Vegeta's Ploy

Gohan Strikes Back

While Frieza continues to pummel Piccolo with rapid-fire finger blasts, Gohan hurls himself at the tyrant. Frieza sidesteps the initial charge, but Gohan loops around behind him and fires a massive energy wave at point-blank range. Frieza manages to catch the blast, yet the sheer force behind it keeps him pinned. The two struggle in a tug of war, with Gohan pouring more energy into the attack while Frieza pushes back with his palms. Eventually Gohan's reserves run dry and Frieza begins to shove the blast back toward him, but Piccolo dives in and knocks the redirected energy safely away before it can hit.

Frieza Identifies the Threat

Frieza is visibly startled by the amount of power a child was able to produce, especially after a brush with death. He deduces that Gohan must be a Saiyan and begins trying to place his lineage. Piccolo compliments Gohan on the display, though Gohan admits it was not enough to defeat Frieza. Frieza rules out Vegeta and Nappa as the boy's father but notices a resemblance to Raditz. Deciding that all remaining Saiyans are too dangerous to leave alive, he declares his intent to destroy both Gohan and Vegeta.

Krillin Pulls the Trigger

Vegeta, growing increasingly desperate, once again urges Krillin to wound him to the brink of death. Krillin objects, pointing out that Goku should arrive soon and could turn the battle around. Vegeta dismisses the idea, insisting that even Goku will not be strong enough to matter. Frieza then announces that he will undergo one more transformation, this time into his true and final form. The revelation shocks everyone present. Seeing no other path to victory, Krillin steels himself, takes aim, and fires a blast straight through Vegeta's chest. Gohan and Piccolo look on in horror as Vegeta crumples, blood spilling from the wound. Even as he collapses, the Saiyan prince mutters that this is his ticket to becoming a Super Saiyan at last.