The battle was finally over.
In West City, inside the vast backyard of Capsule Corporation, a grand celebration was underway.
The tense, suffocating atmosphere from before had completely vanished, replaced by the rich aroma of grilled meat and the sound of laughter filling the air.
With a single wave of her hand, Bulma had practically emptied the finest ingredient storage in the city. Premium cuts of dinosaur meat and top-tier seafood were piled high like a feast fit for royalty.
Goku was wrapped head to toe in bandages, looking like a walking mummy.
Yet that did nothing to slow him down. With both hands moving nonstop, he stuffed massive chunks of meat into his mouth, his cheeks puffed out like a squirrel.
"Delicious! This is amazing! Food at Bulma's place is way better than hospital food!"
Krillin reclined comfortably on a beach chair, holding a glass of chilled juice, completely at ease.
Two stunning women stayed close by his side.
Launch, in her gentle blue-haired form, wore a maid outfit as she carefully peeled grapes for him, her eyes filled with admiration and affection.
"Master Krillin, you were incredible today. That so-called prince didn't stand a chance against you."
Meanwhile, Bulma sat beside him in light homewear, her posture relaxed yet focused.
She held a sophisticated scanning device, analyzing Vegeta's severed tail that Krillin had brought back.
"Sweetheart, you're amazing."
Bulma leaned in and kissed Krillin on the cheek, her voice filled with excitement.
"The cellular activity in this tail is unbelievable. Even after being separated, it's still trying to absorb surrounding energy."
"If I can crack the genetic structure, I might be able to develop a serum that enhances the human body."
She leaned closer, her tone dropping playfully.
"Tonight… you'll get a special reward."
Her finger traced lightly along his thigh as she spoke.
A rush of heat surged through Krillin, and right on cue, the system interface appeared.
[System Notification: Companion Bulma Affection Level Exceeded Limit. Pre-condition for "Intimacy Event" unlocked.]
[Skill "Ki Resonance" proficiency boost preview: Tonight's dual cultivation efficiency increased by 300 percent.]
[Current Status: Infinite stamina active. Ready.]
"Cough… let's keep it low-key."
Krillin cleared his throat, forcing himself to stay composed as he shifted his focus to the system's reward screen.
[System Notification: Epic Arc Completed. Saiyan Invasion]
[Evaluation: SSS. Perfect.]
[Rewards Issued]
[1. Power Level increased to 22,000.]
[2. Saitama Template Integration increased to 40 percent. New passive unlocked: Serious Series. Round Trip Jump.]
[3. Special Item: Subspace Storage Ring. Capacity 1000 cubic meters. Cannot store living beings. Designed for transporting Namekian Dragon Balls.]
[4. Title: Fate Rewriter. Effect: Allies within range gain 20 percent increased training efficiency. Higher chance to trigger hidden story events.]
[5. Skill Fragment: Super Saiyan Transformation Guide. Progress 1 of 3.]
Krillin glanced at the ancient-looking silver ring that had appeared in his hand and nodded in satisfaction.
This was extremely useful.
The Dragon Balls on Namek were as large as basketballs. Without proper storage, just carrying them would be exhausting.
Not to mention trying to sneak around under Frieza's watchful eye.
Just then, Goku suddenly froze mid-bite.
"King Kai… what did you say?!"
Two strands of ki rose from his head like antennae, showing he was communicating telepathically across realms.
Everyone fell silent and turned toward him.
A moment later, Goku swallowed his food, his expression turning unusually serious.
"Everyone… something big just happened."
"What is it? Still hungry?" Yamcha joked, letting out a burp.
"No."
Goku wiped his mouth.
"King Kai said Vegeta had a communicator on him the whole time. It was never turned off."
"Everything we said during the battle, including Piccolo mentioning that the Dragon Balls can revive the dead, was heard by Frieza's forces."
"What?"
Piccolo crushed the cup in his hand instantly, sweat forming on his green face.
"You mean…"
"The guy named Frieza has already learned that Kami's home planet is Namek."
Goku stood up, his tone firm.
"King Kai said Frieza has the power to destroy planets as easily as breathing."
"Because Earth is far away, he's heading to Namek right now. He wants to use the Dragon Balls to become immortal."
The air turned heavy once again.
If someone like that gained eternal life, the entire universe would fall into darkness.
Piccolo clenched his fists.
That was his homeworld.
Even if he had never been there, it was still where he belonged.
"Then what are we waiting for!"
Bulma slammed the table and stood up, her eyes blazing not with fear, but excitement.
"We have to get there before they do. Namek… an alien civilization we've never explored."
"I've been wanting to test my spaceship for long-distance travel anyway. And if Frieza is that dangerous, his ships must be full of advanced technology."
"I'm going too."
Goku clenched his fists, his fighting spirit reigniting.
"Frieza is way stronger than Vegeta, right? Just thinking about it makes me excited. I'll train there!"
Piccolo remained silent for a moment before standing up, his cape fluttering slightly.
"That's my home. I won't let anyone destroy it. And I want to meet my people."
Gohan raised his hand as well.
"I'll go too. I want to protect the Namekians."
At last, all eyes turned to Krillin.
There was no doubt he was now the core of the team and their strongest fighter.
Without him, the rest would likely be walking into disaster.
Krillin took a slow sip of his juice and opened the system panel again, checking the newly updated missions.
[New Arc Unlocked: Battle of Namek]
[Main Mission: Travel to Namek. Stop Frieza from achieving immortality. Defeat Frieza.]
[Side Mission 1: Defeat the Ginyu Force. Teach them what a real pose looks like.]
[Side Mission 2: Witness or guide Son Goku's transformation into a Super Saiyan.]
[Completion Rewards Preview]
[1. Significant increase in Saitama Template Integration. Expected to surpass 50 percent.]
[2. Complete Skill: Super Saiyan Transformation Guide. Allows simulation of transformation through Ki or assisting others in awakening.]
[3. Title: Strongest in the Universe.]
[4. New Map Unlocked: Prelude to Android Arc.]
Krillin's eyes lit up at the mention of the Super Saiyan transformation guide.
Even if he could not physically transform, he could replicate the power through Ki.
Combined with Saitama's physique, the result would be overwhelming.
And if he trained Goku, Trillin, and Gohan into Super Saiyans, he could take it easy afterward.
"Of course we're going."
Krillin stood up and slipped the storage ring onto his finger, a confident smile spreading across his face.
"Everyone, start preparing."
"This isn't a vacation. And it's definitely not a suicide mission."
He looked toward the vast night sky, as if already seeing the tyrant seated in his floating throne.
"We're heading there to clear a dungeon."
"And while we're at it… we'll teach that so-called emperor a lesson about humility."
"Bulma, get the ship ready. Destination: Planet Namek."
"Yes, dear!"
Bulma snapped a playful salute, her excitement unmistakable.
…
End of Volume Two