Naturally, Zeltron hadn't "learned" Goku's Afterimage Fist in the traditional way.
He had picked it up—a quirk of his strange ability.
The System.
But from Goku's perspective, it looked like Zeltron had copied him in mere seconds.
After all, Zeltron had already stolen Kaio-ken earlier.
What was another stolen move to a genius like him?
"You're not bad. You can actually keep up with my rhythm," Zeltron said with a small smirk after blocking one of Goku's punches.
"Come on, don't play with me," Goku shot back, excitement burning in his eyes.
"I know you're not even using half your strength yet!"
'Half?'
Zeltron almost laughed.
Not even a tenth.
But of course, he didn't say it aloud.
"If that's the case," Zeltron replied calmly, "I should get a little more serious."
His attacks instantly grew sharper.
Faster.
Goku still fought back, but he was beginning to lose ground.
Zeltron could hear the ragged edges of his breathing.
The clash continued.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
The air shook with each exchange.
Suddenly, Zeltron's fists accelerated again—far beyond what Goku's body could follow.
Although Goku's eyes tracked the incoming strike, his body lagged behind.
BAM!
A clean hit to the cheek.
His head snapped back, and his body stumbled half a step.
But Goku wasn't human.
He countered immediately, throwing a fierce punch of his own.
Zeltron had already seen through it. With a slight shift of his body, he dodged effortlessly.
WHAM!
Another heavy blow from Zeltron sank into Goku's torso, and this time it was too much.
BOOM!
Like a cannonball, Goku crashed down into the sea below, water exploding outward in every direction.
"He won!" Rapp shouted triumphantly, pumping his fist.
He didn't miss the chance to side-eye Gohan.
The look on his face practically screamed: 'Told you so. Our Lord Zeltron is built different.'
"Bro chill," Toss added with a grin.
"This isn't even a 'W' yet. Goku's the kinda dude who smiles when he gets punched. Lowkey psycho."
And sure enough, just before Goku hit the water, his aura erupted.
The sheer force blasted against the sea's surface, halting his fall mid-air.Below him, the ocean cratered into a massive depression.
"Is this all your strength?" Goku called, his voice steady despite the blood on his lips.
Zeltron floated above him, arms crossed. "Why? Do you want to continue?"
"No," Goku admitted, slowly rising into the sky.
"This was my first time transforming into a Super Saiyan. I'm not fully used to this body yet."He clenched his fist and smiled up at Zeltron.
"Besides… I know I'd lose to you eventually."
Hearing that, Zeltron's golden aura flickered out, his hair turning back to its natural black.
"Then we'll meet again next time," he said, turning away.
He flew back toward where Toss and Rapp were waiting.
"You two, let's go."
Toss immediately joined him.Rapp lingered just long enough to throw a casual wave at Gohan. "Later—no wait, actually… no more!" he corrected, half joking.
"Universe is way too big, bro. Probably never gonna see you again. Unless the plot says otherwise."
With that, he blasted off after Zeltron.
Goku remained hovering in the sky, frowning slightly.
"'See you next time'? What does that even mean?"
He couldn't know yet.
Android 17 and 18 were destined to appear.
Then Cell.
And when those monsters came, Zeltron would be there too—collecting power, pushing limits, and watching Earth's warriors grow.
"Dad, let's head to Frieza's ship!" Gohan suddenly said, breaking Goku's thoughts.
"Hm? What for?" Goku asked, raising an eyebrow.
Gohan quickly explained Piccolo's plan: resurrect everyone Frieza had killed using Earth's Shenron, then use Namek's dragon balls to revive Krillin and Chiaotzu.
"That's amazing!" Goku grinned, his spirits lifting. "If Shenron on Namek can bring Krillin back, then we don't have a second to waste."
He grabbed Gohan, and together with Bulma they streaked off toward Frieza's ship.
Meanwhile, Zeltron, Toss, and Rapp had already boarded a small ship and taken off.From the window, Zeltron watched as dark clouds gathered over Namek.The sky turned ominous in an instant.
He smirked."So… Shenron has been resurrected."
Back on the battlefield, a body stirred.
Vegeta's eyes snapped open.
"I'm… alive?!" he gasped, staring at his hands in disbelief.
What he didn't know was that Earth's wish had restored everyone killed by Frieza and his men.
Vegeta had been one of them.
And so the proud prince of Saiyans lived again.