Inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Goku trained relentlessly. At one point, he saw Gohan tap into a mysterious surge of power—brief, yet immense. For a fleeting moment, Goku considered letting Gohan fight Cell after him. But something inside told him not to. So, they trained harder. Together, father and son spent the entire year mastering their strength.

Ten days later, the day of the Cell Games arrived.

Goku and Gohan arrived at the battlefield. The others were already there. Krillin, Piccolo, Vegeta, Trunks—each wore a grim, tense expression. The air was thick with unease, but Goku stepped forward calmly.

His battle with Cell began. Blow after blow, they clashed as equals. But Goku could sense it—if he didn't push further, he might not win. He began to raise his Ki higher than ever before. A golden aura surged around him, shocking everyone. Even Vegeta clenched his fists, his jaw tight with frustration. But the transformation didn't last. As quickly as it came, it faded.

With no other choice, Goku activated the Kaio-Ken, red energy swirling over his Super Saiyan form. He charged forward and delivered a devastating punch to Cell's gut, forcing him to vomit Android 18. Immediately, Cell's body shrunk and reverted to his Semi-Perfect form.

Sensing the drop in Cell's energy, Goku didn't hesitate. He began charging a Kamehameha. With a mighty roar, he unleashed the wave, obliterating Cell completely.

As the dust settled, Goku stood with a sigh of relief. He remained on guard, scanning for any sign of regeneration—but there was none. Cell was gone.

He turned to his friends with a tired smile.

But something was wrong.

Their faces were cold. Grim. Unforgiving.

"Now!" Krillin shouted.

Before Goku could react, they all lunged at him—even Gohan.

Vegeta struck first, his fist slamming into Goku's face. Trunks and Piccolo followed, driving their fists into his gut. Goku staggered back, confused and bleeding.

"W-What are you doing?" he asked, eyes wide. "Why are you hitting me?"

"You shouldn't live anymore," Krillin growled.

Goku's heart sank. "What…?"

Gohan stepped forward. His eyes were filled not with sorrow, but with hatred.

"They're right, Dad," he said coldly. "At first, I didn't agree with them. But Mom opened my eyes. You left us—left me and her behind to train in space while the world suffered. Everything that happened… it was because of you."

His words cut deeper than any punch.

Then Vegeta struck him again, this time from behind, sending Goku to the ground.

"Well, Kakarot," Vegeta sneered, "didn't you say you were stronger than me? Let's see you prove it now. You humiliated me again. Disrespected the Prince of all Saiyans. I told you—I'd be the one to kill you."

Goku slowly pushed himself to his feet. He didn't fight back.

Not because he couldn't.

But because his spirit was breaking. Hearing those words—from his own son, from his friends—shattered something inside.

Another blow hit the back of his head, dropping him to his knees.

Then, they all powered up.

Vegeta charged his Final Flash. The others followed with their strongest techniques. Goku just stood there, silent, accepting.

A massive explosion of light and Ki swallowed him whole.

When the smoke cleared, nothing remained. No body. No ashes.

Just silence.

"Good riddance," Gohan muttered.

"Yeah," Krillin said, forcing a smile. "Now we can finally live in peace."

In Other World

Goku slowly opened his eyes.

He found himself standing before the massive desk of King Yemma. The usual energy and bustle of the afterlife were absent. The room was silent.

Yemma already knew what had happened.

His fists were clenched, his face grim—not with judgment, but with rage barely contained. Not at Goku… but at what had been done to him.

He looked down at the Saiyan warrior with eyes full of something rare: pity.

Even the assistants standing beside him were shocked. They had never seen King Yemma—ruler of the Other World—speak this softly.

Yemma took a deep breath and spoke, not with his usual booming authority, but with quiet sympathy.

"Goku… you lived your life saving others. You never asked for anything in return. You sacrificed yourself time and time again—for Earth, for the universe, for people who depended on you."

"And yet... in the end, they betrayed you. Your own friends. Your own son."

His voice trembled. For a moment, Yemma wasn't a god overseeing souls—he was simply someone mourning the injustice of a pure heart shattered by the ones it trusted most.

"This death… it wasn't meant for a warrior like you. No words can heal what they've done to you. And as much as I wish I could change it… I can't. The rules bind even me."

There was a long pause.

"All I can do… is offer you peace. I'm sending you to Heaven, Goku."

Goku didn't speak.

He didn't cry. He didn't protest.

He just stood there in silence, his eyes hollow.

Two ogres approached him gently. With a soft nod, Goku followed them.

As the gates to Heaven opened, golden light poured out.

Goku walked forward without looking back.

And behind him, King Yemma whispered quietly—more to himself than anyone else:

"You deserved better... far better than this."

Seven years later

Seven years had passed since Goku's betrayal and death.

The world moved on.

Those responsible for his end—his friends, his son, and even his wife—carried no remorse. Not even a flicker of guilt.

Chi-Chi remarried a man she admired, and Gohan offered no objection. In fact, he supported it. His younger sister, Mika, was born shortly after. A bright, innocent girl, unaware of the darkness buried in her family's past.

To Gohan, what happened that day at the Cell Games was necessary. He had no regrets. He believed it was the only way to protect the Earth—from Goku.

Now 17, Gohan attended Orange Star High School, living under a false peace. There, he met Videl, daughter of Hercule Satan. Through a twist of fate, he was forced to enter the upcoming World Martial Arts Tournament.

Out of courtesy, he informed the others—Piccolo, Krillin, Vegeta—who all agreed to join.

In the days before the tournament, Gohan trained Videl, teaching her how to fly. She was a fast learner. Once her training ended, Gohan returned to sparring with Piccolo, only to realize just how much weaker he had become.

He struggled to even hold Super Saiyan, and Piccolo didn't hold back.

"You've grown soft," Piccolo said bluntly. "You let peace times rot your strength."

The Day of the Tournament

Gohan stood among the familiar faces. The tournament had begun.

When it was Videl's turn to fight Spopovich, something felt wrong.

As the brutal match unfolded, Gohan clenched his fists, fury in his veins. But Piccolo stopped him.

"Get a senzu bean," he said. "That's the only way you'll help her now."

Gohan didn't hesitate. He soared up to Korin's Tower, pushing his speed as far as he could.

By the time he returned—it was over.

He rushed to the medical wing. Videl was barely breathing.

Without a word, he gave her the senzu bean. Her injuries vanished instantly, but the rage in Gohan's heart didn't fade.

Back in the arena, Piccolo and Shin faced off. But something was off—Piccolo forfeited, unnerved by Shin's presence.

Next match: Gohan vs. Kibito.

The quiet stranger requested something odd:

"Show me your Super Saiyan power."

Gohan hesitated—but complied.

In a flash, he powered up.

But immediately—Spopovich and Yamu lunged forward. Strange devices in hand, they drained Gohan's energy and fled.

Before anyone could react, Shin revealed his identity:

"I am the Supreme Kai. And this… was part of the plan."

He explained the rise of Babidi and the impending resurrection of Majin Buu.

Without hesitation, they followed him.

The battle that followed was swift and decisive.

Vegeta, without the distraction of Majin influence, obliterated Dabura before he could corrupt anyone. Babidi, left vulnerable and confused, was destroyed by Supreme Kai himself.

Majin Buu… was never revived.

The world was safe.

Four Years Later...

Time continued to pass.

Gohan and Videl married, settling into a peaceful life together. Videl soon became pregnant, and a quiet joy returned to their lives—until the day Bulma hosted her birthday party aboard her luxury cruise ship.

But peace was never meant to last.

That day, a mysterious presence descended from the stars:
A purple cat, radiating godly power, and a calm, smiling angel beside him.

Lord Beerus, the God of Destruction, had come.

He sought the legendary Super Saiyan God, a figure who appeared to him in a prophetic dream. But when none of the Saiyans knew anything about such a form, Beerus grew impatient and dangerous.

Bulma, trying to ease the tension, suggested using the Dragon Balls to ask Shenron. However, they lacked one saiyan.

As panic began to rise, Videl hesitantly stepped forward.

"I'm… pregnant," she said quietly. "That makes six Saiyans, right?"

Everyone stared. It was enough.

With Goku gone, they chose Vegeta to undergo the Super Saiyan God ritual. The energy of Gohan, Trunks, vegeta jr, Bulla, and the unborn child was channelled into him.

Vegeta transformed.

His aura blazed crimson. His eyes glowed like fire.

He fought Beerus.

And although the power of a god surged through his veins, he couldn't win.

Beerus was amused, but not impressed.

"You're better than the last time I met your kind," he said, "but still not worthy of the title rival."

With a flick of his fingers, he prepared to destroy Earth.

That's when Vegeta shouted, "If you train me—I'll become stronger than the god you're looking for. I'll give you the battle you seek."

Beerus paused, intrigued.

"…Very well."

But Vegeta had one condition.

"Gohan comes with me."

Gohan hesitated. "Videl is pregnant…"

"You saw what happened," Vegeta said sharply. "If I fail, you're Earth's last hope."

Gohan looked at Videl.

She nodded.

"Go."

Gohan and Vegeta left Earth for six months to train under Whis and Beerus.

When Gohan returned, he immediately resumed training with Piccolo, determined to regain his edge.

But far away, in the cold reaches of space…

Frieza's men succeeded.

Using the Dragon Balls, they revived their emperor.

Frieza returned. Reconstructed, stronger than ever.

As he regained his senses, his subordinates informed him of all that had happened.

How the Z Fighters betrayed Son Goku.

How they killed the very man who had once saved them all.

Frieza burst into laughter.

"Oh, the irony…! The monkey was eliminated by his own kind. I should've brought popcorn for that show."

But then Sorbet mentioned

"vegeta fought a God of Destruction beerus"

Frieza's eyes narrowed.

"…Hmph. So Vegeta has grown strong."

He paused.

"And without Son Goku… who's left to stop me?"

Frieza stood up, stretching his limbs as if reborn anew.

"Let's begin training. This time, I'll be strategic."

"Let's see how they survive… without their precious Goku."

To savor his revenge, Frieza trained for six straight months, pushing his body and mind past limits he once believed unreachable.

Then the day came.

His ship descended upon Earth.

Jaco, the Galactic Patrolman, arrived in a panic, immediately warning Bulma.

"He's back! Frieza's alive—and he's coming!"

Bulma wasted no time. She contacted the others and desperately tried to reach Whis, hoping to bring Vegeta back from his training. But there was no response.

As the news spread, Earth's fighters assembled. They stood together, watching as Frieza's ship landed. The doors opened.

From the shadows emerged Frieza, sitting calmly in his iconic hover chair, still in his first form.

His cold eyes scanned the group.

Before anyone could speak, he broke the silence.

"So… Earthlings. Tell me—did you really kill Goku?"

Gohan stepped forward, his expression unflinching.

"Yes, we did. He became a threat—worse than you ever were."

There was a brief silence.

Then Frieza laughed.

A mad, mocking laugh that echoed through the wind.

"You really are fools, aren't you?" he sneered. "When I was revived, my first thought was to destroy that monkey. But when I learned what you did to him… I couldn't stop laughing."

Gohan narrowed his eyes.

"Don't think you can intimidate us. We've surpassed the Super Saiyan. You don't stand a chance anymore. Leave now… or die."

Frieza smirked, amused.

"Still arrogant, I see. And still brainless." "Did none of you sense it? My power?"

The Z Fighters paused—they felt it now. A dark pressure, suffocating and immense, radiating from Frieza even in his first form.

"Let me show you."

Gohan charged, transforming into Super Saiyan.

Frieza didn't even stand—he mopped the floor with Gohan without leaving his chair.

Gritting his teeth, Gohan roared and ascended to Super Saiyan 2.

That finally made Frieza rise—and shift into his second form.

The fighters gasped.

"He's only in his second form… and he's this strong?" whispered Krillin.

Seeing no choice, Gohan powered up to Super Saiyan God, his aura glowing red-hot.

Frieza grinned. "Now we're getting somewhere."

He shifted directly into his final form, sleek and deadly.

But even then, something was off—freeza was holding back.

Suddenly, a divine pressure surged through the sky.

A portal of light opened.

Vegeta descended, alongside Whis and Lord Beerus.

Frieza's eyes widened.

"Well, well… Lord Beerus. I didn't expect you to be traveling with these monkeys."

Beerus raised an eyebrow.

"Getting cocky again, Frieza? Do I need to remind you of your place?"

Frieza laughed nervously.

"Oh, no, no, my lord. I'm just... excited to see how this ends. I heard Vegeta fought you. Impressive. That's why I trained for six months myself."

The fighters were stunned.

"Six months…?" Krillin muttered. "How did he get that strong… in just six months?!"

Frieza's gaze returned to Gohan, his smile widening.

"Let's continue, shall we? I'm just getting warmed up."

As the dust settled from Gohan's clash with Frieza, Vegeta stepped forward, his eyes locked onto his old nemesis.

"Stand down, Gohan. This fight is mine."

Gohan hesitated.

"Even in Super Saiyan God, I wasn't holding back. He's stronger than you think."

Vegeta's expression flickered with concern, but he quickly masked it.

"I don't care. I've waited too long for this."

He powered up, his aura crackling as he transformed into Super Saiyan 2—and charged at Frieza.

But it was no use.

Frieza swatted him aside with ease, still smirking in his final form.

Realizing he was holding back too much, Vegeta roared, his energy surging into brilliant blue flames. He ascended to Super Saiyan Blue.

Now, the tables turned.

Frieza struggled to keep up, forced onto the defensive.

"Not bad, monkey," Frieza admitted, dusting himself off. "But I didn't come this far just to lose."

A golden light exploded from his body.

Golden Frieza emerged—sleek, powerful, and smug.

Now Vegeta was on the back foot. He fought with fury, but Frieza's newfound power overwhelmed him.

Seeing Vegeta being cornered, Gohan swallowed a senzu bean and leapt back into battle.

Side by side, Vegeta and Gohan fought as one, unleashing devastating combos.

But it still wasn't enough.

With one final, crushing blow, Frieza sent both warriors crashing to the ground.

They struggled to move, bloodied and bruised.

Frieza floated down, landing gracefully before them.

"Well," he said, raising a glowing Death Ball above his palm.
"It seems this little contest is over."

Gohan and Vegeta lowered their heads in defeat, bracing for death.

But it never came.

They looked up—Frieza was smiling.

"You know… killing you would be too easy. Too quick."
"I want to see Goku's face when he hears what I did to you. The same way he humiliated me on Namek—declaring victory and leaving me alive. That pain… was worse than death." "And for once… I agree with that monkey."

He chuckled coldly.

"What a twist. Frieza, taking a page from Goku's book."

He turned to leave.

"Besides, Vegeta… no matter how powerful you've become, you'll always be beneath me." "I want Son Goku to know… that I destroyed everything he cared about. That I crushed his precious 'friends'—no, his 'betrayers.' "

Vegeta's fists clenched, humiliated and seething with rage, but unable to move.

Frieza boarded his ship and vanished into space.

Krillin rushed forward, offering senzu beans to Gohan and Vegeta. They took them silently, saying nothing.

Everyone was stunned.

"He… spared them?" Tien whispered.

Vegeta said nothing. His pride was shattered. Without a word, he left with Beerus and Whis, determined to grow stronger.

Months later, Gohan made his decision too. He approached Piccolo.

"Train me. I won't be left behind again."

One day Champa, the God of Destruction from Universe 6, arrived.

"Beerus!" he bellowed, arms crossed. "Let's settle things with a food competition!"

Amused but irritated, Beerus accepted, and after tasting Earth's delicacies, Beerus easily won.

Frustrated, Champa suggested a new challenge—a martial arts tournament between Universe 6 and Universe 7. The prize? The Super Dragon Balls.

"If Universe 6 wins," Champa declared, "I'll use the Super Dragon Balls to bring Earth to my universe."

Before Beerus could respond, Vegeta stepped forward.

"Let us fight them."

Champa grinned, then vanished with his attendant Vados.

Beerus turned to Vegeta and Gohan.

"Lose this... and I'll destroy both of you."

The message was clear. No mercy. No excuses.

Realizing the stakes, Vegeta begged Whis to let them train in the Time Chamber. Whis agreed—on Beerus's order.

Vegeta, Gohan, and Piccolo entered the Time Chamber for three full days, pushing their bodies beyond their limits.

The Tournament Begins

When the day of the tournament arrived, Universe 7's team was ready:

Vegeta

Gohan

Piccolo

Tien

Trunks

They faced warriors from Universe 6, including:

Cabba (a Saiyan)

Frost (a being resembling Frieza)

Botamo

Magetta

And the silent assassin... Hit.

The sight of Frost instantly ignited a storm in Vegeta's heart. The resemblance to Frieza made his blood boil—but he controlled his rage.

The Matches Begin

First Match: Vegeta vs Botamo
Vegeta outclassed him with ease, eliminating him swiftly.

Second Match: Vegeta vs Frost
Vegeta didn't give Frost a chance.
With each strike, he pounded him like a feral wolf, fury leaking through each blow.

Watching from the sidelines, Krillin whispered,

"He's not just fighting Frost... he's unleashing all his anger toward Frieza."

Third Match: Vegeta vs Magetta, the metal warrior
Vegeta struggled initially but found a way to exploit Magetta's mental weakness and emerged victorious.

Fourth Match: Vegeta vs Cabba, the Saiyan from Universe 6
Vegeta showed Cabba the true potential of Saiyan evolution, forcing him to transform, then defeating him—but showing him respect.

Fifth Match: Vegeta vs Hit
Here... everything changed.

Hit used Time-Skip, and Vegeta couldn't land a single blow. He was effortlessly defeated.

Piccolo entered next.

"Gohan. Watch carefully. Learn."

Despite a valiant effort, Piccolo was eliminated, overwhelmed by Hit's time techniques.

Next, Tien volunteered to go.

With knowledge passed down by Piccolo and Vegeta, Tien managed to hold out longer than expected—but was ultimately defeated.

Then came Gohan.

He stepped into the ring, calm, focused. He had been observing. Learning.

Using a trial-and-error strategy, Gohan began analyzing Hit's patterns and timing. With every failed exchange, he got closer to the truth.

Finally, with a shout, he transformed into Super Saiyan Blue—his aura a brilliant mix of red and blue.

Now the tide shifted.

Gohan began predicting Hit's Time-Skip, countering his movements. Hit, for the first time, was forced on the defensive.

With a thunderous final strike, Gohan defeated Hit, winning the tournament for Universe 7.

As the arena quieted, a cosmic presence descended.

It was Zeno, the Omni-King.

"That was fun," he said cheerfully.
"Next time… we'll have a tournament involving all universes."

Both Beerus and Champa were stunned. The stakes had just gone from high to infinite.

One day future Trunks arrived he collapsed at Capsule Corp, panting heavily. His face is filled with fear.

Bulma rushes to him. "Trunks! What happened?!"

Trunks gasps out, "He's here… someone who looks exactly like Goku… but he's not him!"

The Z-Fighters tense.

Gohan narrows his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Trunks clenches his fists. "This man… he destroyed my timeline. He called himself 'Black.' And he's searching for Goku."

At first, the Z-Fighters react with disgust.

Piccolo scowls. "So Goku finally lost it? We knew he'd become a problem someday."

Krillin nods grimly. "Maybe it's a good thing we killed him."

But Trunks shakes his head violently. "No! You don't understand! This isn't Goku! He only looks like him!"

Before they can question further—a dark energy surges in the sky.

A figure descends slowly from a rift in space-time. His gi is black, his aura twisted and sinister. His piercing eyes scan the battlefield.

Black Seeks Goku… But He's Gone

Black floats above them, his cold gaze sweeping over the Z-Fighters.

He sees Future Trunks first. A slow smirk forms on his face.

"Ah… I see. You've run to another doomed world."

Trunks tightens his grip on his sword. "Who are you?! Why do you look like Goku?!"

Black ignores the question. He looks past them, scanning.

But something is… wrong. His expression darkens.

"Where is he?"

The Z-Fighters exchange glances.

Vegeta sneers. "You have a death wish coming here, Kakarot. I'll send you back to hell where you belong."

But instead of responding with anger… Black looks confused.

He tilts his head. "What are you talking about, mortal?"

Vegeta growls. "Don't play dumb. I know you, Kakarot. You just can't stay dead, can you?"

Black's expression remains blank. Then… he laughs softly.

"Oh… oh, this is interesting."

He floats closer, his smile widening.

"You believe I am Son Goku? That I am your Goku?"

The Z-Fighters tense. Something feels wrong.

Black narrows his eyes.

"I am not your 'Goku.' I am something far greater. And I did not come here for you, Vegeta. I came for him."

Vegeta clenches his fists. "Kakarot is dead."

Black's smile vanishes instantly.

The air grows thick with silence.

"...What?"

Black lands in front of Vegeta. His gaze, once playful, has turned deadly serious.

"What did you just say?"

Gohan steps forward. "Goku has been dead for years. We killed him."

Black's fists tighten. His body trembles slightly.

"You… killed Goku?"

Krillin nods. "Yeah. He was a danger to all of us. The world's better off without him."

For a long moment, Black says nothing. His dark aura flickers. His expression is unreadable.

Then, he starts laughing.

Not a chuckle. Not amusement.

Pure, twisted hysteria.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

The Z-Fighters step back. Even Trunks feels a shiver of unease.

Black stops. His eyes gleam with something… terrifying.

"You… pathetic mortals. You really thought yourselves wise."

He raises a hand, slowly curling his fingers. His black ki blade forms, crackling with divine power.

His smile disappears.

"You robbed me of my greatest pleasure. The battle I was destined for. You took Goku away from me before I could break him. Before I could show him the true beauty of despair."

The Z-Fighters ready themselves for battle.

Vegeta transforms into Super Saiyan Blue.

"Enough of your nonsense. I'll destroy you myself."

Black smirks. "You? Destroy me?"

His aura explodes, sending shockwaves through the battlefield.

He stares directly into Vegeta's eyes and says:

"You're not even a worthy replacement. You're just a second-grade weakling."

Vegeta's eyes widen in fury. "WHAT?!"

Black vanishes.

And before Vegeta can react—Black's fist is in his stomach.

Vegeta coughs blood.

The battle has begun.

Vegeta stood face-to-face with Goku Black. At first glance, Vegeta in Super Saiyan 2 seemed to hold the upper hand. He pummeled Black relentlessly, his strikes shaking the air.

But Black, still in his base form, simply smirked. He was being pushed—but not overwhelmed.

Then, without warning, a mysterious pulse from his Time Ring activated, pulling Black away into the vortex of time.

"Tch," Vegeta scoffed, fists still clenched. "Coward."

Thanks to Bulma, the time machine was fueled and ready.

Vegeta, Trunks, and Gohan traveled to the future timeline, determined to end Black once and for all.

But this time... things were different.

Black had grown exponentially stronger.

He revealed his new transformation—Super Saiyan Rose—an elegant yet terrifying power, radiating godly malice.

Vegeta and Gohan gave it their all, but Black effortlessly overwhelmed them. His sword sliced through the battlefield as if he were dancing.

"You're nothing but shadows of a dream long lost," Black sneered.

Trunks, realizing they were hopelessly outmatched, managed to grab the injured Gohan and Vegeta, and escaped back to the past using the time machine.

As they arrived in the present timeline to recuperate and returned to future then they were met with a shocking sight:

Goku and another Vegeta were already battling Black in the sky.

fist clashed. Shockwaves echoed across the land.

Trunks, Gohan, and their Vegeta stood stunned.

"W-What…?" Trunks whispered. "Another…goku? Another Dad?"

The other Vegeta, now mid-air, spotted Trunks and yelled:

"Where the hell have you been, Trunks?!"

Confusion swirled. Gohan looked from one Vegeta to the other, speechless.

Suddenly, Goku was sent crashing into the ground, a crater forming beneath him. Bruised but standing, he wiped blood from his lip and turned to Vegeta.

"Any ideas?"

Vegeta cracked his neck and took a step forward.

"Yeah. Just one."

"What is it?" Goku asked.

Vegeta's eyes narrowed. His aura flared.

"Fight."

Without another word, he launched himself back at Black, fists blazing.

Goku blinked, then turned to see Trunks, Gohan, and a second Vegeta standing together.

"Wait—Trunks? How are you here? Gohan and two vegetas."

The three time travelers—Gohan, Trunks, and the alternate Vegeta—stood frozen, just as confused as Super Goku.

Suddenly, Super Vegeta was sent crashing into the ground, kicking up debris. He grunted, forced himself to his feet, and looked up to see Black hovering above them, smirking.

Black's cold eyes landed on the new arrivals.

"So... you losers came back," he sneered. "Didn't learn your lesson last time?"

Without hesitation, Vegeta charged forward, transforming into Super Saiyan Blue mid-air. Gohan followed closely behind, his own aura flaring blue—a divine energy few had seen from him before.

Super Goku's eyes widened.

"Wait... Gohan?! have God Ki now?! I always thought you stuck to that mystic thing... but this is..."

He paused as he glanced at Vegeta, noting the subtle differences in aura and power.

"Hey, Vegeta," he called to his own counterpart, "looks like your other self can go Blue too… though he doesn't feel as strong as you."

Super Vegeta scowled, brushing off the comment.

Up in the sky, Black effortlessly blocked Gohan's strike, then countered with a powerful blast that sent him crashing down. Gohan hit the ground hard, groaning.

Super Goku rushed to his side and helped him up.

"You okay?" he asked, smiling. "Man, you really surprised me, Gohan. You've got God Ki now? I mean... I knew you had the mystic form, but I didn't expect this."

But Gohan didn't respond. He avoided Goku's gaze, his eyes locked on the ground.

Then, the alternate Vegeta was sent flying too, landing with a crash not far from them. He groaned and tried to rise, his body shaking from the impact.

Meanwhile, Super Vegeta turned his glare toward Black.

"Enough games. Who the hell are you really?"

Black smirked darkly, floating down until he stood before them.

"You still haven't figured it out?" he mocked. "Fine, allow me to clarify."

His grin widened with twisted pride.

"I am Zamasu. From a timeline where I took this body—Goku's body—and enacted the Zero Mortals Plan. The Goku you see now is nothing but a vessel I claimed… justice incarnate."

He looked past Super Goku, locking eyes with the alternate Gohan and Vegeta.

"And as for them... well, I suppose you haven't told your dear friends what happened in your timeline, have you?"

Super Goku looked between Gohan and Black, confused.

"What are you talking about?" Goku asked warily.

Gohan's entire body stiffened. His fists clenched. His breath hitched.

Black chuckled, his voice low and venomous.

"your precious friends—his own family—decided their goku was a threat. And they killed him."

A heavy silence fell over the battlefield.

Super Goku's eyes widened in disbelief. Super Vegeta stared in stunned silence.

"They didn't mourn him," Black added with a cruel smile. "They were proud of it."

Gohan still wouldn't meet Goku's eyes.

And for the first time in a long while, Super Goku had no words.

Super goku asked "Gohan tell me its not true."

Gohan remained silent.

As the dust settled, a new presence descended from the sky—Zamasu himself, cloaked in divine arrogance, his eyes glowing with disdain.

"Mortals," he scoffed. "You never cease to disappoint."

He floated beside Black, his voice calm but dripping with malice.

"I have achieved the divine dream. I slew the Supreme Kais, the Gods of Destruction, and all who stood above you filthy creatures. This world—this universe—belongs to justice now. A paradise free of mortals."

Everyone stood frozen as Zamasu turned toward Super Goku, his smile widening.

"And you, Son Goku... you've lost more than you know. In the timeline where we stole your body, Black and I personally killed your wife, Chi-Chi, and your son, Goten. Their screams were... enlightening."

In that instant, something inside Super Goku snapped.

His aura erupted into a blazing inferno, shaking the very earth beneath them. His pupils vanished as he let out a primal roar, his energy climbing beyond reason.

"ZAMASU! BLACK!"

Goku charged at Black with a fury none had seen before, each punch crashing like thunder. Black couldn't keep up—he was overwhelmed, beaten to the brink of death.

Zamasu tried to intervene—but was immediately intercepted by Super Vegeta, who slammed him into the rubble.

"You're not helping anyone," Vegeta growled. "Especially not him."

For a brief moment, the two Saiyans—Goku and Vegeta—fought in perfect sync, a relentless storm of divine power. Together, they nearly annihilated Black.

But it wasn't over.

Zamasu rose again, untouched.

"You fools," he said, smiling eerily. "I told you... I am immortal. No matter how hard you try, I. Will. Not. Die."

Realizing they had no other option, Goku gritted his teeth and reached into his gi.

"Then I'll call someone who can end you."

He pulled out a small button.

A moment later, the skies warped—and Zeno, the King of All, appeared in a flash of light.

Goku pointed to Zamasu.

"He's the problem, Zeno. He killed the gods, the people... everyone."

Without a word, Zeno raised his hand—and erased Zamasu from existence in a blinding pulse of divine energy.

Then, as calmly as he came, Zeno returned to his palace, leaving silence behind.

Super Goku turned to face the three travellers—Gohan, Trunks, and the alternate Vegeta.

"Gohan... what happened in your timeline?" he asked softly.

Gohan looked down. Silent.

Super Goku waited, but Gohan never spoke.

From the side, Super Vegeta spoke gruffly.

"Kakarot. Let's go."

He turned, nodding to Trunks.

"Come on. Drop us back in our timeline. I don't know why you brought... them," he said, glancing coldly at his alternate self and Gohan.

Alternate Vegeta stepped forward, scowling.

"You're siding with that clown? After all the times he humiliated you? Where's your pride?!"

Super Vegeta walked past him, unmoved.

"You may have my face... my voice... but you're not me."

He looked him dead in the eye.

"You're just a pathetic fool pretending to be a warrior."

Enraged, the alternate Vegeta charged—but Super Vegeta didn't flinch. With a single punch, he knocked him out cold.

He spat on the ground beside him.

"Pathetic."

Without another word, Super Goku, Super Vegeta, and Trunks vanished through the time machine, returning to their timeline.

Later, when the dust had settled and the skies were quiet, Gohan and the beaten Vegeta slowly stood. With heavy hearts and unspoken regrets, they returned to their own time with trunks help—where memories, guilt, and scars awaited them.

Not long after Zamasu's erasure, peace barely had time to breathe.

Zeno, now restless and bored once again, clapped his hands with childlike excitement. Let's have a tournament! A tournament with all universes!"

The Tournament of Power was born.

The rules were brutal: ten warriors from each universe, and only the last universe standing would survive. The losing universes would be erased.

Back in Universe 7, panic set in. With so much at stake, Beerus barked out orders to gather the strongest fighters available.

One by one, the team began to form:

Gohan (appointed team leader),Vegeta, Piccolo, Krillin, Android 18, Android 17, Tien,Trunks, and Frieza.

Beerus himself threatened to erase Frieza if he dared refuse.

That made nine.

But they were still one warrior short.

A heavy silence fell over the group.

Gohan clenched his fists, hesitant.

"There is… someone. But…"

Vegeta narrowed his eyes.

"Don't say it."

Gohan sighed, knowing the backlash that would come.

"Goku."

The room tensed immediately. Krillin looked away. Even Piccolo said nothing.

Vegeta scoffed.

"You want to bring him back? After everything? After what we did?"

Gohan stayed quiet. His silence was enough.

Krillin hesitated. "Even if we wanted to… would he even agree?"

Then came Beerus's voice, sharp and commanding.

"I don't care what family drama or moral crisis you're dealing with."

His gaze turned cold. "Bring. Goku. Back I think he will be useful."

No one argued.

Under the God of Destruction's glare, they had no choice.

And so, despite the backstabbing… despite the history… they began to bring back the very man they once betrayed.

The countdown to universal survival had begun.

Reluctantly, they traveled to Fortuneteller Baba's palace.

Bulma placed a hand on her hip. "Baba, can you bring back Son Goku?"

Baba hesitated. "Are you sure? After what happened, I don't think you'll like what you see."

Vegeta crossed his arms. "Just do it."

Baba sighed and waved her hand over her crystal ball. The spell was cast.

At first, nothing happened.

Then…

A figure materialized in the mist.

The Z-Fighters expected Goku.

But instead, what stood before them was something else.

The man who appeared wasn't the Goku they knew.

He was covered in thick pinkish-red fur, his muscular frame radiating power. His wild, untamed hair stretched to his shoulders. His eyes held an unnerving stillness.

The air around him crackled with energy. He blinked and looked around, confused. Then, in a calm, unfamiliar voice, he asked: "Who are you?"

They forze, they had expected anger, resentment, or even fury.

But this man—who should have been Goku—didn't even recognize them.

But it wasn't just his appearance that shocked them.

It was his words.

When they called him Goku, he looked at them with confusion and said:

"Why are you calling me that? My name is Bardock."

A stunned silence filled the room.

"B-Bardock?" Bulma stammered, her face going pale.

"That's impossible!" Vegeta growled.

Bulma quickly whispered to Baba. "Is this really Goku?"

Baba's eyes darkened. "Yes… and no."

Everyone turned to her.

"His is goku… but something happened.

Vegeta's fists tightened. "Tch. You mean Kakarot has somehow become Bardock?"

Baba nodded gravely.

The warrior stood before them, covered in wild red-pink fur, his long hair swaying in the wind. His piercing gaze showed no recognition of the people standing before him.

The Z-Fighters had called him Goku, Kakarot… even Dad.

But his only response was a confused frown.

"Kakarot? Goku? I don't know anyone by that name."

Hearing this, Vegeta's eyes narrowed. His mind raced. "Could it be…?"

He clenched his fists and growled. "So… you're Bardock?"

The warrior turned to Vegeta. "Yeah. That's my name. Who are you?"

That was it. That was the breaking point.

Vegeta gritted his teeth in frustration.

"FOOL! You are Kakarot's father! Don't you remember your sons? Raditz? Kakarot?"

The warrior's expression didn't change.

"I don't have any sons."

A wave of unease spread through the group.

Bulma and Gohan exchanged worried glances. Was this really Goku? Or had something else taken over his body?

Before anyone could speak further, a familiar voice boomed from the heavens.

"You people have no shame! You betrayed and killed Goku, and now you come crawling back?!"

Gohan, Bulma, winced at the remark.

It was King Kai.

Gohan swallowed his guilt and hesitantly asked:

"King Kai… do you know where my dad is?"

There was a heavy silence.

Then, King Kai's voice came again, solemn and firm.

"He is standing right in front of you."

A cold chill ran through them.

Bulma's eyes widened. "What do you mean?! He doesn't know us! He's calling himself Bardock!"

King Kai sighed. "That is because… he has lost all his memories."

They fell silent, absorbing what King Kai had just said.

The man standing before them was Goku.

But at the same time… he wasn't.

"Since the moment he arrived at Yemma's Check-In Station, he has been like this. He didn't recognize me, or his grandpa Gohan, or to make things even stranger…We don't know what kind of transformation this is. Even the Kais are clueless."

The warrior—Bardock? Goku?—watched their reactions in silence.

Bardock—or the man who was once Goku—turned away from them.

"I have no time to waste with you people."

His voice was sharp, uninterested.

"I need to find my mother. I'm leaving."

The Z-Fighters were at a loss.

They had come here for Goku, the strongest fighter they knew, the hero of Earth.

But the man before them was goku at the same time he wasn't Goku.

As Bardock began walking away, Bulma quickly called out.

"Wait!"

He stopped but didn't turn around.

"We need your help."

Her voice was urgent. "The universe is at stake. Don't you want to fight?"

For a moment, there was silence.

Then Bardock finally turned his head slightly.

"No. I'm not interested."

Suddenly, a familiar powerful presence appeared behind them.

Beerus had arrived.

The God of Destruction floated down, his arms crossed, his expression a mix of annoyance and confusion.

He took one look at Bardock and froze.

"What the hell is this? A Saiyan in that form?"

Even he, a God of Destruction, had never seen anything like it.

But he shook off his surprise and glared at the group.

"Why are you wasting time? You got Goku, didn't you? Then return already. I don't care about your family drama."

Bulma hesitated before saying softly:

"He is Goku… but he doesn't remember anything."

Bulma took a deep breath. "And he won't come fight."

Beerus twitched in irritation.

His golden eyes narrowed at Bardock.

"Look, if you don't come, I'll erase you myself."

The atmosphere grew heavy. Bulma Gohan and vegeta tensed.

But Bardock?

He was completely unfazed.

He met Beerus's deadly glare without a hint of fear.

"Didn't they say the universe is going to be erased anyway?" Bardock asked calmly. "So what difference does it make?"

Beerus's eye twitched.

Bardock continued, his voice cold and certain.

"Besides… I'm already dead. You can't do anything to me."

Then he turned away again.

Beerus's aura flared dangerously. "HEY! Come here!" he commanded."

Bardock sighed.

He slowly turned back, meeting Beerus's furious gaze with indifference.

"What's your problem? I should be going. I need to find my mother."

The Z-Fighters looked at each other helplessly.

Nothing was working.

Then, Bulma spoke again.

"If you help us… we can help you find your mother."

Bardock glanced at her, his eyes narrowed. "Why should I trust you?"

His voice was sharp, his tone full of doubt.

"I heard things in Otherworld… that you betrayed your friend. I don't even know what 'friend' means, but I understood this— You did something terrible to someone you knew. I am not ready to take that risk."

Bulma and Gohan felt a weight was dropped on them.

Bardock had no memories.

But even the dead whispered of their betrayal of Goku.

And now, their greatest hope for survival…

Wanted nothing to do with them.

Beerus crossed his arms and spoke with authority. "If this universe is destroyed, you will be erased along with it. That means your mother, Gine, will be gone too."

Bardock's expression darkened.

"Don't you want to meet her?"

For the first time, Bardock paused. The thought lingered in his mind.

He had been searching for her, but what if she truly no longer existed?

After a few moments, Beerus pressed further.

"If you come and fight, I will make sure you meet your mother."

Bardock's eyes narrowed. "Why should I trust you?"

Beerus growled, his patience wearing thin. "I am a God. I don't lie."

Bardock studied him. The Destroyer's words carried weight.

Finally, he exhaled sharply and nodded. "Fine. I will come. But don't deceive me."

Beerus smirked. "I don't break my promises."

With that, Bardock took off, flying alongside the others toward Capsule Corp.

When they arrived, the Z-Fighters were stunned.

The warrior before them looked like Goku… but wasn't.

His wild, red-pink fur, piercing gaze, and cold expression were nothing like the Goku they remembered.

Just then, Chi-Chi arrived.

Her eyes widened in shock before twisting into pure rage.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"

Her voice rang across Capsule Corp, venom dripping from every word.

"HAVEN'T YOU BROUGHT ENOUGH PROBLEMS?!"

She marched forward, pointing an accusing finger at Bardock.

"Because of you, we lost everything! You abandoned us! You caused all of this!"

The others winced at her harsh words.

Gohan quickly stepped forward.

"Mom, wait—he doesn't know us!"

Chi-Chi snapped her head toward Gohan.

"What?"

Gohan sighed. "He doesn't remember anything."

The room fell into silence.

The revelation shocked everyone.

But Chi-Chi… she refused to believe it.

"Do you expect me to believe that?!"

Her voice was filled with rage and disbelief.

She stormed forward.

"I know you're pretending, Goku!"

SLAP!

Her palm connected with Bardock's face.

The sound echoed.

Bardock didn't react.

SLAP!

She struck him again.

And again.

And again.

The others stood frozen in horror.

Chi-Chi screamed, her voice shrill and trembling with fury.

"YOU SELFISH BASTARD! YOU RUINED MY LIFE! YOU RUINED EVERYTHING!"

Bardock stood there, unmoving. Her words hit like rain against iron—utterly meaningless.

But then— She raised her hand again. A mistake.

For just a flicker of a moment, something snapped.

Bardock's eyes narrowed.

A storm of Ki exploded out of him.

His aura ignited—wild, untamed. The golden glow twisted into deep crimson edges, like fire laced with blood.

The shockwave was instant. Capsule Corp's reinforced walls disintegrated, glass shattered across the city like a hailstorm.

The earth beneath them split open, deep cracks spidering across the ground like veins of rage.

Chi-Chi's expression froze—caught between anger and pure, paralyzing terror.
For the first time… she felt death approaching.

She tried to scream.

Too late.

BOOM!

Bardock didn't move. He simply glared, and in that moment—

Chi-Chi was obliterated.

Her entire upper body vaporized, flesh and bone torn apart by sheer force.
Her scream was cut short as blood painted the air in a thick, red mist.
What remained collapsed to the ground— shredded cloth, charred limbs, and a growing pool of crimson.

Silence fell.

Not even the wind dared move.

Where she once stood... There was nothing left.

The room fell into dead silence.

Everyone stood paralyzed, horrified.

Silk, her daughter, trembled in pure terror.

The Z-Fighters' faces turned pale.

Even Beerus was momentarily stunned.

Bardock, however, stood emotionless.

His glowing eyes scanned the room.

Then, without a hint of remorse, he spoke.

"You shouldn't have touched me."

His voice was cold.

For the first time in history—

Son Goku or bardock who ever it was had killed.

And he didn't care.

Bardock turned back to them, completely calm.

Even Frieza was amused at the display.

"What is her problem?" Bardock asked flatly.

His casual tone sent shivers down everyone's spine.

Tien trembled. "H-How... how could you kill your own wife?!"

Bardock tilted his head, confused. "I don't know what you're talking about."

His voice was void of emotion.

Then, he turned toward Bulma and Beerus. "If this nonsense is why you brought me here, I'm leaving."

He turned to fly away.

"Wait."

Bardock stopped.

It was Beerus.

"I'm sorry for what happened."

The entire room froze.

Their eyes widened.

Beerus—apologizing?

Bulma and the others were too stunned to speak.

Even Bardock raised an eyebrow.

Beerus turned toward the Z-Fighters, his expression darkening.

"DON'T YOU HAVE BRAINS?!"

His roar shook the ground.

The others flinched in fear.

"You IDIOTS provoked a warrior who doesn't remember you, doesn't trust you, and YOU EXPECT HIM TO ACT LIKE BEFORE?!"

His fury was unlike anything they had seen before.

Whis simply sighed. "Well, Lord Beerus does have a point."

Beerus turned to Whis.

"Revive the woman."

Whis raised his staff.

A soft blue light covered the area.

A moment later—Chi-Chi stood there, alive again.

The moment she realized she was back—

"YOU BASTARD! HOW DARE YOU—"

But before she could say more—

Gohan lunged forward and covered her mouth.

"MOM! DO YOU EVEN REALIZE WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!"

Chi-Chi struggled, but Gohan held firm.

His face was pale with fear.

"You provoked someone who DOESN'T KNOW US!"

"He KILLED YOU in an instant!"

Chi-Chi's eyes widened.

She slowly looked at Bardock—who simply stood there, emotionless.

Gohan's voice was desperate.

"You JUST DIED! Thanks to Lord Beerus and Whis, you're even standing here!"

Chi-Chi stopped struggling.

The gravity of the situation finally settled in.

For the first time…

She looked at Bardock not as her husband—

But as a complete stranger.

A stranger who had no hesitation in erasing her from existence.

A stranger who wasn't Goku anymore.

Bardock crossed his arms.

"So, are we done?"

Beerus sighed. "Yes, we're done here."

Bardock looked at him carefully.

"And you still plan to keep your promise?"

Beerus nodded. "Yes. I always keep my word."

Bardock smirked. "Good."

He then turned to Bulma.

"Tell me where to go for this 'tournament.' Let's get this over with."

Bulma swallowed hard and nodded.

The Z-Fighters remained silent.

For the first time, they realized—

The Goku they once knew was truly gone.

And in his place—

A warrior colder than Frieza himself had taken his place.

The warriors of Universe 7 arrived in the Null Realm, the eerie, boundless stage for the Tournament of Power.

As they stepped onto the platform, most of the fighters—Gohan, Vegeta, Krillin, Piccolo, 17, 18, Tien, Trunks—spread out, scanning the endless void and sizing up the other universes' teams.

But two figures stood still.

Bardock, silent as ever, arms crossed, observed everything with sharp eyes.
Frieza merely smirked, his golden tail swaying, unimpressed by the "competition."

Nearby, Vegeta caught sight of a familiar energy approaching.

"Master!"

Vegeta turned sharply. Cabba rushed toward him, two unfamiliar Saiyan girls following close behind.

"Don't call me that," Vegeta growled, irritated.

Cabba slowed, but his eyes drifted toward the lone warrior standing apart from Universe 7. A man with wild, spiked hair, a deep scowl, and… a halo floating above his head.

"Master… who is that? I didn't see him in the last tournament."

Vegeta barely spared Bardock a glance.

"Don't waste your time. He's just a clown."

The girls behind Cabba finally stepped forward. Caulifla sized Vegeta up and scoffed.

"Old man, you don't look that tough. I don't get what Cabba sees in you."

Vegeta's eyes narrowed.

"Watch your mouth, brat. Save the barking for the match."

Just then, all eyes turned toward Universe 11—and specifically to Jiren.
The mortal said to rival gods.

A silent, suffocating pressure filled the air as even the Gods of Destruction turned their gazes… but not toward Jiren.

Their eyes locked onto Bardock.

Not because of overwhelming ki.

But because of something else.

A glowing halo above his head.

The halo of the dead.

Quitela, Universe 4's Destroyer, snickered loudly.

"Really, Beerus? Scraping the bottom of the barrel, are we? You brought a corpse to the Tournament?"

Champa joined in, chuckling.

"I always knew you were desperate, Beerus—but dragging a dead guy to battle? That's a new low."

Beerus said nothing. His gaze remained on Bardock—expression unreadable.

Bardock didn't flinch. He didn't even look at them.

He just kept staring at the battlefield.

Waiting.

While most fighters dismissed Bardock as an afterthought—a relic of the past with no presence to speak of—one warrior took silent interest.

Not because of Bardock's power.

But because of his stillness. His coldness.

It wasn't arrogance. It wasn't bravado.

It was emptiness.

An utter lack of care for those around him… a feeling that resonated with this particular observer.

Their eyes met for a moment—expressionless.

Two souls cut from a similar cloth.

Then—

A burst of divine light appeared above the arena. The Grand Priest descended, his serene face unshaken by the weight of what was to come.

"Welcome, warriors, to the Tournament of Power."

His voice echoed across the realm, reaching all corners of the boundless void.

"The rules are simple Killing is strictly prohibited., Flight is disabled, unless it is a natural trait—such as wings, The goal is to knock your opponents off the ring, Once eliminated, a fighter cannot return. When all ten warriors of a universe are defeated… their universe will be erased."

The air thickened. Tension settled like fog over the arena.

"Begin."

A massive gong echoed across the arena—and chaos erupted instantly.

As the Tournament of Power erupted into chaos, the warriors of Universe 7 began scattering across the ring.

On Gohan's recommendation, he remained grouped with Krillin, Tien, and Piccolo—familiar allies he could trust to coordinate as a team.

He had suggested the same to Android 17, 18, and Vegeta, but as expected, they went their own ways. Gohan didn't press them.

He didn't even bother speaking to Frieza—there was no point. That lizard would never take orders.

But then there was Bardock.

Gohan hesitated.

He stood a few feet away from him, unsure.

Bardock wasn't just another fighter. He wasn't like the others.

He wore his father's face. His stance, his eyes—everything reminded Gohan of Goku. And yet… he wasn't.

Gohan clenched his fists.

He remembered it too clearly—the day he killed his father.

Not in rage, not in a fight. But with cold logic… Because they thought it was "the right thing."

He swallowed the guilt again.

That memory… it haunted him.

Beerus's eyes were locked on Bardock.

Everyone else had moved. Fought. Clashed.

But Bardock?

He hadn't moved an inch since the Tournament began.

His arms were folded. His expression unreadable.

He stood like a statue amidst chaos.

The tension around Beerus finally snapped.

"Hey, Bardock!" he barked, his voice echoing across the arena.
"Stop standing around and fight! We had a deal—remember?!"

Bardock slowly turned his head toward the God of Destruction, his face unamused, voice calm and detached.

"They're all weaklings," he said flatly. "Why should I waste my time on trash?"

A sudden stillness swept over the arena.

The other Gods of Destruction, watching from their floating thrones, stiffened. Some narrowed their eyes.

"You sure are cocky for a mortal," sneered Belmod, Universe 11's Destroyer.

"Hmph. Typical Saiyan arrogance," muttered Champa, arms crossed.

But Bardock didn't respond.

He sighed—disinterested.

Then, finally, he moved.

From Universe 3, a group of three cybernetic warriors charged him.

Each raised a hand, their mechanical arms glowing with compressed energy cannons.

They fired simultaneously.

Three beams of condensed energy ripped through the air—

—And missed.

No impact.

No explosion.

Just silence.

The three Universe 3 warriors blinked—confused.

Suddenly, they realized…

They were no longer standing in front of Bardock.

They were on the bleachers, in the .Out of the match.

The entire arena froze. Gasps echoed from spectators and fighters alike.

The Destroyer of Universe 3 stood up, eyes wide."What... what just happened?!"

Bardock hadn't moved an inch from where he was.

He was still in the exact same spot, arms folded.

His aura—cold, detached, absolute.

The arena trembled with tension.

Bardock finally stepped forward.

His movements were relaxed, almost bored.

Sensing an opportunity, multiple warriors from various universes rushed at him, surrounding him with power flaring and battle cries echoing.

The next moment— They were gone. On the bleachers. Eliminated.

Gasps filled the air.

The angels and Gods of Destruction observing the battle all took notice.

"He's not prolonging the fights…" mused Whis, eyes narrowed.

"It's not a tournament," sneered Champa. "It's a massacre."

Beerus smirked, arms crossed.

"What happened, Champa? A few minutes ago you were full of yourself.
Afraid your little toys don't stand a chance anymore?"

Suddenly, Caulifla leapt forward.

"Hey, Bardock! Fight me!" she yelled, transforming into Super Saiyan mid-air.

Bardock didn't even look at her.

"Get lost, kid."

The words hit her pride like a slap.

Enraged, she lunged at him. Bardock turned casually—and swatted her like a fly.

She flew across the arena and landed unceremoniously on the bleachers.

Silence followed.

The fighters from every universe stared in disbelief.

"He's not even trying…" Krillin whispered, sweat dripping from his brow.

"No," said Piccolo calmly. "He's infusing his strikes with precise ki. Every hit is calculated. Efficient."

The angels were watching closely now.

"Interesting," vados muttered. "It seems Lord Beerus didn't bring a warrior…
He brought a hunter."

Furious at seeing her sister humiliated, Kale lost control.

Her aura exploded—blinding green. The arena shook under her transformation into the Legendary Super Saiyan.

She charged Bardock in a blind rage and landed a heavy punch straight to his chest.

Champa jumped up, hope sparking in his eyes. "Yes, Kale! Eliminate him!"

But Bardock just smirked.

Amused at her power, he decided to entertain her for a moment—dodging, blocking, exchanging a few heavy blows.

Yet it didn't take long for him to realize—she was all brute force, no control.

"Tch… pointless," he muttered.

He ran toward the edge of the ring, baiting her.

Kale followed like a wild animal.

Just as she was about to strike him—he vanished.

Kale barreled forward—but to Bardock's surprise, she twisted her body mid-air and saved herself from elimination.

"Hmph… not bad."

Realizing tricks wouldn't work, Bardock punched her across the face, knocking her to the ground. She got up again—relentless.

Then he noticed Cabba in the distance, fighting Vegeta.

Bardock grinned.

He vanished and appeared between them, grabbing Cabba by the collar. "You'll do nicely."

With Cabba in hand, he dashed again toward the edge of the ring. Kale, still berserk, chased him like a beast.

At the brink of the arena, Bardock waited.

Kale charged.

Just before impact—

Bardock vanished.

BOOM!
Kale's fist smashed into Cabba's chest, sending both of them flying out of bounds.

They crashed onto the bleachers, eliminated.

Champa shrieked, clutching his face.

"WHAT?! That's cheating!"

Beerus didn't even look his way.

"It's called strategy," he said with a smirk.

Kale blinked, now in her base form.

"What… happened?" she asked, confused.

Caulifla looked away, still bitter.

"You got eliminated."

Kale frowned.

"How? I remember you getting knocked out, not me…"

Caulifla sighed.

"I'll tell you later."

Vegeta's face contorted in fury.

"Bardock!" he bellowed. "How dare you steal my opponent?!"

Bardock didn't flinch. He didn't even turn around—just kept walking.

That made it worse.

Vegeta growled and lunged forward, landing a hard punch against Bardock's back.

Bardock staggered slightly, then slowly turned his head. "...What's your problem?" he asked, tone flat.

Vegeta's aura flared with heat and rage. "You took my fight with Cabba—and acted like it meant nothing! And earlier, I asked you a question. You just ignored me like I'm no one!"

Bardock stared at him coldly. "I don't have time to waste on fragile pride."

Vegeta clenched his fists.

"You're just a low-class warrior who got lucky! I am the prince of all saiyans"

Bardock smirked, stepping forward with a faint menace in his eyes.

"Prince? Of who? Certainly not me. Or are you just scared… that a low-class surpassed you?"

That struck deep.

Before Vegeta could react, Bardock drove his fist straight into Vegeta's gut, burying it deep.

WHAM!

Vegeta's eyes widened as the air left his lungs—he collapsed to one knee, coughing.

From the spectator seat, Beerus exploded in frustration.

"Hey, you dumbasses! Fight the other universes—not each other!"

Bardock didn't look up.

"Tell that to him. He attacked me first," he replied, gesturing casually.

Vegeta growled in pain but didn't deny it.

Beerus narrowed his eyes at Vegeta.

"I don't care what you two do after the tournament. But right now? Get your act together—or I'll destroy you myself!"

Vegeta scowled, still he nodded. "Tch… fine."

Bardock turned away again without a word and disappeared into the crowd of warriors.

Bardock walked through the arena, eyes calm but cold.

Each step he took sent a message. No one dared stand in his path.

From the shadows, Frieza watched with a crooked smile.

"Heh… still the same brutish monkey. But interesting...Very interesting."

Then—

Bardock's eyes locked with Jiren.

The crowd fell silent. Even the gods paused.

The two warriors stepped toward each other—calm, steady. No words. Just a mutual understanding.

And then—

They vanished.

A sudden shockwave cracked the air, sending ripples across the arena.
Bardock and Jiren collided midair, their fists clashing with such force that the Null Realm itself trembled.

Boom! Boom! BOOM! Every punch tore the air apart.
They moved faster than the eye could follow—only blurs and shockwaves remained.

High above, Jiren flared his aura, red and blinding.

"I will eliminate you," he said, calmly but firmly.

Sensing the spike, Bardock smirked and roared—his body glowing red and black.
His fur turned darker. Aura flared. Muscles surged.

Super Saiyan 4: Limit Breaker.

The force of his transformation shattered the nearest boulders and sent a gust of wind that knocked back even nearby fighters.

Now, they stood on equal ground—power radiating like two stars ready to implode.

In the stands…

Belmod, Universe 11's God of Destruction, clutched his hair in disbelief.

"W-What?! This... this can't be real! How is he keeping up with Jiren?!"

Marcarita remained calm, analyzing the scene.

"It appears we... severely underestimated Universe 7. Especially Bardock. Now I understand… why Lord Beerus brought back a dead man."

At Universe 7's stand, Krillin, Tien, and 18 had already been eliminated and were watching with stunned expressions.

Supreme Kai turned to them.

"Did any of you know Goku—or Bardock—had such power?"

They all shook their heads silently.

Back in the arena, Gohan and Piccolo were locked in battle, but even they froze momentarily, looking toward the shockwaves in the distance.

"What… is this power?" Gohan whispered.

Piccolo narrowed his eyes.

"This is far beyond what I've sensed before..."

Nearby, Vegeta's frustration boiled over.

"Tch… dammit, Bardock…"

Frieza chuckled darkly.

"Heh… seems that monkey was hiding quite a bit after all."

Bardock and Jiren stood, both bruised, their breathing heavy. The ground beneath them was cracked and scorched.

Jiren's eyes narrowed.

"Not bad, Bardock. I respect your power… but it's still not enough."

In a flash, Jiren blurred forward—his fists crashing into Bardock like a hailstorm. Blow after blow rained down mercilessly. Bardock was pushed back, unable to guard, his body taking the full force.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

A final punch sent Bardock flying, smashing into a broken wall of the arena. Dust exploded into the air.

"Give up," Jiren said, floating still, unfazed. "You can't win."

Silence.

Then, movement.

From the rubble, Bardock staggered to his feet—blood dripping, arms trembling, but standing.

"You hit hard… I'll give you that."

He took a step forward.

"But I'm not done yet."

Jiren's voice echoed across the arena. "Tell me, Bardock… why are you fighting?"

Bardock wiped the blood from his lip. "Why do you care?"

Jiren didn't flinch.

"I want to understand. Is it for your friends? Your family? What drives your spirit?"

Bardock looked away for a moment, eyes shadowed."Friends…? I don't know what that means."

His eyes lifted to meet Jiren's—fierce, burning with purpose.

"But I do have family. My mother. She's missing… lost somewhere even death couldn't find. That's why I'm here. That's all I need."

Jiren stared, silent.

Then, without a word, he surged forward—a devastating punch slamming Bardock back into the pillar.

CRASH!

The stone shattered. Bardock slumped forward… but didn't fall.

He pushed himself upright once again, every bone in his body screaming.

"I'll admit it, Jiren… You've surpassed me. You've even pushed beyond my Limit Breaker…"

His aura began to shift

"But let's see…"

His voice hardened.

"Can you stand against my final form?"

In the bleachers, Krillin, Tien, Android 18, and Future Trunks watched in disbelief.

"Wait... he has another form?" Krillin asked, stunned.

Tien frowned, sensing the rising energy. "His power keeps climbing. I thought that Limit Breaker form was his peak."

Android 18 crossed her arms, uneasy. "This is getting ridiculous. How strong is he?"

Trunks remained silent, eyes fixed on the battlefield.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Gohan and Piccolo stood frozen.

"That energy… It's completely different from before," Piccolo muttered.

"I didn't even know my dad had this much power left in him," Gohan whispered, his voice filled with awe.

Vegeta, watching from a distance, was shaking with rage. "Damn it... No matter how hard I train… Kakarot is always one step ahead."

His aura flared in frustration, his pride burning.

Then—Bardock raised his ki.

The entire Null Realm trembled, as if the very fabric of space was cracking beneath the pressure. Even the Grand Priest's eyes widened, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

Gasps echoed among the Gods and Angels, many of them standing from their seats in disbelief.

A blinding aura erupted around Bardock, swallowing the battlefield. From within the light, they could hear a deep, primal roar—not one of pain, but of something being unleashed… something terrifying.

The arena was consumed by blinding white light, forcing everyone to shield their eyes. The moment it faded, a thick smoke rolled across the ring, cloaking Bardock from view.

But the energy—the sheer pressure—was unmistakable. It wasn't just powerful… it was primal and raw, overwhelming, and ancient.

As the smoke slowly cleared, the figure of Bardock came into view.

The spectators were left awestruck.

His hair had turned pure white, cascading down to his back, glowing softly with energy. A single floating bang hovered at his forehead. His once-pink fur now shimmered in silver, as though blessed by the cosmos itself.

Bardock stood tall, eyes locked on Jiren.

"I didn't expect anyone here would push me far enough to use this form," he said, voice calm yet thunderous. "Jiren… I'll give you that much."

"This… is Super Saiyan 5," Bardock declared.

The moment the words left his lips, Jiren's eyes widened—a sharp pain bloomed in his gut.

He coughed blood.

Looking down in disbelief, he saw Bardock's fist buried deep in his abdomen.

No one—not Jiren, not the spectators or participants—had seen Bardock move.

Before he could recover, another strike landed.

Then another.

And another.

A brutal barrage rained down with blinding speed, each blow echoing like thunder across the arena. Jiren was flung backward, rolling across the ground, unable to mount a defense.

Bardock stood still, calm, his silver aura crackling like a storm restrained.

He sighed.

"There's no need to drag this out."

With a flash of movement, Jiren was gone—his body reappearing on the bleachers, dazed and wide-eyed.

He looked around, stunned.

"No… It can't be. I was defeated? Damn it… I should've gone all out from the start…" he muttered, clenching his fists.

From the stands, Belmod stared in silence, sweat beading at his brow. His lips trembled as he finally whispered:

"We're doomed…"

He lowered his head, the weight of despair settling in.

Bardock let his energy settle, his shimmering silver fur fading as he reverted back to Super Saiyan 4. The power in the arena dropped, but the pressure from his presence remained heavy.

A shadow approached.

Bardock turned his head slowly.

It was Frieza.

The tyrant smirked, arms behind his back, golden aura flickering lightly around him.

"Well, monkey… I didn't expect this. You've even surpassed Vegeta. Impressive."

Bardock said nothing. His expression was unreadable—cold, still, silent.

Frieza tilted his head, mockingly disappointed. "What? No words for me?" "Hmph… Fine then."

He stepped closer, voice lowering, laced with malice.

"I heard you're searching for your mother… isn't that right?"

That made Bardock's eyes narrow ever so slightly.

A flicker of interest.

Frieza smirked wider.

Frieza's smirk grew wider.

"Too bad… I was the one who killed her. Along with your entire planet."

A tense silence fell over Universe 7.

Up in the stands, Krillin, Piccolo, Android 18, trunks and Tien watched the exchange with uneasy tension.

Frieza's words hung in the air like a spark near dry powder.

Krillin swallowed hard. "Did… did he really just say that?"

Piccolo narrowed his eyes, arms crossed tightly."He never knows when to stop."

Tien's brow furrowed."Is he trying to provoke Bardock on purpose?"

Android 18 scoffed, eyes sharp. "If he is, he might not live to regret it."

Even the Supreme Kai looked visibly nervous. He leaned forward and whispered, "Does Frieza… have a death wish?"

Bardock still hadn't moved. His expression hadn't changed.
But the silence was louder than any explosion.

And that terrified them more than any outburst.

Frieza continued his taunts, voice dripping with venom.

"What happened, monkey? Did I strike a nerve? What are you going to do now?"

Suddenly, the air shifted.

Everyone in the bleachers—Krillin, Tien, 18, Piccolo, Trunks—froze.
Even the Gods and Angels fell silent, eyes widening.

Frieza, still grinning, continued his taunts—until he suddenly coughed up blood.

His expression twisted in confusion and shock.

"W-What…?"

He glanced down.

A hole gaped in the center of his chest. Blood poured out, staining the ground beneath him. And there—Bardock stood silently, holding Frieza's still-beating heart in his hand.

Frieza's eyes widened in disbelief as he fell to his knees.

"H-How…?" he gasped, before collapsing to the ground—lifeless.

The arena went still.

On the bleachers, Supreme Kai spoke in disbelief: "Did he… just kill Frieza? Does he even realize what kind of consequences that could bring?"

Piccolo narrowed his eyes. "Looks like Frieza finally pushed him too far."

Gohan and Vegeta, still standing in the arena, could only stare—stunned and silent.
Even they hadn't seen Bardock move.

The Grand Priest's voice echoed across the Null Realm:

"Contestant Bardock… disqualified for eliminating an opponent through lethal force."

In a flash of light, Bardock appeared on the spectators' bleachers, still holding Frieza's heart in his hand.

Krillin, Tien, 18, Piccolo, and Trunks instinctively took a step back, their eyes wide with shock and unease.

Bardock didn't say a word.

He looked down at the heart in his palm… then crushed it without hesitation.

The sickening sound of flesh being crushed filled the silent air.

Smoke rose from his hand as he let the remains fall.

No one dared speak.

Even the Gods and Angels remained silent—watching closely.

Zeno's eyes were wide.

Bardock simply sat there, cold and unbothered.

On arena Gohan's face was serious.

His father's ruthless display had left him shaken.

"I don't know what will happen if he remembers what we did to him."

The thought of Bardock—no, Goku— remembering their betrayal sent chills down his spine.

Vegeta snapped his head toward gohan.

"You are acting like coward"

His pride refused to accept that they should fear Kakarot.

A heavy silence fell between them.

The memory of that day—when they turned on Goku—weighed on them.

Gohan's voice was cold.

"Tell me, Vegeta. Do you think we stand a chance against him now?"

Vegeta didn't answer.

Because deep down…

He already knew the answer.

Then, Beerus spoke.

"You got us eliminated, fool!"

His voice was filled with anger, but also a hint of something else—unease.

Bardock tilted his head, completely unfazed.

Then he spoke.

"Isn't Jiren eliminated?"

Everyone turned to look at him, confused.

"Are your warriors weaklings that they can't defeat the rest without me?"

His words cut deep—not just for Universe 7, but for everyone watching.

Silence Across the Arena

The gods and other universes watched, shocked by Bardock's audacity.

Was he… mocking them?

Was he challenging the very idea of elimination?

Even Zeno blinked in curiosity, his childlike mind processing Bardock's words.

Beerus growled, his fists tightening.

"Watch your mouth, Saiyan!"

But Bardock remained unshaken, staring Beerus directly in the eyes.

In the arena, Vegeta gritted his teeth.

"Damn Kakarot… He has no fear of the gods."

With the combined strength of Vegeta and Gohan, both Dyspo and Toppo were eliminated. Android 17, the final fighter remaining for Universe 7, secured their victory.

As per the winner's wish, all erased universes were restored.

Then, in solemn silence, the warriors left the Null Realm—Frieza's lifeless body carried along.

They landed outside Capsule Corp. Bulma rushed forward, relief washing over her face as she saw her friends alive.

Chi-Chi followed silently, her eyes avoiding Bardock's.
The memory of her own death at his hands—still haunted her.

But then both women froze, their gazes landing on Frieza's corpse.

"What… happened?" Bulma asked, voice low and tense.

Krillin spoke quietly, "Bardock… killed him. Brutally. He didn't even hesitate."

Bardock stood nearby, silent, as if the conversation wasn't about him.

"Why?" Chi-Chi asked, her voice trembling.

Gohan stepped forward, his expression heavy.

"Frieza taunted him… said he was the one who killed Bardock's mother. Bardock snapped. In the next second… he was holding Frieza's heart."

A shiver ran down Bulma and Chi-Chi's spines. Their faces went pale.

Then, Whis turned to Beerus.

"My lord, what should we do with Frieza's body?"

Beerus crossed his arms, clearly annoyed. "Leave him. He brought it on himself."

Then Bardock finally spoke."I kept my end of the bargain. Now keep yours."

Beerus growled, "You fool. You nearly got us erased with that stunt."

Bardock's expression didn't change. "I eliminated Jiren. And deep down… you know none of them could've done it."

Vegeta's fists clenched—his pride wounded.

Beerus let out a sigh and gave in with a nod.

"Fine. Whis, take care of it."

"As you wish, Lord Beerus," Whis said with a smile.

Then he tapped his staff, and in a pillar of radiant light, he and Bardock vanished.

Finding Gine took Whis only a few minutes. With a wave of his staff, he pierced through realms and dimensions until they arrived at a quiet, ethereal place in the Other World—a peaceful field of soft light and flowing clouds.

There, standing near a glowing stream, was Gine.

She turned as she sensed someone approaching. Her eyes widened the moment they landed on the man beside Whis.

"Kakarot…" she whispered, her voice trembling eyes with tears.

Bardock blinked in confusion.

"I'm… Bardock," he said hesitantly.

Gine chuckled softly, her eyes filling with tears as she stepped closer.

"No,you silly boy… Bardock is your father's name." "You are Kakarot—the child we sent to Earth to survive… to live."

The moment was silent. The air itself seemed to still.

Bardock's expression faltered. His breath caught in his throat as something deep within him stirred—like a locked door in his soul being gently opened.

Whis, standing behind them, gave a warm smile.

Gine, still in tears, reached out. "Kakarot, you're my son."

For a moment, there was silence. Then, as if something inside him clicked, memories flooded back—his life, his betrayals, the people he once trusted.

His expression darkened.

Whis, noticing the change, calmly asked, "Do you want to return to life?"

Goku exhaled sharply, his voice cold. "No. I don't want to see the faces of those traitors ever again."

Everyone in the Afterlife went silent.

Whis tilted his head. "You remember everything now, don't you?"

Goku smirked darkly. "Yes… Just now, it all came back to me. Tell them, if possible, that they are all dead in my eyes. And if they ever dare to seek me out again… it will be their final breath."

Gine looked at him in shock. "Kakarot… what happened?"

Goku softened slightly at her voice. "I'll tell you later. But first, I need to meet someone—the man who raised me. My grandpa."

Back on Earth

Whis appeared before the Z Fighters.

Beerus, arms crossed, raised an eyebrow. "So? How did it go?"

Whis sighed. "Everything went well, my lord. However… Goku has remembered everything."

The moment those words were spoken, Gohan, Chi-Chi, and the others stiffened in fear.

Whis continued, his voice calm yet sharp. "He said he doesn't want to see the faces of those traitors ever again. And that this is the last time I help you… despite having no reason to. But know this—if you ever seek him out again, it will be your final breath."

A chill ran down everyone's spine.

For the first time, they realized—Son Goku was truly gone.

A heavy silence filled the air as Whis's words sank in.

Gohan felt his stomach drop. His father—the man who once loved and protected them all—now saw them as nothing more than traitors.

Vegeta clenched his fists. "Tch. Kakarot, you idiot…" But even he couldn't deny the uneasy feeling creeping up his spine.

Bulma, still processing everything, gritted her teeth. "Damn it… We really lost him."

Gohan clenched his fists. "Maybe… Maybe I can go talk to him—"

"No."

Whis's voice cut through Gohan's desperate hope like a knife. "If you go to him, he will kill you without hesitation. You are dead to him, Gohan. All of you are."

Chi-Chi collapsed to her knees, trembling. "No… No, Goku wouldn't… He's my ex- husband! He's Gohan's father! There's no way he'd abandon us like this!"

Before anyone could respond, a low chuckle echoed through the room.

"Aren't you the ones who cursed him when he returned?"

All eyes snapped toward Beerus, who now grinned cruelly, resting his chin on his palm.

"Aren't you the ones who abandoned him? Betrayed him? Killed him?"

The weight of his words sent a chill down everyone's spines.

"Well, well…" Beerus mused, stretching his arms lazily. "You mortals never cease to amuse me with your hypocrisy."

Chi-Chi's face paled. "That's not—"

"Not what?" Beerus interrupted sharply, his golden eyes piercing through her. "Not true? Oh, please."

Piccolo lowered his gaze, saying nothing.

Gohan gritted his teeth, fists clenched at his sides. "We… we made mistakes, but we're his family!"

Beerus let out a mocking laugh. "Really? Did you forget what Frieza said when he returned? Even he knew that without Goku, you're nothing. And you—" his gaze locked onto Gohan "—you say you're his family? Well, tell me, does family betray their own?"

Gohan flinched but remained silent.

Beerus smirked, rising to his feet. "And you, boy… weren't you the very reason he died in the first place? The man gave his life to save you, and what did you do in return?"

Gohan staggered back, unable to respond.

Before anyone could question him, Beerus raised his hand, silencing them.

"Before you ask how I know…" Beerus's smirk faded, replaced with something cold and unreadable. "When I woke from my sleep, Whis told me about a Saiyan named Goku who defeated Frieza. So, I took a look into his life."

He crossed his arms. "To be frank, I didn't expect him to meet such a pathetic end."

His gaze flickered toward Gohan and Chi-Chi. "The moment you stood by and allowed this, you lost the right to call him father, husband, or friend."

The room fell into silence once more.

Then, Beerus delivered the final blow.

"Tell me one thing—are you truly guilty for what you did? Or are you just afraid of what he might do to you?"

The air grew heavy, the truth hanging over them like a storm cloud.

Even if they couldn't admit it…

Beerus was right.

Chi-Chi's breathing was ragged, her hands gripping her dress. "No… Goku would understand! He would forgive us!"

Beerus scoffed. "Forgive you? Oh, that's rich." His golden eyes glowed with amusement. "Tell me, woman, if you were in his place, would you forgive the people who spat on your kindness? The ones who treated you like a tool until you were no longer needed?"

Chi-Chi froze, her lips parting, but no words came out.

Beerus chuckled darkly. "That's what I thought."

Gohan finally found his voice, though it was shaky. "I… I never wanted this."

Beerus rolled his eyes. "What you wanted is irrelevant. What happened is what matters. The moment you sided against him, you sealed your fate."

Vegeta had been silent for a long time, his arms crossed, his head slightly lowered. But then, he let out a low growl. "Enough of this nonsense."

Beerus turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? Does the 'Prince of all Saiyans' have something to say?"

Vegeta snarled. "Damn right I do. Kakarot is an idiot for letting his emotions take over. If he truly was the warrior he claims to be, he would come back and face us like a man instead of running away like a coward!"

A sharp crack rang through the room as Beerus backhanded Vegeta across the face.

Everyone gasped as Vegeta staggered back, stunned.

Beerus's expression was unreadable, but his voice was deadly. "You still don't get it, do you?"

Vegeta wiped the blood from his lip, eyes burning with fury. "What the hell was that for?!"

Beerus stepped forward, his presence suffocating. "For once in your miserable life, shut up and listen."

Vegeta clenched his fists, but he said nothing.

Beerus's tone was calm, but it carried the weight of a god's fury. "Goku is not running away. He is choosing to leave you behind. You are beneath him now."

Vegeta's eyes widened slightly.

"You see," Beerus continued, pacing slowly, "this isn't about strength anymore. It's not about proving who's better. This is about something far worse—disgust. goku doesn't hate you." He turned back to them, his gaze piercing. "He simply sees you as nothing."

The room felt like it dropped below freezing.

Gohan felt his breath hitch. "Nothing…?"

Beerus nodded. "He has no reason to seek revenge. No reason to fight you. You're no longer his family, his friends, or his rivals. You are insects beneath his notice."

Vegeta looked away, jaw tightening.

Beerus then turned his gaze toward Vegeta, his smirk fading into something colder. "And you. Tell me, Vegeta, aren't you the one who attacked him from behind?"

Vegeta stiffened.

"You always talk about warrior pride, about honor, and yet, when it came down to it, you acted like a coward."

The room was dead silent.

Beerus's eyes narrowed. "So tell me, Prince—who is the real coward? Goku or you?"

A vein bulged in Vegeta's forehead, his teeth grinding together. His pride screamed at him to deny it. To fight back.

But deep down… he knew the answer.

And it burned more than any wound he had ever suffered.

In Other World

Goku—or Bardock, as he now embraced the name—stood before Grandpa Gohan in the Otherworld.

The old man's eyes widened in shock. "Goku?!"

Goku looked at him, his expression warm and smiling "grandpa I missed you I am sorry."

Grandpa Gohan smiled softly. "Yes… and I see you've been through a lot, my boy."

For the first time since regaining his memories, Goku felt something stir inside him—a warmth he hadn't felt in what seemed like forever.

But then, his eyes hardened. "I need to ask you something… Was I always this naïve? Did I always let people walk all over me?"

Grandpa Gohan sighed. "You had a pure heart, Goku. That was your strength… and your weakness."

Goku smirked slightly. "Not anymore."

He looked toward the endless sky of the Otherworld. "I'm done being used. I'm done being a fool."

Grandpa Gohan frowned. "Goku… what happened?"

Goku closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again—this time, they were filled with unwavering determination.

"They betrayed me."

Grandpa Gohan's face fell. "Who?"

Goku exhaled. "Everyone I once trusted."

On Earth

Videl had always known Gohan as kind, caring, and selfless. He was a hero, a man who fought for what was right, a person who never turned his back on others.

But now… as she watched his trembling form beneath Beerus's merciless judgment, she felt something she never thought she'd feel toward him.

Doubt.

She had never fully known what had happened to Goku. Gohan had never spoken about it in detail. The others always avoided the subject.

But now…

Now she knew why.

"Gohan… is this true?"

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Gohan didn't respond. He just stood there—silent, shaking, ashamed.

That silence told her everything.

Videl took a step back, her fingers curling into fists. "I don't understand… Your father loved you. How could you do this?"

Gohan finally looked at her—and for the first time, she saw something in his eyes that terrified her.

Fear.

Not fear of losing her.

But fear of what Goku might do if he remembered everything.

Videl's breath hitched.

This wasn't the Gohan she knew.

The Gohan she fell in love with would have never betrayed his father. The Gohan she knew would have fought against it, would have stopped it.

Yet… he didn't.

He let it happen.

Videl turned away, her arms wrapping around herself.

"Maybe… Maybe I never really knew you after all."

Those words hit Gohan harder than any punch ever could.

His own wife now questioned who he was.

And the worst part?

He couldn't blame them.

Because deep down, he knew…

They were right.

Far away from the chaos of Earth, Goku sat peacefully under a massive tree, the golden skies of Otherworld stretching endlessly above him. A gentle breeze rustled the grass, carrying the scent of warm earth and blooming flowers.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity… he felt at peace.

Beside him, Gine sat, tears still shimmering in her eyes as she gazed at her son—her Kakarot. She had dreamed of this moment for so long, but never had she imagined it would truly come.

"You've grown up so much," she whispered, brushing a gentle hand over his spiky hair. "I wish I could've been there to see it."

Goku smiled warmly, his once hardened expression softening. "It's okay, Mom. We're here now."

A hearty laugh rang out, full of warmth and nostalgia. Grandpa Gohan patted Goku's back with pride.

For the first time in a long time, there was no talk of betrayal.
No whispers of lies or broken trust. No weight of expectations or battles to fight.

Just a mother, a grandfather, and a son—together again.

For once, he wasn't a warrior. He wasn't a protector. He wasn't a symbol of power or hope.

He was simply… a son and a grandson.

And for the first time in a long, long time…

Goku was happy.

Years passed. One by one, those who had once betrayed Goku—now Bardock—reached the end of their lives.

Krillin was the first.

He stood before King Yemma, nervous, but hopeful.

Yemma flipped through the large book of Krillin's life, his expression darkening.

"You saved Earth many times. You risked your life against impossible odds. You were brave… loyal… once."

There is a pause krillin knew what was coming.

"But the betrayal of a man who would've given his life for you… that weighs heavier than all your good deeds."

Krillin's face fell.

"You turned your back on him and had no remorse. For that, you will go to Hell."

With a mighty stamp, the ground opened beneath Krillin—and he vanished into the abyss.

Bulma came next.

The genius inventor, who had always stood at the heart of the Z-Fighters… now trembled before judgment.

"You stood by while the one who protected your world was condemned," Yemma said coldly.

"You prioritized fear over truth… and convenience over loyalty."

Bulma tried to speak, but no words came.

"To Hell with you."

Chi-Chi followed.

Yemma's tone grew even harsher.

"You were his wife… and yet, you supported his execution. You smothered compassion, discouraged selflessness, and shamed those who wanted to help."

Chi-Chi looked down, her lips tight with shame.

"Your selfishness cost you redemption. Hell awaits."

Yamcha and Tien came together.

Neither pleaded, neither spoke.

Yemma gave no speech this time—just a simple glance and a swift judgment.

"Both of you abandoned a comrade in blind arrogance."

Stamp. Hell.

Vegeta lived longer than the rest, thanks to his Saiyan blood.

When his time finally came, he stood tall and proud before King Yemma.

"Vegeta…" Yemma began.

But Vegeta raised a hand.

"Spare me the speech. I know where I'm going. I betrayed my rival… the only man who ever truly challenged me. Just give the damn verdict."

Yemma frowned, but respected the honesty.

Stamp. "Hell."

Gohan was the last.

He died old, surrounded by a world that barely remembered the truth.

As he stood before Yemma, his eyes filled with quiet shame.

"You were his son, Gohan," Yemma said, voice low with sorrow. "Of all people, you should've stood by him. But you chose silence. You convinced yourself it was 'for the greater good.'" "But you knew better."

Yemma closed the book, eyes filled with disappointment.

"Your sins outweigh your light. I'm sorry, Gohan. But Hell is where your path ends."

Years Later, Piccolo stood before Yemma.

He remained silent, accepting whatever fate awaited him.

Yemma gave him a long, heavy look.

"You, too, knew better. And yet… you let it happen."

Stamp. Hell.


10/4/2025