Watching Kakarot fight and seeing just how far he's willing to push himself made me realize how dire our situation truly is. After he nearly defeated Vegeta with a Kamehameha powered by the Kaio-Ken, I knew what was coming next—Vegeta was about to create a fake moon.
This was my chance.
Right as he formed the energy sphere, I launched a disk-shaped ki attack—the same one Krillin used on me once—to cut off his tail. As he roared in shock and pain, I took the opportunity: I slammed a heavy punch into his gut, caught his left leg midair, and hurled him into the ground. I followed up with a point-blank ki blast.
He was still alive, and furious—but in no shape to fight back.
Part of me wanted to finish him off. After everything he's done, he deserves it. But I held back. Not because he didn't deserve it—but because I need him alive. And more importantly, Kakarot—no, Goku—would never agree to killing him like that. I can't afford to be on the wrong side of him now. Not after everything I've done.
Yamcha. Chiaotzu. Tien. Piccolo. Their deaths were on me.
But if what I remember is right, Namek's Dragon Balls can bring them back. There's still hope.
So I stood there, watching Vegeta flee. I knew this wasn't over—he'd be back, stronger and faster. Letting him go would create future problems... but I had to make a choice. And siding with the Z Fighters is the best chance I have—not just for survival, but maybe even redemption.
Now I need to convince them that I'm not the enemy anymore.
Goku was lying on the ground, beaten and broken from using the Kaio-Ken. Just looking at him, I could tell he was in serious pain. And yet, even now, he didn't look afraid of me.
"Kakarot," I began, stepping closer, "I know I did a lot of terrible things when I first got here. But I want you to know... I've changed. I also know that you can revive everyone who died here using the Dragon Balls on Namek. So how about it—you and me—we call a truce?"
Goku looked up at me, suspicious.
"First of all, my name's Goku," he said. "And why should I believe you? After everything you've done—after all the people you killed—you've got to understand it's not that easy to trust you."
Fair enough. So I gave him a reason.
"Right now, you're stronger than me. But you're in no condition to fight. Your kid and Krillin aren't strong enough to stop me either. If I really wanted you dead, you couldn't stop me. But I'm not attacking you. I'm standing here, talking."
He stared at me for a moment. Then, to my surprise, he smiled.
"I guess you've got a point," he said. "So... what's your plan after this?"
I paused.
What was my plan? Sure, I know what's supposed to happen next. I've read the manga, lived parts of it—but knowing the future doesn't mean I can change it. Can I actually make a difference?
That's something I'll have to find out.