Chapter 4: The Cost of Survival

The weight of my training was beginning to show—not just in my body but in my surroundings. The clearing I had claimed as my training ground was littered with shattered boulders, splintered logs, and scorched patches of earth. Every punch, every kick, every ki blast carved a little more of my frustration into the landscape.

But no matter how hard I pushed myself, it didn't feel like enough.

I sat cross-legged in the clearing, breathing deeply. My energy burned low and steady within me, the ki suppression becoming second nature. The scouter beeped softly, displaying my power level at 350. It wasn't perfect, but it was believable.

Goku had done it effortlessly, masking his power until the moment he needed it most. I wasn't there yet. Even a flicker of distraction sent my energy spiking, undoing hours of effort.

"Focus," I muttered, closing my eyes again.

---

A Test of Control

Suppressing ki wasn't just about lowering it—it was about control. I needed to prove to myself that I could suppress my power, even under pressure.

Standing, I focused on keeping my energy low as I moved. Every punch, every kick had to be precise, my energy controlled and deliberate.

I raised my hand, charging a small ki blast. The energy hummed softly, the faint glow illuminating the clearing. Slowly, I willed it to shrink, compressing the energy until it was no larger than a marble. Sweat beaded on my brow as I struggled to maintain its shape.

Then I released it.

The tiny orb shot forward, striking a distant tree with a soft pop. The bark cracked but didn't splinter—just as I'd intended.

A grin spread across my face. It wasn't much, but it was progress.

---

The Next Phase

With my ki suppression improving, I turned my attention to physical strength. My makeshift weights had long since fallen apart, forcing me to get creative. I scavenged the forest for larger rocks, vines, and even the twisted metal remnants of my pod.

Using the pod's scraps, I fashioned crude weights and reinforced armor. The chest plate was heavier now, pressing down on my shoulders with every step. The added weight forced my muscles to work harder, each movement a test of endurance.

But it wasn't just about raw strength. I needed agility, precision, and adaptability.

The forest became my obstacle course. I leapt between trees, dodging branches and roots, firing ki blasts at imaginary targets. Every movement had to be controlled, deliberate.

---

The Plan Forms

As the days passed, a clearer plan began to take shape in my mind. Ki suppression was working, and my strength was growing, but survival wasn't enough. I needed to be ready for the inevitable arrival of Vegeta and Nappa.

I crouched in the cave, sketching crude diagrams in the dirt with a sharp stone. The Saiyan duo's arrival was inevitable, and I needed to be prepared.

1. Avoid Vegeta's Wrath: When Vegeta and Nappa arrived, they'd expect me to report on Earth's status. The old Raditz had failed his mission, and that failure wouldn't sit well with Vegeta. I needed a believable excuse—or a way to stay off their radar entirely.

2. Leverage the Z Fighters: The Z Fighters might be my enemies now, but they were also the planet's best defense. If I could stay hidden long enough, they might weaken Vegeta and Nappa before I had to fight.

3. Prepare for Betrayal: Vegeta's eventual betrayal of Nappa was inevitable. If I played my cards right, I could turn it to my advantage. But that meant staying alive long enough to see it happen.

---

A New Challenge

The scouter beeped unexpectedly, pulling me from my thoughts. I frowned, lifting it to my ear.

Power Level: 50.

It was faint, moving slowly through the forest. Too small to be a Z Fighter, but too deliberate to be an animal.

My heart quickened as I rose to my feet, suppressing my ki as low as I could. Whoever—or whatever—it was, I couldn't afford to let my guard down.

I crept through the forest, keeping to the shadows. The scouter's readings grew stronger, the power level inching closer.

Finally, I spotted it—a small, cloaked figure moving cautiously through the trees. It wasn't human; its shape was too angular, its movements too deliberate.

A Namekian? No, it wasn't Piccolo. This creature was smaller, weaker.

The figure paused, glancing around. I held my breath, pressing myself against a tree.

What are you doing here?

For now, I stayed hidden, watching. Whatever this creature wanted, it wasn't worth revealing myself—not yet.

The figure moved cautiously through the forest, its steps light and deliberate. I stayed hidden, crouched behind the cover of a large tree. My tail flicked silently, betraying my growing unease.

Whoever this was, they weren't here by accident. Their power level—50—was weak by Saiyan standards, but they moved with purpose.

The figure paused, glancing around. I pressed myself closer to the tree, suppressing my ki as tightly as I could. The scouter's soft hum buzzed in my ear, a constant reminder that any misstep could blow my cover.

A part of me wanted to attack, to eliminate the potential threat before it could become a problem. But another part held me back. Charging in blindly was the old Raditz's way, and I wasn't him—not anymore.

Instead, I waited, watching.

---

A Close Encounter

The figure knelt near a stream, dipping a hand into the water. As the hood slipped back slightly, I caught a glimpse of green skin and a pair of large, black eyes.

Not a Namekian. Something else.

I squinted, trying to place the creature. It looked vaguely familiar, but my knowledge of Dragon Ball lore didn't extend to every alien species.

The creature reached into a small satchel, pulling out a strange device. It looked like a compact transmitter, the kind used for long-range communication. My stomach sank.

This can't be good.

I leaned forward, trying to get a better look. The creature tapped a few buttons, and the device emitted a faint beep. It wasn't loud, but in the silence of the forest, it might as well have been a gunshot.

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The Dilemma

My mind raced. If this thing was trying to contact someone, it could mean trouble. What if it was signaling Vegeta and Nappa? Or worse—Frieza?

I clenched my fists, weighing my options.

1. Confront It: I could step in, demand answers, and destroy the device. But that risked revealing myself—not just to this creature, but potentially to others who might be watching.

2. Wait and Observe: Patience had kept me alive this long. If I waited, I might learn more about who—or what—this creature was contacting. But waiting came with its own risks.

3. Eliminate the Threat: The Saiyan instinct burned within me, urging me to act. If I eliminated the creature now, I could cut off whatever message it was trying to send. But killing without knowing the full story could backfire.

I took a deep breath, trying to quiet the chaos in my mind. This was the kind of moment that could define my survival—or seal my fate.

---

A Calculated Risk

Finally, I made my decision.

I stepped out from the shadows, my ki suppressed as low as I could manage. The creature froze, its wide eyes locking onto me.

"Who are you?" I demanded, keeping my voice low and firm. My tail uncoiled from my waist, flicking behind me as I crossed my arms. "And what are you doing here?"

The creature didn't answer immediately. Its gaze darted to the scouter on my face, then back to the transmitter in its hand. Slowly, it stood, holding the device tightly.

"I-I'm just a scout," it stammered, its voice high-pitched and nervous. "I mean no harm!"

"Scout for who?" I took a step closer, my eyes narrowing.

The creature hesitated, clutching the transmitter like a lifeline. "I… I was sent by my people. To gather information. That's all!"

"Information on what?"

The creature's silence spoke volumes.

---

Tensions Rise

I extended a hand, palm open. "Hand it over."

The creature shook its head, backing away. "I can't! If I don't report back, they'll come looking for me!"

"And if you do report back, they'll come looking for me," I shot back, my patience wearing thin. "I'm not going to ask again."

It hesitated, its gaze darting between me and the forest. I saw the moment it decided to run, the muscles in its legs tensing.

Before it could move, I lunged.

In a blur, I closed the distance, grabbing the creature by its wrist. The transmitter fell to the ground, landing with a muffled thud.

"Bad move," I growled.

It struggled, its small frame no match for my Saiyan strength. With my free hand, I crushed the transmitter underfoot, the device sparking before going dark.

The creature let out a choked cry, its resistance fading. "You don't understand! They'll come for me! For you! You've doomed us both!"

"Who's 'they'?" I demanded, shaking it slightly.

It didn't answer, its wide eyes filled with fear.

---

Loose Ends

I released the creature, letting it collapse to the ground. It clutched its wrist, staring up at me with a mixture of fear and defiance.

"I'll let you go," I said, my tone cold. "But if I see you again, I won't be so forgiving."

The creature scrambled to its feet, nodding frantically. Without another word, it bolted into the forest, disappearing into the shadows.

I stood there for a long moment, staring at the shattered remains of the transmitter. Whatever message it had tried to send, I'd stopped it—for now.

But the creature's words lingered in my mind.

They'll come for you.

A chill ran down my spine. Whoever "they" were, they'd be coming—and I needed to be ready.