In the distant reaches of the universe, Vegeta and Raditz had just wiped out the population of an alien world, seizing control of the planet.
Now, the two were enjoying a lavish feast—arrogant, insatiable warriors devouring their victory.
Vegeta ate without a care in the world, gnawing casually on a green arm.
Nappa, on the other hand, spat out a mouthful of meat with disdain.
"Blegh! What part is this? Tastes disgusting."
Vegeta didn't even flinch. "Food's food. Quit whining."
Suddenly, Nappa noticed that Raditz's scouter had been shut off. He froze.
"Hey, Vegeta. Are you listening?"
"That useless Raditz got smacked around by some Earthling. He's a disgrace to Saiyans."
Vegeta nodded.
"That Earthling's battle power was just over 2000, but even so, he beat Raditz clean."
"Raditz really is pitiful."
Nappa chuckled.
"Can't blame him too much, though. Ever since Planet Vegeta was destroyed, we've been hopping from world to world. We haven't trained under heavy gravity in ages."
"If he'd had the proper environment, with his potential, Raditz could've at least reached my level."
Vegeta snorted. "If he needed conditions handed to him, he was never going to make it."
"A loser is a loser."
Nappa let out a carefree laugh, letting the subject drop.
But then he frowned. "Still… don't you think it's weird?"
"Earth's gravity is way weaker than Planet Vegeta's."
"So how are those Earthlings so strong?"
Vegeta's lips curled slightly.
"Who knows?"
"Just one random guy managed to raise his battle power above 2000—and there are multiple strong signatures spiking nearby."
"Seems like Earth isn't the backwater planet our intel made it out to be. It's hiding more than we thought."
Nappa laughed.
"Even so, 2000 is nothing compared to you, Vegeta."
"Looks like Raditz won't be bringing Kakarot back. Shame, really—we need more hands."
"What's our next move?"
Vegeta grinned.
"Nothing to feel bad about."
"Kakarot… that guy really surprised me."
"Not only did he not conquer Earth, he's treating it like home. Married, made friends—even powerful ones."
"But honestly, that's even better."
"I figured sending Raditz would be enough to stir things up… but clearly, those people on Earth are all stronger than that failure."
"If we could recruit them, we could expand our squad by several elites."
Nappa blinked.
"You're saying… recruit Earthlings?"
"Got a problem with that?" Vegeta asked, still chewing lazily.
But Nappa's tone turned serious.
"Vegeta… did you forget their conversation?"
"Kakarot's fully integrated into Earth. Judging by how he talks, he's not the arrogant Saiyan type anymore."
"He's not the kind to invade planets."
Vegeta narrowed his eyes.
"Nappa… why are you ignoring the last thing that woman said?"
"The last thing…?"
Then like a bolt of lightning, realization struck Nappa.
"You mean when she said—'let's take down Frieza together'?"
Vegeta nodded slowly.
"I'm very interested in that idea."
Nappa's pupils shrank.
"Vegeta, are you insane?"
"Do you have any idea how powerful Frieza is?"
"Even his subordinates are way beyond what we can handle."
"And the Ginyu Force? Forget it. They'd crush us."
"Frieza himself… he's terrifying. His power is bottomless."
"Don't go down that path, Vegeta!"
Vegeta looked at him coldly, then turned his gaze to the stars.
His eyes burned with rage.
"She was right."
"The Saiyans are the strongest warrior race in the universe."
"So why are we licking someone else's boots?"
"Becoming the universe's strongest—that's our destiny."
"I've endured Frieza's tyranny for far too long."
Nappa tried to reason with him.
"I get it. Dreams are dreams."
"But Frieza… he's on another level."
"Even if those Earthlings are strong, none of them surpass you."
"And even if we all team up—we still can't beat him."
"And don't forget—there's only a handful of us Saiyans left."
"We can't make waves like we used to."
Vegeta stared at Nappa.
This bastard.
No pride, no backbone—just a lapdog.
If Planet Vegeta still existed, if Saiyan warriors were easier to replace…
He never would've kept this clown around.
Vegeta's expression darkened. His killing intent flared.
"Nappa, you coward."
"After all these years licking Frieza's feet, you've forgotten what it means to be Saiyan?"
"You gonna spend your whole life as his mutt?"
Seeing the murderous look in Vegeta's eyes, Nappa quickly backed down.
"You're right, Vegeta! I was wrong!"
"You're right—Saiyans should have pride."
"I'll follow your lead!"
Vegeta snorted.
"Good. Then quit wasting time."
"Go prep the ship. We're heading to Earth."
Nappa didn't argue. He went off to prepare the spacepod.
Meanwhile, Vegeta kept eating, slowly finishing the last of his meal.
Moments later, his scouter buzzed—an incoming message.
That same woman's voice came through again.
"Vegeta, I know you heard our conversation earlier."
"If you really want to take down Frieza, come to Earth."
"This planet has seven Dragon Balls—they can grant any wish, even bring the dead back to life."
"With them… we can defeat Frieza easily."
The message ended. The signal cut off.
Vegeta's eyes narrowed.
"Dragon Balls…?"
"I think I've heard of those before…"
"Could the Namekian legends be true?"
—
Once Nappa was out of sight, his whole demeanor changed.
He began muttering angrily.
"Damn that Vegeta! That lunatic!"
"Why rebel now?"
"We've got everything—fighting, food, drinks, bonuses."
"Life's great! Why ruin it trying to betray Lord Frieza?"
But then he shivered.
"No… if I don't go with him, Vegeta will kill me."
"But if I do go… and we lose to Frieza…"
"I'll die even worse!"
Suddenly, Nappa's eyes lit up.
He quickly connected to Frieza's central command.
"Hello? Frieza Force HQ?"
"This is Nappa!"
"Vegeta's plotting to betray Lord Frieza!"
"He's heading to Earth right now!"
"Yes, yes! That's right!"
"Please inform Lord Frieza that I, Nappa, remain forever loyal!"
"Yes! I'll go with him and keep watch!"
After hanging up, Nappa let out a breath of relief.
"Heh. Genius move."
"Let them fight Frieza. If they die, I'll be in the clear."
"And if they win? Even better—I lose nothing."
"Hah! I'm brilliant!"
Just then, a voice cut through the air.
"Nappa. What's so funny?"
Nappa froze, turning toward Vegeta.
"Nothing! Nothing at all! Just… thinking how great it'd be to defeat Frieza! Hahaha…"
Before the last laugh left his lips, a blur of light tore through his chest.
A brutal hand strike, sharp as a blade.
In the next instant, Nappa's wide eyes were filled with terror—before his entire body was reduced to ash.
Vegeta let out a cold snort.
"Stupid traitor. You ratted me out."
"Now there's no way back."
He narrowed his eyes toward the distance.
"Earth… you'd better surprise me."
He stepped into his pod.
Alone.
—
Earth.
Son Bra's birthday celebration lasted until sundown.
Their friends had gone home. Chi-Chi and Bulma took their daughter back to West City.
Goku remained at the villa.
Raditz was still his brother. They didn't have any real grudge.
Goku didn't see the need to make him an enemy.
Just like Bulma said—if they shared a common enemy, Raditz could become an ally.
Sure, he was unreliable now—but people changed.
With time… things might be different.
So, Goku showed him the training room.
Demonstrated the gravity bracelets.
Even left him ten Senzu Beans.
He let him stay at the villa.
And took his scouter.
Only after that did Goku finally leave.
Raditz, stunned by Earth's technology, stood in awe.
Now he understood.
Why Earthlings were so strong.