Lubbock raised his hand first. "Just one thing – you mentioned King Kai taught you the Kaioken technique, Goku. Who is King Kai?"
Goku beamed. "Oh! King Kai lives on a tiny planet at the end of the universe – about as big as my fist, but with super strong gravity! He's one of four Kais who watch over creation, and he taught me all sorts of things besides Kaioken – like how to sense energy better and even a special attack called the Spirit Bomb!"
"Spirit Bomb?" Tatsumi echoed, leaning forward.
"Yep! It draws energy from every living thing around you – plants, animals, people – and turns it into a huge ball of power. But you can only use it if your heart's pure, so it's not something you can use lightly. It's saved my world more than once."
Sheele adjusted her glasses, her voice soft but clear. "What about you, Mister Vegeta? Did you have anyone who taught you, or did you learn everything on your own?"
Vegeta's jaw tightened slightly before he answered. "My father, King Vegeta, trained me until I was old enough to fight on the front lines. After that… I learned through battle. Every enemy taught me something new about pushing my limits. Even Frieza, for all his evil, showed me how far I still had to go."
Mine crossed her arms, curiosity piqued. "Okay, one more question – you said the Dragon Balls can grant any wish, right?"
"Yeah, pretty much," Goku smiled.
Mine's eyes widened with excitement. "If I go to your world and collect them… I'll become one of the richest people alive after the Empire is defeated!"
Vegeta clicked his tongue. "Tch – I knew she would act like that. Spoiled brat…"
Leone burst out laughing. "Now that's the Mine I know! Thinking about treasure even when we're talking about world-saving magic balls!"
Mine stuck her tongue out at Leone. "Hey, there's nothing wrong with planning for the future! Once we take down the Empire, someone's gotta help rebuild – extra resources wouldn't hurt."
Bulat raised his hand next. "What was your life like back on your Earth, Goku? Since Vegeta already told his side of the story, we want to hear yours."
Goku smiled and began, "Sure – let me tell you..."
He talked about meeting friends like Bulma, with whom he started his journey to find the Dragon Balls, and Krillin, whom he met at Master Roshi's Turtle School. He mentioned Launch, Puar, Oolong, Android 8, Suno, Upa and his father Bora, Yajirobe, and many others. He trained under Roshi, Korin, Mr. Popo, and Kami. He met Chi-Chi and her father the Ox King, and befriended rivals like Yamcha, Nam, Tien, and Chiaotzu.
At age 12, he fought and defeated the Red Ribbon Army, saving a village from their raid. The village chief gave Goku a crystal – the same one that teleported him to this universe when he was young. That's how he met Akame and her sister Kurome at the academy; Akame was 6, Kurome was 5, and Goku had been brought here by the crystal.
He told them about encountering the Pilaf Gang many times, fighting King Piccolo, and later defeating his son Piccolo Jr. to win a tournament. He married Chi-Chi and had two children – Gohan and Goten. He met Raditz and died for the first time, training with King Kai afterward. He battled Vegeta and Nappa, traveled to Namek to fight the Ginyu Force and Frieza (becoming a Super Saiyan for the first time), faced the Androids and Cell, and finally defeated Majin Buu just a month ago with the help of the Spirit Bomb.
The room was completely silent when Goku finished, every member of Night Raid staring at him with awe.
Tatsumi spoke excitedly. "You went through all of that – from a young boy to an adult! That's awesome, Mr. Goku..."
Lubbock scratched his head. "So you're married with two sons? Damn, I wish I could be married someday."
Goku laughed warmly. "Yeah! Chi-Chi and I have been together for years – though we argued a lot at first about me spending too much time training! But she's the strongest person I know, and our boys are amazing. Gohan's a great scholar, and Goten… well, he's already a little troublemaker just like I was!"
Akame stood quietly, her red eyes fixed on Goku as memories flooded back. Kurome had kept the brown stone after Akame left the Empire to join Night Raid. Seeing him again after so long – grown into the powerful warrior before her – made her chest feel tight in a way she couldn't quite name.
Leone leaned forward, grinning. "So let me get this straight – you've saved your world countless times, you're married to a strong woman, and you've got two kids? You really are living the dream!"
"Living the dream?" Goku tilted his head in confusion before smiling wide. "I guess so! I just try to do what's right and protect the people I care about – that's all that matters."
Leone then turned to Vegeta with a mischievous grin. "So what about you, Vegeta? Who are you married to?"
"Ah, you're asking about Vegeta's family!" Goku beamed. "He's married to Bulma – one of my best friends, and the smartest person I know. She built all kinds of amazing stuff, like the Dragon Radar that helps us find the Dragon Balls!"
Vegeta clicked his tongue but didn't argue, crossing his arms and looking away. "Tch… she's tolerable enough. We have a daughter – Bulla – and a son, Trunks. She's a scientist – the smartest person on Earth, not that any of you would understand. Trunks is stronger than most Saiyans his age. I won't let him fall behind Kakarot's brats."
"Trunks!" Goku beamed. "He's already a Super Saiyan too – just like Goten! They love to fight together, though they get into trouble sometimes."
"Hmph… of course Trunks unlocked Super Saiyan!" Vegeta snapped, though his gaze softened briefly. "Do you think I'm going to let my son be surpassed by your offspring? Absolutely not, Kakarot!"
Leone raised an eyebrow, grinning wider. "A scientist wife and a strong son? Sounds like you're living the dream too! What's her personality like… just asking, of course."
Vegeta glanced at Leone, his expression unreadable for a moment before huffing. "She's loud, stubborn, and has no sense of when to leave well enough alone. But she's also brave, never backs down from a challenge, and cares more about others than she lets on."
Goku nodded enthusiastically. "That's exactly right! Bulma's always kept us grounded – even when we're fighting gods or traveling through time! She even invented a gravity chamber for Vegeta to train in – it's pretty cool."
Vegeta nodded, still facing away. "Yes. That's where I trained to master Super Saiyan, and to achieve Super Saiyan 2 – all thanks to her help."
Goku's eyes widened in surprise. He turned to Vegeta and said, "Wait, what? You unlocked Super Saiyan 3? Since when?!"
Vegeta clicked his tongue. "During the five years of peace after we defeated Majin Buu, of course. I didn't stop training until I achieved it – after I realized you'd been hiding it from me. Bulma helped me master it and nullify the drawbacks."
Goku's mouth dropped open in disbelief. "Super Saiyan 3! And you never told me?! We could've trained together!" he said, his tail wiggling in the air like a dog's.
Vegeta turned around and glared at Goku coldly. "Because you hid Super Saiyan 3 from me – remember?" he said, his tail twitching slightly.
A flashback played out of their previous fight: when Vegeta became Majin Vegeta, Goku had been brought back from the dead, and the two clashed as Super Saiyans 2. "You insulted me for hiding it from me back then…"
Goku's expression fell, the excitement fading as he remembered that fateful battle. "I… I'm sorry about that, Vegeta. I was just trying to protect you – I knew how much it would hurt your pride if you found out I'd gotten stronger than you again." He said this as his tail thumped down to the ground.
Vegeta scoffed, but his glare softened slightly as he turned away. "It might have hurt me badly, but it was even more painful knowing you held back in our fight…" he said, his expression serious. "It would've hurt less if you hadn't held back against me – you didn't just insult me, you slapped me in the face."
Then Vegeta spoke, his voice filled with anger and frustration. "I will teach you its bitter taste just as you have taught me!" he said with a serious expression. "Me, a warrior elite! In my fingertips, I hold the power to destroy entire worlds! I am a Saiyan of royal blood! The last of my kind! And on my shoulders rests the glory of an extinct warrior race! All civilizations once trembled at the sound of my name."
Vegeta's expression grew serious again. "But you didn't, did you, Kakarot? And at your hands – your common hands – my honor and my pride, the foundations of everything I had always stood for, began to crumble at my feet! It was at your hands that I suffered my first great humiliation! Toppled by a piece of low-level trash!" Vegeta said, looking directly at Goku.
"Imagine my added shame when it was you, not me, who avenged our people by defeating Frieza. You – who were the first to achieve the pinnacle of our race! The first in a thousand years to take a place among the legendary Super Saiyans! A place I had been raised to believe was my royal birthright!" Vegeta said, his voice filled with anger.
"And imagine the disgrace I suffered when the strength I had worked my whole life to acquire was surpassed by a mere child – your half-breed son – who succeeded where I, the Prince of all Saiyans, had failed!" Vegeta declared to Goku. "It is time to take back what is mine! I will not live my life as your second! That time is over, Kakarot!"
The air in the room grew heavy as the weight of their words settled over everyone. Night Raid's members had fallen quiet, watching the exchange between the two warriors with a mix of curiosity and respect – they could sense how deeply this matter touched both men.
Goku ran a hand through his hair, looking down at the floor. "I know… I should've been honest with you. Holding back didn't help anyone – especially not when you were so determined to fight me at your full strength." He looked sad as he continued, "I was actually planning on using it during our fight, but King Kai told me not to waste too much energy since it would affect my time on Earth. I was supposed to save it for Majin Buu."
Vegeta fell silent for a long moment, his back still turned to the group. When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter than usual. "I understand why you did it now. But back then… all I could feel was shame. I'd trained my whole life to be the strongest, and here you were – holding back your full power like it meant nothing." He turned slightly, just enough to meet Goku's gaze over his shoulder. "That's why I pushed myself even harder after we defeated Buu. I wouldn't let you keep getting ahead without me knowing."
Goku looked up, a small smile returning to his face. "I know you would've caught up eventually, Vegeta. You always do."
Najenda cleared her throat gently, bringing the focus back to their current mission. "You two mentioned that you were teleported into this world by the pink crystal, right? Is that the same crystal that teleported you here when you were twelve – and do you still have it with you?"
Goku nodded and said, "Yeah, it is… that's the same one the village chief gave me back then. But when Vegeta and I were teleported to this world, the crystal cracked." As he spoke, he reached into his pocket and pulled it out to show the rest of the group.
The pink crystal glinted in the dim light of the meeting hall – its surface crisscrossed with thin, spiderweb-like cracks that caught the light and scattered it into tiny rainbows. Night Raid gathered closer, peering at the stone with fascination.
"It's beautiful, even cracked like that," Sheele murmured, adjusting her glasses to get a better look.
Goku held it carefully in his palm, turning it over so everyone could see. "I first saw this crystal in a tree near our house, but when Vegeta and I were teleported here, the crystal cracked. Then when I met Akame again, I remembered where I actually got the crystal from in the first place."
Leone leaned in, her eyes tracing the cracks across the crystal's surface. "So this little stone is what brought you both here… and what first brought you to Akame all those years ago?"
Akame nodded slowly, her gaze fixed on the pink gem in Goku's hand. "I remember now. You showed me this crystal when we were at the academy – you said it 'glowed when you thought about home.'"
Goku's face lit up with recognition. "That's right! I couldn't explain it back then, but it always felt warm when I held it. Like it was trying to tell me something."
Vegeta stepped forward, his arms crossed as he studied the stone. "When we were back on our Earth, Bulma ran every test she could think of on it. She said it didn't match any known mineral composition – and that it seemed to react to strong energy signatures, like our Ki."
Lubbock whistled low. "So it's some kind of interdimensional energy beacon? That's wild even by your standards."
"Maybe," Goku said thoughtfully. "But whatever it is, it brought us here for a reason. I don't believe in accidents – especially not when it led us to you guys."
Najenda's expression grew serious as she considered this. "If that's true, then we need to find out what it wants. Or what it's trying to show us. Bulat – have our scouts reported any other unusual crystals or energy fluctuations in the area?"
Bulat shook his head. "Nothing like this, boss. But we haven't exactly been looking for interdimensional stones either."
"Then we start now," Najenda declared. "Lubbock, I want you to pull all reports of strange phenomena – glowing rocks, unexplained lights, anything out of the ordinary. Sheele, you'll help him cross-reference with old legends and local stories. There might be more of these crystals out there."
As the others began discussing how to organize the search, Mine spoke up, her voice hesitant. "Goku… if this crystal can travel between worlds, does that mean you and Vegeta could go back home anytime you want?"
The question hung in the air. Even Vegeta's posture stiffened slightly at the thought.
Goku looked down at the cracked stone, a gentle smile on his face. "Maybe one day. But right now, this world needs help – just like our Earth did so many times. We're not going anywhere until we've helped you put an end to the Empire's corruption."
Vegeta clicked his tongue but didn't argue. "Hmph. The Prince of all Saiyans doesn't run from a fight – especially not when there are tyrants to be stopped. Besides… Bulma would never forgive me if I left without figuring out how this crystal works."
Leone grinned, slinging an arm around Vegeta's shoulders – though he immediately tensed up at the contact. "Aww, see? You're already thinking like one of us!"
"Get your arm off me, woman," Vegeta growled, but there was no real heat in his voice.
Sheele adjusted her glasses and said, "Mister Goku, I want to know what your wife Chi-Chi is like." She directed the question toward Goku, drawing Akame's attention as well.
Goku's face broke into a wide, warm smile at the question. "Chi-Chi? Well, where do I start…" He scratched the back of his head, his eyes lighting up with fond memories. "She's strong – really strong. When we first met, she could already take down wild animals with her bare hands, and she's only gotten tougher since then."
Akame leaned forward slightly, listening intently as Goku spoke.
"She's also super caring, even if she doesn't always show it the way other people do," he continued. "Most of the time she acts pretty strict – especially when it comes to Gohan's studies. She's dead set on him becoming a scholar instead of a fighter, even though she knows how much he loves training with me." Goku chuckled softly. "Sometimes I think she married the only person on Earth who could keep up with her temper!"
Sheele nodded thoughtfully, adjusting her glasses again. "It sounds like she cares deeply about her family's future."
"More than anything," Goku agreed. "She grew up with just her father after her mother passed away, so family means everything to her. Even when we're arguing about training or chores, I know it's because she wants the best for all of us."
Akame spoke up for the first time since the question was asked. "She sounds like a good person. It must be hard for her, having you away from home like this."
Goku's smile softened a little, and he looked down at the pink crystal in his palm. "Yeah… I know she's probably worried sick. But she also knows I can't just stand by when people need help. She gets mad sometimes, but deep down, she understands why I have to do what I do."
Vegeta let out a short huff but added, "She's one of the few humans who's never been intimidated by us – not even when we first arrived on their Earth. She once yelled at me for scuffing her floor during a training session in their backyard."
Leone let out a laugh at that. "She yelled at you? Now that's impressive! I'd love to meet her someday."
"Maybe you will," Goku said brightly, looking back up at the group. "If we can figure out how to fix this crystal, maybe we can bring some of you to visit our world too! Bulma would love to study all of your Teigu – she'd probably spend weeks taking them apart and putting them back together just to understand how they work."
Lubbock's eyes widened with excitement. "You mean we could actually visit another dimension? That's even better than finding treasure with the Dragon Balls!"
Then Bulat asked, "I have another question – I want to know how old you two are." He said this, interested to learn the two Saiyans' ages.
Goku tilted his head, thinking for a moment before answering. "Hmm… let's see. I'm thirty-seven years old..."
The entire room erupted in shocked exclamations.
"Thirty-seven?!" Mine blurted out, staring at Goku with wide eyes. "But you look like you're in your twenties!"
Tatsumi shook his head in disbelief. "That can't be right – you don't look a day over twenty-five!"
Vegeta let out a dry scoff, crossing his arms. "Humans age so quickly it's pathetic," he said in a cold tone. "We Saiyans mature at roughly the same rate as you until we reach our physical prime – around twenty to twenty-five years old. After that, a Saiyan's aging rate decreases drastically, allowing us to outlive humans. It's one of the advantages of our race – even when we reach seventy or eighty, we still look young and can fight on the battlefield."
"So how old are you then?" Bulat asked, still processing Goku's age.
"Forty-two – Kakarot and I are five years apart," Vegeta stated matter-of-factly, though a hint of pride crept into his voice. "Though I look far younger than any human your age could hope to be."
Lubbock whistled low, running a hand through his hair. "Forty-two? And you look like you could be my older brother – not someone old enough to be my dad!"
Sheele adjusted her glasses, her eyes wide with wonder. "That's incredible… to stay so young and strong for so long."
Leone leaned forward, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she looked at Vegeta. "Forty-two and still this handsome? You really are something else, Prince Vegeta."
He clicked his tongue and looked away, though his ears had a faint pink tinge. "Flattery won't get you anywhere, woman. It's simply the superiority of our race showing through."
Akame was quiet for a moment before speaking. "If you age so slowly… does that mean you'll have to watch all of us grow old and pass away someday?"
The question hung heavy in the air, and even Goku's cheerful expression softened into something more serious.
"We've thought about it," he admitted, looking down at his hands. "On our Earth, most of our friends are human too. Master Roshi lived to be over three hundred years old, but even he…" He trailed off, then shook his head slightly. "We try not to think about it too much. What matters is the time we have together now – making it count by helping people and protecting those we care about."
Vegeta crossed his arms more tightly, his voice gruff but not unkind. "That's why strength is so important. If we can make this world peaceful enough that future generations don't have to fight like we do, then even if we outlive everyone here, it will have been worth it."
Najenda nodded slowly, her mechanical hand resting on her chair as she leaned forward. "A noble goal – and one we share. Even if our lifespans are shorter, we're fighting for the same thing: a better future for those who come after us."
Then Mine, slowly recovering from learning Goku and Vegeta's ages, spoke up. "You said that you two use Ki, right? May I ask how strong Ki can be?"
Goku stroked his chin and said, "Oh, very strong – but it also depends on the person's power level." He addressed the whole group as he continued. "You see, Ki doesn't just give you flight, Ki blasts, and sensing abilities – it also boosts your combat stats to their maximum potential."
Bulat leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Combat stats? So it makes you faster, stronger, more durable – all of that?"
"Exactly!" Goku beamed, his serious expression giving way to his usual enthusiasm. "When you focus your Ki, every part of your body gets a boost. I've been able to punch through solid rock, move faster than the eye can follow, and even survive attacks that would turn a normal person to dust."
"Sounds like having a Teigu that works on your entire body," Mine commented, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Though I guess our Teigu are pretty different – some are made from Danger Beasts?"
Goku's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?!"
Bulat nodded and explained, "Yes. For example, Leone's Teigu – The King of Beasts Transformation: Lionelle – is a belt-shaped Teigu that transforms its wearer into a beast, instantly increasing their instincts, physical strength, and abilities. It also amplifies the wearer's perception and senses."
Goku's face lit up with excitement. "A transformation that makes you stronger and faster? That sounds amazing! I'd love to see it in action sometime – maybe we could even train together and compare techniques!"
Leone grinned widely, standing up and stretching her arms overhead. "You got it, Goku! Though fair warning – when I go full beast mode, I don't hold back!"
"Good!" Goku shot back, matching her grin. "I wouldn't want you to!"
Vegeta clicked his tongue, though his eyes were fixed on Bulat with growing interest. "So these 'Teigu' are weapons forged from powerful creatures? Not unlike how we might use the hide or bones of strong foes to craft armor or tools on some planets – though the transformation aspect is unique."
"Some are weapons, others are tools or armor," Bulat continued, gesturing as he spoke. "Each Teigu is one-of-a-kind – there were only forty-eight ever created, and many have been lost or destroyed over the years. Every member of Night Raid carries one – it's what makes us able to stand against the Empire's strongest soldiers."
He gestured to Akame next. "Akame wields Murasame – a sword that delivers an instant lethal poison with just one cut. There's no antidote, which is why she only uses it when there's no other choice."
Goku's expression grew serious as he looked at Akame. "That sounds… heavy. Having a weapon that can't be used lightly must be hard."
Akame nodded quietly. "It is. But it's necessary to protect the innocent from those who would harm them."
"And I have Pumpkin!" Mine chimed in, holding up her rifle. "It's a Teigu that lets me adjust the power and speed of my shots – I can even make them home in on targets or explode on impact. Plus it looks pretty cool, right?"
Goku leaned in to get a better look at the weapon. "It does look cool! Bulma would probably want to take it apart to see how the targeting system works."
"Don't even think about it," Mine said with a playful glare. "Pumpkin's mine, and I don't let anyone mess with her."
Lubbock spoke up next, twirling a length of wire between his fingers. "I've got Cross Tail – it's made from super-strong metal wires that can cut through almost anything, and I can control them with just my movements. Pretty handy for both fighting and getting into places I shouldn't be."
"Sounds useful," Vegeta admitted, though he still looked unimpressed. "Though I'd rather rely on my own strength than a tool."
Sheele smiled gently, adjusting her glasses as she held up a pair of large scissors. "Mine is Extase – it can cut through any material, but only if I know exactly what I'm cutting. It forces me to stay focused and think carefully before I act."
Finally, Bulat placed a hand on the armor at his shoulder. "And I have Incursio – a suit of armor that enhances my strength and speed, and can even turn me invisible for short periods. It's been passed down through several warriors before me, and soon it will be Tatsumi's to wield."
All eyes turned to Tatsumi, who stood firmly. "I… I still have a lot to learn before I'm ready for something like that," he said modestly.
"Nonsense," Bulat said firmly, clapping him on the shoulder. "With Goku and Vegeta helping you train, and with the rest of us teaching you what we know about Teigu, you'll be ready in no time."
Then Lubbock asked, "So how strong is Ki when it comes to destructive power?" He directed the question toward Goku and Vegeta.
Goku scratched his head, but Vegeta answered first. "A single Ki blast can level an entire city… but our current most powerful blasts could wipe out an entire continent."
The room fell silent as everyone processed the scale of power Vegeta had just described. Even Najenda shifted in her chair, her usual calm demeanor giving way to a look of sober realization.
"A… continent?" Mine whispered, her grip on Pumpkin tightening slightly. "That's… impossible to even imagine."
Tatsumi stared wide-eyed, his mind racing to picture what such force would look like. "How could anyone control that kind of power without destroying everything around them?"
Goku nodded thoughtfully, stepping forward to explain. "That's the thing – it's not just about how strong your Ki is. It's about knowing how to focus it, how to control it. We train for years to make sure we only use as much power as we need for the situation. You don't use a continent-destroying blast to fight a single opponent – that'd be a waste, and you'd hurt innocent people too."
Vegeta clicked his tongue in agreement. "Precision is just as important as raw strength. Even the most powerful attack is useless if you can't hit your target – or if you hit everything but your target."
Akame looked up from where she'd been studying her sword, her red eyes serious. "So you have to be careful not just with how much power you use, but when and where you use it."
"Exactly!" Goku beamed. "That's why training is so important. Vegeta and I spend hours every day practicing control – even when we're not fighting, we're working on focusing our Ki to be as precise as possible."
Goku continued, "But it's not really that shocking in our world. It might be shocking to you, but to us, once a human possesses Ki, they can literally blow up mountains." He scratched his head as he spoke. "I even remember back when Master Roshi destroyed the moon – not to show off his power, but to prevent me from transforming into a Great Ape. Hehe…"
Sheele's eyes went even wider behind her glasses. "You… you could turn into a giant ape?"
"Yeah!" Goku laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "All Saiyans can, when we look at a full moon. We get huge and super strong, but we lose control of ourselves. That's why Master Roshi had to destroy it – I almost hurt my friends."
Vegeta crossed his arms, his expression darkening slightly. "It's a primitive transformation we've mostly outgrown. We've learned to draw strength without losing our minds." He paused before adding, "But unlike Kakarot, I've had full control over my Great Ape transformation since I was five years old."
The group stared at Vegeta in awe – even Leone looked impressed, her earlier teasing smile replaced by genuine respect.
"Five years old… and you could control something that powerful?" Tatsumi breathed. "I can barely handle a sword without getting clumsy sometimes."
Vegeta let out a short grunt, though there was a hint of pride in his voice. "Saiyan royalty are trained differently. We're prepared for combat from the moment we can walk – it's in our blood." He said this with a proud smile. "But the real thing is, I'm a born prodigy. I surpassed everyone my age – especially adult Saiyans. By the time I was five, I was already stronger than my father, the King of all Saiyans. Though I don't even know if Kakarot has full control over his Great Ape."
Goku scratched his head thoughtfully. "Hmm… full control? I'm not sure. After Master Roshi destroyed the moon, I didn't get to try transforming again for a long time. By the time we found another way to do it, my tail had been cut off so Kami could bring back the moon."
Vegeta clicked his tongue in disapproval. "Typical Kakarot – always taking the slow way around things. I mastered it as a child; you're still figuring it out now."
"Hey, better late than never!" Goku shot back with a grin. "Besides, I'd rather take my time and do it right than rush and hurt someone by accident."
Akame nodded in understanding. "That makes sense. Even with Murasame, I had to spend years learning to control not just my movements, but my judgment – knowing when to use its full power and when to hold back."
Lubbock scratched his head, shaking it in amazement with an awkward expression on his face. "Giant apes, continent-destroying blasts, training from birth, Super Saiyans… you guys really are from another world entirely. Is there anything you Saiyans can't do?"
Goku laughed heartily at the question, while Vegeta let out a sharp snort. "Can't do?" Goku said, rubbing his stomach. "Well… I still can't figure out how to cook as well as Chi-Chi does. No matter how hard I try, my food always ends up either burnt or way too spicy!"
"Hmph... Cooking isn't a skill for warriors," Vegeta scoffed, though his gaze drifted toward the corner of the room where Night Raid's small kitchen sat. "Though I'll admit… Bulma's meals are far better than anything I could prepare myself. Not that I'd ever tell her that."
Leone perked up at the mention of food. "Cooking, huh? That's something even I can do better than you two! Maybe I'll have to make you some of my famous wild game stew – really puts hair on your chest!"
Vegeta recoiled slightly. "I already have more than enough hair – and I have no intention of eating anything you've hunted in these woods."
"Hey, it's good!" Leone protested with a grin. "Though fair warning – I do tend to go a little heavy on the spices."
Goku's eyes lit up. "Spicy? I love spicy food! Though Chi-Chi says I eat too much of it and give Gohan bad ideas."
As the conversation shifted to food, Leone leaned forward, her playful grin returning. "So the mighty Prince Vegeta can cook but can't handle someone slinging an arm around his shoulders? That's pretty cute!"
"Watch it, woman," Vegeta growled, though his cheeks were faintly pink again. "Cooking is a practical skill for a warrior – knowing how to sustain yourself is just as important as knowing how to fight."
Najenda cleared her throat gently, bringing the conversation back to focus. "As fascinating as all this is, we should probably get some rest. Tomorrow we begin both the search for more crystals and Tatsumi's training – and I imagine Goku and Vegeta will have their work cut out for them teaching someone who's never even heard of Ki before."
She cleared her throat again, adding, "Thank you, Goku and Vegeta, for sharing your stories with us. We really appreciate it."
Goku scratched his head and said, "Oh, it's nothing – it's the least we can do." He spoke to Najenda, while Vegeta only folded his arms.
Then Najenda turned to Tatsumi and asked, "So have you finally made up your mind about joining us, young man?"
Tatsumi straightened his back, his expression no longer uncertain but filled with quiet resolve. "Yes, ma'am. After everything I've heard tonight – about what you're fighting for, and about what Goku and Vegeta have been through – I know this is where I need to be."
He looked around at each member of Night Raid, his gaze steady. "My friends died because the Empire doesn't care about people like us. I thought I could make a difference by joining the military, but I now see that real change comes from standing up to corruption directly. I want to help you end this – and I want to become strong enough to protect others, not just myself."
Najenda nodded approvingly, a small smile touching her lips. "Welcome to Night Raid, Tatsumi. We'll do everything we can to help you grow into the warrior you want to be," she said to him. "That's all for tonight."
Goku gave Tatsumi a thumbs-up and said, "Way to go, Tatsumi!" He wore a big grin. Vegeta remained silent, but a slight smirk appeared on his lips.
Najenda continued, "Akame, you'll become Tatsumi's instructor," she said to Akame – which surprised Tatsumi. "You can kill him if he holds back."
Akame nodded and said, "I got it," her expression stoic.
Tatsumi, his face terrified, thought to himself: You really agreed to that?
Leone walked over to Tatsumi and placed a hand on his shoulder, surprising him. "That's the spirit! Just wait – with Akame as your instructor, and Goku and Vegeta training you, you'll be taking down Imperial soldiers left and right in no time!" She grinned widely. "All the best! Don't get killed."
Tatsumi glanced at Akame with an awkward expression, thinking to himself: "I'm going to team up with her?" Akame's face remained stoic as she met his gaze.
Then, before they were about to leave, Vegeta glanced at Najenda and said, "Now that you know all of our capabilities, I have one question for you. Would you like me and Kakarot to go to the capital and kill the Prime Minister – since that is your true target?"
Najenda's expression remained calm, but her mechanical hand tightened slightly on the arm of her chair as she considered Vegeta's question. After a long moment, she shook her head slowly.
"Thank you for the offer – it's tempting, I won't lie," she said, her voice steady and clear. "With your power, you could likely reach the capital and eliminate him before the Empire even knew what was happening. But that's not the answer we need."
Vegeta raised an eyebrow, his smirk fading into a look of confusion. "And why not? Remove the head of the snake, and the body will crumble."
"Will it?" Najenda countered, leaning forward slightly. "The Prime Minister is corrupt, yes – but he's not the only one. The entire system has rotted from within. If we kill him tomorrow, the Empire will simply replace him with someone else just as bad – maybe even worse. The people won't be free; they'll just be under a new tyrant."
Goku nodded thoughtfully, having been listening closely. "She's right, Vegeta. We learned that on our world too – remember, when Frieza died, the Frieza Force was still active... Defeating one bad guy isn't enough if you don't fix what let them take power in the first place."
Goku clapped a hand on Vegeta's shoulder, making him flinch slightly before relaxing. "I think it makes sense. Besides, if we just go in and take out the Prime Minister, we'd miss out on helping Tatsumi train – and getting to know all of you better too!" He grinned warmly at the Night Raid members.
Leone laughed, slinging an arm around Goku's shoulders – something she'd learned he didn't mind like Vegeta did. "That's the spirit! Plus, you two still need to help us find more of those interdimensional crystals – who knows what other secrets they hold?"
Vegeta let out a short huff but didn't argue. "Fine. But when the time comes to strike at the heart of the Empire, don't expect me to hold back. The Prince of Saiyans doesn't do anything halfway."
Leone removed her arm from Goku and smiled teasingly at Vegeta. "My, my, Vegeta – you're acting so grumpy, but deep down you care about us, especially me, my cute short king..." She said flirtatiously.
Vegeta's face flushed bright red as he jerked away from Leone's gaze, crossing his arms so tightly his muscles bulged. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he snapped, though he couldn't quite meet anyone's eyes. "And don't call me that – I'm not short, you're just unnaturally tall!"
Leone burst out laughing, doubling over as she clutched her sides. "Oh, that's even better! Getting defensive now too – you're absolutely adorable when you're flustered!"
"Adorable?!" Vegeta sputtered. "I am the Prince of all Saiyans – I am not adorable! You imbecile of a woman..."
Leone giggled and said, "What's bad about that? You said yourself that you're the Prince of the Saiyans, remember? So I decided I'm gonna call you 'Short King'..." She said teasingly.
Vegeta's face turned a bit red, but before he could respond, Goku chuckled, watching the exchange with amusement. "Come on, Vegeta – it's okay to admit you like having friends around. I think it's great!"
Vegeta glared at Goku and shouted, "Shut up, Kakarot!" This made Goku cover his face as he continued to chuckle.
After a moment, Goku lowered his hands, still smiling warmly. "Alright, alright – I'll be quiet!" he said, holding up his hands in surrender. "But you know I'm right!"
Vegeta clicked his tongue and turned away, though the faint red tinge still lingered on his cheeks. "Whatever. I'm out of here..." With that, he strode out of the meeting hall, his posture as proud as ever despite the earlier teasing.
Leone wiped tears of laughter from her eyes as she watched him go. "I could get used to having you two around," she said, grinning at Goku. "You bring some real life to this place."
Goku scratched the back of his head and smiled. "We're happy to be here! Besides, it feels good to help out somewhere new – and Tatsumi seems like he's got what it takes to be a great warrior."
Najenda stood up, straightening her uniform as she prepared to leave. "Well then, let's all get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day – for all of us."
As the others began to disperse and head toward their quarters, Akame and Goku walked side by side. "Thank you," she said simply, her red eyes meeting his. "For not just solving our problems with force. You could have easily taken over, but you're letting us fight our own battle." She spoke as they reached her quarters.
Goku scratched his head and smiled. "Hey, you guys have been fighting this fight long before we got here. We're just here to help however we can – not to take over. Besides, you've already taught us a lot too. Hehehe..."
Akame's lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile as she suddenly hugged Goku, burying her face in his gi against his muscular chest – which surprised him. Goku looked down, a small smile forming on his lips as he returned the embrace. When Goku had met her and Kurome during their dark times at the academy, he'd always brought light into their lives. The more time he spent with them as they grew up, the more both sisters began to develop feelings for him – an affection that had grown into love. Akame's heart skipped a beat as she slowly ran her hands down Goku's back, her touch carrying a quiet desire and longing that surprised him further.
Goku looked down at Akame and said, "Is there something wrong, Akame?" He wore a thoughtful expression on his face.
Akame pulled back slightly, her red eyes still locked on Goku's face as she slowly shook her head. "No… nothing's wrong," she said softly, though her fingers lingered on his gi for a moment longer before she stepped away. "I just… missed you. After you disappeared all those years ago, Kurome and I thought we'd never see you again."
Goku's expression softened with understanding. "I know – I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye back then. When the crystal took me away, I didn't even get a chance to explain to you two what was happening." He paused, then added with a gentle smile, "But I'm glad we found each other again. You've both grown into amazing people."
A shadow of sadness crossed Akame's face at the mention of her sister. "Kurome… she's with the Empire now. She's part of the Jaegers – their elite assassination unit."
Goku's brow furrowed with concern. "I heard about them earlier. Is there any way to bring her back to your side?"
"I don't know," Akame admitted quietly, her gaze falling to the floor. "She's been through so much… the Empire twisted her mind with drugs and manipulation. But when we were kids, you always said that no one was beyond saving. That's what I keep telling myself – that somewhere inside her, the sister I knew is still there."
Goku's eyes widened as he heard that Kurome had been manipulated and drugged by the Empire. His expression turned to anger as he clenched his fist. At first, he had wanted to help the Empire change for the better, but now that he knew what had happened to Kurome, he was motivated to stop them – not just reason with them.
Akame noticed Goku's angry expression and spoke up. "What's wrong, Goku?" She said with a worried look on her face.
Goku's expression softened, and he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Then we'll find a way to reach her. I know it won't be easy, but we'll do whatever we can to bring her home. You and Kurome both mean a lot to me – you were like family even before I met Chi-Chi and Gohan." He said with a determined expression. "I promise you, I will not let you two kill each other. I will find a way."
Akame looked up at him again, and this time her smile was a little brighter, more genuine. "Thank you, Goku. That means more than you know." She took a small step back, straightening her posture. "But we should both get some rest now. Tomorrow you'll be starting Tatsumi's training – and I have a feeling he's going to need all the help he can get."
"Yeah, you're right!" Goku grinned, his usual cheerful demeanor returning. "I can't wait to teach him about the Turtle Hermit way – once he gets the hang of it, he'll be surprised at how strong he can become. And who knows – maybe training him will help me and Vegeta figure out more about how this world works too."
As they turned to head to their respective quarters, Akame called out softly behind him. "Goku?"
Goku turned back to look at her, giving her a big smile. "Yeah?"
Akame continued, "Promise me you'll be careful tomorrow. And… promise me you won't disappear again."
Goku's smile grew warm and steady. "I promise. We're not going anywhere until we've helped you put an end to the Empire's corruption – and until we bring Kurome back to you." He said, giving a thumbs-up. Akame smiled warmly in return.
With that, they went their separate ways, each carrying the quiet hope that tomorrow would bring them one step closer to their goals. As Akame entered her room, she leaned against the door, her heart beating so fast. It had been so long since her heart had beaten like this – not since the days when she, Kurome, and Goku were still together. She slowly placed her hand over her chest, trying to calm her racing heart.
Meanwhile, as Goku entered his quarters – which had two bedrooms – Vegeta sat on the edge of his bed, slowly removing the white glove from his right hand. He and Vegeta shared the room; Goku walked toward his bed, jumped onto it, and lay down, his legs and arms spread across the mattress.
Lying on the bed, Goku said, "Man, what a day… so many things have happened to us here, right Vegeta?"
Vegeta didn't look up from pulling off his other glove, tossing it onto the bedside table with a soft thud. "Hmph. 'Many things' is an understatement, Kakarot. We've stumbled into a war we didn't ask for – and now we're playing babysitter to a bunch of rebels and a greenhorn kid who thinks he can change the world with a sword."
But even as he spoke, there was no real bite to his words. Goku could tell – after all these years of fighting side by side, he knew when Vegeta was just putting on his usual tough front.
"Hey, Tatsumi's got heart!" Goku said, propping himself up on one elbow. "You saw how he stood up there – ready to fight even though he knows how dangerous it'll be. Reminds me a little of us when we first met, doesn't it?"
Vegeta scoffed and said, "Hmph… do not be mistaken. I'm not interested in teaching that brat – I don't find him worthy as a student." He said coldly as he slowly put his left glove back on.
Goku grinned, already knowing Vegeta's words didn't match his true feelings. "Sure, sure – you keep telling yourself that. But I noticed how you were watching him during the meeting. You were sizing him up, weren't you?"
Vegeta finally looked up, his dark eyes narrowing slightly. "I was evaluating his potential – there's a difference, fool. Anyone can have 'heart,' but strength takes more than just guts." He stood up, stretching his shoulders as he glanced toward the window. The moon was bright in the night sky, casting a silver glow across the room.
"Besides," Vegeta added, his voice a bit quieter, "the boy's got enemies already hunting him. If he's going to survive this war, he'll need more than just a sharp blade." Then he noticed Goku was quiet, so he turned toward him and said, "What's wrong? You seem quiet."
Goku sat up fully now, his expression growing serious. "I was just thinking about our friends and family back in our world..."
Goku grinned, already knowing Vegeta's words didn't match his true feelings. "Sure, sure – you keep telling yourself that. But I noticed how you were watching him during the meeting. You were sizing him up, weren't you?"
Vegeta finally looked up, his dark eyes narrowing slightly. "I was evaluating his potential – there's a difference, fool. Anyone can have 'heart,' but strength takes more than just guts." He stood up, stretching his shoulders as he glanced toward the window. The moon was bright in the night sky, casting a silver glow across the room.
"Besides," Vegeta added, his voice a bit quieter, "the boy's got enemies already hunting him. If he's going to survive this war, he'll need more than just a sharp blade." Then he noticed Goku was quiet, so he turned toward him and said, "What's wrong? You seem quiet."
Goku sat up fully now, his expression growing serious. "I was just thinking about our friends and family back in our world..."
Vegeta paused, his gaze softening just slightly as he leaned against the windowsill. "Hmph. So you're thinking about Bulma and Trunks…"
Goku nodded, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah. And Chi-Chi, Gohan, Goten too. Even Master Roshi and Krillin. We didn't exactly plan on being pulled away like this – they must be wondering where we went."
Vegeta paused, his gaze softening just for a moment as he looked at his friend. "Hmph. Of course you'd be thinking about them now." He moved to sit back on his bed, folding his arms across his chest. "Bulma's probably already tearing apart the Capsule Corporation labs trying to figure out how to bring us home. And Trunks… he'll be training twice as hard until we return."
Goku nodded slowly, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah. Chi-Chi's definitely worried sick – and Gohan and Goten will be asking when we're coming back to continue their training. Even Piccolo must be wondering what took us so long." He let out a small sigh, but then his face brightened a little. "But you know what? I think they'd understand why we have to stay here for a while."
"Bulma's probably already working on a way to bring us back," Vegeta said, a hint of pride in his voice. "She's always been the smart one. But until then…" He glanced out at the moon again, his jaw tightening. "We can't just leave these people to fend for themselves. Not after what we learned about the Empire – and about Kurome."
Goku stood up and walked over to join him at the window, looking out at the quiet streets of the rebel base below. "You know, when we first got here, I just thought we'd help out a little and then head home. But now… it feels like we're supposed to be here. Like maybe this is why the crystal brought us through."
"Supposed to be here?" Vegeta scoffed, but there was warmth in his tone this time. "Don't start with that destiny nonsense, Kakarot. We're here because of some freak interdimensional accident – nothing more."
Goku chuckled softly, leaning his forearms on the windowsill. "Whatever you say, Vegeta. But even you can't deny that things have a way of working out when they need to." He yawned, then turned around and said, "Alright, see you tomorrow, Vegeta." As he walked toward his bed.
Vegeta grunted in response, not looking away from the moon. "Hmph. Just make sure you don't oversleep and make me wait for training tomorrow. That boy Tatsumi will need all the discipline you can't seem to muster."
"Hey, I'm always on time for training!" Goku called back as he settled onto his bed, pulling the blanket up to his chest. Within moments, soft snores filled the room – he'd fallen asleep almost instantly, as he always did after a long day.
Vegeta shook his head with a small, almost imperceptible smile. After a few more minutes staring out at the night sky, he turned off the lamp and lay down himself, though sleep didn't come as easily. His mind was racing – thinking about Trunks, about Bulma, about the Empire's cruelty, and about the raw potential he'd seen in Tatsumi.
To be continued.