Raditz soared through the galaxy with determination etched into his features. The communicator he salvaged from Frieza's scout had led him to outpost after outpost. Each destruction was calculated, every battle an opportunity to refine his abilities. He wasn't just tearing through Frieza's forces—he was training, pushing his body and mind to their limits.
The barren asteroid he chose for his next stop was perfect. The gravity was immense, much stronger than Earth's, and the environment was unforgiving. Raditz grinned as he touched down, feeling the pressure push against his body.
"This will do nicely," he muttered.
He planted his feet and began to practice. The power he had gained from the Namekian dragon balls coursed through him, but raw strength alone wouldn't be enough. His battles had taught him that control, precision, and creativity were just as important as brute force.
Raditz launched into a flurry of attacks, his fists moving faster than the eye could follow. The air around him crackled with energy as he unleashed ki blasts in rapid succession, each one more powerful and controlled than the last.
His mind raced as he tested new techniques, combining the martial arts knowledge from his previous life with his Saiyan instincts. He practiced sharp counters, devastating combos, and ki-based attacks that would overwhelm even the strongest opponents.
Before long, Raditz's scouter beeped, alerting him to incoming power levels. A Frieza force patrol had picked up his signal and was approaching fast. Raditz smirked, wiping the sweat from his brow.
"Perfect timing," he said. "Let's see how far I've come."
The patrol consisted of a dozen soldiers, each armed with scouters and blasters. They fanned out, scanning the asteroid for signs of life.
"There he is!" one of them shouted, pointing at Raditz.
Raditz stepped forward, his aura flaring as he powered up. His scouter registered their power levels—none of them exceeded 10,000.
"This won't even be a warm-up," he said, cracking his knuckles.
The soldiers opened fire, but Raditz moved like a phantom, weaving through their attacks with ease. His speed was unmatched, his movements fluid and precise. He closed the distance in an instant, landing devastating blows that sent his enemies flying.
One soldier managed to get close, swinging a blade at Raditz. He caught it with one hand, shattering it with a squeeze before delivering a crushing elbow to the soldier's chest.
The fight was over in moments. Raditz stood amidst the wreckage, his energy barely diminished.
As he sat on a boulder, watching the asteroid's twin suns set, Raditz allowed himself a moment of reflection. His newfound power was exhilarating, but it also came with a sense of responsibility.
"Frieza's empire is massive," he thought. "It'll take more than just brute strength to bring him down. But if I can destroy his forces one by one, I'll weaken him before he even knows what's happening."
He clenched his fists, feeling the surge of energy within him. The battles had sharpened his skills, but he knew there was still room to grow.
Raditz returned to his ship, setting a course for the next base. His path was clear—continue training, continue fighting, and continue growing stronger.
He thought of Kakarot and the others back on Earth. They would face Frieza in time, and Raditz wanted them to be ready. But for now, his focus was on the task at hand.
"I'll leave Frieza to Kakarot," he said, his voice firm. "But when the time comes, I'll be ready for anything."
As the ship streaked through space, Raditz closed his eyes, envisioning his next battle. The Saiyan blood within him burned with anticipation, driving him forward on his path to greatness.
---
The Frieza Force's morale was beginning to crack. Stories of a lone warrior tearing through outposts had spread like wildfire. To many soldiers, this "ghost" was a myth, a tale spun to explain the destruction of their comrades. But for Captain Luris, leader of the next team sent to investigate, it was all too real.
Luris stood aboard his ship, gazing at the barren planet they were approaching. The surface was cracked and dry, illuminated by a massive moon that dominated the sky. His team's scouters beeped incessantly, trying to pinpoint a power level that seemed to spike and disappear unpredictably.
"Reports say it's a Saiyan," muttered one of the soldiers, nervously adjusting his scouter.
Luris frowned. "Saiyan? Didn't we wipe them out years ago? The only ones left are with Frieza."
"Then who's this guy?" another soldier asked, his voice shaky.
Luris didn't answer. His focus was on the readings. Whatever it was, it wasn't normal. The numbers flickered wildly, sometimes as low as 2,000, other times exceeding 100,000.
"Stay alert," Luris commanded. "We don't know what we're dealing with, but we're not going down without a fight."
From the shadows, Raditz watched the Frieza Force's ship land. His tail flicked lazily behind him as he leaned against a jagged rock, his aura suppressed to avoid detection.
"They're sending stronger ones now," he thought, smirking. "Good. I need the challenge."
As the ship's doors opened, Luris and his soldiers stepped out, scanning the terrain.
"There!" shouted one soldier, pointing toward Raditz.
Raditz stepped into the open, his towering frame illuminated by the moonlight. His armor, cracked and worn from countless battles, glinted menacingly.
"Who are you?" Luris demanded, trying to hide the tremor in his voice.
Raditz didn't answer immediately. He let his energy flare, a crimson aura engulfing him as his power skyrocketed. The scouters on Luris's team beeped frantically, struggling to keep up with his escalating strength.
"I am Raditz," he said finally, his voice deep and resonant. "And you're about to learn what happens when you cross a Saiyan."
Luris's team attacked in unison, firing a barrage of energy blasts. Raditz didn't flinch. He weaved through the attacks with ease, closing the distance in the blink of an eye. His fist collided with one soldier's chest, sending him hurtling into a boulder.
The others hesitated, their confidence wavering. Raditz took advantage, unleashing a wide ki wave that engulfed three soldiers at once.
"You call this an elite squad?" he taunted, his voice echoing across the desolate landscape.
Luris gritted his teeth. "Fall back! Regroup!"
But before they could retreat, Raditz was upon them. His movements were a blur, each strike calculated and devastating. One by one, the soldiers fell, leaving only Luris standing.
As Raditz prepared to finish the fight, a strange sensation washed over him. He felt his heart race, his muscles tighten. His vision blurred, and his body began to tremble.
"What… what's happening?" he muttered, clutching his head.
Then he looked up. The massive moon in the sky bathed the planet in its silvery glow, its light triggering a transformation Raditz hadn't experienced in years.
"No!" he roared, his voice deepening as his body began to change. His muscles expanded, his armor strained against his growing frame, and his tail thrashed wildly.
Luris watched in horror as Raditz's form grew larger and larger, his features becoming more beastly. Within moments, the Saiyan had transformed into a towering Oozaru, his power level surging beyond comprehension.
The Oozaru's roar shook the planet, a primal sound that sent shockwaves across the surface. Raditz's mind was a whirlwind of rage and instinct. The beast within him wanted to destroy, to annihilate everything in its path.
But deep inside, the rational part of Raditz fought back. He clenched his massive fists, struggling to regain control.
"I am no mindless beast," he growled, his voice distorted. "I am a warrior!"
He slammed his fists into the ground, channeling his energy to stabilize himself. Slowly, the Oozaru's wild movements became more controlled, his rage tempered by sheer willpower.
When the transformation finally stabilized, Raditz stood tall, his Oozaru form radiating a terrifyingly calm energy. He looked down at Luris, who was frozen in fear.
"You should have stayed in Frieza's shadow," Raditz rumbled, his voice like thunder.
With one massive hand, he crushed the ground beneath Luris, ending the fight. The remaining Frieza Force members fled, their scouters shattered and their spirits broken.
As dawn broke over the planet, Raditz reverted to his normal form. His body ached, and his armor was in tatters, but his mind was sharp. The transformation had been more than a challenge—it had been a lesson.
"The Oozaru is a weapon," he thought. "One I must master if I'm to stand against Frieza's forces and beyond."
He raised his hand, forming a small ki sphere and letting it float above his palm. The energy felt different now, more potent and refined.
With a smirk, Raditz turned toward his ship. There were more outposts to destroy, more training to be done. The galaxy wasn't ready for what was coming.