The Ultimate Battle Begins!

Goku Arrives

Standing atop Frieza's spaceship, Goku locks onto the battlefield with his ki sense and confirms the fight is happening nearby. At the battle site, Frieza continues to brutalize Vegeta without mercy. He flings the battered Saiyan prince into a rock formation with his tail and complains that Vegeta has become a boring opponent. Just as Frieza prepares to deliver a finishing blow, Goku touches down on the island, drawing every pair of eyes to him at once. Goku notices Piccolo among the group and pieces together that he was revived using the Dragon Balls. He announces that he will handle things from here. Gohan and Krillin immediately notice that Goku's ki feels dramatically different from before, as though he has reached an entirely new plateau of strength.

A Clash of Titans

Goku tells Frieza to leave Vegeta alone. Frieza pauses, sensing something familiar about the newcomer's face. Vegeta, barely clinging to consciousness, addresses Goku by his Saiyan birth name, Kakarot. The mention triggers a memory for Frieza, who realizes that Goku bears a striking resemblance to the low-class Saiyan warrior Bardock. Vegeta watches the exchange with desperate hope, wondering whether Goku has truly become a Super Saiyan. Frieza dismisses the arrival and promises to kill this new challenger just as easily as the others.

Vegeta's Final Words

Frieza attacks first, lashing out with a swift kick. Goku sidesteps it cleanly and counters with a kick of his own that catches Frieza square in the face. Seemingly more amused than hurt, Frieza fires five Death Beams at once. Goku deflects every one of them with a single hand, sending the beams scattering into the sky. Frieza's expression shifts from amusement to genuine surprise. Vegeta, watching from the ground, musters the strength to tell Frieza that Goku is the real Super Saiyan and that the tyrant's reign is finished. He says he is glad to have lived long enough to see a Saiyan rise to the legend. Frieza, disturbed by the conviction in Vegeta's voice, raises his finger and drives a Death Beam through the Saiyan prince's heart, mortally wounding him.