The scout ship lay dormant in the ravine, its engines a tangled mess of wires and scorched metal. I spent the next few days examining its systems, salvaging what I could. The more I worked on it, the more I realized how much I still relied on the Saiyan instincts I'd inherited. My hands moved almost on their own, guided by memories of Raditz's time with Frieza's fleet.
It was strange, this blending of lives—my human ingenuity fused with Saiyan muscle memory.
The onboard database, though damaged, provided a trove of information. Star charts, power level readings of nearby forces, and encrypted communication logs. Most of it was fragmented, but one thing stood out: Namek.
The word pulsed on the map, a glowing green orb surrounded by notations in a language I barely understood.
So Frieza's already keeping tabs on it.
The ship was nowhere near operational. Even with days of work, its hyperdrive was beyond my ability to repair. At best, I could use it for short trips within the system.
This setback only fueled my resolve. If I couldn't escape yet, I needed to prepare for whoever might come next. Vegeta and Nappa were months away, and I had to ensure they wouldn't find an easy target when they arrived.
Namek remained in the back of my mind, but the idea of rushing there felt premature. Frieza's forces were scattered across the galaxy, and any misstep could expose me.
For now, the plan was clear: train, strengthen my body and mind, and lay low until the time was right.
Training was no longer about raw power—it was about refinement.
I focused on suppressing my ki to perfection. This wasn't just about staying hidden; it was a tool, a weapon in its own right. If I could lower my energy signature to almost nothing, I could ambush even the most skilled fighters.
The forest became my testing ground. I moved silently among the trees, suppressing my energy while stalking wild animals. At first, they noticed me almost immediately. But with practice, I managed to get closer, slipping past their senses like a shadow.
Boxing wasn't about overwhelming power; it was about precision. The drills from my past life came back to me as I shadowboxed in the clearing. Jabs, hooks, feints—each movement felt sharper than before.
I incorporated these techniques into my sparring against holographic enemies. The combination of Saiyan strength and human technique created a fighting style that felt unpredictable, even to me.
This could work, I thought, wiping sweat from my brow. Goku's greatest strength was his mastery of techniques. If I can learn even half as much, I'll stand a chance.
The ship's communications array flickered to life after hours of tinkering. It wasn't much, but I could now monitor intergalactic chatter. Most of it was encrypted, but one message stood out—reports of Frieza's forces expanding their reach in nearby systems.
It was a grim reminder of the stakes.
If I repaired the ship further, I could use it as bait. Drawing out another scout or low-level operative might provide me with more resources or intel. On the other hand, a functional ship could allow me to explore nearby moons or planets for additional training grounds.
As I worked, my thoughts returned to Namek.
If I left for the planet now, I might arrive before Frieza and Vegeta. With the dragon balls in hand, I could wish for strength, immortality, or even a fresh start somewhere far from this chaos.
But the risks loomed large. I still wasn't strong enough to face Vegeta, let alone Frieza. Arriving on Namek without a solid plan could be a death sentence.
Then again, isn't staying here just as dangerous?
The thought lingered as I stared at the half-repaired ship.
By the end of the week, I could feel the difference in my body. Every punch carried more force, every ki blast more precision. My scouter still worked for personal use, and I hesitated before activating it.
Power level: 5,000.
It wasn't much by Saiyan standards, but it was progress. Vegeta's level of 18,000 felt like a distant mountain peak, but for the first time, I believed I could climb it.
"This isn't enough," I muttered, clenching my fists. "Not yet."
The repaired ship sat dormant in the ravine, its engines humming faintly, a quiet promise of escape—or a weapon, depending on how I chose to use it. I had spent the last few days refining my training and studying the ship's systems, but I was still no closer to deciding on my next step.
Namek.
The word still lingered in my mind, echoing with both promise and danger. I had time—at least a few months—before Vegeta and Nappa arrived, but Frieza's forces were already on the move. I needed to be ready, no matter the choice I made.
Training had become my obsession. My body burned with every new technique, every perfected ki blast. The hybrid fighting style I was developing—merging my Saiyan strength with the precision of my boxing training—was starting to take shape.
Every punch I threw felt like it carried the weight of my will. Every ki blast shot with the precision of a master. But still, I wasn't where I needed to be. Not yet.
My power level had increased to around 5,000, a steady climb from the battle with the bio-enemy. I could feel the difference, but the road to true strength was long and unforgiving. Vegeta's 18,000 seemed like an unreachable mountain, but I wasn't about to stop climbing.
The ship was functional now, enough to get me off Earth if needed. Its scanners picked up the faintest energy signatures from distant stars, and I could now communicate with distant systems.
I spent hours mapping out nearby systems, considering my options. Namek was still the most likely choice, but the more I studied it, the more I realized it wasn't just a place of opportunity—it was also a place of danger.
Frieza's forces were already aware of the Dragon Balls, and I couldn't afford to underestimate them. If I went to Namek, I would be risking everything.
Do I have enough power to beat Frieza? I thought, resting my hand on the ship's control panel. Even Vegeta would be a challenge. And Goku's still training with King Kai. I can't wait for him.
As much as I wanted to leave for Namek, I knew I couldn't afford to go in blind. I needed a plan.
The scout ship was a good start, but I needed more than just a vehicle to transport me. I needed more information. If I was going to challenge Frieza's forces or anyone else that might get in my way, I had to be ready for anything.
I decided to take a more strategic approach—gather intel, build my strength, and wait for the right moment. I would continue training, but now I also needed to understand the universe around me.
I wasn't just a warrior anymore; I had to be a tactician.
The days blurred together as I honed my fighting style and practiced suppressing my ki to perfection. The hybrid techniques I was developing began to feel natural, and I knew that soon, they would become second nature in combat.
But the more I trained, the more I realized that pure strength wasn't enough. I needed something more—something that would give me the edge in battle.
My ki suppression was progressing faster than I'd anticipated. In the past, I would have been a beacon of energy in any fight. But now, I could hide my power so completely that even I had to concentrate to feel it.
If I can suppress my ki and hide from Frieza's forces, I might be able to get the drop on them. But that's a double-edged sword.
If I was too cautious, I risked being overwhelmed. But if I was too reckless, I could end up right where I didn't want to be: facing an enemy I wasn't ready to defeat.
One night, as I sat near the campfire, the faint glow of the scout ship lighting the dark expanse around me, the decision weighed heavily on my mind.
Namek.
The name echoed in my mind again, and for a moment, I thought about all the possibilities. The Dragon Balls. The wish. The potential for strength beyond anything I could imagine.
But then I thought of the risks—the unknowns. Frieza, Vegeta, and Nappa were all threats I couldn't ignore. I needed time to prepare.
I'll wait for now.
The thought settled within me like a stone. I wasn't ready to leave yet. I had time, and I would use it wisely. I would train harder, learn more, and when the time was right, I would make my move.
I will be ready for whatever comes next.