CHAPTER 12: LOST HERITAGE

The twin suns of Planet Idun cast a golden hue over the bustling Saiyan kingdom. Goku walked leisurely down the dusty paths, his hands resting behind his head, his gaze taking in the sights around him. Despite the alien architecture and unfamiliar energy of the place, there was something oddly nostalgic about the scene. Saiyan children sparred with wooden staves in the courtyard, their laughter ringing out as they mimicked the moves of warriors they admired. Merchants hawked wares from stalls filled with peculiar fruits and strange gadgets, while citizens conversed and moved about their routines.

Yet, beneath the charm, Goku felt a disconnect. These were his people, his heritage, but they were strangers to him. He smiled warmly at a group of children who waved excitedly in his direction. A part of him wanted to join their training, to feel that shared connection, but he knew it wouldn’t be the same. “Guess I’ve been an Earthling for too long,” he mused.

A massive ship descended, its shadow stretching over the kingdom as it approached the shipyard—a bustling docking area filled with numerous other vessels. The hum of powerful engines reverberated across the expanse as the Crusher Corps’ ship touched down with precision. Saiyans working in the area paused their tasks, stepping aside to make way for the returning warriors.

The ship’s ramp lowered with a mechanical hiss, and from within emerged five figures whose commanding presence demanded immediate respect. Amond, Cacao, Daiz, Rasin, and Lakasei strode confidently down the ramp, their armor gleaming under the sunlight. Saiyans in the shipyard bowed their heads or stepped back in reverence, a testament to the Crusher Corps’ authority and reputation.

Standing at the edge of the crowd, Goku observed the scene with a mix of curiosity and intrigue, his eyes following the five warriors as they made their way toward the palace.

“Who are they?” he asked a nearby Saiyan.

The Saiyan, a middle-aged man with a scar across his cheek, glanced at Goku with surprise. “You don’t know? That’s the Crusher Corps—the King’s army. Those five are his most trusted commanders. They’ve protected worlds, forged alliances, and stood as the shield of our people for years. To serve under them is an honor.”

Goku’s eyes lit up. “Wow, they must be strong, huh? I can feel it from here. They’ve got some serious power levels.”

The Saiyan smirked. “Strong doesn’t even begin to cover it. They’re practically legends.”

Intrigued, Goku followed the Crusher Corps from a distance as they made their way to the palace. The grand structure loomed at the edge of the village, its spires reaching for the sky. Inside, the group was led into a vast throne room, where Turles sat with an air of authority. His armor reflected the dim light, and his piercing gaze landed on his commanders as they entered.

“My King,” Amond began, bowing deeply. “The mission was a success. Trade negotiations have been initiated with the outer rim planets. The agreements are holding.”

Turles leaned forward slightly, his fingers steepled as his gaze fixed on Amond. “And the results? Were they able to sustain?”

Amond hesitated, his eyes flickering briefly before he spoke. “Not as we’d hoped, my King. The agreements bore fruit, but the… conditions were too harsh. The foundations crumbled under the strain.”

Turles’ lips pressed into a thin line, his disappointment measured. “Unfortunate. But not unexpected. There must be a way to cultivate stability without everything falling apart. Keep refining the process. There’s potential here yet.”

Amond gave a solemn nod. “Of course, my King. We’ll focus our efforts on finding better conditions for the next...arrangements.”

Turles leaned back, his expression unreadable. “Good. You leave again in three days. Prepare accordingly.”

Amond bowed once more. “As you command.”

The Crusher Corps turned to leave, their footsteps echoing in the vast hall. It was at this moment that Goku stepped forward, his enthusiasm breaking the solemn atmosphere. “Hey!”

Turles smirked, rising from his throne as Goku entered the room. “Ah, Goku. Perfect timing. I was just about to call for you to meet my commanders. Everyone, this is Goku—a Saiyan who’s proven himself far more than capable.” He gestured toward the group. “And Goku, these are my most trusted warriors—Amond, Cacao, Daiz, Rasin, and Lakasei—the Crusher Corps.”

Amond stepped forward first, his towering frame casting a long shadow. “So you’re the one we’ve heard so much about. It’s an honor to finally meet you.”

Goku grinned, his hand reaching behind his head in his usual sheepish manner. “You can call me Kakarot if you want—either works for me. You guys are incredible! I can feel how strong you are just standing here.” His grin widened. “Honestly, I’ve been itching for a good fight. What do you say?”

The commanders exchanged amused glances, and Daiz was the first to step forward, rolling his shoulders. “We just got back from a mission, but I’ve been dying for a real fight. I want to see your strength for myself.”

Before anything could proceed, Turles raised a hand, his smirk deepening. “Hold on, Daiz. Before we get to the sparring, I think it’s worth mentioning that Kakarot here faced Cumber already.”

The room fell into a brief silence. The Crusher Corps looked at each other in surprise, and Amond let out a low whistle. “Cumber? Seriously?!”

Goku nodded earnestly, crossing his arms. “Yeah, he’s tough. Really tough. I had to go all out just to keep up with him. I haven’t seen him around, though—where is he?”

Avoca, who stood beside Turles, answered calmly, her voice carrying a matter-of-fact tone. “Cumber is…contained. He remains within a stasis chamber, where he’s constantly monitored. It’s an effort to help him control his temper and his overwhelming rage. For now, it’s the safest option for everyone here.”

Goku’s expression shifted into one of understanding, his thoughts briefly flickering to Broly being similar. “Makes sense. He’s a handful, that’s for sure.” His excitement returned as he turned his attention back to the group. “But enough about that—how about that spar? I want to see how strong you guys are.”

Turles chuckled, gesturing toward the training grounds. “Very well. Let’s see what Kakarot is capable of. Daiz, since you’re so eager, I’ll leave it to you.”

Daiz cracked his knuckles, stepping forward with a confident grin. “This’ll be fun.”

***

The training grounds buzzed with anticipation as Saiyans gathered to watch the match. Goku and Daiz stood across from each other, their stances relaxed but ready.

Daiz smirked, energy crackling around him. “Let’s see if you live up to the stories.”

Goku grinned. “Same to you. Show me everything you’ve got!”

The two launched at each other with blinding speed, their fists colliding in a burst of energy that sent shockwaves through the crowd. Daiz hurled a series of neon-colored ki blasts, their vibrant hues streaking through the air. Goku deflected them effortlessly, his movements fluid and precise.

“Your energy attacks are cool,” Goku said, genuinely impressed. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Daiz smirked. “Glad you noticed. Let’s see how you handle this!”

He surged forward, his speed catching Goku off guard for a moment, forcing him to block a rapid flurry of strikes. Their exchange of blows was lightning-fast, each attack sending shockwaves through the training grounds. Daiz fought with calculated aggression, testing Goku’s limits, while Goku grinned, meeting the challenge head-on.

The crowd roared as the clash intensified, the ground beneath their feet trembling from the sheer force of their strikes. Daiz leaped into the air, firing a barrage of neon-colored ki blasts that rained down like meteors. Goku weaved through the onslaught, deflecting the blasts with precise movements before closing the distance with a burst of speed. Their fists collided midair, creating a shockwave that sent dust and debris flying.

Goku's grin widened. 

Daiz smirked, his breathing heavy but his resolve unshaken. “You haven’t seen anything yet!” He unleashed a powerful wave of energy, forcing Goku to leap back and reassess.

Deciding to up the ante, Goku took a deep breath. His energy spiked, and the ground beneath him cracked as a golden aura erupted around his body, illuminating the field. His hair stood on end, glowing like molten gold, and his eyes turned an intense shade of teal.

The crowd fell silent, their cheers replaced by gasps of awe. Daiz froze, his eyes wide as he took a step back. The sheer energy emanating from Goku was overwhelming, almost suffocating.

“This…this must be the legendary Super Saiyan form,” Daiz murmured, his voice tinged with awe and disbelief.

Goku smirked, his golden aura crackling with power. “Pretty neat, huh? Think you can keep up?”

Daiz clenched his fists, the thrill of the fight outweighing his hesitation. He charges forward with renewed determination.

Their clash resumed, but the dynamic had shifted. Goku’s movements were faster, his attacks more powerful, and Daiz struggled to keep up. Yet, his spirit burned fiercely, each strike fueled by a mixture of admiration and his Saiyan pride.

Goku deflected a rapid punch and countered with a spinning kick, sending Daiz skidding across the ground. Daiz gritted his teeth, refusing to back down. He launched himself at Goku again, pouring everything he had into his attacks.

“You’re incredible, Daiz!” Goku said, genuinely impressed as he parried a strike and countered with a controlled blast of energy that sent Daiz flying.

Daiz landed hard but rolled to his feet, panting heavily. He raised his hand in surrender, a smile tugging at his lips. “Alright, you win. That power… it’s unbelievable. No wonder the King has his eyes on you.”

Goku powered down, his golden aura fading as he extended a hand to Daiz. “You’re amazing too. That was a great fight!”

The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement reaching a fever pitch as the two Saiyans shared a nod of mutual respect.

As the fight ended, other Saiyans crowded around Goku, bombarding him with questions about how he achieved Super Saiyan. Goku tried his best to explain, though his answers were vague. “It’s hard to say. It was just… this feeling. Like I had to protect the people I cared about, no matter what.”

From a distance, Turles and Avoca watched the scene unfold. “Do you think he’s the key?”

Turles’ eyes stayed on Goku, a small, knowing smirk playing at his lips. “Willing or not, his connection to divine power is exactly what I need. The true potential of the fruit requires energy like his—pure, unyielding, and extraordinary. Power like that…” His voice lowered, almost a whisper, yet heavy with intent. “…cannot be ignored.”

___________

Writer’s Note:

In this chapter, my goal was to make Goku feel like a fish out of water, even though he’s in a familiar pond. He’s face-to-face with a heritage he knows little about, which creates so much opportunity for exploration. To ground himself in the midst of this unfamiliarity, Goku naturally falls back on what he loves most—fighting.

Turles, on the other hand, has a hidden agenda, but there’s still so much more to uncover about his motives and the bigger picture at play.