The Call of Namek

Frieza received the news of his vanguard fleet's annihilation, his expression turning somber. "The Saiyans on Earth are stronger than I imagined," Frieza said, "but that is unimportant. What matters is the Namekian Dragon Balls." "Lord Frieza, the coordinates for Namek have been confirmed," Zarbon said. "Our fleet can depart at any time." "Good. In three days, I shall head to Namek personally." Frieza stood up. "As for the Saiyans on Earth... once I have attained immortality, I shall deal with them at my leisure." Meanwhile, Kashu was also making preparations. "Piccolo, Namek is your homeland. You should go and see it." Piccolo was silent for a moment, then said, "I was born on Earth and raised on Earth. Namek is merely a name to me." "But the blood of a Namekian flows through your veins," Kashu said. "Furthermore, the Great Elder of Namek might know of your origins." "Fine, I will go." "I'll go too!" Son Goku raised his hand. "I'll go too!" Krillin raised his hand. "I'll go," Tien Shinhan said. "I'm going," Luo Ling said. "And me," Gore said.

Kashu shook his head. "Not everyone can go. Earth needs to be defended. I, Kakarot, Piccolo, Krillin, and Tien Shinhan will go to Namek. The rest of you will remain on Earth." "Why can't I go?" Luo Ling protested. "Because you are the second strongest on Earth. If Frieza launches a sneak attack on Earth while we are away, only you can stop him," Kashu said. Luo Ling thought for a moment and nodded. "Fine."

The New Hope—the new ship built by Bulma—was docked at the spaceport in New Vegeta City. This ship 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 must come back!" Kariel held Kashu's hand. "Daddy will come back." Kashu picked up his daughter and kissed her on the cheek. "Kariel, listen to your mothers." "Mm! Kabrun, take good care of your sister." "I know, Daddy." Kabrun nodded obediently. Kassis did not speak, but quietly watched his father. Kashu crouched down and patted his son's head. "Kassis, when I return, I will teach you new techniques." "Okay," Kassis said. Bulma, Launch, and Tights stood together, the three women's eyes filled with reluctance, but they did not say "don't go." They knew that once Kashu had made a decision, no one could change it. "Take care," Bulma said. "Remember to bring back a gift when you return," Launch said. "Come back safely," Tights said. Kashu nodded, turned, and walked into the ship. The New Hope lifted off and vanished into the blue sky.

Five days later, the New Hope arrived at Namek. Namek was a lush green planet with a pale purple sky and two suns—one large and yellow, the other small and red. The planet's surface was covered in vast grasslands and lakes; the air was fresh, and the environment was beautiful. "So beautiful," Krillin said, leaning against the observation window. "Even more beautiful than Earth."

Piccolo gazed at the scenery outside the window, a complex light flashing in his eyes. He could feel that this planet had a familiar aura, as if it were calling to him. "Let's land," Kashu said. The New Hope landed on a grassland in the northern part of Namek. The hatch opened, and a breath of fresh air flooded the cabin. "The air composition is similar to Earth's; it's breathable," Krillin said. The five of them stepped out of the ship. The grassland was covered in blue flowers, and in the distance, there was a clear river where several dinosaur-like creatures were drinking water. "It's so peaceful," Son Goku said. "Peace is only a facade," Kashu said, his gaze fixed toward the north. "Over there, I can sense a powerful aura. The Great Elder of Namek is in that direction."

The five of them flew to the Great Elder's village. The Great Elder was a massive Namekian sitting on a giant chair; his skin was wrinkled, and he looked extremely aged. Standing beside him were several young warriors—Nail, with a combat power of 42,000, and several ordinary Namekians. "Outsiders," the Great Elder's voice was low and raspy. "I sensed your arrival." "Great Elder," Kashu stepped forward. "I am Kashu, from Earth. Frieza is coming to seize the Dragon Balls, and we have come to help you." "I know," the Great Elder said. "My premonitions told me that a catastrophe was about to befall Namek. But I did not expect the help to come from a Saiyan. There is good and evil among Saiyans as well," Kashu said. "Great Elder, we wish to borrow your Dragon Balls. Not to wish for immortality, but to wish for our friends—those Saiyans killed by Frieza—to be resurrected." The Great Elder was silent for a moment, then said, "Your wish is kind. The Dragon Balls may be lent to you, but you must protect Namek from being destroyed by Frieza." "We will." The Great Elder summoned the seven Dragon Balls of Namek. They were much larger than Earth's Dragon Balls, each the size of a basketball, with stars covering their surfaces. "To summon the Eternal Dragon with the Namekian Dragon Balls, you must recite the incantation in the Namekian language," the Great Elder said. "I will have Nail assist you." "Thank you, Great Elder." Just then, Kashu sensed a massive aura coming from space. Frieza's fleet had arrived. Above Namek, Frieza's flagship slowly descended onto the grassland. The hatch opened, and Frieza stepped out. He still maintained his first form—white skin, a purple head, and red eyes. But his aura was at least ten times stronger than it had been ten years ago. "So this is Namek?" Frieza looked around. "The scenery is not bad, just too green." Behind him followed Zarbon, Dodoria, and hundreds of soldiers. "Search parties, move out! Find the Namekian villages and force them to hand over the Dragon Balls!" Kashu sensed Frieza's arrival through his ki, his expression grave. "Frieza is here. Piccolo, you and Nail go protect the Great Elder. Krillin, Tien Shinhan, you go intercept Frieza's soldiers. Kakarot, you and I will go meet Frieza." "Understood!" The five split up to act.

Kashu and Son Goku flew near Frieza's flagship. Frieza saw the two Saiyans, a cold sneer curling his lips. "Yo, isn't this the Saiyan from Earth? You've come as well?" "Frieza, leave Namek," Kashu said. "This is your last chance." "Last chance?" Frieza laughed. "Do you think you can defeat me? You did manage to win by luck ten years ago, but this time is different." "How is it different?" "My power has also increased!" Frieza released his aura, his first form reaching 530,000. Kashu shook his head. "Too weak. Frieza, transform. Let me see your true strength." Frieza's expression darkened, and he began to transform. From first form to second form (one million), second form to third form (two million), and third form to final form (120 million). "Now, do you still think you can win?" Kashu did not speak, merely releasing the aura of the Legendary Super Saiyan First Grade. A crimson aura flared, his combat power reaching 240 million—twice that of Frieza.

Frieza's pupils constricted. "This... this is impossible!" "Possible or impossible, that is not for you to decide," Kashu said. "Frieza, I give you one last chance: take your fleet and leave Namek, and never return. Otherwise, I will kill you." A flicker of fear flashed in Frieza's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by rage. "You cannot kill me! I am the Emperor of the Universe!" He lunged at Kashu, throwing a punch toward his face. Kashu dodged to the side and backhanded a palm against Frieza's chest. Frieza flew backward, tumbling through the air several times. "Your power... it really has increased..." Frieza wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, "but I am not the Frieza of ten years ago either!" He released his full power, his combat power surging from 120 million to 200 million, then 300 million, 400 million, 500 million... finally settling at 800 million.

"See that? This is my true power!" Frieza's body was deformed beyond recognition; his muscles bulged, his skin cracked, and he was covered in blood. Kashu looked at him, a flicker of pity in his eyes. "Frieza, your body cannot withstand this. Even if I do nothing, you will die from the collapse of your own body." "Before that happens, I will kill you first!" Frieza charged at Kashu. Kashu did not move. He extended his right hand, a crimson energy ball condensing in his palm. Legendary Super Tri-Beam. The energy ball left his hand and struck Frieza in the chest. Frieza's body was swallowed by the crimson energy, turning into a shooting star that flew toward the sky and vanished into Namek's atmosphere. "Frieza... is defeated?" Son Goku's eyes widened. "He isn't dead, but he won't be able to recover for at least ten years," Kashu said, withdrawing his transformation. "Let's go, help the others."