The ship's interior hummed softly as I tinkered with the salvaged communication beacon. My hands moved with purpose, stripping wires and aligning circuits with precision. The device was nearly functional, but the challenge wasn't just repairing it—it was modifying it to serve my needs.
If I could tap into Frieza's communication network, I'd gain insight into his movements. It was a dangerous gamble, one that could easily backfire. But every edge mattered.
As I worked, my mind wandered back to Namek.
---
The Namek Conundrum
Namek held promise and peril in equal measure. If I left now, I could potentially find the dragon balls before Frieza or Vegeta arrived. But that assumed several things:
1. That the Namekians wouldn't obliterate me on sight.
2. That I could actually gather the dragon balls without drawing attention.
3. That I'd have enough time to train along the way, should I need to face any unexpected threats.
The scouter's display showed the time estimate for a journey to Namek. A few weeks, perhaps a month at most. It wasn't long, but it was enough to train during the trip.
The idea of reaching Namek before Frieza and Vegeta was tantalizing. If I could get a wish, I might not even need immortality. Just a way to train without limitations, perhaps.
But staying on Earth wasn't without its benefits. Training here meant more time to refine my techniques, to truly master my ki suppression. It also meant preparing for Vegeta and Nappa's inevitable arrival.
---
The Weight of Numbers
The scouter buzzed softly, pulling me back to the present. I glanced at it, noting the faint reading: 3,250.
My power level had grown again, but it still felt painfully inadequate. Vegeta's 18,000 loomed like a mountain I couldn't hope to scale. And Frieza? He was an entirely different realm of power.
It's just a number, I told myself. A number doesn't define you.
But that wasn't entirely true. In this universe, numbers meant everything. They dictated who survived and who perished.
Still, power levels weren't static. Goku had proven that through his constant evolution, his ability to grow stronger through sheer will and determination. If he could do it, so could I.
---
Training Progress
I stepped outside, the cool night air refreshing against my skin. The forest was silent, save for the occasional rustle of leaves.
I focused inward, suppressing my ki until it was nearly undetectable. The technique had become easier with practice, but it still required concentration.
Next, I unleashed a controlled burst of energy, targeting a nearby boulder. The blast shattered it into tiny fragments, but the explosion was contained—precisely what I'd been aiming for.
"Good," I muttered. "But not good enough."
The holographic enemies in the ship's training module had pushed me to the brink, but I needed more. I needed real challenges, real opponents.
---
A Calculated Risk
The communication beacon crackled to life, its faint signal indicating partial success. With some adjustments, I might be able to use it to detect nearby ships.
An idea formed in my mind, risky but potentially rewarding. If I could lure a weaker Frieza Force scout to Earth, I'd gain an opportunity to test my strength. More importantly, I'd acquire another ship—a faster one, perhaps, with more advanced technology.
But summoning a scout meant exposing myself. If Frieza's forces realized I was alive, they'd hunt me down without hesitation.
I stared at the beacon, my mind racing.
Is it worth the risk?
---
The Path Forward
For now, I decided to wait. I'd monitor the beacon's signals and train harder than ever. The decision to stay or leave would come in time, but I wouldn't rush it.
The forest was my sanctuary, the ship my fortress. Here, I could grow stronger, smarter, and more prepared for whatever lay ahead.
The universe was vast and unforgiving, but I wasn't the same Raditz who had fallen so easily before. I was something more now—someone who understood the value of patience and strategy.
"I'll make my move when the time is right," I said, my voice firm. "Until then, I'll keep getting stronger. They won't see me coming."
The faint hum of the beacon filled the ship's control room as I carefully adjusted the device's frequency. The salvaged tech wasn't exactly cutting-edge, but with enough modifications, it might just do the trick.
My goal was simple: intercept Frieza's communications without drawing attention to myself. Easier said than done. The risk of sending out a detectable signal was high, but the potential rewards were too valuable to ignore.
The screen flickered, a cascade of alien symbols flashing across the interface. I deciphered what I could—planetary coordinates, troop deployments, and occasional mentions of "targeted extermination."
I paused at one transmission.
"…Namek. Recon squad dispatched. ETA: three weeks."
My heart skipped a beat. Frieza's forces were already mobilizing. If I went to Namek, I'd have a narrow window to act before the situation spiraled out of control.
But there was more. Another signal hinted at a supply vessel passing near Earth. A scout ship, lightly armed but fast. It was tempting.
Intercept the scout, or use the time to train more?
---
Refining Ki Mastery
I stepped outside, the cool breeze a welcome change from the ship's stifling interior. The forest had become my training ground, each tree and boulder a silent witness to my progress.
Today's focus was precision and control. I needed to ensure my ki suppression was flawless. If the Z-Fighters or Frieza's scouts sensed me, I was as good as dead.
I started with meditation, centering my energy and drawing it inward. Suppressing my ki felt unnatural, like holding my breath underwater. But with practice, I'd learned to minimize my energy signature to a mere flicker.
Next came ki manipulation. I formed a small orb in my palm, barely larger than a pebble. Instead of releasing it, I let it hover, pushing it outward and pulling it back with my mind. The strain was immense, but the reward was worth it—greater control meant greater efficiency in battle.
---
Testing My Limits
After hours of practice, I activated the ship's training module. The simulation I'd designed wasn't just about brute strength—it was a gauntlet of reflexes, strategy, and endurance.
The first opponent materialized: a humanoid warrior with a power level of 3,000. Slightly weaker than me, but fast.
I darted forward, dodging his strikes and landing a decisive blow to his midsection. He staggered, but I didn't let up. A quick burst of ki to his chest ended the fight.
The next opponent was stronger—3,800. I could feel the gap immediately. His strikes were heavier, his speed overwhelming. But I'd been training for this.
I focused on his movements, predicting his attacks and exploiting openings. By the end of the fight, I was bruised and battered, but victorious.
---
The Plan Evolves
As I sat in the ship's med bay, tending to my injuries, I reflected on my options.
The scout ship passing near Earth could be my ticket off this planet. If I intercepted it, I'd gain a faster vessel and potentially valuable intel. But it also meant exposing myself, risking everything I'd worked for.
Staying on Earth meant more time to train, but it also meant facing Vegeta and Nappa unprepared.
And then there was Namek. If Frieza's forces were already en route, my window of opportunity was closing fast. But Namek wasn't just about the dragon balls—it was about the lore. The battles there would shape the future.
I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.
"There's no perfect choice," I muttered. "Only the choice that gives me the best chance to survive."
---
A Saiyan's Resolve
For now, I decided to split my focus. I'd spend the next few days fine-tuning the beacon, monitoring Frieza's communications for any new intel. At the same time, I'd intensify my training, pushing my body and mind to their limits.
Every punch, every blast of ki, carried the weight of my determination. I wasn't just fighting to survive—I was fighting to change the future.
The universe didn't care about my struggles, but I'd make it care. One step at a time, I'd grow stronger. And when the time came to face Vegeta, Nappa, or even Frieza, I'd be ready.