Just after Zeltron blasted Captain Ginyu to death, the system prompt echoed in his mind:
"Does the host pick up the power level attribute?"
Hearing the system, Zeltron immediately turned and glanced toward the battlefield behind him, where Vegeta and Recoome clashed fiercely. Countless power level attributes floated like golden coins in the sky—left behind from the recent fight between Vegeta, Son Gohan, and Krillin against Recoome.
"Yes."
At Zeltron's command, these power level attributes—resembling golden tadpoles—converged into a flowing river of light, streaming continuously into his body.
Watching the virtual screen before him, Zeltron saw his power level climb every few seconds, each leap marking an increase of 10,000 units:
43.16 million
43.17 million
43.18 million
…
When the last power level attribute was absorbed, the number stabilized at 43.26 million.
This meant that from the fierce battle moments ago, Zeltron's power level had risen by more than 100,000.
While a jump from 43.16 to 43.26 million might seem small, an increment of 100,000 at this scale is significant—especially since Vegeta himself has never attained such a power level.
Zeltron effortlessly gathered the power level attributes dropped during the battle, though Vegeta and others were unaware. They only noticed Zeltron's intense gaze fixed upon them, which unnerved both Vegeta and Recoome deeply—like prey sensing a predator's eyes.
The atmosphere grew increasingly tense and heavy.
"Huh? What's going on?"
Krillin kept scanning between Vegeta and Zeltron, puzzled by the mounting pressure.
From Krillin's perspective, Zeltron was here to aid them against the Ginyu Force.
Suddenly, a streak of dazzling white light shot toward the battlefield at incredible speed.
Within moments, it slowed and hovered overhead. The massive inertia generated a powerful air wave, scattering sand and dust, whipping up the battle armour of Krillin and Son Gohan.
The group had no time to react.
When they finally looked up, a figure in an orange battle suit was suspended in the sky.
"That is..."
"Kakarot?!"
"Father!"
"Goku!"
Son Gohan and Krillin's faces brightened with joy, while Vegeta's expression shifted to surprise.
Indeed, the newcomer was none other than Son Goku.
"Is he finally here?"
Zeltron turned slightly, casting a sidelong glance at Goku with a faint, amused smile curling his lips. He murmured softly, a voice audible only to himself:
"So fast! I barely saw him arrive!"
Rapp and Toss also showed mild surprise at Goku's incredible speed.
Only Recoome and Jeice, the remaining Ginyu Force members, looked stunned.
"Yo, Vegeta, it's you after all!"
Goku briefly scanned the gathered fighters before fixing his gaze on Vegeta.
"Damn, Kakarot's power level has risen a lot!"
Vegeta did not respond to Goku's greeting; he clenched his fists, holding an unwilling gaze toward Goku and Zeltron.
Although Goku's energy was now suppressed — his scouter would register only about 5,000 power level — Vegeta judged from his flying speed that Goku's true power was far higher than during their last fight on Earth.
Vegeta was the Saiyan prince, and among the few Saiyans left aside from Son Gohan, he regarded himself as the lowest.
How could the proud King Vegeta accept this?
"Dad, this person is..."
Son Gohan attempted to explain, but Goku cut him off, locking eyes on Zeltron.
"Needless to say, I've heard of this from King Kai!"
At the mention of "King Kai," a shadow flickered across Zeltron's mind.
Though he had not met the Realm King since arriving in Dragon Ball's world, Zeltron knew of King Kai's role.
King Kai, the true "King of the Realm," wielded a pair of mystical "antennas" allowing him to observe cosmic events across the universe.
It was likely that King Kai had witnessed Zeltron's recent battle with Captain Ginyu.
'So that's why—the Realm King has noticed my presence.'
Zeltron gave a condescending glance toward Goku.
He saw the fierce fighting spirit burning in Goku's eyes.
No doubt, Goku had heard about Zeltron directly from King Kai.
Now, Goku considered Zeltron the opponent he most desired to challenge.
'Goku really is Goku—he wants to fight me even knowing my power.'
'He can't really see Mount Tai'
[A/N: Lol]
A faint, curious smile curled at the corner of Zeltron's mouth as he studied Goku.