The warrior woman stood before them, tail swaying lazily behind her. Krillin was embedded in Roshi's house wall. Everyone stared at that brown furry tail, exactly like Kakarot's, exactly like Goku's, exactly like the five daughters'.
All eyes were wide with shock.
Bulma says. "She has... a tail..."
"Just like Kakarot," Chi-Chi whispered.
"Just like Papa," Gohana said quietly, gripping Chi-Chi's hand.
"Just like us," Mina added.
Only Goku, Kakarot, and the five daughters had tails. Only them.
And now this complete stranger, this powerful, terrifying stranger...
She had one too.
The warrior woman smirked, noticing their stares.
"Surprised?" She flicked her tail deliberately. "Did you really think you were the only ones?"
Roshi stepped forward, his usual jovial demeanor completely gone.
"Just who are you?" he demanded.
The warrior smirked.
"My name is Raditz," she said, her voice cold and sharp. "I'm a Saiyan elite warrior."
"Saiyan?" Krillin repeated, pulling himself up from where Raditz's tail had sent him crashing. "What's a—"
"What I am," Raditz interrupted, gesturing to her tail. "What Kakarot is." Her eyes locked onto Kakarot with disturbing intensity. "So, little sister... finally seeing your true kind, eh? About time you recognized your own blood."
Kakarot went rigid. "Sister? I don't know what you're talking about! I grew up here on Earth!"
"Don't play dumb with me," Raditz snapped. "You're telling me you don't remember anything? Not a single thing about who you really are? What you were sent here to do?"
"I don't know you!" Kakarot shouted.
Raditz's eyes narrowed. "Memory loss? Amnesia?" She studied Kakarot carefully.
Roshi's expression changed.
"You know something, old man," Raditz said, her scouter focusing on him. "Speak."
Roshi hesitated, then sighed heavily.
"It was Baba," he said quietly. "Goku told me years ago. When Kakarot first arrived on Earth as a baby, she was... different. Violent. Aggressive, Baba performed a memory wipe. Said it was necessary."
"Baba?" Bulma whispered. "Fortuneteller Baba?"
"Is that the truth ?!" Kakarot's voice cracked.
"Touching," Raditz said with cold disdain. "The humans 'protected' you by lobotomizing you. How kind." Her expression hardened. "Listen up, you pathetic Earth worms. Kakarot here? She ain't from this mudball. She was born on Planet Vegeta, home of the Saiyans! The proudest, strongest warrior race in the whole universe!"
"Saiyans? Planet Vegeta?" Kakarot shook her head desperately. "That's insane! I grew up right here, trained here, made friends, started a family!"
"Idiots," Raditz spat. "Kakarot was shipped here as an infant, sent to wipe out you weaklings and pave the way for conquest. Saiyans like us? We conquer worlds. Clear them of trash like you, then sell the real estate to the highest bidder across the galaxy. For soft targets like this pathetic rock, we send infants. Let them grow strong under your gravity, toughen up over the years."
Bulma's voice trembled. "You're saying Kakarot was sent here to... to kill us all?"
"That was the mission," Raditz confirmed. "Exterminate all human life. But thanks to your witch's meddling, that mission failed." She looked at Kakarot with disgust. "You became one of them instead."
Kakarot's fists clenched. "I don't care what you say! I'm not going anywhere with you!"
"Oh?" Raditz's expression turned cold.
She moved.
One instant she was ten feet away. The next, she was directly in front of Kakarot.
Raditz's kick caught Kakarot in the stomach.
Kakarot flew backward, crashing through the sand and tumbling across the beach before slamming into a palm tree. The tree cracked from the impact.
"KAKAROT!" Lunch screamed.
The mothers pulled their daughters back, shielding them.
Raditz didn't even look winded. She examined her hand casually. "Pathetic. You didn't even see that coming, did you?" She walked slowly toward where Kakarot was struggling to stand. "Know your place, little sister. You've gotten weak. Soft."
Kakarot coughed, blood on her lips. "How... how are you so strong?"
"Because I remember what I am," Raditz said coldly. "I didn't have my memories stolen. I didn't forget my warrior's pride." Her scouter beeped. "Your power level is 392. The difference between us is absolute."
She turned her attention to the five daughters, all huddled behind their mothers, tails wrapped around their own legs in fear.
Her expression changed.
"My, my," Raditz said, a strange smile crossing her face. "Five of them. All with tails." Her eyes swept over each girl. "You've been busy, haven't you, Kakarot? Finding strong opponents to conquer. Very productive."
"What?" Kakarot gasped, still on her knees.
Raditz looked back at her sister. "Don't tell me you don't even know this part?" She laughed, a harsh, bitter sound. "Of course you don't. Baba probably erased that too."
"Know what?" Bulma demanded, pulling Bula closer.
"Saiyans," she said slowly, "We reproduce through conquest." She looked at the five daughters with something like approval. "When we find a strong opponent, someone truly powerful, and defeat us or tie in battle, our biology responds. Our instincts take over. We become..." She paused, searching for the word. "...driven. Obsessed. Our libido explodes. We *need* to breed with them. To create offspring that combine our Saiyan strength with their power."
Kakarot's eyes widened.
Memories flooded back, that night after Goku defeated her Oozaru form. How she'd felt. The overwhelming need. The way she couldn't control herself. Acting like she was possessed.
"I understand now…" Kakarot whispered.
"Oh yes," Raditz said, watching her sister's realization. "That's what happened, wasn't it? He beat you. Defeated you completely. And then you couldn't resist. You had to have him." She gestured at the five daughters. "Multiple times, it seems."
Everyone was staring now.
At Kakarot.
At the daughters.
And then, slowly, all eyes turned toward the ocean, toward the direction where Goku had flown earlier that morning.
"Wait," Yamcha whispered. "Goku is a Saiyan-something"
"He has a tail," Bulma finished, her voice barely a whisper. "Just like them."
"Regardless," Raditz continued, turning back to the matter at hand. "You've clearly been following your instincts, even if you don't remember why. Five offspring. All half-Saiyan." Her expression hardened. "Though you've wasted your potential on this backwater planet instead of using your strength for conquest."
"I didn't waste anything!" Kakarot shouted, finally finding her voice. "I built a life here! I have people I care about!"
"How touching," Raditz said coldly. "Let me tell you about life, little sister. Planet Vegeta, our home? Gone. Destroyed twenty years ago in a meteor collision. Our mother, millions of Saiyan warriors, all vaporized in an instant."
The cruelty in her voice couldn't quite hide the pain beneath it.
"The Saiyan race is nearly extinct," Raditz continued. "There are only a handful of us left scattered across the universe. I've been searching for survivors. For family." She looked at Kakarot. "You're one of the last. My blood. My sister."
"I'm sorry," Kakarot said quietly. "I'm sorry that happened. But I can't—"
"Can't what?" Raditz interrupted. "Can't honor your heritage? Can't fulfill your purpose as a warrior? Can't help rebuild what's left of our race?"
"I have a life here!" Kakarot said desperately.
"A life?" Raditz's voice rose. "You have a DELUSION! You're playing house with humans! You've bred with some anomaly and created half-breed spawn!" She gestured at the crying daughters. "This isn't a life, this is a betrayal of everything we are!"
"They're not spawn!" Chi-Chi screamed. "They're children! Innocent children!"
Raditz's cold eyes fixed on her. "They're half-breeds. Diluted Saiyan blood mixed with human weakness." She activated her scouter, scanning each daughter one by one.
*Beep.* "Fifteen."
*Beep.* "Eighteen."
*Beep.* "Twelve."
*Beep.* "Fourteen."
Then she scanned the last daughter, Rori, who looked most like Kakarot with her wild hair.
*BEEP!* "Forty-five."
Raditz's eyes narrowed.
"This one," she said, staring at Rori. "The one that looks like you. She has the highest power level by far." She walked toward where Rori stood frozen behind Kakarot. "Interesting. The Saiyan blood is stronger in this one."
"Stay away from her!" Kakarot tried to stand, but her body was still too damaged from the kick.
Raditz moved.
She had Rori by the arm, lifting the four-year-old off the ground.
"NO!" Kakarot screamed.
"MAMA!" Rori cried out, struggling in Raditz's iron grip.
"Let her go!" Bulma shouted.
"Put her down!" Mai yelled.
All five mothers surged forward, but Raditz's tail whipped out, creating a barrier of air pressure that knocked them all back.
"Listen carefully, Kakarot," Raditz said, holding the crying Rori at arm's length. "You have one day. Twenty-four hours from right now. You will make a choice: Come with me, reclaim your Saiyan pride, and join our remaining warriors in conquest... or stay here with these weaklings."
Kakarot struggling to her feet. "don't hurt her. She's just a child!"
"She's a half-breed with potential," Raditz corrected. "Which makes her valuable." Her grip tightened slightly on Rori's arm, making the girl whimper. "I'll keep her with me. Consider it... motivation. If you refuse to join me, if you choose these humans over your own blood..."
Her eyes grew cold.
"I'll kill everyone you love. Starting with this one." She lifted Rori higher. "Let's see if having her Saiyan potential unlocked by force motivates you to remember what you are, sister."
"You can't!" Kakarot shouted.
"I can do whatever I want," Raditz said flatly. "I'm stronger than anyone on this planet. Your friends can't stop me. Your human lovers can't stop me. Even you can't stop me." She began to float off the ground. "Twenty-four hours. Meet me here tomorrow at this exact time with your answer."
"And if I refuse?" Kakarot whispered, already knowing the answer.
Raditz's smile was merciless.
"Then I'll show you what happens to Saiyans who betray their race."
She looked down at the terrified Rori in her grip.
"Starting with the evidence of your betrayal."
"MAMA!" Rori screamed, reaching out desperately.
"RORI!" Kakarot tried to fly after them but collapsed, too injured to move.
The other four daughters were crying. Nappi, Mina, Bula, and Gohana all sobbed in their mothers' arms as they watched their sister being carried away.
Raditz blasted off, creating a sonic boom that shook the entire island.
In seconds, she and Rori were just a dot in the sky.
---
15 Minutes Earlier, Small Village, East District
Another sonic boom echoed across the countryside.
Farmers looked up from their fields, shielding their eyes against the afternoon sun.
A figure descended from the sky, landing gently in the dirt road that ran through the village center.
She was tall, athletic, with long spiky hair. She wears a blue bodysuit with thigh cut, with a short leather jacket above.
And she was smiling.
A bright, excited smile.
"Excuse me!" she called out to a farmer loading his truck. "I'm looking for someone! A warrior named Goku, have you heard of him?"
The farmer blinked, startled by her sudden appearance and the strange tail behind her. "G-Goku? Can't say I have, miss. This is a small village. We don't get many fighters through here."
Her smile faltered slightly. "Oh. I was told he might be in this area..."
An elderly woman approached, curious. "Did you say Goku? I've heard that name before. On the radio. Something about martial arts tournaments years ago?"
The warrior's eyes lit up. "Yes! That's him! Do you know where I can find him?"
The old woman shook her head. "No, dear. But if you're looking for someone famous, you'd have better luck in South City. Lots more people there. Someone's bound to know where this Goku fellow is."
"South City," the warrior repeated, nodding eagerly. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
She floated off the ground, preparing to take off.
Then she paused, hovering a few feet up.
"I'm nervous," she said, more to herself than anyone else. A small laugh escaped her. "After all this time searching... I'm actually nervous."
She shook her head, smile returning.
Then she blasted off toward the south, leaving the confused villagers staring after her.
---
Same Time, Kami's Lookout
"I need help," Goku said flatly, hands in his pockets, standing before Kami.
The old Namekian studied him carefully. Mr. Popo stood nearby, silent as always.
"Help with what, Son Goku?" Kami asked.
"Training," Goku replied. "I'm stuck. I train, push myself harder and harder, but..." He paused. "No results. I'm not even breaking a sweat anymore. No progress. It's like I've hit a wall."
Kami's expression grew concerned. "That's... unusual for someone of your strength. Perhaps your body needs time to adjust to—"
"It's not that," Goku interrupted. He looked directly at Kami, his eyes hollow. "It's what happened inside the seal. When you locked me away."
Kami went rigid. "What happened?"
Goku explains what happened, staying vague.
Then Kami spoke carefully. "If what you're saying is true... if you experienced extended time and extreme conditions inside the seal... your body may have adapted beyond normal limits. Reached a plateau that requires guidance beyond what this world can offer."
"Guidance," Goku repeated.
"There may be someone who can help you," Kami said slowly. "But we would need to go to the realm of the dead. To seek audience with Kaio-sama."
Goku's head turned sharply, his eyes locking onto Kami with sudden intensity.
"Is that a threat?" he asked, his voice dangerously quiet.
Kami went pale, taking a step back. "What? No! I'm not—"
The air grew heavy. Oppressive.
Mr. Popo's smile faltered.
"I mean," Kami said quickly, sweating now, "travel there while living. A spiritual journey. Not... not death. I wouldn't,"
Goku turned away casually, looking out over the Lookout.
"It's a joke," he said, his tone completely flat.
Kami exhaled shakily. "Not very funny," he muttered.
Mr. Popo's smile returned, just slightly. There was something deeply unsettling about Goku's sense of humor.
Goku's thoughts drifted as he stared at Kami's back.
*His face… it reminds me of when he sealed me. Three years. That crushing void. The endless time. Aionia's face.*
*I want to puncture a hole in his chest.*
He shoved his hands deeper into his pockets.
"Kaio," Goku said aloud. "He can help with my training?"
"Potentially, yes," Kami replied, still recovering. "He is far beyond me in wisdom and power. If anyone can understand what you've experienced and help you break through your limits, it would be him."
"Fine," Goku said. "Let's go."
Kami nodded, stepping forward. He reached out to take Goku's hand.
Goku pulled his hand back sharply.
"What are you doing?" Goku asked, his voice cold.
"To teleport us," Kami explained carefully. "I need physical contact to bring you with me to the Other World."
Goku stared at him for a long moment.
Then, reluctantly, he stepped closer.
"You don't touch me," Goku said quietly. "I do."
He placed his hand on Kami's shoulder.
Kami didn't argue.
"Mr. Popo," Kami said. "Watch over the Lookout. We'll return when we can."
"Yes, Kami-sama," Mr. Popo replied.
Kami closed his eyes, focusing his energy. And then, in a flash, they were gone.
Mr. Popo stood alone on the Lookout, his eternal smile fixed in place.
---
Kame House, present time after Rori kidnaping.
Kakarot's fist slammed into the sand again and again, frustration pouring out of her.
"DAMN IT!" she screamed. "DAMN IT! DAMN IT!"
She looked up at the sky.
"KINTO'UN!"
"KAKAROT, NO!" Bulma ran forward, grabbing her arm. "You can't! She'll kill you!"
"I don't care!" Kakarot tried to pull away.
Mai grabbed her other arm. "Please! Think about it, there must be another solution, where is Goku !? "
"Rori needs me!" Kakarot shouted. "I can't just let her take my daughter! I CAN'T!"
"You'll die!" Bulma's voice cracked. "She's stronger than you!"
Kakarot's legs gave out. She collapsed to her knees again, the two women still holding her arms.
"I can't..." Kakarot said. "I can't just do nothing..."
Footsteps crunched in the sand.
"Come on, Kakarot!" Krillin's voice rang out, his fists clenched at his sides. "Let's go get her!"
Everyone turned to stare at him.
Krillin stood there, battered and bruised from being thrown through Roshi's wall, but his eyes were determined.
"Krillin..." Kakarot whispered.
"If something happens to Rori and I do nothing," Krillin said, his voice shaking but firm, "I'll never be able to face Goku again. Never." He extended his hand to Kakarot. "So let's go. Together."
Kakarot looked at his hand, then up at his face.
She smiled, grateful smile, and took his hand.
"Thank you, Krillin."
He pulled her to her feet.
"Besides," Krillin said, trying to sound confident, "Bulma and the others can gather the Dragon Balls. If we die, she'll just resurrect us, right?"
Kakarot's smile faded.
"No," she said quietly. "The Dragon Balls can only grant the same wish once. Goku already brought you and Bulma back to life before."
Krillin went pale. "What?"
"We die," Kakarot said, "we stay dead."
The island fell silent.
Krillin swallowed hard. Then he squared his shoulders.
"Doesn't matter," he said. "I'm still going."
"Krillin—" Bulma started.
"A child is in danger," Krillin interrupted. "Goku's daughter. Our friend's daughter. That's all that matters."
Kakarot nodded, turning toward Kinto'un.
"Wait."
Everyone froze.
The voice had come from behind Roshi's house.
A tall figure stepped out from the shadows, green skin, white cape, pointed ears, and a dark expression.
"Piccolo!" Kakarot gasped, immediately taking a fighting stance.
He walked forward slowly, his cape billowing behind him.
"Why are you here?" Kakarot demanded. "This isn't your fight!"
"That woman," Piccolo said coldly, "is a threat to this planet. A threat to my plans." His eyes narrowed. "She needs to be stopped. And since you're going after her anyway..." He stopped a few feet away. "Don't get any ideas. This is purely self-interest."
Kakarot stared at him for a long moment.
Then she nodded. "Fine. We work together. Just this once."
"Agreed," Piccolo said.
Krillin stepped forward. "Then let's—"
"No," Kakarot interrupted, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You're not coming, Krillin."
"What? But I just—"
"You're brave," Kakarot said gently. "And I'm grateful. But this is too dangerous. Even with Piccolo, we might not make it back." She squeezed his shoulder. "Someone needs to stay here. Protect the girls. Protect everyone."
"Kakarot..." Krillin's voice was thick.
"Please," she said.
Before Krillin could respond, small footsteps pattered across the sand.
"Mister Piccolo!"
Everyone turned.
Little Mina stood there, tears streaming down her face.
She looked up at Piccolo with huge, watery eyes.
"Please," Mina whispered. "Please save my sister."
Piccolo looked down at the four-year-old.
He turned his head away sharply.
"Hmph," was all he said.
But he didn't refuse.
Kakarot climbed onto Kinto'un. "Let's go."
Piccolo shot into the sky, following the fading ki signature before it got too far away.
Kinto'un blasted off after him, leaving the others behind on the beach.
---
Northwest, Raditz's Landing Site
The spherical pod sat in a massive crater, still smoking from atmospheric entry.
Raditz landed. She still held Rori by the back of her shirt, dangling the sobbing four-year-old like a piece of luggage.
"Stop crying!" Raditz snapped.
Rori's tear-filled eyes suddenly hardened. Her little eyebrows furrowed. "Papa's gonna come and beat you up!" she shouted. Then she kicked Raditz in the face. Her tiny foot connected with the warrior's cheek.
Nothing happened.
Raditz didn't even flinch. But she smiled, a cold, approving smile.
"You've got guts, girl," Raditz said. "You'll make a perfect recruit when you're older."
She walked to the pod and opened it, throwing Rori inside like a sack of rice.
"NO! LET ME OUT!" Rori screamed, pounding on the transparent door.
Raditz sealed it shut. The girl's cries became muffled. She climbed out of the crater, brushing dirt off her armor. Then she activated her scouter.
*BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP!*
"Power level 1358?!" Raditz spun around, looking at the pod. The reading was coming from inside. From Rori. Raditz frowned. "This piece of crap must be broken." She turned away, scanning the horizon.
*BEEP!*
"Power level 1307... in the distance?" She squinted at the reading. "Yeah, this junk is definitely broken."
*BEEP BEEP!*
Two readings this time. Coming fast.
322 and 345.
Raditz's smile returned. "This must be Kakarot and someone else. Did she finally decide to join me?"
She looked up. Two figures dropped from the sky, landing. Kakarot and Piccolo stood facing her, both ready.
"So, Kakarot," Raditz said casually. "Why did you come? Ready to accept your heritage?"
"Give me back my daughter!" Kakarot shouted. "NOW!"
"Is this how you talk to your big sister?" Raditz asked, genuinely offended.
"As far as I know," Kakarot said coldly, "I don't have a sister."
Raditz's expression darkened. Her eyes swept over Piccolo. "And you brought... this? You two actually think you can beat me?"
"You talk far too much," Piccolo said.
Then he reached up and removed his weighted turban. It hit the ground hard, His white cape followed, falling with surprising weight.
"You were wearing weights?" Kakarot asked, surprised.
"Yes," Piccolo said, rolling his shoulders. "Like you."
Kakarot nodded. She pulled off her undershirt, revealing her training weights beneath. Then her shoes. Then her wristbands.
Each piece of clothing fell with tremendous weight.
Raditz's scouter beeped rapidly.
"Your power levels rose," she said, reading the numbers. "But it's still not enough!"
She vanished.
Kakarot's eyes widened. *So fast—*
Raditz's elbow slammed into both of their backs simultaneously, appearing behind them in an instant.
They flew forward, tumbling across the ground before catching themselves and creating distance.
Both stood, breathing hard, staring at where Raditz stood smirking.
"She's fast," Kakarot said.
"And powerful," Piccolo added, wiping blood from his mouth.
Raditz laughed. "Let me tell you something that should motivate you to give up now: There are two other Saiyans in this universe. Both of them are far stronger than me."
Kakarot and Piccolo's eyes widened.
"You're not bluffing," Piccolo said quietly, reading her expression.
"Not even a little," Raditz confirmed.
Kakarot shot into the sky, scanning the area.
There, the pod!
"MAMA!" Rori's muffled voice cried from inside. "HELP ME!"
"Don't worry, Rori!" Kakarot shouted down. "I'm coming to save you!"
"Heh," Raditz said. "Don't get her hopes up."
Kakarot and Piccolo charged simultaneously from opposite angles.
Their fists and kicks came fast, coordinated, trying to overwhelm her.
Raditz blocked everything.
Block. Parry. Block. Deflect.
She moved like water, effortlessly redirecting their strikes.
Then she disappeared again.
*BOOM!*
Her kick caught both of them, sending them flying in opposite directions.
They recovered mid-air, landing hard.
Piccolo spat blood. "It's the second time we've teamed up against a stronger opponent."
Raditz raised an eyebrow, curious. "Oh? You two have fought together before?"
"Yeah," Kakarot said, grinning despite the pain. "That's funny, isn't it?"
"A stronger opponent than you two combined?" Raditz said, intrigued. "He must be skilled. But please, don't compare him to me." She flicked her hair dismissively.
Kakarot and Piccolo both smiled.
"Yeah, you're right," Piccolo said. "We shouldn't compare."
"Against Goku," Kakarot said quietly, "there was no hope."
Raditz's eyes widened.
"You little shits!" she snarled, clenching her fists. "Are you mocking me?!"
She blasted forward, rage in her eyes.
"Having someone stronger than you," Kakarot said, her voice growing louder, "makes you push forward!"
Her energy exploded.
*405... 450... 480...*
Raditz stopped mid-charge, her scouter beeping frantically.
"What?!"
Piccolo smirked. "I guess I wasn't the only one with an objective."
His own power began to rise, purple energy crackling around him.
*420... 450... 472...*
Both of them had been training with Goku as their absolute goal. An impossible standard that forced them to break their own limits just to survive.
To have any chance.
Raditz's scouter continued beeping, the numbers climbing higher than they should.
"This is impossible!" Raditz growled. "Low-class warriors don't grow this fast!"
Kakarot and Piccolo stood side by side, energy blazing around them both, eyes locked on Raditz.
---
South City, Same Time
A figure descended rapidly, landing in the middle of a busy street intersection.
Car horns blared. People shouted. Traffic screeched to a halt.
The warrior woman stood up slowly, her tail swaying behind her as she looked around with wide, amazed eyes.
"Wow..." she breathed.
Towering buildings reached toward the sky. Hundreds of people moved in every direction. Bright signs and screens covered every surface. Cars, buses, motorcycles, so many machines!
Her face lit up with pure, innocent wonder.
"It's so big!" she said aloud, spinning in a circle to take it all in. "I've never seen anything like this!"
People stared at her strange outfit, the light armor, the battle gear, and especially the brown furry tail.
"Is that a costume?" someone whispered.
"Must be some kind of promotional thing..."
A group of young men noticed her and nudged each other. She was beautiful, striking features, athletic build, and that innocent smile made her seem approachable despite her unusual appearance.
One of them stepped forward, putting on his most confident grin.
"Hey there, beautiful," he said smoothly. "That's quite the curious outfit you've got. You definitely don't look like you're from around here." He leaned against a nearby lamppost. "How about we show you around the city? Give you the grand tour?"
His friends snickered behind him.
The warrior woman turned to them, her smile brightening.
"Oh! No thank you!" she said cheerfully. "But could you tell me where someone named Goku lives?"
The guys exchanged glances.
"Goku?" The leader raised an eyebrow. "Never heard of him. Sounds like some stupid hillbilly name." He waved his hand dismissively. "Forget about this 'Goku' dude and come with us. We'll show you a much better time."
The woman's smile faded.
Slowly.
Her bright, innocent expression melted away.
Her eyes narrowed, sharp, piercing.
The lead guy felt something cold run down his spine. His confident grin faltered.
"Then you are no use to me," she said quietly, her voice completely different now, flat, dangerous, empty of warmth.
A small smirk traced across her face.
"Begone. Before we both regret it."
The young man took an involuntary step backward. His friends had gone pale, suddenly finding excuses to look anywhere but at her.
They didn't know why, couldn't explain it, but every instinct screamed at them that they were standing in front of something dangerous.
"Y-yeah," the leader stammered. "We... we gotta go. Uh, good luck finding your friend."
They practically ran away, glancing back nervously.
The warrior woman watched them go.
Then, as quickly as it had vanished, her gentle expression returned. Her eyes went wide and bright again. Her smile came back, innocent, wholesome, excited.
"I have to find him!" she said cheerfully to no one in particular.
She walked down the street, tail swishing behind her, stopping random pedestrians.
"Excuse me! Do you know where Goku lives?"
"Sorry, have you heard of someone named Goku?"
"Hi! I'm looking for a warrior named Goku! Do you know him?"
---
Northwest, The Battlefield
Kakarot and Piccolo stood side by side, energy blazing around them both, eyes locked on their enemy.
Raditz's scouter continued beeping, the numbers climbing higher than they should.
"This is impossible!" Raditz growled. "Low-class warriors don't grow this fast!"
"Let's go!" Kakarot shouted.
They charged.
The battle exploded into motion.
Kakarot came in low, spinning kick aimed at Raditz's legs.
Raditz jumped, flipping backward.
Piccolo was already there, fist driving toward her face.
Raditz twisted mid-air, catching his wrist and throwing him toward Kakarot.
They passed each other, adjusting instantly.
Kakarot fired a ki blast.
Raditz deflected it with her tail, the energy exploding in the sky.
Piccolo appeared behind her, rapid-fire punches.
Raditz blocked each one, her arms moving in a blur.
Then she caught his last punch, yanked him forward, and drove her knee into his stomach.
Piccolo gasped, spittle flying from his mouth.
Kakarot came from above, both fists raised.
Raditz caught her strike with one hand, stopping it cold.
"Not bad!" Raditz grinned.
She spun, throwing Kakarot into Piccolo.
They tumbled through the air, separating at the last second.
Kakarot fired a barrage of ki blasts
Piccolo came from the side with a devastating kick.
Raditz weaved between the explosions like she was dancing, each blast missing by inches.
She caught Piccolo's kick, spun him around, and hurled him at Kakarot.
They collided mid-air.
"You're stronger than I expected!" Raditz called out. "I'm actually having to try now!"
They separated, attacking from different angles.
Kakarot's fist grazed Raditz's cheek.
Piccolo's kick connected with her shoulder.
Raditz's expression grew serious.
"Alright," she said. "Enough playing."
She vanished.
Her kick caught Kakarot square in the stomach.
The impact was devastating.
Kakarot's eyes bulged. Blood sprayed from her mouth.
She flew backward, tumbling across the ground, slamming into a boulder that cracked from the impact.
"KAKAROT!" Piccolo shouted.
He threw a punch.
Raditz caught his fist.
Then grabbed his face with her other hand.
"Got you," she said.
She drove him downward, slamming his face into the ground.
But she didn't stop.
She flew forward, dragging his face across the earth, his body leaving a trench behind them.
Rocks tore at his skin. Dirt filled his mouth.
"You're pretty strong!" Raditz laughed, genuine enjoyment in her voice. "I could almost let us breed!"
She stopped suddenly, lifting him by his face.
Piccolo struggled in her grip, unable to break free.
"But then again," Raditz said, tilting her head, "Namekians don't have a gender, I think. What a waste of potential."
She threw him upward.
Then cupped her hands, energy gathering between her palms.
"HA!"
The ki wave caught Piccolo mid-air, engulfing him in golden light.
The explosion sent him crashing into the ground, his body smoking, cape burned away.
Kakarot struggled to her feet, clutching her stomach.
"Piccolo!" she gasped.
Piccolo lay motionless, steam rising from his battered body. His arm twitched, he was alive, but barely.
Raditz landed gracefully, walking slowly toward the fallen Namekian.
"Kakarot," she called out, not even looking at her sister. "Listen to me. We Saiyans are mercenaries. We get contracted to conquer planets, wipe out the natives, sell the real estate to the highest bidder." She stopped beside Piccolo's body. "If you join us, the four of us could finish this planet in a month. Maybe less."
"Never!" Kakarot screamed, dashing forward.
Raditz stepped backward casually, letting Kakarot's wild punch pass by her face.
Then her elbow came down.
Right on Kakarot's neck.
Kakarot crashed to the ground next to Piccolo, face-first in the dirt.
"Then it's too bad, sister," Raditz said coldly.
She raised her hand above Kakarot's head, energy crackling between her fingers.
Golden light gathered, growing brighter and brighter.
This was it.
"MAMAAAAA!"
The scream came from the pod.
Raditz paused, glancing over.
Then her scouter started beeping.
*Beep. Beep. Beep beep beep BEEP BEEP BEEP!*
The numbers climbed rapidly.
*900... 950... 1,000... 1,200... 1,400...*
And they weren't stopping.
"What?!" Raditz stared at the reading. "This stupid piece of junk!"
BOOM!
The pod exploded.
From the inside.
Metal tore apart like paper. The door flew off its hinges. Smoke and debris scattered in every direction.
A small figure stood in the wreckage.
Rori.
The four-year-old's tiny fists were clenched at her sides. Her hair stood slightly on end. Her tail lashed behind her like a whip.
But her eyes...
Her eyes had gone completely white.
No pupils. No irises.
Just blank, glowing white.
"LEAVE MAMA ALONE!" Rori's voice was too loud, too powerful for a child. "PAPA WILL COME GET YOU!"
Raditz stared at the little girl standing in the destroyed pod.
"Could it be," Raditz whispered, looking at her scouter, "that this thing isn't broken after all?"
An orange blur flashed across the battlefield.
Krillin appeared, grabbed both Kakarot and Piccolo, and leaped away, putting distance between them and Raditz.
Raditz barely noticed.
Her attention was fixed on the child whose power level was still climbing.
"Interesting," Raditz said, raising her hand. Energy gathered in her palm. "Let's see if a half-breed can survive this."
"NOOO!" Rori screamed.
She moved.
*BOOM!*
Her head slammed into Raditz's chest with the force of a cannonball.
Raditz's eyes bulged out. The air was knocked completely from her lungs.
CRACK!
Her armor shattered.
Raditz flew backward, tumbling across the ground, gasping for air. She crashed hard, rolling to a stop. Rori collapsed, falling face-first into the dirt.
---
The Realm of King Yemma
A massive castle loomed in the afterlife.
Beneath it, giant yellow clouds covered everything below, an endless sea of gold hiding whatever lay beneath in the depths of the underworld.
Winding paths led to the castle's entrance, lined with small flickering flames. But these weren't ordinary flames, they were souls. Thousands upon thousands of people who had died in the mortal world, waiting patiently in line for judgment.
Inside the castle, the space opened up into an enormous chamber.
At the far end sat a desk.
And behind it sat the master of this realm.
King Yemma.
A giant of a man, with crimson red skin and two massive horns protruding from his head. His black beard was meticulously groomed, and he wore a pristine business suit despite his monstrous appearance. His eyes were sharp, intelligent, and currently fixed on the two visitors who had just appeared before him.
Kami stood at the base of the massive desk.
Next to him stood Goku.
Hands in his pockets. Expression flat. Eyes wandering around the chamber with casual disinterest.
King Yemma leaned forward, his massive form casting a shadow over the two visitors. His eyes narrowed, focusing on Goku with an intimidating glare meant to make mortals tremble.
Goku's gaze drifted across the room, the ornate pillars, the endless paperwork stacked on Yemma's desk.
Then his eyes landed on the giant oni staring at him.
Goku stared back.
His eyes were hollow. Empty. But piercing, cutting through Yemma's intimidation like it wasn't even there.
A bead of sweat rolled down King Yemma's temple. He didn't blink. Didn't back down. But the sweat betrayed him. This mortal wasn't afraid. Not even a little.
Kami cleared his throat quickly.
"Please, great yemma !" Kami said, his voice respectful and humble. "I humbly ask that you permit this man to call upon Kaio-sama and seek his guidance in training!"
King Yemma broke the stare, turning his attention to a massive book that appeared on his desk. He flipped through pages.
"Let me see..." Yemma muttered, his voice like thunder. "Son... Goku..."
His finger traced down the page.
"Quite a list of commendable achievements here," Yemma said, raising an eyebrow. "Stopped the Red Ribbon Army. Defeated King Piccolo. Saved countless lives." He looked up. "But according to my records, you are not dead. So why are you here?"
Goku's expression didn't change.
"Is it a prerequisite," Goku said flatly, "to give my motives for you to accord me passage?"
King Yemma's eyebrow twitched.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
"You have quite the mouth," Yemma said, his voice low and dangerous.
"Pause!" A voice came from nowhere.
"But I can't let you go through without valid reasons," Yemma continued, though his attention was now split between Goku and kami.
Kami's eyes suddenly widened. His face went pale.
"What?" Kami whispered to the empty air. "Is it certain?"
Goku turned to him sharply. "What's happening?"
"M-Mr. Popo just informed me," Kami stammered, his voice shaking. "We have to go back. Right now."
"Why?" Goku asked.
"Your daughter," Kami said quietly. "One of your daughters has been kidnapped. By someone powerful. Kakarot, Krillin, and even Piccolo couldn't stop them."
Goku's eyes widened.
The air changed.
RUMBLE.
King Yemma's desk began to tremble.
Papers started sliding off the edges. Pens rolled. The massive book shook.
*RUMBLE RUMBLE.*
The entire castle began to shake.
Stone cracked. Windows rattled. The very foundations of the afterlife itself seemed to groan under sudden, impossible pressure.
And then they felt it.
Goku's ki, going from zero to overwhelming in an instant.
King Yemma's eyes went wide. Sweat poured down his face now, his massive hands gripping the desk to keep steady.
The souls waiting in line outside scattered, fleeing in terror from a presence they couldn't even see.
Workers in the castle stopped what they were doing, frozen in place, unable to move under the crushing weight of that ki.
Goku's voice cut through the trembling.
"Kami," he said quietly. "Get me back. Now."
Kami didn't hesitate. He stepped forward, placing his hand on Goku's shoulder.
"Hold on," Kami said.
*FLASH!*
The castle slowly stopped shaking.
King Yemma sat at his desk, breathing heavily, his suit soaked with sweat.
His workers slowly began to move again, looking around in confusion and fear.
"What..." one of them whispered. "What was that?"
King Yemma stared at the empty space where Goku had been standing.
He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his beard.
"And he was looking for Kaio-sama for training?" Yemma muttered to himself. "What kind of monster is he trying to fight that someone with that much power needs Kaio-sama"
He looked down at Goku's entry in his book.
*Son Goku. Currently living. Age 23...*
—
South City, 10 Minutes Earlier.
The warrior woman stopped a police officer on patrol.
"Excuse me! Do you know someone named Goku?"
The officer paused, looking at her strange outfit and tail. "Goku? That name sounds familiar... Wait, you mean the kid who won the World Martial Arts Tournament years ago?"
"Yes! That's him!"
The officer rubbed his chin. "I remember hearing he had connections to Capsule Corporation. The Briefs family. You might try there."
"Capsule Corporation! Thank you!"
She shot into the sky, leaving the officer staring upward in shock.
Dr. Briefs was in his garden when she landed, startling him so badly he nearly dropped his cigarette.
"Good heavens!" he exclaimed.
"I'm looking for Goku!" she said urgently. "Do you know where he is?"
"Goku? Oh yes, he went to Kame House this morning for a family gathering. Let me get you the coordinates…"
"Thank you!"
*BOOM!*
She was gone before he could blink.
The warrior woman landed hard on the beach.
Bulma, Chi-Chi, Mai, Lunch, Panchy, Yamcha, Oolong, Puar, and Roshi all spun around, immediately on guard.
The four remaining daughters huddled behind their mothers.
"Who are you?!" Bulma shouted, stepping protectively in front of Bula.
The warrior woman held up her hands, smiling gently despite their fear. "Please! I'm not here to fight! I'm looking for someone named Goku! It's very important!"
"Another one?!" Yamcha groaned. "How many of you people are there?!"
Then they saw it.
Her tail, swaying behind her.
"She has a tail!" Mina whispered, peeking out from behind Mai.
"Just like us!" Nappi added, her own tail curling around her mother's leg.
The warrior woman noticed the girls, all four of them with tails just like hers.
Her eyes went wide with wonder and delight.
"You have tails!" she said, her face brightening. "Are you... are you Saiyans?"
"We don't know," Chi-Chi said carefully, still protective. "But yes, our daughters have tails. Who are you? Why are you looking for Goku?"
"I need to meet him," the warrior woman said earnestly. "I've been searching, do you know where he is?"
"We're his wives," Bulma said slowly, watching for her reaction. "All of us. And these are his daughters."
The warrior woman's face lit up with pure joy.
"His family!" she exclaimed. "He has a family! That's wonderful!"
Her genuine happiness at this news seemed to ease some of the tension.
Little Nappi stepped forward, her blonde hair bouncing. "Miss? Are you strong?"
The warrior woman looked down at the four-year-old and smiled. "Yes, little one. I'm very strong."
"Then please!" Nappi's voice cracked, tears welling up. "Please help my sister! And Aunt Kakarot and Uncle Krillin! A bad lady took Rori and hurt them really bad!"
The warrior woman's expression changed instantly, from joy to fierce determination.
"Someone took your sister?" she asked, kneeling to Nappi's level.
"Yes!" Nappi sobbed. "She's really scary and strong and she—"
"I have the location!" Bulma ran over with the Dragon Radar in her hands. The screen showed a blinking dot. "Rori has the four-star Dragon Ball. She's northwest, about forty kilometers!"
The warrior woman looked at the radar, then back at Nappi's tear-stained face.
She reached out, gently rubbing the little girl's head.
"Don't worry, little one," she said softly, her voice full of warmth. "I'll save your sister."
She stood, her expression hardening with resolve.
"Family is the most important thing," she said firmly. "I won't let anything happen to her."
"But that woman is really strong!" Panchy warned. "She beat all of them without even trying!"
The warrior woman smiled, with confidence.
"Then I'll just have to try harder," she said.
She shot into the sky, ki blazing around her like a golden aura.
*BOOM!*
She was gone, flying northwest at incredible speed.
The families watched her disappear into the distance.
"Who was that?" Oolong asked.
"I don't know," Roshi said quietly. "But I hope she's strong enough."
Nappi clutched Panchy's leg, looking up at the sky where the warrior woman had vanished.
"She'll save Rori, right Mama?" Nappi whispered.
Panchy hugged her daughter close. "of course~ then papa will come help her~."
---
The Battlefield, Moments Later
Raditz struggled to her feet, armor shattered, clutching her chest where Rori had struck her.
The four-year-old lay unconscious a few feet away.
Raditz's face twisted with rage.
"That little brat..." she gasped. "Dared to strike me..."
She lifted her boot over Rori's small body.
"I'll crush you—"
*WHOOSH!*
A blur of motion.
Something moved so fast Raditz's eyes couldn't track it.
When she blinked, Rori was gone.
"What?!"
Raditz spun around.
Thirty feet away, near where Krillin knelt with Kakarot and Piccolo, dust was settling.
A figure stood there, confident and relaxed.
spiky hair. Light battle armor. Athletic build.
And in her arms.
Rori.
The warrior woman held the unconscious child gently, like she was made of glass.
"Another maggot!" Raditz snarled.
Krillin looked up at the newcomer, his mind racing to make sense of what just happened.
Then he saw it.
The tail.
Swaying behind her, just like Goku's, just like Kakarot's, just like all the daughters.
"Geh! Another Goku!" Krillin exclaimed.
Raditz's eyes narrowed, studying the newcomer. "Another Saiyan! We send a lot of babies through the galaxy. Weird we meet here."
The warrior woman turned to Krillin, a gentle smile crossing her face.
"Here," she said softly, kneeling down to hand him Rori. "Keep her safe."
Krillin's face went red.
She was beautiful, striking features, confident presence, and that warm smile directed right at him.
"U-uh, y-yeah! Of course!" he stammered, carefully taking the small child into his arms.
The warrior woman stood back up, her expression shifting from gentle to focused as she turned to face Raditz.
Raditz activated her scouter, scanning the newcomer.
*BEEP BEEP BEEP!*
Numbers appeared on the display.
"1400," Raditz read aloud, a smirk spreading across her face. "You strong! But not enough."
The two Saiyan women stared at each other across the battlefield.
Raditz at 1,600.
The newcomer at 1400.
---
The two Saiyan women stared at each other across the battlefield.
Raditz at 1,600, but weakened, armor shattered, breathing labored from Rori's devastating headbutt.
The newcomer at 1,400, fresh, confident, and smiling.
"You strong! But not enough," Raditz snarled.
The warrior woman's smile widened into a grin, bright, excited, eager.
"You know," she said cheerfully, "I've been looking for someone strong to fight! This is perfect!"
Raditz's eye twitched. "You're excited? I'm about to kill you."
"Yeah! That's what makes it fun!" The warrior bounced on her heels, tail swishing excitedly behind her. "Come on! Let's go!"
Raditz's face darkened. "Insolent."
BOOM!
The warrior moved.
One instant she was thirty feet away.
The next, her fist connected with Raditz's face.
CRACK!
Raditz flew backward, tumbling across the ground.
"Whoa!" Krillin gasped, clutching Rori protectively. "She's fast!"
Kakarot, still struggling to her feet with Piccolo's support, stared in shock. "She just... hit her..."
The warrior woman landed lightly, still grinning. "Come on! You can do better than that!"
Raditz spat blood, her face twisted with rage and pain. The impact had rattled her already-damaged body.
"You... BRAT!"
She charged, throwing a wild haymaker.
The warrior ducked under it easily, spinning and driving her elbow into Raditz's ribs.
"Too slow!" the warrior said cheerfully.
Raditz gasped, the air knocked from her lungs. She stumbled backward.
The warrior pressed the advantage, her movements fluid and natural, like she'd been born fighting.
A kick to Raditz's knee.
A palm strike to her solar plexus.
A spinning backfist that caught her temple.
Raditz crashed to the ground, gasping for air.
"She's... she's winning!" Krillin said, hope returning to his voice.
Piccolo's eyes narrowed. "The other one's already injured. That headbutt from the child did more damage than we thought."
The warrior woman stood over Raditz, smiling. " Don't try to get up.. "
Raditz stared up at her, panting, bleeding.
Then she started laughing.
A cold, bitter laugh.
"You think... you've won?" Raditz's hand moved to her scouter. "You think because you're landing hits... that means anything?"
The warrior tilted her head. "Huh?"
"You're naive," Raditz hissed. "Just like her." She gestured toward Kakarot. "You have no idea... what a real Saiyan warrior is capable of."
Energy began gathering in Raditz's palm, golden light crackling between her fingers.
But she wasn't aiming at the warrior woman.
She was aiming past her.
At Krillin.
At the unconscious Rori in his arms.
"NO!" Kakarot screamed.
The warrior woman's eyes widened, head snapping around to follow Raditz's aim.
*She's too far away.*
"HA!"
The ki blast erupted from Raditz's palm, a massive wave of golden energy tearing across the battlefield straight toward Krillin and the child.
Krillin's eyes went wide with terror. He couldn't move fast enough.
The warrior woman moved.
She appeared directly between the ki blast and Krillin, arms spread wide.
BOOOOOOM!
The explosion engulfed her completely.
"NO!" Krillin screamed.
The blast continued for three agonizing seconds before finally dissipating.
Smoke cleared.
The warrior woman stood there, arms still spread protectively.
Her light armor was cracked and smoking. Blood ran down her arms.
But she was standing.
And behind her, Krillin and Rori were untouched.
"Are you..." the warrior said, her voice strained but still gentle, "...are you okay?"
Krillin stared up at her, tears in his eyes. "You... you saved us..."
She smiled, a bit pained now, but genuine. "Of course. I couldn't let anything happen to..." She paused, looking down at the unconscious Rori. Something flickered across her face, something tender. "...to her."
Raditz stood slowly, breathing heavily, her body screaming in pain but her expression victorious.
"See?" Raditz said, wiping blood from her mouth. "That's the difference between you and me. I fight to win. You fight like a fool."
The warrior woman turned back to face Raditz, lowering her arms. Her movements were slower now, more labored.
"Maybe," she said, still smiling despite the pain. "But at least I'm not fighting alone."
She glanced back at Kakarot, at Piccolo, at Krillin holding Rori.
"Right?"
Kakarot struggled to stand, determination blazing in her eyes despite her injuries. "Right!"
Piccolo peeled himself off the ground. "Hmph. Don't expect me to thank you."
"I wasn't!" the warrior said cheerfully, then winced as pain shot through her damaged body.
Raditz's scouter beeped.
*945... 920... 890...*
The warrior's power level was dropping as the damage took its toll.
"You took a direct hit to save trash," Raditz said coldly. "Now you're going to die with them."
The warrior woman took her fighting stance again, tail swishing behind her, blood dripping from her arms.
Kakarot lay on the ground, breathing heavily, barely conscious. Blood dripped from her mouth. One arm bent at an unnatural angle.
Piccolo was slumped against a boulder, his gi torn to shreds, blood staining his skin. He could barely keep his eyes open.
The warrior woman knelt on one knee, armor cracked and smoking, burns covering her arms and shoulders. Blood ran down her face from a gash on her forehead.
And Raditz?
She stood in the center of it all, barely winded. Her armor had a few cracks from Rori's headbutt earlier, but compared to the others, she looked fresh. Ready. Dominant.
She smirked, surveying the carnage she'd caused.
"Pathetic."
Krillin knelt in the dirt, holding Rori protectively in his arms. His body was tense, terrified, but he refused to run.
The small child stirred.
"Mmm..." Rori's eyes fluttered open, unfocused and confused. "Uncle... Krillin?"
Krillin looked down at her, relief flooding his face. "Rori! You're awake!"
"Papa..." Rori mumbled, her eyes still glazed. "Is Papa here?"
Krillin's expression tightened. He glanced at the devastation around them, at Kakarot broken on the ground, at Piccolo barely breathing, at the mysterious warrior woman struggling to stand.
His jaw set with determination.
"Not yet, kiddo," he said quietly. "But he will be."
He gently placed Rori down next to Kakarot, who weakly reached out to pull the child close.
"Krillin..." Kakarot gasped. "Don't... you can't..."
Krillin stood up, turning to face Raditz.
He walked forward, placing himself between the warrior woman and the Saiyan elite.
"Get back," Krillin said to the warrior woman, not looking at her. "Take Rori and Kakarot and get out of here. I'm the only one still in shape to fight."
Raditz's scouter beeped.
*Power level: 206.*
She stared at the reading for a moment.
Then she started laughing.
"BAHAHAHAHA!" Raditz doubled over, clutching her sides. "206?! You're serious?! You're actually going to fight me with a power level of 206?!"
A bead of sweat rolled down Krillin's temple.
But his fists stayed clenched.
His stance stayed firm.
"Yeah," Krillin said, his voice steady despite the fear churning in his gut. "I am."
"You're going to die, little man."
"Maybe." Krillin's eyes hardened. "But I trained with Goku! Lived with him! We were rivals! He's my friend!" His voice rose, passion burning through the fear. "And everything precious to him is precious to me!!"
The warrior woman, hurt and bleeding behind him, stared at his back.
Then she smiled, warm, genuine, proud.
"If he made bonds like that..." she whispered, looking at Krillin with something like wonder. "Mama! You were right!"
Raditz stopped laughing, her expression turning cold.
"Goku, Goku, Goku!" she snarled. "I keep hearing this name! Call him already! I'll put him in the ground like the rest of you!"
Krillin took his fighting stance, the Turtle School stance Roshi had drilled into him years ago.
"You want him? You'll have to go through me first."
Raditz grinned. "With pleasure."
Raditz charged.
She was fast, far faster than Krillin.
Her fist came at his face like a bullet.
But Krillin wasn't there.
He ducked under the punch, spinning low and sweeping at her legs.
Raditz jumped, bringing her heel down where his head had been a second ago.
The ground cratered.
But Krillin had already rolled away, coming up with his hands cupped.
"Kamehameha!"
The blue energy wave shot toward Raditz.
She batted it aside with her tail, the blast exploding in the sky.
"Cute trick," Raditz said. "But."
Krillin was already moving, using the smoke as cover.
He appeared behind her, fingers extended.
Fired a ki blast at her feet to kick up dust.
Used the Afterimage Technique to create copies.
Kept moving, kept attacking from different angles, never staying still long enough for her to land a solid hit.
Raditz's face twisted with frustration.
"Stop running, you insect!". Then Raditz moved. Her knee drove into Krillin's stomach. The air exploded from his lungs. His eyes bulged.
He flew backward, slamming into the ground and tumbling across the dirt before coming to a stop.
"Krillin!" the warrior woman shouted.
Krillin coughed, gasping for air. He clutched his stomach, pain radiating through his entire body.
Then his hand touched something. Round. Small. His eyes widened. *The senzu bean!*
He'd been keeping it hidden in his belt.
He pulled it out, staring at the small green bean in his palm.
Then he looked at the warrior woman, battered, burned, barely able to stand.
She'd saved Rori. Saved Krillin. Fought Raditz despite being outmatched.
She's the best one to use it.
"Hey!" Krillin called out to her, struggling to his feet. "Catch!"
He tossed the bean toward her.
The warrior woman caught it reflexively, staring at the small object in her palm. "What... what is this?"
"It's a senzu bean!" Krillin explained quickly. "Eat it! It'll heal all your injuries!"
Her eyes widened. "Really?! That's amaz-"
Raditz moved like lightning.
One instant she was standing thirty feet away.
The next, she was right in front of the warrior woman, hand snatching the bean.
"No!" the warrior woman shouted.
"Give it back!" Krillin charged forward, desperation in his eyes.
Raditz's tail whipped out. It caught Krillin across the face, sending him flying. He crashed into the dirt. Raditz examined the senzu bean, turning it over in her fingers.
"A bean that heals all wounds?" She smiled. "How convenient."
She popped it into her mouth.
CRUNCH.
The effect was immediate.
Energy surged through Raditz's body like wildfire. Power flooded back into her.
Her muscles bulged. Her aura exploded outward, overwhelming.
Full power.
Completely restored.
"Oh," Raditz said, stretching luxuriously. "Oh, that's much better."
Krillin struggled to his feet, wiping blood from his mouth. "Damn it..."
"Let's try this again, shall we?" Raditz said.
She vanished.
Her fist slammed into Krillin's face before he could blink.
He flew backward, tumbling across the ground.
She appeared above him, bringing her heel down.
Krillin rolled aside just in time,nthe ground exploded where his head had been.
"Too slow!" Raditz laughed.
Krillin tried to counter.
Tried to use his cunning, his techniques, his experience.
But Raditz was fresh now. Fast. Powerful. Everything he tried, she countered effortlessly. Each hit sent Krillin flying.
"Krillin!" Kakarot tried to stand, but her broken body wouldn't respond.
Piccolo struggled to rise, but collapsed back against the boulder.
The warrior woman forced herself to her feet, raising her hand. "Stop! Leave him—"
Raditz appeared in front of her, driving a fist into her stomach.
The warrior woman gasped, doubling over.
Raditz grabbed her by the hair, lifting her off the ground.
"You're all so weak," Raditz said coldly. "This isn't even a challenge."
She threw the warrior woman aside like garbage.
Then turned her attention to Piccolo.
A kick to his ribs.
Then Kakarot.
A stomp that drove her deeper into the crater.
"Light work," Raditz said, dusting off her hands. "All of you. Just light work."
She surveyed the battlefield, everyone broken, bleeding, defeated.
Then her eyes landed on the small figure huddled against Kakarot.
Rori.
"First," Raditz said, walking slowly toward the child, "let me get that little runt."
She knelt down, reaching out and grabbing Rori by the collar of her shirt.
Rori's eyes went wide with fear. "Mama!"
"RADITZ!!!" Kakarot screamed, trying desperately to move but her broken body wouldn't respond. "LEAVE HER! DON'T KILL HER!"
Raditz lifted Rori into the air, studying the terrified four-year-old with cold calculation.
Then she smiled.
"I'm not gonna kill her," Raditz said, her voice almost pleasant. "She might be useful for us."
Krillin doesn't give up. Barely able to walk, he staggers forward, each step an act of pure will. "Let her go!"
Piccolo, Kakarot, and the mysterious woman watch as his small frame continues to stand defiant, refusing to surrender. Something about his determination ignites a spark within them.
"Krillin... you really are the best," Kakarot says, gritting her teeth as she forces herself to stand beside him.
"Kakarot" he breathes, surprised.
On his other side, Piccolo rises with a grunt. "Mmmph. If something happens to Goku's daughter, he'll unleash hell on all of us."
"Piccolo" Krillin said.
"Goku must be a wonderful person!" the mysterious woman declares, limping to join them.
The four of them stand together, barely upright, facing down Raditz.
"Adding weak to weak doesn't make you strong!" Raditz sneers, her voice dripping with contempt. "Why are you so stubborn? All this for a brat? What's so special about her? to sacrifice your own lives?"
Without answering, the four of them charge. Krillin fires ki blasts from the front. Raditz smacks them aside effortlessly. Piccolo and Kakarot rush from both flanks. She leaps, executing a split kick that catches them both. But the mysterious woman appears behind her, seizing her tail and squeezing hard.
Raditz's strength drains instantly. She drops to one knee, her grip on Rori loosening. "What?! No! Let go of my tail!"
The woman smiles grimly. "No chance!" She squeezes harder.
Like lightning, sharp pain lances through the woman's arm, the delayed effect of the earlier ki blast. Her grip falters. Raditz feels it immediately. She donkey-kicks backward, her boot connecting with the woman's face and sending her flying.
"No more moral support," Raditz snarls.
She dashes toward Krillin, driving him into the ground. A ki ball forms in her free hand, growing brighter as she prepares to end him. Rori kicks frantically from her other arm. "Let go of Uncle Krillin!"
Krillin closes his eyes.
Kakarot, Piccolo, and the woman try desperately to rise but tumble back down.
"Leave him alone! Come at me, coward!" Kakarot screams.
The ki ball becomes blinding white-
"Huh?!"
Raditz freezes, confusion washing over her face. She looks down at her arm. Rori isn't there. She looks beneath her. Krillin has vanished. Her head whips around frantically. She spots Kakarot, Piccolo, and the woman in the distance, they haven't moved, but they're staring past her at something behind her.
"What happened?! Where are they?!"
She spins around, following their gaze.
A tall figure kneels on the grass, his back impossibly broad. Krillin looks around in confusion, then up, and sees a familiar face wearing an annoyingly smug smirk.
Krillin's face lights up with a slow, impossibly wide smile.
"Goku!!"
Rori is still kicking, eyes squeezed shut, until she hears Krillin's shout. Her eyes snap open. She sees her papa holding her. A smile traces across her face before her eyes immediately fill with tears. She bursts into sobs, wrapping her arms tight around his neck.
"PAPAAAA!"
He places one large hand on her tiny back, rubbing gently. "Don't worry. I'm here now. Everything's going to be alright."
Kakarot's face lights up as she falls back onto the grass, finally able to relax. "Finally!"
Piccolo does the same, hiding his smile.
"Is that... Goku?" the mysterious woman whispers. She watches his tender interaction with his daughter, relief and sadness mixing on her face.
Raditz stands frozen in shock. She saw nothing. She felt nothing. How did he-?
"Y-you're this Goku?! Another piece of scum. Come on, I'll teach you a lesson too!" She tries to sound confident, but her voice wavers.
"Mind your language. There's a child present," he says calmly.
He begins to peel Rori away from him. She clings like a baby monkey, eyes still streaming tears. He smiles at her and gently sets her on the ground.
"Take care of Krillin for me. I need to go see how mama is doing."
She rubs her eyes and clenches her tiny fists. "Yes, Papa!"
She turns and runs to Krillin, trying to help him up. As soon as Rori's back is turned, Krillin catches a glimpse of Goku's face. His smile has vanished, replaced by a deep frown and eyes wide with barely contained fury. It's terrifying. Krillin has never seen Goku look like that before. A chill runs down his spine.
Goku stands and turns toward Raditz.
She smirks. "Let's see what you've got." She taps her scouter. Beep. Beep. "Two? TWO?!"
She bursts into laughter. "That's ridiculous! I don't know what trick you pulled earlier, but this is pathetic!"
Goku begins walking toward her slowly.
"Are you certain you want to do this?" Raditz continues. "Tell you what, I'll be generous. You get the first hit. I won't even defend myself!"
Goku keeps walking, his expression unchanging.
"Looking at you more closely, you're quite handsome. I'll let you join my harem. You'll be the first." She grins.
Goku walks past her without a word.
"Huh?!"
She spins around. For a moment, she can't move, her body freezes involuntarily.
Goku kneels beside Kakarot, gently lifting her by the shoulders. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," she winces. "I think my arm is broken."
"Don't worry. I'll have Kami bring senzu beans."
"How DARE you..." Raditz's voice rises, trembling with rage. "How DARE you ignore me!"
She lunges forward, reaching to grab his hair. Without looking, Goku flicks his arm backward. Two fingers tap her stomach lightly-
BOOM.
The sound is deafening. A crater forms in her armor. Her eyes bulge. She spits, all air forced from her lungs in an explosive gasp.
"Just hang in there for a moment," Goku says with a gentle smile to Kakarot, still not looking at Raditz.
The mysterious woman stares at him, her eyes wide. "It's beyond what she told me..." she whispers.
Raditz is still doubled over, gasping for breath. Goku stands and turns toward her.
"Y-you... you *cough*... you concealed your power level too?" she manages between ragged breaths.
She taps her scouter again. Beep. Beep. Still reading two.
"You're a worm," she spits, clutching her stomach. *But how... how could one casual strike weaken me this much? Even that girl's full-power headbutt and she had a power level over 1,400!! didn't affect me like this...*
Beep. Beep. Beep.
"What's that? Your power level is increasing!"
She looks up at him. He's staring at her with that piercing glare, as if daring her to read the numbers again.
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beepbeepbeepbeepbeep—
The readings accelerate. 1,500. 1,600. 1,700. 1,800.
Raditz's face drains of color. "He passed me... and it's still growing. It keeps going faster!"
2,950. 3,500. 4,800. 9,000. 12,000. 16,000. 19,000. 24,000—
CRACK.
The scouter explodes against her face. She flinches, squeezing her eyes shut.
When she opens them, Goku raises an eyebrow. "That's it? That's the maximum your device can measure?"
She can't believe it. She stares at the sparking fragments on the ground. *Impossible! How can it just explode?! It must be malfunctioning. Those numbers it gave for the little girl were insane, and him!? 24,000?! And it was still climbing when it broke! It has to be broken! But... that punch... I almost threw up. It was so-*
She looks up.
Goku is inches from her face, looking down. She was so lost in thought she didn't see him move. Her eyes go wide, terror flooding through her. She can't move, his gaze is like Medusa's, petrifying her where she stands.
A sharp noise cuts through the tension.
Kami materializes beside them. "Son Goku! I have the senzu beans."
He distributes them quickly. Kakarot catches hers and immediately jumps up, fully healed. Piccolo takes his with a grunt. Krillin accepts his gratefully. Rori runs to her mother and hugs her tight.
Kami looks at the mysterious woman and offers her one as well.
"Th-thank you," she stammers.
"Throw one to me too," Goku calls.
Kami takes another bean, but before he can toss it, Rori snatches it from his hand and runs toward her father. She arrives at his legs and stretches her arm up as high as she can.
"Here, Papa!"
Goku smiles and takes it from her small hand. "Thank you, sweetheart."
His expression becomes serious again. "Now everyone go. I need to be alone." His eyes find Rori. "You too, Rori."
She pouts but walks back to her mother.
"Papa!" she calls out from Kakarot's arms. "She's a bad person! She hurt everyone! But... don't kill her, okay?"
He smiles softly. "Kill ? You know what kill means… Don't worry."
Kakarot summons Kinto'un. Piccolo takes to the air. Krillin begins to float upward.
"Krillin!"
"Yeah?" Krillin pauses, hovering.
Goku keeps his eyes on Raditz, not turning to face his friend. "Thank you."
Krillin smiles. "What would you do without me?"
He flies off toward Kame House. Goku chuckles quietly. "You're right..."
Kami approaches before teleporting. "Come see me afterward. There's something I need to teach you."
He vanishes.
Goku stands alone with Raditz, and the mysterious Saiyan woman still lingering behind him.
"What do you want?" he asks without looking back.
"I-I w-wanted to meet you. And a-ask you... My n-name is Eve-Eve-Evel-"
"Listen, Eve," he interrupts, his voice low and measured. "I need some time alone with her. Go join the others. I'll come to Kame House later."
"But my na- O-okay..."
She takes off reluctantly, glancing back at them several times.
Raditz is still holding her stomach, weakened by Goku's casual strike. "So what now?! You want to kill me?! Do your worst!"
Now it was just the two of them.
Goku took the senzu bean Rori had given him, rolling it between his fingers. Raditz clutched her stomach, still doubled over from his earlier strike.
"Coward!" she spat. "If I was fine, I could easily defeat you! This is just a broken scouter!"
Goku placed the senzu halfway into his mouth and bit down. *Crack.* The bean split cleanly in half. He kept half on his tongue.
"Your power level isn't that high!" Raditz continued, trying to convince herself more than him.
Goku's hand came up, cupping her face. His thumb pressed deep into her cheek, making her lips pout and part with a soft *pop*.
"Let go of my face, human scum! Only the strong are permit- MMMHHHFFF!?"
Goku sealed his lips over hers.
Her eyes flew wide open in shock. Then she felt it, his tongue pushing into her mouth, warm and insistent. The half senzu bean rolled from his tongue onto hers, but he didn't pull away.
His tongue pressed against hers, making sure the bean transferred completely, the wet contact deliberate and thorough.
Heat radiated from where their mouths connected, his hand still cupping her face, holding her in place. The wet slide of tongue against tongue, the pressure of his lips, the intimacy of it.
Raditz's fists came up, pounding against his chest. But her strikes grew weaker, slower, until her hands simply rested against him. Her face burned crimson. Her heart hammered so hard she thought it might burst.
A strange heat pooled low in her belly, spreading through her limbs. She'd never felt anything like this, this confusing mix of anger and something else, something that made her body respond in ways she didn't understand.
*What is... why am I...*
Goku pulled back. Their lips separated with a loud, wet *pop*. A string of saliva connected them, stretching between their mouths before finally breaking.
Raditz couldn't breathe properly. Not from lack of air, but from pure, overwhelming arousal. Her breathing came in harsh pants. Her face showed an expression of complete euphoria, eyes half-lidded and unfocused, lips still parted.
"What... why did... you..." she managed weakly, her voice barely a whisper.
Her face lifted slightly toward his, unconsciously seeking more contact.
Then the senzu took effect.
Energy exploded through her system. The pain vanished. Her strength returned completely.
She straightened, looking at him. "Why did you heal me?"
Goku turned his head to the side and spat hard. *Ptuh!* He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, dragging it across his lips as if cleaning off something distasteful.
"GAH!! Did you just wipe your mouth!? MY KISS!!! YOU SCUMBAG!!!"
Fury exploded through her. She wound up and drove her fist straight at his face with everything she had.
Her fist connected.
And stopped.
Didn't move him an inch.
She threw another punch. Then another. Hammering at his face with all her restored strength, her fists becoming a blur.
"Why did I heal you?" Goku said calmly, speaking while she continued her futile assault. "To show you that even at your full potential, the desperation…"
He raised his hand casually and tapped her shoulder. Just a light strike.
Her shoulder pad shattered. The force drove through her armor and into her body. She crumpled, falling to her knees, vision going white. She nearly passed out from that single, casual tap.
*No... it can't be...*
She stayed there on her knees, breathing hard, trying to process what just happened. One tap. Just one casual tap and she was nearly unconscious. Even at full power. Even completely healed.
The gap wasn't just large. It was insurmountable.
Then something shifted in her body.
Her chest began rising and falling rapidly, not from exertion, but from something else entirely. Heat flooded through her, pooling low in her belly, spreading like wildfire.
Her tail, which had been hanging limp, suddenly stiffened and began swaying erratically behind her.
*What... what is this feeling?*
Her hands moved on their own, pressing between her inner thighs. She squeezed her legs together, trying to contain the sensation, but it only intensified. Her face burned crimson. Her pupils dilated.
This was wrong. This shouldn't be happening. She was an elite warrior. She didn't- she couldn't-
But her body disagreed.
Every Saiyan instinct she possessed was screaming at her. This male, this impossibly strong male, was everything her biology had been programmed to seek since birth. Superior strength. Overwhelming power. Complete dominance.
*I've never... in my entire life, I've never felt this.*
No male had ever dominated her before. She'd fought countless battles, defeated powerful opponents, but never had anyone made her feel so utterly helpless, so completely outclassed.
And her body was responding to it.
Her breathing grew heavier, her chest heaving with each desperate inhale. She couldn't stop it. Couldn't control it. Her tail wrapped around her own waist, squeezing, as if trying to anchor her to reality.
She looked up at him through half-lidded eyes, and suddenly all she could think about was closing the distance again. Her body moved on its own, lunging forward, seeking his lips.
Goku sidestepped.
She tried again, reaching for him.
He dodged easily.
Again. And again. She kept trying to kiss him, driven by an instinct she couldn't control or understand.
"She's just like Kakarot that day..." Goku muttered, backing up. "Back up! or I'm gonna slap you like Connery!"
Raditz didn't back up. She lunged forward one more time.
*SLAP!*
Goku's palm cracked across her face. Her head snapped to the side. Her eyes rolled back.
She collapsed.
Raditz fell onto the grass. He sat down beside her unconscious form, his expression thoughtful.
"I noticed her tail earlier."
He reached around to her back, grasping her tail. Then he pulled his own tail from where he kept it wrapped around his waist. He held them side by side.
His was longer. Thicker. But otherwise... identical.
"Only me and Kakarot had the same tails. And the girls..." He studied both tails carefully. "Could it be we're the same?"
He settled down beside her, waiting.
---
Time passed. The sun continued its descent toward the horizon.
Raditz's eyes fluttered open. She blinked, disoriented, her mind foggy. She looked around, trying to remember.
Then she saw him.
Goku lay on the grass next to her, hands behind his head, completely relaxed. Like he didn't have a care in the world.
Raditz scrambled backward, her heart leaping into her throat.
Sharp pain lanced through her shoulder. She dropped to one knee, clutching it. "What did you do to me!? What-"
He said nothing, just slowly curled his middle finger inward repeatedly while maintaining perfect eye contact, his expression completely deadpan.
Her face went from pale to scarlet in an instant, teeth clenching so hard they might crack. "Worthless human! I can't-I can't-" She sputtered, too flustered to even form a proper threat, her fists shaking at her sides. "You're DEAD when I-!"
Then she saw it.
His tail, swaying lazily behind him.
Her eyes went wide. "That tail... what ARE you!?"
Goku sat up casually, turning to look at her. "I don't know. Maybe like you and Kakarot."
"IMPOSSIBLE!"
"Why? How can you be so sure?"
"I'm not sure, I'm CERTAIN!" Raditz's voice rose, almost panicked. "Male Saiyans don't exist!"
---
In a galaxy far from Earth, on a desolate planet littered with corpses, two women sat on a fallen trunk, tearing into what remained of an insectoid alien. The larger one, built like a fortress of muscle and scars, with a mohawk, ripped off a chitinous leg with her teeth. Beside her, a smaller figure with spikey hair sat with perfect posture despite the savage meal.
"Communication's been cut," the large one said, spitting out a piece of shell. "Raditz is probably dead."
"Serves her right." The smaller woman didn't look up, eating from an armored arm. "Getting defeated by worms."
"Apparently there's another Saiyan there other than kakarot. And children." The large one wiped purple blood from her mouth. "Is it even worth going?"
The smaller woman had gone completely still, the alien arm frozen halfway to her mouth. She stared at nothing, but her eyes burned with something dangerous.
"Goku..." The word came out as barely a whisper. "It can't be..."
The armored limb crushed under her grip, purple gore splattering across the dirt.
"It's NOT him!" She snarled, loud enough to send smaller creatures scurrying from nearby corpses.
"What's wrong with you?"
The smaller woman stood abruptly, brushing alien remains from her battle suit with sharp, aggressive movements. "We're going to retrieve Raditz's body."
The larger one's eyebrows rose. In all their years together, she'd never shown an ounce of sentimentality for fallen comrades. This wasn't about Raditz.
They climbed into their pods without another word. The coordinates locked: Earth.
One year. In one year, they would arrive.