Departure, Namek

Time flowed slowly. In the vast, infinite universe, those dazzling, brilliant stars were the object of longing for all sentient beings!

Within Frieza's fleet, a toad-headed soldier spoke respectfully to Frieza, "Lord Frieza, we will reach our destination in less than a month. Do you have any further instructions?"

"Oh! We are almost there? This King can finally realize his wish for immortality..." Frieza said.

"Pass down the order: once we land, immediately detect the location of the Namekians and find the Dragon Balls as quickly as possible! This King is growing impatient," Frieza said with an evil grin.

...Earth

Vegeta emerged from the Gravity Chamber. From the doorway, one could faintly see the display monitor showing the multiplier: a staggering 800 times. He was nearing his limit of 1,000 times!

For the past two days, it's been nothing but training and exercising with Bulma...!! So boring. I wonder when this damn system will finally be repaired!! Vegeta muttered to himself.

He stretched his limbs and headed toward the bathroom. After so many days of training, combined with the bonuses from the Gravity Chamber, Vegeta's combat power had reached 10 million! Thanks to repeatedly watching the footage of Yamoshi transmitted by Mr. Popo, plus the increase in his base strength, Vegeta was only one catalyst away from transforming into a Super Saiyan! Even if he couldn't transform, with a combat power of 10 million, he could go toe-to-toe with a Frieza at half-strength if he unleashed his Killing Intent Fist! Perhaps that catalyst would come during the great battle ahead.

After showering, he saw Bulma making final preparations in her workshop and asked, "When can we leave, Bulma?"

"Anytime. I'm just tweaking the music player! It'll only take a few minutes," Bulma replied.

"Oh. Then get ready, call Chi-Chi, and notify Kakarot. I'm going to go get Piccolo," Vegeta said.

"No need, I'm already here..." A figure in a white cape, Piccolo, walked in.

"How did you know I was about to leave?" Vegeta asked, puzzled.

"Hmph, don't forget I have merged with the Guardian of Earth! Standing at Kami's Lookout, I can see everything on Earth," Piccolo scoffed.

"What, you bastard... then all this time I've been with Bulma..." Vegeta roared. He clenched his fists, ready to teach this peeping tom a lesson.

Piccolo hurriedly explained, "Don't misunderstand! I have no interest in watching those things you do. We Namekians are hermaphroditic and egg-laying! There is no such thing as mating; that is merely an unevolved need!" Looking at the angry Vegeta, Piccolo recalled the abuse he had suffered in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

"Hmph, then you're missing out on one of life's great pleasures," Vegeta said, retracting his aura.

"Alright, Goku has been notified. You two get ready. I'll move the spaceship to the roof! Once he arrives, we leave. By the way, Vegeta, are we only four going?" Bulma asked.

"There's also Kakarot's half-breed son. Right... contact that bald guy named Krillin too. Even if his strength is lacking, he might be of great use!"

Vegeta thought of the scene from the original story where Krillin's sacrifice led to infinite power—because Krillin was killed by Frieza, Sun Wukong flew into a rage and transformed into a Super Saiyan! Although Sun Wukong might not need that now, and Vegeta had full confidence in defeating Frieza, the strength of one man was always lonely. It was good to have a few companions by his side.

"Fine, I'll call Kame House!" Bulma put down the remote and hurried away.

"Hi, everyone!" a man in an orange martial arts uniform said as he arrived.

"Hello, Uncle Piccolo. Hello, Uncle Vegeta," Gohan said politely.

"Hmph, Gohan, it's only been two months and your body has already rusted!" Piccolo said, disappointed.

"Don't blame Gohan, he's just a child. Chi-Chi wouldn't let him train after we got back; he's been catching up on his studies," Sun Wukong explained.

"Hmph, when you were Gohan's age, you had already defeated my father. As for him, his combat experience is zero. In the last battle, he was even too scared to move! A brainless woman will only hinder your strength!" Piccolo said.

"Enough, let's wait outside!" Vegeta had already changed into his combat suit. Bulma's new design lacked the ugly shoulder pads of the past, upgrading to a tight-fitting bodysuit underneath with the same armor vest on top. The blue bodysuit clung to Vegeta's firm muscles, making him look a few centimeters taller.

"Do you want some? This material is durable and provides some defense in battle," Vegeta asked the others.

"I still prefer my training gi," Sun Wukong replied.

"Same here..." Piccolo was brief, too lazy to say more.

Gohan looked on curiously and asked, "Uncle Vegeta, can I have a set? It looks so cool!"

"I don't have your size. If you want one, ask Bulma to custom-make a few sets for you later," Vegeta said calmly.

"Never mind then, I don't really need it, I was just curious..." Gohan didn't insist. He turned to Piccolo and asked, "Uncle Piccolo, could you please change me into an outfit with the same inner layer as yours? I have a cape, I just didn't bring it this time, just give me the inner suit!"

Piccolo opened his palm toward Gohan's head, and strange energy enveloped him. A set of ink-blue, perfectly fitted clothes appeared on Gohan. It had to be said, he looked a bit like he did when he fought Cell!

Gohan tightened his wristbands and said happily, "Thank you, Uncle Piccolo."

While the group chatted, they waited for Krillin to arrive.

Piccolo suddenly said, "By the way, I passed by Korin's place before coming down, and he gave me a bag of Senzu Beans. There are about 20 of them!"

"Bulma, store them in a Hoi-Poi Capsule for safekeeping. In case of an emergency, those are lifesavers! Also, send someone to bring that cat some food—bring plenty of dried fish and the like. At the end of the day, he's still a cat!" Vegeta said. This was their arrangement.

Piccolo tossed the bag to Bulma, and she stored it in a Hoi-Poi Capsule.

Half an hour later.

"Why isn't he here yet... I'm bored to death waiting for him!" Vegeta said impatiently.

"What's the rush? Kame House is over three thousand kilometers away!" Bulma explained.

"Let me see where he is."

Piccolo closed his eyes, and the two antennae on his head stretched toward the direction of Kame House Island. He sensed Krillin's position—the man was flying at a leisurely pace!

"Krillin, use your full speed. If you aren't here in ten minutes, don't bother coming!" Piccolo transmitted his voice to Krillin.

Krillin was startled! "Who... who is speaking? Where are you?"

In his surprise, he stopped flying and looked around, but there was no one in sight!

"It's me, Piccolo. I'm using telepathy! Hurry up if you don't want to get beaten! Vegeta is already getting impatient," Piccolo explained.

Krillin shivered at the thought of the powerful Vegeta. A white aura flared around his body, and he sped toward Bulma's house.

"I see him. He should be here in about ten minutes," Piccolo said calmly.

About five minutes later, a figure appeared in the sky! Krillin had arrived as well!

"Krillin, it seems you're quite afraid of Vegeta! I estimated you'd need ten minutes, but it's only been about five," Piccolo said with disdain.

"I'm not like you aliens... and don't forget Gohan, that half-breed. I'm a true Earthling. Who else could improve to such unfathomable levels in a mere two months like you lot?" Krillin explained, looking astonished.

"Enough talk, let's go!" Vegeta said coldly.

The group stepped into the spaceship one by one. With a thunderous roar, the ship tore through the air, instantly breaking out of Earth's atmosphere!

"So fast! It's dozens of times faster than the speed of my original ship!!!" Vegeta was shocked.

Bulma said haughtily, "Of course... look whose handiwork this is. This young lady is the smartest scientist of the new generation. Give me a chance, and I could even build you a machine to travel through time!" Little did she know, the future Bulma would actually build a time machine, and on a ruined Earth with severely scarce materials at that!

In the vast, infinite universe, Krillin and Gohan gazed at the starry sky outside the window, their hearts filled with excitement. The two pointed at every planet and star they passed, unable to calm their racing hearts.

"Bulma, you promised me: if things go south, you will take the Escape Pod and flee Namek!" Vegeta said, worried.

Bulma hugged Vegeta's arm and acted spoiled. "I know, I know! But I still have you, don't I? My respected Saiyan Prince, are you telling me you can't even protect me?"

"Let go... there are so many people here... what kind of behavior is this!!!" Vegeta said, shy.

The group was stunned. Krillin, in particular, asked in surprise, "Bulma, are you two married?" The mystery of the starry sky couldn't stop their burning desire for gossip!

"Not yet, we just got together. If Vegeta is willing, I would marry him!" Bulma looked at Vegeta affectionately. In truth, over these short two months, she had been completely conquered—body and soul—by this overbearing, charming, and prideful Saiyan Prince.

"When we return from this, we'll hold a romantic wedding!" Ignoring the gazes of the others, Vegeta gently held Bulma's shoulders and promised. After all, he was no longer the old Vegeta who cared for nothing but the increase of his own strength!

Krillin, oblivious to the occasion, blurted out, "Yamcha has only been dead for two months, and you've already moved on." He regretted it the moment the words left his mouth!

Seeing the pitying looks from Piccolo and Gohan, and then catching the murderous glare from Vegeta, he retreated in terror!

"Little bald-head, it seems you're tired of living. You're too weak right now; let me help you out." After saying this, Vegeta grabbed Krillin by the collar and dragged him step by step toward the Gravity Chamber! After all, only that room could withstand their energy without being destroyed.

From inside the room came a series of wails and screams! "Vegeta, let me go... I was wrong! I'll never say it again!!"

The others looked toward the Gravity Chamber with sympathetic eyes, sighing inwardly, We can't help you, buddy!

Bulma whispered, "Serves you right, who told you to run your mouth!" Secretly, she was delighted; the angrier Vegeta got, the more it meant he liked her! She hadn't expected that when Saiyans got jealous, they were no less intense than Earthlings!