Saiyan Legacy: A New Dawn

Chapter 3: Into the Mountains

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The forest was thick and quiet, with only the sound of rustling leaves and the distant flow of a stream breaking the silence. You walked behind the old man who had appeared out of nowhere after your crash landing, your senses still sharp. Even though he hadn't shown any signs of being a threat, you weren't about to let your guard down. Not after everything that had happened.

Kakarot wriggled in your arms, his tiny fists flailing as he let out an irritated grunt. His Saiyan resilience was showing—no tears, no fear. Just frustration at being confined. A small smirk tugged at your lips. Even as a baby, he had that fire burning inside him.

"Quite the spirited little one, isn't he?" the old man said, glancing back with a smile. He'd been leading you through the forest, seemingly unbothered by your wariness. "I'm surprised to see someone so young so lively after a crash like that."

You remained silent, watching the man carefully. He hadn't asked many questions—hadn't pressed for details about your arrival or your origins. It was odd, but you appreciated it. You weren't ready to explain everything. Not yet.

The path ahead narrowed as the trees thinned, giving way to a small clearing nestled between two mountains. The air felt different here—calmer, almost serene. At the center of the clearing stood a modest house made of wood and stone, with a small garden growing near the front. Smoke curled lazily from a chimney, and a soft breeze carried the scent of cooking herbs.

"We're here," the old man said, gesturing toward the house. "It's not much, but it's a peaceful place. Safe, too. You and the boy are welcome to stay as long as you need."

You eyed the house warily but couldn't sense anything dangerous nearby. It was simple and isolated, far from any sign of civilization, which suited you just fine. Kakarot shifted again, his tail twitching as he kicked at your armor, trying to free himself from your grip.

"He's got strength," you muttered, more to yourself than to the old man.

The man chuckled softly. "Strength is good. But sometimes, it's the heart that matters most."

You frowned at that. Saiyans were warriors. Strength was all that mattered. The weak didn't survive. That was the way of the universe. But here, on this peaceful planet, those rules seemed distant, irrelevant.

The old man walked up to the door of the house and opened it wide. Inside, the space was small but cozy—a fire crackling in the hearth, wooden shelves lined with scrolls and trinkets, and a small bed tucked into the corner. It was a far cry from the battle-hardened world you had known. Here, everything seemed still, as if time itself had slowed down.

"Go ahead, put the boy down," the man said, motioning to a small basket lined with soft blankets. "He'll be safe here."

You hesitated for a moment, unsure of trusting this stranger with anything, let alone Kakarot. But something about the man's calm, steady presence made you think that, for now, it might be okay. Slowly, you knelt down and placed Kakarot in the basket. Almost immediately, he squirmed, his small hands reaching out as if already searching for something to fight.

"Easy," you said, your voice low but firm. Kakarot calmed slightly at the sound of your voice, though he still kicked at the blanket with stubborn determination. You had to admire his spirit. He wasn't going to back down from anything—not even nap time.

The old man watched with a knowing smile. "He's strong, that's for sure. But it'll take more than strength to raise him."

You narrowed your eyes, crossing your arms. "What do you mean by that?"

The old man walked over to the fire and stoked it gently. "There's more to life than fighting, young man. Strength alone won't keep him safe. There's wisdom in knowing when to fight and when to be at peace. This world, Earth... it's different. You'll learn that in time."

You didn't respond. The idea of peace seemed foreign to you. But something about this place—the quiet, the isolation—made you wonder if maybe, just maybe, there was something more to this old man's words.

He gestured to a chair at the small wooden table. "Sit, rest. You must be tired from your journey."

You hesitated again, but the exhaustion from the crash and the weight of everything that had happened started to catch up with you. Reluctantly, you sat down, keeping one eye on Kakarot, who was now chewing on the edge of the blanket, his sharp Saiyan teeth already trying to tear through it.

"So, what's your plan?" the old man asked, his tone casual but curious.

You exhaled slowly, running a hand through your hair. "I don't know yet. He's important. I need to make sure he grows up strong, stronger than anyone. There's something out there—something coming. And we need to be ready."

The old man nodded thoughtfully. "Strength is important. But so is family. Friends. Bonds. They give strength, too, in ways you might not expect."

You frowned again, unsure how to take his words. Bonds? Family? You had been raised to fight, to survive, to conquer. There was no room for softness in the Saiyan way of life. But here, on this quiet planet, the old man's words stirred something unfamiliar in you.

Kakarot let out a soft cry from the basket, his small fists waving in the air again. You moved quickly, lifting him up and holding him close. He quieted almost immediately, his tail wrapping around your arm as he settled against you.

"He trusts you," the old man said, smiling gently. "That's a good start."

You looked down at Kakarot, his dark eyes already burning with that Saiyan fire. He was small now, but you could feel the power inside him. He was destined for something great—you just didn't know what that was yet.

The old man sat down across from you, his eyes twinkling with quiet wisdom. "You'll find your way. And while you're here, I'll help however I can. There's more to this world than you realize, and more to this boy than just strength."

You didn't know if you believed him, but for now, this place seemed like the best option. The isolation, the quiet, it was the perfect place for Kakarot to grow and train—away from any prying eyes or dangers. At least, for now.

As the fire crackled and the night began to fall outside, you couldn't help but feel that this was only the beginning. Earth was a strange place, but it was also peaceful. Maybe, just maybe, it could be the home you and Kakarot needed to survive. For now, it was enough.

But the future? The future was still uncertain. And in the back of your mind, you knew that one day, the peace would break. When that day came, you and Kakarot would be ready.

You had to be.

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I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well, soon we will be getting into the actual story of the original dragon ball.

See you in the next one!