In front of the fire, two little figures sat side by side, each gnawing on a deer leg.
"Brother Kasso, Nail's such a weak little punk. How did he dare bet against you?" Ausbie asked as she ate.
"He's not weak. He has over a thousand battle power—more than you."
Kasso saw that Ausbie's little face was covered in grease and reached out to wipe it off. Somehow, he only managed to smear it around more, making her puff out her cheeks in annoyance.
"Huh? He's that strong?" Ausbie looked a little dejected. It seemed like just about any little punk was stronger than her.
After having his potential unlocked by the Grand Elder, Kasso had reached 12,000 battle power.
She only had 1,200 battle power now. She had no idea how long it would take to catch up with him.
Ausbie's face fell as she gloomily bit into her venison.
Kasso smiled and said nothing.
Nail's talent really was impressive. He seemed even stronger than Piccolo; he just wasn't as strong-willed.
Piccolo had always aimed to defeat Goku and had shown unshakable determination. Though he eventually couldn't keep up with Goku, he still never gave up.
If Nail had the same goal and the same strong resolve, he might have achieved even more than Piccolo.
After a while,
Kasso tossed the bones into the river nearby and lay down.
For months, he hadn't eaten much roasted meat like this. He'd survived on the nutrient fluid aboard the spaceship.
Now that he'd finally had roasted meat again, he'd eaten his fill.
Kasso scooted over beside Ausbie. "Little Biel, now that you've learned Instant Transmission too, we'll get ready to leave tomorrow and head back to Planet Vegeta."
"Wow, we can finally go home!"
Ausbie happily went on, "Aunt Gine will be so shocked when she sees how strong we've gotten."
Then, for no apparent reason, she giggled.
"Hm?"
Kasso raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected this little girl to enjoy showing off and acting cool, too!
Still, it felt pretty good to play humble and surprise people.
He chuckled to himself. I guess birds of a feather really do flock together.
When the time came and Bardock saw his battle power, Bardock's expression would be priceless!
Just thinking about it made him happy!
Kasso and Ausbie suddenly fell silent.
In the night, the two little figures sat blankly before the fire.
Their little faces wore odd, half-smiling expressions, as though they were pondering something.
If anyone could read minds, they would have known exactly what was on their minds.
It turned out both of them were imagining how they'd show off when they got back to Planet Vegeta!!!
The next day.
"All right, let's go say goodbye to Elder Hu Su and the others!"
After taking care of the fire, Kasso brought Ausbie back to Planet Yardrat with Instant Transmission.
Flash!
Kasso appeared with Ausbie in front of Hu Su's door.
He knocked.
Hearing the noise, Hu Su came out.
"Wise one, we're getting ready to leave," Kasso said, looking at Hu Su with some reluctance.
After all, he'd spent half a year here. It was hard to leave so suddenly.
But Kasso had to return to Planet Vegeta to save his people. There was no other choice!
"Huh? So soon?" Hu Su was surprised.
Kasso had spent half a year learning Instant Transmission here, and Ausbie had learned it just yesterday. Hu Su knew all about it, and their talent had left him deeply impressed.
"Thank you for taking us in for so long, and for letting us learn Instant Transmission! The Yardratians will always be my friends. If anything comes up in the future, you can find me on Planet Sadala!"
Since Planet Vegeta was about to explode, Kasso gave Hu Su the location of Planet Sadala.
Hu Su opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he didn't say a word.
Kasso and Ausbie weren't Yardratians. It was only natural for them to leave once they'd learned Instant Transmission.
Thinking of this, Hu Su couldn't help sighing.
"All right. I hope we meet again someday!" Hu Su felt a little sad. After a year together, even strangers could become friends!
After saying goodbye to Hu Su, Kasso and Ausbie went to bid farewell to Supar as well, then found the spaceship they'd arrived in.
Kasso and Ausbie glanced back at the town on Planet Yardrat.
"Let's go."
With that, the two of them disappeared along with the spaceship.
Planet Vegeta.
Thunderous booms rolled across the sky. Looking up, people could see many Saiyan spaceships streaking overhead, leaving trails of silvery white light!
The Saiyans who'd gone out on missions were returning in their spaceships.
One spaceship after another descended from the sky.
"How'd the mission go?"
"Don't ask. I nearly died out there!"
"Huh? What happened?"
Many Saiyans climbed out of their spaceships, talking as they walked about their missions.
Just then, the hatch of a nearby spaceship opened, and a burly man stepped out.
He wore distinctive Saiyan battle armor, his tail wrapped around his waist, and a few small scars marked his face.
"Captain, I'm back." He strode over.
"Long time no see, Garis." Bardock smiled.
He was free today, so he'd come to welcome one of his squad members.
"Yeah. Where are those two little ones, Kasso and Ausbie?"
"They went out on a mission."
"Weren't you going to keep them from going on missions until they were older?" Garis looked displeased.
Kasso's parents had sacrificed themselves to save him.
Garis had also promised Kasso's parents that he would protect Kasso.
Since he was often away on missions, he'd had no choice but to entrust Kasso to his captain. He hadn't expected Kasso to be sent out anyway.
"That was Kasso's request. I only assigned them a very simple mission. You know, Saiyans..." Bardock hadn't finished speaking when a thunderous boom suddenly sounded from the sky.
That sound couldn't possibly have come from a Saiyan spaceship landing!
The two men looked up.
What was that?
A massive spaceship!
"Lord Bardock, isn't that one of Frieza's ships?" Garis was astonished.
Hadn't Frieza been expected to arrive at Planet Vegeta in half a month?
Why was he here so much earlier?
"Frieza!" Bardock gritted his teeth as he stared at the ship in the sky.
Was the story from his dream about to happen all over again?
"Garis, I'll explain what happened with Kasso when I get back! I have something important to do right now!" Bardock turned and hurried home.
"Cap..." Garis stared after his departing captain, bewildered.
That night.
Gine, her slender body trembling, followed behind Bardock.
Bardock carried a spaceship on his shoulder. He'd stolen it from the launch center, and young Goku was inside. He'd removed the listening device as well!
Two tears streaked down Gine's face. Her lips quivered, but she didn't dare make a sound, afraid someone might discover what they were doing.
"Bardock, do we really have to send Kakarot away?" Gine choked out.
"We have no choice. I hope I'm wrong. If I am, we can always go bring him back," Bardock said, setting the spaceship down.
Through the transparent hatch, they gazed at Kakarot, unable to bear parting with him.
"Kakarot, you have to be all right," Gine said, tears streaming down her face again.
Bardock held Gine tightly and looked up at the spaceship, watching until it had safely disappeared into the distance!
A day later.
Many spaceships were still returning to Planet Vegeta from elsewhere.
Suddenly!
Two rather old spaceships plunged straight down from the sky.
Through their transparent hatches, two children could be seen inside.
They were awake, watching the scenery outside. They hadn't entered hibernation.
Before you continue