Betkas's Decision.

(Many people are concerned about my habit of typing "..."—it's just a habit, so don't mind the details. A reader suggested I post more images of the protagonist, which really made me rack my brains. I've put together some Super Saiyan images of the protagonist. Later, I'll post an unedited normal form image for you to see.)

"Hey, Nappa... finish up on this planet quickly, then head to Earth."

Vegeta glanced at Nappa, then spoke with a cold smirk.

"Huh? That low-class planet?!"

Nappa was stunned for a moment, then snapped back to reality.

"Though it sounds absurd, the Dragon Balls that bald kid Raditz mentioned should be real. Once we make our wish and gain eternal life, the universe will be ours as Saiyans."

Vegeta said, suddenly in a good mood. Nappa's heart stirred too—eternal life held an ultimate allure for anyone, even Frieza couldn't escape it, let alone two ambitious Saiyans like Nappa and Vegeta.

If they could obtain eternal life, Frieza would no longer be a threat. This temptation was something Vegeta and Nappa couldn't resist, so they both decided to head to Earth.

"But... what about Betkas? Should we call him along?"

Nappa suddenly thought of Betkas and spoke up. Vegeta's face darkened, his expression shifting constantly. Just as Nappa expected Vegeta to explode in anger, he instead said in a cold voice: "Notify him. If he doesn't come, so be it!"

Nappa immediately went into the spaceship and started pressing buttons, sending something.

Meanwhile, Vegeta stood there, pondering the changes of recent years.

When it came to Betkas, Vegeta felt deeply crushed—it was like a psychological shadow. Ever since the gap between them kept widening, he had never stopped chasing, but nothing changed; instead, their power difference only grew larger.

Though they had met a few times over the years, they hadn't exchanged many words. What stuck with Vegeta more was the "shame" of being the older brother yet "weaker" than his younger brother. That was why he was constantly irritated, even after destroying several planets to vent, his face remained clouded.

But the most important point wasn't that—it was a line Vegeta had once pointed at Betkas and said.

"I am the strongest Saiyan in the universe! Don't get too cocky!"

And Betkas's reply was simple, yet it sent a tremor through Vegeta.

"Yeah... I believe that. You could even become the legendary Super Saiyan, invincible in the universe."

There was no sarcasm, no falsehood—just a sincere answer.

That single line from Betkas kept them from splitting into two factions, preserving the only bond between them. After all, they were still brothers. An ordinary person might feel proud to have a powerful younger brother like Betkas, but Vegeta's pride only made the pressure weigh heavier.

"Vegeta, I've sent the message. Hope that guy actually shows up. If he does, we'll truly be unstoppable!"

Nappa said, clearly eager and expectant.

"Hmph, even if he comes, it'll take him a long time. Don't forget, he's currently carrying out a mission assigned by Frieza. If he changes course without authorization, Frieza will get suspicious."

Vegeta pushed aside a branch blocking his path, then sat into the spaceship and spoke.

"That's true... Frieza really doesn't trust us Saiyans at all!"

Nappa nodded in agreement, then said.

"Hmph, of course he doesn't. He just can't figure out what Betkas is thinking. From what I know of that guy, he seems to be waiting for something... Frieza has no clue, which is why he hasn't cracked down on Betkas yet."

Vegeta snorted coldly, watching the hatch slowly close, then spoke. Both spaceships lifted off simultaneously, speeding toward distant Earth.

...Shameless dividing line...

"Hm? A message?!"

Betkas was originally sleeping alone in his spaceship when a flashing light inside jolted him awake. He checked the incoming transmission and opened it.

"So they want me to team up and go to Earth for the Dragon Balls? Huh."

Betkas read the message from Nappa and Vegeta, then smiled faintly. But his expression shifted instantly.

He quickly reached out with his left hand, tore off his scouter, and crushed it without hesitation.

"Good thing I did it early. Now Frieza won't know what I'm up to. I need to notify Vegeta too, or if Frieza actually catches wind of this, it won't be fun."

Betkas looked at the scouter fragments and began sending a message. But the next moment, his expression changed slightly.

"Damn!! Right at the critical moment, I've entered a magnetic zone. Shit!"

Betkas's face darkened instantly. Entering such a zone meant all electronic communications would become unstable. If he sent a message, it might even be relayed directly to Frieza's headquarters. That would make everything unpredictable.

"Is this fate?!"

Betkas sighed softly. He checked how long it would take to leave this zone and found it was enormous in scope. The planet he was heading to was at the center of this magnetic zone. Until then, he couldn't use communications—it was too dangerous.

"Looks like history is set... I can't just turn back either. Having my scouter vanish without explanation would already raise suspicion."

Betkas lamented quietly, realizing he was powerless. He could only silently hope that Vegeta and the others wouldn't say or do anything unnecessary.

"I need to finish this mission quickly, then keep an eye on Frieza to see what his next move is. But I absolutely can't let Frieza go to Earth—that would throw everything into chaos!"

Betkas suddenly made a decision and pushed his spaceship's speed to the maximum.