The Strongest Goal

"We've finally arrived!"

In Earth's outer space, Rhode stood before the porthole, gazing at the blue planet growing larger and larger, unable to suppress the excitement in his heart.

"So this is the Earth you mentioned?"

Aila, standing beside Rhode, was also looking out at Earth. She nodded slightly as she spoke. "Although this planet isn't large, it's very beautiful!"

"It's more than just beautiful. This is the center of the entire universe!"

As the spaceship plunged into the atmosphere, red flames flared across its exterior from the friction. Rhode spoke with a trace of excitement in his voice.

"The center of the universe? Isn't this planet on the edge of the North Galaxy? Shouldn't this be a very remote location?"

Aila only knew Earth's physical location, so she naturally could not understand what Rhode meant by calling it the center of the universe.

"Earth's food is excellent. I'll take you to try some when the time comes."

With Earth right before his eyes, Rhode recalled Saiyan food, thought of everything he had eaten over the past few months, then thought of Earth's cuisine. He felt as though tears were about to stream down his face.

After leaving Planet Rhyner, Rhode had changed spaceships several times on technologically advanced planets. Only after ensuring that all traces of them had completely vanished from the Frieza Force's sight did he pilot a spaceship straight toward Earth according to the star map.

Along the way, Rhode had collected quite a bit of scientific technology. Now that he had arrived on Earth, he could finally begin making his moves.

As they talked, the spaceship passed through the atmosphere and landed in an uninhabited area. Once it came to a stop and the hatch opened, the two of them stepped out together, truly setting foot on Earth's soil.

Breathing Earth's air and feeling gravity only one-tenth that of Planet Vegeta, Rhode felt as light as a feather.

"Beep beep beep..."

Unlike Rhode, who was lost in sentiment, Aila immediately activated the Power Level Scouter she had obtained again on a planet along the way the moment she stepped out of the Spaceship, scanning the lifeforms across the entire planet for their Power Levels.

"Power Level: five!"

"Power Level: three!"

"Power Level: two!"

"Power Level: one!"

"Power Level: five!"

"The natives of this planet are so weak!"

As the data continued to pour in, Aila's expression immediately turned strange, her face full of doubt. "Rhode, are you sure this planet has a way to make us stronger?"

"Relax. There's no mistake."

Faced with Aila's doubts, Rhode nodded as a matter of course.

"Oh?"

Suddenly, surprise appeared on Aila's face. "There's a native to the south with a Power Level over one hundred!"

"Beep beep beep."

As more data came in, Aila finally discovered natives with considerable Power Levels. "Aside from that one in the south with a Power Level over one hundred, there are several others above one hundred too. But they're still weak—not even a fraction of our strength!"

"Hm?"

Suddenly, Aila sharply looked into the sky. "There's a native in the sky over there with a Power Level of 1,030. He's the strongest on this planet!"

"A Power Level of 1,030?"

Hearing Aila's words, Rhode knew who she meant. It should have been Mr. Popo at the Lookout.

Unlike Aila, who relied on her Power Level Scouter, Rhode had spread out his senses the moment he exited the spaceship, sensing the powerful Auras currently present on Earth.

He could roughly match the Auras with Power Levels over one hundred to their owners.

However, what Rhode had not expected—though it made sense upon further thought—was that he had not sensed Kakarot's Aura anywhere on Earth.

When Frieza had previously summoned the Saiyans back, based on the distances between Planet Vegeta and the planets where the various squads were carrying out missions, it would have taken at least half a year from the issuing of the recall order until everyone returned. For those farther away, it could have taken a year or even longer.

Thinking of this, Rhode could understand why Kakarot had yet to appear on Earth.

It seemed there was still some time before Frieza destroyed Planet Vegeta!

With that thought in mind, Rhode returned to the spaceship and took out the technological products and information he had collected. He then called for Aila to leave, only to find her staring at him with an extremely displeased expression.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing that Aila was giving him such an unfriendly look, Rhode was baffled.

"Rhode, you've gotten stronger again!"

Looking at the Power Level of five displayed on the Scouter's screen, Aila's expression turned exceedingly grim.

Along the journey, she had watched Rhode's strange behavior. His Power Level, which had started at three hundred on Planet Rhyner, had kept dropping. She clearly remembered that Rhode's Power Level had still been one hundred a month ago, yet after one month, it had fallen this far.

Over the past several months, Aila had come to understand that the lower the Power Level Rhode displayed, the greater his control over his own energy. Correspondingly, the more power he could unleash.

Aila had secretly tried lowering the Power Level she displayed as well, but she simply could not suppress it as thoroughly as Rhode could. At present, the Power Level she outwardly displayed was held at around 1,500.

"I have improved somewhat."

Facing Aila's displeasure, Rhode smiled and nodded, not denying her guess.

That was indeed the truth. After several months of experimentation, Rhode had finally figured out a rudimentary training method one month ago. That was also why he could suppress his Power Level to five.

After roughly finding a way to train, perhaps because it was his first exposure to cultivation, his progress had been rapid. Over the past month, Rhode could clearly feel his strength improving.

His Power Level had already been 2,500 before. Now, based on numbers alone, it should have surpassed 3,000!

"Hmph!"

Hearing Rhode admit it, Aila snorted coldly, anticipation shining in her eyes. "Are we going to find someone who can make us stronger now?"

"That's right!"

Wasn't becoming stronger the very reason they had come to Earth?

In the Dragon Ball World, there were all manner of gods throughout the Twelve Universes above, and countless villains large and small below. Most importantly, there was even the Supreme God, who could erase a universe with a mere flick of his hand.

Living in this world, Rhode did not feel the slightest sense of security. Therefore, he had to become stronger—very strong, extremely strong, the strongest. Strong enough to be invincible, with no opponents left, until no one could threaten him.

"Follow me."

As he spoke, Rhode flew into the air. Sensing where large numbers of lifeforms were gathered, he chose a direction and flew straight toward West City.

On the way to Earth, he had already arranged his next steps and made many preparations for them. Therefore, his goal was clear: his first stop was West City, to find Dr. Brief.

Both of their Power Levels were above 2,500. Flying at full speed, they arrived above West City before long.

"Rhode, did you come to the wrong place? Everyone here is pathetic!"

As Rhode hovered above West City, his gaze sweeping around in search of Capsule Corp, Aila saw the Scouter's readings and bluntly voiced her dissatisfaction.

"Cut the nonsense. Just follow me!"

Aila's nagging annoyed Rhode somewhat. Didn't things have to be done step by step? How could they reach the sky in one leap?

Bang!

As his gaze swept over the city, Rhode spotted Capsule Corp's emblem. His Aura burst forth as he descended onto the company grounds. After asking an employee for Dr. Brief's residence, he headed straight for it.

A quarter of an hour later, Rhode appeared before Dr. Brief with Aila and spoke bluntly. "Dr. Brief, my name is Rhode. I would like to make a deal with you."