Return!

(I don't know if anyone misunderstood and thought this cheat ability was pointless... First, what I want to say is... this isn't a cheat ability like the ones in other books. It's simply a plot device I set up. Foreshadowing... something prepared for the ending. Why else would I give the protagonist something like this? I've got nothing better to do? Anyway, there'll be a little explanation later. Second... don't read this book with a perverted mind. Otherwise, I can't take responsibility. ==! One more thing I need to make clear: this book won't have any of that ridiculous stuff from outside Dragon Ball. Things like qi, for example. I guarantee it won't appear. Even if it does, it'll be something from Dragon Ball. OK?!)

"That energy that wasn't mine... it's gone. What happened?!"

After transforming, Betkas carefully recalled everything that had just happened and was immediately puzzled. He could tell that the reason he'd transformed so quickly was that energy that didn't belong to him. Or rather, that same energy had been at work right before Broly killed him more than ten years ago. It seemed to let him transform into a Super Saiyan whenever he wanted.

He also knew there was a price to pay. For instance, the last time, more than ten years ago, his transformation had gotten him sealed away completely. He could only truly transform into a Super Saiyan once he reached a certain age. Now that energy was "stirring" again. How could he not be suspicious? But it had suddenly disappeared, and he couldn't sense it anymore. That left him without a way to investigate.

"Looks like I'll have to find some time to ask Bardock."

Betkas furrowed his brow slightly, then muttered to himself as he gauged his current strength.

"Looks like I really did overestimate myself before..."

Betkas carefully felt the power within his body... and suddenly realized that although he was powerful, the one thing that left him dissatisfied was that he wasn't as powerful as he'd expected. Or rather, he'd overestimated himself.

"I forgot the most basic thing. Transforming into a Super Saiyan makes you fifty times stronger, but if you don't have enough power to begin with, you'll still be weak after transforming. Tch. My current strength is enough to deal with Frieza, but it might not be enough against the androids later. Looks like I still have to keep training, or I'll really get thrashed..."

Betkas carefully considered his mistake and realized he'd actually forgotten a fundamental factor: his own strength. A Super Saiyan transformation multiplied his power by fifty, so if his own battle power was only one, he'd only reach fifty. With his battle power at five to six million back then, multiplying it by fifty would bring it to roughly 250 to 300 million. He'd been getting ahead of himself before.

But... was Betkas's true battle power really that much? Perhaps only a fight would reveal the answer...

"At least I've got a solid foundation now. I'm not as powerful as I expected, but I still have time. There's no need to worry about not getting stronger."

Betkas clenched his fists and looked at his current form. An unrestrained desire to fight immediately surged up from within him... and the feeling made him incredibly excited.

"Huh... where's the Tree of Might Fruit?!"

Betkas suddenly noticed that his hands were empty and froze. That moment of surprise drew his attention away from his thoughts.

The Tree of Might Fruit had vanished without warning, which puzzled him. But he seemed to remember that his hands had opened unconsciously when he'd transformed into a Super Saiyan. The fruit should have fallen somewhere below.

However, the vast, densely packed terrain below made his head ache. The Tree of Might Fruit had no energy signature.

He looked up ahead and suddenly spotted Tarble far away. His eyes narrowed slightly... The flame-like aura surrounding him scattered, and Betkas vanished from where he stood.

When he appeared again, he was right in front of Tarble.

"Ah!!"

"Gulp!"

Tarble jumped in surprise at Betkas's sudden appearance, then swallowed hard and stared blankly at him, still in his Super Saiyan state. He was speechless.

"Hm. Thanks for holding on to this for me. Otherwise, finding it would've taken a bit of effort."

Betkas glanced at the Tree of Might Fruit in Tarble's right hand, smiled slightly, and spoke. He seemed to be in a perfectly ordinary Super Saiyan state. His aura wasn't flaring up, and otherwise he looked entirely normal... somewhat like the Super Saiyan Full Power form Son Goku and Son Gohan had after leaving the Hyperbolic Time Chamber before the Cell Games. Betkas himself hadn't noticed.

Maintaining a Super Saiyan form consumed too much stamina and energy. Before reaching the Full Power state, it was practically impossible to maintain for long.

"This... it's nothing..."

Tarble finally came to his senses after a long moment and replied... He was about to hand the strange fruit back to Betkas when Betkas seemed to think of something and suddenly said, "Keep it."

"Hm?!"

Tarble was taken aback by Betkas's words... He had no idea what the fruit was for.

"Well... call it a gift for our reunion. If you have the will to become strong, eat it. If you don't, just keep it."

Betkas spoke thoughtfully... Then he was about to turn and fly away. As far as he was concerned, there was no longer any need to destroy this planet. He was now strong enough to defeat Frieza completely, so there was no need to fear him anymore!

"Wait!! Betkas... what exactly is this form of yours?!"

As Betkas was about to fly away, Tarble suddenly remembered the question he'd been holding back and asked him.

"Hm... Super Saiyan! If anything comes up, come find me on Earth. I'm sure Big Brother Vegeta will be there too."

Betkas answered calmly. Then, without hesitation, he vanished in a flash...

"The legendary Super Saiyan?!"

Tarble stared blankly at the spot where Betkas had disappeared, his shock beyond words...

...Frieza's base...

"It seems Betkas has already completed his mission and returned. He's incredibly fast..."

Zarbon reported to Frieza, who was still leisurely drinking wine, his face full of confusion...

"That fellow is more than capable of handling a low-class planet like that. But why did Vegeta act on his own? Have you found out the reason?"

Frieza demanded, looking displeased...

"Well... the audio from the scouter wasn't decoded at the time, and someone deleted it without permission. We can't find out what was said... The only thing we know is that Vegeta went to what seems to be a remote planet."

Zarbon and Dodoria looked at Frieza nervously, then lowered their heads and answered...

"Is that so? Then keep a close watch on things for me. Report back as soon as you find anything!"

"Crack!!"

At that, Frieza crushed his wineglass... Wine soaked his entire hand, but his expression remained cold.

"Yes, Lord Frieza! We'll go and monitor them ourselves."

At Frieza's words, Zarbon and Dodoria immediately answered. Then the two of them withdrew together...

A violent storm was gradually beginning to unfold...