NOVEL WEB Chapter 3: CHAPTER 3
c3: The Only Shortcoming of the Saiyans
The vast universe. The endless sea of stars.
A massive command-class spaceship hovered ominously near the outer orbit of Planet Vegeta, its hull reflecting the red glow of the planet's atmosphere.
Inside the ship's command chamber, Frieza reclined in his hoverpod, a crystal wine glass in hand, calmly savoring a fine red vintage something imported from a luxury planet in Sector 76. The red liquid swirled lazily as he smirked.
"Lord Frieza," rumbled Dodoria, stepping forward, armor gleaming under the chamber lights. "More and more Saiyans are returning to Planet Vegeta. Aside from a few who were deployed to distant systems, most have already made it back."
"Oh hohoho…" Frieza's lips curled into an eerie smile. His narrow, reptilian eyes flickered with amusement. "Excellent. I do love a good gathering. And when the monkeys gather, well... the fireworks are all the more spectacular."
He took another sip.
"At this rate," Dodoria continued, "it's estimated that in about four months, nearly every Saiyan will have returned to Planet Vegeta."
"Four months, then. How delightful." Frieza chuckled softly, the glass tilting in his hand. "Let's make sure the celebration ends with a bang the kind that leaves no trace of the audience behind."
"Yes, Lord Frieza." Dodoria bowed deeply, expressionless behind his tinted scouter lens. "But if I may… this legend of the Super Saiyan or the Super Saiyan God it's just myth among the Saiyans. Nothing substantial."
"Of course it is," Frieza said, voice tightening. "A silly fairy tale about a golden warrior who surpasses all. However..." He paused, setting the glass down. "Even a fairy tale can breed hope. And hope is... unacceptable."
Dodoria said nothing.
"The Saiyans are arrogant vermin," Frieza said, eyes narrowing, "drunk on their strength. It's only a matter of time before they challenge me. Best to exterminate the garden before the weeds grow too tall."
At that moment, a sleek, green-armored officer stepped forward Sabo, Frieza's reconnaissance commander. Though not quite as strong as Zarbon, he carried a calm demeanor and sharp strategic mind.
"Reporting, Lord Frieza," Sabo said. "Two small attack pods have just launched from Planet Vegeta. They're heading in opposite directions."
Frieza's brow twitched. "Hmm? Who dares leave the planet during this critical period? Didn't I command that all Saiyans remain grounded?"
"Yes, Lord Frieza. However..." Sabo checked his scouter, then continued, "The oldest Saiyan aboard either pod is only around ten years old. Most of the passengers are pre-teens five or six years old at most."
Frieza exhaled softly.
"Ah… a few little monkeys slipping through the bars of their cage. Likely training missions. How quaint."
"It seems so," Sabo nodded. "One of the pods is registered to Prince Vegeta himself. The other holds a young elite-class Saiyan named Lu Fan his assigned sparring partner."
Frieza's eyes gleamed for a moment.
"Vegeta and Lu Fan... yes, I recall them well. Both were said to possess immense latent potential for their age."
"That's correct, Lord Frieza," Sabo confirmed.
Dodoria stepped in. "But Lord Frieza, there's a twist. Lu Fan's power spiked unusually early. When he was four, his combat power exceeded 10,000. That's more than most mid-tier generals."
Frieza's expression darkened slightly.
"Indeed? That's an alarming growth curve..."
Dodoria nodded. "Yes. If his growth had continued at that rate, he might've posed a real threat. But according to recent reports, his strength has started to collapse. His combat power dropped to 1,000 not long ago some now say it's fallen to 200."
Frieza stroked his chin with a clawed finger.
"Hmm... A malfunction in his training regimen? Or perhaps his genetics plateaued. Either way, it removes a potential problem."
"Shall we verify his current power?" Sabo asked.
Frieza gestured lazily. "Why not? Indulge me."
"Yes, Lord Frieza." Sabo turned toward a subordinate manning the scouter-linked data console. "Run an active scan. Pull combat data on both pods. I want real-time numbers for Vegeta and Lu Fan."
"Acknowledged!" the subordinate snapped, fingers flying across the interface.
Several graphs and numeric readouts flickered to life on the transparent projection screen. Combat signatures streamed in from the Scouter Network, bouncing off satellite buoys near the system's edge.
The data would be ready in moments.
Frieza leaned back, a curious smile stretching across his pale, sleek face.
"Let's see whether the monkey prince and his little shadow are worth keeping an eye on…"
"What? Only 200? This little monkey Lu Fan is completely useless!" Sabo scowled at the reading on his scouter, his expression darkening. "To think a prodigy would fall this far... it's pathetic."
"His combat power dropped back to 200 again?" Dodoria said with disdain, arms crossed. "Tch... That little elite was once the pride of their youth corps. Now he's just a footnote. I bet the psychological damage from his decline is what's eating away at him."
"Check the prince," Sabo commanded, turning to the technician by the main console. "What's Vegeta's current power level?"
"Reporting, Lord Sabo!" the subordinate barked, fingers flying across the keys. "Prince Vegeta's power level has reached... 15,000!"
"Fifteen thousand?! At just five years old?!" Dodoria's jaw dropped, nearly crushing the scouter clamped to his face. "That brat's already surpassed some elite-class soldiers!"
"Incredible..." Sabo's voice was unusually tense as cold sweat formed along his brow. "No wonder they say he was born with the battle instincts of a high-ranking warrior. If we let him continue growing unchecked..."
"Lord Frieza," Dodoria spoke carefully, his voice unusually hesitant, "shall we intercept and destroy them now?"
Frieza, floating silently in his hoverpod, tapped the rim of his wine glass and stared out toward the stars. His face was unreadable.
After a pause, he spoke softly, yet decisively.
"No. Let them go."
Both Dodoria and Sabo blinked in surprise.
"If we kill their young prince now," Frieza said coolly, "it will cause unrest among the other Saiyans.especially those not yet returned from planetary missions. The monkeys may sense betrayal and scatter like vermin before I can cage them all."
He sipped his wine. "Let them have their little escape. After all... he's just 15,000. Between the two of you, he could be dealt with easily if need be."
"Yes, Lord Frieza!" both Sabo and Dodoria responded in unison, bowing respectfully.
"Still..." Frieza narrowed his eyes. "I want his every move monitored. When Planet Vegeta is reduced to ash, and if that little monkey's power continues to climb beyond expectations..." Frieza grinned coldly. "...dispose of him as well."
"As expected of Lord Frieza. Your foresight is unmatched."
The two bowed again, masks of loyal devotion concealing flickers of unease.
Suddenly
"Whirr—BOOM!"
Another alert lit up the console, and a new spherical Saiyan pod zipped across the starfield, heading in a direction distinct from Vegeta and Lu Fan's route.
"Lord Frieza, another Saiyan has departed from Planet Vegeta!" the subordinate shouted. "The pod contains a Saiyan child estimated age: around three years old. His combat power..."
The soldier trailed off awkwardly.
"...Only 2."
Silence.
Then Frieza broke into a wide, amused grin.
"Power level of 2, you say?" His voice lilted with mock pity. "Let him go. He's no warrior—just some forgotten low-class infant. Probably trash even among trash."
He waved his hand lazily. "Not even worth the effort of vaporizing."
---
"Fwwwoooosh!"
Lu Fan's spacecraft surged across the starry void, leaving a glowing gold trail through the vastness of space.
After more than two hours of silent travel, a faint groan stirred from the back of the ship.
"Nngh..."
Vegeta's eyelids fluttered open. His sharp eyes quickly scanned the interior. "This... is a Saiyan pod?" he muttered groggily until his gaze locked on Lu Fan at the controls.
"You're finally awake, Vegeta." Lu Fan looked over with a smirk.
"Tch. You dare sneak attack me, Lu Fan?!" Vegeta's face darkened, fists clenching.
"You were asking too many questions." Lu Fan shrugged. "There was no time to argue. So I knocked you out and dragged you off."
"You bastard!" Vegeta's ki flared briefly as he raised a fist, but—
"Calm down!" Lu Fan snapped, waving one hand. "Do you really want to blast apart the pod and die out here in space? Because I sure don't."
Vegeta froze.
He looked around again, realizing the danger. "Hmph..." He growled but slowly lowered his fist.
This guy won't get away with this. Once we land, I'll crush him...
Still, Vegeta knew Lu Fan was right. One misstep and they'd both be space dust.
"This..." Lu Fan muttered as he stared at the stars ahead, "This is probably the only real weakness of us Saiyans."
Vegeta blinked.
"No matter how strong we are... we're helpless in the vacuum of space without a ship. One broken pod, and it's over."
Vegeta didn't reply.but deep down, he understood.
Pride could take you far, but even the mightiest Saiyan couldn't breathe in a void.
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