I Am Raditz

On Namek, a fierce battle raged on.

Raditz and several Namekian fighters protected the remaining villagers, deflecting occasional energy blasts with their own counterattacks. Violent air currents and billowing dust surrounded them.

"Thank you for your assistance, but I must ask—who are you?" A Namekian warrior inquired, panting heavily after launching an energy wave.

Recent invasions by numerous cosmic beings had made them wary of strangers. They couldn't easily trust Raditz or his companions.

Raditz understood their caution—it would have been strange if they weren't suspicious.

"We're travelers from Earth," Raditz replied. "For certain reasons, we're trying to stop the ambitions of several 'space emperors,' like Slug over there. By the way, the guardian of our planet is a Namekian."

"A Namekian? He's Earth's guardian?" One of the warriors pointed toward Piccolo.

"Your planet suffered a climate catastrophe long ago, and many children were sent to other worlds to ensure your species' survival. Among them was Earth's guardian. Of course, Slug over there is another one of those children." Raditz explained eloquently while deflecting several stray energy blasts.

This was an unforgettable chapter in Namekian history. In their darkest hour, many children had indeed been sent to various planets to preserve their race. It wasn't implausible that one had reached Earth.

"You don't seem like a bad person," the Namekian soldier nodded. "But that short one radiates hostility—are you really together?"

"He..." Raditz held his forehead, unsure how to explain Vegeta.

"Regardless, we're grateful for your help," the Namekian soldier said, noticing Raditz's discomfort.

"It's no trouble. But are you all prepared? Let's check on the wounded and children," Raditz said, getting straight to the point. "My brother can barely hold Slug back. While we have this opportunity, let's get everyone to safety."

This strategy would not only preserve the Dragon Ball and the surviving Namekians but also prevent the fight with Slug from escalating too far—a development that would serve no one well.

There weren't many Namekian survivors, and they all agreed to Raditz's proposal. Each warrior assisted one or two villagers, and preparations were quickly completed.

During the battle, Slug caught a glimpse of the Dragon Ball being carried away. He wouldn't allow such an escape and launched several energy waves to block their path. Raditz countered each blast, deflecting them skyward. Meanwhile, Piccolo circled around and landed in front of Raditz.

"I'll take them back."

"Piccolo..."

"My strength is indeed insufficient to challenge Slug," Piccolo admitted through gritted teeth. "But after I intensify my training, I'll certainly make him pay!"

Raditz nodded, accepting Piccolo's decision without argument. "Alright, I'll leave it to you."

With that, Piccolo and the Namekians rushed back toward the spaceship's landing site with the Dragon Ball. Raditz rejoined the battle to buy them more time.

Just then, a long "WHOOSH" sound cut through the air as Vegeta's body traced a straight line before crashing to the ground. A large cloud of dust erupted on impact, followed by Vegeta's defiant cry.

He looked disheveled, severely beaten, his battle armor punctured in several places. His power level was significantly below Slug's. If Goku hadn't drawn most of the enemy's attention, Vegeta would likely have been in critical condition by now.

In the air, Slug retreated more than ten meters. Sweat covered his face, his chest heaved with exertion, and he panted heavily.

After Goku had deployed his Triple Kaio-ken, Slug had found himself at a disadvantage. He'd suffered several injuries, including a powerful punch to his upper arm that had nearly crippled him.

"Damn it all! If I were young again, this wouldn't be happening!" He clenched his fists resentfully, cursing his aging body for failing to keep pace with his expanding ambitions.

Seeing Goku grow increasingly energetic, seemingly with inexhaustible stamina, Slug's desire to obtain the Dragon Balls and restore his youth intensified.

He wouldn't surrender—how could a mere Saiyan stand in his way?

Wiping away sweat, his eyes grew fierce as he descended to the ground voluntarily. Then he spread his arms wide, as if welcoming something, a ferocious smile spreading across his face.

Oh no! These were the signs of his transformation!

Just as Raditz was about to shout a warning, Slug's body began to swell. In seconds, his entire figure towered like a small mountain, casting everything around him into shadow.

"Now you die!"

Lunging toward Goku, Slug swung his massive fist. The air howled around it, his movement so swift that only the shadow of his fist was visible. Slug's size increase had been astonishing. Despite Goku's best defense, he was sent flying with a single punch. His body tumbled through the air, leaving an arc of blood droplets behind him.

Raditz immediately unleashed his Tenfold Kaio-ken!

With this tenfold amplification, Raditz's power level approached 200,000, but he still felt overwhelmed by the mountainous Slug and dared not act recklessly.

Before Raditz could move, Slug was upon him. The giant figure appeared before him instantly, one foot poised to stomp down like a falling mountain. Raditz dodged at maximum speed, barely escaping the impact.

Even so, the swirling air currents from the near miss cut like blades, causing him considerable pain.

This was exactly the situation Raditz had feared most. The plan had been to rescue the villagers, secure the Dragon Ball, delay Slug briefly, and then retreat. But now they faced complications.

Slug had successfully transformed, Vegeta was exhausted, and Goku was severely injured from a single punch. Only Raditz remained to oppose the giant, and how could he possibly prevail alone?

As Slug turned his attention toward him and began advancing, Raditz broke into a cold sweat.

Wait—there was another tactic!

A flash of inspiration struck Raditz. As Slug charged madly toward him, Raditz released a piercing whistle.

The sharp sound penetrated Slug's ears like a bayonet, causing his body to freeze momentarily, his entire form weakening involuntarily. Seizing this opportunity, Raditz grabbed Goku with one hand, Vegeta with the other, and flew deep into the rocky canyon.

"DAMN YOU! I'LL KILL YOU ALL!!!" Slug recovered, but had lost sight of his targets. Seeing his subordinates decimated and the Dragon Ball gone once more, he pounded the ground in frustration. The impact triggered landslides and ground fractures, raising clouds of dust that obscured the sun.

...

In the depths of space.

A massive disc-shaped spaceship hurtled toward planet Namek, its trajectory set to destroy anything in its path. When meteorites or other celestial bodies obstructed its course, the ship simply blasted them to fragments—nothing would impede its progress!

The crew worked in terrified silence, various data streams constantly fluctuating across display screens.

Because Frieza was furious.

It had taken a day and a half for his personnel to discover Slug's signal on Namek. A day and a half! Who knew what damage had been done already? In his rage, Frieza had executed all the observers and scientists at the outpost before personally leading his forces toward Namek.

The original plan had been to coordinate with the Ginyu Force after they arrived at the outpost. But now, Frieza could wait no longer.

He immediately contacted the Ginyu Force, ordering them to proceed directly to Namek without delay!

On his hovering throne, Frieza sat with one hand propping up his head. His face remained tense, as if it might tear apart at any moment, revealing the demon within.

In his anger, his ambition expanded. Since Slug had gone to Namek personally, it confirmed Frieza's suspicion—Namek possessed superior Dragon Balls!

Frieza's subordinates stood cautiously behind him, maintaining a fearful silence.

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