"It's nothing urgent…," the Grand Priest said with an easy smile.
This kid is getting bolder by the day.
Barely grown and already trying to marry my daughter? In your dreams. I'm not answering—and I don't approve.
Let him stew on that.
"Nee, Grand Priest, I heard he's become a true angel?" Zeno asked.
"Yes, Zeno-sama," the Grand Priest nodded.
"Find time to meet him," Zeno said after thinking it over.
"Shall I summon Ken to pay respects now?" the Grand Priest asked.
"Not now. I'm going to play," Zeno chirped, and scampered off.
…
Universe 6, Earth.
Kame House.
Raditz's sudden arrival left Goku and the others staring in shock.
Calm as a still pond, Raditz smiled faintly at Goku. "You've grown, Kakarot. I recognized you at a glance—you're the spitting image of Father."
"Eh?" Goku looked lost.
"Who is this guy, and what's he talking about?" Krillin muttered, baffled.
Bulma's bright eyes flickered. That outfit—almost the same style Ken and Broly wore back then. And he called Goku "Kakarot."
Is he one of Ken's people?
"Kakarot, what's the status on this planet? Your mission was to wipe out Earthlings. Why are you dragging your feet?" Raditz's tone turned cold.
"Hey, I don't know who you are, but how about you head home," Krillin said, strolling over and wagging a finger with a grin. "Day-drinking like this isn't a good look. Go have some hangover tea."
"Krillin, don't go near him!" Goku barked, alarmed.
A whipcrack.
Raditz's tail lashed out and snapped across Krillin's face. Krillin's features twisted; he flew backward and crashed headfirst through the wooden wall.
"Krillin!" Goku shouted, furious.
"Ow—" Krillin groaned from inside.
Seeing he was still breathing, Goku's heart eased a notch—then his eyes snapped to the tail behind Raditz.
Master Roshi's gaze also tightened. A shiver ran through him as he remembered being grabbed by his shell and slammed around by Broly.
"A tail…" Goku's expression shifted.
"Hmph. So you do recognize it," Raditz said with a small smile.
"You—Bulma, is that the Ken you told me about?" Goku asked.
Bulma: "…"
"He's not Ken," Bulma shot back, shaking her head. "Ken's much better-looking."
"You… What did you say? Ken? You know Ken?" Raditz stiffened.
"Of course," Bulma said, almost smug.
"Where is he?" Raditz scanned the area.
"I don't know!" Bulma huffed, then pressed, suddenly excited, "He's your clansman, right? Isn't he with you? Didn't he say he was going to turn into a blue—an angel? Did you come to tell me where Ken is?"
Krillin: "…"
I'm literally face-down in a wall here.
Bulma, could you not bring up Ken every other sentence?
"You mean Ken isn't here?" Raditz exhaled, a shade relieved. "What about Broly? Not here either?"
"You… don't know where they are?" Bulma's guard went up.
"I don't," Raditz said, smiling.
"Don't be so happy yet. If you dare make trouble, Ken will come back and deal with you!" Bulma snapped.
"Will he? You can't even find him. Go on—have him hurry back," Raditz said, his smile widening.
Bulma fell silent, uneasy.
"Back to the point, Kakarot—do you truly not know me?" Raditz looked Goku over. "Did you hit your head and lose your memory?"
"I'm not Kakarot. I'm Son Goku," Goku said stubbornly.
"Answer the question. Did you lose your memory?" Raditz barked.
"It's hazy, but… yeah. I hurt my head as a kid," Goku admitted, pointing to his scar. "I still have the mark."
"I thought so," Raditz murmured.
"And so what?" Goku asked.
"Long ago, your grandpa Gohan told me he found a tailed child—wild and impossible to handle," Master Roshi said, sighing. "One day the child fell off a cliff and nearly died. His head wound was terrible, but he survived. From that day on, his temper vanished and he became a docile, obedient boy."
"That was me?" Goku asked.
Roshi nodded.
"I think Ken mentioned something like that… I didn't connect it to you," Bulma said, recalling.
"Ken? Did I meet him back then?" Goku scratched his head.
"Probably before you lost your memories. After the fall, you forgot," Bulma said, then rounded on Raditz. "If you're from the same race as Ken and Goku, why are you here?"
"Who exactly are you?" Goku's fists tightened.
"Hmph. Didn't Ken tell you what Kakarot came here for?" Raditz sneered.
"What else? Ken said your planet ran into trouble, so Goku came here as a refugee," Bulma replied.
"Childish," Raditz chuckled. "Fine, I'll give you the truth. I'm Raditz, Kakarot's older brother. We were born on Planet Vegeta. We are Saiyans—the strongest warrior race in the universe."
Goku and the others froze again—not at "Saiyan" (Bulma had talked about that), but at the word "brother."
"Goku's real brother?" Krillin asked, clambering out of the rubble.
"Truly blood-related?" Bulma pursed her lips.
"To clear this planet, Kakarot was sent here as an infant," Raditz explained with a smile. "We Saiyans are a warrior race—Ken must have told you that. Did he tell you our job? We locate habitable worlds, exterminate the inhabitants, then sell the planet at a high price to off-worlders—the Frieza Force's trade arm."
Bulma didn't answer—Ken hadn't put it like that.
But the image of Jaco flashed through her mind. Right… back then Jaco came to stop Saiyans from invading Earth—and Broly thrashed him anyway.
Thinking it over, Raditz might be telling the truth. Even so, Ken and Broly had never struck her as villains. And Goku… Goku had saved Earth several times.
"If a planet's inhabitants are strong, we send adult warriors. For low-tier worlds like Earth, an infant like Kakarot is enough," Raditz went on. "This planet has a moon. Give it a few years and you'd have wiped humans out, Kakarot. Have you forgotten your mission?"
"That's terrifying," Krillin whispered, color draining from his face.
"Hey—what does the moon have to do with me?" Goku asked, confused.
"Don't play dumb. When the moon's full is when a Saiyan shows his true power," Raditz laughed.
Bulma, Roshi, and Krillin stared, stunned.
"Speak plainly. I don't know what you're talking about," Goku said.
"Your tail… where is it?" Raditz's eyes narrowed—Goku's tail was gone.
"Didn't seem useful, so I got rid of it," Goku said honestly.
"You idiot! No wonder you get along with these Earthlings," Raditz snapped.
"That's enough. None of this has anything to do with me. I grew up on Earth. I'm Son Goku. Leave—now," Goku said flatly.
"Right… no matter the past, Goku's one of us now," Roshi nodded.
"And he's saved our world," Krillin added loudly. "So get lost."
"Hmph. It's not that simple. Did Ken mention this? Planet Vegeta was destroyed by a meteor long ago. Almost no Saiyans remain—our parents died in the blast," Raditz said. "Counting Ken and Broly, there are fewer than ten of us left. Your Earth hid well, but I found it by chance. Tough luck for you."
Goku fell silent.
"Leaving Ken and Broly aside—I recently found a planet that'll fetch a high price. It's tough for just three of us, so I thought of Kakarot. Your power's unfinished, but together we'll succeed." Raditz spread his arms and barked, "Awaken, Kakarot! Rejoice—Saiyan blood is boiling in your veins!"
"Keep dreaming. I'm not helping you," Goku said without hesitation.
"I noticed earlier—that little brat behind you is your son, isn't he?" Raditz asked with a grin.
"N-No!" Goku flinched.
Gohan dove behind Krillin, trembling.
"Quit lying. That tail is all the proof I need," Raditz said softly.
"What do you want?" Goku's face darkened.
"You're unreasonable as a father, so I'll take your son," Raditz said with a cold smile, striding forward. "Perfect that Ken and Broly aren't here. Even if they were, he's our kin—he wouldn't help you."
"Lies! Ken isn't a bad person! He wants to become the greatest god in the universe. He's not like you," Bulma shouted.
"Say whatever you like," Raditz said, closing the distance.
"Take one more step and I won't hold back," Goku warned, teeth clenched.
A knee like a hammer.
Raditz drove it into Goku's gut. Goku lifted off his feet and hit the ground, clutching his stomach with a ragged groan.
Raditz snatched Gohan by his little topknot.
"Papa!" Gohan wailed.
Roshi raised his staff but couldn't swing. Krillin shook, legs jelly, fists up but frozen.
"Waaaaah!" Gohan bawled.
"Kakarot, the boy stays with me. If you want him back alive, obey your older brother," Raditz said, lifting Gohan with one hand. "You have one day. Bring proof of obedience tomorrow. Simple task: kill one hundred people by this time tomorrow and pile the bodies on this island. Understand? I'll be waiting for good news. I don't want to kill my little brother's child."
Goku lay there feeling as if his bones had scattered. The gap in power was crushing.
"And don't think calling Ken will help you," Raditz added with a cold laugh. "He's one of us—a Saiyan of the warrior race."
Roshi and Krillin quaked. Bulma's face had gone white; she couldn't form words.
"By the way, Ken said this: Kakarot, you'll become Prince Vegeta's lifelong rival," Raditz sighed. "You can't even beat me. With that power, Vegeta's rival? Ridiculous. Shows how overrated Ken is."
He rose into the air with Gohan in tow.
"And your luck's run out. Once we clear that other planet, Earth is next," he called down, amused. "With the three of us, one month is enough to erase this planet. Killing a hundred people or all of them—what's the difference? Reflect, Kakarot. You'll stand with your brother. You have no other choice."
"Give me back my son!" Goku forced himself upright, teeth grinding.
"I await your answer," Raditz said—and shot away.
"Daaad!" Gohan cried into the distance.
"Gohan!" Goku's roar tore at his throat.
Raditz's laughter echoed across the sea.
"That bastard," Goku rasped, helpless as his real brother carried his son away.
"Are you okay, Goku?" Bulma asked, shaken. "I never thought Ken's clansman would be this rude… Ken and Broly were decent. Broly's a little slow, but he didn't do anything awful."
Roshi: "…"
He didn't? He grabbed my shell and used me like a flail.
I should never have told you that story.
"Sorry… we were no help," Krillin said, guilty.
"Flying Nimbus!" Goku called.
"Wait—don't rush in! He'll kill you," Roshi warned.
"You can't beat him right now," Krillin added.
Goku sank down, helpless. "Then what should I do?"
"Think," Roshi muttered.
"It's unbelievable. Finally finds family and it's… that guy," Bulma sighed.
"He's got nothing to do with me. I won't forgive him," Goku said, forcing himself to stand.
"What's the plan? He's way stronger than you," Krillin said, nervous. "We can't beat him."
"His tail—Saiyan tails are a weak point. Grab it and he loses his strength," Goku said darkly. "That's how it was for me."
"That's true," Roshi nodded. "Good idea."
"But how do we grab it?" Krillin asked.
"Alone? It'll be hard," Goku admitted.
Krillin: "…"
Roshi: "…"
A bad feeling washed over them both, though they still managed a wry smile.
"We'll do what we can," Roshi said, gripping his staff.
"Yeah. The three of us together… I'm not confident, and I still don't have a girlfriend," Krillin gulped, then turned to Bulma. "If we die, please ask Shenron to revive us."
"I'll handle it. Go," Bulma thumped her chest.
"Krillin… that won't work," Goku shook his head. "Shenron said once you've died, you can't be revived a second time. So this time… Krillin, and you, Master…"
Roshi: "…"
Krillin: "…"
They were speechless.
"Will you still help me?" Goku asked quietly.
"Of course," Roshi said, staff trembling.
"What do you think? This time it's our turn," Krillin said through quivering lips.
I'm probably dying today…
"If only the blue—Vados were here. She'd fix this in a snap," Bulma sighed. "Ugh… she freeloaded forever, but vanishes at crunch time…"
The three men fell silent.
After a moment, Goku turned to Bulma. "Do you have the Dragon Radar?"
"Right—Gohan's hat has a Dragon Ball," Bulma said, jolting to action. She dug out the Dragon Radar and handed it to Goku.
Goku studied it. The signal was moving fast.
"Where is he going? Space?" Bulma leaned in.
"He stopped. Still on Earth," Krillin answered.
"Good. Then we move," Goku said, fists clenched. He stared into the sky, as if he could see his son's small, frightened face. His heart cracked.
"You're right… maybe we win. Slim chance, but still," Krillin nodded.
"May as well go down swinging," Roshi said, rolling his old shoulders.
"You three won't cut it."
A voice drifted from the back room.
Piccolo walked out, unhurried.
Krillin jumped. "What are you doing here?"
"I tailed him," Piccolo said simply.
"You met him?" Goku asked.
"I did. You won't beat him with the two of you alone. I'm coming," Piccolo said. "You felt his power. He's beyond either of us solo—but together, we might bring him down."
"That makes sense… but why?" Goku asked.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not here for peace, and I don't care what happens to your son," Piccolo snorted. "He stands in the way of my world conquest. First we eliminate him and his two buddies—then I settle with you. The world will be mine again."
"I won't let you rule the world. But I'll work with you—enemy of my enemy," Goku said.
"I don't like it. Teaming up with you makes me sick," Piccolo grunted.
Goku didn't argue. He hopped onto the Flying Nimbus and gripped the Dragon Radar. Somehow, it felt heavier.
"Can you keep up?" Goku asked with a faint smile.
"Don't insult me. That puff of yours can't outpace me," Piccolo huffed.
They shot into the sky toward Raditz.
…
Universe 9, deep space.
Pow. Pow. Pow.
Broly and Majin Buu were still volleying Quitela through the void.
After more than an hour, their tempers cooled.
"Ptui, ptui, ptui!"
Buu spat on Quitela a few more times and felt much better.
"Wanna turn him into chocolate? I'll share," Buu grinned at Broly.
Broly: "…"
If you hadn't just spit all over him, maybe.
"I'll pass," Broly said at once.
"Fine," Buu said—and punted Quitela out of sight.
Ken didn't interfere with how they chose to handle him.
"What now, Ken?" Broly asked.
"You two haven't eaten anything good in a while, right?" Ken said.
Broly and Buu nodded vigorously. Buu even drooled.
"Then let's hit Earth and eat properly," Ken smiled.
"Earth?" Buu's eyes lit up. "Can I see Mr. Satan? The chocolate in his pocket is delicious."
"Is it the chocolate?" Ken wiped his brow.
Buu: "???"
"Either way—ground rule. No rampaging on Earth," Ken said, tapping his staff against the empty dark.
Crack.
A seam split open in space.
Buu's pupils shrank. He swallowed hard and nodded rapidly.
"Let's go," Ken said. Starlike brilliance spilled from his staff, wrapping Broly and Buu.
They streaked toward Universe 6 like a comet tail.
On the way, Ken pinged Vados again.
"My, my. Judging by the brightness of your angelic ki, your purity's at least fifty-eight," Vados said, impressed.
"What's yours?" Ken asked.
"Me? Sixty-eight," Vados giggled.
Ken: "…"
"Don't pout. I've trained for over a hundred million years. You haven't," she said, soothing.
"I'm not pouting. I'm thinking—if I marry you while I'm weaker, won't you bully me? I still can't beat you, right?" Ken mused.
"So you want to marry me… to beat me up?" Vados blinked.
"I prefer candles, whips, and handcuffs," Ken said with a mysterious smile.
Vados: "???"
"Did you reach Father? What did he say?" she asked, eyes glinting with mischief.
"He didn't say anything—which means tacit approval. Wait for me on Earth. I'm almost there," Ken said.
Vados had no words. Not answering is not approval.
She checked Ken's position—he was nearing the Null Realm. Slip through that, cruise a while, and he'd enter Universe 6.
"I'll be waiting," Vados said, then ended the call and flagged the waiter. "Please pack all of these to go!"
Three minutes later, Vados lifted off with a mountain of takeout.
By then Ken had already entered the Null Realm. Passing Universe 18, he glanced at the white planet and set down with Broly and Buu.
"After all this time, no change at all…" Ken murmured.
Amarella: "…"
You haven't fed this world a single drop of angelic ki. How is it supposed to change?
I told you to find a Supreme Kai, and you ran off to brawl with Gods of Destruction.
Now look—you even lost your own.
Amarella glared—though she did not take human form, only a diffuse drift of cosmic essence.
The essence pooled over the white planet, colorless and scentless.
Buu and Broly looked around, but of course found nothing to grasp.
"Who's talking?" Ken asked suddenly.
Buu: "???"
Broly: "???"
Both clapped hands over their mouths and shook their heads. Buu stared nervously at Ken's staff.
That thing hurts… Merus used to whack me with it all the time. And Ken cracked that mouse's skull with it…
Poor mouse. Did I kick him to death?
Buu's thoughts wandered.
"I heard someone muttering," Ken said, thinking.
"Wasn't me," Broly said, pointing at Buu. "It was him."
Buu glared. Some friend you are.
"I meant a woman," Ken said with a slow shake of the head. "Quiet now—let me find it."
They nodded and hushed.
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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