Raditz stood before the massive elder of Namek, Guru, the faint glow of the dragon balls now a memory etched in his mind. The elder's presence was imposing yet serene, a reminder of the stark contrast between the Saiyan warrior's brash nature and the calm, collected demeanor of the Namekian leader.
"Your desires are noble yet shrouded in conflict," Guru said, his voice resonating like the deep chime of a bell. "You possess strength, but the true challenge lies in how you wield it. Tell me, Raditz, what drives you now?"
Raditz hesitated, caught off-guard by the question. He clenched his fists at his sides. "Survival. Redemption. Strength... I need power to stand against those who will come for me. Against Frieza, his forces, and even the Saiyan Prince."
Guru's aged face creased in thought, his antennae twitching slightly. "And yet, you are here, delaying their arrival. You have chosen to preserve a future you do not yet belong to. This suggests something greater than mere survival."
Raditz looked away, jaw tightening. He couldn't explain it—not fully. A part of him, deeply rooted in his human memories, wanted to see this world thrive. He wasn't the same as the Saiyan who had arrived on Earth so long ago. "I... want a chance to live differently. To prove that I can be more than what my past dictates."
Guru extended his hand, a faint green light radiating from his palm. "You walk a perilous path, Saiyan. Before you leave Namek, take this clarity with you."
Raditz felt a wave of calm wash over him as Guru's energy touched his forehead. Memories, both his and his host's, sharpened into focus. The timelines clicked into place:
October 12, Age 761: His original self had fallen on Earth, sparking the chain of events leading to Goku's resurrection and the Saiyans' arrival.
November 2, Age 762: Goku would return, setting the stage for the battle with Vegeta and Nappa the next day.
December 13, Age 762: Vegeta would arrive on Namek, but Raditz had the chance to reshape that confrontation.
December 24, Age 762: The battle with Frieza and Goku's sacrifice—events Raditz knew he must not interfere with.
With clarity came a grim realization. "I have less time than I thought," he muttered.
Guru withdrew his hand. "Time is fleeting, but resolve is eternal. Go now, Raditz. Your journey is far from over."
Raditz bowed his head—a gesture he never thought he'd make willingly. As he departed Guru's chamber, Nail escorted him back to his ship. The warrior Namekian had observed Raditz closely and now walked alongside him in silence.
"You've changed, Saiyan," Nail said abruptly.
Raditz smirked. "Don't read too much into it. I still have battles to fight. But maybe... I'm fighting for something better now."
As the ship's hatch closed behind him, Raditz input the coordinates for one of Frieza's bases—a smaller outpost he remembered from his host's knowledge. It was time to cut down Frieza's forces, weaken his grip, and prepare for the battles to come.
His power level had grown tremendously during his training and battles. At nearly 18,000, he was strong but not invincible. He couldn't face Frieza yet, nor did he intend to. But if he could take out Frieza's officers, the empire would falter—and Raditz would carve a name for himself as something more than a disposable warrior.
The ship roared to life, breaking through Namek's atmosphere. Raditz tightened his fists. Every moment counted now.
Raditz stared at the navigation console as his ship hurtled through the void of space. The cold, endless expanse was a fitting reflection of his own thoughts. His power level, now a formidable 18,000, marked him as a dangerous anomaly even among Frieza's elite. Yet, as much as raw strength mattered, he knew better than anyone that power alone wasn't enough.
Goku's victories weren't just the result of his strength—they were the culmination of mastery, strategy, and relentless discipline. For all the power Raditz had gained, he still lacked the refined experience of a martial artist. His spars with Kohra had been enlightening, but now it was time to take that knowledge further.
Raditz leaned back in the pilot's chair, smirking. "Experience, huh? Guess it's time to learn on the job."
He decided not to suppress his power entirely. Instead, he set a cap, allowing his scouter to transmit a reading of 10,000. It was an intimidating figure for anyone beneath the Ginyu Force, but it left room for surprises.
"Let them underestimate me," he muttered. "They'll regret it soon enough."
The Frieza Force outpost loomed ahead—a small planet with dense jungles and harsh terrain. Raditz's ship landed with a heavy thud, its engines hissing as it cooled. The moment the hatch opened, his scouter beeped, detecting multiple power levels converging on his position.
"Looks like they've noticed me," Raditz muttered, stepping out into the humid air.
Within minutes, a squad of Frieza soldiers appeared, their armor glinting under the twin suns. The leader, a burly alien with gray skin and sharp tusks, sneered at him.
"A lone Saiyan? And here I thought you were all wiped out," the leader said, his scouter beeping furiously. "Power level 10,000? Impressive, but we've seen stronger. You should've stayed hidden."
Raditz grinned, his aura flickering to life around him. "I'm here to test a theory. Let's see if numbers can make up for stupidity."
The leader snarled and gestured to his men. "Kill him!"
The squad charged, ki blasts streaking through the air. Raditz barely moved, weaving through the attacks with precision. He countered with ruthless efficiency, his blows shattering armor and sending bodies flying.
One soldier attempted to flank him, but Raditz caught the attacker by the wrist and slammed him into the ground with bone-crushing force. Another tried to fire a blast point-blank, only for Raditz to backhand him into a tree, the impact leaving a crater in the trunk.
"Pathetic," Raditz growled. "Is this really the best Frieza has to offer?"
The leader, now visibly shaken, launched a desperate attack. He gathered a massive ki blast, hurling it at Raditz with a roar. Raditz stood his ground, catching the blast with one hand. For a moment, the energy crackled against his palm, but then he crushed it with a flick of his wrist.
"What... what are you?" the leader stammered, taking a step back.
Raditz smirked. "A dead man's second chance."
Before the leader could retreat, Raditz closed the distance in an instant, driving a fist into his gut. The alien crumpled, gasping for air as he collapsed.
Raditz looked around at the aftermath—the smoldering ground, the unconscious soldiers, and the wreckage of the outpost. His scouter beeped again, picking up faint power levels scattered across the planet.
"Not bad for a warm-up," he muttered, turning toward the jungle. "But if I'm going to face Vegeta, Frieza, and Goku, I need more than raw power. I need technique."
Over the next several days, Raditz sought out Frieza's remaining forces on the planet. Each encounter pushed him further, forcing him to adapt and refine his fighting style. He began experimenting with techniques Kohra had taught him, blending them with the raw aggression of his Saiyan heritage.
He practiced counterattacks, learning to read his opponents' movements and strike with precision. He focused on conserving energy, using feints and misdirection to outmaneuver stronger foes. Every battle was a lesson, and every victory brought him closer to mastery.
By the time Raditz left the planet, he was no longer the brutish warrior who relied solely on strength. He was becoming something else—a strategist, a tactician, and, perhaps, a true martial artist.
As his ship ascended into the stars, Raditz stared out at the endless expanse, his mind racing. He had time before Vegeta and Frieza arrived on Namek. Time to strike at Frieza's forces, disrupt his empire, and carve out his own path.
"Frieza, Vegeta, Goku... You'll all see," he said, a determined glint in his eye. "This time, I'm playing the long game."
The ship disappeared into hyperspace, leaving behind the shattered remnants of the Frieza outpost. Raditz's journey was far from over, but for the first time, he felt like he was in control of his destiny.
Raditz stood on the edge of a vast rocky terrain, his dark, spiky hair waving in the wind. His power was at a new peak, thanks to his recent wishes. His potential had grown, the techniques he'd acquired were numerous, and his body felt like it could handle more. But now, it was time for the hardest part—experience. He wasn't just relying on raw power anymore. He needed to become a true warrior.
With the dragon balls behind him, Raditz's next challenge was ensuring he was ready to face Frieza's forces. He had studied his enemies and their tactics, understanding that a sudden confrontation wouldn't end well without preparation. His time on Namek, training under a relentless series of mock battles and honing his energy control, had prepared him mentally. But fighting was the only true test.
He stood still for a moment, allowing his energy to pulse softly at around 10,000. This was the level he'd display when confronting Frieza's soldiers—a little more than what they expected, but not enough to tip them off. His real strength lay underneath, waiting to be unleashed if necessary.
"I need to fight," Raditz muttered to himself. "Only through combat will I learn how to truly apply these techniques. Power alone isn't enough. I need experience."
With that, Raditz pushed forward, seeking out strong foes, ones who could test his mettle. His energy rippled, catching the attention of some nearby warriors—remnants of Frieza's forces that had scattered in the wake of the tyrant's downfall. The new power vacuum left them in turmoil, and Raditz knew it was the perfect time to strike.
He set off, leaving behind the quieter parts of the universe to explore some of the most dangerous corners. On his travels, Raditz encountered all sorts of warriors—strong, skilled, and seasoned. But with his newly gained potential, he was able to fight them evenly, gradually learning how to refine his skills.
His technique list, crafted by his wishes, had grown vast: Ki-enhanced punches, evasive movements, energy manipulation—he began to incorporate all these into his battles. His martial arts training, including the techniques that Kohra had taught him, had become second nature, and now he was experimenting with combinations, pushing his body and mind to new limits.
Each fight was an opportunity to grow stronger. With every opponent he defeated, Raditz grew more confident in his ability to control his newfound strength. Even the unexpected enemies—the Frieza remnants, rogue warriors, and bounty hunters—taught him something valuable, whether it was their sheer combat intuition or their use of deceptive techniques.
Raditz had become more than just a Saiyan. He was evolving. And soon, the very thought of Frieza's forces being a threat seemed distant. He didn't plan to just defeat them—he planned to obliterate them, to make them regret ever standing in his way.
As time passed, Raditz found himself near Frieza's old military base, a prime target for his first true test. His training had been rigorous, his power had skyrocketed, but now it was time to put it to the real test. He wasn't sure what he'd face next, but he knew one thing for certain: He wouldn't back down.
His mind was clear. His strength was undeniable.
The universe wouldn't know what hit it.