It's Goku, we're saved!!

"Bulma, hurry back! It's going to get very dangerous here soon," Yamcha urged Bulma.

"I never once saw Frieza back on Namek, so I came here specifically to get a look at him."

"Frieza could destroy the Earth with ease, right? So it doesn't matter where I am."

"Since that's the case, I'd rather be here on the scene to see what he actually looks like," Bulma said.

"Yamcha, you should go join them too! Gohan and the others have already started fighting!"

"This... alright!"

After casting two worried glances at Bulma, Yamcha turned and quickly joined the fray.

A year had passed since Son Goku and Frieza's decisive battle on Namek. During this year, the Earth's warriors had not slackened in their training; even Gohan had maintained basic workouts alongside his studies, and Vegeta had been even more diligent, undergoing high-gravity training at Bulma's home.

"Oh?"

"Is that Vegeta? Let me see how strong his power level has become." King Cold was somewhat surprised by Vegeta's performance and ordered his subordinates to scan Vegeta's power level.

"Yes, King Cold!!"

"Huh? Eh? What?"

"King Cold, Vegeta's power level has exceeded the upper limit of our Scouters!!"

"Is that so? It's exceeded the limit, has it?" King Cold's expression shifted slightly.

"Remarkable. The current Vegeta has already far surpassed his father, King Vegeta," King Cold remarked.

"Is he the second strongest Saiyan in the universe now?"

"No, Father," Frieza said.

"Look at that child," Frieza pointed out to King Cold.

"Hmm?"

"That is the son of that Super Saiyan. When he gets emotional, the power he erupts with is even greater than Vegeta's. I experienced it myself," Frieza said.

The returned Frieza had half his body replaced with machinery. His mechanical body came equipped with a built-in Scouter function, providing higher precision that allowed him to gather more information during combat.

"You've certainly been busy, wiping out all my combatants in such a short time," Frieza said to the warriors defending Earth. Frieza was finally about to make his move.

The Emperor of the Universe, Frieza, raised his finger and pointed it at the weakest person on the scene.

"Chiaotzu, look out!!"

"Tien Shinhan!!"

"In the way." Vegeta appeared in the path of Frieza's Death Beam, raising his hand to block the pink beam of energy.

"You've improved quite a bit, Vegeta," Frieza complimented.

"Hmph." Vegeta let out a cold snort.

"But do you have the confidence to oppose me when you aren't a Super Saiyan?" Frieza asked.

"In consideration of your years of diligent service, I can grant you a swift death. How was that experience last time? I'll give you time to say your last words," Frieza said to Vegeta.

"Don't you dare mock me!!!"

"Today, I'll be the one to!!!"

Vegeta charged forward!

He threw punches at maximum speed!

Every one of Vegeta's fists was dodged by Frieza.

"!"

Frieza whipped his tail around violently, sending Vegeta flying.

Son Gohan appeared behind Vegeta and caught him.

"Are you alright?" Gohan asked.

"Go, Gohan..."

"Gohan?"

Vegeta tilted his head, observing the expression on Son Gohan's face.

Gohan was still just a child; he remembered how Gohan had been a year ago on Namek.

Why was Son Gohan showing no fear now?

"Gohan, you seem very calm."

"...Could it be that you?!"

"Could you possibly..."

A thought that stung his pride while leaving him deeply conflicted surfaced in his mind.

Could Gohan also transform into a Super Saiyan?!

While everyone else was incredibly tense, only Gohan remained composed, his eyes even harboring a faint sense of anticipation.

Is this confidence in his own combat power?!

Vegeta thought to himself, and suddenly a smile appeared on his face.

He suddenly felt like laughing.

"..."

Piccolo looked at Frieza and King Cold with a grave expression, then glanced over at the situation with Son Gohan and Vegeta.

What were they doing?

Why did Vegeta suddenly laugh? Had he thought of a way to defeat those two monsters?

"Mr. Vegeta, my dad will arrive at the most critical moment," Son Gohan whispered to Vegeta.

"What!?"

Gohan, so your confidence comes from your father, Kakarot!?

Piccolo frowned; his Namekian hearing had picked up what Gohan said.

"Understood." Piccolo's tense nerves relaxed slightly.

He didn't know why Gohan would say that.

But perhaps this was the telepathic connection between father and son?

"Gohan, when exactly is this 'critical moment' you speak of?" Vegeta asked. "Don't tell me it's when the Earth is about to be destroyed?"

"It won't be."

"Let's go together!!" Son Gohan shouted to Vegeta.

"Are you coming?" Frieza extended his right hand and flexed it.

He intended to use only one hand to deal with the charging Son Gohan and Vegeta.

"What were you two whispering about just now? Were you discussing some kind of strategy?" Frieza asked.

"It's all useless."

Gohan erupted with all of his power, a white aura surging into the sky.

Gohan's energy was so immense that it could be felt even from outside the Earth.

"Haaa!!!"

Vegeta also unleashed his energy to its full extent!

The combined power of their auras caused the ground to tremble incessantly.

"..."

Frieza watched silently as Son Gohan and Vegeta put on their show.

"Zzz--!!"

Suddenly, a figure appeared behind Gohan.

Everyone present suddenly sensed an additional presence.

Although the clothes he wore were somewhat strange, that iconic hairstyle silently announced the newcomer's identity.

"What?"

"That is!!"

"How can this be?"

"Son?"

"Am I dreaming?"

"Hey, everyone, are you all okay?" Son asked, turning back to look at the group.

"I arrived just in time, didn't I? Hehe." Son Goku, the Saiyan who grew up on Earth, laughed.

"Dad!!" Son Gohan smiled the brightest.

"Kakarot..."

Vegeta's hanging heart finally settled; what Gohan said was true.

"Frieza, I will be the one to finish you."

Kakarot's gaze became serious, and his entire demeanor shifted.

"Dad, please finish off Frieza and his father in one go."

"Otherwise, they will make Earth end up just like Namek," Gohan reminded him nervously.

When his father hadn't returned, Gohan hadn't felt particularly nervous, but now that his dad was back, Gohan felt anxious instead.

"Mm, I know."

Son Goku understood the meaning behind Son Gohan's reminder.

He would not give Frieza and King Cold a chance to destroy the Earth.