Frieza received the news that his vanguard fleet had been wiped out, and his face darkened. "The Saiyans on Earth are stronger than I expected," Frieza said. "But that doesn't matter. What matters is the Dragon Balls on Namek." "Lord Frieza, we've confirmed Namek's coordinates," Zarbon said. "Our fleet is ready to depart at any time." "Good. In three days, I'll go to Namek in person." Frieza rose to his feet. "As for the Saiyans on Earth... I'll deal with them after I've become immortal." Meanwhile, Kashu was making preparations as well. "Piccolo, Namek is your homeworld. You should go see it." Piccolo was silent for a moment, then said, "I was born and raised on Earth. Namek is just a name to me." "But Namekian blood runs through your veins," Kashu said. "Besides, the Grand Elder of Namek may know about your origins." "All right, I'll go." "I'll go too!" Son Goku raised his hand. "Me too!" Krillin raised his hand. "I'll go too," Tien Shinhan said. "I'm going," Luo Ling said. "And me," Gore added.
Kashu shook his head. "We can't all go. Earth needs defenders. Kakarot, Piccolo, Krillin, Tien Shinhan, and I will go to Namek. The rest of you will stay here." "Why can't I go?" Luo Ling protested. "Because you're the second-strongest person on Earth. If Frieza attacks while we're gone, you're the only one who can stop him," Kashu said. Luo Ling thought it over, then nodded. "All right."
The New Hope—Bulma's newly built spaceship—was docked at the New Vegeta City spaceport. It was equipped with a faster-than-light engine and could fly from Earth to Namek in five days. Kashu, Son Goku, Piccolo, Krillin, and Tien Shinhan boarded the ship. "Brother, you have to come back!" Kariel held Kashu's hand. "Dad will come back." Kashu lifted his daughter and kissed her cheek. "Kariel, listen to your mothers." "Okay!" "Kabrun, take care of your little sister." "I will, Dad." Kabrun nodded obediently. Kassis didn't say anything, only watched his father quietly. Kashu crouched and ruffled his son's hair. "Kassis, when I get back, I'll teach you some new moves." "Okay," Kassis said. Bulma, Launch, and Tights stood together. All three women looked reluctant, but none of them told him not to go. They knew that no one could change Kashu's mind once he had made a decision. "Take care," Bulma said. "Remember to bring back a present," Launch said. "Come home safe," Tights said. Kashu nodded and turned to enter the ship. The New Hope lifted off and vanished into the blue sky.
Five days later, the New Hope reached Namek. It was a verdant planet beneath a pale purple sky, with two suns—one large and yellow, the other small and red. Vast grasslands and lakes covered its surface, and the air was fresh and the scenery beautiful. "It's so beautiful," Krillin said, leaning against the observation window. "Even more beautiful than Earth."
Piccolo gazed out at the scenery, a complicated light flickering in his eyes. He could sense a familiar feeling from the planet, as though it were calling to him. "We're landing," Kashu said. The New Hope touched down on a northern grassland. The hatch opened, and a rush of fresh air swept into the cabin. "The air composition is similar to Earth's. We can breathe it," Krillin said. The five of them stepped outside. Blue flowers covered the grassland, and a clear river flowed in the distance, where several dinosaur-like creatures were drinking. "It's so peaceful," Son Goku said. "Peaceful on the surface," Kashu replied, looking north. "I can sense a powerful presence in that direction. The Grand Elder of Namek is there."
The five flew to the Grand Elder's village. The Grand Elder was a gigantic Namekian, seated in a huge chair. His skin was wrinkled, and he looked extremely old. A few young warriors stood beside him—Nail, with a battle power of 42,000, and several ordinary Namekians. "Outsiders," the Grand Elder said in a deep, hoarse voice. "I sensed your arrival." "Grand Elder," Kashu said, stepping forward. "I'm Kashu, from Earth. Frieza is coming to take the Dragon Balls. We've come to help you." "I know," the Grand Elder said. "My premonition tells me that a disaster is about to befall Namek. But I didn't expect help to come from Saiyans." "There's good and evil among Saiyans," Kashu said. "Grand Elder, we'd like to borrow your Dragon Balls. We don't want to wish for immortality. We want to bring back our friends—the Saiyans Frieza killed." The Grand Elder was silent for a moment, then said, "Your wish is a kind one. You may use the Dragon Balls, but you must protect Namek from Frieza's destruction." "We will." The Grand Elder summoned Namek's seven Dragon Balls. They were much larger than Earth's, each the size of a basketball and covered in stars. "To summon the dragon with Namek's Dragon Balls, you must recite an incantation in the Namekian Language," the Grand Elder said. "I'll have Nail assist you." "Thank you, Grand Elder." Just then, Kashu sensed a massive presence approaching from outer space. Frieza's fleet had arrived. Frieza's flagship slowly descended onto the grassland above Namek. The hatch opened, and Frieza stepped out. He remained in his first form—white skin, a purple bald head, and red eyes. But his power was at least ten times greater than it had been ten years ago. "So this is Namek?" Frieza looked around. "Nice scenery, but it's far too green." Zarbon, Dodoria, and hundreds of soldiers followed behind him. "Search teams, move out! Find the Namekians' villages and force them to hand over the Dragon Balls!" Kashu sensed Frieza's arrival and his expression turned grave. "Frieza's here. Piccolo, go with Nail and protect the Grand Elder. Krillin, Tien Shinhan, intercept Frieza's soldiers. Kakarot, you're coming with me to face Frieza." "Understood!" The five split up.
Kashu and Son Goku flew toward Frieza's flagship. Frieza spotted the two Saiyans and smirked. "Well, well. If it isn't the Saiyans from Earth. You came too?" "Frieza, leave Namek," Kashu said. "This is your last chance." "My last chance?" Frieza laughed. "You think you can beat me? You may have gotten lucky and beaten me once ten years ago, but things are different now." "How so?" "My power has increased too!" Frieza unleashed his aura. His first-form battle power was 530,000. Kashu shook his head. "Too weak. Transform, Frieza. Let me see your real power." Frieza's expression darkened as he began to transform. First form to second form: one million. Second form to third form: two million. Third form to final form: 120 million. "Do you still think you can win?" Kashu said nothing. He simply unleashed the power of the Legendary Super Saiyan First Grade. A crimson aura erupted around him. His battle power was 240 million—twice Frieza's.
Frieza's pupils contracted. "Th-this can't be!" "You don't get to decide whether it's possible," Kashu said. "Frieza, I'll give you one last chance: take your fleet and leave Namek. Never come back. Otherwise, I'll kill you." Fear flashed through Frieza's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by anger. "You can't kill me! I'm the emperor of the universe!" He charged at Kashu, swinging a fist at his face. Kashu dodged to the side and struck Frieza in the chest with his palm. Frieza flew backward, tumbling through the air. "Your power... really has increased..." Frieza wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "But I'm not the same Frieza I was ten years ago!" He released his full power. His battle power soared from 120 million to 200 million, then 300 million, 400 million, 500 million... before finally stopping at 800 million.
"Do you see? This is my true power!" Frieza's body had become grotesquely distorted. His muscles bulged, his skin split, and blood covered him. Kashu looked at him with a trace of pity in his eyes. "Frieza, your body can't take this. Even if I don't touch you, you'll die from your body falling apart." "Before that happens, I'll kill you!" Frieza charged at Kashu. Kashu didn't move. He raised his right hand, and a crimson sphere of energy gathered in his palm. "Legendary Super Tri-Beam!" The energy sphere shot from his hand and struck Frieza in the chest. Crimson energy swallowed Frieza's body, turning him into a shooting star that flew skyward and vanished into Namek's atmosphere. "Frieza... lost?" Son Goku stared in shock. "He's not dead, but he won't recover for at least ten years." Kashu ended his transformation. "Come on. Let's go help the others."
Before you continue