"Kaio-ken… I finally got it!"
Zeltron stared at the glowing [Kaio-ken] icon on his system panel, excitement flooding his heart.
[Kaio-ken] was legendary—the ability to multiply your power level several times over in an instant.
Double Kaio-ken: your power level doubles.
Triple Kaio-ken: it triples.
Ten times Kaio-ken: tenfold increase.
Back in "Dragon Ball," Goku barely managed to withstand Kaio-ken x20 while fighting Hit, causing his power to soar off the charts.
Later, after Goku achieved Super Saiyan Omni, there were even references to a 100x Kaio-ken.(Fan-made)
But Kaio-ken wasn't something you could just crank up as high as you wanted.
While it multiplied power, the strain on the body was immense.
If you overdid it, you'd destroy yourself before your opponent even had to try.
By Zeltron's reckoning, with his current physical resilience, he could handle Kaio-ken x10 without major trouble.
Kaio-ken x20? That would be reckless.
A hundred times? Suicidal.
And those worried Zeltron hadn't trained his body for it were dead wrong.
The power level attributes he'd gathered all this time weren't just raw numbers—they included speed, strength, endurance, and sheer durability.
As Zeltron's power level attributes increased, so did all his physical stats.
Goku could use Kaio-ken x10 when his power level reached 3 million.
Zeltron's power level was now 43,260,000—so using x10 Kaio-ken wouldn't be an issue.
"My power level is over forty million… If I use Kaio-ken x10… over four hundred million!"
That number gave even Zeltron pause.
For comparison, full-power Frieza and freshly-transformed Super Saiyan Goku both capped around 150 million.
Zeltron could reach 400 million without even transforming.
It wouldn't match Super Saiyan 2, but for now, 400 million made him nearly unrivalled in Universe 7.
"This trip to Namek was definitely worth it."
Zeltron looked over his [Time Pause] and [Kaio-ken] abilities in the system, satisfaction in his eyes.
Putting the system out of his mind, Zeltron looked back to the battlefield, where Goku—enveloped in scarlet Kaio-ken energy—had his massive fist hovering just above Jeice's nose. In that moment, Goku could've ended Jeice with a single punch. But he didn't.
Jeice felt his heart clench as if squeezed by a demon's hand, sweat pouring down. He hadn't even seen Goku's attack—it was pure luck that Goku held back.
"You've already lost."
Goku said with a quiet confidence, pulling his fist back and half-smiling at Jeice.
Jeice breathed a trembling sigh of relief, feeling as if he'd just escaped death itself.
"Is this really Goku's power…?"
"I couldn't see Dad move at all!"
Krillin and Gohan, watching, were awestruck; excitement shone in their eyes.
Vegeta, meanwhile, could only clutch his fist and grind his teeth in quiet, bitter frustration.
"Hey, Zeltron, this fight's over—he's lost, right?"
Goku looked over his shoulder, awaiting permission.
Zeltron, whose only purpose in having Goku fight Recoome and Jeice was to witness the Kaio-ken, already had what he wanted.
"Yes, it's over."
Goku's face brightened, crimson aura melting away in an instant.
"Kakarot! What are you doing?! Finish him off—he's one of Frieza's elite!"
Vegeta's frustrated shout rang out.
Goku shrugged, looking at Jeice.
"No need, Vegeta. He's lost—and as for you," Goku added to Jeice,
"Just go. Don't make trouble again."
Vegeta fumed.
"Sympathy again, Kakarot? You're hopeless—just like on Earth!"
Memories surged: Krillin nearly finished Vegeta, but Goku's sympathy spared him.
Watching Goku's mercy for Jeice only twisted the knife in Vegeta's pride.
HUM—
Jeice, now free, shot Zeltron and Goku a wary look, then erupted into a burst of ki, fleeing the area without hesitation.
"That Kakarot… too naive!" Vegeta grumbled.
But Vegeta had no intention of mercy. As Jeice tried to escape, Vegeta leapt after him.
Good. Maybe this will give me a few more power level attributes to collect…
Zeltron smirked quietly.
In Dragon Ball canon, Vegeta's power exploded after healing from Likum due to Senzu Beans—but in this timeline, there'd be no Senzus. Still, an evenly-matched fight was better for Zeltron, as a one-sided massacre yielded little to harvest.
[DING—Congratulations, host, power level attribute +420]
[DING—Congratulations, host, power level attribute +460]
...
As system prompts chimed, Goku turned back to Zeltron, eyes flashing with battle spirit.
"Alright—since I promised, let's have our match."
Zeltron straightened, his own energy flaring with anticipation.