The Blue Planet

In AGE 738, on Earth, a crude-looking medium-sized spaceship pierced the atmosphere and landed on Mount Paozu, surrounded by mountains.

The moment the hatch opened, fresh air poured into the cabin. The scent of grass, the fragrance of wildflowers, and the clean smell of earth after rain all felt strange and novel to every Saiyan who stepped out of the ship. On Planet Vegeta, the air was always dry, filled with dust and the stench of blood. Here, it seemed almost sweet. Kashu carried the one-year-old Kakarot down from the ship. His little brother looked around in his arms, eyes wide with curiosity. One-year-old Kakarot was much sturdier than an Earthling baby of the same age and could already say a few simple words.

"Big brother, where... are we?" Kakarot asked in a slurred voice. "This is Earth, our new home," Kashu replied with a smile. Bardock was the last to leave the ship. He surveyed the surroundings—the lush forest, the clear stream, the mountain range stretching into the distance, and the azure sky above. "So this is Earth?" Bardock took a deep breath. "It's definitely completely different from Planet Vegeta. The gravity is only a tenth of Planet Vegeta's, and the air has a higher oxygen content. It's perfect for training." "We'll set up a temporary base here first, then expand it gradually," Kashu said. Over the next few days, the 120 Saiyans began building a camp on Mount Paozu. Their physical abilities far surpassed those of Earthlings, and with all the tools they had taken apart from the spaceship, they built a simple but fully functional camp in less than a week.

The camp included a residential area (fifty wooden cabins), a training area (a level clearing and a simple gravity chamber), a research area (a laboratory converted from the spaceship's cabin), and a supply warehouse.

Bardock organized fifty warriors into five squads of ten, responsible for patrols, training, and defense. Of the fifty female Saiyans, twenty scientists joined the research team, led by Gine (though Gine herself wasn't a scientist, she was good at coordinating). The other thirty technicians were responsible for camp maintenance and logistics.

The eighteen children formed the "younglings' group," led by Kashu. That's right—the five-year-old Kashu became the leader of eighteen Saiyan children. "Big brother Kashu, when can we start training?" asked a four-year-old boy named Laya. "Yeah, yeah! I want to fight like my dad, too!" A three-year-old girl named Sali waved her little fists. Kashu looked at the group of energetic Saiyan children and felt a headache coming on. The Saiyan instinct for battle showed itself from a young age, and keeping them still was almost impossible. "Starting tomorrow, we'll do basic physical training every morning and study culture and science in the afternoons," Kashu announced. "Huh? We have to study, too?" The children groaned. "No studying, no food," Kashu said sternly. The children immediately fell silent. A Saiyan's obsession with food was written into their genes...

A month later, the camp had more or less settled in. Kashu handed the daily affairs over to Bardock and Gine, then began working on two important tasks: finding the Dragon Balls and seeking out Earth's martial artists. "System, scan for the locations of the Dragon Balls on Earth." [Scanning...] [Scan complete. The seven Dragon Balls are located as follows:] Four-Star Dragon Ball: near Mount Paozu (straight-line distance: 5 kilometers) One-Star Dragon Ball: eastern desert region Two-Star Dragon Ball: northern snowy mountains Three-Star Dragon Ball: western urban region Five-Star Dragon Ball: southern islands Six-Star Dragon Ball: central plains Seven-Star Dragon Ball: unknown space (suspected to be kept at the Lookout)

"The Four-Star Dragon Ball is near Mount Paozu?" Kashu was a little surprised. According to the original story, the Four-Star Dragon Ball was Grandpa Son Gohan's keepsake, kept in his home. But in this timeline, Son Gohan should still be young, so the Dragon Ball might still be where it had been. Following the system's directions, Kashu took Kakarot to a cave on the eastern side of Mount Paozu and found the Four-Star Dragon Ball. It was an orange orb about the size of a fist, with four red five-pointed stars suspended inside. When Kashu held it, he felt a warm, ancient energy. "So this is a Dragon Ball?" Bardock came over, curiously eyeing the orb in his son's hand. "Yes. Once we gather all seven, we can summon Shenron and have any wish granted," Kashu said. "But there's no rush. We'll look for them gradually. Training is our priority for now." "Training?" Bardock frowned. "How do you plan to train?"

"Father, have you noticed how dense the life energy on Earth is?" Kashu asked.

Bardock nodded. "I have. The energy density in the air here is much higher than on Planet Vegeta." "That's because Earth has an energy called 'ki,'" Kashu explained. "Every living being has ki, but Earthlings don't know how to use it. If we can learn to sense and use ki, we'll be able to increase our fighting power much faster." Bardock looked thoughtful. "Besides," Kashu continued, "there are quite a few martial artists on Earth. They might not match the Saiyans in fighting power, but their combat skills and use of ki are worth learning from." "You want to become an Earthling's disciple?" Bardock's expression turned complicated. Saiyans were a proud warrior race. The thought of learning from someone far weaker than himself was hard to accept. "It's not about becoming a disciple. It's about learning from them," Kashu corrected him. "Father, our goal right now is to grow stronger. If something can make us stronger, it's worth trying." Bardock was silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "You're right..."

In the autumn of AGE 738, Kashu left Mount Paozu for the first time and headed to a human settlement. He brought Laya, the four-year-old son of Bardock's comrade Reg, along with him, supposedly "to let Laya see the world." In truth, Kashu wanted to find someone suitable—Master Roshi or Son Gohan—to teach the children the basics of martial arts. After flying for about an hour, the two arrived at East City, a major metropolis. It was one of the busiest cities on Earth, full of towering buildings and bustling traffic, everything familiar to Kashu from his previous life. Though he had lived here for less than a year, it felt more like home than Planet Vegeta ever could. "Big brother Kashu, what are those metal boxes?" Laya pointed at the cars on the road. "Cars. A kind of transportation," Kashu explained. "Like our spaceship, but they travel on the ground." "They're so slow," Laya said with a dismissive pout. Kashu smiled and took him into a restaurant. Saiyans had enormous appetites. Even at five and four years old, the two of them could eat enough for more than ten people. Fortunately, Kashu had brought some precious metals from the spaceship and exchanged them for Earth currency, so they didn't have to dine and dash.

As they ate, Kashu heard people at the next table talking about the World Martial Arts Tournament. "I heard the next tournament is in three years, and lots of strong fighters are going to enter!" "Son Gohan won the last one. His martial arts are incredible!" "His master, Master Roshi, is even stronger. He just never competes."

Kashu's heart stirred. Son Gohan, Master Roshi. Weren't they Son Goku's grandfather and master in the original story? He walked over to their table and asked politely, "Excuse me. Could you tell me where Mr. Son Gohan lives?" The Earthlings looked Kashu up and down. He was a five-year-old child wearing strange clothes (a Saiyan Battle Suit), with long, unruly hair that made him look like a wild child. "What do you want with Mr. Son Gohan, kid?" one of the men asked.

"I want him to teach me," Kashu said frankly. The Earthlings burst out laughing. "Kid, Mr. Son Gohan is a martial arts master. He doesn't just take on anyone as a student. You'd better go home to your mother." Kashu wasn't angry. He held out his right hand, and a visible golden ball of ki gathered in his palm. It spun, expanded, and contracted, then finally turned into a small golden bird that flew above the table.

The Earthlings' laughter stopped dead. Their mouths gaped wide enough to fit eggs. "W-what is that?! Internal energy! It's the legendary internal energy!"

"That kid's using magic!" Kashu dismissed the ball of ki and calmly said, "Now, can you tell me where Mr. Son Gohan lives?" ...From what he had learned, Son Gohan lived on a small mountain about 300 kilometers south of Mount Paozu. By the time Kashu and Laya flew there, dusk had fallen. The sunset dyed the sky orange-red as an elderly man with white hair and a straight back practiced his forms in the yard. His movements were slow and fluid, each motion seeming to blend with nature.

Son Gohan. Master Roshi's eldest disciple, the God of Martial Arts. Kashu landed at the entrance to the yard, with Laya close behind.

Son Gohan stopped practicing and turned to look at the two unexpected visitors. His gaze lingered on Kashu for a moment, and then he frowned slightly. The child had an aura unlike anything he had ever encountered—powerful and pure, with a raw sense of strength. "Who are you two?" Son Gohan asked. "My name is Kashu, and this is my younger brother, Laya." Kashu bowed. "We're Saiyans, and we came from outer space. I'd like you to teach us martial arts." "Saiyans? From outer space?" Son Gohan raised his eyebrows. Kashu didn't hide the truth. He briefly told him part of his story: the destruction of Planet Vegeta and their escape to Earth. Son Gohan listened in silence for a long time. "How old are you?" he asked. "Five." "You're this strong at five?" Son Gohan's gaze sharpened. "You flew here faster than any martial artist I've ever seen." "Saiyans are physically stronger than Earthlings, but that doesn't mean we don't need to learn technique," Kashu said sincerely. "Mr. Son Gohan, I've heard of your reputation. You're a true martial arts master, and I hope my brothers and I can learn the spirit and techniques of martial arts from you."

Son Gohan looked into the five-year-old's eyes. They held none of the arrogance or bloodlust he would have expected from a Saiyan—only a maturity and resolve beyond his years.

"Very well." Son Gohan nodded. "I can teach you martial arts, but I have one condition."

"What condition?" "You must use what you learn to protect the weak, not bully them." Kashu smiled. "I promise." From that day on, Kashu visited Son Gohan twice a week to study martial arts. Laya and several of the older Saiyan children came along, too. Son Gohan taught them more than fighting techniques. He taught them the spirit of martial arts: how to control their strength, how to stay calm in battle, and, most importantly, that the greater one's strength, the greater one's responsibility. Bardock had initially been skeptical about his son learning Earthling martial arts. But when he saw Kashu's fighting power rise from 1,800 to 2,500 in just a few months, his skepticism turned to astonishment. "Earthling martial arts are that useful?" Bardock asked. "It's not the martial arts themselves that are useful. It's their way of using ki," Kashu explained. "Father, would you like to learn, too?" Bardock hesitated, then shook his head. "I'm not used to bowing to anyone. But you can teach the other warriors what you've learned." "Of course..."

In early AGE 739, Son Gohan introduced Kashu to the legendary Master Roshi. Master Roshi was a short, bald old man wearing sunglasses, a Hawaiian shirt, and baggy shorts. He looked like a silly old geezer, but Kashu could sense that there was a considerable amount of ki within him. "Gohan, you said this kid's an alien?" Master Roshi circled Kashu twice, examining him curiously. "Yes, Master." Son Gohan spoke respectfully. "He's a Saiyan. His fighting power far exceeds that of ordinary people, but he's willing to learn our martial arts." "Fighting power? What's that?" Master Roshi scratched his bald head. "All I know is ki. Kid, show me your ki." Kashu held out his right hand and released a ball of golden ki. It spun and shifted in his palm, finally condensing into a clear, gleaming sphere of energy. Master Roshi's expression changed. He had lived for over three hundred years and seen countless martial artists, but never a five-year-old who could release such pure, powerful ki. "Not bad, kid." Master Roshi dropped his joking demeanor. "That ki of yours is stronger than mine was when I was young. But you don't know how to control it, do you?" Kashu nodded. "That's right, Master Roshi. My ki is powerful, but I can't control it precisely, so I waste a lot in battle." "Then you've come to the right place." Master Roshi grinned. "I may not be good for much else, but I know a thing or two about teaching people to control their ki. However—"

"However what?" "You have to do something for me." "What is it?" "Find me the latest issue of Fitness Girls magazine." Master Roshi said solemnly. "They're sold out everywhere. I've been looking for it for ages." Kashu: "..." Beside him, Son Gohan covered his face, wishing the ground would swallow him whole. Kashu eventually found Master Roshi a copy of the magazine (he exchanged it through the system shop for 5 points). Master Roshi was grinning from ear to ear when he got it, and immediately agreed to take Kashu on as an unofficial disciple.

Though Kashu was only an unofficial disciple, Master Roshi taught him seriously. He didn't teach specific techniques, but the fundamentals of ki control: how to circulate ki through the body, how to achieve the greatest effect with the least amount of ki, and how to keep ki steady in battle. This knowledge was invaluable to Kashu. In his previous life, he had seen ki used in anime, but theory and practice were two different things. With Master Roshi's guidance, his ability to control ki improved by leaps and bounds. New book, three things! Please read, bookmark, and tip!