Namek, southern wasteland.
Beneath the green sky, black smoke rose from the scorched earth.
Vegeta hovered in midair, his black, spiky hair whipping in the hot wind.
He looked down at the burning village. Green blood trickled across the cracked earth, and the Namekians' bodies lay scattered everywhere. Some still looked as if they had been fleeing; others clutched the children in their arms.
"Hmph."
Vegeta snorted, the corner of his mouth curling into a cruel smile.
The fate of the weak... In this world, not having power is a sin. Even breathing is a sin.
He raised a hand, pointing his palm toward a faint energy signature among the ruins.
"Come out."
"Boom!"
A weak ki blast struck the rubble, sending fragments flying. An orange glow appeared through the dust.
A Dragon Ball about the size of a basketball rolled out, its four golden stars glimmering beneath the green sky.
"Found it."
Vegeta landed in front of the Dragon Ball and put it in his bag.
The first one...
He turned and flew into the sky, looking in the direction of Frieza. Hatred burned in his eyes, almost tangible.
"Frieza... you bastard." He gritted his teeth and spat out the words. "I absolutely won't let you collect all seven... Absolutely not. If I can obtain eternal life... once I've surpassed you..."
Then I'll grind that hypocritical smile of yours—and your entire galactic empire—into cosmic dust.
But just then...
"Hm?"
His senses picked up a familiar, irritating presence drawing closer at a leisurely pace.
"That ki..."
Vegeta narrowed his eyes.
"Zarbon... that pansy..."
He carefully gauged Zarbon's power, then broke into a bloodthirsty grin.
"His battle power is lower than mine right now... I'll kill him first! He'll make a decent warm-up!"
Without hesitation, he changed course and flew straight