[[Remade this chapter]]
As our ship hurtled through the last stretch of space towards Planet Namek, the familiar sense of ki signatures. The ship's sensors beeped as we approached, and from the viewport, Namek's green-blue surface came into view, dotted with islands and endless stretches of water. Just like the anime.
Raditz leaned forward, practically itching to get out of the cramped space. Tato smirked, Hanasia crossed her arms, and I felt my own excitement bubbling. But as we got closer, the readings from the planet's surface were unmistakable, there were power levels all over the place, and strong ones. Even from orbit, I could feel Freeza. That bastard's energy was focused in one place, no doubt with a stash of Dragon Balls. I glanced at the others. "He's just waiting around. Probably has most of the Dragon Balls already," I said. They nodded.
As we broke through the atmosphere I locked onto Kakarot's ki. He was far, and his energy was strained, flickering. Nappa, too, was there, and surprisingly enough, Vegeta was with them, struggling in a fight he wasn't winning. I clenched my fists. "So they're in trouble." From the readings, there were five distinct power levels around Kakarot's group, and already I could sense it, two of those signatures were stronger than Nappa and Vegeta combined.
As the ship hovered to a halt over the battlefield, Raditz, who had been practically vibrating with impatience, shot me a glance the second the hatch opened, Raditz launched out, his ki flaring, kicking up clouds of dust as he shot across Namek's rolling plains. We followed, watching him rocket toward Kakarot and the others.
We landed a little way off, taking in the scene from a distance. Namek's grasslands stretched endlessly around us, interrupted by the battlefield's upheaval. Clusters of jagged rock jutted from the ground, with scorched earth and craters peppering the landscape. And there, in the middle of it all, Kakarot was holding his ground against the largest power in the area, Captain Ginyu. The big purple bastard grinned as he threw punch after punch, pummeling Kakarot back.
The others were scattered. Vegeta was holding off Recoome, blood streaking down his face as he gasped for air. Nappa was struggling with Burter and Jeice, his mouth set in a grin despite being pushed hard. Even if he was taking hits, he was clearly enjoying himself.
"Well, Kakarot, I thought you'd be a bit stronger," I muttered, disappointed. I had let the timeline stray a bit by saving Nappa and Raditz, and maybe I'd set them back, and softened their edges. But seeing Kakarot there, still standing his ground even when outmatched, He was still the same Goku I remembered watching as a Kid on earth.
I looked to the others. "We're not stepping in just yet. Let's see what they can do." I could feel their power easily eclipsing the Ginyu Force, but I didn't feel the need to flex it right now.
Watching from the sidelines, I felt the intensity ratchet up. Ginyu was about to strike again, but suddenly, Kakarot's aura flared brighter, crimson energy wrapping around him. He shouted out, "Kaioken Times 3!" His power skyrocketed, and the impact knocked Ginyu back a few paces. Kakarot's movements became sharper, each punch landing with enough force to shake the ground beneath him. Ginyu, for the first time, looked taken aback.
Tato crossed his arms, watching Kakarot with an amused grin. "Looks like he's still got a few tricks up his sleeve." Hanasia nodded, eyes glinting with a similar satisfaction.
Raditz, who had reached Kakarot's side, let out a yell. "You'd better not go down on me, Kakarot! You think I came all this way just to watch you get your ass kicked?"
Kakarot grinned back, gritting his teeth as he absorbed another hit from Ginyu. "Nice to see you too, Raditz," he muttered, straining under the effort. He ducked another punch, countering with a flurry of his own.
Burter and Jeice had broken away from Nappa, noticing Raditz's arrival and our presence in the distance. They exchanged a quick look, clearly realizing reinforcements had arrived and that things were about to change. Nappa, meanwhile, pounded his fists together, practically radiating excitement. "Come on, you two! I'm just getting started!" He threw himself back into the fray, laughing even as he took hits.
Recoome, still toying with Vegeta, noticed our landing and cast a disdainful glance. "More weaklings? Guess this just means more fun for the Ginyu Force." He chuckled, lobbing a ki blast at Vegeta, who barely managed to dodge. Vegeta's breath was ragged, and I could tell he was being pushed beyond his limits. But his pride kept him fighting, his eyes sharp with a dangerous glint.
A few moments passed as we watched. Kakarot's Kaioken gave him an edge against Ginyu, but it was clear he couldn't keep it up forever. The strain showed in his labored breaths, the slight waver in his aura. Ginyu saw it too, grinning as he pressed the attack harder, eager to break him.
Raditz, hovering near Kakarot, stayed poised to step in if things went south. But for now, he watched, allowing Kakarot to hold his ground.
"Ginyu's stronger than he looks," Tato observed, his voice a mix of boredom and curiosity. "But he's not that strong."
"No," I replied, a smirk forming on my lips. "Kakarot and Nappa can handle this if they push themselves a bit harder." Kakarot should be able to use the 10x version so why wasn't he?
A burst of energy erupted from across the field, and I saw Burter, the so-called "fastest in the universe," throw a punch at Nappa. Nappa dodged, a smirk plastered on his face, clearly unfazed by the alien's speed. "Not bad, but I'm faster," he sneered, retaliating with a crushing blow that sent Burter sprawling. Jeice launched an attack from behind, aiming to catch him off guard, but Nappa sidestepped, laughing. "You think that little sneak move's gonna work?"
Meanwhile, Kakarot's Kaioken wavered for a moment, and Ginyu seized the chance, hammering Kakarot with a brutal combo. Kakarot was sent skidding back, blood dripping from his mouth as he caught his breath. But he didn't back down, his aura flaring again as he braced for another round.
Across the field, Vegeta was on his knees, panting, as Recoome toyed with him, taunting. "You're supposed to be the 'Saiyan Prince,' huh? Doesn't look like much to me."
Vegeta spat blood onto the ground, a growl escaping his throat. He was beaten, but I could see that spark in his eyes. He wasn't about to yield, not to these freaks, and certainly not in front of us.
Raditz glanced back at me, clearly holding himself back. "When do we jump in?" His fists were clenched, ready to charge at a moment's notice.
I narrowed my gaze, watching Kakarot dig his heels in, his power flaring once more as he shouted, "Kaioken Times 3!" His aura blazed even brighter, and this time, he managed to match Ginyu blow for blow, his fists colliding with Ginyu's in a flurry of strikes that rocked the landscape.
"Not yet," I said. "Let's see if they can surprise us."
Raditz couldn't hold back any longer. He surged forward, taking Kakarot's place with a smirk and cracking his knuckles, eyes locked on Captain Ginyu. "Alright, Kakarot, you've had your fun. Now its my turn."
Kakarot frowned but backed off, realizing Raditz wasn't going to take no for an answer. As Raditz squared up with Ginyu, the captain of the Ginyu Force let out an amused chuckle, clearly underestimating the new arrival. Without his scouter, Ginyu had no idea what kind of power he was up against, but his smug confidence remained intact.
"Oh, so another Saiyan wants a piece of Captain Ginyu? Fine! Just know, you're in for a world of hurt!" Ginyu smirked, assuming Raditz's power was roughly on par with Kakarot's.
Meanwhile, Hanasia moved in, closing the distance between herself and Recoome. The towering brute noticed her approach, wiping a bit of blood from his lip and letting out a cocky laugh. "Looks like Recoome's got a new playmate!"
Recoome struck his usual pose, his ridiculous stance and wide grin completely unbothered by Hanasia's presence. But Hanasia didn't wait for any more theatrics. She delivered a kick to Recoome's side, sending him flying across the battlefield, crashing into a cliff face with a shockwave that shattered the rocks around him.
Recoome staggered to his feet, blinking in disbelief. "Whoa, Recoome wasn't ready for that!" He coughed, trying to regain his composure, but Hanasia didn't give him a chance. She unleashed a rapid flurry of punches, knocking Recoome back each time he tried to regain his balance.
In between punches, she couldn't resist taunting Vegeta, who lay battered nearby. "What's the matter, ex-Prince? Too weak to handle this clown?" She motioned toward Raditz, who was now engaged with Ginyu. "Shame your so much weaker than the new prince's."
Vegeta bloodied and panting, glared at her but said nothing, the insult cutting deeper than he'd ever admit. Watching Raditz take on Ginyu with ease only made his frustration worse.
Meanwhile, Ginyu had quickly discovered he was outclassed. Raditz dodged each of Ginyu's strikes, his smirk growing wider with every missed hit. He countered with powerful blows of his own, and it didn't take long for Ginyu's confidence to waver.
"What's wrong, Ginyu?" Raditz sneered, grabbing Ginyu by the arm and flipping him over with ease, slamming him into the ground. "I thought you were supposed to be Frieza's Elite!"
Ginyu growled, struggling to his feet. "You… You're stronger than I thought." He wiped the blood from his mouth, eyeing Raditz with a new understanding, though he still didn't comprehend the full extent of Raditz's power. Ginyu squared his shoulders, attempting to put on a brave face, but the nervous glance he shot around betrayed him.
Raditz threw another punch, and this time Ginyu barely blocked, the force sending him stumbling backward. Kakarot, who'd been watching, shouted, "Raditz, don't kill him!"
Raditz grunted but held back, leaving Ginyu alive, though barely standing. Ginyu panted, his mind racing, and then his eyes widened as a plan formed. "Change… NOW!" he screamed, catching Raditz off guard with his signature technique.
In a blinding flash, the body switch took place. Raditz's powerful frame was left in Ginyu's control, while Raditz's consciousness was trapped within Ginyu's battered body. Ginyu, now in Raditz's body, smirked, flexing his new muscles, feeling the energy coursing through him. "Yes! This power… This is more like it!"
Raditz, now struggling in Ginyu's damaged body, shouted, "You damn coward! Give me back my body!" But his voice sounded feeble, barely recognizable in Ginyu's beaten form.
None of us, except me, realized what had happened. I watched as Ginyu, now in Raditz's body, approached Kakarot with a wicked grin, energy building in his hand. Kakarot was on the defensive, unsure why "Raditz" was suddenly acting so hostile.
"Raditz! What the hell are you doing?" Kakarot demanded, sidestepping as "Raditz" launched a fierce attack. But it was clear he was caught off guard, his confusion giving Ginyu the upper hand.
Ginyu raised his hand, charging a powerful ki blast, aiming it directly at Kakarot. In an instant, I dashed forward, throwing myself between Kakarot and the attack, tanking the blast head-on.
The impact rattled through my body, but I stayed standing, brushing off the smoke as I met Ginyu-Raditz's surprised gaze with a defiant glare. "Nice try, but you're not taking Kakarot out that easily."
Ginyu, still in Raditz's body, grinned. "Well, well, looks like someone wants to play hero."
"Play hero?" I smirked, raising my ki and letting my aura flare around me. "More like put you in your place."
We clashed, and even with Raditz's power, Ginyu couldn't fully control the raw energy he'd gained. His movements were clumsy, his strikes lacking the force they would've had if Raditz himself was fighting. I parried his attacks, landing a punch that sent him stumbling back, a look of frustration crossing his face.
Ginyu's eyes narrowed, and I saw a familiar gleam, the realization of a new plan. "Change… NOW!" he screamed, launching his body-switch attack again, this time aiming it at me. But before he could complete the switch, Tato, who had been watching the fight with a growing smirk, reacted quickly.
Grabbing the original Ginyu's body, now holding Raditz's consciousness, Tato threw him into the path of the attack, intercepting the beam. The switch was completed, and Raditz's body returned to its rightful owner, while Ginyu found himself back in his weakened, beaten form.
Raditz, now fully back in control of his body, wasted no time. His aura flared, and his face twisted into a snarl as he glared down at Ginyu. "You're done, Ginyu."
Ginyu, realizing his predicament, stumbled backward, holding up his hands in a pitiful attempt at begging. "W-Wait! We can work this out, right? I mean—"
Raditz cut him off, raising his hands as he powered up his signature technique. "Double… SUNDAY!" he roared, unleashing two powerful beams of energy that obliterated Ginyu where he stood, leaving nothing but smoke and dust in his wake.
The battlefield went silent for a moment, the echo of Raditz's attack fading. Kakarot stepped forward, eyes narrowed as he took in the scene, his expression tense. I knew exactly what was coming.
"Raditz…" Kakarot began, his tone disapproving. He looked at Ginyu's remains, then back at Raditz and the rest of us. "Did we really need to kill him?"
I crossed my arms, meeting Kakarot's gaze with a deadpan stare. "Look, Kakarot, they weren't exactly here for a friendly spar. These guys were out to kill you and collect Dragon Balls for Freeza. You don't keep enemies like that alive."
Raditz scoffed, brushing dust off his shoulders. "He tried to steal my body, Kakarot. Did you expect me to let him walk away after that?"
Kakarot sighed, looking between us, clearly conflicted, but he knew there was no point in arguing. This was a battle, and we played to win. He let it drop, and I could see he understood, at least for now. We had a much bigger threat looming over us.