CHAPTER 5

c5: Vegeta, He Will Become Your Lifelong Enemy

"Hey, Lu Fan, where are we going?" Vegeta asked, glancing at the star map projected by the ship's computer.

"Earth," Lu Fan replied calmly.

"Earth?" Vegeta immediately stepped forward, pulled up the planetary database on the console, and searched for Earth's profile.

After reviewing the data classified by the Frieza Force as a low-level planet, Vegeta scoffed.

"Why waste time on such a dull rock? It's classified as a Type-C planet with no significant military force or valuable natural resources. Even if we conquered it, it wouldn't sell for much on the galactic market." Vegeta shook his head, clearly unimpressed.

"We're not going to Earth to conquer it," Lu Fan said with a smile. "We're going there to grow, to live among the people."

"What? Are you planning to get married and raise a family on that backwater?" Vegeta snorted, clearly incredulous.

"It's possible," Lu Fan nodded without hesitation.

Vegeta: "…"

"Don't tell me the real reason we're going to Earth is just so we can become Super Saiyans faster," Vegeta said, narrowing his eyes, finally catching on.

"You're exactly right," Lu Fan replied. "Life on Earth, with its peaceful energy and emotionally rich environment, is ideal for fostering the growth of S-Cells in our bodies."

Vegeta fell silent, briefly processing this information.

Alright, fine. Let's go and see it for ourselves.

It's too early to say what'll happen but once we get there, I'll be watching you closely, Lu Fan.

"You go rest. I'm going to continue refining my understanding of destruction energy," Lu Fan said casually as he turned away.

"Hmph! Show some respect. You're speaking to royalty the prince of all Saiyans!" Vegeta growled, dark-faced with irritation.

Lu Fan ignored the remark and walked to the spacecraft's viewing window, staring out at the vast sea of stars scattered across space.

The galaxy was beautiful but Lu Fan knew all too well that beauty could be deceptive.

His current strength, even after incorporating divine energy, was no more than ten times Frieza's base power formidable, yes, but not invincible.

Still, Lu Fan had no plans to confront Frieza.

There was no need to pick a fight.

Frieza had never shown hostility toward him, and Lu Fan had no personal grudge.

Eliminating Frieza would be pointless.

And as for the fate of Planet Vegeta—Lu Fan felt no attachment.

The planet's destruction wasn't even Frieza's decision alone.

According to what Whis revealed in Dragon Ball Super, it was Beerus, Universe 7's God of Destruction, who gave the silent nod for Planet Vegeta to be destroyed, viewing the Saiyans as a destabilizing force that could one day threaten the universal balance.

Of course, it wasn't malice—it was his duty.

And Lu Fan understood that.

Besides, Lu Fan had no ties to Planet Vegeta.

His parents were long dead, killed during a skirmish with a rival alien faction just weeks after his birth.

Such losses were all too common among Saiyans.

They were, after all, a warrior race conquest was in their blood, and retaliation from enemies was expected.

Invasion invited death. That was the law of the cosmos.

"Oh? There's a small pod tracking our path." Vegeta suddenly noticed a round-type Saiyan space pod, closing in from behind on a similar trajectory.

Lu Fan remained silent, his eyes narrowing slightly.

If his instincts were right, the occupant of that pod might be none other than the infant Kakarot—later known as Son Goku.

"Let me see who's tailing us," Vegeta muttered as he tapped into the ship's radar and scanned the signature of the approaching vessel.

Within moments, the readout appeared on-screen Saiyan pod ID, occupant age, and power level.

Upon reading the data, Vegeta scoffed with a hint of disdain on his face.

The power level was barely in the single digits—practically nothing.

"Tch. Just some low-class baby. Weak as a bug."

He had no idea… that one day, that same "bug" would grow into the fiercest rival he'd ever face.

A rival not only in strength… but in pride.

"It turns out he's also a Saiyan—an inferior-class warrior among inferior-class warriors," Vegeta snorted. "His power level is just 2. No wonder he was sent to a low-tier planet like Earth."

"His name is Kakarot, right?" Lu Fan asked with a slight smile.

"Yeah. Bardock's youngest son—Kakarot," Vegeta nodded. He remembered Bardock vaguely a mid-class warrior with a sharp gaze and a stubborn streak. His son, though, had shown no particular promise.

"Vegeta," Lu Fan suddenly said, his expression turning serious.

"What?" Vegeta blinked, caught off guard.

"Forget it. I won't say more—I'd rather not hurt your pride," Lu Fan said calmly.

Vegeta: "…"

Vegeta instantly boiled with frustration.

Who says half a sentence and then stops like that?!

You've lit a fire of curiosity in me and now you walk away?

Are you mocking me?

"Look at you. You're already mad again. How can someone with this much temper ever hope to awaken as a Super Saiyan?" Lu Fan said, half-laughing.

Vegeta: "…"

"Whatever. Say it or don't." Vegeta folded his arms with a snort.

"Alright, alright, I'll stop talking," Lu Fan replied with a shrug.

Vegeta felt his blood pressure spike.

An awkward silence followed.

"…Say it already!" Vegeta growled through gritted teeth.

"Fine, I'll tell you," Lu Fan finally sighed. "That kid, Kakarot… If fate stays on track, he'll become your greatest rival in the future."

"…What did you say?" Vegeta stared at Lu Fan like he was speaking nonsense.

Without another word, Vegeta turned around and stormed off.

What in the actual hell?

What kind of delusion was this?

A low-class baby with a power level of 2—my greatest rival?

Lu Fan, seriously?

If you'd said you would become my greatest rival, maybe I'd believe you. After all, you've shown potential, and at one point, you even surpassed me in combat.

Sure, your current power level is around 200, not much.

But at least you're a warrior with intelligence and control. That has growth potential.

But that kid?

A weakling sent off-world as an infant?

Tch. I could probably defeat him right now by just flexing too hard.

Vegeta slammed the door to his room behind him.

And that guy Lu Fan…

There was no reasoning with him.

Their journey to Earth would take at least a month. Plenty of time.

Lu Fan wasn't idle during that period. He used the time wisely—meditating, channeling, and refining his understanding of destruction.

The real reason Lu Fan invited Vegeta along?

It was because, when watching Dragon Ball back in his old life, Vegeta had always stood out to him.

A prideful, driven fighter with real character.

Now that Lu Fan had been reborn into this world… and even had the chance to spar with Vegeta, it felt only natural to help him grow stronger.

…

One month flew by.

Lu Fan now stood near the window of the pod, gazing down at a familiar blue-and-green marble floating in the cosmic sea.

Earth.

I've finally arrived.

…

Ten minutes later.

Lu Fan's spaceship pierced the outer atmosphere of Earth and entered its sky.

"Clack, clack, clack!"

Lu Fan's fingers danced across the ship's control panel with expert precision.

The ship transitioned from autopilot to full manual mode.

Lu Fan piloted the craft smoothly as it glided across the sky.

"Hey, Lu Fan! What are you doing?" Vegeta stepped into the cockpit. He'd sensed the gravitational shift—Earth was now below them.

"Looking for a proper place to land," Lu Fan answered, eyes focused on the controls.

"Just drop it anywhere. What's the big deal?" Vegeta muttered, unimpressed.

"The word casual doesn't exist in my dictionary," Lu Fan replied coolly.

Vegeta: "…"

Vegeta had no comeback.

Fine, let's see where this so-called 'perfect landing spot' is.

The spacecraft circled Earth several times before finally descending toward the surface.

It settled down into the courtyard of a modern-looking facility.

During the descent, Vegeta also caught sight of another Saiyan pod hurtling toward the planet in a similar arc.

He watched as it crashed into a distant mountainside, startling wildlife as it collided.

"Clink!"

Lu Fan's ship completed its landing—coming to a rest in the courtyard of the Capsule Corporation headquarters.

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