Piccolo's Killing Intent

Jiang Ling looked at the buff displayed by the system, feeling pretty good.

This "buff" was incredibly useful!

He had arrived late and was weak to begin with.

Now that he had this "buff," he was sure it wouldn't be long before he caught up with the others!

"All right, your potential has been fully unlocked."

"Thank you, Great Elder!"

Jiang Ling thanked him sincerely.

"It's nothing. Just be sure to look after my people in the future."

The Great Elder waved his hand and glanced at the other Namekians present.

He cleared his throat, then recounted the events Namek had experienced during that time to his people.

"My sons, this planet is called Earth. Before my life comes to an end once more, I can tell you what happened..."

Jiang Ling listened to the beginning, then quietly slipped away from the group of Namekians and returned to Bulma's side.

Meanwhile, after hearing Gohan's account, the Earth warriors learned the truth: Krillin had been sacrificed, and Goku had become a Super Saiyan.

The others were overcome with emotion.

Vegeta's face darkened. "Damn Kakarot! He became a Super Saiyan before me!"

Still seething, he looked around at everyone and suddenly noticed Jiang Ling's tail. "You're a Saiyan?"

"Does it matter whether I'm a Saiyan?" Jiang Ling replied.

Vegeta hadn't expected a Saiyan to talk back to him. He was already in a foul mood, and now his face grew even darker.

"If you have a tail, then you're a Saiyan. Why haven't you come over to pay your respects?"

At that, Jiang Ling narrowed his eyes. He didn't care whether he could beat Vegeta right now.

He shot back, "Who are you? Why should I pay my respects to you? Prince Vegeta? Wake up—the Saiyan Empire is gone!"

"Your era is over!"

"Are you still proud of being a prince? Or of your elite Saiyan bloodline?"

"Look at the Saiyans who are left. Besides you, me, Kakarot, and his son, how many of us are still out there in the universe?"

"What good is your status? What good is your pride?"

"A prince of a fallen kingdom, acting high and mighty in front of another country's people?"

"Whew—"

Jiang Ling let out everything that had been pent up inside him in one breath.

Then he suddenly remembered that Vegeta had at least one or two million units of fighting power.

That was a little awkward.

"You!!"

Vegeta clenched his fists and glared at the weak Saiyan in front of him.

His aura surged, as if he were about to explode into action.

Just then,

Piccolo, who had been seriously injured, was healed by Dende, the team's healer.

Piccolo flashed in front of Vegeta and barked, "What are you going to do?"

He had never liked Vegeta. Now that someone had come along to insult him, Piccolo was happier than anyone.

Vegeta looked at Piccolo, his eyes shifting.

He knew Piccolo's strength had increased considerably. If they fought now, neither of them would be able to beat the other anytime soon!

"Hmph!"

Vegeta turned and walked over to a nearby tree. He leaned against it and closed his eyes to rest.

He knew it himself.

What Jiang Ling had said was true.

He just couldn't swallow his pride.

Seeing Vegeta leave, Piccolo turned and nodded at Jiang Ling.

"Thanks, Piccolo," Jiang Ling said with a smile.

"Don't mention it. I've never liked that guy," Piccolo replied with a nod, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

Beside them, Bulma patted her chest and let out a breath.

"That scared me to death! That Saiyan was terrifying. Are all Saiyans that scary?"

Jiang Ling immediately spoke up. "No, no, I'm very gentle."

"..."

On King Kai's Planet,

Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, and Chiaotzu, who had been killed during the Saiyan invasion, had gathered on the tiny planet.

They looked anxiously at North Kai.

North Kai wore sunglasses. His antennae trembled slightly, and a few beads of cold sweat trickled down his face.

"Namek exploded... Goku may already be..."

Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, and Chiaotzu were all stunned.

"Alas..."

"He just had to pick a fight with Frieza..."

"Well, there you have it. This is his second death. The Dragon Balls can't help him now..."

Kai sighed. "We should tell his family and friends the news..."

Goku was more or less his half-disciple, after all. He had learned Kaioken and the Spirit Bomb from him, and they had developed a teacher-student bond.

"Let me tell them."

Yamcha stepped forward.

Through North Kai, he contacted Bulma on Earth.

"Bulma, Bulma... It's Yamcha."

Hearing the voice, Bulma on Earth said, "Yamcha?"

"That's right. I'm talking to you through Kai. I have some news for you."

"Okay, go ahead."

Bulma nodded. Even she didn't notice that her tone with Yamcha had become much more indifferent.

Yamcha said, "Goku may already be dead..."

Bulma replied, "It's fine. The Dragon Balls can bring him back."

Yamcha said, "The Dragon Balls can't bring someone back a second time..."

"What?! Then what do we do?!"

Bulma lost her composure at once. She had forgotten that the Dragon Balls couldn't bring someone back a second time.

"So... I'm sorry for your loss. You'll also have to tell Chi-Chi..." Yamcha said gravely.

Jiang Ling overheard them and looked at Bulma. "The Namekian Dragon Balls can bring someone back any number of times."

"Huh? Really?"

Bulma's grief turned to delight.

Dende walked over and nodded firmly. "It's true. Our Wish Orbs can bring people back infinitely, but each wish can only bring back one person."

North Kai: "Well, I'll be."

Yamcha: "Well, I'll be."

So all that grief had been for nothing?

Yamcha immediately thought of a problem. "Namek exploded. Even if the Dragon God brings him back, he'll still be dead..."

"Oh, right..." Bulma's eyes dimmed again after her hope had just flared up. "There's no air there after the explosion. If Goku comes back, he'll suffocate..."

"Can't we summon Dad's soul here and then bring him back? Or revive him on Earth?"

Gohan looked up at Bulma and asked innocently.

"Oh, right! That's a great idea. We really can do that."

Bulma slapped her thigh, setting off a soft, rippling jiggle that drew Jiang Ling's gaze and held it fast.

North Kai: Well, I'll be.

Yamcha: Well, I'll be.

After the Great Elder finished explaining what had happened, the Namekians finally understood.

Someone suddenly asked, "The people from Zino Village weren't there... Does that mean they weren't brought back to life?"

"That's strange..."

Vegeta, resting with his eyes closed, said flatly, "You're talking about the village I wiped out. I've left the Frieza Force, so your wish didn't bring those people back."

"Damn it!!"

"You bastard!"

The Namekians gritted their teeth, but they couldn't beat him. There was nothing they could do.

Piccolo's eyes narrowed as he secretly made up his mind.

He had assimilated with Nail, a Namekian warrior, and gained his memories. He also felt a strong kinship with his own people.

Now he truly felt murderous intent rising within him.

"Cough, cough. I told you my life was nearly over. Moori, from now on, you will take my place as Great Elder. Then the Dragon Balls will be able to shine again..."

The Great Elder's voice grew fainter and fainter.

"Yes." Moori nodded solemnly.

"May peace forever reign on Namek..." With that, the Great Elder turned into specks of light and disappeared.

"Great Elder!!"

"Great Elder..."

The Namekians called out to him, but... there was no answer.

Grief spread through their hearts.

To them, the Great Elder was like a parent.

And in truth, he was.

"Great Elder, may you rest in peace,"

Piccolo said softly.

"..." Dende looked at Piccolo, his eyes bright with understanding. "I see. You assimilated with Nail."

Piccolo looked at him without saying a word, the corners of his mouth lifting.