Time passed.
Soon enough, Goku reached the dwelling of Guru, guided by Krillin and Gohan.
By this point, every Namekian knew of Goku's arrival and what had taken place earlier on the distant island.
Guru had sent word to every village.
So when they saw Goku, the Namekians greeted him with genuine respect.
For two reasons:
First, Goku was undeniably powerful.
Second, the moment he had arrived, he helped defeat one of the invading threats.
Of course…
Goku's strength, impressive as it was, did not come close to Vegeta's.
The Namekians had felt the battle between Vegeta and Frieza.
That overwhelming, planet shaking pressure.
The gap between the two Saiyans was like night and day.
When Goku, Krillin, and Gohan finally reached Guru's door, Goku could not help but stare at Nail's immense power and physique.
He remarked immediately that Nail looked just like Piccolo.
Nail simply nodded, unmoved.
He had already learned about Piccolo's history from Krillin and Gohan and felt nothing strange about the comparison.
He studied Goku carefully and sensed no cruelty or malice.
Goku's ki was warm and honest, completely different from Vegeta's sharp, oppressive aura.
And after his worldview had been shattered by Vegeta's cold words, Nail's prejudice toward outsiders had weakened.
"Go inside," Nail said calmly.
"Grand Elder has been waiting for you."
Goku nodded and stepped inside with Krillin and Gohan behind him.
It was the first time Goku had ever set eyes on Guru.
Just like before, Krillin and Gohan froze when they first saw Guru's giant form.
Even Goku was stunned for a moment.
But Guru only smiled gently.
"At last… I am able to meet you while I still draw breath, Saiyan from Earth."
His voice carried warmth and weight.
Krillin and Gohan did not understand what he meant.
But Goku did.
Their spirits brushed together for an instant, and Goku's expression grew serious.
"Grand Elder… your life force… it is fading."
Guru nodded peacefully.
"Yes. I have perhaps a month left. You came just in time. If you had arrived any later, I would no longer be able to help you."
"Help me?"
Goku blinked.
"You do not mean… you want to use your life to unlock my potential? I cannot accept that. Even if I want to grow stronger, using your life to do it… it would not feel right."
Classic Goku.
Kind to the point of stubbornness.
Guru chuckled softly.
It was the reaction he hoped for.
Krillin and Gohan glanced at each other, uneasy.
They remembered how drained Guru had been after unlocking their own power.
Guru continued.
"You do not have to feel guilt. Helping you is not a sacrifice. I receive something in return as well. If you were weak, I would not offer this gift."
His tone deepened.
"When I unlocked Vegeta's potential, it was because our survival depended on it. He fulfilled his promise. He destroyed Frieza. And because of that, I entrusted the Dragon Balls to him."
Goku nodded slowly.
"I heard the whole story from King Kai. It all worked out in the end. Vegeta never harmed Namek. And now that Frieza's father is coming… Vegeta will not stand aside. If he is still here, that means he is waiting."
Krillin rubbed the back of his neck.
"Or… he is waiting for his chance to use the Dragon Balls again."
Goku blinked.
"Oh. That too."
He laughed awkwardly.
"But if his wish does not harm anyone, and he is protecting Namek anyway, I do not see the problem. The Dragon Balls belong to Guru-sama. If he says Vegeta can use them, why would we try to stop him?"
Krillin sighed hard.
"You are too pure sometimes, Goku…"
Gohan nodded, though something about Goku's reasoning made sense to him.
Guru listened with mild amusement.
"Your thinking is not wrong. After observing Vegeta these past days, I can say this much. He is not the same man who came to Earth. I believe he will keep his promise and continue to protect Namek."
Guru's expression shifted.
"But Vegeta is not the only reason you must become stronger."
His voice darkened.
"You must prepare for the threat arriving in two days…
and for the one that follows after."
Goku felt his heart sharpen.
"You mean… Frieza's older brother. Cooler."
He had only just learned of him from King Kai.
Guru nodded.
~~~~~~
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