Counting Down

On the final day of Goku's training, King Kai reviews his student's progress. Goku can now catch Bubbles in half a second and hit Gregory in just over one second. He demonstrates the Spirit Bomb, a technique that gathers life energy from all living things, executing it flawlessly. But a critical oversight throws everything into chaos: King Kai forgot to account for the time Goku needs to travel back down Snake Way. He will arrive a full day after the Saiyans.

Goku reaches Master Roshi telepathically through King Kai and urgently tells him to summon Shenron immediately. At Kame House, Roshi, Bulma, Oolong, and Puar release the Eternal Dragon. Oolong suggests wishing the Saiyans defeated, but Shenron cannot grant a wish that exceeds the power of his creator, Kami. Instead, they wish Goku back to life. His halo vanishes, and Goku begins his desperate sprint back along Snake Way.

The next day at 11:43 AM, two Saiyan space pods slam into the heart of East City. Across the planet, every Z Fighter senses the overwhelming energy. The Saiyans have arrived, and Goku is still running.

King Kai's miscalculation forces an emergency wish. Shenron is summoned at Kame House, but the dragon cannot simply eliminate enemies who surpass Kami's power. Goku is revived instead and tears across Snake Way at top speed. King Kai estimates the return trip will take just over a day.

Vegeta and Nappa's space pods crash into East City at precisely 11:43 AM, and the Z Fighters feel their staggering power from locations spread across the planet. The countdown to battle is over; the fight for survival has officially begun.

This episode establishes an important rule about the Dragon Balls: Shenron cannot grant wishes that exceed the power of Kami, his creator. This limitation will drive the heroes to seek the Namekian Dragon Balls in future arcs. The episode also features Goku's first on-screen Spirit Bomb.