[55]. Bringing the Lolita Tribe into the Fold

Philiya blinked her beautiful eyes, remaining silent—she clearly knew the story as well.

Yuna braced herself and continued, "It was because we developed the time machine that others took notice. Eventually, we were hunted across the entire universe."

"To be hunted? Not surprising. But hunted by the entire universe? That's a bit much..."

Kaso muttered to himself.

After all, time travel had only first appeared in the Dragon Ball Cell Saga, and the timeline was already a total mess. So the fact that people would covet the technology was expected—but "all the universe" might be pushing it.

Kaso asked again, "And then?"

"At the time, the strongest race in the universe was the Saiyans. One of them, a man named Yamoshi, took us in."

Yuna paused before continuing, "After that, our Lolita Tribe followed Lord Yamoshi. With our support in science and technology, the Saiyans entered their golden age."

"So it was actually the Saiyans who helped you?"

Kaso blinked. So much for "your ancestors did us a favor."

"Yes."

Philiya finally responded, nodding slightly. With her icy-blue hair and the bloodstained cloth on her chest, her beauty had a cold, untouchable quality.

Yuna awkwardly nodded as well. That whole thing earlier was just a desperate lie. If she hadn't claimed they once helped the Saiyans, Philiya might've already died.

Still, it was true the Lolita Tribe's tech had significantly boosted the Saiyan race. With or without physical prowess, science could reshape a civilization's destiny.

Kaso gestured, "Keep going."

"Uh—okay."

Yuna snapped back and went on, "Later… something happened. We don't know the full details, but there was a major civil war among the Saiyans. Lord Yamoshi fled with our tribe and resettled us on a nearby planet—not far from Planet Sadala. That's the last we heard of him."

"Our tribe suffered massive losses during that time. Even now, we haven't recovered."

Her voice became quiet and mournful. She still didn't understand how such powerful people like the Saiyans could've fallen apart from within.

"That's enough. I got the picture."

Kaso let out a wry chuckle.

For all that backstory, he barely got a few crumbs of Saiyan history. But it was enough to piece things together.

Yamoshi—a kind and righteous Saiyan—was the first to transform into a Super Saiyan, leading a rebellion with five companions against the evil Saiyans. Though overwhelmed by numbers, Yamoshi's transformation shocked all who witnessed it and became legend.

Later, his soul wandered the universe, searching for six Saiyans of pure heart to invoke the Super Saiyan God. It was Yamoshi's soul that inspired Beerus to seek that very god in Dragon Ball Super.

And now, standing before Kaso were people who had once followed Yamoshi himself.

Interesting.

Just then, Yuna looked up nervously. "Little Brother Kaso… we've told you everything we know. So… may we leave this planet now?"

She had picked up his name earlier when the Saiyans shouted "Lord Kaso!"—and she was watching him closely.

Philiya's icy eyes flickered. She, too, clearly hoped to return to her home world.

"Leave?" Kaso's tone suddenly sharpened.

"You said… if we told you about the Saiyans, we could go!" Yuna's voice rose slightly in panic.

This little kid was no ordinary brat. His power was overwhelming, and if he said no, they weren't going anywhere.

Sure, she'd lied earlier about their tribe's past—but only because she had no other choice!

"I never said that."

Kaso replied coldly.

As Bardock had said earlier, the Saiyans must not leave the planet—nor let anyone else know they were here.

"…"

Yuna thought for a second… and realized he was right. Kaso hadn't promised anything about letting them go.

Philiya frowned. This was turning out to be far more complicated than expected.

She knew better than anyone how powerful Saiyans had once been. Her tribe had seen them rise under Yamoshi's leadership. But after the Great Collapse, Saiyans fell from grace—and then turned into ruthless warmongers, enslaving worlds under Frieza's command.

In her mind, the term "Warrior Race" had long since been tainted.

She hadn't wanted to deal with Saiyans again.

And yet… why weren't they letting her go?

Philiya looked quietly at Kaso. This kid… was he truly a Saiyan?

All she knew was—he was terrifyingly strong.

"Did you know Frieza wiped out the Saiyans?"

Kaso said as he slowly walked in a circle around them.

He didn't explain his reasons for not letting them leave. Now that he'd heard their past, he saw something else:

An opportunity.

"...?"

Yuna and Philiya were both stunned.

The whole universe knew the Saiyans were Frieza's loyal soldiers. Who would ever believe their master betrayed them?

No wonder they looked so confused.

"Let me put it this way."

Kaso's eyes turned icy. "You're not going anywhere. You have two choices—your entire tribe submits to the Saiyans…"

"…or I wipe out the Lolita Tribe myself."

His voice was devoid of emotion.

It was the voice of someone who had no qualms about killing.

Even Philiya—normally as cold as winter frost—shivered slightly.

This boy is terrifying!

"You—!"

Yuna opened her mouth, but no words came.

She was stunned.

Frieza destroyed the Saiyans?

But then… who were all these Saiyans standing around?

She pieced it together quickly.

If Frieza really had wiped them out, then this group was likely a band of survivors. They were hiding out on this planet to avoid extermination—and she and Philiya had stumbled into their secret.

That's why they wouldn't be allowed to leave. If they spread the word, Frieza would come for them again.

And that meant… this kid wanted to forcibly absorb the Lolita Tribe.

Yuna and Philiya exchanged glances—and saw mirrored shock in each other's eyes.

This…

Kaso read their expressions and smirked inwardly.

They understood.

Good. At least they're not dumb.

~~~------------------

Want to read ahead? Early 30+ chapters on my P@treon:

patreon.com/YonkoSlayer