"Are these the Saiyans we're about to face? They're... incredibly strong..." Yamcha felt fear wash over him as he sensed the aura emanating from Vegeta and Nappa.
He instinctively wanted to step back, but the thought of retreating in front of everyone was too embarrassing, so he forced himself to stay calm.
"It's not just for show, their energy... it's overwhelmingly strong..." Krillin swallowed hard, his eyes reflecting a hint of fear.
"A year of hard training was for this day! No matter how strong the enemy, I can't back down!" Tien was on edge, ready to fight at any moment.
Chiaotzu didn't speak but was sweating profusely from the intimidating aura.
The four warriors expressed their concerns.
Piccolo and Lin Chuan heard them but didn't take it seriously—after all, there was a vast difference in their power levels.
To Piccolo, the Z Fighters were now what he had been a year ago.
Gohan, however, was eyeing Vegeta and Nappa with his big, innocent eyes.
Finally...
"Uncle Piccolo, Uncle Lin Chuan, are they really that weak? Do we need to take them so seriously?" Gohan's comment suddenly drew everyone's attention.
Krillin was shocked.
Yamcha was dumbfounded.
Tien was incredulous.
Chiaotzu was extremely surprised.
Even Nappa and Vegeta were left with numerous question marks above their heads.
What is this kid talking about?
Where am I?
Am I really that weak?
This was a sore spot for Nappa and Vegeta, just like they were weaklings in front of the high-ranking officers of Frieza's army.
"Gohan, some things are better kept to yourself. There's no need to say them out loud, as it might upset some people," Lin Chuan advised, barely suppressing his laughter.
Even the typically stoic Piccolo found himself amused by the comment, a rare smile tugging at his lips.
He is the great demon king; he does not laugh like this!
Unless he can't help it.
"Damned brat, didn't Kakarot teach you to watch your words? How would you know what true strength is? Watch as I kill you!" Nappa, infuriated by Gohan's taunt, was ready to attack.
However...
"Stop, Nappa," Vegeta commanded, halting Nappa's impulsive action.
"Why? The kid is mocking us, and if we don't teach him a lesson, we'll lose face, Vegeta!" Nappa asked, confused and angry, momentarily forgetting to address Vegeta respectfully.
Vegeta gave him a cold look.
"He's just the naive son of Kakarot. No need to stoop to his level. Rather than tormenting him, I'm more interested in where Kakarot and Raditz are."
"If you want to vent your anger, break Kakarot's bones before his son."
"Besides, we still have another Saiyan traitor to deal with here."
As Vegeta spoke, he exchanged glances with Lin Chuan.
Their eyes met Lin Chuan regarding the boastful Vegeta as if he were a jester.
This guy's early show is impressive, but it fades over time.
Even if he appears invincible for ten seconds, stunning and brilliant, he'll be quickly overwhelmed once those seconds are up.
'Di-di-di-di!' Vegeta again manipulated the scouter on his right eye.
Soon, it displayed everyone's power levels, especially Lin Chuan.
He checked repeatedly, just to be sure.
"Hmph! Still five thousand power? Even if you hide your true strength, I estimate it won't exceed ten thousand."
"The rest of these guys... their power levels are above fifteen hundred. It's quite impressive for Earthlings to reach this level of strength."
"Unfortunately, they're still far too weak compared to us."
Vegeta stopped his gradual analysis of their power levels, his gaze falling on Piccolo.
"I was always curious how a rundown planet like Earth could have Dragon Balls. Seeing you now, it all makes sense."
"Namekians not only possess great fighting capabilities but also wield a unique power. If I'm not mistaken, you created the Dragon Balls, right?" Vegeta spoke to Piccolo, and his speculation was spot-on.
"Our mission here is for the Dragon Balls. If you're wise, you'll cooperate and hand them over."
"Otherwise, even if you're a Namekian, you're not much stronger in our eyes."
Nappa added cruelly and mockingly.
"Unfortunately, I didn't create the Dragon Balls. As for how strong my fighting ability is, you're welcome to test it," Piccolo replied a glint of menace in his eyes.
If he wanted, he could annihilate Nappa and
Vegeta in an instant.
But he wasn't interested.
He had a different idea: to wait for Goku and Raditz to return and see how strong they had become.
Besides, he might leave these two for Goku and Raditz to handle.
"Alright then." Nappa sneered, his muscles bulging as if he were about to burst into action.
"Keep it together, Nappa! If you continue preparing to act on your own, you know what I'll do, don't you?"
"Let's play with them for now. I remember we still have six Saibaman seeds left. Bring them out."
"I believe that will provide enough entertainment until Kakarot and Raditz appear."
Vegeta was composed.
Instead of letting Nappa go wild, he opted to bring out the Saibaman seeds.
"Hmm??? How do you know Kakarot and Raditz will show up, Vegeta?" Nappa asked, puzzled.
"Isn't it obvious? Those two are hiding somewhere, training. When the time comes, they will surely appear!" Vegeta crossed his arms, confident in his deduction.
Hearing this, Nappa calmed down.
The Z Fighters were stunned by the situation.
They hadn't expected the diminutive Vegeta to be the real leader, and his analysis was spot on, completely seeing through their preparations.
"Well, that puts my mind at ease. I was worried those two would hide forever!" Nappa no longer acted rashly.
Because, more than tormenting the Earthlings, he wanted to torment Goku and Raditz.
He reached into his pocket: "We have six Saibaman seeds left. Let's let them experience the terror of the Saibamen!"
...
The scene shifts to the otherworld, the Check-In Station.
Having waited at King Yemma's palace for a while, Kami Piccolo finally sensed the familiar ki.
From the direction of Snake Way, two brilliant lights raced towards the Check-In Station at incredible speed, arriving inside.
"Goku! Raditz! I'm here!!" Kami Piccolo shouted with joy as he saw them, calling out eagerly.
"Great, Lord Kami came ahead of time," Goku said, leaping before Kami Piccolo.
"Take us back to Earth quickly, Vegeta and the others, and they've arrived, haven't they?" Raditz got straight to the point, most concerned about Nappa and Vegeta.
After training on King Kai's planet for so long, everything was for this day—to redeem themselves.
"According to the timeline, they should have arrived by now. Just hold on to me, and I'll take you back," Kami Piccolo extended his hand, gesturing for Goku and Raditz to grab on.
The two grabbed Kami's hand, and the next second, with a flash, the three of them disappeared from the spot.
The sudden turn of events left King Yemma somewhat bewildered.
He, the ruler of the otherworld, didn't even know what was happening.
...
Back on Earth, at Kami's Lookout.
Just as Goku and Raditz had returned to the lookout, they hadn't even asked before they noticed Dende beside Mr. Popo.
Unaware of the Namekian events, seeing the smaller version of Piccolo beneath them, Goku boldly guessed, "Lord Kami, is this your child?"
This abrupt question made Kami Piccolo twitch.
"He's not my child; he's a fellow Namekian that Tarlos brought back from Namek in his spaceship," Kami Piccolo explained.
"Ah? He's from Namek? He does look a lot like that guy Piccolo," Goku bent down, curiously examining Dende.
He even wondered if all Namekians were cast from the same mold.
"Hello, you must be Gohan's dad, Mr. Goku, right? My name is Dende," Dende greeted Goku.
"You know Gohan?" Goku was surprised, looking at the innocent Dende.
"Yes, yes, I'm friends with him, and I came to Earth with him," Dende responded with a smile.
Hearing this, Goku was full of questions—his son had returned to Namek and brought this Dende.
Confused and overwhelmed, Goku was a mess.
Luckily, Raditz was there to snap him back to reality.
"Kakarot, will you chat with this Namekian kid forever?"
"If you're tired, you can stay here; I don't have time to waste."
"Sorry, sorry, I forgot for a moment. But we still need to find Master Korin; we need Senzu Beans to recover with our current stamina," Goku said.
The long flight down Snake Way had taken its toll.
Raditz, already informed by Goku about the Earth's Senzu Beans, was unsurprised.
"If you need to recover, I can help," Dende quickly offered.
His healing abilities were among the best—restoring health, stamina, and energy.
"Really?" Goku was delighted.
On the other hand, Raditz was astounded, knowing nothing of the Namekians.