Chapter 22: The Intimidation of 50,000 Battle Power
Turles's prediction proved correct. Shortly after takeoff, the entire group found themselves completely surrounded.
"Saiyans, you are surrounded! Release the hostages immediately and surrender!"
A squadron of guards in black uniforms encircled them, weapons trained on the group. Commands blared through loudspeakers continuously.
Turles flew to the front, calming the furious Deru before shouting to the security force commander: "I know Galactic Patrolman Jaco! We've taken down a slave-trading ring and rescued these captives. We won't go with anyone until the Galactic Patrol arrives!"
Turles spoke with such righteous conviction, presenting his just side perfectly. But his eyes never left an unremarkable figure within the guard formation.
As expected, the guard commander glanced almost imperceptibly at that figure. Receiving a head shake, he immediately countered: "Saiyan, we received reports of Saiyans taking hostages. I'll relay your claims to my superiors, but right now you need to release these people and submit to our custody!"
Turles knew these forces had been ordered to capture them. But he wouldn't hand anyone over so easily.
Fortunately, the universe ultimately respected strength. So he pointed at the commander's scouter. Under the man's confused gaze, Turles let his power do the talking.
"AAAAAHHHHH!!!"
With continuous battle cries, Turles clenched both fists. His arm muscles bulged like coiled dragons. His previously calm energy signature instantly began boiling. White energy waves wrapped around his entire body. The surrounding air began distorting. Small rocks on the ground defied gravity, floating up to orbit around him.
Beep! Beep! Beep!!
The scouter began issuing urgent warnings. The guard commander couldn't help checking it. The numbers were climbing rapidly!
5,000!
8,000!
10,000!
20,000!
...
"It's still rising!"
The commander maintained composure initially. But as the values climbed, his face gradually paled. He muttered in disbelief.
"HAH!"
Suddenly, a long shout. A ring-shaped shockwave expanded outward, forcing everyone present backward.
Now Turles had stopped shouting. His entire form was wrapped in silver flames. His black hair stood completely on end. His eyes remained extraordinarily calm as they swept over everyone present.
"50,000!" The guard commander said tremulously, hardly believing it.
Everyone was shocked by that number. What did 50,000 battle power even mean? They couldn't imagine. They only knew that 10,000 could destroy a planet!
Even Deru was awed by Turles's display. He'd known Turles was strong, having seen clansmen with 50,000 battle power before. But current Turles felt far more powerful than those warriors. That intensely concentrated energy signature—even he could feel it clearly!
"So, do you still want to arrest us?" Turles's abnormally calm voice rang out, snapping the dazed commander back to awareness.
Honestly, though Turles appeared extraordinarily composed externally, internally he was thrilled. Coming to the Dragon Ball world—if he didn't pull off at least one scene like this, he'd be wasting his transmigration. How he'd envied Goku's classic power-up moments! Finally, it was his turn.
"S-s-sir..." The guard commander was too frightened to speak properly. Though his own battle power measured 5,000, facing someone ten times stronger, he didn't dare move a finger.
"I said, do you still want to arrest us?" Turles repeated. Only then did the commander realize the question wasn't directed at him. Relief flooded through him, followed immediately by internal cursing.
"That almost killed me!"
Clap! Clap! Clap! Applause came from behind the commander. An unremarkable-looking figure stepped past him, approaching Turles. The form slowly rose, gradually reaching Turles's eye level.
"Interesting! Fascinating! Truly fascinating! Never expected Saiyans to produce warriors with 50,000 battle power. Seems Frieza was right to fear them!"
"Who are you?" Turles's pupils contracted. He watched the figure warily.
This person resembled a Saiyan somewhat, except for pointed ears and dark cyan skin. Actually looked more like the Supreme Kai from Turles's memories.
"Oh! Forgot to introduce myself. My apologies!" The mysterious man tapped his forehead. "I'm Belus. Mercenary Union administrator for Obsidian Planet. Also the arena manager!"
'As I suspected! The mercenary arena is involved!' Turles thought.
"Is that so? A Mercenary Union administrator wearing Obsidian security uniforms—that doesn't seem normal. What do you think, Administrator Belus?" Turles spoke sarcastically, emphasizing "administrator" with extra weight.
"Heh. What, won't you introduce yourself?" Ignoring the mockery, Belus appeared genuinely interested, asking for Turles's name.
"..."
"Turles. An 'ordinary' Saiyan." Turles provided his introduction.
"Hahaha! Ordinary Saiyan? Hahaha!" Belus burst out laughing at that description.
Turles blinked, watching the continuously laughing Belus without speaking.
"Alright, let's say you're an ordinary Saiyan!"
"Mr. Turles, I believe there may be some misunderstanding between us. Shall we find somewhere to talk?"
Belus stopped laughing, instead extending an invitation.
"Fine." After brief consideration, Turles accepted—with one condition. The rescued people had to be delivered to Galactic Patrol headquarters. Belus thought it over, then nodded agreement.
Soon, the guard commander led his entire force back toward the nearest city. Turles and Deru continued escorting the group.
"Turles, I had no idea you possessed 50,000 battle power! Incredible!"
Flying slowly, Deru couldn't help expressing admiration.
"It's alright. If your elder unlocks your potential, you might surpass me immediately."
"Perhaps. We generally don't ask the elder for potential unlocking. Besides, the elder doesn't really want us relying on it for power increases."
Turles glanced at Deru's complex expression, asking: "Why? If you were stronger, this kidnapping wouldn't have happened. Is there some hidden danger?"
"I'm not certain. Elder Chari never explained the reason. I've only vaguely heard other clansmen mention something about lost heritage."
"Really?" Turles nodded thoughtfully.
Seems this Elder Chari had reservations. If truly due to incomplete heritage preventing perfect potential unlocking, his earlier plans needed reconsideration.
"Turles? Turles? What are you thinking?"
Deru's voice pulled Turles from his contemplation. He explained: "Nothing. I was thinking—if your elder can unlock potential, your settlement probably has many strong warriors. We Saiyans are passionate about combat. I might visit you sometime. Unfortunately..."
"You can visit now! I admit you're strong, but our clan has many powerful warriors too. Your 50,000 won't be enough. Better not cry when you get your face beaten in!" Hearing that, Deru immediately extended an invitation.
"Really? That's excellent! I'll bring Broly when we visit!" Having achieved his goal, Turles responded with delight.
After making that arrangement, their relationship clearly grew closer. Chatting and laughing, they soon reached Galactic Patrol headquarters.
Landing at the station, Turles let Deru handle negotiations while he stood silently aside, carefully observing the Patrol headquarters architecture.
Deru quickly completed discussions with Patrol personnel. They agreed to contact each captive's home species for retrieval, showing no evasiveness. This gave Turles a preliminary positive impression of the Galactic Patrol.
Supposedly, the Galactic Patrol answered directly to the Galactic King, responsible for maintaining Seventh Universe law and order, combating interstellar crime—space pirates, genocidal threats—with jurisdiction over most intelligent planets. Ten million years ago, they'd helped the Grand Supreme Kai seal Moro. Their relationship with the divine realm had been quite close.
But based on Turles's knowledge of the current Supreme Kai, the Patrol had probably lost contact with the divine realm. Otherwise, they wouldn't have allowed Frieza to dominate nearly the entire North Galaxy.
Still, none of that concerned Turles directly. He just needed to know the Galactic Patrol wasn't simple. At minimum, Merus existed—someone Turles absolutely couldn't provoke. But an organization with such long heritage couldn't be supported by Merus alone.
While Turles pondered the Patrol's origins, Deru finished his business. After asking about Jaco and learning he'd already left Obsidian with Tights, the three departed.
At the spaceport, Turles and Deru separated. He still needed to talk with Belus. Deru took Kuru and Kura aboard his Namekian-style ship, needing to return the youngsters quickly. Before leaving, Deru shared his settlement's location and urged Turles to visit soon.
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