Then, Moori and Dende suddenly knelt before Goku, their faces etched with desperation. "Please, save our Namek! Save our Grand Elder!"
"Whoa! What? What are you doing? What's happened?" Goku was taken aback by their sudden gesture.
Dende spoke, his voice trembling with grief and anger. "This morning, a group of aliens suddenly landed on our planet. Their leader is someone called Emperor Frieza! They found out about our Dragon Balls somehow, and for them… they've already killed many of our people… I heard the Grand Elder say that only people from Earth could save Namek. You must be from Earth! Please, save our Grand Elder! Frieza has already gathered all seven Dragon Balls and is heading to the Grand Elder's home now, trying to force him to reveal how to use them…"
"What? Frieza is already here? And he's collected all the Dragon Balls? You've got to be kidding me!" Goku was stunned. He focused, expanding his ki sense, then frowned deeply as he looked southeast. "You're right… there are several powerful energies over there. I was only scanning this immediate area before. I didn't expect Frieza to get here ahead of me. This is trouble! I haven't made my wish yet. Fighting Frieza now puts me at a real disadvantage!"
"Still, to summon Porunga, you need to speak the Namekian language. It looks like Frieza can't get his wish yet, so I still have time to hurry…" Goku turned to the women beside him. "This enemy is incredibly strong. You should all return to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber for now! I need to get to the Grand Elder's place immediately, or someone else will take the Dragon Balls!"
"Goku, you have to be careful! If you can't win, don't push yourself!" Saeko and the others looked at him with deep concern. It was the first time they had seen such a grave expression on his face, so they knew this foe must be extraordinary.
"Don't worry. If I can't win, I'll just run for it," Goku said with a calm smile, waving his hand to send the women into the safety of the Chamber. Using his Instant Movement technique, he locked onto the Grand Elder's ki and shot into the sky, vanishing over the horizon in an instant. Moori and Dende followed as fast as they could, but their speed was no match for his.
---
At that moment, outside the Grand Elder's home. Frieza and his retinue touched down gracefully before the humble dwelling. Nail stepped out, regarding Frieza and his men with a stern, unwavering gaze. "State your business."
Frieza glided down from his hover pod, his voice cold and measured. "I am Frieza. I wish to use the Dragon Balls to fulfill a certain desire. I have assembled all seven, yet strangely, my wish remains unfulfilled. I have come to seek your counsel. How does one activate them?"
Nail's expression remained stoic. "Then I must ask you to leave. I will not divulge such secrets to one with a heart as corrupt as yours."
"Heh heh heh~~~" Frieza sneered. Suddenly, his scouter began beeping incessantly. He glanced upward and saw a figure streaking toward them through the sky… His expression shifted slightly. "Bardock…? No, it's that Saiyan from Earth. He's rather late. I've been waiting here for him most of the day. But why is his battle power reading only 8,000? Can he truly control his power level to such a degree?"
Goku looked down at Frieza and his group, a surge of excitement welling within him. With a quick scan, he recognized them all: Vegeta, Nappa, and his nominal older brother, Raditz, were there, along with the two familiar faces of Dodoria and Zarbon.
"Kakarot!" Raditz watched Goku's steady descent, his eyes flashing with unreadable emotion.
Is this the low-class Saiyan warrior from Earth, Kakarot, who defeated the Ginyu Force? His power is only 8,000. How could he possibly have beaten them? Vegeta observed Goku with deep suspicion. Ever since learning of the Dragon Balls, the seed of betrayal against Frieza had taken root in his mind. With an immortal body and the Saiyan ability to grow stronger after near-death, what would he have to fear from Frieza?
"Raditz, Vegeta… I didn't expect you two to be here. What a surprise," Goku said, glancing at them with raised eyebrows. As for Nappa, he was completely ignored.
"Hmph! You fool, do you even remember me? We didn't send you to Earth to integrate with its people! Kakarot, you have disappointed me profoundly!" Raditz retorted, clearly infuriated by Goku's dismissive tone.
"Sorry, I'm not Kakarot. I'm Son Goku. And while you may be my brother in name, you have no right to lecture me," Goku replied coolly. Raditz fumed silently. Goku turned his attention to the small, pale figure on the hover pod. "So, you must be the so-called Emperor of the Universe, Frieza? I'm very interested in you. How about it? Care for a fight?"
"What? This insect dares to challenge Lord Frieza? Is he suicidal? How utterly presumptuous!" Zarbon exclaimed, looking at Goku with pure contempt. Even Vegeta and the others were taken aback; Frieza was not someone they dared to openly defy.
"Oh? Challenging me? How interesting! I must admit, I am rather curious about you as well," Frieza said, his voice a smooth, predatory purr. "However, I wonder if you possess the requisite qualifications. Vegeta… go and test his strength for me."
Vegeta's brow furrowed, but he stepped forward without hesitation. "As you wish, Lord Frieza." Though betrayal simmered in his heart, now was not the time to reveal it.
Goku sensed Vegeta's ki. It was around 12,000—weaker than he'd expected, but it made sense. In the original timeline, Vegeta had several more years to train before arriving on Earth.
"Very well! Let me gauge the strength of the 'mightiest Saiyan' Lord Frieza speaks of!" Vegeta's tone dripped with disdain. He was the Prince of all Saiyans; how could he stomach being compared to a low-class warrior like Goku?
"Frieza, if you want to see my strength, there's no need to waste time with this kind of small fry. I have no interest in such minor-league opponents," Goku stated flatly.
"What did you say?! You arrogant fool! I am Vegeta, the Saiyan Prince! I am nothing like a worthless low-class warrior like you!" Vegeta's fury erupted. His power surged to its peak, and he launched himself at Goku, fist pulled back for a devastating blow.