Spirit Tree

Slug bowed his head in submission to Gaino, and all the Demon Clan members knelt before Gaino, chanting, "We are willing to submit to Lord Gaino."

"Good, everyone rise!"

"You have made the right choice. From today on, your lives as members of the Demon Clan are over. Now, everyone board your own spaceships and stand by in space."

Slug said to Gaino, "Lord Gaino, you are ordering us to board our ships and wait in space—is it because you intend to destroy Planet Slug?"

Gaino produced the Spirit Fruit Seed. Upon seeing it, Slug couldn't help but blurt out, "The Spirit Fruit Seed."

"Oh, it seems you know of this Spirit Fruit Seed? Then you must surely know how to use it," Gaino said.

"Yes. If this Spirit Fruit Seed is planted on a planet, it will sprout rapidly, consume all the energy on the planet, and grow at high speed into a Spirit Tree. After absorbing energy for forty-nine days, the Spirit Tree will bear Spirit Fruit."

"It seems you are very well-informed. Your subordinate was trying to seize the Spirit Fruit Seed at the time; I imagine he intended to offer it to you, but he didn't expect me to intercept it. Do you feel very angry?"

"I would not dare, Lord Gaino," Slug replied.

"That's fine. I think your Planet Slug is quite suitable; we can plant the Spirit Fruit Seed right here." With that, Gaino tossed the Spirit Fruit Seed into the soil.

Upon touching the earth, the Spirit Fruit Seed burrowed into the ground instantly and began to ravenously drain the energy of Planet Slug. Gaino could clearly feel the planet's energy rapidly slipping away. Watching the speed of this energy drain, Laiya said to Gaino, "Brother Gaino, this energy is fading too quickly. We can clearly perceive the energy within Planet Slug dissipating at a rapid pace."

"Yes, it is very noticeable," Gaino said.

Shortly after, having absorbed a certain amount of energy, the Spirit Fruit Seed broke through the soil, sprouted, and began to grow.

Gaino reacted immediately, shouting to the whispering Demon Clan soldiers, "What are you still standing there for?"

"Hurry and board your ships to stand by in space!" The soldiers reacted instantly, scattering in all directions to board their vessels and streak toward space.

Gaino, Laiya, Broly, Bardock, and Slug hovered in the air, watching the growth rate of the Spirit Fruit Seed, which truly startled them.

The Spirit Fruit Seed grew rapidly; the main trunk shot up, branched out, and then sprouted green leaves. Buds began to appear on the small branches—it seemed it was about to bear fruit.

Slug said, "Lord Gaino, from here on, we only need to wait forty-nine days to see the Spirit Fruit on the Spirit Tree."

"Then let us wait forty-nine days."

"For these forty-odd days, we shall stay on any planet around Planet Slug."

"Slug, as the overlord of the South Galaxy, you should know better than I which planets around here are habitable. Recommend one to us, and we will go there to rest."

In truth, the entire Great Galaxy is divided into four major galaxies: North, East, South, and West, each with its own overlord.

These are Frieza of the North Galaxy, King Cold of the East Galaxy, Cooler of the West Galaxy, and Slug of the South Galaxy.

In reality, they are merely boasting. In the entire universe, there are tens of thousands of such great galaxies, and taking Slug's South Galaxy as an example, it is merely the tip of the iceberg of the entire universe.

Slug, Frieza, King Cold, and Cooler can only be called relatively powerful warriors; they cannot be called Emperors of the Universe. This is nothing more than their own arrogance.

"Lord Gaino, there is a planet near Planet Slug suitable for us to rest on. It is Planet Peida, not far from here."

"Very well, lead the way. We will go to Planet Peida to rest and wait for the Spirit Fruit to mature."

"Understood, Lord Gaino, please follow me." Slug walked toward his spaceship, gesturing for Gaino to follow.

Gaino said, "I have my own ship. You just lead the way in front."

Hearing this, Slug said, "Then, Lord Gaino, please follow my ship."

"Hm," Gaino nodded.

Laiya asked, "Brother Gaino, aren't you afraid that Slug will use his spaceship to escape?"

Gaino replied, "If he is a smart man, he will not run. To run, one needs strength. Without strength, he can only obediently follow my orders."

"Brother Gaino is right. If Slug tries to run, I will wipe him out immediately."

"Don't worry! He won't run. Let's board the ship!" Gaino and the others boarded their vessel. Laika ran up to Gaino and said, "King, you have returned."

"Yes, Laika. Follow the ship in front; we are going to Planet Peida to rest. We will stay there for over a month before returning."

"Understood, King. I will pilot the ship to follow the one ahead."

Slug's ship led the way, with Gaino's ship following closely behind. With Slug's ship clearing the path, the journey was smooth sailing.

Nearby Space Pirates saw Slug's ship and voluntarily steered clear. Observing this, Gaino said to Laiya and the others, "It seems this Slug still holds some prestige in the South Galaxy. Look at the Space Pirates around us."

"They originally intended to rob us, but upon seeing Slug's spaceship, they retreated, not wanting to provoke him."

"Brother, I fear this isn't prestige, but intimidation."

"Whether it is prestige or intimidation, as long as one has sufficient strength, one can walk sideways across the universe."

"That is correct. Strength is the most important thing. As long as one is strong enough, one can do whatever one pleases," Bardock added.

"Therefore, work hard on your cultivation!"

Over a month passed quickly, and Gaino and the others returned to Planet Slug. Upon arriving, Gaino saw golden fruits appearing on the Spirit Tree.

"Is this the Spirit Fruit?"

"Yes, Lord Gaino. This is the Spirit Fruit. Consuming it allows one to rapidly increase their combat power and also maintain eternal youth."

"Oh, eternal youth? The Spirit Fruit has this effect as well. It seems your primary purpose in seizing the Spirit Fruit Seed was to achieve eternal youth for yourself!"

Slug looked decrepit now; no wonder he was so desperate to obtain the Spirit Fruit!

"Yes, Lord Gaino, my goal was eternal youth. My body has already aged; if not for the tenacious vitality of the Namekian race, I would have perished long ago."

"Rest assured! Since you have followed me, I will resolve this problem for you."

Hearing this, Slug immediately knelt and bowed, saying, "Then many thanks, Lord Gaino."

Dragon Ball: Starting with the Ancient Saiyan Bloodline by Cheng Ran