The Captain Himself
Ginyu tapped the scouter on his face, smirking. "Let's see what we're dealing with here." The scouter beeped and displayed Goku's power level: 5,000. Ginyu scoffed. "Five thousand? Is this some kind of joke, Jeice? No way this guy could've taken out Recoome and handled you two so easily with a power level like that."
Jeice, still hovering nearby, nodded with a frustrated expression. "Yeah, it's weird, Captain. That's all we've been able to pick up this whole time."
Ginyu lowered his scouter with a sneer, turning his gaze toward Goku. "You're either a fool or a fraud. Relying on your scouter so much has made you blind, Jeice," Ginyu said smugly, crossing his arms. "It's obvious this Saiyan's power level is well beyond 5,000. I'd wager it's closer to 60,000—or maybe even higher."
While Ginyu was still addressing Jeice, Goku glanced at his allies. "Cado, Gohan, Krillin—go get the Dragon Balls now while Frieza's distracted," he said calmly but firmly.
The three hesitated for a moment, but Goku's stern look gave them the push they needed. "Got it, Goku!" Krillin shouted, grabbing Gohan by the arm as the three of them turned and took off in the direction of the ship.
"Where do you think you're going, small fry?" Ginyu called after them, his tone dismissive.
Jeice, however, seemed less confident. "Uh, Captain, about that one with the tail—he's the one who gave Burter a run for his money earlier. Even injured, I'd say he's no pushover."
But Ginyu waved him off with a chuckle. "Please, Jeice. He's already been beaten to a pulp. If you can't handle him and Vegeta together, maybe I should rethink your place in the Ginyu Force."
Jeice winced at the jab but nodded reluctantly. "Understood, Captain."
Ginyu turned his attention back to Goku, his expression becoming sharp as he adjusted his stance. "As for you, Saiyan, I'll personally see what you're made of. Let's find out how strong you really are."
Goku smirked, his calm demeanor never wavering. "You'll find out soon enough. I'll handle you just fine."
Meanwhile, Vegeta stood off to the side, his arms crossed, his usual scowl plastered across his face. But his eyes betrayed a hint of surprise as he processed Goku's earlier comment. "So, Kakarot knows about how Saiyans get stronger after a fight... how did he figure that out?" Vegeta muttered to himself, though a smirk soon crept onto his face. "Still, this should be interesting."
As Ginyu clicked his scouter again, trying to get a better read on Goku's fluctuating power, Goku calmly got into his fighting stance, ready for the next round of battle.
As Gohan and Krillin abruptly stopped mid-air, Cado turned to them, confused. "What's wrong? Why are we stopping?"
Gohan adjusted his flight course, pulling out the Dragon Radar. "We need to grab the radar first," he said. "We'll need it to track the Dragon Balls once we get to Frieza's ship. You go on ahead, we'll catch up!"
Cado furrowed his brow but nodded. "Fine, but don't take too long. We're running out of time." Without another word, he adjusted his trajectory and sped toward Frieza's ship, the distant shape of it growing larger by the second.
When he arrived, his senses immediately picked up eight power levels stationed outside. Even in his injured state, these guards were no threat to him. Cado floated high above the ship, his red aura flickering as his breathing grew heavier from exertion. "This shouldn't take much effort," he muttered, raising one trembling hand.
With a shout, he unleashed a barrage of crimson ki blasts, raining them down on the guards below. The blasts landed with pinpoint accuracy, erupting into flames and obliterating the soldiers in mere moments. When the smoke cleared, only the sound of the wind blowing across the barren terrain remained.
Hovering above the wreckage, Cado hesitated. He stared down at the carnage he had caused, an uncharacteristic wave of guilt washing over him. Normally, he wouldn't have thought twice about killing enemies like this—it was the way his father had trained him. Yet now, as he floated there, Goku's words echoed in his mind: "You don't have to kill your enemies if they're already beaten. There's no honor in unnecessary death."
His father's voice, however, cut through the doubt: "You must be ruthless in battle and relentless in your approach."
Cado's fists clenched as he tried to reconcile the two philosophies. Was Goku right, or was his father? Could there be a balance between the two?
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Cado descended and staggered toward the entrance of Frieza's ship. Every step felt heavier, his body straining under the damage he had taken in his earlier battles. By the time he reached the medical area, his breathing was ragged, and his vision was blurring.
Inside the medical bay, he found chaos—one of the advanced healing tanks had been destroyed, leaving only an outdated model intact. He stumbled toward it, leaning heavily against the console as he activated the system. The tank hissed to life, and with a shaky breath, Cado climbed in, the healing fluid surrounding him.
As the machine began its work, he let out a sigh of relief, the tension in his battered body easing. His thoughts, however, remained troubled. Goku's compassion, his father's ruthlessness—they warred within him as sleep began to claim him.
"Maybe there's another way..." he muttered under his breath before his eyes closed, and the healing tank's soft hum became the only sound in the room.
Back on the battlefield, Goku and Vegeta stood face to face with Captain Ginyu and Jeice, the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a blade. Ginyu smirked confidently, his aura crackling as he prepared to fight. Jeice hovered beside him, still nursing his bruised ego from his earlier defeat.
Before anyone could make a move, Vegeta suddenly chuckled, breaking the silence. His laughter grew louder, almost maniacal, and he looked at Goku with a sly grin. "Good luck, Kakarot," he said mockingly. Without another word, Vegeta turned and shot off into the sky, leaving Goku alone with the two enemies.
"Coward!" Jeice shouted after him, but Ginyu didn't seem fazed.
Ginyu's smirk widened. "Looks like it's just you and me now, Saiyan," he said before dashing toward Goku with incredible speed. Goku braced himself, but Ginyu's elbow connected with his face before he could react, sending him flying backward.
Meanwhile, Vegeta flew toward Frieza's ship, his mind racing with schemes. Let that fool Kakarot handle Ginyu and Jeice. Once they've all worn each other out, I'll swoop in and clean up the mess. He smirked to himself, his confidence unshaken. Cado's at the ship, and those other two idiots, are heading there too. All I have to do is wait for them to use the Dragon Balls. Then the wish will be mine.
When Vegeta arrived at Frieza's ship, he noticed the destruction immediately. The bodies of Frieza's soldiers were strewn across the ground, scorch marks and craters painting a vivid picture of the battle that had taken place. Vegeta landed and surveyed the scene. "This is Cado's work," he muttered to himself, a flicker of pride in his voice.
He entered the ship, following a trail of blood that led him deeper into its interior. Eventually, he reached the medical bay and stopped in his tracks.
There, inside an older model healing tank, was Cado. His son was still badly injured, his armor cracked and bloodied, his tail hanging limp rather than coiled around his waist as usual. The healing fluid worked its magic, but Cado was clearly exhausted, his face peaceful in sleep.
Vegeta took a moment to observe his son. The boy's tanned skin was like his mother's, but his facial features were undeniably Vegeta's—sharp and proud. He folded his arms, his expression softening ever so slightly. He's growing stronger every day, Vegeta thought. A true warrior, just like me.
But then, another thought crossed his mind. That Namekian's trick... whatever it was, it helped him grow even stronger. Strong enough to surpass me for a while. Vegeta clenched his fists. Could Cado be the Super Saiyan?
The idea both thrilled and unsettled him. On one hand, it was a sign of Saiyan dominance, proof that their race's legend was real. On the other hand, if it wasn't him—if he wasn't the Super Saiyan—what did that mean for his destiny?
Shaking off his thoughts, Vegeta stepped away and found a small wash area to clean himself and change into fresh armor. As he finished dressing, he felt the power levels of Krillin and Gohan approaching. A wicked grin spread across his face. Perfect timing. They'll summon the dragon, and I'll be there to claim my wish.
Suppressing his power level, Vegeta slipped into the shadows and hid, watching and waiting for the two Earthlings to arrive.
As Gohan and Krillin crouched behind the rock, they carefully peered out to see who was approaching. They could see the familiar figure of what appeared to be Goku, along with the red-skinned alien from the Ginyu Force—Jeice. The two of them touched down on the ground with a heavy thud, but something was wrong.
Gohan's eyes narrowed as he studied the figure that seemed to be his father. The mannerisms were off. Goku didn't wear a scouter, and there was something in the way he carried himself that didn't sit right with Gohan. It was almost as if the person in front of them wasn't the Goku they knew.
Krillin, on the other hand, had no doubts. He rushed forward excitedly, waving his arms. "Hey! Goku! We found the Dragon Balls with the radar! But we need the Namekian password to summon Shenron. Can you—"
Before Krillin could finish, Gohan's voice suddenly rang out, stopping him mid-sentence.
"Wait... that's not my dad!" Gohan shouted, stepping forward. He had a sinking feeling in his gut. Something was definitely wrong here.
In an instant, the "Goku" before them flashed a wicked grin and swung his fist directly into Krillin's face. The punch sent Krillin flying across the air, his body flipping end over end before crashing into a pile of rocks.
Gohan gasped, his heart racing. "What... what just happened? Why did Dad—"
It was then that the truth hit them. The "Goku" they were speaking to wasn't their Goku at all. With a sickening realization, they watched as the body of their real Goku crashed to the ground nearby, looking battered and bruised, struggling to move.
The imposter—the one who had just knocked Krillin away—laughed cruelly. "You've got it right, kid. I'm not your precious Goku." He pointed to the real Goku's body lying in the dirt. "That's the real deal. My name's Ginyu, and I switched bodies with your so-called 'father' here. Now, you two can fight me, or... well, I'll just kill you both."
Gohan's mind reeled as he looked at the helpless, injured Goku. The confusion and fear were evident on his face. "No... this can't be happening. This is... wrong!"
Krillin, still recovering from the blow, managed to stand up and stagger back toward Gohan, his eyes full of disbelief. "Ginyu?! So you're the one who switched bodies with Goku? What the hell do you want with us?!" he yelled, holding his ground despite the pain.
Ginyu's laugh echoed through the air as he looked at both Krillin and Gohan, readying himself. "I want to see just how strong you two really are. Fight me, or I'll make sure you're both out of the picture. It's your choice."
Gohan clenched his fists, his mind racing. There was no way he was going to let this happen. He had to save his father, but first... he had to deal with this imposter.
Captain Ginyu grinned maniacally, savoring the moment as he stood in Goku's body. "There's no way you can defeat me now!" he laughed, the sound ringing through the air like a dark promise. "Not when I'm in this body. You've seen how powerful Goku is, but now I have his power!"
Goku—now trapped inside Ginyu's body—grimaced, still adjusting to the limitations of his new form. "I can't use my full strength... not yet," he explained to Gohan and Krillin. "I don't know how to control this body's energy or techniques like I do mine... I can't fight at full capacity, but it's the same for him we can to stop him!"
Captain Ginyu, ignoring Goku's words, threw his head back and started to yell, attempting to channel as much power as he could. The ground trembled as he unleashed a burst of energy... but when the dust cleared, the energy reading from his scouter revealed a number that shocked everyone. "Twenty-three thousand!" Ginyu exclaimed, his face contorting in frustration. It was a far cry from the kind of power he was used to.
Gohan and Krillin immediately saw their opportunity. Without wasting a second, they charged, launching a rapid barrage of crushing blows. Gohan's fists connected with Ginyu's body repeatedly, and Krillin followed up with a series of energy blasts, each one packing a punch. The imposter stumbled backward, unable to keep up with their assault, his power clearly not on par with the Saiyan strength he had hoped to wield.
"Damn it!" Ginyu cursed, barely managing to defend himself as Gohan and Krillin pummeled him. He could feel the sting of their blows, and his body was growing more and more battered with each strike. "Jeice!" he screamed out, desperate for backup.
Jeice, who had been watching from the sidelines, hesitated for a moment, but then dashed forward at Ginyu's command. He fired off a quick energy blast to try and distract Gohan and Krillin, but Vegeta suddenly appeared, crashing into Jeice and stopping him in his tracks.
Vegeta's smirk stretched wide as he turned his attention to the red-skinned alien. "Did you think you'd get away with this, Jeice?" he taunted. "You've been nothing but a nuisance. It's time to end this little charade."
Vegeta wasted no time. He powered up and launched a devastating combo of punches and kicks, each one pushing Jeice back. Jeice, though skilled, was no match for Vegeta's speed and ferocity, especially with his energy already worn down from the earlier battles.
Meanwhile, Gohan and Krillin continued to press their advantage against Ginyu. Ginyu, realizing he was no longer in control, desperately tried to use whatever energy he could muster to fight back, but it was clear he was outmatched. He barely had enough strength to stay on his feet, and every time he tried to strike back, he was met with a crushing counter from the two warriors.
"You're finished, Ginyu," Gohan said, his voice full of determination. "This body might not be yours, but it doesn't change the fact that you're still weak without Goku's training."
Ginyu growled, trying to find some way to turn the tide, but deep down, he knew he was outclassed. He had underestimated just how strong Gohan and Krillin had become. And with Vegeta now handling Jeice, it was only a matter of time before the rest of the Ginyu Force would be wiped out, just like Recoome, Burter, and Jeice.
Jeice, his face contorted with frustration and anger, kept throwing wild punches at Vegeta, but the Saiyan prince effortlessly dodged each attack, weaving through the blows with a mocking grin. "How the hell are you so strong?" Jeice yelled, his frustration mounting. "Recoome wrecked you not long ago, and I'm way stronger than that fool!"
Vegeta, enjoying the fight more than he should, laughed darkly. "Ah, that's what you don't understand, Jeice. A Saiyan gets stronger after every battle," he taunted, dodging another of Jeice's sloppy attacks. "And every one of my battles is only making me stronger. Soon, I'll be a Super Saiyan" With a swift, brutal movement, Vegeta drove an elbow deep into Jeice's gut, the force of the blow sending the red-skinned alien gasping for air, crumpling to the ground.
Jeice barely had time to react before Vegeta charged up a devastating energy blast in one hand. "Goodbye, Jeice," Vegeta smirked, and with a flick of his wrist, he launched the blast, vaporizing the Ginyu Force member in an instant. The explosion rocked the battlefield, sending shockwaves through the air.
The violent death of Jeice caught the attention of everyone, especially Ginyu. His eyes widened as he saw his subordinate obliterated before him. "No! Jeice!" Ginyu shouted, his voice filled with disbelief and rage. He tried to refocus, but the situation was quickly spiraling out of his control.
Vegeta turned his attention back to Ginyu, and he wasn't done yet. Sensing the Earthlings had taken too long to gather the Dragon Balls, Vegeta growled and dashed at Ginyu, his power surging with every step. Ginyu barely had time to react before Vegeta was on him, delivering an onslaught of punches that sent him staggering backward, unable to defend himself.
Vegeta's grin only widened as he saw Ginyu struggle. "Pathetic," he sneered, effortlessly dodging Ginyu's attacks. He knocked Ginyu into the air with a powerful kick, and before Ginyu could even regain his bearings, Vegeta followed, flying up behind him with blinding speed. He hammered Ginyu with a brutal double hammerfist to the back, sending the captain plummeting to the ground and creating a massive crater upon impact.
Ginyu, battered and bruised, tried to push himself up, desperate to find a way out of his predicament. Then, in a last-ditch attempt, he raised his hand and fired a blast directly at Vegeta. "Switch!" he shouted, attempting to use his Body Switch technique.
But before the blast could reach Vegeta, Goku, still not in his own body, flew in front of the attack. In that moment, Goku grinned, feeling the familiar process surge back through him.
Ginyu now back in his original body, is very injured and tries to change bodies with Vegeta again "Change Now!" He shouted but a frog jumped on Goku's hand and he threw it in the way of the blast and Ginyu and the frog switch bodies.
Goku, still battered and bruised from the intense battle with Ginyu and Vegeta, let out a raspy laugh as he laid in the crater. His body ached all over, but the sheer absurdity of the situation kept him somewhat entertained. "Heh, Ginyu's now a frog, dragging its belly in the dirt... That's one way to end a fight..." Goku chuckled, wincing as the pain from his injuries shot through him.
Vegeta, standing nearby with a look of annoyance, waved his hand dismissively. "Enough, Kakarot," he said. "We need to get you healed if you want to be in shape for Frieza." With that, Vegeta motioned for them to follow him, leading them toward the ship. "I have a healing tank aboard the ship. You'll get fixed up in no time."
Krillin hesitated, glancing at Goku, who, despite the pain, flashed him a reassuring grin. "Don't worry, Krillin," Goku said with a strained chuckle. "Vegeta won't kill us. He still wants a rematch."
Though Krillin was still nervous, the logic made sense. Vegeta was obsessed with strength and seemed to want to test himself against Goku, so killing him in cold blood would be counterproductive. So, the trio followed Vegeta onto the ship, hoping they'd find some relief for their bruised and battered bodies.
As they made their way to the med bay, they entered to find Cado, now dressed in armor identical to Vegeta's when back on earth. He was lying on the floor, snoring loudly. The sight of the Saiyan prince's son in such a state was comical to Gohan, Krillin, and even Goku, who cracked a smile despite himself.
Vegeta, not at all amused, scowled at the sight of his son snoring so loudly. His patience thinning, he called out, "Cado!"
The young Saiyan stirred, groggily rubbing his eyes and blinking up at the group. "Huh? What...?" he mumbled, clearly not fully awake yet.
Vegeta, his eyebrow twitching in irritation, demanded, "What the hell are you doing sleeping on the floor like that? You're healed, aren't you? Why the hell didn't you come out to help us fight?!"
Cado, still half-asleep, yawned before responding in a nonchalant tone, "I could feel your power, Father... I knew you could handle it." He stretched lazily, not showing a hint of concern.
Vegeta stood there, seething in annoyance. "Lazy-ass brats," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head.
Despite the tension in the air, Goku couldn't help but chuckle at the casual exchange between father and son. "Heh, you two sure know how to make things entertaining."
Vegeta ignored Goku and turned his attention back to the task at hand. "Alright, Kakarot, into the healing tank. You're in no condition to fight Frieza like this."
Goku, though exhausted, nodded and allowed them to help him into the healing pod. As the chamber activated and began to heal his injuries, Goku let out a contented sigh, feeling the soothing water of the tank working its magic on his battered body.
Krillin glanced at the healing pod where Goku was resting, his body slowly recovering from the brutal battle. He turned to Cado with a concerned look and asked, "Hey, is there any chance that healing water could... I don't know... drown Goku?"
Cado, still groggy from just waking up and still getting used to the dynamics aboard the ship, lazily blinked before giving a chuckle. "No, Krillin. It's designed to heal, not drown. Kakarot is fine in there... unless you wanna try to heal him yourself."
Krillin laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Right, I guess I'll leave that to the professionals."
Vegeta, noticing Krillin's and Gohan's discomfort in their old clothing, tossed them both a set of proper Frieza Force armor. "Here," he grumbled. "Wear these. They'll protect you better in a fight." The two Earthlings put on the armor, and to their surprise, it was light and flexible, not heavy and cumbersome like they had expected. They were able to move with ease, and it felt much more comfortable than the tattered clothes they had been wearing.
Krillin gave a small, appreciative grin as he flexed his arms. "Wow... this is way easier to move in than I thought! I could get used to this."
Gohan, also adjusting the armor, nodded. "Yeah, this feels pretty good. We might actually be able to hold our own in this stuff."
Vegeta smirked, clearly pleased with the results. "Good. Now, quit gushing about it. We have a battle to prepare for."
With a determined look, Krillin turned to Gohan. "I'm going to head to the Grand Elder. I need to get the password for the dragon balls and make sure Frieza doesn't find me along the way. You stay here in case he shows up. Keep an eye on things."
Gohan nodded earnestly, his eyes narrowing with resolve. "Got it, Krillin. Be careful."
Vegeta, overhearing the conversation, let out a grunt of acknowledgment. "Fine. You go. I'm going to sleep. Wake me when you return."
He then laid down, clearly drained from the earlier battles. With a huff, he closed his eyes and started drifting off into a deep sleep, his pride keeping him from showing any further weakness, but he knew he needed to recuperate.
Cado, still sleepy, yawned widely, his eyes half-closed as he glanced around. Seeing that everyone else was either asleep or resting, he found a spot on the floor, stretched out, and lay down. He wasn't particularly concerned about the situation; the comfort of a few moments of rest was too tempting after everything that had happened.
"Guess I'll get some sleep too..." Cado muttered quietly to himself before dozing off quickly.
With the group resting for the time being, the ship settled into a quiet stillness, though the tension remained. Krillin, feeling the weight of their mission ahead, left the ship, making his way toward the Grand Elder, his thoughts on what he needed to do next. The fate of the Dragon Balls, and perhaps even the fate of Namek, was in his hands.