Gathering, Part Two

A green, tentacled alien aboard Frieza's ship was reporting to Frieza.

"Lord Frieza, I investigated the reports about the Super Saiyan. It seems to be nothing more than a legend!"

"That's what I thought, too. I only had it investigated to ease my mind a little, just in case."

Frieza smiled at his subordinate's report.

"Then, should we call off the attack?"

Seeing Frieza smile, his assistant asked softly.

"Oh ho ho, you do have a sense of humor."

Frieza covered his lower lip with one hand as he laughed.

"Though I know the Super Saiyan is an absurd legend, that's beside the point!"

Thinking of the boy he had spoken to earlier, Frieza's forehead veins suddenly bulged.

"That brat, that damned Saiyan—how dare he make such a disgusting joke and look at me with such contempt!"

As he spoke, a chilling smile curled across Frieza's lips.

"That damned brat dared to joke with me. He did defeat Ginyu, so he must have some strength. But since he dared to play that joke on me, King Frieza, I'll have to return the favor to this 'Super Saiyan'!"

"And now that I've finally summoned all the Saiyans back, isn't this the perfect chance to wipe them out and destroy the planet while we're at it?"

After hearing Frieza out, his assistant voiced a concern.

"But if we eliminate all the Saiyans, our total forces will be cut in half."

"There will always be a way to increase our numbers. The Saiyans we have now are only obeying us under duress. They might turn on us one day. After all, they're a warrior race. I need to root them out before they can make a move!"

Hearing Frieza finish, the assistant's eyes widened.

"I see! So you intend to act now?"

"No."

Frieza answered in the negative, staring at the red planet before him.

"Not yet. We have to wait for that brat to arrive. According to the Scouter reading of Ginyu's ship, he'll be here in a few hours at the earliest. I don't want to destroy the planet just yet. I'll destroy it right in front of that brat! I want him to feel the pain."

"Hello, welcome back, Lord Bardock."

"Hello."

Bardock greeted the people on his way back to his home. Before long, he arrived.

"I'm home, Gine."

"Ah! Bardock."

Gine turned at his greeting, her face instantly lighting up with a radiant smile as she hurried over.

"Why are you back so early?"

"Frieza sent word for all of us to return. Oh, speaking of which, where's Raditz?"

The two embraced. Bardock let go of Gine, looked around, then asked.

"He's a Warrior now. He went to another planet with Prince Vegito."

"Prince Vegito, huh? Good. It's a good thing they're not on this planet."

Bardock pondered for a moment, then nodded with a sigh.

"What is it, Bardock? Did something happen?"

Seeing the worry on her husband's face, Gine grew concerned.

"No, it's nothing. I hope my worries are unfounded."

After reassuring her, Bardock went inside with Gine.

Far away, Kast sat meditating aboard the ship. Like his previous ship, this one could navigate automatically.

"Are we almost there?"

Suddenly, Kast sensed a powerful presence up ahead. The energy felt like Frieza's.

"Good."

Kast rose to his feet. Though he was only eight, his small frame was packed with strength.

Clenching his fists, Kast patted the Senzu Bean tucked against his chest and nodded in satisfaction.

He had made a whole series of preparations for this battle, including meditating beforehand and bringing the Senzu Bean. They were all part of his plan.

Kast wanted to break through his limits by fighting a powerful opponent in a battle to the death, but that didn't mean he would recklessly charge into a fight without preparation.

After all, the goal was to transform into a Super Saiyan, not to get himself killed.

That was why thorough preparation was essential. With the Senzu Bean, as long as he wasn't killed outright, Kast could keep recovering and growing stronger!

And as Kast closed his eyes and felt a tremendous power begin to rise within him, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

He still had a trump card up his sleeve.

"Is it coming?"

Suddenly, an alarm sounded aboard Frieza's ship.

"Yes, Lord Frieza. Lord Ginyu's ship will arrive in three minutes."

Hearing his subordinate's answer, Frieza smiled cruelly.

"Excellent. Then let's begin this grand banquet with a beautiful firework display, to celebrate my meeting with this 'Super Saiyan'!"

With that, Frieza flew out of his ship. A gigantic red energy sphere gathered in his hand, and he hurled it toward the planet below.