Morning light filtered through the trees as Toji awoke, stretching his limbs with a satisfied groan.
The campsite was already active - Piccolo meditating by the riverside, while Vegeta and Nappa remained confined in their energy bubbles, watching him with barely concealed resentment.
"Sleep well?" Toji asked cheerfully, receiving only glares in response.
After a quick breakfast of leftover fish, Toji gathered his few belongings and extinguished the campfire with a casual gesture. "We're heading to Capsule Corporation today," he announced. "Goku and I arranged to meet there."
"Capsule Corp?" Nappa questioned, his massive brow furrowing. "What's that?"
"Only the most advanced technology company on the planet," Piccolo answered before Toji could. "Their founder invented the capsule storage system."
Vegeta scoffed. "Advanced by Earth standards, perhaps."
"You'd be surprised," Toji remarked, adjusting his energy bubbles to prepare for flight. "Now let's go. We don't want to be late."
The journey to West City was uneventful, though not without tension. Piccolo kept his distance from the Saiyans, occasionally throwing confused glances at Toji as well.
For his part, Toji seemed lost in thought, occasionally chuckling to himself as if enjoying a private joke.
As they approached the distinctive white dome of Capsule Corporation, Toji spotted a small gathering on one of the building's spacious balconies.
Goku's hair was unmistakable even from a distance, surrounded by familiar figures from the series.
"There they are," Toji announced, descending toward the balcony with his prisoners in tow.
All conversation on the balcony ceased as they landed. Eyes widened at the sight of Vegeta and Nappa, contained but very much alive, floating beside Toji.
"Hey everyone!" Goku called out with his characteristic wave. "This is the guy I was telling you about! The one who beat the Saiyans!"
Toji took in the assembled group: Goku and Gohan standing side by side, the boy looking much more relaxed than during the battle; Krillin, still somewhat tense but recovering;
Chi-Chi hovering protectively near her son; Master Roshi in his signature sunglasses; the massive Ox-King towering behind his daughter;
And finally, the Briefs family - Dr. Brief with his cat perched on his shoulder, his blonde wife Panchy smiling, and Bulma, whose eyes were already assessing Toji with curiosity.
"Hello," Toji greeted with a casual wave. "I'm Toji Fushiguro. Nice to meet you all."
"So you're the one who saved my baby!" Chi-Chi exclaimed, stepping forward with surprising boldness. "Thank you for protecting Gohan."
"It was nothing," Toji replied modestly. "Just happened to be in the right place at the right time."
"And you brought them here?" Krillin asked, pointing accusingly at Vegeta and Nappa. "After what they did to Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu?"
The atmosphere instantly tensed.
"They killed our friends!" Krillin continued, voice rising. "They deserve to-"
"To be useful," Toji interrupted smoothly. "Which they can be, if we let them."
"Useful how?" Master Roshi inquired, his normally jovial demeanor serious beneath his sunglasses. "These Saiyans have shown nothing but contempt for life."
"They know things we need to know," Goku interjected, surprising everyone with his support of Toji's position. "About space, about this Frieza person, about Namek."
"Exactly," Toji agreed. "And they're not going anywhere or hurting anyone." He gestured to the energy bubbles. "I can maintain these indefinitely."
Vegeta's lip curled in disdain. "Don't speak of us as if we're not here, Earthling."
"Would you prefer I let them decide your fate instead?" Toji countered, gesturing to the angry faces surrounding them.
Before the situation could escalate further, Bulma stepped forward, unexpectedly wrapping her arm around Toji's. "Well, I think we could all use a good meal before making any big decisions! Mom just prepared a feast, didn't you?"
"Oh yes!" Panchy confirmed with her perpetual smile. "I made plenty for everyone!"
"How thoughtful," Toji remarked, noticing how Bulma positioned herself beside him - the most powerful person present.
He suppressed a smile, remembering her similar tactics with Zamasu- trying to buy time then, or when trying to gain favour with Whis to prortect earth.
Her having broken up with Yamcha since he cheated on her probably helps too.
'Some things never change, no matter the universe or timeline,' he thought with amusement.
"Food does sound good," Goku admitted, his stomach growling on cue. "And we can talk more while we eat!"
Chi-Chi sighed in resignation. "Always thinking with your stomach, Goku."
"Actually," Ox-King rumbled, patting his substantial belly, "I'm pretty hungry myself!"
With the tension temporarily defused, the group migrated indoors to the spacious dining room where Panchy had indeed prepared an impressive spread.
Toji modified the Saiyans' energy bubbles once more, allowing them to eat while remaining securely contained.
As everyone settled around the massive table, Toji found himself seated between Bulma and Goku, with Vegeta directly across from him.
The Saiyan prince ate with surprising decorum despite his restraints, while Nappa devoured his food with gusto more reminiscent of Goku's enthusiastic consumption.
"So, Mr. Toji," Dr. Brief began conversationally, "Goku tells us you're quite the powerhouse. Self-taught, are you?"
"Something like that," Toji replied. "I think I always had this power, but I'm still learning how to use it properly. Being new to it." he admitted, a way to make it appear that he knew far less than he already did.
A good way to become closer- seen as simply an immensily talented young man, than some dormant, hidden power, who just decided to appear, who's intentions are unknown.
"Fascinating!" Dr. Brief exclaimed. "Ki has for years since I found out about it been-"
"Dad," Bulma interrupted, "maybe save the scientific interrogation for after dinner?"
"Oh, right, right," the scientist agreed, absently stroking his cat.
Toji took advantage of the lull in conversation to ask a question that had been on his mind. "I'm curious - why haven't you used these Dragon Balls to bring back your friends yet?"
The table fell silent. Krillin set down his chopsticks with a sigh.
"We can't," Bulma explained, her earlier flirtatious demeanor giving way to genuine sadness. "The Dragon Balls were used recently to bring back Goku after he died fighting Raditz a year ago - another Saiyan."
She shot a glare at Vegeta and Nappa. "They only reactivate after a year has passed."
"Kakarot deserved to die then," Vegeta remarked coldly, continuing to eat. "He died because of Raditz, a weakling. The weak deserve death when the strong will it so."
Toji paused with a spoonful of rice and chicken halfway to his mouth. "Does that mean you're asking me to kill you?" he asked casually, as if discussing the weather. "Since you're the weak one right now, having been defeated?"
Vegeta froze mid-bite, his expression darkening. After a tense moment, he returned to eating with noticeably more aggression, stabbing at his food with barely controlled fury.
Bulma couldn't contain her giggle, clearly delighted to see the arrogant prince put in his place. "I like you," she told Toji with an approving nod.
"So about these Dragon Balls," Toji continued, setting down his spoon. "Vegeta mentioned something about Namekian Dragon Balls. If Piccolo is from Namek, and they created the Dragon Balls here, wouldn't there be more on their home planet?"
Piccolo, who had been silently observing while drinking water and eating rice, finally spoke. "I have no memory of Namek. I was born on Earth, remember?"
"But the possibility exists, it's why that Freezer guy wants to go there." Toji pressed. "If we could get to Namek, we could use their Dragon Balls to revive your friends without waiting. Though..."
he paused deliberately, "if we do that, I'd like to request using Earth's Dragon Balls for my own wish when they reactivate."
The atmosphere shifted instantly, everyone's attention focusing sharply on Toji.
After a long moment of silence someone spoke, "Mr. Toji?" Gohan's small voice began. "What do you want to wish for?"
Toji smiled at the boy, appreciating his directness. "Knowledge," he answered simply. "I want to know more about this power - Ki, you call it. Its applications, potential, techniques, everything there is to know."
Master Roshi stroked his beard thoughtfully. "No need for dragon magic, young man. I could teach you as thanks for saving my students and Gohan. I am the Turtle Hermit, after all!"
"I appreciate that, sir," Toji said with a respectful nod. "And I'll gladly learn what I can from you. But a dragon that can grant almost any wish must know things lost even to the most ancient masters."
Roshi couldn't argue with that logic, though he seemed pleased by the acknowledgment of his expertise.
"But how would we even get to Namek?" Krillin asked. "It's not like we have spaceships lying around."
"Actually," Toji turned toward Dr. Brief, "I was hoping you might help with that. Vegeta and Nappa arrived in space pods. If you, the smartest man in the world could examine them..."
Dr. Brief's eyes lit up with excitement. "Alien technology! Yes, I'd love to take a look! With proper study, I might be able to reverse-engineer something suitable."
"It isn't that easy," Nappa scoffed. "Those pods represent some of the most advanced technology in the universe. A primitive planet like this couldn't possibly-"
"You're underestimating how smart my dad is," Bulma cut in sharply. "And I'll be helping him too. There's nothing we can't figure out!"
Nappa's face reddened with anger and being interrupted- a Saiyan Elite disrespected like this? He half-rose from his seat, mouth opening to deliver what would undoubtedly be an insult with a retort.
"Sit down and shut up, Nappa," Toji commanded, casually as he put another spoon of rice in his mouth, "If you don't have anything important to contribute rather than undermining the people willing to help us, keep your tongue still - or I'll rip it out."
The sudden shift in Toji's demeanor sent a chill through the room. Even Goku tensed slightly, his easy-going expression becoming more watchful.
Nappa sank back into his seat immediately, swallowing whatever protest he'd been about to make.
Just as quickly as it had appeared, the dangerous edge vanished from Toji's manner. He smiled brightly, turning to Goku, changing the topic. "Oh yeah, you still up for that spar we talked about?"
Goku blinked at the abrupt personality shift before breaking into a laugh. "Yeah! Nothing better than some training after a good meal to burn off energy!"
"A spar?" Krillin looked between them nervously. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"I'd like to see this," Piccolo stated, his interest finally piqued.
"Me too!" Gohan added enthusiastically.
"Oh my," Panchy remarked. "How exciting!"
As everyone began to rise from the table, eager to witness the match between Goku and the mysterious new guy, Chi-Chi pulled her husband aside.
"Be careful," she whispered urgently, glancing at Toji who was chatting animatedly with Dr. Brief about the Capsule Corp tech and how he felt when using Ki. "After what he said to that big Saiyan... I'm worried."
Goku squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, Chi-Chi. Toji's not a bad guy. I can feel it."
"Just be careful, okay?" she asked him as she put her hands into his, having just gotten her husband and son back after a year, not wanting to lose him again, being very fearful because of that.
"Trust me," Goku insisted with a grin, as he unlocked their hands cupped Chi Chi's face, kissing her forehead. "This is going to be fun!"
--------------------
Minutes later, everyone had gathered in the massive garden behind Capsule Corp.
Bulma had set up monitoring equipment to measure power levels- having reverse engeneered the Scouters to an extent, while everyone else watched.
Vegeta and Nappa, still confined in their energy bubbles, observed with undisguised interest - particularly Vegeta, whose gaze never left Toji.
Goku and Toji rose into the air, putting distance between themselves and the spectators below.
"Don't hold back," Toji called out, floating casually with his arms at his sides. "I want to see what you can do."
"Alright," Goku replied, dropping into his practiced Turtle School stance, legs bent, hands positioned for both offense and defense. "But fair warning - I've learned some new techniques from King Kai!"
Toji merely nodded, making no move to adopt any fighting stance. Having no formal training, he had no ingrained techniques to fall back on - just raw power and instinct.
Below, Piccolo crossed his arms. "He's not even taking a stance," he observed. "Either he's incredibly arrogant or..."
"Or what?" Gohan asked, looking up at his mentor.
"Or he doesn't know how to fight properly, and really has just recently come to his power... Which would make a sick amount of sense." Piccolo finished then scoffed angrily. "All that power, but no technique."
Vegeta's eyes narrowed as he reached the same conclusion. 'Interesting,' he thought. 'A weakness I could potentially exploit.'
Above them, Goku's aura flared to life, a brilliant white energy surrounding his form as he prepared to attack.
Toji remained motionless, watching with calm interest as the legendary Saiyan gathered his power.
With a sudden burst of speed that left afterimages in his wake, Goku charged forward, closing the distance between them in an instant.
His fist, aimed directly at Toji's face, was the opening move.
A massive shockwave burst forth from them as Goku's fist connected.
After a moment, Toji lowered his face a bit, Goku's fist against his his forehead- having been unaffected, and smirked, "Is that all?" he asked.
Goku felt a bead of cold sweat drop from his face as he chuckled, "Hehehe! You've seen nothing yet," As he immediately put distance.
Toji's smirk widened into a savage, battle hungry smile as he spread his arms and hands- to the height of his waist and closed his legs together- in the characteristic pose of the Mighty Tyrant,
"Well then, do show me more."
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(Author note: And that is the end of this chapter!
Do tell me how you found it guys.
I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)