if the matter was settled.
Goku and Vegeta exchanged looks and waited uneasily.
Snow settled on their shoulders. The mood turned strange.
Only the clock's steady tick tick tick echoed across the empty white field.
Goku couldn't stand it.
"Um… Vitri, are we waiting for you to finish a nap before leaving?"
Vitri didn't answer.
Vegeta was just about to snap again when—
Vitri's eyes snapped open.
He whirled around, gaze like lightning toward the empty space behind Goku and Vegeta. A faint smile tugged at his mouth.
In the same instant, Goku and Vegeta felt their scalps prickle and spun around.
A tall, slender figure stood there without warning.
Blue-green skin. Silver, broom-like hair. A gentle, enigmatic smile. In his hand, a long staff.
It was Whis—Vitri's teacher and attendant.
He blended into the scene as if he'd been standing there the whole time.
That bottomless calm sent an indescribable pressure into Goku and Vegeta's bones.
"Ah-la ah-la~~ Vitri-san,"
Whis spoke, voice soft and lilting.
"How rare. You're actually calling me yourself. Have you finally played enough and decided to return to your duties as a candidate God of Destruction?"
Vitri shot him a deadpan look.
"You rushing me back to work? What, is Beerus planning to retire early and hand me the job?"
He flicked a finger at the alarm clock.
"And Whis—your speed's slipping. Two full minutes from when I called you to now. Eating too well lately? Getting sluggish?"
"Hohoho~"
Whis covered his mouth with a sleeve, laughing lightly.
"I was a bit slower because before coming, I happened to see something rather interesting. It's about Beerus-sama…"
He dragged out the last word with a teasing glint.
"Lately, to avoid being surpassed by a certain over-talented candidate, he's been secretly training. Even cutting into his nap time. A truly moving development, wouldn't you say, Vitri-san?"
Vitri's pupils tightened.
His easy grin vanished, replaced by a flash of shock—and a fierce sense of urgency.
Beerus… is secretly grinding?!
No way. I have to grind too. I'm not getting left behind.
A surge of fighting spirit blazed through him. He clenched his fist.
Then he forced it down and said to Whis:
"Enough small talk. I called you because I need a hand."
He gestured to Goku and Vegeta.
"I'm taking these two to wipe out Frieza. Use your ability to help us travel fast. Stick with me for a few days."
Whis's pale blue eyes drifted over Goku and Vegeta, lingering for a moment.
He nodded gently.
"Mm~ Two Saiyans with excellent potential. Vitri-san does have a good eye."
Then he smiled in a way that screamed business.
"However, Vitri-san… transporting you alone and transporting you plus two extra people are not the same in 'energy cost' and 'service fees,' you know?"
Vitri's face went black.
"…I knew it. Fine, fine. Same deal as always. After we're done, you can order whatever you want. Happy?"
Whis's smile instantly brightened.
"Vitri-san is so generous. Then when do we depart? If you finish quickly, perhaps I should contact Bulma-san in advance and reserve a menu. I hear she's discovered many new Earth delicacies…."
Vitri: "…"
He wants to pre-order food now? Not a chance.
"Quit yapping and get to work!"
Vitri snapped, placing a hand on Whis's shoulder.
Then he called to the still-stunned Goku and Vegeta:
"You two, what're you standing around for? Get over here. Hands on."
Goku didn't understand what "service fees" had to do with "ordering food," but he shrugged and placed his hand on Whis.
Vegeta hesitated, wary. He looked at the unfathomable Whis, then at Vitri's impatient face.
Finally, his jaw tightened, and he stepped up too.
"Whis, need me to tell you exactly where Frieza is?" Vitri asked.
Whis shook his head elegantly.
"No need. Locating is my specialty~"
As he spoke, a soft light burst from the tip of his staff, enveloping all four.
In the next instant, they shot upward—four streaks of brilliance piercing the sky, leaving Earth's atmosphere behind in a blink, vanishing into the sea of stars.
The speed was beyond anything Goku or Vegeta had ever imagined.
At nearly the same moment Vitri's group left Earth, the news that the Frieza Force had abruptly turned course and launched a full-scale advance toward Namek spread like a sudden storm across the North Galaxy.
Every major and minor power with scouts in the field received the report.
The result was panic.
Frieza's name alone was enough to make entire civilizations shake.
Such an open, massive mobilization—what did it mean?
A new invasion? A purge? No one knew.
But suspicion and terror flooded the cosmos.
Galactic Patrol HQ treated it as a crisis. King Galactic ordered every recon vessel they could dispatch to monitor Frieza's movements, desperate to identify his true target.
Even beyond the North Galaxy, in a remote, shadowed star region within a colossal palace, Frieza's father—King Cold—received the startling news.
Seated upon a massive throne, his icy eyes narrowed with doubt.
"Frieza… what is that boy doing, making such a commotion?"
His low voice echoed in the empty hall.
"Has he finally decided to move against his brother Cooler?"
He quickly dismissed it.
"No… if it were Cooler, Frieza wouldn't be this blatant. It doesn't fit his nature."
He pondered long and hard.
Then, irritated, he waved a hand at his waiting subordinates.
"Contact Cooler immediately. Tell him Frieza is making a major move—he should be on guard. Also, dispatch more men. I want Frieza's target confirmed as fast as possible. And find out why he's doing this!"
"Yes, Lord Cold!"
The subordinate bolted for the communications chamber.
The palace fell quiet again, leaving Cold alone on his throne, his body half-swallowed by shadow.
Only his cold eyes gleamed in the dark.
Frieza… what are you plotting?
The curtain was rising.
The gears of fate had begun to turn.
patreon.com/BOB_Davinchi