Chapter 20: An Unexpected Meeting with Frieza

As Goku landed, two Namekians stepped forward.

"Greetings, Earthlings. Welcome to Namek. I am Esca, and this is Mollus."

"Nice to meet you," Goku replied.

Suddenly, Esca and Mollus dropped to their knees, their faces full of desperation.

"Please! You must save Namek! Save our Grand Elder!"

Goku blinked in surprise. "Whoa! What's going on? What happened?"

Mollus clenched his fists, his voice filled with anger. "Earlier this morning, a group of invaders arrived on our planet. The one leading them is called Frieza! Somehow, they learned about the Dragon Balls and started slaughtering our people to take them! Our Grand Elder told us that only someone from Earth could save Namek. You… you must be from Earth, right? Please! Frieza has already gathered all seven Dragon Balls and is heading to the Grand Elder's house to force him to reveal how to use them!"

Goku's eyes widened in shock.

"What?! Frieza is already here?! And he has all seven Dragon Balls?! Are you kidding me?!"

Closing his eyes, Goku focused his senses and quickly detected several powerful auras coming from the southeast. His brows furrowed.

"Damn it! I was only sensing the energy in this area—I didn't even realize Frieza was already here! He got here before me?! This is bad. I haven't even made my wish yet! Fighting Frieza without using the Dragon Balls first puts me at a disadvantage!"

But then, another thought struck him.

"Wait… he might have all seven Dragon Balls, but he still needs to speak the Namekian language to summon Porunga. That means he can't make his wish just yet! I still have time!"

Turning to his companions, Goku spoke seriously. "This enemy is on a completely different level. You all need to go back inside the World Ring for now. I have to reach the Grand Elder before Frieza does!"

Saeko and the other girls looked at Goku worriedly.

"Goku, please be careful! If you can't win, don't push yourself too hard!"

Seeing the serious expression on his face, they knew this fight was unlike any before.

"Don't worry!" Goku flashed a confident smile. "If things get out of hand, I can always run away!"

With a wave of his hand, he sent the girls into the World Ring, then took off into the sky, flying toward the Grand Elder's home at full speed.

Esca and Mollus followed, but their speed was far slower.

---

Meanwhile, at the Grand Elder's Home…

Frieza and his men landed in front of the Grand Elder's house.

Nail, the Grand Elder's personal bodyguard, stepped outside, his face serious. "What business do you have here?"

Frieza descended from his hovercraft, speaking in his usual calm yet menacing tone.

"I am Frieza, and I seek to use the Dragon Balls to fulfill a certain wish. I have already gathered all seven, yet my wish remains unfulfilled. So, I have come here to ask… what must I do to make them work?"

Nail's expression remained cold. "Leave. I will not reveal such information to someone with an evil heart."

Frieza's lips curled into a mocking smile.

Before he could reply, his scouter beeped loudly.

Looking up, he saw a figure racing toward them at high speed.

Frieza's eyes narrowed.

"Bardock? No… wait, that's the Saiyan from Earth. Took him long enough—I've been waiting all day."

A smirk formed on Frieza's face. "But why does his battle power only read 8,000? Can he really suppress it at will?"

Goku descended, his heart pounding with excitement.

Scanning the area, he saw familiar faces.

Vegeta. Nappa. Raditz.

And, of course…

Frieza.

Alongside Frieza were Dodoria and Zarbon, two of his elite enforcers.

Raditz stared at Goku, his eyes flickering with complicated emotions. "Kakarot…"

Vegeta frowned. "This guy… is he really the low-class Saiyan from Earth who defeated the Ginyu Force? His power level is only 8,000! There's no way he took them down!"

Ever since learning about the Dragon Balls, Vegeta had already begun plotting against Frieza.

'If I can gain immortality, I won't have to fear Frieza anymore. With my Saiyan potential, I could surpass him! But… can this low-class warrior really be the one who destroyed the Ginyu Force?'

"Raditz. Vegeta. Didn't expect to see you two here," Goku said, genuinely surprised.

He completely ignored Nappa.

Raditz scoffed. "Hmph! Have you forgotten your Saiyan heritage? We sent you to Earth to conquer it, not to become one of them! You've disappointed me, Kakarot!"

Goku's face remained calm. "First of all, my name is Goku. And second… you have no right to lecture me."

Raditz gritted his teeth, feeling humiliated.

Goku turned his gaze to Frieza. "So, you're the so-called 'Emperor of the Universe,' huh? I've heard a lot about you. How about we have a little fight?"

The entire battlefield fell silent.

Zarbon's eyes widened. "Is this idiot serious?! Challenging Lord Frieza?!"

Even Vegeta looked shocked.

'Does he have a death wish?! Even I'm not ready to face Frieza yet!'

Frieza chuckled. "A fight, you say? How entertaining. I must admit, I find you quite interesting as well. But first, let's see if you're even worthy of facing me."

He turned to Vegeta. "Why don't you test him for me?"

Vegeta frowned but stepped forward. "Yes, Lord Frieza."

While he secretly wanted to betray Frieza, he wasn't ready to reveal his plans just yet.

Goku sensed Vegeta's energy—only around 12,000 at best.

"Hah. Still weak. Makes sense, though. We're years away from when he attacks Earth in the original timeline."

Vegeta clenched his fists. "Let's see if you really are the strongest Saiyan, Kakarot!"

But Goku simply rolled his eyes.

"Frieza, if you really want to see my strength, don't send weaklings. I have no interest in fighting small fry."

Vegeta's face twisted with rage. "What did you say?! You dare look down on me?! I am Prince Vegeta, the Saiyan elite! I will not be compared to a low-class warrior like you!"

Furious, he charged forward, his power surging.

Goku didn't even move.

He casually caught Vegeta's punch with one hand and shook his head.

"Maybe one day you'll be stronger. But right now… you're not even close."

With a single kick, Goku sent Vegeta flying.

"Damn you! DIE!" Vegeta roared, unleashing a barrage of energy blasts.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The explosions covered Goku in smoke.

Vegeta laughed. "Hah! That's what you get for underestimating me!"

But as the smoke cleared…

Goku stood there, completely unharmed.

His expression was bored. "Were you trying to tickle me?"

Vegeta's confidence shattered. "Impossible!"

Goku's eyes darkened.

"If you truly want me dead, Vegeta… then don't blame me for returning the favor."

For the first time, Goku's killing intent filled the air.

Vegeta gritted his teeth. He could feel it—real, overwhelming killing intent radiating from Goku.

Unlike in the past, Goku wasn't the kindhearted fool who spared enemies out of pity.

Vegeta was too dangerous to be left alive. He was like a ticking time bomb—his ego, ambition, and hatred made him unpredictable.

And most importantly…

Bulma was already Goku's woman.

There was no way he'd let a potential threat to his future roam free.

Frieza, observing the battle, let out a soft chuckle.

"Oh? How terrifying. I could feel that bloodlust from here… Quite the ruthless Saiyan, aren't you?"

Then, turning to his subordinates, he smirked. "Zarbon, you and the others should assist Vegeta. He won't be able to handle this alone."

"Understood, Lord Frieza!" Zarbon and the other elites took to the air, surrounding Goku.

Goku's expression darkened.

He glanced at Raditz, his so-called "brother," with disappointment.

"And what about you, Raditz? Are you really going to fight me too?"

Raditz remained silent. Then, with zero hesitation, he stepped forward.

"Frieza is invincible, Kakarot. Stop being foolish. Join us—help us conquer the universe!"

Goku's face twisted with fury. "Are you serious?! Frieza is the one who destroyed Planet Vegeta! He's the reason our father—your father—died! And you want to serve him?!"

Raditz crossed his arms. "Power is everything, Kakarot. Father was weak. He deserved to die."

For a moment, there was silence.

Then—

"You ungrateful bastard! Are you even Saiyan?!" Goku snapped. His aura erupted, shaking the ground and shattering boulders around them.

Raditz had crossed the line.

Goku had wanted to believe there was a chance to save him.

But no.

Raditz was beyond redemption.

The force of Goku's energy shook the entire battlefield.

Vegeta, Zarbon, and the others staggered back in shock.

"W-What the hell is this pressure?!" Vegeta gasped.

Goku's power skyrocketed.

"56,000… 76,000… 88,000… 100,000…!"

BOOM!

Vegeta, Zarbon, and the Frieza Force warriors' scouters exploded simultaneously.

Inside the Grand Elder's home, Nail's eyes widened in awe. "Unbelievable… this power…!"

Outside, Vegeta trembled.

"N-No… It can't be…! 100,000…! Is… is he… a Super Saiyan?!"

Zarbon, filled with panic, turned to Frieza. "Lord Frieza! This is the legend—the warrior you feared! He's—"

Frieza's smirk disappeared.

For the first time, a flicker of unease crossed his face.

---

Goku vanished.

Before Vegeta could react, a fist slammed into his chest.

CRACK!

Vegeta vomited blood, his ribs shattering on impact. His body was sent flying, crashing into a distant mountain.

"How… how is this possible…" Vegeta groaned, struggling to move. "I am… the Saiyan Prince… I was supposed to be the one… to reach the top…"

His vision blurred.

His ambitions… his pride… all crushed in an instant.

Then, his body went limp.

[System Notification: You have killed Vegeta. +24,000 energy points.]

Goku exhaled slowly.

"Pathetic."

Raditz and Nappa froze.

Their leader… their prideful prince… was dead.

Their first instinct?

Run.

"Lord Frieza! Help us!" Raditz screamed as he and Nappa fled toward Frieza's side.

Goku's eyes flashed. "Trying to run? Not happening."

In a single motion, he vanished again.

SCHLK!

When he reappeared, his hand was dripping with blood.

Zarbon collapsed—a hole pierced through his back.

"No… Impossible…" Zarbon choked before falling lifelessly to the ground.

[System Notification: You have killed Zarbon. +42,000 energy points.]

Nappa and Raditz sprinted faster.

But—

"You're not getting away."

Goku extended his hand.

Pew! Pew! Pew!

Several Ki blasts shot out, piercing through their chests.

Nappa fell first.

Then, Raditz collapsed, gasping for breath.

"K-Kakarot…" Raditz coughed up blood, his eyes full of regret.

"Please… don't kill me… I'm your brother…"

Goku stared down at him coldly.

"I gave you a chance, Raditz. You threw it away."

Raditz reached out a trembling hand. "Please… I'll fight with you against Frieza… I'll—"

Goku turned away. "You made your choice. Now live with it."

Raditz's eyes widened in despair.

Moments later—

He was dead.

Frieza's Eyes Narrow

With his men slaughtered in seconds, Frieza remained silent.

Then, he clapped slowly.

---

Translator's Note:

[Goku]: Hey guys! The translator says if we don't get more Power Stones, I might not get to eat tonight!

[Vegeta]: Hmph. Kakarot's stomach aside, this story needs your support to stay stronger than a Super Saiyan Blue!