Chapter 20: Namekian Deru
Watching the Namekian exit the cave with two youngsters following, Turles felt initially surprised but quickly understood. This must be a slave trading post. Those two young Namekians were his target.
Speaking of slave trading—it seemed an unavoidable part of various civilizations. Universal slave trading was brutally naked. Previously, Turles himself had worked for Frieza conquering planets and selling slaves. His inherited memories were full of such things.
But Turles hadn't sensed any ki inside the cave earlier. This outpost must have equipment blocking energy detection. These people weren't simple.
Plus, Obsidian was protected by three factions. Daring to operate a slave post here—claiming all three were completely ignorant seemed unlikely. Apparently, the Galactic Patrol wasn't as pure and righteous as advertised.
Made sense really. Any major faction couldn't be spotless as a white lotus. Even lotus flowers grew from mud.
Thinking this, Turles didn't forget the actual task. Seeing the Namekian preparing to leave, he quickly signaled Broly to follow.
After trailing a while, noticing the Namekian headed toward the spaceport, Turles stopped hiding. He burst forward at high speed, appearing directly before the three Namekians.
The constantly alert Namekian immediately shielded the two youngsters, watching Turles warily.
Noticing Turles's tail, the Namekian's pupils contracted sharply. His expression changed dramatically. "A Saiyan!" he said sharply, assuming a combat stance.
Turles didn't mind this attitude. Saiyans' reputation across the universe was thoroughly trashed.
Observing this Namekian who resembled Piccolo, Turles felt a sense of familiarity. He spoke:
"Relax, Namekian. I'm not a bad guy!" After speaking, Turles suddenly blinked, sensing something wrong with that statement.
The Namekian didn't believe a single word. He maintained his combat stance, watching Turles vigilantly.
Seeing continued distrust, Turles sighed. "I'm Turles. I wanted to ask you something."
Seeing Turles's relatively friendly attitude, though Deru remained guarded, he finally lowered his combat posture. "Deru," he said coldly.
"Hello, Deru!" Turles greeted, nodding at the two youngsters peeking from behind Deru. They immediately hid again.
Turles awkwardly rubbed his nose.
But the coldly observing Deru softened his attitude slightly.
"Speak, Saiyan. What do you want to ask?"
"I've heard Namekians possess seven miraculous orbs that can grant any wish. Ever heard of them?" Turles stated his purpose.
"Hm?" Hearing that, Deru immediately became guarded again. "Where did you hear that? It's just a legend!"
Though the legend circulated throughout the universe, many didn't believe it—just considering it Namekian mythology. Many species had similarly exaggerated legends. But Turles seeking him out directly suggested he'd heard the Dragon Ball legend somewhere.
"Hm?"
Turles hadn't expected such a strong reaction. He'd only meant to probe, but Deru's response suggested he wasn't completely ignorant about Dragon Balls.
Knowing Namekian origins while aware of Dragon Ball information—Deru's background wasn't simple. At least he retained partial heritage, unlike Earth's Kami who could create Dragon Balls but knew nothing of his own history.
"You know about Dragon Balls?" Turles suppressed his excitement, keeping his voice calm.
Deru remained silent.
Turles knew he hadn't gained this Namekian's trust yet. Time to spin a tale.
"There's a legend in the North Galaxy about Namek. Gathering seven Dragon Balls lets you make three wishes to Porunga." He paused, seeing Deru unmoved, and continued: "I originally planned visiting Namek. I heard the Grand Elder still lives. But due to Frieza's persecution, we few Saiyans had to flee the North Galaxy for Galactic Center. Never expected to encounter a Namekian here."
"You said... Namek's Grand Elder is still... alive?" Deru's voice trembled.
"Yes." Turles forcibly suppressed his "guilty conscience," confirming firmly.
Deru was still naive. Though he'd clearly traveled the universe for some time, Turles's news had disrupted his composure.
"Wait!"
Just as Turles congratulated himself, Deru suddenly snapped back, shouting:
"If you're Saiyans, why would Frieza persecute you? Besides, if you're evil Saiyans, even the Grand Elder wouldn't let you use Dragon Balls. You're lying!"
"Uh!" Turles again cursed the Saiyan reputation. But he quickly countered: "Don't you know? Planet Vegeta was destroyed by Frieza himself! We learned this truth and tried rebelling, so he hunted us. We had no choice but to seek Galactic Patrol protection in Galactic Center. And we want Dragon Balls to quickly find our people. If we don't find them soon, I fear they'll also suffer Frieza's persecution!"
Turles mentally gave himself a thumbs-up.
Though basically factual, Turles had omitted plenty—like Saiyans definitely belonging to Deru's "evil species" category. He simply hadn't mentioned it, instead positioning them as fellow endangered species to create empathy.
It worked. Hearing Turles's words, Deru felt sympathy, releasing his reservations. He began explaining his clan's Namekian descendants' history.
Three hundred years ago, during Namek's disaster, all Namekians sought escape routes. Some stayed on Namek. A small group fled via spaceships—including Earth Kami's parents and Deru's ancestors.
Namekian technology was quite advanced then. Deru's ancestors reached Galactic Center directly, landing on a planet very similar to Namek. They'd lived there ever since.
Unlike Earth Kami's experience, Deru's ancestors included genius-type Namekians similar to Kami. Though they couldn't create Dragon Balls, their reproductive ability was stronger. Over three hundred years, their clan gradually recovered numerically, producing some special Namekians. Deru was a warrior-type.
The two youngsters, Kuru and Kura, were healer-types.
Why they'd been brought to Obsidian and traded as slaves—all stemmed from a recent space pirate invasion.
Though they'd repelled the attack, scattered settlements meant many couldn't wait for rescue before capture. Kuru and Kura were among them. Why they'd been sent to Obsidian, Deru didn't know.
He'd come to Obsidian's Mercenary Union to post a search mission. Then a mysterious alien approached with a condition: defeat ten consecutive arena opponents, and he could take two Namekians. Deru had considered forcing rescue, but this mysterious person's battle power exceeded his. So he'd reluctantly agreed. Today's arena match was the tenth.
After hearing Deru's account, Turles pondered briefly before speaking thoughtfully: "Seems this mysterious person has deep connections with those slavers. That mercenary arena probably played a shady role."
"How so?" Deru knew the mysterious person related to the slavers, but how did the arena fit in?
"Think about it. Why make you win ten matches consecutively before releasing Kuru and Kura? Clearly using you to boost arena popularity. A fighter of your caliber isn't common. Plus, as a newcomer winning ten straight—that's huge publicity they couldn't ignore."
"Moreover, I suspect the pirates who attacked your planet are connected to them too."
"What?" Deru exclaimed in shock.
"Just speculation. Think—your planet just suffered pirate invasion. Your people were captured. You arrive at the arena, and someone immediately approaches using your people as leverage. Too many coincidences!"
Hearing Turles's theory, Deru believed it. Fury consumed him. His ki signature began rising.
Seeing Deru's intentions, Turles flashed before him instantly, hand landing on his shoulder.
"Deru, calm down!" Turles said gravely.
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