A Saiyan's Journey

"Looks like your injuries have indeed healed, but your body still seems a bit stiff. Is it because your internal injuries haven't fully healed?"

In the open area of the Saiyan settlement, Bardock watched Zuke throw punches haphazardly with a puzzled look on his face.

Zuke's face reddened—Bardock's assumption was understandable. Although Zuke had acquired the powerful combat strength of this Saiyan body, he had almost no combat experience or instincts.

Just standing there throwing sloppy punches made it obvious to Bardock that something was off. In a real fight, Zuke's lack of experience would likely be even more apparent.

The only thing Zuke was relieved about was that this invasion of Planet Cereal coincided with a full moon. When they arrived, all the Saiyans would transform into giant, mindless apes.

No one would notice that Zuke fought like a novice.

But Bardock's straightforward comments made Zuke realize a problem. Even though he had strength, he had no combat technique. While he could power through on sheer strength, if he encountered an opponent of equal power, he'd be in trouble.

Especially since Zuke's main mission was to kill Frieza at full strength—a monster with a power level of 120 million. Unless Zuke raised his own power level above 200 million, technique was going to be crucial.

Incidentally, Zuke had just checked his own power level using a scouter—it was 4,000, putting him on par with Nappa when he arrived on Earth in the original story.

In other words, Zuke now had enough power to destroy several cities with a single move. If he could sync even 1% of that strength back to his real body, a power level of just 40 would be enough to dominate any so-called world champion.

"Bardock! Zuke! Time to go!"

As Bardock was about to ask more questions, someone called for them to depart from a distance—they had to board the spherical spaceship and head for Planet Cereal immediately.

Bardock glanced at Zuke, sighed, and patted him on the shoulder:

"Anyway, if you feel any discomfort during the fight, be sure to back off immediately."

Clearly, Bardock still thought Zuke hadn't fully recovered, especially after watching that embarrassing display of punches.

Although Saiyans generally didn't care much about technique, relying on brute strength and their great ape transformation to overwhelm most planets, at the very least, they needed to know how to focus their power into their fists.

"Ahem, well, since it's a full moon on Planet Cereal, we'll transform into giant apes once we arrive, so it doesn't matter."

Zuke knew that his punching had been embarrassing and secretly resolved to improve his combat skills. But at least he wouldn't need them this time.

During a full moon, Saiyans transform into giant apes, causing their combat strength to multiply by ten while losing their sanity in a frenzy of destruction. This was a common Saiyan method of wiping out entire planets during invasions.

Only the royal-blooded elite warriors could retain their sanity during the great ape transformation, but Bardock and the others obviously couldn't.

The Saiyans' mission was to clear out a planet's civilization so that Frieza could sell it afterward, so preserving buildings or anything else wasn't necessary.

"Yeah, we'll all be turning into great apes soon."

Bardock paused, then glanced at Zuke's waist—of course, not because of any strange interest but because Zuke's waist was missing something important.

"But don't forget, you don't have a tail, so you won't transform into a great ape. Don't get yourself trampled by your comrades."

Zuke instinctively touched his waist—it was true. Saiyans needed their tails to transform, and his tail had been ripped off before he entered the world of Dragon Ball.

So, Zuke wouldn't be transforming on Planet Cereal. He'd planned for this since he wasn't going there for destruction but to grab the Dragon Balls amid the chaos.

In the Dragon Ball Super manga, Granolah, a survivor from Planet Cereal, had wished on the Dragon Balls to become the universe's strongest warrior, surpassing Goku and Vegeta by sacrificing much of his lifespan.

To be honest, when Zuke read this in the manga, he found it ridiculous. At that time, Goku and Vegeta were far stronger than when they defeated Majin Buu, yet Granolah caught up just by making a wish.

However, the absurdity of this storyline turning into reality was an incredible opportunity, proving that the Two-Star Dragon Balls could grant outrageous wishes at a certain cost.

Of course, Zuke didn't plan to go as far as Granolah and sacrifice his lifespan down to three months just for power.

He wasn't sure if his power synced with his real body would disappear if this identity died, so he'd be cautious to keep this identity alive as long as possible.

"Zuke, catch."

As Zuke contemplated what to do with the Dragon Balls, Bardock tossed something at him as they prepared to board the spaceship.

Zuke caught it—a scouter.

"Since you won't transform, you should clear out anyone who tries to escape the cities for safety."

While Bardock was genuinely considerate toward his comrades, his words were brutal to the inhabitants of Planet Cereal.

"The scouter can detect anyone's power level. It's all yours."

Zuke quietly accepted the scouter, nodded at Bardock, and climbed into the spaceship, waiting for Frieza's forces to set the coordinates.

Though it was merciless, Zuke didn't plan to interfere with the Saiyan invasion.

On the one hand, because the "Infinite Terror VR Game" advertised itself as a game, Zuke instinctively viewed Dragon Ball events with a gamer's detachment.

On the other hand, he was powerless. Even if he wanted to save Planet Cereal's inhabitants, what could he do?

He wasn't even the strongest among the Saiyans on this mission, let alone those who could transform into great apes.

A mindless great ape wouldn't spare a comrade in its path. If he tried to intervene, he'd get stomped.

So, Zuke had made his decision. He'd let Planet Cereal and the Saiyans draw all the attention, giving him the chance to snatch the Dragon Balls.

As for whether he could get hold of Planet Cereal's Dragon Balls, he wasn't too worried. The two Dragon Balls were held by an elderly non-combat Namekian, and his 4,000 power level could easily handle it, even without technique.

If the old man handed them over willingly, that would be best; if not, Zuke might have to resort to violence.

To be continued…