CHAPTER 7: THE KINGDOM OF FIERCE WARRIORS

Goku opens his eyes to the warmth of sunlight streaming through a high arched window. He sits up slowly, finding himself in an ornate room with smooth stone walls, tapestries depicting Saiyan warriors, and faintly glowing sconces lining the walls. A soft breeze carries the scent of greenery, drawing Goku toward the open balcony doors.

Stepping outside, he’s greeted by a sprawling grassy garden filled with vibrant plants and small streams winding through the terrain. Exotic birds dart between trees, their calls blending with the soothing sounds of rustling leaves. Over the edge of the balcony lies an awe-inspiring view of a kingdom—a massive Saiyan city carved into the landscape, bustling with life. Tall towers stretch into the sky, their surfaces shimmering in the sunlight, and the streets below are filled with Saiyans of all ages, their tails swaying freely as they go about their day.

What is this place? Goku wonders, his awe momentarily interrupted as he senses something behind him—or rather, the lack of something. He instinctively tries to summon his ki but feels nothing.

My ki... it's blocked! He glances at his reflection in the glass door to check for a halo, letting out a relieved sigh when he doesn’t see one.

Curiosity tugs at him as his gaze shifts beyond the palace. Behind the grand structure, a massive tree looms, its golden leaves shimmering like starlight. Unlike the withered and dying tree he saw on the other planet, this one radiates life, its roots extending deep into the earth, exuding an almost ethereal energy.

“Welcome to Idun,” a familiar voice interrupts his thoughts. Goku spins around to see Avoca standing in the doorway, dressed more casually than during their first encounter. Her form-fitting black suit is simple but striking, her demeanor less combative and more composed.

Goku tenses slightly, still cautious after their fight. “Avoca…right?”

She holds up a hand, her expression calm. “I’m not here to fight. King Turles wishes to speak with you. If you’ll kindly follow me.”

Goku hesitates, weighing his options. He doesn’t fully trust her but can’t ignore the questions swirling in his mind. A planet full of Saiyans? How? Where have they been all this time? With no other choice, he nods and follows her out of the room.

Avoca leads him through the garden, where other Saiyans tend to the grounds or relax, enjoying their day-to-day lives. It’s a side of Saiyan culture Goku has never seen before—one of peace and routine, far removed from the battles and destruction he associates with his race.

As they walk, they pass workers carrying shipments of a strange, light-orange fruit that gives off a faint glow. Intrigued, Goku reaches for one, but Avoca stops him with a sharp glance.

“I wouldn’t eat that if I were you. They’re not ripe yet.”

Goku chuckles, rubbing the back of his head. “Oh, sorry about that.” He places it back. “What are they?”

“They’re a delicacy,” Avoca explains, her tone softening. “Fruit grown from seeds brought from our original home, Planet Sadala. We cultivate and trade them with allied worlds. They’re not just food—they’re a symbol of our heritage.”

“Wow,” Goku murmurs, his curiosity deepening.

“Come on,” Avoca says, gesturing for him to keep up. “The King doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

As they continue, the grand palace looms ever closer. Its white stone walls shine brilliantly in the sunlight, and its towering spire connects the mountaintop to the city below. The architecture is both elegant and imposing, a testament to Saiyan ingenuity and strength.

When they reach the palace courtyard, Goku’s attention is drawn to the sparring Saiyans clad in black armor. Their movements are sharp and precise, their blows fierce enough to make his blood race with excitement. He can’t help but grin, his fingers twitching with the urge to jump in.

“Focus,” Avoca warns, shooting him a side glance as curious eyes follow their progress.

Goku waves at the onlookers with his signature smile before stepping through the massive double doors of the palace. Inside, the grand hallway stretches endlessly, flanked by tall stone pillars and stained-glass windows that bathe the floor in soft, colorful light.

At the far end of the hall stands a throne, and behind it, encased within a massive glass sphere, are the preserved remains of a once-great tree. Its gnarled roots twist and coil, faint traces of its former energy flickering within the remnants.

Sitting upon the throne, King Turles waits, his piercing gaze locked on Goku.

“My King,” Avoca announces, saluting with her right arm across her chest and her left hand behind her back.

"Thank you, Avoca, that will be all."

Turles gestures for her to leave. She bows and exits, leaving the two Saiyans alone in the grand hall.

Turles steps off his throne, walking toward Goku. His white armor gleams under the palace lights, the dark blue chest plate adorned with a crest on the left side: a tree intertwined with the Saiyan emblem. A flowing cape compliments his attire, and a gold necklace with red crystals rests against his chest, matching the crown atop his head.

As Turles approaches, Goku is struck by how similar their faces are—a startling mirror of his own, yet hardened and regal.

"Apologies for my actions on Masala Dosa. We got off on the wrong foot."

"I know Vegeta was mad," Goku says, crossing his arms. "But did you really have to go that far?"

"Vegeta? So that truly is his name. Well, I assure you, he’s fine. I merely put him to sleep—much like I did to you. I’m sure the deity who was with you has already tended to him."

Turles turns and strides toward the palace doors, gesturing for Goku to follow. "Walk with me."

In the palace courtyard, Goku and Turles walk side by side, the grandeur of Idun stretching out before them. The twin moons are faintly visible in the sky, though the sunlight dominates, casting a warm glow over the utopian kingdom. They descend a series of steps toward a glistening lake beside the thriving city, the water shimmering like liquid glass.

"Having made first contact with the Dosians some time ago for trade, we hadn’t heard from them in months. As one of our major suppliers, I decided to investigate personally. But by the time we arrived, their planet was already in the state you and Vegeta found it."

"I guess that checks out," Goku comments, his attention divided between Turles’ words and the stunning sights around him.

The two walk through a bustling marketplace. Merchants call out to passersby, offering everything from exotic meats to hand-forged weapons. Children laugh as they dart between stalls, their tails wagging excitedly. A Saiyan child spots Goku and waves, earning a cheerful wave in return. Soldiers clad in black armor stand guard at key points, saluting as Turles passes. It’s clear the people of Idun regard Turles with deep respect, treating him as their savior and rightful king.

"I never thought there’d be more of us left in this Universe," Goku says, marveling at the lively scene.

"Neither did we," Turles replies, his tone somber. "For a long time, my clan and I were trapped—forgotten. But everything changed when we found a derelict Cooler Force ship crash-landed on our refuge. Among its remains, we found a treasure trove of intel—records detailing the fall of Planet Vegeta, Frieza’s betrayal, and the scattering of our people. And there, buried in the data, was mention of you.”

"Me?"

Turles nods. "Your feats don’t go unnoticed, Goku. Stories of a Saiyan who defeated Frieza, battled gods, and stood against universal threats. If it weren’t for the reports and some soldiers mistaking me for you in the files, I would never have known."

Goku chuckles, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, that happens sometimes."

"For good reason," Turles continues, his voice firm. "It was through those records that I realized how far we’d fallen—and how much work there is to do to rebuild our race. My goal has been to revive what we’ve lost, to rebuild from the ashes."

Goku looks around, taking in the thriving city, the people, and the vibrant life all around them. It’s clear Turles’ words are genuine. Despite their earlier conflict, Goku can’t help but respect the passion behind his mission.

"Follow me," Turles says, his tone shifting. "There’s something I want to show you."

Goku trails behind as Turles leads him through the outskirts of the kingdom. The bustling city fades into overgrown terrain, where the greenery becomes dense and wild. Eventually, they arrive at the base of the massive tree that towers high above the kingdom—the same tree Goku had seen from the palace balcony.

Workers surround the colossal trunk, some flying up to the branches while others use tools to carefully harvest the golden fruit. Each fruit radiates an almost otherworldly light. As Turles passes, the workers stop and bow deeply to him before continuing their tasks. Turles raises his hand, signaling for them to leave. Without question, the workers gather their tools and depart, leaving only Turles and Goku beneath the tree's vast shadow.

Before Goku can ask what’s going on, he feels a sudden shift within himself. His ki, which had been blocked since he woke, flows back into him in an instant.

"There," Turles says, lowering his hand. "I’ve released your ki. You should be able to move freely as you did before."

"How did you do that?" Goku asks, astonished.

"That’s a story for another time," Turles replies with a faint smirk. "I brought you here because my curiosity has gotten the better of me. I’ve heard much about your strength, and now I want to see it for myself."

With his energy fully restored, Goku starts to stretch and warm up, rolling his shoulders and loosening his arms. The anticipation of a good fight courses through him, and he can't hide the grin spreading across his face. He bounces lightly on his toes, his blood pumping as he gears up for action.

Turles watches him with quiet admiration, intrigued by the raw energy and confidence radiating from Universe 7's champion.

"I don't think you're ready for this," Goku teases, his tone playful yet determined.

Turles smirks, unfazed. "I assure you, there's nothing to worry about." His voice carries a calm confidence as he removes his crown and royal garb, setting them aside. In his battle armor, he loosens his muscles, every movement precise and controlled.

The two leap onto a massive tree root that juts out from the earth, standing face to face. Their eyes lock, both filled with eagerness and determination. The air between them hums with the promise of a fierce clash, neither willing to back down.

_______

Writer's Note:

Welcome to Idun, the new saiyan homeworld. I chose that name because well sticking to foods for one, but also Idun in Norse mythology is not only a goddess, but the Idun apple symbolizes spring, rejuvenation, and immortality. It's the Idun apple that keeps the gods feeling youthful. With that fun fact in mind, you can probably see the parallels I'm getting at with Turles and the Fruit of the Tree of Might and what it may symbolize for him. 

The saiyans are seen back and this is where Goku is meant to experience first hand the heritage he barely knows anything about besides obviously the Super Saiyan and whatever Vegeta is able to share of their homeworld and past. Him being able to see first hand gives him an experience he never could've just been told. Of course there's more than meets the eye, but I assure you it's not a situation similar to the original Broly movie where Vegeta goes and turns out it's all fake. No, Idun is real (in this adjacent canon) and the saiyans on it are full blooded and true. 

You can already get a sense that Turles is not all he seems to be. Of course he's the main antagonist, but the Z fighters at this point aren't fully aware of that as the mystery unfolds. You get to see that subtle callback to Cooler's Wrath epilogue where Turles and his clan killed Salza and learned about the world that forgot them. There's always more than what's seen, but you just have to stay tuned.