Departing Earth

The Saiyan race values strength above all else. While many knew of Frieza's existence, only those in the noble circles surrounding King Vegeta had actually laid eyes on him.

Lower-class warriors, and even mid-level ones, were not qualified to see Frieza.

This was partly because lower-class warriors were often away on long-term campaigns, but mostly it was a matter of social standing; without sufficient status, one simply could not meet Frieza.

However, the Saiyans were a proud people. While they knew of Frieza's power from the higher-ups, they had never seen it with their own eyes, leading them to hold a dismissive attitude.

Yet, the moment they truly realized Frieza's combat power, they were struck by sudden, collective terror.

Unlike the surrounding Saiyans, Kast did not use a scouter to spy. Having knowledge of the original story, Kast knew that Frieza possessed a combat power of 530,000 in his base form.

Such power was an opponent that the current Kast could not deal with, no matter what.

"Better head to Earth first."

Thinking of the Dragon Balls and Senzu Beans on Earth—items that would allow him to grow as quickly as possible—Kast felt restless.

"Wait until tonight..."

In the plaza, King Vegeta and his noble warriors were bowing respectfully to Frieza.

"Welcome, Lord Frieza."

"Oh, ho ho ho ho, you're too formal, King Vegeta. The birth of a prince is an extraordinary day, and I've brought a grand gift."

Raising his right hand to cover his mouth with a laugh, Frieza gestured for his attendant to open a case, revealing a new style of scouter inside.

"This is the latest combat power scouter. Compared to the old models, it has been improved to be lighter and easier to carry, with added real-time calling and long-distance communication functions. I'll provide 5,000 for now; let me know if that's not enough."

With that, he had his attendant hand the scouters to King Vegeta.

"By the way, I hope to have Prince Vegeta come to my side in a few years. I will take good care of him; I am very much looking forward to his future performance!"

"What!!?"

"Well then, farewell, King Vegeta."

Without waiting for a reply, Frieza turned and flew toward his ship.

"Damn it!!"

As Frieza's army departed, King Vegeta's expression turned savage. He crushed the scouter in his hand into powder.

"My King, are we really going to send the Prince to Frieza? This is clearly holding a hostage!"

A nearby Saiyan said nervously.

"But we can't refuse. Frieza's attitude just now made it clear that he intends to take the Prince."

Picking up where the other left off, another Saiyan voiced his own thoughts.

"But..."

"Enough!!" With a roar, King Vegeta cut off the debate, gritting his teeth. "When the Prince turns five, he will be sent to Frieza's army. That is final."

He turned and left the plaza.

"Damn Frieza, how dare he command and ignore me!"

Clenching his fists, King Vegeta wasn't angry about the threat to his son, but rather humiliated by Frieza's dismissive attitude!

For a Saiyan, battle comes first, and dignity comes second—especially for King Vegeta, the King of the Saiyans.

"Frieza is gone." Watching the silhouette of Frieza's ship disappear, Kast narrowed his eyes and turned toward the ship parking area. He had originally planned to leave at night, but with Frieza's departure, he changed his mind.

As a lower-class warrior, even at only five years old, Kast could choose to continue conquering planets, or he could choose to stay on Planet Vegeta to train.

However, for Kast, his subsequent plans had long been filtered through his mind.

Thinking of Planet Vegeta, it might be the home world to most Saiyans, but to Kast, it was merely a transition point, a stopover.

As someone with the memories of a second life, and who had been launched to a remote planet at birth, Kast felt no attachment to the soon-to-be-destroyed Planet Vegeta.

Moreover, his parents in this life had already perished in a conquest war shortly after his birth.

Since there were no regrets on Planet Vegeta, now was the perfect time to leave while Frieza was on his way back.

"Lord Kast, you've arrived. Did you not attend the banquet?"

The receptionist was a red-skinned alien. For a conquering race like the Saiyans, there was a need for races with technical skills; after all, Saiyans were a warrior race, and since battle was their priority, menial tasks were left to conquered aliens.

As a vassal race, they maintained a respectful attitude toward any Saiyan, regardless of age.

"...Is the ship ready?"

Without answering, Kast maintained the usual cold indifference of a Saiyan and instructed.

"It is ready. This is your ship."

Pointing to a small, spherical spaceship ahead, the red-skinned alien introduced it.

"The ship is already equipped with an interstellar navigation map, emergency medical supplies, and also..." As he spoke, seemingly recalling something, the red-skinned alien pulled a scouter from a nearby toolkit.

"This is a new model of scouter that was just sent down from above. It's said to retain all the functions of the original model while adding a real-time communication feature. It's very convenient. Would you like to replace yours, my lord?"

"A new model of scouter?" Looking at the device in the red-skinned alien's hand, a cold sneer emerged in Kast's heart.

This scouter isn't just a scouter; it's a surveillance device! He sneered inwardly, but his face remained indifferent.

"No need. The one I have is fine."

Having said that, he ignored the alien and walked directly into the spaceship.

"Ah! Wait, Lord Kast, you haven't given me your launch permit yet!!"

However, it was already too late.

"Boom!"

With a piercing sonic boom, Kast had already piloted the ship away from Planet Vegeta.

"Ah, these Saiyans are all the same! Sigh, I'm going to get punished again!"

Watching the spaceship turn into a mere star in the distance, cold sweat broke out on the red-skinned alien's face as he began to break down.

Stars streaked past on both sides like meteors as Kast's personal spaceship, trailing a red light, flew straight ahead.

"Ding, ding. One year remains until arrival at Earth. It is recommended to enter hibernation mode."

Following the audio prompt, Kast closed his eyes.

"Enter hibernation mode."

As the words fell, Kast clearly felt his consciousness beginning to drift into slumber.

In the final second before falling asleep, he thought:

"Earth, here I come!"