The Namekian Arc

Chapter 1: The Beginning

The peaceful morning sun shone down on Goku’s small home in the mountains. Chi-Chi was busy preparing breakfast, the aroma of frying fish wafting through the air. Young Gohan, all of four years old, was happily playing in the yard, chasing butterflies and giggling.

Suddenly, a shadow fell over the house. Goku looked up, his playful expression turning serious. A strange spacecraft, unlike anything he had ever seen, descended from the sky and hovered menacingly over their home. With a low hum that vibrated through the very ground, it then slowly lowered itself, landing with a soft thud in the clearing nearby. A figure emerged from the ship, a tall, imposing man with long, spiky black hair and a stern expression. He wore unfamiliar armor and had a strange device attached to his ear.

The unknown man scanned the area with his scouter, his eyes landing on Goku. “Kakarot,” he said, his voice cold and demanding. “So, you are alive after all.”

Goku stared at the newcomer, a sense of unease washing over him. “Who... who are you?” he asked, a hint of suspicion in his voice.

The man scoffed, a look of disdain crossing his face. “Have you truly forgotten your own brother, Kakarot? I am Raditz, and I have come a long way to find you.”

Chi-Chi, hearing the commotion, rushed out of the house, Gohan clinging to her leg. She looked at Raditz with apprehension. “Brother? Goku doesn’t have a brother!”

Raditz turned his attention to Chi-Chi, his gaze dismissive. “Silence, woman. This is family business.” He then focused back on Goku. “It’s time you remembered who you truly are, Kakarot. You are a Saiyan, a proud warrior race from Planet Vegeta. I have been tasked with coming to this planet to see if you was still alive and if you have completed your mission.” Raditz then briefly glanced around, taking in the serene landscape. This planet... it doesn’t look conquered at all, he thought to himself, a hint of annoyance flickering in his eyes. He then looked back at Goku, his expression hardening. “And if you were alive and the mission was complete, I was then supposed to bring you back with me.”

Goku’s eyes widened in disbelief. Saiyan? Planet Vegeta? This was all too much to take in. “Mission? What mission was I supposed to complete?”

Raditz continued, ignoring Goku’s question, his tone impatient. “Our homeworld is no more, and our race is on the verge of extinction. We have been conquering planets for Frieza’s empire, and we could use your help in doing so, even though you are not as strong as I had hoped for.”

Gohan, curious despite the tense atmosphere, took a step closer to Raditz. Raditz glanced at the young boy, his scouter briefly registering Gohan’s surprisingly high power level. His eyes widened slightly in surprise.

“And who is this brat?” Raditz asked, his tone still harsh but with a hint of curiosity.