Saiyan Invasion

In the spring of Age 754, two years had passed since the second World Martial Arts Tournament. New Vegeta City was a place of peace, where Kashu's three children—Kariel, Kabrun, and Kassis—were growing up strong. Son Gohan, the newborn son of Son Goku and Chi-Chi, had also arrived, bringing even more joy to the city.

However, deep in the cosmos, three spherical ships were hurtling toward Earth at faster-than-light speeds. On board were three Saiyans: Vegeta, Nappa, and Raditz. They were a separate squad that had survived the destruction of Planet Vegeta, serving the Frieza Force and conquering planets for the Emperor of the Universe. Recently, Frieza had detected an abnormally powerful energy signature on Earth, suspecting the presence of a legendary Super Saiyan. He ordered the Vegeta squad to travel to Earth to investigate and eliminate all Saiyan survivors. Vegeta did not truly serve Frieza; his plan was to use Frieza's orders as a cover to find the Saiyans on Earth and harness their power to revolt against the tyrant. Yet, he did not expect the Saiyans on Earth to be far stronger than he had imagined. A battle that would decide the fate of the Saiyan race was about to erupt above the planet.

In Earth's outer space, the three spherical ships dropped out of warp, decelerating into orbit. In the center ship, a young man with a spiky, broom-like hairstyle sat in the command chair, arms crossed, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's. This was Vegeta, Prince of the Saiyans, twenty-three years old. He had served in the Frieza Force for over a decade, his combat power rising from an initial five thousand to thirty-eight thousand. He had heard rumors of Saiyan survivors on Earth but never believed them—how could a remote, low-gravity planet harbor such powerhouses? "Lord Vegeta, Earth is right below us," a bald, muscular man said, stepping onto the bridge with a gravelly voice. This was Nappa, thirty-five, an elite warrior with a combat power of eight thousand. He was Vegeta's second-in-command and one of the few warriors loyal to the royal bloodline. "The scouters show several high power levels on Earth," Vegeta said, his brow furrowing as he stared at the screen. "One... two... three... and this highest one, what is the reading?" He pressed the measurement key, and the scouter's display flickered wildly before settling on a number. "Three point five million? Impossible! This piece of junk must be broken!" Vegeta slapped the scouter. Nappa glanced at his own device, his face turning pale. "Mine says three point five million too. Lord Vegeta, there really are powerhouses on Earth." "Hmph, so what if it's three point five million?" Vegeta stood up. "My combat power reaches three hundred and eighty thousand as a Great Ape, and with the power amplifiers Frieza gave us, five hundred thousand is no issue. That three point five million guy is mine."

"What about the others? There's one at one hundred and fifty thousand, one at eight hundred thousand, and one at one point two million..." Nappa's voice trembled. "Raditz, get over here!" Vegeta shouted. A long-haired youth emerged from the cabin. Raditz, twenty-two, a low-class warrior with a combat power of fifteen thousand. He was the second son of Bardock and Gine, and Kashu's younger brother. However, he did not know his family was on Earth—he only remembered his parents and older brother dying when Planet Vegeta was destroyed. "Lord Vegeta," Raditz lowered his head. "Are you afraid?" Vegeta asked. "No. Saiyans never fear death." Raditz's voice was calm, though a flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes. "Good. Tomorrow at noon, we land on Earth. We'll destroy their city first to force those powerhouses out," Vegeta ordered. "Yes!"

The next morning, the alarm sounded in New Vegeta City. Kashu was sparring with Son Goku in the training grounds. Son Goku was eighteen, one meter seventy-five tall—a few centimeters shorter than Kashu—but his build was lean and powerful. He could maintain his Super Saiyan form steadily for hours, with a combat power of seventy-five million. "Brother, I feel like you aren't putting your heart into it today," Son Goku said after Kashu easily blocked a flying kick. "It's not that I'm not trying, it's that you've improved," Kashu replied, driving Son Goku back with an elbow strike. "Your sensing of ki is becoming sharper." "Hehe, of course it is!" Son Goku laughed proudly. Just then, Kashu's expression shifted. He looked up toward the sky.

"What is it, brother?" Son Goku looked up as well. "Three ships, descending. Combat powers... one at thirty-eight thousand, one at eight thousand, one at fifteen thousand," Kashu's brow furrowed. "Saiyan ki." "Saiyans? There are survivors?" "It seems so." Kashu took flight. "Kakarot, go call everyone! We have guests—uninvited ones." The three ships pierced the atmosphere and hovered over New Vegeta City. The hatches opened, and Vegeta, Nappa, and Raditz leaped out, hovering in mid-air as they looked down at the city. "How... how is there a Saiyan city here?" Nappa's eyes widened. "It seems we aren't the only survivors," a complex emotion flickered in Vegeta's eyes. He had thought he was the last Saiyan prince, never expecting an entire colony of his people to exist on Earth.

"There are so many people down there. Saiyan ki," Raditz said, "and... a very familiar feeling." "Forget that." Vegeta raised his right hand, a ball of energy coalescing in his palm. "Destroy the city first." "Stop!" A crimson light shot up from the city, appearing instantly before Vegeta. Kashu hovered in the air, a red aura burning around him—the Legendary Super Saiyan First Grade. His black hair had turned dark red, his pupils gold, and he radiated a terrifying pressure. Vegeta's pupils contracted sharply. His scouter exploded the moment Kashu appeared—the reading had exceeded its limit. "Who... who are you?" Vegeta's voice trembled slightly. "Kashu, eldest son of Bardock. The leader of this city," Kashu said calmly. "Who are you, and why are you attacking our city?"

"Bardock's eldest son?" Raditz's voice came from behind. "My father was named Bardock... I am Raditz, Bardock's second son. You... are you my brother?"

Kashu looked at Raditz. The long-haired youth resembled him somewhat—the same black hair, the same eye shape.

It was his second brother, the long-lost Raditz. "Raditz." Kashu's voice softened. "You didn't die." "Brother..." Raditz's eyes turned red. "You... you're still alive..." "Now is not the time for reunions," Vegeta interrupted. "Kashu, you're a Saiyan? Then you should submit to me; I am Vegeta, Prince of the Saiyans!" "Vegeta?" Kashu looked at him. "I know of you. King Vegeta's son. But I am the one in charge here. Put away your attack, or don't blame me for being impolite." "Impolite? You think you can defeat me?" Vegeta erupted with his full power, his combat strength at thirty-eight thousand. He lunged at Kashu, throwing a punch toward his face. Kashu didn't move. He simply reached out and caught Vegeta's fist. Boom! Vegeta's fist was held firmly in Kashu's palm, not budging an inch. Vegeta felt as if he had struck a mountain; the recoil made his arm go numb. "Your power... how is this possible..." Vegeta's face turned pale. "Vegeta, you are too weak," Kashu said. "Your combat power is only thirty-eight thousand, while my base combat power is three point five million. You aren't even worth a single finger of mine." He gave a light push, and Vegeta flew backward, flipping a dozen times in the air before barely stabilizing himself. Nappa and Raditz were stunned. Vegeta was the strongest among them, yet he had been repelled by a single blow.

"Lord Vegeta!" Nappa rushed forward. "Stay back!" Vegeta roared. "You are no match for him! Nappa, use the Saibamen!" Nappa pulled six small seeds from his pocket and threw them to the ground. The seeds took root and rapidly grew into six green, humanoid creatures—Saibamen. Each Saibamen had a combat power of twelve thousand.

"Kill them!" Nappa ordered. The six Saibamen charged at Kashu. Kashu didn't even lift an eyelid; he simply flicked his hand, and six crimson energy blasts shot out, striking each Saibamen with precision. The creatures exploded, turning into green sludge that splattered across the ground.

"Pathetic," Kashu said. Vegeta's expression changed completely. Saibamen were combat plants cultivated by the Frieza Force, each with a power level of twelve thousand; even for him, six at once would have been a struggle. Yet this Saiyan named Kashu had wiped them out with a casual wave. "You... what kind of monster are you?" "I told you, I am Kashu." Kashu retracted his transformation. "Vegeta, I give you two choices: first, take your men and leave Earth, never to return; second, join us, train with us, and take revenge on Frieza together." "Join you?" A flicker of resentment flashed in Vegeta's eyes. "I am the Prince of the Saiyans!" "Here, being a prince is worthless," Kashu said. "Strength is what gives you a voice. Vegeta, you are no match for me, and neither are your men. If you insist on fighting, I will make you lose until you are convinced." "Brother..." Raditz spoke up. "I... I am willing to join. I don't want to be your enemy." "Raditz, you!" Vegeta glared at him. "Lord Vegeta, we can't beat him," Nappa whispered. "Why not... pretend to join, and look for an opportunity later?" Vegeta gritted his teeth. He knew Nappa was right. Kashu's strength was far beyond his imagination; fighting to the death would only lead to his end. "Fine, I'll join," Vegeta finally said. "But I won't take orders from you. We are equal partners." "Fine," Kashu said, "but there is one condition—you must follow our rules. No wanton slaughter, no reckless destruction." "Hmph, understood."

Vegeta, Nappa, and Raditz landed in the plaza of New Vegeta City. Gore, Luo Ling, Krillin, Tien Shinhan, Piccolo, and others were already waiting, all looking hostile. "Kashu, are you sure about taking them in?" Luo Ling looked Vegeta up and down. "Is this little shrimp the Saiyan prince?" "Who are you calling a little shrimp!" Vegeta was furious. "I'm talking to you, little shrimp." Luo Ling released her Super Saiyan ki, a golden aura surging into the sky. Vegeta's pupils contracted. Another Super Saiyan? And a female one at that? "Luo Ling, that's enough." Kashu pressed a hand on her shoulder. "Vegeta and his men are our partners now." "Hmph." Luo Ling retracted her transformation and crossed her arms. Raditz walked up to Kashu, his eyes red. "Brother... I... I thought you were all dead..." "We are all alive." Kashu patted Raditz's shoulder. "Father and Mother are here too. They are waiting for you." "Father? Mother? They're still alive?!" Raditz's tears finally fell. "Alive. I'll take you to them." Kashu led Raditz toward the home of Bardock and Gine. Raditz looked back repeatedly, gazing at the city and his Saiyan kin, a sense of belonging he had never known surging in his heart. Bardock stood at the door, looking at the son he had been separated from for so long, his voice hoarse. "Raditz... you've finally returned." "Father!" Raditz threw himself into Bardock's arms, crying like a child. Gine emerged from the house, and seeing Raditz, her tears flowed as well. "My son... you're still alive..." The family of three embraced, sobbing together.

Vegeta and Nappa stayed in New Vegeta City for the time being. Vegeta was initially uncomfortable. He was used to the rigid hierarchy of the Frieza Force and the rule of force. But here, no one feared him, and no one listened to him. "Vegeta, your ki control is too crude," Kashu said one day at the training grounds. "Shut up! Don't lecture me!" "Then why can't you beat Krillin?" Kashu pointed to Krillin, who was practicing energy blasts nearby. Krillin was sixteen, with a combat power of five hundred thousand. Vegeta's face flushed red. "That's because... that's because I haven't adapted to Earth's gravity!" "Then go train in the gravity room," Kashu said. "I've come out of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, so the gravity room is empty. You can use it." Vegeta gritted his teeth and walked into the gravity room. Under three hundred times gravity, his body was pressed down so hard he could barely stand. But he bit his lip, walking forward step by step. "I won't lose to a low-class warrior..." Vegeta muttered to himself. "I am the Prince of the Saiyans..." A month later, Vegeta's combat power had risen from thirty-eight thousand to one hundred thousand. He began to learn how to sense ki, how to fly, and how to use energy blasts. His rate of progress surprised even Kashu. "Vegeta, your talent is indeed high," Kashu said. "In time, you will surely reach the Super Saiyan state." "Of course, I am the Prince," Vegeta said proudly.

Just then, a transmission from Frieza arrived from deep space. Vegeta's ship received Frieza's encrypted message. It contained only one sentence: "Vegeta, what is the situation with the Saiyans on Earth? Report immediately." Vegeta looked at the communicator, his face grim. "Frieza is asking about our status," Nappa said. "Lord Vegeta, how should we reply?" Vegeta was silent for a moment, then said, "Tell him the Saiyan survivors on Earth have all been eliminated. Our scouters were damaged, so we cannot transmit detailed data." "Will he believe it?" "He will send someone to check. But it will buy us some time." Vegeta sent the reply. Frieza received it and did not suspect anything. However, his confidant Zarbon noticed something unusual—the energy signal from Vegeta's ship had remained on Earth for a long time, not at all like a place where a battle had just concluded.

"Lord Frieza, Vegeta may be hiding something," Zarbon said. "It doesn't matter." Frieza sat on his throne, a sinister smile curling his lips. "I have already discovered something interesting from the backup data of Nappa's scouter—there are Dragon Balls on Namek that can grant any wish. Including immortality." "Namek?" Zarbon asked. "Send the fleet to Namek," Frieza ordered. "I will go personally to retrieve the Dragon Balls. As for Vegeta and the Saiyans on Earth... once I become immortal, I will deal with them at my leisure." Frieza's fleet began to assemble, their target—Namek.