Saiyan Invasion

In the spring of Age 754, two years had passed since the second World Martial Arts Tournament. New Vegeta City was peaceful, and Kashu's three children—Kariel, Kabrun, and Kassis—were growing up strong and healthy. Son Goku and Chi-Chi's son, Son Gohan, had also been born recently, bringing even more laughter to the city.

Meanwhile, deep in space, three spherical spaceships raced toward Earth at faster-than-light speeds. Aboard them were three Saiyans—Vegeta, Nappa, and Raditz. They were survivors of another squad from Planet Vegeta, which had been destroyed, and had served in the Frieza Force ever since, conquering planets for the emperor of the universe. Recently, Frieza had discovered unusual energy readings on Earth in the data from the Scouters. He suspected they might belong to the Legendary Super Saiyan, and had ordered the Vegeta Squad to investigate Earth and eliminate any surviving Saiyans. Vegeta wasn't truly loyal to Frieza. His plan was to use Frieza's orders to find the Saiyans on Earth and enlist their strength in a rebellion against him. But he hadn't expected the Saiyans on Earth to be far stronger than he could have imagined. A battle that would determine the Saiyans' fate was about to begin in the skies above Earth.

In Earth's outer space, the three spherical spaceships dropped out of faster-than-light travel, slowed down, and entered Earth's orbit. In the middle ship, a young man with upright, brush-like hair sat in the command chair, arms crossed and eyes sharp as a hawk's. Vegeta, Prince of the Saiyans, was twenty-three years old. He had served in the Frieza Force for over a decade, raising his battle power from an initial five thousand to thirty-eight thousand. He'd heard there were surviving Saiyans on Earth, but had never believed it—how could a remote planet with low gravity possibly have any strong warriors? "Lord Vegeta, Earth is right below us." A bald, burly man entered the bridge and spoke in a deep, rumbling voice. Nappa was thirty-five, an Elite Warrior with a battle power of eight thousand. He was Vegeta's second-in-command and one of the few Saiyan warriors who remained fiercely loyal to the royal family. "The Scouters show several powerful fighters on Earth." Vegeta stared at the screen, frowning. "One... two... three... What does it say the strongest one is?" He pressed the measurement button. The Scouter's reading jumped wildly before settling on a number. "Three and a half million? Impossible! Is this lousy thing broken?" Vegeta slapped his Scouter. Nappa glanced at his own, his face turning deathly pale. "Mine says three and a half million too. Lord Vegeta, there really are powerful warriors on Earth." "Hmph. So what if he's at three and a half million?" Vegeta stood. "As a Great Ape, my battle power can reach three hundred and eighty thousand. And with the energy amplifiers Frieza gave us, fifty million won't be a problem. I'll take the one with three and a half million."

"What about the others? There's one at one hundred and fifty thousand, one at eight hundred thousand, and one at one million two hundred thousand..." Nappa's voice trembled. "Raditz, get over here!" Vegeta called. A long-haired young man emerged from the cabin. Raditz was twenty-two, a Low-Class Warrior with a battle power of fifteen thousand. He was the second son of Bardock and Gine, and Kashu's younger brother. But he didn't know he had family on Earth—he only remembered that his parents and older brother had died 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. We land on Earth tomorrow at noon. First, we'll destroy their city and force those strong fighters to come out." Vegeta gave the order. "Yes, sir!"

New Vegeta City's alarm rang the next morning. Kashu was sparring with Son Goku on the training grounds. Goku was eighteen, a little over five foot nine—several inches shorter than Kashu, but even more powerfully built. He could now maintain his Super Saiyan form for hours at a time, with a battle power of seventy-five million. "Big brother, I don't think you're giving it your all today." Goku's flying kick was easily blocked by Kashu. "It's not that. You've gotten better." Kashu drove an elbow into Goku and knocked him back. "You're getting more sensitive to ki." "Heh heh, of course I am!" Goku grinned proudly. Then Kashu's expression suddenly changed. He raised his head and looked up at the sky.

"What's wrong, big brother?" Goku looked up too. "Three spaceships are coming down. Their battle powers are... thirty-eight thousand, eight thousand, and fifteen thousand." Kashu frowned. "They're Saiyans." "Saiyans? Are there more survivors?" "Looks like it." Kashu shot into the air. "Kakarot, go get everyone! We have guests—uninvited ones." The three spaceships passed through the atmosphere and hovered above New Vegeta City. Their hatches opened, and Vegeta, Nappa, and Raditz leaped out, hovering in the air as they looked down at the city. "How can there be a Saiyan city here?" Nappa's eyes widened. "Looks like we're not the only survivors." A complicated emotion flashed across Vegeta's eyes. He had thought he was the last Saiyan prince, but there was already an entire Saiyan settlement on Earth.

"There are lots of people down there. Saiyan energy signatures," Raditz said. "And... something about them feels familiar." "Forget that." Vegeta raised his right hand, gathering an energy sphere in his palm. "Let's destroy the city first." "Stop!" A crimson beam of light shot up from the city and appeared in front of Vegeta in an instant. Kashu hovered in the air, crimson flames burning around him—Legendary Super Saiyan First Grade. His black hair had turned dark red, his eyes gold, and a terrifying pressure radiated from his entire body. Vegeta's pupils contracted. The moment Kashu appeared, his Scouter exploded—the reading had exceeded its limit. "Who... who are you?" Vegeta's voice trembled. "Kashu, Bardock's eldest son and the leader of this city," Kashu replied calmly. "Who are you, and why are you attacking our city?"

"Bardock's eldest son?" Raditz called from behind them. "My father's name was Bardock... I'm Raditz, his second son. Are... are you my brother?"

Kashu looked at Raditz. The long-haired young man resembled him in several ways—the same black hair, the same shape to his eyes.

He was Kashu's younger brother, Raditz, lost to him for so many years. "Raditz." Kashu's voice softened. "You're alive." "Big brother..." Raditz's eyes turned red. "You... you're alive..." "This isn't the time for a reunion," Vegeta cut in. "Kashu, you're a Saiyan? Then you should submit to me. I'm Vegeta, Prince of the Saiyans!" "Vegeta?" Kashu looked at him. "I know who you are. King Vegeta's son. But I'm in charge here. Put away your attack, or I won't hold back." "You think you can beat me?" Vegeta unleashed his full power, his battle power reaching thirty-eight thousand. He charged at Kashu and punched him in the face. Kashu didn't move. He simply reached out and caught Vegeta's fist. Bang! Vegeta's fist was trapped in Kashu's palm, unable to move. It felt as if he'd punched a mountain, and the force of the impact left his arm numb. "How can you be this strong...?" Vegeta's face turned deathly pale. "Vegeta, you're too weak," Kashu said. "Your battle power is only thirty-eight thousand, while mine is three and a half million in my base form. You're not even worth one of my fingers." He gave a gentle push. Vegeta flew backward, turning over a dozen times in the air before managing to steady himself. Nappa and Raditz stared in shock. Vegeta was the strongest of them, yet he'd been sent flying with a single punch.

"Lord Vegeta!" Nappa rushed forward. "Stay back!" Vegeta shouted. "You're no match for him! Nappa, use the Saibamen!" Nappa pulled six tiny seeds from his clothes and threw them to the ground. They took root and quickly grew into six green humanoid creatures—the Saibamen. Each had a battle power of twelve thousand.

"Kill them!" Nappa ordered. The six Saibamen charged at Kashu. He didn't even lift an eyelid. With a casual wave of his hand, he fired six crimson Ki Blasts, each striking a Saibaman dead-on. They exploded, splattering green fluid across the ground.

"Pathetic." Kashu spoke. Vegeta's expression changed completely. The Saibamen were battle plants cultivated by the Frieza Force, each with a battle power of twelve thousand. Even he would have to put in a good deal of effort to fight all six at once. Yet this Saiyan called Kashu had wiped them all out with a casual wave. "What... what kind of monster are you?" "I told you, I'm Kashu." Kashu returned from his Legendary Super Saiyan form. "Vegeta, I'll give you two choices. First, take your men and leave Earth. Never come back. Second, join us, train with us, and help us get revenge on Frieza." "Join you?" A flash of reluctance crossed Vegeta's eyes. "I'm the Saiyan Prince!" "Princes don't matter here," Kashu said. "Strength is what gives you a say. Vegeta, you're no match for me, and neither are your men. If you insist on fighting, I'll make sure you're thoroughly defeated." "Big brother..." Raditz spoke up. "I... I'll join you. I don't want to fight you." "Raditz, you!" Vegeta glared at him. "Lord Vegeta, we can't beat him," Nappa said quietly. "Maybe... we should pretend to join him for now, then look for another chance later." Vegeta gritted his teeth. He knew Nappa was right. Kashu was far stronger than he'd imagined. A direct fight would only get them killed... "Fine. I'll join," Vegeta finally said. "But I won't take orders from you." "We'll be equal partners," Kashu said. "But you'll have to accept our rules. No killing innocent people, and no wanton destruction." "Hmph. Fine."

Vegeta, Nappa, and Raditz landed in the square of New Vegeta City. Gore, Luo Ling, Krillin, Tien Shinhan, Piccolo, and the others were already waiting there, all looking displeased. "Kashu, are you sure you want to take them in?" Luo Ling looked Vegeta up and down. "This little shrimp is the Saiyan Prince?" "Who are you calling a shrimp?!" Vegeta snapped. "You, little shrimp." Luo Ling released her Super Saiyan aura, golden flames surging into the sky. Vegeta's pupils contracted. Another Super Saiyan? And a female Saiyan, too? "Luo Ling, that's enough." Kashu put a hand on her shoulder. "Vegeta and the others are our allies now." "Hmph." Luo Ling ended her transformation and folded her arms. Raditz walked up to Kashu, his eyes red. "Big brother... I... I thought you were all dead..." "We're all alive." Kashu patted Raditz on the shoulder. "Father and Mother are here, too. They've been waiting for you." "Father? Mother? They're alive?!" Tears finally spilled from Raditz's eyes. "They're alive. I'll take you to them." Kashu led Raditz toward Bardock and Gine's home. Raditz kept looking back at the city, at his Saiyan people, a sense of belonging rising inside him unlike anything he'd ever felt. Bardock stood in the doorway, looking at the son he had lost so long ago. His voice was hoarse. "Raditz... you're finally home." "Father!" Raditz threw himself into Bardock's arms and wept like a child. Gine came out of the house, and tears filled her eyes when she saw Raditz. "My son... you're alive..." The three of them embraced, sobbing together.

Vegeta and Nappa temporarily settled in New Vegeta City. At first, Vegeta had a hard time adjusting. He was used to the strict hierarchy of the Frieza Force and to settling everything with strength. But here, no one feared him, and no one obeyed him. "Vegeta, your ki control is too rough," 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 Ki Blasts nearby. Krillin was sixteen, with a battle power of five hundred thousand. Vegeta's face flushed red. "That's because... because I'm not used to Earth's gravity yet!" "Then train in the gravity room," Kashu said. "I've left the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. The gravity room is empty. You can use it." Vegeta gritted his teeth and entered the gravity room. Under three hundred times gravity, the pressure nearly forced him to the ground. But he gritted his teeth and trudged forward, one step at a time. "I won't lose to a Low-Class Warrior..." Vegeta muttered. "I'm the Prince of the Saiyans..." A month later, Vegeta's battle power had risen from thirty-eight thousand to one hundred thousand. He began to learn to sense ki, and mastered the Flight Technique and Ki Blasts. His rate of progress surprised even Kashu. "You really do have a gift, Vegeta," Kashu said. "Given enough time, you'll definitely reach the Super Saiyan level." "Of course. I'm the Prince," Vegeta said smugly.

Just then, a transmission from Frieza came through from deep space. Vegeta's ship received Frieza's encrypted message. It contained only one sentence: "Vegeta, what's the situation with the Saiyans on Earth? Report at once." Vegeta stared at the communicator, his face darkening. "Frieza's asking about our situation," Nappa said. "Lord Vegeta, what should we tell him?" Vegeta was silent for a moment before replying, "Tell him all the surviving Saiyans on Earth have been eliminated. Our Scouters were damaged, so we can't transmit detailed data." "Will he believe that?" "He'll send someone to check. But at least we'll buy ourselves some time." Vegeta sent the reply. Frieza received it and didn't suspect anything. But his trusted aide Zarbon noticed something unusual: Vegeta's ship had been transmitting energy signals from Earth for a long time, which didn't seem consistent with having just finished a battle.

"Lord Frieza, Vegeta may be hiding something," Zarbon said. "It doesn't matter." Frieza sat on his throne, a sinister smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "I've already found something interesting in a backup of Nappa's Scouter data. Namek has Dragon Balls that can grant any wish—including immortality." "Namek?" Zarbon asked. "Send a fleet to Namek," Frieza ordered. "I'll go get the Dragon Balls myself. As for Vegeta and the Saiyans on Earth... once I've become immortal, I'll deal with them at my leisure." Frieza's fleet began to assemble, its destination—Namek.