A powerful white aura erupted from Captain Ginyu's body, and his figure shot through the sky like a streak of light, finally stopping high above where Vegeta, Recoome, and the others battled.
Vegeta, Krillin, and Son Gohan stared at Captain Ginyu in horror; their faces were drawn tight with tension.
Meanwhile, Jeice and Recoome, the two remaining members of the Ginyu Force on the battlefield, brightened with joy upon seeing their captain's arrival.
"Captain Ginyu! Thank goodness you're here!"
Jeice pointed at Zeltron—who sat calmly not far off—with a mixture of resentment and anxiety.
Captain Ginyu had not come to aid Jeice and Recoome out of loyalty alone. Using his scouter, he had detected a power level exceeding 180,000 in this direction and rushed immediately to investigate.
However, Zeltron had just acquired the [Control power] attribute and suppressed his immense ki. When Ginyu scanned Zeltron's power level, it read only 12,000—far below his true strength—so Ginyu initially dismissed him.
After hearing Jeice's words, Ginyu's gaze returned to Zeltron.
"Oh?"
Ginyu stared in surprise. Could someone with a mere 12,000 power level have killed Burter? Impossible.
Burter's body still lay there, a grim reminder, and the truth became clear to Ginyu:
"This one… like King Frieza himself, must have the ability to transform and boost power level at will."
A sly curve tugged at Ginyu's lips as he silently acknowledged this.
"Captain Ginyu, be careful! This man's power level is more than 180,000!"
Jeice's warning startled the captain, but a dark joy filled him.
Jeice and Recoome exchanged confused glances, whispering to each other.
What just happened?
Is the captain crazy?
If the enemy's power level exceeds 180,000, shouldn't we be terrified?
Why is he laughing like this instead of preparing to fight?
Of course, neither Jeice nor Recoome knew that Captain Ginyu had come specifically for Zeltron.
Ginyu assumed he had lost track of the 180,000+ power level combatant, but Jeice's report renewed his confidence—Zeltron, right before him, was the very target.
Finding the prey, Ginyu's joy grew.
(I want your body!)
(But first, I must test if your power level is real!)
The wild laughter that had swept the sky suddenly ceased, and Ginyu's sharp eyes locked intently on Zeltron.
"You look confident. I'm not even nervous facing your power level!"
After a tense moment of mutual scrutiny, Ginyu exploded in movement—an immense aura bursting forth from his body.
He raised his hand and launched a ki blast the size of a basketball directly at Zeltron below.
"Danger!"
Rapp's face shifted instantly as he saw Ginyu's sudden attack.
In the next heartbeat, Rapp and Toss exploded away from Zeltron, splitting left and right, while Zeltron squatted still, unmoving—taking the full blast head-on.
BOOM!
The sphere of fire erupted instantly, swallowing the hill where Zeltron sat.
A massive air wave radiated outward like ripples across a pond.
Sand and debris flew violently through the air.
Krillin, Son Gohan, and the others closer to the blast shielded themselves as their clothes flapped violently.
"Zeltron-sama..."
Toss hovered nearby, eyes wide with worry as he stared at the fiery hemisphere still burning below.
"Don't worry, an attack at this level won't harm Master Zeltron at all!"
Rapp landed beside Toss, his voice flat as though they had seen it all many times before.
After several seconds, the dust and smoke settled.
Zeltron's figure reappeared—hovering one meter above the now-razed hill—completely unharmed.
"See? I told you he'd be fine!"
Rapp smiled, turning to Toss.
Though Toss exhaled relief first, his eyes now gleamed with renewed admiration for Zeltron.
Meanwhile, Vegeta, Son Gohan, Captain Ginyu, and the others all observed the scene, their expressions complex.
Vegeta's face was tight with resentment.
Son Gohan's eyes were wide with surprise.
Captain Ginyu's mouth curled with a greedy smile.
"A man with a power level above 180,000—truly formidable!"
The corner of Ginyu's mouth lifted as his eyes sparkled with covetous hunger.
'You want to trade bodies with me, huh?'
Zeltron, unaware of the darker thoughts swirling in Ginyu's mind, could have easily ended the captain in seconds.
That would put a swift end to this game—but it was better to wait.
Zeltron had two main goals on Namek: to collect Guldo's [Time Pause] attribute and to obtain the S-cell (Z Fighter's life energy) left after Son Goku transformed into Super Saiyan.
Captain Ginyu had also played a role in Goku's transformation.
So, for now, Zeltron had no intention of killing Ginyu immediately.
Besides, eliminating him too soon would risk alerting Son Goku, who was expected to arrive any moment to assist Vegeta, Krillin, and Son Gohan.
Zeltron glanced skyward, muttering quietly to himself, unheard by others:
"Goku should be arriving soon. Better enjoy this while it lasts."
According to Zeltron's estimation, Goku's universe ship had already reached Namek's atmosphere and was about to land.