Dragon Ball: The Strongest Training

The crowd gathered around Shadamou, as if needing one last confirmation of the news. When Shadamou nodded heavily once more, his clan finally believed Avila's father. The gruesome fate of the King of Earth Mound a century ago—his body separated from his head—seemed to flash vividly before their eyes. Those remaining couldn't help but double-check the truth.

Shadamou yanked Shaz forward and asked Avila's father, "What do we do with this intruder?"

When the crowd realized that Shadamou had captured an intruder, they erupted in angry shouts:

"Kill him! Kill him!"

Terrified, Shaz immediately fell to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably. "I just got to Earth Mound Star! I've never killed any of your people! Please spare me!" Shaz repeated these words over and over, kowtowing desperately, visibly overwhelmed with fear.

Suddenly, a middle-aged man stepped forward, his face filled with hatred. Glaring at Shaz, he spat, "No intruder is any good. They're all evil to the core. Kill him!"

This man had lived through the brutal suppression a hundred years ago, during which countless members of his clan were massacred. To him, no intruder deserved mercy.

An elderly man walked over and gently patted the man's shoulder, saying slowly, "Child, don't let hatred blind you. Yes, intruders must be held accountable, but that was the invaders from a century ago. This alien in front of us is, at most, an accomplice—his crime doesn't warrant death." With a heavy sigh, the old man concluded his plea.

The middle-aged man, after hearing the elder's words, seemed lost. He crouched down, clutching his head, and cried bitterly. His overwhelming hatred left the crowd uneasy.

Avila looked at Shaz, who was still kneeling, and said softly, "If he hasn't killed any of our people, shouldn't we spare him?" Her gentle voice immediately quieted the agitated crowd.

The people stared at Shaz silently. A mother turned her child's head away, unable to bear the sight.

The scene was eerily silent, broken only by the sound of stifled sobs.

Shadamou stepped forward in time and said, "Krillin is here. Let Lord Krillin decide!"

Krillin glanced at Shadamou. "Finally remembered this Galactic Patrolman, huh?" he muttered. While it was better for Earth Mound Star to handle its internal affairs, the people's gaze had now shifted to him, leaving Krillin no choice but to intervene.

He slowly walked over to Shaz.

Seeing Krillin approach, Shaz became even more terrified. Knowing that his life now rested in Krillin's hands, Shaz trembled violently.

Krillin could tell that Shaz wasn't lying. Unlike most aliens, Shaz carried far less of an aura of malice. If he had been truly evil, Krillin would have ended him back on the battlefield. Since Shaz wasn't irredeemable, Krillin decided to give him a chance to make amends.

The crowd looked at Krillin expectantly, awaiting his judgment.

After a moment's deliberation, Krillin addressed Shaz with a hint of humor. "You've committed a forgivable offense under the Galactic Justice Code: the crime of complicity. As Krillin, a Galactic Patrol officer, I hereby pronounce your sentence."

Hearing Krillin use such lofty terms, the people of Earth Mound Star couldn't help but feel awed. "So this is how Galactic Patrol handles things!"

Shaz, upon hearing that his crime was complicity and not something worse, felt an immense wave of relief. As he fainted, his last thought was, At least I won't die.

After sentencing Shaz, Krillin explained to the crowd, "What Shaz said earlier was true. He hasn't killed any of your people."

To the people of Earth Mound Star, Krillin's word was law. His authority now exceeded even that of the planet's king. Depending on Krillin for their survival, the crowd trusted him completely.

Avila's father cautiously approached and asked, "Lord Krillin, what should we do next?"

Krillin surveyed the starving, exhausted crowd. The living conditions here were extremely harsh—Earth Mound Star's landscape was primarily desert and swamp, though there were oases hidden within. If he guessed correctly, the central oasis was likely their former settlement. But in their current state, the people were in no condition to make a long migration.

After a brief pause, Krillin said, "Start fires, cook some food, and let everyone rest. Move into the aliens' base for now."

Avila's father immediately organized the clan, leading them toward the aliens' base. However, with so many people, not everyone could fit inside. The elderly, children, and severely ill were given priority, while the rest camped around the base, slowly forming a circular formation.

The crowd, utterly exhausted, collapsed onto the ground and fell into a peaceful sleep.

Avila's father oversaw the cooking. In the center of the gathering was a massive pot, filled with an unidentifiable black stew.

"Dinner's ready, Avila!" he called.

"Coming, Father!" Avila replied cheerfully, skipping over to him.

Handing her two large bowls of the stew, her father said lovingly, "Take these to Lord Krillin and your brother Shadamou first."

"Got it, Father!" Avila carefully carried the bowls and ran off.

"Slow down! Don't spill it!" her father called after her. Each mouthful was precious; after years of enslavement, none of their people had engaged in farming. Looking at the pot, Avila's father realized it had been ten years since he'd seen food like this. The thought filled him with sadness.

Avila hurried toward the tall stone pillar where Krillin and Shadamou were stationed. They had chosen not to stay in the base, with Krillin opting for the highest vantage point to oversee the camp.

Shadamou gazed at his starving, emaciated people below, his eyes red with anger. Unable to contain himself, he kicked the bound Shaz and shouted, "Damn you invaders!"

Shaz cried out, "I know I was wrong! Please stop hitting me! I'm sorry!"

"Brother Shadamou! Father sent me with food for you!" Avila called out as she approached.

Seeing Avila, Shadamou quickly composed himself, smiling awkwardly.

Noticing her flushed cheeks and labored breathing, Shadamou instinctively took the corner of his sleeve and wiped her forehead.

Avila's face turned redder as she stared wide-eyed at Shadamou.

"You have a communicator. You could've just called us for dinner," Shadamou said gently while wiping her sweat. "Why run all the way here? You must be tired."

"I'm not tired at all!" Avila replied hurriedly.

Before Shadamou could say more, Krillin coughed deliberately, muttering internally, This brat! I don't even have a girlfriend, and you're showing off in front of me?

Embarrassed by Krillin's interruption, Shadamou quickly took the bowls from Avila and handed one to Krillin. "Lord Krillin, please eat."

Krillin accepted the bowl with a quiet "Mm." Taking a sip, he let out a slurp, only for his face to twist in discomfort.

"What's wrong, Lord Krillin?" Shadamou asked anxiously.

Krillin forced himself to swallow and waved dismissively. "Nothing. Just eat."

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