West City — Capsule Corporation.
On the massive screen in front of Bulma, a huge star map shone brightly, with a distant light point marked by a bold red circle.
"No… this won't work at all…"
Bulma dragged both hands through her hair in frustration, practically tearing at it.
"According to the direction King Kai provided, I calculated the route. Namek is way too far from Earth!"
"Even with our company's fastest spaceship, a one-way trip would take four thousand three hundred thirty-nine years!"
Four thousand three hundred thirty-nine years.
The spark of hope that had barely ignited was immediately crushed.
Krillin collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed.
"How could it be this bad…? Is there really no other way?"
"Perhaps… there is one."
Everyone turned to see Mr. Popo standing silently behind them. No one knew when he arrived.
"Mr. Popo!" Goku exclaimed.
"I remember Kami once mentioning something to me," Popo said quietly.
"He himself came to Earth in a spaceship."
Bulma's eyes widened.
"A spaceship?! Where is it?!"
"In the far north. A place called the Yunzebit Highlands."
"That place is covered in ice and snow year-round. It is very dangerous."
"Enough talking! Let's go right now!" Bulma urged.
Yunzebit Highlands
Even wrapped in thick arctic gear, Bulma was still shaking violently from the biting cold.
"Mr. Popo… are you sure it's here? In this frozen wasteland? There's seriously supposed to be a spaceship here?"
Her breath turned to ice the moment it left her lips.
Popo didn't answer. He simply pointed toward a massive fissure in the side of a snow-covered mountain.
Their magic carpet descended deep into the icy valley.
At the very bottom lay a spaceship, half-buried in snow and ice.
"Found it!" Bulma hopped off the carpet excitedly.
She wiped away the frost with her glove, revealing a smooth, green metallic surface beneath.
The hatch was tightly sealed. No buttons. No handles.
Bulma circled the ship again and again, pulling out scanners and tools—nothing worked.
"Damn it! How are you supposed to open this thing?!"
She stomped her foot in frustration.
Popo stepped forward, brushed the frost aside, placed his hand on a tiny symbol, and spoke calmly.
"This spacecraft responds only to the Namekian language."
"What—Namekian?! How am I supposed to speak Namekian?!"
Popo looked at her, then said a very familiar word.
"Piccolo."
He repeated it patiently.
"Say it like this: Piccolo."
Bulma swallowed nervously and leaned toward the hatch.
"P… Piccolo?"
Buzz—
The spaceship vibrated.
Systems that had slept for centuries came alive at once.
Several Days Later — Capsule Corporation
Goku was recovering well thanks to Senzu Beans, though his body still needed rest after the strain of using high-level Kaio-ken.
"Bulma, Krillin, Gohan—be very careful when you get there!" Goku warned.
"As soon as the new ship is ready, I'll go too!"
"Don't worry, Goku!" Krillin said confidently. "We'll find the dragon balls and bring everybody back!"
The ship blasted off, turning into a streak across the sky.
Meanwhile — On a Remote Mountain Peak
Loren shifted lazily, letting the warm sunlight soak into him.
[Ding! Daily mission refreshed.]
[Mission: Taste a delicacy.]
[Reward: Battle Power +20 points.]
Loren smirked lazily.
This was the life. Getting stronger simply by eating.
Deep in Space
After one month of travel, Namek finally appeared before Bulma and the others.
"We… we actually made it…" Krillin whispered in disbelief.
Gohan pressed his face to the window, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Initiating final landing procedures!" Bulma announced.
This month had been torture—unknown space, asteroid fields, constant equipment monitoring.
The ship trembled lightly and then stabilized.
"We made it!" Bulma collapsed into her chair in relief.
Krillin and Gohan exchanged looks.
Reaching Namek was just the beginning.
The real danger was still ahead.
The hatch opened, letting in air mixed with grass and an unfamiliar scent.
Earth — At That Same Moment
Loren lay stretched out under the sun, eyes half-closed.
[Ding! The God-level selection system has triggered a Choice.]
Two translucent panels appeared.
[Choice One: Ignore Namek. Goku will handle everything. Keep enjoying life.
Reward: None.]
Loren frowned.
[Choice Two: Invest in future peace. Intervene in the Namek incident. Eliminate key threats before they cause bigger problems.
Reward: Battle Power +60,000, unlock skill Instant Transmission (Supreme Kai Version).]
Loren stared at the "Reward: None" option with disgust.
"So you're forcing me to participate, huh?"
"Fine. System, I choose Two."
[Ding! Host has chosen "Invest in Future Peace." Rewarding 60,000 Battle Power and unlocking Instant Transmission (Supreme Kai Version).]
Power surged through Loren's entire being—vast, warm, and overwhelming.
He thought for a moment—
And instantly vanished from his spot.
He reappeared atop Korin Tower.
Then vanished again.
King Kai dropped his apple with a thud as Loren materialized in front of him.
Bubbles and Gregory froze stiff like statues.
"Hm. Not bad. Now I can change sunbathing spots whenever I want… or grab food at night without flying. Perfect."
To him, the true value of the technique wasn't combat.
It was laziness convenience.
Loren spread his senses across the universe...
Found a distant star system…
Namek.
"Let's take a look then."
He vanished.
And reappeared instantly on Namek.
[Name: Loren]
[Battle Power: 130,820]
[Skills: Flight Mastery, Blutz Wave Immunity, Autonomous Great Ape Transformation, Instant Transmission (Supreme Kai Version)]
[Description: You are about to face the Universe Emperor, Frieza. A great battle is approaching—prepare yourself.]