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Chapter 17 - "Nightfall, and Kakarot’s Departure:

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The whole thing with the Saibamen seeds actually started a few days ago.

Bardock had taken Harry to the royal capital to buy a space pod and register for an upcoming mission. By chance, they ran into Bardock's old squad.

Naturally, after a few drinks and some goading from his teammates, Bardock ended up dragging Harry along to a local tavern to relax.

That was where it happened.

In the dim corner of the bar, Harry caught sight of an elite warrior secretly trading Saibamen seeds for merit points. He seized the opportunity and bought five of the seeds at the same price.

That's when Harry realized — Saiyans did this kind of under-the-table dealing too.

And that tavern? It wasn't just for drinks. It was a black-market hub in disguise.

He learned a lesson that day — though not without a lecture from Bardock afterward.

The older man went on about keeping your wealth hidden, not showing off. Harry understood the logic, of course, but when he saw something he wanted right in front of him — and knew he had the means to get it — he hadn't really thought it through.

In the end, it came down to being young and inexperienced.

At his age, flashing a few thousand merit points and making a deal out in the open was reckless. Bardock had said it straight — if the wrong person noticed, Harry might not live long enough to regret it.

He was lucky Bardock was there that day, or the trade might not have gone so smoothly.

As for the seeds themselves, Bardock didn't pry. To him, they probably weren't worth worrying about.

Looking back, Harry realized he could've just asked Bardock directly — he probably would've given him some for free. But that kind of hindsight only comes after the fact.

He'd chalked the whole thing up to a rookie mistake — nearly walking right into danger without even realizing it.

Aside from the Saibamen seeds, he'd also stocked up on high-grade medicine and healing fluid. Those were easy enough to buy with merit points from legitimate stores — which he did, under Bardock's supervision.

This time, Bardock didn't pay for a thing.

It was his silent way of saying: I've helped you enough. From here on, it's up to you.

...

Harry spent most of the afternoon wandering the marketplace with Celari. She was a sweet girl, but honestly, a bit too clingy. Having her around made it hard for him to take care of certain things.

Once they parted ways, he hurried home to check the time.

He'd planned to visit Aunt Gine while Bardock was still out — to test the waters, maybe convince her to join him on a mission off-world. If she agreed, he could use that to get her safely off Planet Vegeta before anything happened.

But the moment he stepped inside and saw Kakarot emerging from the incubation pod, those plans went out the window.

The timing wasn't right. With Kakarot awake, there was no way he could bring both of them along. Even if he wanted to, the mission registry wouldn't allow it.

He could try sneaking them onto a ship, sure — but if they were caught, it'd be over.

So instead, he stayed with them.

All afternoon, he sat with Gine and Kakarot. Watching the baby, so small and helpless, something stirred in him. Maybe it was the knowledge of who Kakarot would one day become, but being near him gave Harry a strange feeling — almost reverent, almost nostalgic.

He even caught himself thinking, half-jokingly, When we meet again someday, I'll be able to say: "Hey Kakarot, I held you when you were a baby. You couldn't even stop crying back then."

...

Night fell.

Bardock didn't return from the capital until late.

Harry had expected him back earlier — right after seeing Raditz off. But when Bardock stepped through the door carrying a small one-man space pod, Harry knew it instantly: the story was moving forward.

The events from Dragon Ball Minus were playing out before his eyes.

And he — a bystander from another world — was standing there, watching Bardock send off his youngest son.

Gine was heartbroken. She didn't want to let go, but she trusted Bardock. He wouldn't lie to her, wouldn't do something like this without a reason.

After they launched the pod and Kakarot disappeared into the stars, the three of them stood in silence, gazing up at the night sky.

Finally, Bardock broke the quiet.

"Harry," he said, his tone heavy. "There's a lot I couldn't tell you before. But now… it's time you knew."

Harry straightened. He didn't pretend ignorance this time.

"Uncle Bardock," he said slowly. "After hearing you talk with Aunt Gine… I think I've figured it out. Frieza's planning to move against the Saiyans, isn't he? That's why you're sending Raditz away — and Kakarot too. You're planning to send me off as well."

Their eyes met. Bardock's gaze was sharp, but approving.

"Smart kid," he said. "You've got two days. That's plenty of time to get ready. Take Celari and leave Planet Vegeta before I go."

His voice left no room for argument.

Gine frowned, clearly uneasy. "Do we really need to be that cautious, Bardock? Even if what you're saying is true, it's still—"

"Trust me, Gine!" Bardock cut her off sharply. "I've made up my mind. You'll go with Harry this time — get off Planet Vegeta and stay out of what's coming. If nothing happens, great. But if it does… we'll be glad we prepared."

The intensity in his voice silenced both of them.

Gine's breath caught. The idea of leaving him — of running — terrified her.

Harry, on the other hand, was stunned for a different reason. He hadn't even brought up the idea yet, and Bardock had already made the decision himself.

"If Aunt Gine goes with me… what about you, Uncle Bardock?" Harry asked quietly. He already knew the answer — Bardock wouldn't leave. Even if Harry begged him, he wouldn't change his mind.

Without Bardock's stand on Planet Vegeta, there would be no legend — no warrior who defied fate.

"Don't worry about me," Bardock said with a grin. "Don't forget — my power level's over ten thousand. Even King Vegeta would have a hard time beating me."

He laughed, but his eyes told a different story.

And under the cold starlight, Harry felt that laugh sink deep into his chest — a sound that carried both pride and the shadow of farewell.

"..."

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