A full year has passed since my transmigration into this world, and I have to say it's been quite a ride. I managed to grow at a pace beyond my expectations. This slightly bothered me because I didn't think such a thing was possible unless I was a Saiyan or a member of Frieza's race.
Well, whatever it was, I wasn't complaining; I just needed to continue improving my skills. Power wasn't much if you didn't have the finesse to utilize it fully.
I also grew about two or so inches. I am around 5 inches tall now. Mom made sure to keep my diet balanced, and Nutri kept me from slacking off, so I was as fit as a child can be. I even had noticeable muscles now, albeit small.
My clothing includes a black tank top, green camo pants, and brown high-top combat boots. Nothing too fancy; I was a simple guy.
I bit into the green apple in my left hand, savoring the sweet taste as I read the contents of the book occupying my right hand. I hummed as I began to store the crucial information for my next mission.
That's right, I was going off the planet to enact one of my plans.
To save Broly and, by extension, Paragus.
This version of Paragus was a bit tame compared to his Z counterpart, and as such, he was a great asset. His revenge for King Vegeta may prove a burden, but the old guy was still an experienced soldier, and his expertise can help me in the long run.
He's probably middle-aged around this time or in his early 30s, which seems likely.
Even though he did mock battles with Broly, the fact that Broly was able to keep up with Vegeta and Goku could be attributed to those mock fights.
Being stranded on a desolate planet for over 40 years can melt your mind and cause you to make irrational decisions. I needed to act as a savior to earn some trust.
I don't like or dislike Paragus, but I won't pass up the opportunity to have him change a bit. Vegeta could change, but in my opinion, he's done far worse.
There was another reason I wanted to go to Vampa earlier than intended.
For one, the gravity is quite harsh; going from Earth's gravity, Vampa was at least 100x denser; as such, it would act as a counterfeit gravity chamber.
That could explain Broly's incredible speed.
Secondly, I could study the planet. From what I read, there used to be a race that lived there; however, they went extinct a long time ago.
They utilized toxins that shut down nerves. I can only assume they went extinct due to civil war, invasion, or both. The book I'm reading does not provide information about their exact downfall.
I'm leaving now because I needed to convince Muezli. Of course, I didn't say why; I just told her I needed to train under intense gravity. She only agreed if I took Rok with me, who immediately accepted.
And of course…
"You're still reading that book?"
I removed my eyes from the pictures and looked at the crossed-armed form of Nutri.
Yeah, she wanted to tag along as well. Her parents were also extremely supportive and prideful, which could explain Nutri's behavior. I couldn't complain; having companions on a trip usually makes for a fun experience.
She remained in her black and green tracksuit, which had become a common sight.
"Well, we're leaving the planet. I have to ensure we're prepared for the dangers out there."
Nutri looked like she wanted to retort, but she reluctantly accepted my answer. She wasn't stupid. She was quite a prodigy when it came to Cerealians.
"Great, you're both here."
We looked to see Rok, his yellow eyes looking at us with gratitude, most likely expecting us to be late.
"Of course! It'd make me look bad if I didn't arrive early."
I had to admire Nutri's dedication to getting stronger. She remained diligent in her craft, something I lacked in my previous life.
Rok found Nutri to be the perfect student and willingly accepted her into our little group. It was funny because Rok was about 12 years old; Namekians grew fast.
"Vampa's gravity is nothing like Cereals. As such, we have to remain vigilant when we arrive."
"Right, we don't know the dangers, and it's supposedly a remote planet now."
Damn, I wanted to say something, but Nutri beat me to it. I could only nod.
"Correct. But that's not all."
"Really?" Nutri asked with a tilt of her head, her lush green hair swayed.
Rok nodded. "Yes. As you know, the world beyond ours is vast, filled with dangers and boundless possibilities. Some invade planets, like the Saiyans, but others want to remain peaceful, like the Metal Men."
Metal Men…
Wait, I thought they were extinct? We only know them because of Magetta from Universe 6, I'm pretty sure. I almost forgot about the other universes. So, Metal Men are still around. I guess I never hear about them because they're rather isolated.
"To sum it up, we'll never know what will happen."
"That is right, which is why I'm accompanying you both. You're both strong, yes, but there is always someone stronger. Let's hope things go smoothly."
Rok was good at masking his nervousness. His intellect and demeanor were astounding. He sounded genuinely worried.
"Let us set off if the coordinates are correct. If we encounter traffic, we'll arrive at Vampa in a day or more."
Traffic most definitely meant trouble. Seriously, Toriyama, you created a fascinating world.
With my head held high, I smiled.
My journey officially begins.
…
(???'s POV)
"I'm home!"
"Ah, Bardock, you're back quite soon."
I stood firmly in the kitchen area. My face was normally composed, but the aroma of fresh food always seemed to make me happy.
"Yes, I had a bad feeling, so I finished early. How is Kakarot?"
I looked at my wife, Gine, with an expectant expression. Our youngest son, Kakarot, has been his incubator since birth, which was extremely worrying.
"He's still in his pod, but he's been moving around a lot more."
I took that as a good sign; it meant he was readying himself to leave the incubator.
"And Raditz?"
"He was just given a new solo mission near Planet Vega."
"Solo?"
"Are you worried?"
I shook my head in negatively.
"No, he's strong enough. If he can't handle it, then…"
"Bardock!"
I stepped back and sighed.
"Sorry, I just worry about that one. He always wants to prove himself. He should be proud that he's getting stronger."
"Yes, but you should know why he does."
I sat on one of the chairs and rubbed my face as I felt frustrated. Raditz has always been…well, a runt for a better word. I cherished the kid in my own way but never outright hated him.
That was my son, after all.
"I understand his reasoning; it mostly stems from my own strength, but I don't wish for him to be like me but to be better."
"That's…"
"Sorry, I'm just rambling. Planet Vega, huh? If I recall, that's the homeland of the Vegarians, humanoid plant-based lifeforms. They should give him a decent challenge."
I still couldn't shake off this feeling; it was beginning to annoy me. I was thankful that Gine placed my dinner in front of me to occupy my mind.
I momentarily looked up at the ceiling, hoping my next mission would go smoothly.
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AN: I hope all of you enjoyed this chapter. I decided to give Bardock some screentime here.
Once again, thank you all for the comments and Power Stones. I'll try to get three chapters out a week, and if not, two.
This is if you want, but if you wish to donate a dollar, you can do so at Ko-Fi.com/saurianmp4.
See you all next chapter.