"How goes the training of my son, Nappa?"
"It's going well, my King. He's progressing nicely, as he's outgrown the need for Saibamen," I replied, doing my best to keep down any emotions inside of me, and especially to keep my eyes from going wide.
Do you know the saying 'suffering from success?' Well, I was damn sure experiencing that right now! Only a few days had passed since I left my old life, my old friends, and Cassa behind, but right now, I was already standing in front of the king of our race - King Vegeta.
In my past body, I had the problem of not being able to find any powerful or influential bodies, but right now, I was finding too damn many! As Nappa, I quickly realized just how important this bald, somewhat dumb man truly was. There was a reason Nappa had been off planet with Vegeta - Prince Vegeta, that is - when Planet Vegeta was destroyed. To get the honor of not only training the future king but also accompanying him on missions wasn't something that just anyone could get. Nappa was, to put it simply, very in touch.
I didn't exactly know why or how - though I suspected it was a mixture of his strength and his easy-to-get-along-with, slightly goofy even, personality - but Nappa knew everybody. From elites, to Prince Vegeta, to King Vegeta, and everyone in between. Since taking over this body, I'd been struggling to keep up my cover, as so many elites that I had never even known existed as Rota were now my friends. Saiyans who I would've been nervously kneeling to in my low-class body were now my friends, and speaking to me casually. I had been introduced to, and spoke with, hundreds of people - but none were as important as the man standing in front of me now.
He wasn't nearly as tall as me, as he was actually pretty short, but I could never tell him that. He had a pretty small build as well, but it was muscular, and I knew looks were deceiving. His hair was styled similarly to Vegeta's, but with a larger widow's peak and a mustache that made him look even more imposing. His face was set in a permanent scowl, and his eyes burned into me as I stood in a massive throne room. He was the Saiyan King, and he looked the part.
"Good," King Vegeta's gruff voice broke me from my thoughts as he looked down on me from his throne, "My son needs strong sparring partners if he is to continue to grow. I trust that you'll find him suitable ones."
"I will not fail you, Your Highness," I replied simply, nodding at his words.
"You can leave," He responded just as simply, being surprisingly a man of few words, and I resisted letting out a relieved breath as I rose to my feet, and then turned around to leave.
I gave one last glance around, taking in the grand throne room. It was absolutely massive, as the ceiling had to be a hundred feet high, if not more, and was made of polished white stone. The walls themselves were made of the same white stone, but were decorated with carvings that depicted the history of the Saiyan race. I could see scenes of battles, planets being conquered, and Saiyan warriors standing triumphant over their fallen enemies. In the center of the room, a long, red carpet stretched from the entrance all the way to the throne itself, which sat on a raised platform. The throne was made large as well, which looked a bit out of place with King Vegeta's small frame sitting on it.
I turned my gaze forward, walking straight as I left the room, and was relieved that King Vegeta hadn't noticed anything different with me. I had done my best to blend in with Nappa's life, which was actually pretty simple - aside from trying to mimic his personality - as he had a pretty simple daily life. Most days, he woke up, trained with Prince Vegeta, then went to a bar and got drunk, before going home and passing out. I was now doing the same, thought I was adding in a training session to get used to this body before heading to the bar. It would've been nice to spend that drinking time training as well, but that wasn't possible, as Nappa was a regular at one of the high-class bars. If I stopped going, then someone might grow suspicious, and that wouldn't be good for me.
As I stepped out of the throne room, my thoughts went back to the body I was in and the body I planned to stay in for a while. I had a lot of opportunities now to take a stronger body, as I was both in contact with Prince Vegeta and King Vegeta frequently, but I had no intention of taking the Prince's body. While he had a power level that was already not too far from mine - which was a bit over 3,000 right now - and would only continue to grow, he was also a child. Overall, I partially just didn't want to be stuck as a child for a while, but more so, I just felt like it wasn't the right time to take his body. Nappa's body was strong enough for me to survive for now, and only if Vegeta continued to grow much faster than I did would I take the body.
As for King Vegeta, I wasn't certain if I could even take his body, as he was much stronger than me - though I didn't know exactly how much stronger, as I couldn't just enter his throneroom with a scouter on because he would both see that as disrespectful and suspicious. But, regardless of whether I was strong enough or could find a moment when his guard was let down to take his body, I didn't want to.
When Frieza destroyed Planet Vegeta, he let Prince Vegeta live more so to mock the memory of King Vegeta than out of kindness. If King Vegeta - that being me when I took his body - was off-planet when Frieza destroyed it, I doubted that he would let me continue to live. He'd definitely kill the Saiyan King, especially because he feared the Legendary Super Saiyan so much. Essentially, taking King Vegeta's body was a death sentence, as Frieza would ensure I went down with the planet.
That was a major reason to stay in Nappa's body - Frieza let Nappa live, as he was with Prince Vegeta, who Frieza let live. This body, and sticking with Vegeta, were my safest bets for surviving the impending doom to the Saiyan race that I knew was coming. And, even after Planet Vegeta was destroyed, I would have a lot more freedom. I could not only stay safe by Vegeta's side, but as the only authority figure left in his life? The only adult that he gave a damn about, as me and Raditz would be the only remaining Saiyans in his eyes? I'd have a chance to actually raise the child to become a half-decent person.
If I could firmly implement myself into Vegeta's life post-Planet Vegeta and make myself an authority figure that he genuinely cared about, then I would be guaranteed to go far in this world. Vegeta was a stubborn, prideful idiot, but aside from Goku, he was the person with the most potential in this world. I either needed his protection or I needed to take his body. Sooner or later, I'd have to make that decision: Would I stick with this body, or would I try to take Vegeta's? But that was a problem for future-me, when I had a better idea of just how far Nappa's body could be pushed, and if I could keep up with the Saiyan Prince. Preferably, being strong and having a strong ally was better than being weak and taking that strong ally's body.
Regardless of my future plans, right now, I had to deal with Prince Vegeta's training, and I knew the perfect man to replace the Saibamen: Bardock.
He was a low-class Saiyan, but he was one of the few who had managed to break past the typical power level of a low-class, and he was one of the few Saiyans that I planned on saving from the destruction of Planet Vegeta. I didn't want to mess with the timeline too much yet, as my knowledge of this world's future would be one of my biggest assets in surviving, but something like this shouldn't shake it up too much. As long as I ensured that Goku was still sent to Earth, Bardock could join my squad - which was technically Prince Vegeta's squad, but since he was still just a kid, I was the one in charge - and survive with us after Planet Vegeta was destroyed.
The only problem now was that Bardock was a low-class, and I didn't personally know him. I couldn't just go up to a bunch of random low-class Saiyans and ask them to point me in the right direction to find him, but luckily, Saiyan society wasn't completely barbaric. It was very barbaric, don't get me wrong, but it had enough order to continue to exist, and with my new body, I was able to access the higher levels of society.
I paused as I turned into a hallway in King Vegeta's palace, not leaving yet, as there was someone else I needed to talk to here. I had tried to be as subtle as I could be over the past few days, acting as Nappa-like as I could, but I had also been fishing for information in the process. I had connections with countless Saiyan Elites now, and it was like being connected with the Nobles of a society. Through those conversations, I had learned of a certain man who was looked down upon by most Saiyans and was known simply as the 'Bookkeeper.'
Most Saiyans were brutish, simple, and focused on fighting, but this man was different. He was a bit of an outcast, but he was an outcast who held a position that I needed right now. The Saiyan Bookkeeper kept all the records, from power levels at birth, to mission logs, to deaths, and to everything in between. He had a large library, which was, ironically, one of the most un-Saiyan places on the entire planet. While most Saiyans were out training, drinking, or fighting, this man spent his days cooped up in a room with thousands upon thousands of books and records.
His existence was an oxymoron - a Saiyan who preferred knowledge over battle? It should've been impossible, but there were a few men like him throughout Planet Vegeta - such as the doctors who managed healing pods, or the farmers who produced the food for this planet - and they were the unsung heroes of Planet Vegeta. They were looked down upon by most Saiyans for not being battle-hungry warriors, and yet, they were the ones who kept this planet running.
I walked forward, my footsteps echoing through the grand stone halls of the palace until finally, I turned a corner and stepped into a towering library. I glanced around, taking in the dozen-foot high bookshelves and countless records filling their slots, and then I saw him - the Bookkeeper. He was a thin Saiyan, with a skinny build and a face that was more scholarly than warrior-like. He had short, messy black hair and a pair of thin glasses perched on his nose, which was very odd to see on a Saiyan. I couldn't imagine a Saiyan with glasses before, but now that I had seen one, they definitely looked out of place.
As I approached him, he was hunched over a large, wooden table, and his brow was furrowed in concentration as he was writing something on a piece of paper. He was so engrossed in his work that he didn't even notice my arrival, so I spoke up.
"Bookkeeper," I simply grunted, not introducing myself or questioning if I had the right man in order to not appear suspicious. I highly doubted that Nappa of all people had met this man before - honestly, I doubted Nappa could even read - but being cautious was necessary to maintain my identity. The man jumped, nearly dropping the scroll he was holding as he spun around to face me. His eyes went wide as he saw me, and he quickly fumbled with the scroll as he set it down on the table before giving me a quick, respectful nod. He recognized me instantly, as I had suspected he would, since Nappa was pretty famous amongst the Saiyans. It was hard not to recognize a giant, muscular Saiyan with a reverse monk haircut after all.
"Sir Nappa! I apologize, I was so focused on my work that I didn't hear you enter," He said, his voice a bit shaky as he looked up at me, "What can I do for you, sir?"
"Skip the pleasantries," I ordered him, my tone blunt and impersonal as I looked down at the much smaller Saiyan. He would be dead in a few months anyway, and I didn't need to grow friendly with deadmen walking. I knew that I couldn't save everyone, and that trying to do so would only put myself at risk, but it didn't make me feel any less uneasy, as I knew that this man, who was just doing his job, would be incinerated along with the rest of the Saiyans. I pushed the thought away, focusing on the task at hand. There was no use in thinking about something I couldn't prevent.
"I need to find a man," I order him bluntly, "Tell me where the low-class Saiyan named Bardock is."
The Bookkeeper's eyes widened slightly at my direct order, but he nodded quickly and scurried over to one of the towering bookshelves. He ran his finger along the spines of the books, muttering to himself as he searched for the right one, and he worked quickly, as it only took him a few moments to find what he was looking for. He pulled out a thick book from the shelf, then he carried it back to the table and flipped through the pages quickly.
"Bardock... Bardock... Ah, here we are," He said, glancing back up at me as he traced a line of text with his finger, "He's in the district just below the first mid-class one, sir. The residential area of District 77-B. He returned from a mission four days ago, so he should be on-planet right now."
Good, I was slightly concerned that he might be gone and I wouldn't be able to find him. I didn't know when he encountered the aliens who gave him visions of the future, but I needed to get to him before he did. I could simply order for Goku to be sent to Earth, since I was Nappa now, with the excuse that it was his infant mission. It wasn't odd for Saiyan infants to be sent to weak planets to conquer them as they learned to walk and fight, so I wouldn't get any pushback.
"Thank you," I nodded at the man, and he looked a bit surprised by my words.
"Y-You're welcome, sir," He stammered, and I could see the shock and appreciation in his eyes at being thanked by a Saiyan Elite. It was a small thing, but it made me feel a bit better about how I had acted. This man did important work, and he deserved respect, even if most Saiyans didn't see it that way. I knew that I couldn't save him from the impending doom that awaited Planet Vegeta, but I could at least treat him with the respect he deserved before he met death.
"Keep up the good work," I said, giving him a firm nod before I turned and walked out of the library, leaving the Bookkeeper staring after me with a look of shock and confusion on his face.
As I stepped out of the library and into the grand halls of the palace, I felt a bit of guilt. The man would never get the respect he deserved for preserving so many records, and he would lose both his life and his life's work soon. It was a somber thought, and I wished I could've gotten him off of this planet before its destruction somehow, but I knew I couldn't. All I could do was find some solace in the fact that the man behind the destruction, Frieza, would one day meet his maker at Goku's hands.
As I turned a corner and walked through the massive doorway that led out of the palace, the dusty air of Planet Vegeta hit me. I took a deep breath, and then I launched myself into the air, shooting through the sky as I headed towards Bardock's district. I flew with a speed that far surpassed what I could do in my previous bodies, as I was practically a blur in the sky. As a Zyhite, flying had been a bit difficult, as I had to actually focus on it. As Rota, it had been easier, but I still needed to think about the flow of my Ki. But, as Nappa, it was effortless. It was as easy as breathing.
I flew over various sprawling cities as I made my way to the lower-class residential area. As I approached it and saw the mid-class district, which was where I had lived with Cassa, below, I couldn't help but feel a bit of longing as I thought about her. Right now, I wanted to go down and see her, but I knew that I couldn't. I hadn't realized it when I was with her, but now that I was living a life without her, I realized how much I had truly grown to care for the woman.
It was an odd realization, as I knew that she didn't love me - not the real me, anyway. She loved the man whose body I had taken. But, regardless of that fact, I couldn't help but long for her. The time we had spent together was real, even if I wasn't the real Rota. But I knew I couldn't see her again. I had already made my choice, and I had to live with the consequences. I had to focus on the future and on ensuring my own survival.
But, at the very least, I hoped I could find a way to ensure she was off of Planet Vegeta when it was destroyed. I hoped that I could find a way to ensure they all were - Cassa, Daiko, and all the friends I had lived with in my past body. It wouldn't be easy, as while I could order them to be sent on a mission, I didn't know exactly when Planet Vegeta would be destroyed. It wasn't like Frieza would make an announcement in advance or anything. But I would try. It was the least I could do for them after stealing their friend's body and living his life in his stead. I can't protect them or be with them, but I can at least give them a chance. I can send them off of Planet Vegeta, and give them a chance to survive on their own in this world. I just need to send them on a long-term mission, and to make sure they don't return before the planet is destroyed.
As I flew further, the quality of the buildings started to decrease. The mid-class district was made up of decent-sized, well-built houses, but as I entered the low-class district, the houses became smaller, more cramped, and looked more rundown. I knew this place well, as before being promoted to mid-class in Rota's body, I had been living in these slums as well. The buildings were made of cheap materials and looked like they were about to fall apart at any moment. There were various groups of Saiyans walking through the streets, most of which were covered in dirt and wearing dented Saiyan armor.
They were the ones who did the dirty work - the ones who fought and died on unknown planets as the front line, while the elites enjoyed the comforts of their high-class lives. But, as someone who had lived as a low-class, mid-class, and now Elite, I knew it wasn't all bad. My life now was much more luxurious, but it wasn't the same without Cassa and my friends.
As I landed in the middle of the district, in a small open square between the crowd of low classes, a hush fell over the area. The Saiyans who were walking through the streets stopped and stared at me, their eyes wide as they recognized me immediately. An Elite, especially one as big, imposing, and well-known as Nappa, was not a common sight in this district.
"An Elite? What's he doing here?" I heard a woman whisper to her friend, her voice filled with both confusion and slight awe.
"He must be here for someone. Someone must've really fucked up," Another Saiyan muttered, glancing around nervously.
I could feel their eyes on me as I stood there, my large frame casting a long shadow over the small square. I scanned the crowd, my eyes narrowing as I looked for any sign of Bardock, but I didn't see him. So, I decided I'd simply ask around.
"I'm looking for a man named Bardock!" I shouted abruptly, causing a Saiyan nearby to flinch as my voice boomed outward. The crowd went silent at my words, and a few Saiyans started to back away nervously.
"Bardock? That crazy bastard is in trouble?" I heard someone mutter, and another one agreed.
"I knew they would come for him eventually. I know we're Saiyans, but he's too disrespectful to the mission distributors, even for us!" Another one chimed in, and the whispers started to spread through the crowd like wildfire.
I felt a bit of annoyance at their gossiping, but I didn't let it show on my face. I had expected as much, as Bardock was known for being a bit of a loose cannon and for not always following orders. That was how he was able to become so powerful in the first place, after all. His wild, life-risking fighting style allowed him to stack up Zenkai Boosts to the point that he was close to King Vegeta's power level shortly before his death.
However, just as I was about to speak up again, a Saiyan stepped forward from the crowd, and I recognized him instantly. He had short, spiky black hair and a face that was set in a determined, firm expression. He was wearing the typical Saiyan armor, but it was scuffed and dented from battle. This was Tora, one of Bardock's squadmates, and essentially his second-in-command. His power level was definitely impressive for a low-class, as it sat around 700. But, most impressive was the fire in his eyes as he stared me down, refusing to back down even in the face of an Elite.
"What do you want with Bardock?" Tora shouted out to me, his voice steady and firm, but I could hear the slight tremor of fear in it.
He was trying to act brave, but he was still a low-class Saiyan speaking to an Elite, and he knew the risks. He was being defensive of his squad leader, even in the face of someone who could kill him without a second thought, and I had to admit, I was impressed. He had balls of steel.
I took a step forward, my large frame towering over the smaller Saiyan, and I looked down at him. I could see the sweat beading on his brow and the way his muscles were tensed as he was ready for a fight. I smirked at his guts and just gave him a nod.
"Don't worry, low-class," I said, reaching out and casually placing a hand on his shoulder, which did the opposite of reassure him as he nearly flinched from the motion, "I'm not here to punish him. In fact, it's the opposite."
Tora's eyes narrowed in suspicion, but he didn't say anything. He just looked at me uncertainly for a moment, but then, finally, he gave me a firm nod and then turned around, leading me through the crowd. The other Saiyans parted like the sea as we walked through, their eyes wide as they watched us pass with curiosity. I could tell they were all wondering what was going on, but none of them dared to ask. I couldn't blame them, as I knew from my time as Rota that Elite's only ever visited places like this to cause trouble - either to kill someone who had pissed them off, or to get an ego boost from beating up weaker Saiyans.
As we walked through the winding streets of the low-class district, I glanced around, taking in the familiar sights and sounds of the area. The buildings were even more rundown up close, with cracked walls, and the streets were dirty as the air was thick with the smell of cheap booze and stale meat. As I glanced around, I felt a bit nostalgic. When I used to live in a shithole like this as Rota, I didn't think I'd ever miss it, but right now, I kind of did.
It was a harsh place, but it was also filled with a certain energy that I didn't see in the Elite districts. The Saiyans here were rough around the edges, but they were also more alive and more real. They were the ones who did the real fighting, who shed real blood, and who died for the glory of the Saiyan race. They had a toughness about them, as they were all warriors simply trying to get by in life. That wasn't to say that Elite had never risked their lives, but they were pampered and trained in a way that the low-class Saiyans couldn't relate to. These were all warriors trying to have fun, enjoy exciting battles, and climb the ranks. Not long ago, I had been one of these people.
Finally, Tora led me to a rather large, rundown building at the edge of the district, as it was easily bigger than the home I had lived in as Rota. It was a two-story structure, though it was made of the same cheap materials as the rest of the buildings, but it had a small, well-kept garden in front of it, which was a rarity in this area. Something like this should've been destroyed by now, either by a drunkard or by Saiyans who looked down on such 'weak' and 'girly' things. The fact that it was intact told me a lot - it told me that whoever lived here either had the respect or the fear of the district. They were a person that no one wanted to mess with.
And, as we approached the building, I saw that person. There was a Saiyan sitting on a small bench in front of the building, and I recognized him instantly from the show. He had short, spiky black hair, a bandana wrapped around his forehead, and a scar on his left cheek. He was casually pulling off his shoe, and he didn't even look up as we approached.
"Bardock," Tora said, stopping a few feet away from the bench, "You have a visitor."
The Saiyan on the bench finally looked up, and my gaze met his. His eyes were piercing and intense, as they held a certain fire and a certain intensity that I recognized instantly. This was Bardock, the father of Goku, and the man who would be one of the Saiyans who fought to prevent the destruction of their home planet. He looked at me, and his eyes widened in surprise as he quickly shoved the shoe back onto his foot. He had clearly not been expecting to see a Saiyan Elite standing in front of his home, and I resisted the urge to chuckle. He rose to his feet quickly, his body tensing as he prepared for a confrontation.
"I recognize you... Nappa, right? What's the meaning of this, Tora?" Bardock asked, his voice a low growl as he kept his eyes locked on me, "Did I do something to piss off the elites again?"
I was once again reminded of just how important the idiot known as Nappa, who was now me, really was. Everyone, from low-class Saiyans to Elites, seemed to have heard this name at least once and at least had a gist of what he looked like. I hadn't heard any mention of him during my time as Rota, but I figured he was the sort of person that everyone just knew, even if they didn't discuss him. Someone like Prince Vegeta - every Saiyan knew the king had a son, and would know Prince Vegeta at a glance, but it wasn't like anyone went around talking about the child.
"Relax, Bardock," I said, holding up my hands in a gesture of peace, "I'm not here for any trouble. I'm here because I have a proposition for you."
Bardock's eyes narrowed in suspicion, but he didn't say anything. He just stared at me, his expression unreadable. I could see the gears turning in his head as he tried to figure out what was going on and why an Elite would be here, in the middle of the low-class district, looking for him. He glanced over at Tora, who gave a firm nod back, in what I figured was an 'I have your back' gesture. Barock nodded back in response.
"Let's talk inside," Bardock said finally, turning around and walking towards the door of the building, "I assume this isn't a conversation for the streets."
I nodded and followed him inside, with Tora trailing behind us. The inside of the building was just as rundown as the outside, but it was clean and well-kept, at least compared to the home I had once lived in as Rota. There was a small living room, with a worn-out couch and a table, and a small kitchen in the corner. There were a few chairs scattered throughout the home, and a few trophies from conquered planets on a shelf, as I saw a strange-looking alien head hanging on the wall. It was a typical Saiyan home, but there was a certain warmth to it, and a certain sense of family, that I hadn't seen in any other low-class building.
"Have a seat," Bardock grunted, gesturing to one of the chairs, "Can I get you a drink?"
"No," I replied bluntly, sitting down on the chair, which groaned under my weight, "I'm here on business."
A part of me wanted to accept the offer, as a bit of Saiyan hospitality, and especially from a low-class to an Elite, was a rare thing. But I was here as Nappa, and Nappa would've viewed Bardock as a lowly, weak Saiyan. That didn't mean I had to be rude to him, as I wanted the man to get along with me, but I wouldn't be strangely friendly either.
Bardock nodded, not seeming offended by my bluntness as he dragged a small, rickety chair over and sat in front of me. Tora remained standing, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed as his eyes stayed locked on me. He was playing the role of the protective second-in-command, which I could respect.
"I'm in charge of Prince Vegeta's training," I said, getting straight to the point as I didn't beat around the bush, "He's surpassed the point where Saibamen can be useful. I need sparring partners for him. Join the Prince's squad, and be his training partner."
Bardock's eyes widened slightly at my words, and Tora's arms tightened around his chest. They hid it well, as their faces didn't overly shift, but I could see the shock in their eyes. They were low-class Saiyans, and they were being offered a chance to train with the future king. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as it was a chance not only to prove their worth, but to also get closer to the royal family. It was an opportunity that most Saiyans could only dream of, and I knew it.
"Prince Vegeta?" Bardock repeated, his voice a low murmur as he processed my words, "You want me... a low-class... to train with the Prince?"
"You've got a reputation for being a good warrior, Bardock," I continued, leaning forward slightly, my large frame making the chair creak as I did, "You have a high kill count, and your squad has one of the highest mission success rates for a low-class team. More importantly, I've heard about your attitude. You have grit and you're humble, but you also have the will to win at any cost. I've read your mission reports, and I know you would be perfect for the role. The Prince needs to become a stronger warrior - not a prideful brat. For that, he needs proper sparring partners."
I was only partially lying here, as when I'd come up with the idea of bringing in Bardock over the past few days, I really had read through a few of his squad's mission reports. I wanted to make sure that I wasn't saying anything suspicious and that someone like Nappa wouldn't be able to find out on his own. The reports were pretty detailed, and there were comments left from the Elite who oversaw the missions, just as Dakon had done for Daiko's squad when I was Rota. Despite Bardock being someone who was vocal and got on others' nerves, the Elite had written that he was a strong and skilled warrior, and had recommended his approval to mid-class in many of the reports. Bardock had turned down that approval, which I would ask him about, but right now, I needed to focus on the task at hand.
"I appreciate the offer, but..." Bardock trailed off, leaning back in his chair as he looked at me with a doubtful expression, "My power level is only around a Saibaman's, right? I'd be useless in a sparring match with the Prince. He's already a prodigy, so I'd be more of a liability than a help."
He was right, as his power level, which I could sense with my own Ki, was hovering around the 1000 area. I wasn't sure exactly the timeline of when Bardock gained most of his power, but I knew it was from Zenkai Boosts on missions, which seemingly hadn't happened yet. As a result, while his power level was impressive for a low-class - and even for a mid-class - and more than enough to get promoted to mid-class, it was nothing compared to the Prince, who was already getting closer to the 2000 range. He was weaker in terms of pure power level than Saibamen, but that wasn't what I needed him for.
No, instead, I had been gifted an excuse to bring in Bardock on a silver platter. To the surprise of no one with a brain, putting Nappa of all people in charge of Vegeta's training wasn't a very good idea. This body was strong, but Nappa himself wasn't the brightest. He'd been pitting Vegeta up against solely Saibamen during the past few years, and as a result, now Vegeta could take down multiple of them at once, despite only being slightly stronger than them in power level.
That was because Saibamen were, in a non-power level sense, weak. They couldn't use any Ki techniques besides weak, simple blasts, and they weren't skilled fighters. It wasn't like they had been trained to fight - they were just plant-people who grew from the ground. As a result, after fighting with them for so long, Vegeta knew their patterns and could see their attacks coming from a mile away. Even if he hadn't been closing in on a 2000 power level and was instead closer to a normal Saibamen's, he still would've been able to defeat multiple.
I assumed that, in a world without me, where Nappa continued to raise and train Vegeta, the Prince would get real experience on missions. He was a fighter who had been able to hold his own against Goku, who was about as skilled in combat as you could get, so he'd eventually improve. But, right now, I could help him progress much quicker than he originally would - which, in turn, would either make his body stronger for me to take in the future or would ensure I had a stronger ally.
I shook my head, a slight smirk playing on my lips as I looked at Bardock, "Power isn't what I'm interested in, Bardock. I have plenty of strong brutes who can take hits and are far stronger than you. What I need is skill. I need a fighter who can adapt and who can push the Prince to his limits. I've heard that you're the most skilled amongst the low-class, and I've seen that you've been recommended to become mid-class many times. You're not a mindless brawler like most Saiyans. You use your head, you're cunning, and you're ruthless. That's what the Prince needs to learn. He has the power, but he's still just a kid. He needs to learn how to be a true warrior, not just a powerful one."
I paused, letting my words sink in. I could see the gears turning in Bardock's head as he slowly nodded at me, though his eyes looked at me a bit suspiciously.
"I heard you were an idiot, but I guess rumors can't be trusted," Bardock muttered at me, and I realized I was definitely speaking a bit too smartly for Nappa, as I was talking about genuine skill and not the typical meat-head style that most Saiyans use, "But... I still have to decline."
I blinked, taken by surprise as he still refused.
"Why?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him, as I was genuinely confused, "This is a chance to get out of the slums, Bardock. You'd be training with the Prince of all Saiyans - literal royalty. This is a chance to grow stronger, to leave the low-class life behind, and to finally get the recognition you desire. I'm offering you a path to become an elite, Bardock. And you're telling me you'd rather stay here?"
I gestured around the small, cramped home, and my movements came off a bit more aggressive than I intended, but I couldn't help it. I was a little bit frustrated, as I wanted to save Bardock from the fate this planet would face, but he was turning me down. I didn't understand why he would turn down such an opportunity, especially when I had just appealed to the few things that every Saiyan craved - power, recognition, and a chance to prove their worth. What else could he possibly want?
But, as I looked at Bardock, and as he looked back at me, I saw the answer in his eyes. It was something I hadn't expected to see from a ruthless Saiyan, especially a low-class Saiyan who had spent his entire life fighting and killing, even if I knew that Bardock was far from the average Saiyan. What I saw in his eyes was something that I had only seen a few times within the eyes of a Saiyan, and which reminded me of Cassa. It was loyalty.
"You don't get it," Bardock answered, his voice firm as he met my gaze without flinching, "You're an Elite, and you're used to only looking out for yourself. You're used to stepping on the weak to climb to the top. But, that's not how I work."
He paused, and then he looked over at Tora, who was still standing by the wall, and they both shared a simple nod. Bardock then looked back at me, and I saw a fire in his eyes, which wasn't the fire of excitement in a battle, but the fire of something else. It was the fire of loyalty.
"This is the same reason I've refused to become mid-class many times," He continued, his tone unwavering, "It's because I won't leave them behind. My squad... we're a family. We've been through hell and back together. We've fought side-by-side on countless planets, and we've always had each other's backs. I'm not going to abandon them for some fancy title and a bigger house. I'm not going to leave them to rot in the low-class district while I live it up with the Elites. That's not what a true warrior does. A true warrior fights for his comrades, and not just for himself."
His words hit me hard, as they reminded me of my own past and the friends I had left behind. I thought about Daiko, the calm and composed leader who had stood up to me after I switched bodies - who had stood up to an Elite to protect Cassa. I thought about Cassa, the woman who had loved Rota, and who I had grown to love, who tried to attack Nappa to get revenge for her lover. They were my family, too. And I had left them behind.
But, even as I felt a pang of guilt, I couldn't let it show. I was Nappa now, a ruthless Saiyan Elite, and I couldn't afford to show any weakness. I had to push the feelings down and focus on the task at hand.
"Family? It seems you're just a fool," I scoffed, faking a look of disgust at the idea, "To turn down a chance at being a mid-class, or even an Elite, for something as stupid as your squad? The squad that would leave you out to dry if they had the same opportunity?"
I hadn't realized it at first, but I had lucked out greatly when I became Rota - because most Saiyans were ruthless. They were selfish, heartless, and would abandon their comrades if it meant living to see another day. I wasn't sure if it was purely luck or if my human heart had rubbed off on them, but my squad as Rota had been closer than most. We had genuinely cared about each other on a deeper level than most squads did, and I didn't think I'd see that type of care again.
I knew from the show that Bardock was different from the average Saiyan, but I hadn't known it would run this deep. And, his words made sense. While me and Daiko were lucky enough to be promoted at the same time, and have three other strong squadmates who were nearing mid-class, that was odd for low-class squads. Usually, if anyone was promoted, it was a single member of a squad - usually the leader - who would have to transfer to a stronger, mid-class squad.
Since I had become mid-class with Daiko, and the other three members had been growing quickly and approaching mid-class, Dakon had allowed us to stick together. With Bardock, it wouldn't be the same. If he were promoted, he would leave his squad behind and join mine and Vegeta's.
As I stared down Bardock, who was glaring lightly at me for my words, but not backing down, I decided I needed to make a decision. I could leave Bardock here and let him die along with this planet as I valued my life above all else. Or, I could take a risk. I could do something very un-Elite-like, and which would definitely draw some attention from other Elites, if not from King Vegeta himself. If this risk didn't pay off, I could even end up in hot water with the King, be removed from my role as Vegeta's trainer, and have to scramble to find a way off of this planet before it was destroyed.
But I decided that it was a risk I would take. The guilt I felt for leaving Cassa and my squad behind was still fresh in my mind, and I didn't want to feel the same guilt for leaving Bardock and his squad to die. I knew it was a bit selfish, as I was only partially doing this to benefit myself and Vegeta, but also because I admired the man in front of me. I knew him from the show, and I couldn't help but feel like a bit of a fanboy in front of the father of Goku. I was going to take a big risk. I had a chance to save them, and I was going to take it.
"Family?" I repeated, this time not in a mocking tone, but in a more thoughtful one. I looked at Bardock, and then over at Tora, who was still standing by the wall, and I could see the loyalty in their eyes. It was the same loyalty that I had felt for my own squad, and that I still felt for them, even if I was no longer a part of it.
I let out a sigh, then leaned back in my chair, which groaned in protest as I did. I looked at Bardock, and I saw the confusion in his eyes. He was clearly expecting me to mock him, or to leave in a huff, or to even be furious at his refusal. But, instead, I did something he didn't expect.
"I respect that," I said, my voice softening slightly, which I was sure was strange for a Saiyan Elite, and especially for Nappa, to say to a low-class, "Loyalty to your comrades is a virtue, Bardock. Not many Saiyans have it anymore. You're a rare breed."
I paused, letting my words sink in, and then I looked over at Tora. The Saiyan's eyes widened in surprise as I met his gaze, and I could see the uncertainty in them. He was wondering what I was about to say, and so was Bardock.
"The offer still stands," I finally spoke, looking back at Bardock as I did, "But I'm not just offering it to you. I'm offering it to your entire squad. All of you. Join the Prince's squad, and train with him."
The room went silent at my words, as there was only the sound of two shocked inhales. Bardock and Tora just stared at me, their mouths slightly agape, as they tried to process what I had just said. They were clearly surprised and confused, and I couldn't blame them. This was unheard of - an Elite, especially one as high-ranking as me, offering a position in the Prince's squad not just to one low-class Saiyan, but to his entire squad? This had certainly never happened before, and I didn't need any prior knowledge of this world to know that.
"What?" Bardock finally managed to say as he looked at me with wide, disbelieving eyes, "You... you want my entire squad? You're offering a position in the Prince's squad to a bunch of low-classes?"
"I am," I nodded, my expression firm as I met his gaze and didn't back down, "Like I said, I've heard about your skill, Bardock. I've heard it from a friend who speaks highly of you, and I'm willing to go this far to get you to train the Prince. But I know you won't leave your squad behind, so I'm bringing them all with you. You can think of it as... an experiment. I want to see what a squad of skilled, but low-class, Saiyans can do against the Prince. I want to see if they can push him to his limits and make him a better warrior."
I was stretching the truth a bit, as I didn't have a 'friend' who had spoken highly of Bardock - that friend was just me, but the me from my past life, who knew Bardock was skilled. He was the father of Goku - he had to be. Of course, I couldn't say that, so I had to invent a friend to make my story more believable, as it was strange for Nappa to be so interested in a low-class Saiyan's skill, especially to this extent, for no reason. This wasn't a decision Nappa would make, as it was too risky and too out of character for him. But I had to take this risk if I wanted to save Bardock and his squad.
Bardock was still staring at me, his expression a mixture of shock and confusion, but he was slowly starting to nod, as he was coming to terms with my offer. But, Tora was the one who spoke up next as he had a look of concern on his face.
"Is this even possible?" He asked, his voice hesitant as he looked at me, "When word gets out that the Prince is not just training with one low-class, but a whole squad of them, the other Elites will be furious. They'll see it as an insult and a disgrace to the royal family. They won't stand for it."
I could tell that Tora wasn't just concerned for himself, but for Bardock and the rest of his squad as well. He knew how Saiyans operated, and he knew that the Elites would not take kindly to this. They would see it as a slap in the face, as a low-class squad training with their future king would be a stain on their pride, and they would not let it go.
They wouldn't just find ways to make life difficult for Bardock and his squad - these were Saiyans, after all. They'd track them down, and they would kill the low-class dogs who dared to get buddy-buddy with their prince. Tora was looking out for his leader, and I respected that, but I also knew that I couldn't let his concerns stop me. And, right now, I needed to make up for my un-Nappa-like actions before.
I leaned forward, opening my mouth, and then... I let out a loud laugh - not just a loud one, but a booming laugh that filled the small room, and I shoved myself to my feet. The chair creaked loudly under me, and then slid backwards and toppled over as I rose. I stood to my full height, my large frame towering over both Bardock and Tora as I looked down at them, and a wide grin spread across my face.
"Let them be furious," I said, my voice booming with a moronic, careless confidence that I picture Nappa having, and I pounded my chest with my fist, "If any of those stupid Elites have a problem with my decision, they can come and complain to me! I'd love to see them try!"
I could see the shock in their eyes again as I spoke, as they clearly hadn't expected this response. They were expecting me to back down, or to at least acknowledge the risk, but instead, I was doubling down. I was being arrogant, stupid, and reckless - I was being exactly the kind of Saiyan Elite that they would expect Nappa to be. Even if I was taking a risk by doing this, it was a risk that was worth taking, and it was a risk that was perfectly in character for the giant dumbass whose body I now inhabited.
"So," I said, my grin widening as I looked at Bardock, "What's your answer?"
Bardock stared up at me for a long moment, his expression schooled as he processed my words. He looked at me, then over at Tora, and then back at me. The room was silent for a few moments. Then, a slow grin spread across Bardock's face, and he let out a low chuckle. The chuckle grew louder, and soon, he was full-on laughing. He laughed for a long moment, almost matching mine with how loud it was, and then he finally looked at me, and I could see his eyes were filled with a newfound respect.
"I like you, Nappa," Bardock said, a wide grin on his face as our eyes locked, "You're not the idiot everyone says you are. In fact, you're a lot smarter than I thought."
I didn't know if that was a good thing for Bardock to realize or not, but I simply kept grinning at him.
He paused, then let out another low chuckle, "But, you're still an idiot for risking your neck for a squad of low-classes. But, you know what? I like that. I'll join. Me and my squad will join the Prince's squad, and we'll train with him."
Tora's eyes widened in surprise, and he opened his mouth to question Bardock's decision, but Bardock held up a hand, silencing him before he could speak. He then turned to Tora, and the grin on his face softened slightly as it turned into a more serious expression.
"I won't force you to come with me, Tora," Bardock said, his voice firm as he looked at his second-in-command, "And I won't force the others to come either. You're all free to refuse if you want. But, I'm joining. I'm taking this chance, and I'm not going to feel guilty for leaving you behind if you refuse. You have the same opportunity I do now. If you choose to stay here, then that's your own cowardice holding you back, not me."
Tora stared at Bardock for a long moment, his expression uncertain, and then he glanced over at me.
Finally, he sighed, and just nodded, "Why are you acting like we have a choice? If you're going, then of course we'll be joining you, dumbass."
"I know," Bardock smirked back at him, "But I'd sound like a dick if I just dragged you along against your will."
The two men chuckled at their words, and as I glanced back and forth between them, I didn't realize at the time just how important these men would become to my life in this world.
Bardock and his squad had joined mine, and as the day of Planet Vegeta's destruction grew closer, my life was about to become very busy.
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AN: Thank you for reading! The next chapter will be posted in around 10 days!
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