Chapter 1028: [1028] : Watch Closely

"If this Frieza guy really has his sights set on Earth, I guess I can't just sit back and do nothing," Goku said, his expression serious.

Amela ignored the tactical discussion and floated closer to Goku, her eyes locked onto the toddler in his arms.

"Is this your son, Kakarot?" Amela asked, a rare, genuine smile crossing her face. "He is so cute! Anyway, you heard what my brother said. It is time we made a move."

"Frieza might be a terrifying monster, but we Saiyans aren't exactly pushovers either."

Goku nodded thoughtfully. "If there are enemies out there that powerful, I understand what needs to be done. I'll join your fight. But I am leaving the situation with my older brother entirely in your hands."

Goku scratched the back of his head, letting out a frustrated sigh. "This is such a headache. I really didn't want to get dragged into a massive galactic war."

"I am not a fan of this, right Piccolo?"

"Don't lump me in with you," Piccolo scoffed. "But like I said before… if you only focus on getting stronger here on Earth, you will forever remain a frog in a well."

"You know as well as I do that fighting life-or-death battles is the best way to increase your strength," Piccolo continued, a dark smirk forming on his face. "But if you are too scared to participate, I suppose I can't force you."

"As for why I am dragging you along, it is because I can sense that your latent potential isn't any less than ours."

Amela raised an eyebrow, looking at Piccolo. "Brother, are you sure about him? I know Namekians are considered combat geniuses in some parts of the galaxy, but these two… their Power Levels are incredibly low."

Shin smiled knowingly. "Amela, haven't you noticed how similar their Ki signatures feel? From what I know, Kami and Piccolo used to be a single entity."

"If they hadn't split apart, the original Nameless Namekian would possess a level of power that the current Kakarot couldn't even dream of stopping. Even Prince Vegeta would likely struggle against him."

Kami rubbed the back of his head, looking embarrassed but thoughtful. "I have always felt a strange sensation… like my true power was being artificially suppressed. So that is the reason."

Piccolo nodded slowly, his eyes gleaming. "If what you are saying is true, and you know a way for me to reclaim that lost power… then I am in. I will join this fight against Frieza."

Shin smiled, satisfied that the major players were falling into line. "Alright. Right now, we are all incredibly weak. But I have seen visions of the future. I know exactly what we are capable of becoming."

"I guarantee you, we will defeat Frieza."

Shin pulled two extra scouters from his pocket and tossed them to Goku and Piccolo.

"Kakarot, Piccolo, put these on. I want to demonstrate the current gap in our strength. Once you understand that, I will explain just how terrifying our true enemy really is."

Amela was bewildered. Since waking up from hibernation, her brother seemed to know literally everything. It was like he was a different person.

"Brother… how do you know all of this?" Amela asked cautiously.

Shin offered a cryptic smile. "My sudden increase in power wasn't just physical. It gave me access to certain… truths. I know things about the universe that none of you could possibly comprehend right now."

"But I am not going to dump all that information on you at once. It would be too overwhelming."

Shin's actual plan was to slowly feed them the necessary plot points to keep them motivated and focused on the ultimate goal: Frieza.

"First, let's look at your current Power Levels," Shin instructed. "Also, keep your guard up. Raditz is definitely going to use his scouter to track our energy signatures."

"When he arrives, we will lay all our cards on the table."

Goku and Piccolo reluctantly put on the scouters. Today had already been a massive shock to their systems, but Shin hadn't given them any reason to doubt him yet.

"Alright, take a good look at your own numbers," Shin said.

Goku pressed the button on his scouter and looked at Piccolo.

"Piccolo, your number is 422."

Piccolo scanned Goku in return. "And yours is 418. Hmph. Looks like I am slightly stronger."

"Dammit, I am trailing by four points!" Goku complained playfully.

"Those numbers represent your raw Power Level," Shin explained. "It is an objective measurement of your current Ki output. However, it isn't an metric. In battle, superior technique, strategy, and martial arts experience can often overcome a higher Power Level."

"But," Shin added, his tone turning serious, "if the numerical gap is too massive, technique becomes irrelevant. You simply wouldn't be operating on the same plane of existence."

"Right, right, we get it," Goku nodded.

"Amela, flare your Ki," Shin ordered. "Show them your Power Level."

"Sure thing, Brother," Amela grinned. "But hey, Earth is actually pretty interesting! Once we finish dealing with Frieza, you have to show me around!"

"Of course," Shin agreed smoothly. "I know a few good spots. But you can also ask Kami, he sees everything on this planet."

By now, Goku had completely dropped his guard. These two Saiyans felt more like a weird family than hostile alien invaders.

"Hey, once we sort out all this alien stuff, I should introduce you to my friends!" Goku laughed. "I am sure you guys would get along great! Hahaha!"

"I would like that, Kakarot," Shin smiled softly. "Your father actually saved my life once upon a time. Well, that is a story for another day. Bardock was one of the few truly honorable Saiyans."

"Seeing you now… it really brings back memories. I am honestly not sure what else to say."

"Really?" Goku asked, his eyes widening. "So my dad… he was actually a good person? I never got the chance to meet him."

"If Frieza really killed him, I am definitely not going to let him get away with it!" Goku declared, his fists clenching.

"Exactly," Shin nodded. "Saiyans may be known as ruthless conquerors, but we are still people. We still have a sense of loyalty. The atrocities committed by our race were largely the fault of our rulers. But we must carve a new path for ourselves."

"I understand," Goku replied, his resolve hardening.

The conversation might have seemed mundane to an outsider, but Shin and Piccolo both understood its true weight. Shin was successfully integrating Goku into the Saiyan legacy, giving him a personal reason to fight Frieza.

"Alright, Amela. Show them your power," Shin commanded. "After that, I will explain our next steps."

"You got it, Brother!"

Amela took a deep breath and began to gather her Ki.

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Meanwhile, high in Earth's atmosphere, Raditz's space pod had just crashed into a farmer's field. Raditz emerged from the crater and immediately tapped his scouter.

His scouter instantly locked onto a massive energy signature.

"What is this??" Raditz gasped, his eyes wide in disbelief. "This reading… it is impossible! Is that Kakarot?? There is no way a low-class warrior could have a Power Level that high!"

"I need to go check this out immediately."

Shin smiled, sensing the approaching Ki. "Raditz has officially spotted us. He is on his way."

"Keep going, Amela."

Piccolo stared at his scouter, reading the numbers aloud in utter shock.

"Power Level… 1,000… 2,000… 3,000… 4,000… 5,000… 6,000… 7,000… 8,000!"

Piccolo screamed, his calm demeanor completely shattering.

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