The Frieza Race

This farce could be considered barely over.

Vegeta had to weigh the consequences before even thinking of lashing out; after all, if he truly did something to vent the rage in his heart, he would only be seeking his own death.

Even if Piccolo didn't make a move, Kakarot and Ron would never stand by and watch him slaughter the Namekians.

Endure!

That was Vegeta's only solution for dealing with anything right now.

The reason he didn't leave wasn't because he didn't want to, but because he couldn't.

He needed to become stronger, and he had to stay with Kakarot and Ron.

Take this time, for instance, when the Grand Elder unlocked their potential; everyone's strength had surged.

If he hadn't come along, he wouldn't have had a share in that.

Just considering the power he had gained, how many years would it have taken him to achieve that through simple training alone?

"Since everything is settled now and the Dragon Balls can't be used for another ninety days, can't we leave Namek and go back to Earth? At the speed of the spaceship my father built, it only takes six or seven days to make the trip. We could just wait eighty days and then come back to Namek..." Bulma's voice rang out at that moment.

Now that everything had been handled properly, she saw no point in staying any longer.

As Bulma spoke, the atmosphere on the scene shifted instantly.

The heavy tension dissipated, and the Namekians all turned their attention toward Bulma and the others.

"Although I cannot stop you from leaving Namek, you saved this planet and all of us. Even though Namek is barren, I still hope you can stay for a few more days so we can properly host you and express our gratitude..." Mulin said.

These words voiced the thoughts of every Namekian present.

"Yes, please stay a little longer, everyone. Gohan, Uncle Krillin, and Uncle Piccolo..." Dende stood beside Krillin and Gohan, looking at them with anticipation.

He had come to regard Son Gohan as a friend from the bottom of his heart, and he wanted to learn about the customs and culture of Earth through Gohan and Krillin.

"I would like to stay for a few more days and take a closer look at the ecology of Namek... but I cannot make that decision on my own." Although Son Gohan was young, he was mature in his thinking. After saying this, he looked at Piccolo and then at his father; the implication was clear: the adults would decide.

Son Goku and Piccolo exchanged a glance, communicating with their eyes without speaking immediately to make a decision.

"As much as I hate to leave, we really should head back. After all, we left quite a while ago, and it's time to report back... Besides, now that we have the new spaceship, travel is much more convenient. We can arrive in six or seven days and make a round trip in half a month," Krillin said, sounding tactful but firm.

Through this battle on Namek, he had seen much, experienced much, and grown much.

To say he didn't want to return to Earth would be a lie.

After all, Earth was their home.

They had been away for several months, and especially now that the crisis was resolved and the Dragon Balls couldn't be used for ninety days, they couldn't just stay on Namek the whole time without their daily needs being met.

Hearing Krillin's words, Bulma's eyes lit up: "Right? See, Krillin, you understand me."

"Well... I was just thinking that now that Frieza is taken care of, we can't just loiter here. Besides, Namek isn't like Earth; our supplies are limited..." Krillin scratched his bald head and gave Bulma a sheepish smile.

He didn't want to reveal his true thoughts.

At the end of the day, he had had enough; even without enemies, he couldn't find peace of mind here.

For Krillin, he wanted to get back to his familiar turf as quickly as possible.

Only by stepping on the soil of Earth could he truly feel at ease.

"Krillin is right; we really should go back and report in. We can't all stay here and trouble the Namekians to look after us. Furthermore, Bulma was forced to come here because she was dragged into our mess. In that case, Krillin, you should escort Bulma back. While you're at it, report that we're safe to Master Roshi and the others, and please tell Chi-Chi for me—I acted on my own this time, and she must be very worried." Son Goku's words left Krillin and Bulma stunned, and Son Gohan looked at his father in surprise.

"Goku, you aren't planning on staying behind alone, are you? I actually meant that we could stay for a few more days and then all take the ship back together..." Krillin said, bewildered.

Son Goku understood what Krillin meant, but he shook his head and said, "I know, but I really do want to stay on Namek to train for a while. As it happens, Piccolo probably doesn't want to leave so soon either. If the two of us train here together, it should be twice the result with half the effort... Besides, no one can be certain that Frieza is dead, or whether the forces under his command might make a comeback. If they invade again, we'll be here to handle it... Plus, there's still Ron and Vegeta..."

"Hmph! Son Goku, you've actually been clever for once, thinking that far ahead." Piccolo's lips curled upward, and his gaze shifted to Ron.

From the beginning until now, Ron hadn't said a word.

He was very curious about what the Grand Elder had said to Ron.

Or rather, what Ron had promised the Grand Elder in exchange for the privilege of using the Namekian Dragon Balls at will.

Noticing Piccolo's gaze, Ron knew it was time for him to state his position.

He didn't intend to hide it either, so he spoke directly: "Kakarot has guessed the crisis that might occur in the future. According to what the Grand Elder told me, members of Frieza's race will descend upon Namek again before long. So, even though I want to go to Earth, I cannot leave for the time being..."

As his words fell, everyone wore an expression of shock.

Members of Frieza's race were coming to Namek again.

"It seems my decision was correct after all. I was just thinking earlier that although Frieza was taken out by Ron, he had so many subordinates. If they came back, the Namekians wouldn't be able to defend themselves with their current strength," Son Goku said with a deep breath, his expression serious.

"Then let them come! I'll take on whatever they throw at me! I'll make sure they never return!" The massive surge in his strength had filled Piccolo with confidence.

Even if he wasn't a match for Frieza, surely he could handle Frieza's subordinates?

Ron didn't want to dampen Piccolo's spirits.

At this moment, Vegeta, clearly understanding the implication of Ron's words, began to tremble.

"Fools! Do you think the members of Frieza's race are just those ants that served under Frieza? I fear that the ones coming this time are Frieza's father, King Cold, and his brother, Cooler!!"