"Supreme Kai, I remember there being a suitable planet in that direction," Goku said, pointing somewhere out into the sky. "You should be able to see it — it looks a lot like Namek from here... and there's no one living on it, so I can't Instant Transmission there myself."
"That's fine — I only need to see it clearly to get there. Let me take a look," Supreme Kai nodded, and turned his gaze in the direction Goku was pointing.
Sure enough, Supreme Kai quickly spotted the planet — a world strikingly similar to Namek — and his eyes lit up.
Though he couldn't help but glance back at Goku with a puzzled look.
How do you know about this planet?
You've never been there, have you?
Don't tell me you can see that far?
Supreme Kai was just about to ask — but one look at Old Kai's face, dark with impatience, made him think better of it.
Supreme Kai's mouth twitched, and without another moment's hesitation, he called out to Goku and the others: "Wait here a moment — I'll go have a look at that planet first, and make sure it's actually liveable."
"Now that is what a Supreme Kai is supposed to do," Old Kai said with a nod of approval.
"Yes... Old one," Supreme Kai scratched his head, immediately activated Instant Transmission, and vanished.
"If that planet really is similar to Namek, then we'll settle there for now," Grand Elder Guru said with a warm smile, once again expressing his profound gratitude toward Goku.
Supreme Kai was back quickly. He confirmed that the planet was nearly identical to Namek and perfectly suitable for all the Namekians to settle on.
With Supreme Kai leading the way, Grand Elder Guru and all the Namekians present relocated to the new planet.
Before they left —
"Piccolo, right?" Nail looked steadily at him.
"Hmph. Giving a farewell speech?" Piccolo said coolly, crossing his arms.
"We're both warrior-type Namekians. I won't stay where I am forever — next time we meet, I'll be stronger than you," Nail said, clenching his fist.
"Then I look forward to it. Don't disappoint me," Piccolo said with a confident smile.
"And if you ever run into an opponent you can't handle, come find me. If I'm in a good mood, I might agree to fuse with you," Nail said with a light laugh.
"I'm not fusing with you. I want to be my own person," Piccolo replied flatly, giving Nail a look.
Nail just smiled and left it at that.
"Everyone, take care — and come visit New Namek sometime," Moori waved goodbye to Goku and the others.
Goku smiled and waved back.
"Alright, let's move," Supreme Kai said without hesitation. In a flash of light, he led all the Namekians through Instant Transmission, and they were gone in an instant.
Supreme Kai left fast and came back just as fast.
Now, aside from the Kais, the Sacred World of the Kai had only Goku and his friends left.
"So, Goku — does this make you number one in the universe?" Krillin marvelled. "You've gone and quietly become the strongest being alive without any of us noticing."
"These days, I feel like we can only look up at Goku," Yamcha said, equally in awe.
"Easy, Yamcha," Krillin said, giving him a sideways glance.
"What, is that wrong?" Yamcha blinked.
"Of course it is," Krillin nodded sagely. "Because it sounds like Goku wasn't looking down on us before."
Yamcha went quiet.
...Okay, fair point.
"Time really flies. I remember the first time I met Goku, I could actually hold my own against him," Yamcha said, overcome with nostalgia.
"Ha ha, Yamcha — when we first met, I was fighting you on an empty stomach. That's the only reason your Wolf Fang Fist sent me flying," Goku laughed, rubbing the back of his head.
"Ha ha ha!"
Krillin and the others burst out laughing together.
Yamcha: "..."
Yamcha's face cycled through every shade of red and white, completely at a loss for what to say.
"Goku, you really haven't changed at all," Krillin said with a grin.
"Anyway, Goku — bringing us all here to Namek was a good idea in theory," Tien said, thinking it over. "But the way our strength is right now, there was no way any of us could've done anything against Frieza."
"That's true, Goku. Frieza's ki was overwhelming," Krillin agreed. "We could feel how powerful he was from all the way here on the Sacred World of the Kai."
"And that last transformation of yours — the long-haired one — the ki reached us here too," Tien added.
"Honestly, I don't know why Frieza got so strong either," Goku said, turning to look at Old Kai.
"I'll explain it to you privately later," Old Kai said offhandedly.
Goku gave a light nod.
"What a shame — we've been training for so long, and it feels like we've got no one to use it against," Yamcha laughed lightly, muttering to himself.
"You actually want a real fight?" Goku said, blinking.
Krillin and the others all nodded at once.
"Now that you mention it, a few opponents come to mind who'd be perfect for you guys. Might be worth giving them a try," Goku said thoughtfully. The image of the Ginyu Force surfaced in his mind.
Bringing the Ginyu Force over for Krillin and the others to fight — that actually seemed like a solid idea.
"Supreme Kai — Frieza has a pretty powerful squad, the Ginyu Force, right?" Goku turned to look at Supreme Kai.
"That's right — the Ginyu Force," Supreme Kai nodded. "They're one of Frieza's strongest units."
"Where are they now? Can you find them?" Goku asked.
"No idea," Supreme Kai shook his head.
"Then get looking! That's what you're here for!" Old Kai barked, pressing him along.
"Yes..." Supreme Kai pursed his lips and reluctantly got to work scanning for the Ginyu Force's location.
"And another thing — where are you planning to have the fight, once you find the Ginyu Force?" Old Kai said, a bad feeling suddenly creeping over him.
"Right here on the Sacred World of the Kai works, doesn't it? The place is tough — nothing's going to break," Goku laughed.
Old Kai: "..."
I knew it. I knew that boy was up to no good.
"Namek is already abandoned, isn't it? Go fight there — and don't you dare mess up my Sacred World of the Kai!" Old Kai snapped.
"Oh? That's not a bad idea, but Frieza's still there!" Goku scratched his head. "If Frieza wakes up in the middle of it, that could get complicated."
"Transfer Frieza somewhere far away — somewhere he can't come back from quickly," Old Kai instructed, turning to Supreme Kai.
Supreme Kai: "..."
Supreme Kai pointed to his own nose, spread his hands wide, and stood there looking utterly put-upon.
Am I just a taxi service now? Is that all I am to you people?
"Kibito, I'll delegate this honourable mission to you. I still need to track down the Ginyu Force," Supreme Kai said, turning to give Kibito the order.
Kibito's face darkened considerably. He had no choice but to accept.
To be continued…
Advance 50 Chapters are up on my Patreon!
pat reon.com/AlphaSenatus