In a distant part of another galaxy.
Cooler's spaceship was racing at full speed toward Planet Namek.
Cooler had also learned of the Dragon Balls. Though he knew he couldn't catch up with his younger brother and father, he was determined to try, even if there was only the slightest chance.
Who wouldn't covet something that could grant wishes—especially an emperor like him?
If he didn't even try to claim them, Frieza would completely suppress him in the future.
From his lofty position, Cooler had too many wishes he wanted to make.
Eternal youth.
Immortality.
Greater strength!
And even replacing Frieza to become the true Universe Emperor...
Inside the spaceship's command room.
Cooler's manner was almost identical to Frieza's.
He had the same kind of hoverchair, though its shape more closely resembled Frieza's final form.
Planet Namek.
After completely subduing all the elite logistical personnel aboard the spaceship, Vegeta ordered them to fly it to the Grand Elder's residence.
When Frieza's spaceship arrived, all the Namekians clearly grew more alert and prepared themselves for battle.
Even though Vegeta was the one who emerged, they were still tense, even afraid.
They all knew Frieza had been killed, but the question now was how Vegeta would treat their people.
Krillin, Son Gohan, and Bulma stood among the Namekians. They didn't dare speak, only watching gravely as Vegeta led the way toward them.
They could guess what might happen. Vegeta hadn't done anything to harm the Namekians before, but that had only been because they were still useful to him and Frieza remained a threat.
Now that Frieza was dead, Vegeta was the one with all the power.
Would he do something crazy?
"Frieza's been taken care of. The people behind me may be members of the Frieza Force, but they haven't slaughtered any Namekians since arriving on Planet Namek, so they have no quarrel with you." Vegeta raised a hand to signal them to stop, then walked forward and explained.
His words left everyone exchanging glances, especially Krillin and Son Gohan.
They couldn't believe Vegeta was being so reasonable, or that he was willing to spare these enemies.
After all, back on Earth, Vegeta had personally killed his own subordinate.
They would never forget how terrifying Nappa had been. They had been far too weak then, and facing such a powerful opponent for the first time had shaken them to the core.
No one stopped Vegeta. In the end, Nail stepped forward and blocked his path.
"What? Still trying to stop me? You know you're no match for me. You should be thanking me, too. Otherwise, you'd all have died at Frieza's hands." Vegeta gave Nail a disdainful look.
At this point, if Nail still couldn't see reason, Vegeta couldn't be blamed for what he did.
Once, twice, even three times—Vegeta could overlook it and let it go.
But the fourth, fifth, and sixth times would be another matter.
Nail met Vegeta's gaze for a few seconds, then slowly stepped aside.
As the guardian, he was responsible for protecting the Grand Elder, so he had always stood in front of the entrance.
He stepped aside now, first because the Grand Elder had ordered him to, and second because he had realized his own mistake.
"Although I still don't like it, I do owe you thanks for killing Frieza and saving our people from eventual extinction... I apologize for my earlier disrespect. I was being narrow-minded." Nail's words left Vegeta briefly taken aback, but he soon brushed them off.
Did he need to care what Nail thought?
No.
"If you'd been this reasonable earlier, there wouldn't have been so much trouble. You wouldn't have had to wear yourself out worrying about everything." Vegeta left him with those words and walked inside.
"..." Nail was speechless.
He watched Vegeta enter, then finally sighed and calmed himself.
He had never been so embarrassed, despite his pride. But apologizing had also made him feel much more at ease.
With Vegeta inside the Grand Elder's house, the atmosphere outside grew even quieter.
Everyone could guess what would happen next.
Vegeta had killed Frieza and come back. He was surely here to take the two remaining Dragon Balls.
The Namekians weren't too worried. As long as Vegeta didn't do anything excessive, they could accept it. After all, he really had helped their people.
But Krillin and Son Gohan felt differently, and even Bulma was worried.
When Vegeta left earlier, he had said he'd originally planned to grant her two wishes, but he'd changed his mind because Krillin and Gohan had offended him too much.
What were they supposed to do now?
They'd have to wait at least a year for the Dragon Balls to recharge.
A whole year.
Inside the house.
Vegeta faced the Grand Elder once again.
Though they had last met only a short while ago, the Grand Elder seemed noticeably more relaxed this time.
There was only one reason: Frieza, the Universe Emperor, had been killed by Vegeta, which meant the Namekians had escaped the threat of extinction.
Many of their people might have died at Frieza's hands or those of his subordinates, but if they used the Dragon Balls to make a wish, they could bring everyone who had died back to life.
"Take the Dragon Balls and make your wish. But before you do, I hope you'll protect my people for a little longer. The main culprit has already been dealt with, but I sense many hostile presences heading toward Planet Namek. The closest ones may arrive in less than three days..." the Grand Elder pleaded.
At his words, Vegeta immediately understood what the Grand Elder was worried about.
Indeed, in the original story, the Grand Elder had also sensed the Ginyu Force approaching and warned them in advance.
Frieza had indeed been killed by Vegeta, but once the Ginyu Force arrived on Planet Namek, they would still slaughter the Namekians.
If Vegeta left, the Namekians really could be wiped out.
Even if Kakarot arrived at the time he was supposed to, the Ginyu Force would have more than enough time to kill the few Namekians left.
As for Krillin and Son Gohan, they were only so strong. Right now, they weren't even a match for Nail.
"You said the closest ones will arrive in three days. So that means besides the Ginyu Force, you've sensed other beings closing in on Planet Namek." Vegeta asked directly.
The Grand Elder nodded. "Yes. And that powerful presence is even more evil than Frieza."
"Oh? Is that so? If I'm not mistaken, that must be Frieza's father, King Cold! His ki is indeed more evil than Frieza's... But in terms of strength, he's weaker than Frieza," Vegeta said.