After retrieving the shattered scouter from Vegeta, Raditz gave it to Bulma, who repaired it in no time.
Though Frieza Force scouters couldn't intercept classified high-level transmissions, they were still good for eavesdropping on the chatter between ordinary soldiers and collecting energy data from scans.
Through fragments of casual conversation, Bulma pieced together some intel and confirmed: Frieza's forces were already en route to Planet Namek. Fortunately, they still had a time advantage.
So the group decided to depart in a few days.
During that brief period, Prince Vegeta all but disappeared—locking himself away with Raditz in the gravity chamber.
The intense gravity training paid off. Each day, he could visibly feel his power growing. His confidence returned with every jump in power level.
And today, finally—
The day to "crash into Frieza" had arrived.
To prevent another Turles-like situation from threatening Earth, Raditz volunteered to stay behind.
Not that he admitted it, of course.
Truth was, aside from Frieza himself, Raditz could now handle most threats. The Turles incident was just an outlier.
And if someone strong enough to rival Frieza did invade Earth—well, staying wouldn't matter much anyway.
Still, let's be honest: the real reason Raditz stayed was simple.
He didn't want to die.
Nobody said it out loud—but everyone understood.
One more fighter wouldn't make a difference.
After packing supplies, the crew boarded the spaceship and set off for Namek.
Once the ship entered stable orbit and settled into cruise mode, Bulma finally stepped away from the cockpit.
"Alright, everyone! We'll be arriving at Namek in seven days," she announced with a grin.
"This ship's loaded with amenities—bathrooms, chefs, dining halls, arcade rooms, and even a movie theater with surround sound and every kind of entertainment."
"So… no training for a few days. Just relax!"
Everyone cheered.
Krillin's eyes lit up.
"A movie theater? Seriously? What kind of movies you got?"
Bulma tugged Goku's arm.
"I downloaded a bunch of new ones before we left. Come on, Goku, let's go watch something together!"
Seeing the two of them cozying up, Krillin rubbed his bald head and sighed.
"Yeah… I suddenly don't feel like watching movies anymore. You two go ahead. I'll hit the arcade instead."
Yamcha clapped his hands.
"Nice! I'm in!"
Chi-Chi smiled at Bulma and Goku.
"You two go enjoy yourselves. Want me to get you something to eat or drink?"
Bulma replied, "Coffee would be great!"
Goku thought for a second.
"I'm not hungry right now… but make sure dinner's ready early. I want dumplings tonight."
Chi-Chi's eyes sparkled.
"Perfect! I was thinking the same. I'll ask the chef to prepare them."
Then—
Just as everyone was relaxing, Vegeta walked in.
His tone was impatient.
"Hey, woman. What's the point of all this entertainment junk on the ship? Is there even a training chamber on board?"
Yamcha looked at him in shock.
"You still want to train? Dude, we're on our way there already. A few extra days of training won't change much."
Goku gently tapped Yamcha's shoulder and turned to Vegeta.
"Don't worry. A ship with this many comforts obviously has a gravity training room too. You don't have to relax if you don't want to."
"You're still new to this kind of training. Go ahead—it'll help your strength grow faster."
Vegeta relaxed slightly, clearly relieved. Without another word, he headed straight for the chamber.
Chi-Chi watched his back with mild irritation.
"Seriously? Always acting like the world owes him something."
"Well… maybe even princes have stress," Krillin shrugged.
Yamcha chuckled.
"Nah. He's just bitter because he came to Earth and realized he's the weakest one here."
"Shh! Don't say that out loud," Tien warned. "If he hears, he'll blow a fuse…"
The rest of the group spent the journey relaxing and gaming while Vegeta stayed in the gravity room—pushing himself relentlessly.
Seven Days Later
"We're about to arrive on Planet Namek!"
"Strap in! Reentry is going to be bumpy!"
Everyone took their seats and fastened their belts.
Bulma returned to the cockpit with Goku beside her.
As she adjusted the controls, she scanned the terrain below.
"Let's see… where's a good place to land?"
Goku nodded.
"If we can, let's land near a Dragon Ball."
Bulma agreed.
"Right—check the radar."
Goku pulled out the Dragon Radar and tapped a few buttons.
"There—just 3,000 kilometers ahead, near the front-left quadrant. Let's head there."
"Got it. You go tell the others."
After a brief turbulence-filled descent, the ship touched down hard on Namek.
Bulma wiped her forehead.
"I guess I focused too much on comfort features and not enough on adjusting landing parameters… That was rough."
"Alright, we're here! Everyone off!"
She and Goku opened the hatch, stepping out into the warm green skies of Namek.
The others followed.
The scenery was beautiful—clear skies, emerald waters, pure air.
Chi-Chi took a deep breath.
"Wow… incredible. We really made it!"
Krillin glanced around.
"My first interplanetary trip… This place is huge. Feels kinda like Earth, honestly."
Tien nodded.
"Cleaner though—no pollution at all."
Chi-Chi tilted her head.
"Seems primitive. No buildings, no farmland."
Vegeta scoffed.
"Peasants."
Chi-Chi snapped.
"Who're you calling a peasant?! Not knowing this stuff is normal!"
Vegeta snorted.
"Namekians don't eat. They live off water and sunlight. That's why they don't farm."
Everyone blinked.
"…Huh. That makes sense."
Krillin scanned the area.
"I don't feel any major powers. Maybe Frieza's not here yet?"
Goku agreed.
"Same here. I don't sense his Ki. Looks like we beat him."
Bulma nodded.
"Great! Let's start collecting the Dragon Balls!"
"Goku, go put the ship away. We'll head for the closest one."
"Got it! You guys go ahead—I'll catch up."
Soon, the group arrived at a small Namekian village.
About a dozen Namekians stood staring at them in curiosity. The feeling was mutual.
Krillin whispered,
"They look just like Piccolo… But way friendlier."
Goku nodded.
"Yeah. They all seem pretty gentle."
A village elder stepped forward.
"Who are you people?"
Bulma stepped forward and introduced herself.
"Hello, we're from Earth. I'm Bulma. We came to Planet Namek to collect the Dragon Balls."
"We'd like to know what the process is."
The elder frowned.
"You know about the Dragon Balls?"
Bulma explained.
"One of your people lives on Earth—he became our Guardian and created Dragon Balls there. But he was killed by an invader, and the Earth's Dragon Balls turned to stone."
"That's why we came to his homeworld—to find your seven Dragon Balls and bring him back."
The elder's eyes widened.
"I see… I had no idea there were other Namekians on distant planets."
Bulma bowed politely.
"So, may I ask—what are the requirements to gather the Dragon Balls?"
The elder's face grew apologetic.
"I'm sorry, but I can't give them to you directly. That's up to the Grand Elder. Even our own warriors must pass tests of strength and wisdom."
"It's not as simple as you think."
Everyone frowned.
"Tests? That sounds annoying…"
"Earth's system is way easier—you just gather all seven and wish."
The elder chuckled.
"Apologies. But if you wait, I'll go ask the Grand Elder."
Goku narrowed his eyes.
'Wait a second… Isn't the Grand Elder able to sense everything? Doesn't he know we're here?'
'Something's off.'
Bulma asked,
"How long would it take to ask?"
"Three days," the elder replied, holding up three fingers.
"THREE DAYS?!"
"That's way too slow!" Krillin groaned.
"Our village is far from the Grand Elder's. Just getting there takes over a day."
"Please understand."
Vegeta had enough.
He stormed forward, grabbed the elder by the collar, and snarled—
"Listen here, you old bastard. Hand over the Dragon Balls, or I'll wipe out your entire village!"
The elder froze, horrified.
So did the dozen Namekians behind him.