The Last Heartbeat

Goku Crushed

Great Ape Vegeta continues squeezing Goku in his massive hands, and the sound of Goku screaming echoes across the wasteland. Yajirobe, who has somehow remained nearby through the entire ordeal, watches helplessly. Krillin and Gohan approach the battlefield from above, spotting the artificial moon still glowing in the sky. They descend and see the enormous ape holding Goku. Krillin pulls Gohan down to stay out of sight, recognizing that Vegeta has transformed into a Great Ape.

A Coordinated Attack

Krillin and Gohan touch down and prepare to intervene. Yajirobe runs out from behind cover and warns them about the monster's strength. Krillin tells him they already know what they are dealing with, and more importantly, they know that severing Vegeta's tail will revert him to normal. The plan is straightforward: Gohan and Yajirobe distract Vegeta from the front while Krillin circles behind to cut the tail. Gohan and Krillin charge forward, but Yajirobe hangs back, fully aware of the suicidal gap in power.

The Destructo Disc

Krillin senses that Goku's ki has nearly vanished. Gohan shouts at Vegeta to release his father, drawing the giant's attention. Vegeta taunts the boy, saying Goku is on the verge of death and Gohan can watch the finishing blow. While Vegeta focuses on Gohan, Krillin raises his hand and forms a Destructo Disc. He launches it at Vegeta's tail, but at the last instant Vegeta leaps into the air, and the disc passes beneath him, slicing through rock instead. Vegeta announces he will deal with them right after finishing Goku.

Yajirobe's Moment

Krillin is devastated, apologizing to Goku for failing. Vegeta prepares to crush Goku between both hands. Then, from directly behind, Yajirobe dashes in and swings his katana in a single clean arc, severing Vegeta's tail completely. He sprints away without hesitation. Vegeta, blindsided by a fighter he had not even registered as a threat, drops Goku as his body begins to shrink. The Great Ape form recedes, and the Saiyan prince reverts to normal.