"In that case, let's part ways here," Ken said, not forcing the matter.
"Yeah, yeah, go on. We Saiyans have our own way of fighting—we don't need your support," Vegeta snorted.
"Do your best. I hope the next time we meet, your power level will have improved… and won't still be stuck at 18,000," Ken said as he patted Vegeta on the shoulder.
"Hmph! Next time we meet, my power level will have already surpassed 100,000!" Vegeta replied confidently with a grin.
"Mhm," Ken nodded slightly.
"That half-hearted 'mhm' of yours really ticks me off," Vegeta growled.
"Take care, Vegeta," Ken said before flying up into the sky.
"Hey, Ken! You're not coming with us?" Raditz waved after him. "Even if your power level's kinda low, you could still handle logistics or something!"
"Yeah, why not team up?" Nappa added.
Ken didn't respond. He quickly entered the spaceship.
Whoosh!
The ship lifted off, pierced through the planet's atmosphere, and departed into space.
"Goodbye!" Raditz waved one last time.
"…Crap!" Vegeta's pupils shrank, and his face twisted in frustration.
"What is it, Prince Vegeta?" Nappa asked, puzzled.
"That bastard Ken… he took the small spaceship!" Vegeta gritted his teeth, his whole body trembling with fury.
"What?! Then what do we do?" Raditz was dumbfounded.
"That was MY spaceship, damn it!" Vegeta exploded with rage.
"There are still two of those spherical pods on this planet," Nappa pointed out. "Do we go after him?"
Vegeta: "..."
Go after him? What a joke.
That thing was a mothership.
There's no way we can catch up to that.
"…Forget it. Let's clean up this planet and head to another one," Vegeta ordered after a moment of thought.
…
Ken piloted the ship through the starry expanse, leaving a trail of brilliant light behind.
He had already made up his mind—to head to Planet Vampa.
If Ken truly intended to become an angel in the future, then he'd need a God of Destruction to act as his subordinate.
Originally, he had planned to groom Vegeta for that role.
But after seeing Vegeta's wild, defiant personality, Ken changed his mind.
Why waste effort on someone so hard to manage when he could raise a more obedient follower instead?
After careful consideration, Ken realized Broly was an excellent choice.
Broly was the Legendary Super Saiyan, after all, and his strength was unquestionable.
He might even already have a power level in the millions by now.
Ken couldn't help feeling a little excited—his own Saiyan blood seemed to stir in anticipation.
It would take at least six days to reach Planet Vampa, so Ken spent that time once again refining and purifying his Divine ki.
The six days flew by.
Looking through the ship's window, Ken saw a dull yellow planet in the distance—Planet Vampa.
It was a harsh, desolate world, devoid of vegetation and even liquid water.
The planet was constantly battered by sandstorms, the howling winds like beasts crying out in the wild.
This was where Broly lived.
Broly was about the same age as Ken—five years old.
When he was three, King Vegeta had exiled him to this planet.
His father had accompanied him, but their spaceship malfunctioned and became inoperable.
Barring any miracles, the two would be stranded here for forty years.
During the journey, Ken's Divine ki had further refined… but unfortunately, it still hadn't reached Level 9.
He was stuck at Level 8.
Ken was eager to push it to Level 10, which—according to his theory—might unlock the Super Saiyan God transformation.
His eyes were full of anticipation.
Suspending his ship above Planet Vampa, Ken hit the hatch release button.
Clunk!
Then he soared out of the ship.
Whoosh!
Ken plummeted rapidly toward the planet's surface.
…
On the surface of Planet Vampa, inside a natural cave riddled with insect eggs…
"It's been two years! Two damn years I've been stuck here!" Paragus looked up at the endless yellow skies, his expression filled with despair.
Nearby, Broly was happily munching on insect eggs, enjoying them like a fine delicacy.
Paragus turned to glance at his son—and nearly gagged again at the sight of him eating those disgusting things.
How could anyone eat that?!
This planet was hellish.
Aside from those eggs, there was nothing edible.
Not even a drop of clean water.
How long were they supposed to live like this?
Curse that damn King Vegeta!
"Broly, I'm going to search further today. Maybe if I go far enough, I'll find something better," Paragus declared stubbornly.
He had explored most of the planet already, but there were still a few areas left unchecked.
Who knew? There might be an oasis at the edge of the desert.
Broly nodded obediently.
Paragus flew off into the raging sandstorm, soon vanishing from sight.
Moments after Paragus left, Ken descended from the sky, landing directly in front of Broly.
Broly looked up, curious, and studied the stranger.
"Broly?" Ken greeted with a smile.
Broly blinked in confusion, then gave a small nod.
"Attack me with everything you've got. Let me see what you can do," Ken said, gesturing for him to come.
Broly hesitated briefly, then nodded again.
In the next moment, a burst of energy exploded from Broly's body as he lunged at Ken.
Ken quickly gauged his power.
This kid really is something.
The Legendary Super Saiyan… lives up to the name.
Even with just a minor power-up, his battle power had already reached 100,000.
As Broly's fist shot toward him, Ken raised his left hand, and Divine ki flickered in his palm.
Smack!
Broly's punch landed squarely in Ken's hand.
Ken caught the strike effortlessly.
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]