Another month passed in the Sixth Universe. Cabba and Ramso's expedition finally returned to Planet Sadala aboard their spacecraft, emerging from the depths of space.
Long before their arrival, they had transmitted news to Renso confirming the successful wish and Planet Tuffle's restoration. On this day of their homecoming, the entire Defense Force assembled to welcome them back—a grand and lively reception befitting returning heroes.
But when Cabba emerged from the spacecraft's boarding ramp, the atmosphere abruptly shifted. Something felt fundamentally wrong. The celebratory mood evaporated like morning dew, replaced by oppressive tension. Cabba's expression appeared completely flat and emotionless, and the rest of his entourage wore similarly dull, lifeless faces—like iron masks concealing whatever lay beneath.
"Hey, Cabba! Why aren't you happy?" Caulifla demanded, planting her hands on her hips with obvious irritation. "So many of us came out here to welcome you back, and you can't even manage a smile? What's your problem?"
Renso interjected diplomatically with a gentle smile. "Don't be too harsh on them—can't you see they all look exhausted? They've probably had a long, difficult journey. The important thing is that everyone returned safely."
"I'm tired," Cabba stated flatly, his voice devoid of warmth or personality. "Going to rest now."
That single terse sentence was all he offered. Without another word or gesture of acknowledgment, he took flight alongside Ramso and the others, soaring into the sky and departing without the slightest regard for the assembled welcoming party.
The stunned crowd was left standing in confused silence.
"What just happened?"
"Did Captain Cabba seem... wrong to anyone else?"
"Ramso was acting strange before, but now everyone who went with them is the same! Is it contagious or something?"
"They're just exhausted from the journey," Renso reassured everyone, though deep concern gnawed at his own thoughts. "They'll be fine after a few days of rest."
But he didn't believe his own words. That was absolutely not the Cabba he knew. Although the physical appearance and energy signature were identical, the eyes told a completely different story—they couldn't deceive someone with Renso's experience.
Something had happened to Cabba. Like Ramso before him, it seemed as though his very soul had been replaced. Renso's inner restlessness and anxiety intensified with each passing hour.
That night, the more Renso dwelled on the situation, the more wrong it felt. Finally, he resolved to seek out Cabba directly and demand answers. But as he opened his front door to depart, a harsh wind howled against him—far too cold for this season, carrying an unnatural chill.
Looking up, he discovered that Cabba and Ramso already stood at his threshold, wearing expressions of unsettling, predatory amusement.
"Captain Renso, my apologies for disturbing you at such a late hour," Cabba said with false courtesy.
"It's no problem—I live alone here. Caulifla went to visit Kale earlier," Renso replied carefully, opening the door wider in invitation. "Please, come inside. I actually wanted to speak with you as well."
"You're alone? How... convenient." Cabba's eyes suddenly blazed with sinister intent. "Actually, let's talk outside instead. More open space out there—room to really stretch out and move around."
Without waiting for agreement, he launched himself back into the night sky, forcing Renso to frown deeply.
What is this really about? Renso thought with growing dread. I need to find out the truth.
They flew to a vast wilderness far from the populated areas. Renso finally couldn't contain himself any longer. "Cabba! Stop right there! Just tell me what's going on!"
"Hmph. Yes, this location will serve perfectly," Cabba sneered as he and Ramso landed together, their stances aggressive.
The instant Renso touched down, both warriors attacked without warning or explanation. In the distance, Renso could see additional Saiyan silhouettes flying toward their position—reinforcements converging on his location.
Originally, Cabba had intended to lure Renso into a prepared ambush point, but circumstances had changed. Now the assault force would simply charge directly.
BOOM!
Renso desperately transformed into Super Saiyan, golden aura erupting around him as he barely parried Cabba's vicious opening strike.
Cabba ignited his own golden flames, also transforming, his face twisting into a savage, unnatural smile that bore no resemblance to the kind warrior Renso knew.
"You... you're not Cabba! Who are you?!" Renso demanded, his voice cracking with horror and betrayal.
"Baby of the Tuffle race!" the entity possessing Cabba's body roared triumphantly, leaping forward with renewed fury. Ramso followed closely, launching countless ki blasts in support. "Last time, Raditz's intervention saved you from my grasp. But this time—this time you're mine!"
Fragments of understanding flashed through Renso's mind as the terrible truth crystallized. He screamed his anguish into the night. "Why?! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?!"
"REVENGE!" Baby howled back, the single word containing centuries of accumulated hatred.
Those two simple syllables contained the most fundamental motivation—pure, consuming vengeance.
Several days later, Raditz's extended journey through the Sixth Universe finally approached its conclusion. Rukon had begun missing home life after their prolonged absence, increasingly vocal about wanting to return to their own universe.
Raditz considered the timeline and realized they'd been away for nearly two full months. While vast regions of the Sixth Universe remained unexplored, it was indeed time to head back.
But before departing for home, Raditz wanted to properly say goodbye to Renso and the other Saiyans who had become friends.
So Raditz, accompanied by his family, used Instant Transmission to teleport directly to Planet Sadala—specifically to the headquarters of the Defense Force.
Their sudden materialization shocked everyone present. Renso, who sat elevated upon what appeared to be a newly installed high throne, visibly tensed. His expression flickered with something dark before he quickly stood.
"Raditz, you've returned again?" His voice carried an odd inflection.
"Yes, we're about to head back to the Seventh Universe," Zangya responded warmly, her face bright with friendly enthusiasm. "We wanted to come say proper goodbyes to everyone."
But Raditz couldn't return her smile. He sensed immediately that something about the surrounding atmosphere felt profoundly wrong. Since when did the Sadala Defense Force have such formal hierarchical seating arrangements? And why was the retired Renso positioned on an elevated throne?
More disturbing—why weren't Cabba and Caulifla rushing forward enthusiastically to greet them? What was with those dead, emotionless expressions?
None of the people he'd come to know well showed appropriate reactions to his presence. When Renso spoke, not a single person moved or responded independently. They simply stood in perfect, unnatural stillness—like subjects awaiting commands from a king.
Rukon started trotting eagerly toward Cabba. "Uncle Cabba! We're heading back home, but I'll come play with you again next time!"
"DON'T MOVE!" Raditz instantly erected a barrier of psychic force, blocking Rukon's path. Terrifying killing intent blazed in his eyes as they locked onto the figure on the throne. "The one sitting up there—what's really going on here?"
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Renso began applauding slowly, mockingly. The false, friendly facade melted away entirely, replaced by a fierce, malevolent expression that transformed his entire countenance.
"HAHAHAHAHA! Only someone of your caliber could see through my deception at a single glance!" the entity wearing Renso's body declared with dark satisfaction. "Compared to these pathetically simple Saiyans, divine perception truly is remarkable!"
"Sorry to disappoint you," Raditz replied with icy coldness. "I'm also a Saiyan."
Renso—or rather, Baby—laughed loudly. "I've read through their memories. I know you're an exceptional Saiyan unlike any other. But this is the Sixth Universe, outsider! A god from the Seventh Universe should mind his own business and stay out of affairs that don't concern him! Otherwise, I'll simply destroy you along with the rest!"
The arrogant dismissal treated Raditz as though he were utterly insignificant.
This exchange left both Zangya and Android 18 confused and alarmed. "Raditz, what do you mean? What's happened to them?" Zangya asked urgently.
"The people assembled here are no longer themselves—they've been controlled," Raditz explained grimly, his divine senses reading the parasitic ki signatures infesting every warrior present. "If I'm not mistaken, the entity currently occupying Renso's body is a Tuffle—the one called Baby!"
When Raditz spoke the name aloud, the being wearing Renso's face visibly recoiled in shock. It should have been impossible for an outsider to know his true identity. That Raditz could identify him on first meeting was deeply unsettling.
"As expected of a god..." Baby muttered, reassessing his opponent.
"I didn't want to become involved in Sixth Universe affairs from the beginning," Raditz stated, his voice carrying absolute authority. "I only intervened because of friendship—even gods are allowed personal connections and loyalties. The situation now is the same. You want to occupy Planet Sadala? Fine. You wish to resurrect the Tuffle civilization? I don't care. But you've possessed and enslaved Renso, Cabba, and the others—turned them into puppets. That I cannot ignore."
Raditz's smile was pleasant on the surface, but lethal intent lurked beneath like a hidden blade.
"Release them from your control immediately, or I will destroy you completely."
The declaration struck like a thunderbolt, causing Baby's stolen body to tremble involuntarily. Fear warred with rage across Renso's possessed features.
"You may be powerful, but you're not invincible!" Baby snarled, his tactical mind racing. "And I have no such restrictions or moral limitations! HAHAHA!"
Baby's manic laughter filled the chamber as he suddenly launched himself directly toward Rukon with explosive speed.
Simultaneously, every member of the enslaved Sadala Defense Force charged forward as one. They moved with maddened desperation, completely heedless of their own safety—a horde of zombified warriors with dead eyes and fierce killing intent.
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