"Repeat: by Frieza's command, all squads are to return to Planet Vegeta immediately after completing their missions!"
After repeating the directive several times, the communicator finally fell silent.
"Frieza himself issued the command? Is this a big operation? How exciting!"
Hearing the order and imagining all Saiyans gathering for a major battle, Aira practically vibrated with excitement.
Exciting my ass.
Going back is suicide.
Unlike Aira's naïve enthusiasm, Rhode knew exactly what this meant. Frieza had begun his plan to wipe out the Saiyan race and destroy Planet Vegeta. Returning now would only guarantee death. At this point, the only sane choice was to escape—far and fast.
"Rhode, why aren't you excited? If there's a big operation, we'll finally get to fight to our heart's content!"
Seeing Rhode frowning instead of cheering, Aira slapped him angrily across the back.
"Hmph! What big operation? Frieza is planning to wipe us out."
Rhode's cold snort made Aira freeze in place.
"Frieza wants to wipe us out? Impossible!"
Aira denied it instantly.
"Frieza's been wary of the legendary Super Saiyan for years. He's been dissatisfied with us even longer." Rhode sighed and looked at her—so innocent that it hurt. "Believe whatever you want. But I'm not going back."
"What?! You're not going back?"
Aira's anger exploded. To her, this wasn't fear—it was betrayal. "Frieza is strong, sure, but with King Vegeta leading us, even Frieza—"
"—Even Frieza can be defeated?" Rhode cut her off sharply. "Ignorant fool. Do you even know how strong Frieza is?"
"No matter how strong, he can't be stronger than all our elite Saiyan warriors combined!"
Aira snapped back, furious at Rhode's condescending stare.
"All Saiyans combined?"
Rhode let out a humorless chuckle. "Only an arrogant idiot like King Vegeta would think numbers matter against Frieza."
Admiration aside, King Vegeta's rebellion was idiotic. He challenged a tyrant he didn't even understand. What confidence could justify that?
"Don't tell me… even all Saiyans together couldn't beat Frieza?"
Aira's voice trembled.
"That's exactly what I'm telling you."
Rhode nodded as if stating a simple fact. His eyes locked onto hers, expression dark and heavy.
"Do you know what Frieza's power level is?"
"How much?"
"Five hundred thirty thousand."
"H-how much?"
"You heard me. Five hundred. Thirty. Thousand."
As Rhode spoke, he couldn't help but recall the suffocating aura Frieza unleashed on Namek—an overwhelming oppressive force that crushed hope itself. In an era where most fighters barely reached thousands—or tens of thousands if exceptional—an enemy with a power level of *530,000* was nothing short of absolute despair.
"Five hundred thirty thousand?! How can such a monster even exist?!"
Aira's face turned pale. She thought of her own 2,400 power level… then King Vegeta's little over 10,000… even Great Ape transformation barely pushed him past 100,000. Compared to Frieza, these were insects.
A group like them going to fight Frieza wasn't bravery—
It was suicide spelled in bold letters.
At this moment, Aira was doubting everything she'd ever believed. The so-called Saiyan pride she once held so high now felt like a pathetic joke in front of such an overwhelming monster.
"Five hundred thirty thousand isn't even Frieza's full strength. Now do you understand why I refuse to go back?"
After laying out the truth of Frieza's power, Rhode brought the conversation back on track.
"Why would Frieza suddenly attack us?"
Now that she understood Frieza's terrifying nature, Aira finally questioned something else—why their own race, which had conquered worlds for Frieza for so many years, would suddenly be targeted. It made no sense to her.
"Maybe he finally lost patience," Rhode said helplessly. "Or maybe… maybe the Saiyans angered someone they shouldn't have."
"Rhode… are you really planning to run away?"
After a long, heavy silence, Aira looked at him with eyes full of frustration, anger, and helplessness.
"Run away?"
Rhode didn't flinch. Instead, he let out a soft chuckle. "Say what you want. The Saiyans have pillaged and slaughtered their way across the universe. Their destruction is nothing more than karmic payback. There's nothing tragic about it."
He paused, his gaze sharpening.
"As for Frieza… he will die by Saiyan hands. That much is certain."
"Does the legendary Super Saiyan really exist?"
Aira wasn't concerned with karmic retribution or Frieza's grievances. What caught her attention was Rhode's unwavering confidence—confidence that hinted at a terrifying possibility.
Rhode nodded without hesitation. "Of course he exists."
Then he looked at her directly, his expression calm yet filled with resolve.
"Follow me, and I'll let you witness the brilliance of a Super Saiyan blazing across the universe. One path takes you back to Planet Vegeta to die. The other lets you witness—and maybe even become—a Super Saiyan. Aira, which do you choose?"
"What are you planning?"
After Rhode's confirmation, Aira made her choice instantly. She was a pure Saiyan—battle and power were her entire being. There was nothing to hesitate over.
"From now on, you follow my orders." Rhode spoke firmly.
"In your dreams. Beat me first!" Aira snapped back without a hint of submission.
"You aren't my opponent."
"A mere hundred power level difference! We'll see about that!"
Swish!
Rhode's figure disappeared in an instant. He reappeared right in front of her, knee driving straight toward her midsection. Before Aira could even throw a counterattack, Rhode vanished again.
A sharp blow struck the back of her neck.
She dropped to the ground instantly.
"Now what? Still want to continue?"
Standing over her, Rhode gazed down with unmistakable danger in his eyes.
"Hmph…"
Aira gritted her teeth, glaring fiercely. She refused to make excuses for her injured state—no warrior would. Enemies don't care if you're hurt. Strength is all that matters.
Once I recover, I'll beat you into the ground.
Though she temporarily accepted Rhode's leadership, she was far from convinced. Deep down, she vowed to reclaim that position the moment her body healed.
"You go recover. I'm heading out to find a few people."
Having established his authority, Rhode no longer bothered with Aira and simply turned to leave the ship.
Whether Aira believed his words or chose to run back to Planet Vegeta, Rhode no longer cared. He'd only saved her because she was young and they had fought side-by-side.
If she chose to return and die, then so be it. Advice is wasted on those who insist on running toward their own destruction.
With that thought, Rhode extended his senses and locked onto the gathered ki of the remaining Laina Star survivors.
In the next moment, his figure shot into the sky toward their location.