On this day, just like any other, Raiga was training inside the gravity chamber. Suddenly, the energy detector on his body began beeping wildly.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
A string of numbers rapidly flashed across the detector's screen. When Raiga picked it up and saw the data displayed, he was instantly taken aback.
11,000!!
This striking number was shocking. The energy source was only about a hundred kilometers away from him. Raiga had obtained this detector back on the planet Mapa after seizing it from a Mapan warrior. Although its functionality was not as advanced as the ones used by Frieza's army, it had the ability to automatically alert him when a powerful enemy was approaching.
Who could it be?
A hint of doubt flashed through Raiga's mind.
Planet Vegeta was classified as an advanced planet, but warriors with a battle power exceeding 10,000 were extremely rare. At most, there were only five of them, and each was a top-tier warrior upholding the Saiyan race's authority. Typically, such warriors would stay near the capital and would not appear in such a remote location.
The individual approaching was likely a Saiyan. If they were from Frieza's army, Raiga would need to prepare to flee immediately.
As he contemplated the identity of the approaching energy source, it was already closing in at an alarming speed. The terrifying energy caused the detector to emit an even more frantic series of beeps—something that had never happened before.
Raiga's palms began to sweat. He cautiously hid behind a rock formation, peeking toward the sky.
He had already prepared his Instant Transmission technique. If he confirmed the newcomer was not a Saiyan, he would escape immediately.
Whoosh! A streak of bright light flashed across the sky like lightning, accompanied by a deafening sonic boom. Soon, a figure appeared within Raiga's field of vision. His eyesight was exceptionally sharp, and when he focused his energy on his eyes, his vision became even more precise.
The figure wore Frieza's army battle armor. His hair was styled in two upward spikes resembling crab pincers, his face was mature, and there was a cross-shaped scar on his left cheek.
Bardock?!
Upon seeing the man's face clearly, Raiga muttered to himself in disbelief.
Why was he here? And in this direction… he was heading toward the capital.
Suddenly, Raiga's nerves tensed, and an urgent sense of foreboding surged through him. According to what he knew from the original story, Bardock had returned to Planet Vegeta on the same night that he sent his young son, Kakarot, away. Not long after that, Frieza launched a "planet-destroying bomb" from space, obliterating Planet Vegeta entirely.
If Bardock was already back, then the destruction of Planet Vegeta was imminent.
Time was running out.
As Raiga continued observing Bardock, the Saiyan warrior, relying on his battle instincts, noticed him as well.
A child? Bardock looked down at the young Saiyan hiding behind the rocks. He was surprised to see a Saiyan child in such a remote place but had no time to investigate further. His priority was to reach King Vegeta.
Casting a brief glance at Raiga, Bardock swiftly flew over him, his figure quickly shrinking into the distance until he disappeared beyond the horizon.
Only after Bardock had vanished from sight did Raiga cautiously step out from behind the rocks, his heart racing with urgency. "If Bardock is already back, that means Planet Vegeta is close to destruction. But why hasn't Saifiya's team returned yet?"
There was no time to delay—he had to leave Planet Vegeta as soon as possible!
With that thought, Raiga quickly replenished his supplies, stored his gravity chamber into a capsule, and took off toward the gathering site. Upon arriving at the mission assignment office, he inquired about Saifiya's spaceship. The response he received was that her team would be entering Planet Vegeta's atmosphere in about thirty minutes.
Raiga was speechless. The timing was too close—if he hadn't been here, Saifiya would have arrived just in time to meet her doom!
Lucky for you, you have a brother like me!
Muttering under his breath, Raiga headed toward the spaceship docking station. Regular Saiyan ships were parked in the central open area of the gathering site, where they were registered and maintained by Saiyan mechanics or Yugarlian workers. However, Saiyans of higher status received special treatment.
Elite warriors came from noble bloodlines and formed the backbone of the Saiyan race. Each of them enjoyed meticulous care, and their spaceships were docked at a dedicated site in the capital.
Raiga quickly arrived at the capital's spaceport and watched as ships continuously returned from outer space, landing under the guidance of the personnel. Floating in midair, his sharp eyes scanned the crowd, but Saifiya was nowhere to be seen.
After more than ten minutes, a striking figure emerged from the crowd—Saifiya, whom he hadn't seen for a year. She was surrounded by several Saiyans, likely her teammates.
Saifiya was now nineteen years old, her eyes bright and piercing, her skin smooth and flawless. Her long, silky hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her graceful figure had become even more captivating. Saiyans matured fully at this stage, maintaining their youthful appearance for a long period before aging rapidly in their later years.
With a calm and indifferent expression, Saifiya walked ahead. Her keen senses told her that something felt different about Planet Vegeta.
"It's livelier than before," she noted.
"That's because everyone has returned."
"Saifiya, there's a restaurant up ahead. As the team leader, let me treat you all to a meal," said the squad's captain generously.
This captain, also an elite warrior, was named Hertz. He had always looked after Saifiya.
Saifiya shook her head. "No, I plan to head home first."
"Alright, take some time to relax. There might be even tougher missions ahead, so always stay in top condition." Hertz nodded regretfully. Some of the younger Saiyan warriors seemed eager to persuade Saifiya to join them, but a single glance from Hertz silenced them, leaving them disappointed.
"Big sis!" A youthful voice called out as Raiga flew toward Saifiya.
From a distance, she saw Raiga approaching. His height was still about the same as a year ago—just over a meter tall—and he wore a finely crafted outfit.
A gleam of light flashed through Saifiya's dark, gem-like eyes as she locked eyes with Raiga. Instead of welcoming him with joy, she suddenly raised her leg and, without hesitation, launched a powerful kick at him.
The sudden attack caught Raiga off guard. Startled, he quickly raised his arms to defend himself.
Boom!
The force of her kick transmitted through his arms, causing Raiga to grimace as his body was sent flying backward.
Just as he was midair, he felt a firm grip tighten around his collar—Saifiya had caught him.
"Big sis, was that really necessary?" Raiga chuckled awkwardly, his arms still numb from the impact.
"Why didn't you contact me this past year?" Saifiya asked coldly, her piercing gaze making the surrounding temperature drop several degrees.
