Goku's Next Journey

Uub's rage erupts into action, and what follows stuns every spectator in the arena. The timid village boy trades blows with Goku on nearly equal footing, shaking the stadium with the force of their exchange. Goku intentionally holds back at times, testing the boundaries of Uub's power and control. He is impressed by the raw strength but notices that Uub has no understanding of ki manipulation and cannot fly.

The shockwaves from their battle rattle the tournament grounds so violently that other contestants flee in terror. Captain Chicken and Nok attempt to leave entirely, only to be stopped by tournament officials insisting they stay for their scheduled matches.

Satisfied that Uub is everything he hoped for, Goku stops the fight and explains his true intentions. He was never trying to be cruel. He needed Uub angry to see what he was capable of. Goku offers to take Uub to the Lookout and train him personally, helping him master his extraordinary gifts. Uub, confused but willing, agrees on the condition that Goku help him get prize money for his starving village. Goku promises to arrange it through Mr. Satan.

Then comes the hard part. Goku turns to his family and friends and tells them he is leaving. Pan cries and begs him not to go, but he comforts her with a promise to visit. He asks Goten and Trunks to serve as Earth's protectors in his absence. He apologizes to Vegeta for departing without their long-awaited rematch, and Vegeta, with characteristic composure, replies that they would need an entire planet for that fight anyway.

Goku and Uub rise from the tournament grounds and fly off together, technically forfeiting the match and leaving the bracket in chaos. Back in the ring, Trunks, Goten, and Pan entertain the remaining crowd, with Pan defeating Goten in a playful sparring bout.

As Goku carries Uub on his back toward the boy's home island, Vegeta watches them disappear into the sky. He knows, perhaps better than anyone, that Goku's real reason for training Uub is not charity. It is the same hunger that has defined his entire life: the desire to grow stronger by forging a rival worthy of his best. Goku's eyes sparkle at the prospect of what lies ahead. The final episode of Dragon Ball Z closes with its hero doing what he has always done best, chasing the next challenge with pure, boundless joy.