Raditz soared across the skies of Namek, the first Dragon Ball strapped securely to his waist. The three suns dipped lower on the horizon, casting long shadows over the emerald terrain. His scouter-free navigation relied solely on his heightened senses, honed further by his rigorous battles.
Hours passed before he sensed a faint but steady energy signature ahead—another Namekian. Raditz descended silently, landing near a village nestled between rocky hills. Small, round houses dotted the area, and a Namekian stood waiting at the center, flanked by two younger warriors.
"Another outsider," the elder said, his deep voice cutting through the still air. His calm gaze met Raditz's, unwavering but curious.
Raditz raised his hands, palms open in a rare gesture of nonaggression. "I'm not with Frieza's forces," he said firmly. "I'm here to stop them. And I need your Dragon Ball to do it."
The younger warriors tensed, their power levels low but their stances ready for a fight. The elder held up a hand, silencing them.
"Your words are bold," the elder said, his voice measured. "But how can we trust you?"
Raditz stepped closer, letting his ki flare just enough to emphasize his strength. "You don't have to. Just know that if Frieza's goons find your Dragon Ball, this village will be ashes by sundown. Let me handle them."
The elder studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Very well. The Dragon Ball is hidden, but you must prove your intentions."
The elder led Raditz toward a cave at the edge of the village. Inside, a younger Namekian stood before an altar, his hands glowing faintly with energy. The Dragon Ball rested in the center, its soft light illuminating the dark chamber.
"This is Shiro, one of our guardians," the elder explained. "He will test your resolve."
Raditz raised an eyebrow. "Test me? I don't have time for—"
Before he could finish, Shiro launched a flurry of energy blasts, forcing Raditz to leap back. The young guardian's speed was impressive, but his power was far below Raditz's.
"Fine," Raditz growled, a smirk forming on his lips. "You want to test me? Let's see if you can keep up."
Raditz dodged Shiro's attacks with ease, his movements calculated to avoid unnecessary destruction. When Shiro closed the distance, Raditz caught his punch mid-swing, his grip like iron.
"Enough," Raditz said, his voice cold. "You're strong, but not strong enough to stop what's coming. Let me handle this."
Shiro hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. The elder stepped forward, his expression serious.
"You've proven your strength. Take the Dragon Ball, but remember—Namek's survival depends on your actions."
Raditz secured the second Dragon Ball and left the village quickly, sensing the tension in the air. As he flew toward his next target, a sudden spike in energy stopped him mid-flight.
He scanned the area with his senses, his brow furrowing. That's not a Namekian… and it's stronger than the grunts I've faced so far.
Descending cautiously, Raditz landed near a barren field where a squad of Frieza's elite soldiers waited. Their leader, a tall alien with silver skin and glowing yellow eyes, stepped forward, his power level far surpassing the others.
"You must be the one causing trouble for Lord Frieza," the alien said, his voice dripping with disdain. "I've been ordered to bring your head back as a trophy."
Raditz smirked, his tail flicking behind him. "Big talk for someone who's about to lose."
The alien didn't respond, instead launching forward with blinding speed. Raditz blocked the first strike, but the force sent him skidding backward. He grinned, the thrill of battle igniting his Saiyan blood.
The fight raged across the field, each blow shaking the ground. Raditz took several hits, his armor cracking under the pressure, but his power surged with every exchange.
"You're tougher than I thought," the alien admitted, wiping blood from his lip. "But you're still no match for me."
Raditz laughed, his voice booming. "Keep telling yourself that. I'll show you what a Saiyan is capable of!"
Channeling his ki, Raditz unleashed a massive energy wave, forcing the alien to go on the defensive. The explosion left a deep crater, and when the dust cleared, Raditz stood tall, his body battered but victorious.
The alien's lifeless body lay crumpled in the dirt. Raditz staggered slightly, the familiar burn of a Zenkai boost coursing through him. His power had risen again, sharper and more potent.
Raditz didn't linger. He knew Frieza's forces would notice the loss of one of their elites. He took to the skies, his mind focused on the remaining Dragon Balls.
Two down, five to go. I'm running out of time.
But despite the urgency, Raditz felt a flicker of satisfaction. Every fight, every boost brought him closer to his goal—power enough to survive, to thrive.
And as he sped toward the next village, he couldn't help but grin. The universe was starting to feel the presence of Raditz, the Saiyan who refused to fade into obscurity.