The massive disc-ship cast a long, cold shadow over the plateau.
Every Namekian felt it in their bones: the same vessel that had once carried death now carried something far worse.
Power.
Absolute, golden, untouchable power.
Vegeta stepped down the ramp alone, boots ringing on metal like judgment bells.
The soldiers behind him stayed inside, doors sealed.
Smart.
He stopped ten meters from the crowd.
Golden aura gone.
Base form.
But the pressure was heavier than any transformation.
Krillin's throat went dry.
Gohan instinctively moved half a step in front of Bulma.
Nail planted himself in the center of the path, arms loose, eyes burning.
Vegeta met his stare.
For three heartbeats, no one breathed.
Then Nail did something no one expected.
He stepped aside.
Not grudgingly.
Not slowly.
Cleanly.
Like a soldier yielding to a superior officer.
Silence.
Even the wind seemed to pause.
Vegeta's eyebrow arched, just a fraction.
Nail's voice was low, steady, stripped of all pride.
"Frieza is dead."
A statement, not a question.
Vegeta nodded once.
"Dead. Gone. Not coming back."
He took another step forward.
No one stopped him.
Nail's gaze never left Vegeta's.
"You saved my people."
Another statement.
Vegeta's lips twitched, half-smirk, half-something else.
"I saved my investment. The old man still owes me two more wishes."
Nail's shoulders relaxed, just a fraction.
Krillin and Gohan exchanged stunned glances.
Bulma's mouth actually fell open.
Since when did Vegeta… explain himself?
Vegeta walked past Nail, past the stunned Namekians, and stopped in front of the Grand Elder's door.
He didn't enter.
He turned, back to the entrance, facing the crowd.
"Listen up."
His voice carried without effort, calm and final.
"Frieza's empire is mine now. His ships. His soldiers. His planets."
He let that sink in.
"I'm not here to slaughter you. I'm not here to conquer you. I'm here for three wishes, then I'm gone."
He glanced at Bulma.
She flinched.
Vegeta's eyes softened, just for a split second, then hardened again.
"But the Ginyu Force is coming. Three days. They don't know Frieza's dead. When they find out…"
He smiled, cold and sharp.
"They'll try to avenge him."
Nail stepped forward again, this time at Vegeta's side.
Not in front.
At his side.
"Let them come."
His voice was steel.
Vegeta looked at him.
Really looked.
Then the corner of his mouth lifted, the closest thing to approval Nail would ever get.
"Good."
He turned to the ship.
"Prepare the gravity room. Five hundred times."
Then, quieter, to the planet itself:
"Three days."
Golden sparks danced across his skin.
"I'll be ready."
Far across the stars, a different ship streaked through hyperspace.
Cooler sat on his throne, tail curled, eyes narrowed at the star map.
Namek was close.
Very close.
And something felt… wrong.
Frieza's life signal had vanished hours ago.
Cooler's smile was slow, elegant, and utterly without warmth.
"Little brother… what kind of mess did you make?"
He leaned back.
"Doesn't matter."
His fifth form armor gleamed under the bridge lights.
"I'll clean it up."
The ship accelerated.
A new predator was coming.
And Namek had no idea the real storm hadn't even arrived yet.
~~~~~~
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