The Return of Vegeta

Life Aboard the Ship

One week into the journey, Bulma wakes from a nap surrounded by magazines and junk food wrappers. She complains about enduring another twenty days and considers building a sleep device. Nearby, Krillin and Gohan sit engaged in image training. When they finish, Krillin admits Gohan is remarkably strong for his age, crediting both his Saiyan heritage and Piccolo's mentorship. Gohan returns the compliment. Bulma interrupts, demanding they clean up, though Krillin points out the mess is entirely hers. Settling into the pilot's seat, Bulma wonders where Vegeta fled after Earth. She recalls Raditz mentioning that Saiyans conquer planets and sell them, raising the possibility that Vegeta could be gathering reinforcements.

Vegeta's Recovery

Eighteen days from Earth, Vegeta's battered space pod arrives at Planet Frieza 79. The base scrambles personnel to meet him. They find Vegeta on life support with barely any vital signs and rush him into a healing tank. Once treatment is complete, Vegeta steps out fully restored. The doctor notes his tail could not be regenerated, but Vegeta dismisses the concern, saying it will return on its own.

A Race for Immortality

Vegeta asks whether Frieza is on the base and learns he has already left. In the corridors, Cui confronts Vegeta, taunting him about losing Raditz and Nappa. Vegeta brushes him off, but Cui delivers a bombshell: Frieza overheard the conversation about the Dragon Balls through Vegeta's scouter and has departed for Planet Namek to obtain eternal life. Furious, Vegeta sprints to his space pod and blasts off, vowing the Dragon Balls belong to him. Meanwhile, on the thirty-fourth day of travel, Bulma, Krillin, and Gohan finally reach Planet Namek.