Krillin's designated village was also soon visited by a squad from the Frieza Force.
This time, the group was led by Cui.
The soldiers rounded up the villagers with aggression.
"Hurry up! Get out here if you don't want to die!"
Moments later, five Namekians were herded before them—three adults, two children.
"Step forward! And stay quiet!"
One of the soldiers saluted. "Reporting, Lord Cui. This village has only five residents!"
Cui's brow furrowed. "Only five? That can't be right.
My scouter picked up ten life forms. Where are the rest?"
The village elder stepped forward, drenched in cold sweat.
"The young adults are out working. Only the old and young are here."
Cui smiled.
"Cooperative, huh? Good. Then maybe you won't have to suffer."
He smirked. "Enough chit-chat. Bring me your Dragon Ball."
The elder flinched. "We don't have one."
Cui's eyes gleamed. "Oh, come now.
I know all about your little traditions. The Dragon Balls are held by seven elders across the planet, and only those who pass the trials of wisdom and strength can obtain them.
The last village told us everything…
Right before we wiped them out."
The villagers' faces drained of color.
Cui's voice darkened.
"So? Shall I wait here and kill your precious young men when they return,
or will you spare them by handing over the Dragon Ball now?"
The Namekians said nothing.
Cui's smile widened.
"I'm losing patience."
He turned his gaze toward the trembling children.
"Perhaps… if I kill the kids, the adults will be more reasonable?"
The elder stepped forward, aghast.
"You'd harm children?!"
"Of course. Blame your own stubbornness," Cui said, laughing.
After a long silence, the elder exhaled heavily. He was close to caving in.
From the distance, Krillin observed, holding himself back.
He was waiting for the Dragon Ball to appear—only then could he move.
The Namekians were so rigid in their customs that asking nicely was pointless.
Even Goku couldn't talk them into handing over the orbs.
Unless they passed all seven tests across seven villages, the Dragon Balls were out of reach.
But they didn't have that kind of time.
Suddenly, Cui's scouter beeped.
He turned, startled.
A trio of young Namekian warriors descended from the sky.
"Elder, are you alright?"
The elder smiled with relief.
"You've returned…"
The three warriors stepped in front of the villagers, facing Cui's forces.
"Damn it… I had a bad feeling. And sure enough, they've come," one of them muttered.
Cui's lip curled as he scanned them.
"Hmph. All three of them have power levels over 1,000. Impressive.
But still nothing to me."
The warriors clenched their fists.
"You've ruined the peace of Namek. We won't forgive you."
The elder warned, "Be careful. They're not weak."
A child added, "Good luck!"
Cui yawned.
"Let's get this over with. You three—handle them."
The Frieza soldiers stepped forward.
From his hiding spot, Krillin narrowed his eyes.
'They're judging only by scouter readings again…'
He thought back to Bulma's modified scouter and smirked.
Overreliance on tech has its flaws.
The fight broke out. Immediately, the Namekians powered up.
Their real strength surged.
The Frieza soldiers were overwhelmed in seconds.
Cui blinked, caught off guard.
"So they can raise their power levels in battle… Interesting.
Not many can do that."
He cracked his neck.
"Guess I'll deal with you myself."
The Namekian warriors didn't flinch, but their faces tightened.
Krillin watched from the shadows.
He knew they wouldn't last against Cui's real strength.
These warriors had heart—but not enough power.
And this elder… he was different. Unlike the first one they'd met, he wasn't as rigid.
If Krillin helped now, maybe—just maybe—he'd earn their trust.
As Cui launched a fist toward the nearest warrior—
BAM!
Krillin burst from hiding like a bullet and smashed into Cui.
Cui's body was sent flying, crashing through a house in a plume of dust.
Everyone froze.
"Who's there?!"
Krillin stepped forward sheepishly, scratching his bald head.
"Uh… hey there. I'm from Earth!"
The Namekians looked him over.
Sensing no killing intent, they relaxed.
A child beamed. "He's not with them!"
Krillin nodded.
"Nope. I came with friends to take these guys down.
Leave them to me!"
The three Namekian warriors offered to help, but Krillin waved them off.
"Nah, this is just a warm-up for me."
They blinked. That confidence… was kind of mesmerizing.
The remaining soldiers rushed him, thinking he was just a lucky punk.
They were wrong.
Krillin vanished in a blur, darting through them faster than the eye could track.
One breath later, all ten Frieza soldiers were on the ground.
The Namekians stared in awe.
"Amazing!"
"He's so strong!"
Krillin grinned.
"Aww, you're making me blush."
Then he turned to the elder.
"I have to be honest—
We came to Namek for the Dragon Balls too.
A villain attacked our planet… killed a friend of mine.
We traveled across galaxies to get here.
I want to use your Dragon Balls to bring him back."
The elder's eyes widened.
"Such strength… and compassion.
You crossed the stars, not for power, but to save a friend."
He bowed his head.
"You are truly worthy. I will give you our Dragon Ball.
And to aid you, I'll also send someone to guide you to the other villages."
Krillin's eyes lit up.
"Really?! Thank you so much!"
Just then, the smoke from the earlier impact cleared.
Cui rose to his feet, bloodied but alive.
"You… little rat! You dared ambush me?!"
The villagers trembled.
Krillin turned calmly.
"You're still standing, huh?"
Cui sneered.
"You think sneak attacks can defeat me?"
Krillin steadied his stance.
"No sneak attacks this time."
Cui growled.
"Then DIE!"
He launched a massive energy wave, splitting into multiple branches aimed at Krillin.
"Try dodging that, weakling!"
The villagers gasped.
Krillin didn't move.
Instead, he formed a Kamehameha stance.
His Ki surged—stronger, brighter, more focused.
The moment Cui's attack neared—
"Kamehameha!!"
A massive wave of blue energy obliterated Cui's blast—and him along with it.
Gone. Nothing left but dust.
The villagers broke into cheers.
"We won!"
"Amazing!!"
Krillin landed softly, calm and composed.
"Sorry for the mess. Mind if I ask for your Dragon Ball now?"
The elder stepped forward.
"Of course, brave warrior. You've earned it."
He handed over the giant sphere.
"And to help you further, I'll send Dende with you."
A young Namekian stepped forward.
"Hello! I'm Dende. Nice to meet you!"
Krillin smiled.
"Nice to meet you too, Dende. Let's go."
Just then, the villagers looked to the sky.
"Look!"
"Someone's coming!"
Krillin turned—and saw Chi-Chi flying toward them, holding a Dragon Ball.
Chi-Chi grinned.
"I ran into a bunch of weaklings. Nothing serious.
Got this on the way."
The elder squinted at the star count.
"A three-star ball… So your friend got one too.
Then there's no need to visit that other village. Dende, go with them."
Krillin nodded.
"Thanks again, Elder!"
Chi-Chi and Krillin, now joined by Dende, took off for the next village.
Along the way, Krillin recounted his battle.
Chi-Chi listened, then scoffed.
"Hmph. Lucky you. I bet more Namekians have died elsewhere by now."
Krillin shrugged.
"Doesn't matter. We've got two Dragon Balls now.
As long as we stay hidden, they can't find us."
Chi-Chi nodded.
"I can sense Goku's Ki nearby.
Let's hurry. I bet he's got his ball by now too."
Krillin nodded.
"Then let's move!"