The battlefield was littered with the wreckage of Frieza's empire—burned-out ships, scattered weapons, and lifeless bodies. Raditz stood amidst the carnage, his breathing steady despite the grueling fights. The last of Frieza's outpost soldiers had fallen before him, and he felt a grim satisfaction.
For the first time in his life—well, in this new life—he had become more than a pawn. Each battle sharpened his instincts and refined his power. His suppressed ki simmered beneath the surface, but the truth of his potential had become undeniable. His power level now approached 18,000, and he wielded it with greater control than ever before.
Among the wreckage, Raditz found what he'd been searching for: a data console, still active despite the destruction. He crouched beside it and began flipping through the entries, bypassing basic encryption codes with ease.
"Coordinates, coordinates…" he muttered. His eyes scanned the list until one entry caught his attention.
Location: Planet Yardrat
Status: Neutral Territory
Yardrat. The name stirred memories from his past life's knowledge of Dragon Ball. The inhabitants of that planet were known for their strange and advanced techniques—techniques that had shaped Goku's future. If he could learn from them, it might bridge the gap between his raw power and the refined skill needed to take on Frieza's forces and more.
He leaned back and stared at the console's flickering display. "Yardrat... so the stories were true. This might be exactly what I need."
Yet, hesitation gripped him. Yardrat was far, and his time was limited. According to the timeline he'd reconstructed, Vegeta and Nappa would reach Earth soon. Frieza's focus was still divided across his empire, but Raditz knew it wouldn't stay that way. Frieza's paranoia would lead him to tighten his grip on Namek and its dragon balls soon.
"If I go to Yardrat, I'll need to be quick," he muttered. "No time to waste."
He returned to the surviving spacecraft he'd commandeered earlier. With the ship's autopilot systems still functional, it would be easy to chart a course. He set the coordinates and activated the engines. As the ship hummed to life, Raditz took a moment to reflect on the journey ahead.
---
The journey to Yardrat wasn't immediate. The planet was located in a distant sector of the galaxy, and even with Frieza's advanced technology, the trip would take weeks. Raditz used the time to push his training further. The gravity chambers onboard became his sanctuary, and he pushed his body to its limits.
Each session tested him, and the memories of his earlier life as a human surfaced in his mind. Boxing techniques, footwork, and precision punches now fused seamlessly with Saiyan ferocity. Every strike carried weight and purpose, and he began to feel a level of control that even the greatest fighters would envy.
"This is what they didn't understand," he said aloud during a sparring session with the ship's automated dummies. "Power alone doesn't win battles. It's the skill to wield it that decides everything."
He thought of Frieza and Vegeta, enemies who relied on raw strength and arrogance to dominate. Raditz vowed not to follow their path.
---
Finally, the ship entered Yardrat's orbit. From the viewport, Raditz could see the serene blue-green planet below, dotted with sprawling landmasses and vast oceans. It looked almost unassuming—a peaceful world untouched by Frieza's tyranny.
As he descended, Raditz steeled himself. Yardrat's people weren't warriors, but their wisdom was unparalleled. If he hoped to learn from them, he would need to earn their trust.
Stepping out of the ship, he was greeted by a group of Yardratians. Their small frames and calm demeanor contrasted sharply with his imposing Saiyan stature. Yet they showed no fear, merely curiosity.
"What brings you to our world, Saiyan?" one of them asked, his voice calm but firm.
Raditz lowered his power level, bowing his head slightly in a gesture of respect. "I seek knowledge," he said plainly. "Your techniques are renowned throughout the galaxy. Teach me, and I will prove myself worthy."
The Yardratians exchanged glances. After a moment, their leader stepped forward. "We do not teach our techniques lightly, nor do we grant them to those who seek power for destruction."
Raditz nodded. "I don't seek power for destruction. I seek it to survive—and to protect what I care about."
The leader studied him for a long moment before finally gesturing for him to follow. "If you are sincere, then your actions will prove it. Come. There are trials you must face before we teach you anything."
---
Raditz followed them into the heart of their village, his mind racing. The trials ahead would likely test his patience and resolve more than his strength. But he was ready for this. Every battle, every hardship had brought him to this point.
As he prepared to face the Yardratian trials, a single thought burned in his mind: I won't waste this chance.
Raditz clenched his fists, determination surging through him. Yardrat was the key to taking his skills to the next level—and he would not fail.
Raditz followed the Yardratian leader through the peaceful, bustling village, where the air was thick with the scent of sweet blossoms and the distant sounds of gentle chatter. The villagers moved with purpose, going about their tasks with a sense of quiet confidence. Despite their serene surroundings, Raditz couldn't help but feel an undercurrent of power emanating from the land itself, as though the planet was alive with energy he couldn't yet grasp.
After a short walk, they reached a secluded area where the trees parted to reveal a large stone platform. It was circular in shape, with intricate markings etched into the surface. The Yardratian leader turned to Raditz, his expression serious.
"These are the trials, Saiyan. You must prove that you are worthy of our teachings. The first trial will test your mind—your ability to control and harness your power. If you fail, you will leave here without learning anything."
Raditz nodded, his resolve strengthening. "I'm ready."
The leader raised his hand, and the markings on the stone platform began to glow, releasing a faint hum. "The first trial is a test of focus," the Yardratian explained. "You must maintain perfect control over your ki while navigating through this maze of energy. Fail to control it, and you will be lost in the illusion."
With a wave of his hand, the platform seemed to dissolve before Raditz's eyes, replaced by an eerie and disorienting landscape. Towering spires of energy twisted in every direction, forming a maze of flashing, crackling light. Raditz felt the hair on his neck stand up as the maze seemed to stretch on forever, and the pressure of the trial began to build.
"Focus," he reminded himself. "Just focus."
He took a deep breath, centering himself, and then began to walk through the maze. His power level, which had been previously suppressed, was now fully active, but he kept it under control—letting it flow around him rather than explode outward. Each step he took sent ripples through the maze, shifting the paths and walls of energy as he moved. It was like walking on a tightrope, where one misstep could send him plummeting into the illusion's chaos.
Every time Raditz felt himself losing focus, the maze seemed to react, shifting and tightening around him. His training in controlling his energy on Earth had prepared him for this—Kohra's lessons in balance and control echoed in his mind, reminding him to stay calm, to let his ki pulse with his breath.
As he moved deeper into the labyrinth, the flashes of light grew more intense, disorienting him with each turn. But Raditz remained steady. He fought the pull of the maze, keeping his mind clear. The minutes dragged on as he navigated the twisting paths, but slowly, steadily, he began to see the way forward. The maze didn't feel like a threat anymore—it was more like a puzzle, something that could be solved if he was patient and precise enough.
Finally, after what felt like hours, he reached the center of the maze. The swirling energy walls dissipated, leaving him standing on a calm platform, bathed in a soft, golden light. The Yardratian leader appeared beside him, watching with interest.
"You have passed the first trial," he said, nodding. "Your control over your power is impressive. But there are two more trials to come."
Raditz took a deep breath, his muscles sore from the mental strain. "What's next?"
The leader gestured toward a nearby cliff, where a waterfall cascaded down the rocks in a serene flow. "The second trial is a test of your physical endurance. You will fight against the energy beasts that roam the valley beyond. Defeat them, and you will prove your strength."
Raditz felt a surge of anticipation. He was ready for this. With his current power level, nearing 18,000, he was confident he could handle whatever the Yardratians threw at him. The opportunity to refine his combat skills—something Kohra had emphasized in their training—was exactly what he needed.
---
The valley beyond the village was a vast expanse, filled with jagged rocks and thick foliage. The air here was thick with ki energy, and Raditz immediately felt the tension in the atmosphere. The Yardratian leader pointed to the distance, where shadows moved among the trees.
"Your opponents await," the leader said. "They will not hold back. You must use your power wisely."
Without another word, Raditz walked forward, his senses heightened. He could feel the energy of the creatures ahead. They weren't ordinary animals. These were beings with ki, formidable opponents in their own right. As he approached a cluster of large boulders, Raditz saw them: massive, four-armed creatures with glowing eyes, each one radiating energy like an unstable star.
The creatures roared and charged toward him. Raditz wasted no time, immediately engaging them in combat. His body moved fluidly as he dodged their powerful strikes, using his enhanced Saiyan agility to stay a step ahead. Each creature was a force to be reckoned with, but Raditz was faster, his strength greater.
His first opponent lunged at him with a bone-shattering punch, but Raditz dodged it, countering with a quick series of blows to its midsection. The creature staggered back, but it quickly recovered, swinging wildly. Raditz ducked under the attack, landing a heavy elbow to its spine that sent the creature crashing to the ground.
The second beast charged, but Raditz was already in motion, his powerful legs carrying him high into the air. He twisted mid-flight, unleashing a barrage of ki blasts that hammered the creature's chest, sending it sprawling. He landed smoothly on the ground, watching as the creature struggled to get back up, finally collapsing from the assault.
The third and final creature was faster, more intelligent. It closed the distance with startling speed, slashing at Raditz with its sharp claws. But Raditz was ready. He sidestepped the attack, grabbing the creature by the arm and twisting it behind its back. With a forceful kick, he sent it tumbling to the ground, unable to continue fighting.
The valley fell silent, save for the sound of Raditz's heavy breathing. The creatures lay motionless around him. He wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to the Yardratian leader, who had been watching the fight from a distance.
"You have passed the second trial," the leader said, a hint of approval in his voice. "You are indeed a worthy fighter."
Raditz nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow. "What's the final trial?"
---
The Yardratian leader smiled. "The final trial is not one of strength or endurance. It is a test of your spirit. You must meditate in the heart of the forest for three days and nights, without food or water, and face your inner demons. If you can conquer your fears and doubts, you will be ready for the techniques we will teach you."
Raditz looked toward the dense forest that stretched before him, filled with shadows and mystery. This would not be easy. But it was the final test—he could feel it.
"I accept," Raditz said firmly.
As he walked into the forest, the Yardratian leader's words echoed in his mind. Face your inner demons. Raditz had fought countless enemies, but now, he had to face the most difficult challenge of all: himself.