With time slipping through my fingers, I realized staying on Earth wasn't an option anymore. The path to survival and strength lay elsewhere. Namek offered a unique opportunity—the Dragon Balls could grant me any wish, and if I played my cards right, I could reach them before Vegeta or Frieza arrived.
But the journey itself was a challenge.
Namek wasn't close by, and I needed to prepare for any obstacles I might face along the way. The trials Kohra put me through would serve as the foundation for my training during the long journey.
The scout ship hummed to life, its systems responding to my commands as I input the coordinates for Namek.
Before departing, I took one last look at Earth from the ship's viewport.
"Next time I return," I muttered, "I won't be the same Raditz."
The ship lifted off, breaking through the atmosphere in a matter of seconds. Once in the cold expanse of space, I set the autopilot and turned my focus inward.
Space was a silent and lonely place, but it gave me exactly what I needed: time.
I repeated Kohra's lessons daily, refining my movements, practicing my breathing, and honing my ki control. With the ship's gravity settings adjusted, I created a makeshift training chamber where I could push my body to its limits.
Kohra's words echoed in my mind as I meditated in the dim light of the ship.
"Control your power. Master your mind."
I had always relied on my Saiyan instincts—aggression, raw strength, and battle lust. But Kohra had taught me that true mastery required discipline.
During meditation, I focused on my ki, learning to suppress and manipulate it with precision. At first, it was a struggle. My energy had always been like a roaring flame—wild and unrestrained.
But with patience, I began to shape it into something more controlled, more focused.
The ship's training chamber became my battlefield. Using the limited resources on board, I created challenges to test my endurance and strength.
Gravity training pushed my muscles to their limits, and the techniques Kohra had taught me allowed me to adapt and overcome. I combined his teachings with my own Saiyan ferocity, crafting a unique fighting style that balanced precision with power.
The shard I had found earlier became an unexpected ally. Its energy resonated with my own, amplifying my attacks during training and pushing me to new heights.
As I trained, my thoughts often drifted to Namek.
The trials I remembered from the lore might not be exactly as I envisioned them, but I knew the Namekian people valued strength, wisdom, and character.
If there are trials… I'll pass them.
The Dragon Balls weren't just a means of survival—they were my chance to rewrite my destiny. But I also knew they came with risks. Frieza and Vegeta weren't fools. If they arrived while I was still weak, I wouldn't stand a chance.
I need to be ready for anything.
The power level of 5,000 that I had recently achieved was impressive by Earth's standards, but it was still far below what I needed. Vegeta had been over 18,000 when he fought Kakarot, and Frieza's power was incomprehensibly higher.
I reminded myself that power levels weren't just numbers—they were reflections of effort, discipline, and the mastery of one's energy. Every point was hard-earned, and I wasn't going to let my progress stop here.
Days turned into weeks as the ship sped through the vastness of space. The solitude was maddening at times, but it forced me to confront my own weaknesses.
I sparred with the shadows, pushing myself to imagine the battles ahead. My fists moved with precision, each strike carrying the weight of Kohra's teachings.
In those moments, I felt like I was beginning to understand what it meant to be truly strong—not just in body, but in mind and spirit.
The ship's system alerted me as we entered the vicinity of Namek. The sight of the blue-green planet filled the viewport, its serene beauty hiding the chaos that would soon unfold.
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment.
This was it—the first real step in my journey to change my fate.
But I wasn't the same Raditz who had left Earth.
I was stronger. Smarter. And for the first time, I felt like I had a purpose beyond survival.
"Namek," I whispered, clenching my fists. "Let's see what you've got.
The ship touched down on the surface of Namek with a soft hiss, the landing mechanisms activating flawlessly. As I stepped out, the first thing that struck me was the planet's tranquility.
Rolling green fields stretched for miles, dotted with the occasional rocky outcrop. The sky, a soft blue with three suns glowing faintly, bathed everything in a surreal light. The serenity was almost disarming.
But I wasn't here for peace. I was here for the Dragon Balls.
I activated the ship's scanner, setting it to search for the Dragon Balls' unique energy signatures. As the device hummed, I extended my senses, trying to detect ki signatures nearby.
The area seemed quiet—no significant power levels in the immediate vicinity. That was both a relief and a concern. Namek was vast, and tracking down the Dragon Balls could take weeks if I wasn't efficient.
The scanner beeped, and I checked the screen. It had picked up faint energy spikes in the distance, consistent with what the Dragon Balls might emit.
"That's my first lead," I muttered, shutting off the scanner.
As I made my way across the landscape, I suppressed my power to avoid detection. The last thing I needed was to attract the attention of any Namekian warriors—or worse, Frieza's forces if they were already on their way.
After hours of travel, I came across a small Namekian village nestled between two rocky cliffs. The architecture was simple yet elegant, with dome-shaped buildings that blended seamlessly with the environment.
From my hiding spot, I observed the villagers. They were peaceful, their movements slow and deliberate. It was clear they had no idea of the chaos that would soon descend upon their world.
I could sense one strong energy signature among them—a warrior, most likely.
This was my chance to test the techniques Kohra had taught me. If I could stay undetected, I might learn something about the Dragon Balls without alerting the villagers to my presence.
But the risk was significant. If the warrior sensed me, I'd have to fight or flee, and either option could ruin my plans.
As I crouched behind a rocky outcrop, weighing my options, I found myself thinking back to my time on Earth. Kohra had taught me more than just fighting—he'd taught me patience and the value of subtlety.
Rather than approaching the village directly, I decided to circle around and scout the area further. There was no point in rushing in blind.
As I moved, I stumbled upon a small cave hidden by overgrown vegetation. Inside, I found what appeared to be an abandoned Namekian storage area. The shelves were lined with various artifacts, including some strange orbs that glowed faintly.
I picked one up, feeling a faint pulse of energy. It wasn't a Dragon Ball, but it seemed to be some sort of energy amplifier.
Interesting… maybe I can use this.
The shard I had found on Earth began to hum faintly in my pocket, reacting to the energy in the cave. I pulled it out, watching as it glowed brighter than ever before.
"What are you trying to tell me?" I murmured, holding the shard closer to the orb.
When the two energies touched, a surge of light filled the cave. Images flashed through my mind—Namekian warriors battling fierce enemies, the Dragon Balls glowing in unison, and a strange temple surrounded by waterfalls.
Is this a vision?
The shard's energy seemed to be guiding me, showing me the path I needed to take.
Before leaving the cave, I decided to use it as a temporary training ground. The shard's energy, combined with the amplifiers I had found, created a unique environment that pushed my body and mind to new limits.
I practiced Kohra's techniques relentlessly, focusing on precision and control. My movements became sharper, my strikes more deliberate. Even my ki manipulation improved, allowing me to create more efficient energy blasts.
With each passing day, I could feel my power level inching closer to 6,000. It was still far from what I needed to challenge Vegeta or Frieza, but it was progress.
As I meditated one evening, my thoughts turned to the Dragon Balls.
If I could gather them before anyone else, I'd have a chance to make a wish. But what would I wish for?
Immortality? Power? Or something else entirely?
The answers weren't as simple as they seemed. Immortality could be a curse, and raw power without purpose was meaningless. What I truly needed was the strength to protect myself and carve out a future where I wasn't constantly looking over my shoulder.
Perhaps the answer lay in mastering myself first and letting the Dragon Balls serve as a tool rather than a crutch.
With the shard's guidance and my newfound determination, I set out once more. The vision of the temple remained fresh in my mind—it was my next destination.
The road ahead was uncertain, but for the first time since my reincarnation, I felt like I was moving forward with purpose.
As I crossed the fields of Namek, the suns setting behind me, I couldn't help but feel a spark of hope.
Whatever trials lay ahead, I was ready to face them.