The Fusion Succeeds...?!

First Attempts at Fusion

With the group gathered outside the Lookout, Goten and Trunks prepare the Fusion Dance for the first time. Yamcha suggests they do it outdoors, since a successful fusion could generate enough ki to destroy the inner shrine. The spectators speculate about the fused warrior's appearance and name. Chi-Chi proposes either Gotenks or Trunten, while Bulma notes the name hardly matters since the fusion only lasts thirty minutes.

Piccolo instructs the boys to synchronize their ki and begin. After a bright flash, the result is a large, pudgy child who can barely run five seconds without gasping. Piccolo identifies the problem: Trunks extended his fingers instead of making a fist at the critical moment. Unable to defuse on command, they wait the full thirty minutes. During the wait, the group learns the fused warrior calls himself Gotenks.

A Second Failure and the Real Deal

Once the fusion wears off, the boys try again. This time Trunks slightly misaligns his finger at the final pose, producing an extremely frail Gotenks who wheezes like an elderly man. Piccolo scolds them once more, and another thirty-minute cooldown begins. On their third try, the technique clicks. A normal-sized, confident warrior appears, radiating impressive ki that catches everyone off guard.

Piccolo is pleased and suggests they attempt the fusion again as Super Saiyans after a rest period. However, Gotenks declares he is already strong enough to defeat Majin Buu and rockets off before anyone can stop him. Piccolo calls him a fool, insisting he has no idea what Buu is capable of.

A Humbling Return

Krillin and Yamcha note that Gotenks seemed confident, wondering if he might pull it off. Their optimism is short-lived. Gotenks returns almost immediately, battered and bruised, and everyone collapses in exasperation. Piccolo declares they will challenge Buu the following day but need more training first. On the Sacred World of the Kai, the Old Kai continues his peculiar ritual around a miserable Gohan.