Bardock was kept in a cell. He was sometimes tortured, but it was kept to a minimum. It seemed to be an order from above, and the only one with both the authority and the will to enforce something like that was King Vegeta II. Still, there were shadows within the system — Saiyans who wanted Bardock dead, or broken enough to become a burden for Vaske.
Of course, Vaske knew nothing about this. If he had, he would have gone to his brother immediately and tried to rescue him, even if it meant standing against the King himself.
But Vaske was in total isolation, completely immersed in his training.
It was the second month since he began. The first month had been spent learning only the theory behind the technique. After that, Vaske started practicing it, and he steadily improved.
The biggest flaw of the technique was that it required him to enter Oozaru and then exit it to activate. No matter how injured or healthy he was beforehand, once the technique triggered, he would always be left in a state of total shock and powerlessness.
Still, with time, he began gaining mastery.
At first, the boost was insignificant — barely a 1.1 multiplier. But slowly, it increased. Now, after roughly two months total (one month of practical training), he had reached around a 1.3 multiplier upon activation.
Vaske knew this technique held far greater potential.
The ancient Saiyan King who defeated the Banzui could not have done it merely by surprise. He had a ten-times multiplier in Oozaru and still couldn't overwhelm them outright. Even if he had killed some elites while others kept their distance, that alone wouldn't explain it. There was no way a mere 1.5 or 2× boost would have been enough.
He must have reached something far greater.
Especially during his self-sacrifice — when he caught all the elites and the Banzui King within the blast radius.
First, I must master this unfinished version, Vaske thought. Then I'll improve it and make it my own.
Thirteen hours had passed since his last attempt.
"Alright," he said quietly. "I can go again."
He transformed into Great Ape, then deactivated it almost instantly.
When he returned to his smaller body, he collapsed onto the ground, completely powerless. Then his ki began to surge violently out of him, spreading at a rapid rate. A purplish aura wrapped around his body as he struggled to control the power and extend the technique's duration.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't exceed thirty-six seconds.
Thirteen hours passed again.
This time, Vaske tried something different.
He concentrated his ki only around critical areas — veins and bones — letting the rest of his body act as a drain. It resembled Kaio-ken in structure, but it was far more restrictive. No matter how carefully he controlled it, the result was always the same.
Yet the more he thought about Kaio-ken, the more similarities he noticed.
That realization led to breakthroughs.
He discovered a way to limit the power: he had to sacrifice blood infused with ki. It left him unable to heal properly for twenty-two hours, but it granted a four-times power boost.
The duration, however, was still a serious problem.
He wanted control.
The third month passed without further breakthroughs, but Vaske was satisfied with what he had achieved.
When he returned, he was summoned to the Royal Palace.
Soon, he stood alone with the King in the main chamber. King Vegeta II studied him.
"What are the results of your training?"
Vaske answered without revealing much. "It was successful."
The King nodded, then changed the subject.
"Your brother has returned."
Vaske showed no emotion.
"Where is he? And how did he perform on his mission?"
"He displayed exceptional talent for a low-class Saiyan," the King replied. "But he became involved in a serious incident. Upon returning, he killed three low-class Saiyans from the Blaze Riders unit."
Vaske was shocked internally, but kept his expression calm.
"Where is Bardock now?"
"He is imprisoned on the third level of Saiyan prison," the King said. "Would you like to meet him?"
"Yes."
Soon after, Vaske was escorted to the prison.
The first level held Saiyans and aliens guilty of minor crimes — flying in the city, small thefts. The second level housed those who violated order: brawlers, robbers.
The third level was for the worst — murderers, deserters, and those who opposed the King.
When Vaske reached Bardock's cell, many prisoners were visible, but one stood out.
Not because of power or presence.
Because he was the youngest and smallest.
It was Bardock.
He looked like he hadn't eaten in weeks. Light wounds covered his body.
Vaske was taken to a waiting room. Guards approached Bardock and told him someone was waiting. Bardock barely processed it — he simply followed.
They removed his chains and led him inside.
Soon Vaske and Bardock were in the same room alone. Neither knew how to react. They sat opposite each other and stared.
"So you finally came."
Vaske nodded, looking at his bruised body. "You look terrible."
Bardock let out a small laugh. "Prison does that."
Silence followed.
Then Bardock asked what had been bothering him since the pods.
"Why didn't you want to meet me when we left?"
Vaske sighed. "I couldn't."
"That's it?"
"Yes."
Bardock looked away, thinking.
"They say you did exceptionally on your first mission for a low-class Saiyan."
Bardock shrugged. "It went how it should have."
"You don't sound proud."
"There's nothing to be proud of."
Silence again.
Vaske leaned forward. "Tell me what happened."
Bardock hesitated, then decided to trust him.
"They killed someone."
"Who?"
"An old man. He took care of me. He was like family. Not blood related… just a great old man."
King Vegeta hadn't told Vaske any details, so this was the first time he heard about it.
"My condolences."
"It's fine. I don't care anymore."
"Do you know which squad they were from?"
"No."
"They were Blaze Riders, second-rate squad. They use low- and middle-class Saiyans to clear planets. Those three were members. That's why nobody cared about the truth."
Bardock's voice grew colder.
"They tried to rob the old man. When he resisted, they couldn't control their strength. When I found them laughing and spending stolen money in a pub… I erased them. And half the pub."
"You killed Saiyans in the city."
"They stopped being Saiyans the moment they killed one."
Vaske studied him and thought to himself: He is exactly like me. We will be a good duo.
"You let your rage control you."
"And what would you have done?"
Vaske didn't answer. They both knew.
"You didn't resist arrest."
"I didn't care anymore."
"It doesn't matter. I will defend you. You are the only family I have."
Bardock didn't respond, but his eyes were no longer cold.
Then guards entered.
"It's time."
"For what?"
"For judgment."
They chained Bardock and began leading him away. Vaske stepped forward.
"I'm coming too."
The guards hesitated, then nodded.
JUDGMENT HALL
The chamber was massive. Many Saiyans were present, especially Blaze Riders.
Bardock was chained at the center, forced to kneel.
Opposite him stood the Blaze Riders Captain.
The Judge entered and struck his staff.
"Order!" the Judge shouted.
Silence fell.
"We are gathered to judge the low-class Saiyan Bardock for the murder of three Blaze Riders members and massive destruction within city limits," the Judge declared.
He turned toward Bardock.
"You will speak only when addressed," the Judge said.
Then he faced the Captain.
"Present your accusation."
"These Saiyans were members of my unit," the Captain said. "They were off duty when they were brutally slaughtered. The accused destroyed half a public structure and injured multiple innocent Saiyans."
He pointed at Bardock.
"This was not self-defense. This was murder," the Captain said.
"I demand death penalty."
"Your demand is heard," the Judge replied.
He turned back to Bardock.
"Do you deny killing them?" the Judge asked.
"No," Bardock answered.
"Do you deny the destruction?"
"No," Bardock said.
"Do you claim justification?"
"They killed someone under my protection," Bardock replied.
"Explain," the Judge ordered.
"They tried to rob my grandpa. When he resisted, they beat him to death," Bardock said.
"There is no official record," the Judge replied.
"Because nobody cared to record it," Bardock answered.
"Were they known for misconduct?" the Judge asked.
"They were rough," Captain said.
"That doesn't excuse execution," the Judge replied.
"True," Captain answered.
The Judge leaned back.
"By Saiyan law, killing fellow Saiyans on Planet Vegeta carries death penalty," the Judge declared.
Bardock accepted it.
Vaske did not.
He stepped forward.
"I request permission to speak," Vaske said.
"Granted," the Judge replied.
"My brother did not rebel against the crown," Vaske said. "He eliminated criminals who murdered a Saiyan civilian."
"Low-class trash deciding justice now?" the Captain sneered.
"They stopped being Saiyans the moment they murdered one," Vaske replied.
Gasps spread.
"Enough!" the Judge shouted.
"If punishment must be given," Vaske said, bowing slightly, "let it serve the empire."
"What do you propose?" the Judge asked.
"Instead of execution… bind Bardock to conquest duty," Vaske said.
"Three planets. Unpaid. Nine years."
The hall erupted.
"Silence!" the Judge roared.
"You offer long-term forced conquest?" the Judge asked.
"Yes," Vaske replied. "He either proves his worth… or dies."
After a long pause, the Judge spoke.
"This satisfies justice and utility."
"He deserves death!" the Captain shouted.
"He will earn it if he fails," the Judge replied.
He turned to Bardock.
"Bardock. Three planets. Nine years. No rewards. Failure means execution."
"I accept," Bardock said.
The staff struck.
"This judgment is over," the Judge declared.
Vaske exhaled.
The Captain stared at him with hatred.
"This isn't finished," the Captain said.
"I hope so," Vaske replied.