Kakaroto el hijo de un guerrero Saiyajin llamado Bardock fue enviado a la Tierra para exterminar a todos los seres vivos. Un anciano con disciplinas en las artes marciales llamado Son Gohan lo encuentra y lo adopta como su nieto nombrándolo Son Gokū. Gokū crece en la Tierra enfrentándose a muchos poderosos oponentes e incrementando sus habilidades de pelea. Después de salvar a la Tierra de Piccolo Daimâo por dos ocasiones Son Gokū se casa con una chica enamoradiza y a quien le prometió amor eterno llamada Chichi y tienen un hijo al que nombran Son Gohan en honor a su fallecido abuelo adoptivo de Gokū. Después de cinco tranquilos años padre e hijo se dirigen a Kame House para una celebración pero esta es interrumpida por un misterioso guerrero alienígena.

Después de llegar a Kame House el intruso revela a todos el pasado de Gokū declarando que él es un Saiyajin conocido como "Kakarotto", que fue enviado a la Tierra para exterminar a todos los seres vivos que hay en ella y además que él es su hermano mayor: "Raditz". Cuando Gokū se niega a cumplir con su misión encomendada al nacer Raditz toma como rehén a su sobrino Gohan. Cuando Gokū y los demás formulan un plan de rescate ¡Piccolo aparece!. Como Piccolo ve que este invasor del espacio interfiere con su deseo de dominación mundial decide unir fuerzas con su archirival Son Gokū temporalmente. Los dos usan el Radar Dragon para localizar a Son Gohan que lleva la Dragon Ball de Cuatro Estrellas en su sombrero. Así localizan a Raditz pero pronto quedan a merced de su inmenso poder y en shock cuando escuchan que los otros dos compañeros Saiya-jins de Raditz son todavía más poderosos que él. 

Gokū y Piccolo continúan desafiando a Raditz pero la diferencia de poderes es enorme. Mientras Gokū soporta una feroz golpiza de Raditz para distraerlo Piccolo lanza su nueva técnica especial llamada Makankosappo. Gokū encuentra una oportunidad para sostener la cola de Raditz pero éste manipula su corazón misericordioso para luego torturarlo. Es aquí donde Gohan que había sido encerrado dentro de la nave espacial del invasor libera su poder oculto con furia... ¡Y hiere gravemente a su malvado tío Raditz de un cabezazo en el pecho!. Raditz intenta matar a Gohan tras dejarlo desmayado pero Gokū logra inmovilizarlo. Gokū le grita a Piccolo que lance su técnica una vez más sin importar que ahora lo mate a él también. Piccolo dispara su Makankosappo otra vez. El doble rayo perfora el cuerpo de ambos hermanos y agonizando Raditz se sorprende del sacrificio de Gokū. Piccolo le revela la existencia de las Dragon Balls que permitirán que la resurrección de Gokū.

Luego de que Raditz muere, sus dos compañeros saiyajins por medio de sus scouters, logran escuchar el interesante dato acerca de la existencia de las Dragon Balls. Ambos deciden partir hacia la tierra para hacerse con ellas y pedir la vida eterna. Piccolo se lleva a un inconsciente Gohan , para entrenarlo hasta que lleguen los invasores espaciales. Kami-Sama también tiene un plan, y lleva a Gokū ante Enma Daiō. Este le pide que antes de que Gokū sea revivido con las Dragon Balls, pueda entrenar con Kaiō-Sama. Después de que Emma Daiō da el permiso para conocer a Kaiō-Sama, Gokū comienza a correr en el camino de la serpiente, el cual se dice que tiene un millón de kilómetros de largo. Mientras tanto en la Tierra, Krilin visita la casa de Gokū, pero le es muy difícil poder decirle a Chichi y Gyūmaō sobre lo ocurrido con Gokū y Gohan. Para probar el poder oculto de Gohan, Piccolo le dice que tendrá un duro entrenamiento. 

Piccolo deja solo a Gohan en la intemperie después de decirle que lo entrenará si logra sobrevivir por seis meses en aquel lugar. Por otro lado , Gokū estuvo apunto de caer al infierno que se encuentra justo debajo del camino de la serpiente. Un Dinosaurio enorme trata de comerse a Gohan, quien al intentar escapar, misteriosamente logra llegar a la cima de una enorme roca de la que no puede bajar. Krilin regresa a Kame House, donde Bulma y Kame Sen'nin estaban esperándolo. Yajirobe llega y les entrega el mensaje de Karin; los Guerreros Z deben ir al palacio del cielo para que Kami-Sama los entrene. Cuando Chichi llega junto con su padre, se desmaya al enterarse de lo sucedido. Aquella noche en una enorme roca, Gohan se transforma en Ōzaru. Piccolo destruye la Luna después de que se da cuenta que esta es la causante de la transformación y es así, que decide quitarle la cola a Gohan después de que el pequeño volviera a la normalidad. 

Luego de que Gohan se recupera de su transformación, continua con su entrenamiento. Mientras tanto, Gokū llega al final del camino de la serpiente donde se encuentra con Kaiō-Sama. Allí descubre que la gravedad del planeta de Kaiō, es 10 veces mayor a la del planeta Tierra. Kaiō-Sama pone como condición para entrenar a Gokū, que deba contarle un buen chiste el cual lo haga reír. Superada la prueba, el primer reto de Gokū será tratar de atrapar al mono Bubbles alrededor de todo el pequeño planeta. Esto será complicado ya que Gokū deberá soportar 10 veces su peso corporal (incluyendo su pesada ropa de entrenamiento). 

Han pasado tres semanas, y finalmente Gokū logra atrapar a Bubbles. El siguiente reto que se le impone, será golpear al veloz grillo Gregory con un gran y pesado martillo. Gokū logra completar el siguiente entrenamiento y en el proceso, lograr controlar su cuerpo con la gravedad aumentada 10 veces. Kaiō-Sama continúa por enseñarle el Kaiōken y la Genkidama. Mientras tanto, en la tierra el entrenamiento de los Guerreros Z con Kami-Sama concluye, haciendo que los luchadores, tomen diferentes caminos por separado para seguir entrenando. Gohan y Piccolo también estarán cerca de iniciar un entrenamiento conjunto. 

Kaiō-Sama pone a prueba la habilidad de Gokū para poder utilizar la Genkidama haciendo que su blanco a atacar, sea un enorme ladrillo. Gokū logra destruirlo sin problemas, sin embargo, Kaiō-Sama le advierte del potencial poder destructivo que puede provocar una Genkidama hecha con la energía de la Tierra. Gokū decide guardar esta técnica en caso de emergencia. Con su entrenamiento finalizado, Gokū se comunica telepáticamente por medio de Kaiō-Sama con Kame Sen'nin, pidiéndole que lo revivan cuanto antes. Sin tiempo que perder, Shenlong es invocado y se le pide que resucite a Gokū. Al día siguiente, a las 11 de la mañana con 43 minutos, los saiyajines llegan a la Tierra.

Luego de que los saiyajines impactaran y destruyeran de un solo golpe la capital del este, ambos se disponen a buscar a Piccolo para que les revele el paradero e información de uso de las Dragon Balls. Ambos logran encontrar a Piccolo y Gohan rápidamente. Momentos después, Krillin llega para plantarles cara también, a los saiyajines Vegeta y Nappa. Nappa le revela a Piccolo su origen alienígena. Este le dice que es de la raza namekiana. Siguiendo las órdenes de Vegeta, Nappa planta unas extrañas semillas en la tierra de las cuales, emergen seis extrañas criaturas llamadas saibaiman. Unos instantes después, Ten Shin Han, Chaoz y Yamcha llegan al campo de batalla. Vegeta sugiere un combate entre cada saibaiman y uno de ellos. Yamcha decide pelear en lugar de Krillin. Luego de que Yamcha pensara que obtuvo una victoria asegurada, su oponente logra sujetarse fuertemente a él, autoexplotándo y causándole una muerte inmediata de ambos. 

Krillin en un ataque de rabia, logra destruir a casi todos los saibaiman. Piccolo destruye con facilidad al último, salvándole la vida a Gohan. Luego Nappa decide entrar en acción, demostrando ser un terrible oponente. Durante el combate, Nappa le arranca de un puñetazo un brazo a Ten Shin Han. En un acto de desesperación, Chaoz decide sugetarse a la espalda de Nappa y autoexplotar con él, sacrificando su vida. Luego del fallido intento de Chaoz, Ten Shin Han en un ataque de rabia decide utilizar todo su Ki de vida, en un poderoso Kikōhō. Este ataque termina por provocarle un agotamiento extremo y posteriormente a su muerte. Con la muerte de tres de los Guerreros Z, las esperanzas de Krillin, Gohan y Piccolo se depositan en la llegada de Gokū cuanto antes. Los sayajines escuchan a Krillin decir que Gokū tuvo un exhaustivo entrenamiento durante todo este tiempo y que pronto llegaría. Vegeta decide darles una oportunidad y esperar a Gokū por un lapso de 3 horas. 

Se han cumplido las 3 horas de espera y Gokū aún no llega. Piccolo, Gohan y Krillin se disponen a reestructurar un plan de ataque contra Nappa, tratando de ganar tiempo hasta que Gokū llegue. Gokū logra llegar al final del camino de la serpiente regresando a la Tierra, y dirigiéndose a toda prisa al campo de batalla. Vegeta rastrea con su scouter un poder de pelea de más de 8.000 unidades. Inmediatamente ordena a Nappa ponerle fin a los demás, antes de que Kakarotto llegue donde se encuentran. Vegeta menciona que ya no importa si matan al namekiano y desaparecen las Dragon Balls puesto que es completamente seguro, que hayan unas similares o más poderosas en el planeta Namek. Nappa utiliza un Energy-Ha para rematar a Gohan pero Piccolo, se interpone en el camino recibiendo de lleno el poderoso ataque. 

Piccolo muere poco después de recibir el ataque de Nappa lo cual trae como consecuencia, la muerte de Kami-Sama y la desaparición de las Dragon Balls. Gokū finalmente llega al campo de battalla, rescatando a Gohan y a Krillin. Gokū se enfrenta a Nappa, superándolo en poder y poniéndolo rápidamente fuera de combate. Nappa es incapaz de seguir combatiendo con lo cual, Vegeta decide poner pie en el combate. 

Con Vegeta preparado para entrar en combate, Nappa no soporta la humillación de ser derrotado por un guerrero de "clase baja" como Kakarotto. Es por eso, que decide atacar sin previo aviso a Gohan y a Krillin. Rápidamente, Gokū utiliza el Kaiōken contra Nappa dejándolo imposibilitado para seguir luchando. Gokū le explica a Gohan y a Krillin, que la técnica que utilizó se llama Kaiōken. Esta técnica debe ser utilizada con cuidado puesto que desgasta el cuerpo del que lo utiliza. Gokū continua diciéndoles, que Kaiō-Sama le advirtió que no utilice este poder aumentado a más de 2 veces. El emplear el Kaiōken x3, podría terminar por provocarle una muerte segura. Vegeta decide eliminar a Nappa ya que lo considera como un estorbo. Gokū le pide a Gohan y a Krillin que se vayan para que pueda pelear sin distracciones. Luego de moverse a un nuevo campo de batalla, Gokū se da cuenta de que un Kaiōken x2, no es suficiente para derrotar a Vegeta.

Gokū logra controlar el Kaiōken x3, y elevar su poder y velocidad de manera sorprendente. Vegeta es invadido por un ataque de rabia al darse cuenta de que su poder es superado por el de Kakarotto. Es por eso, que Vegeta emplea un Galick Hō para intentar destruir la Tierra. Gokū realiza un Kaiōken x4, y logra contrarrestar la técnica de Vegeta utilizando un potente Kamehameha. Luego Vegeta desaparece por un rato , en busca de poder obvservar la luna, de manera que pueda transformarse en un Ōzaru. Al darse cuenta de que la Luna ya no está, Vegeta crea con sus poderes una bola de energía que simula las propiedades necesarias para convertirse en Ōzaru. Vegeta libera esta bola de energía en el cielo. Luego de esto, Gohan y Krillin logran sentir que el poder de Vegeta se ha multiplicado drásticamente, decidiendo ir en ayuda de Gokū. 

Firme en su convicción, Gokū decide formar una Genkidama como última opción. Sin embargo, Gokū es golpeado por uno de los ataques de Vegeta en el momento en que termina de acumular el Ki necesario para construir la bola de energía. Luego de que Gokū terminara malherido en el suelo, este le propina un Energy-Ha en un ojo a Vegeta. Vegeta con furia toma entre sus manos a Gokū, haciéndolo sufrir e intentando aplastarlo lentamente. Gohan y Krillin obvservan el combate detrás de una roca e intentan idear un plan para cortarle la cola al Ōzaru. Gohan y Krillin intentan quitarle la cola a Vegeta fallando en su cometido sin embargo, Yajirobe aparece sorpresivamente en último momento revanándole con su kattana de un corte seco la cola al temible Ōzaru. Una vez vuelto a la normalidad, Vegeta pelea contra Gohan. Aprovechando la oportunidad, Gokū le pide a Krillin que lo tome de la muñeca, transpasándole la energía restante que le había quedado de la Genkidama que había formado.

Krilin logra reunir la energía restante para formar una Genkidama más pequeña. Luego de formar la bola de energía, Krillin dispara la Genkidama a Vegeta, pero este logra esquivarla. Gokū se comunica telepáticamente con Gohan diciéndole, que devuelva la Genkidama en contra de Vegeta. Gohan logra devolverle la Genkidama a Vegeta, dándole de lleno y enviándolo por los aires. Momentos después, el saiyajin cae en tierra y logra ponerse de pie, propinándole una buena golpiza a los Guerreros Z. Milagrosamente, a Gohan vuelve a crecerle su cola. Vegeta se percata de esto y decide detenerlo. Gohan con sus últimas fuerzas logra mirar la falsa luna en el cielo y convertirse en Ōzaru. Luego de una corta pelea, Vegeta utiliza un Kienzan para quitarle la cola a Gohan. Gohan logra caer encima de él, aplastándolo por unos momentos sobre el suelo. Gohan regresa a la normalidad mientras que un gravemente herido Vegeta, utiliza un control remoto para traer hasta allí su cápsula espacial.

Instantes antes de que Krillin intente quitarle la vida a Vegeta, Gokū le pide a este que se detenga. Gokū le dice a su amigo que le permita el capricho de dejar escapar al saiyajin ya que pretende entrenar más duro y enfrentarlo de nuevo algún día. Krillin hace caso a Gokū, dejando que Vegeta se escape en su nave. Kame Sen'nin, Bulma, Chichi, Gyūmaō y Karin, se dirigen en una nave a donde se encuentran los demás. Luego del reencuentro, deciden recuperar los cuerpos de sus amigos. Después de está triste situación y un poco más tranquilos, Krillin comenta a los demás un dato interesante que podría traerles una luz de esperanza. Krillin menciona que los saiyajines hicieron un comentario acerca del planeta originario de Piccolo y que probablemente, allí existan también las Dragon Balls. Por medio de telepatía, Gokū se comunica con Kaiō-Sama pidiéndole saber las coordenadas exactas del planeta Namek y si aún existen habitantes allí.

Gokū, Gohan y Krillin se encuentran recuperándose en un hospital luego de la batalla con Vegeta. Sus amigos y familiares, se encuentran con ellos en la recuperación. En el momento en que sintonizan la televisión en el cuarto del hospital, todos obvservan un informe en vivo acerca de la cápsula espacial de Nappa. Bulma por medio del control remoto recuperado de la nave de Vegeta, presiona un botón pensando en mover la nave de lugar sin embargo, la cápsula explota frente a la mirada atónita de todos. Las esperanzas se pierden al instante. En esos momentos, Mr Popo llega frente a ellos, informándoles la existencia de otra nave espacial. Esta nave, es nada menos que la que utilizó Kami-Sama para llegar a la Tierra. Bulma y Mr Popo se dirigen a Yunzabit para inspeccionarla. Luego de analizar el funcionamiento de la misma, Bulma logra descifrar el mecanismo de la nave espacial por medio de órdenes de voz

Han pasado unos días desde que la nave partió de la Tierra. Gohan y Krillin aprovechan su viaje, haciendo combates mentales. Por otra parte, Vegeta logra aterrizar en el Planeta Freezer No. 79. Luego de curarse en la máquina de recuperación, Kiwi le informa a Vegeta que Freezer partió hacia el Planeta Namek. Esto lo hizo poco después de enterarse por medio del scouter de la existencia de las Dragon Ball. Luego de escuchar a Kiwi, Vegeta corre a toda prisa, y toma su cápsula espacial dirigiéndose a Namek. Gohan, Krillin y Bulma llegan a su destino. Una vez que se encuentran en tierra, Bulma utiliza el Dragón Radar. Allí obvserva que cuatro de las siete Dragonballs ya se encuentran reunidas. Krillin logra sentir un poderoso Ki acercándose. Bulma comenta que seguramente debe ser la energía de alguno de los namekianos. Al salir de su nave, Vegeta utiliza su scouter, notificando la presencia de Freezer junto con sus escoltas Zarbon y Dodoria. 

Freezer se apodera de la cuarta Dragon Ball. En ese momento, Zarbon le informa acerca de dos lecturas de poder recién llegadas al planeta, aparte de las de Vegeta y Kiwi. Dos hombres de Freezer llegan para investigar donde se encuentra la nave recién llegada de la Tierra. Los terrícolas se sorprenden, al obvservar que ambos poseen armaduras iguales a las de los saiyajin. En una racha de mala suerte, la nave de Kami-Sama es seriamente dañada por un ataque sorpresa del enemigo. Krillin y Gohan aumentan rápidamente su Ki y eliminan de un golpe a los dos soldados. Por otra parte, Kiwi llega donde se encuentra Vegeta. Vegeta sorprende a Kiwi con la novedosa técnica que aprendió en la Tierra; el control del poder de pelea. El saiyajin sin esfuerzo alguno, logra eliminar a su contrincante de un solo golpe. Gohan, Krillin y Bulma deciden buscar un lugar más seguro para refugiarse. En el camino, sienten la presencia de Freezer y sus hombres, en dirección a una Dragon Ball.

Gokū llega a la Capsule Corporation en donde el padre de Bulma, tiene preparada una nueva nave espacial. Esta nave aparte de poder llegar a Namek en 6 días. Una vez despegada, Gokū empieza a entrenar bajo una gravedad de 20G. Mientras tanto en Namek, Gohan y Krillin llegan cerca de la aldea donde se encuentran Freezer y sus hombres. Ambos deciden esconderse y mantener su Ki al mínimo para no ser detectados. Freezer intimida a los aldeanos a que le entreguen la Dragon Ball que poseen en su poder. Dada la negativa de estos, Zarbon elimina con facilidad a dos de ellos. En esos instantes el grupo de namekianos que no se encontraba allí, llega al rescate. Los recién llegados logran eliminar a unos cuantos soldados de Freezer. El líder la aldea logra destruir todos los scouters del enemigo, por medio de rayos de energía. Sin los scouters, el enemigo ya no podría localizar las demás aldeas. Dodoria decide ponerle fin a los aldeanos. 

Dodoria masacra salvajemente a los aldeanos. Gohan interviene furiosamente. Krillin se apresura rápidamente en tomar a Gohan y al pequeño namekiano, huyendo a toda prisa de allí. Instantes después, Freezer ordena a Dodoria ir tras ellos. Ya lejos de la aldea, Dodoria cree haber cumplido con su misión y decide volver. En un ataque sorpresa, es interceptado por Vegeta. Sin dificultad alguna, el saiyajin logra superar a su contrincante. Antes de otorgarle el golpe de gracia, Dodoria le dice a Vegeta que si se detiene, le diría toda la verdad acerca de la destrucción del planeta Vegeta. El saiyajin le permite hablar. Dodoria comenta que los saiyajines representaban una amenaza latente para Freezer. Es por eso, que el tirano espacial decidió ponerle fin a casi toda la raza saiyajin. Vegeta se pone furioso al darse cuenta de que fue manipulado por Freezer todo este tiempo. Desesperado, Dodoria intenta huir sin embargo, Vegeta envía un Energy-Ha de alto poder hacia el, poniéndole fin. 

Zarbon está preocupado de que Dodoria no haya regresado aún. Vegeta logra detectar la presencia de Gohan, Krillin y Dende a la distancia. Gohan y Krillin al percatarse de que Vegeta está cerca, disminuyen su Ki. Dende no sabe emplear esta técnica, lo cual obliga a los tres a esconderse del temible saiyajin. En el momento más crítico, un gigantesco pez salió de las profundidades de un lago, haciéndolo pensar que la presencia que había detectado era la de aquel anfibio. Más tarde, Vegeta logra detectar la presencia de algunos namekianos que habitan en una de las aldeas. Al llegar allí, Vegeta obliga a los aldeanos a entregarles la Dragon Ball que tienen en su poder. El jefe de la aldea se niega a cooperar por lo que el saiyajin, masacra a todos los habitantes. Mientras Vegeta decide ir en búsqueda de la siguiente Dragon Ball , Krillin y Dende se separan de Gohan para ir hasta la casa de Saichōrō en busca de la última Dragon Ball en poder de los namekianos. 

Krillin y Dende se dirigen hacia la morada de Saichōrō, quien es el padre de todos los namekianos. Mientras tanto Vegeta detecta el Ki de Zarbon cerca de su camino, con lo cual decide realizarle una emboscada. Al principio, pareciera que el saiyajin tiene todas las de ganar sin embargo, este le revela que posee la capacidad de transformarse en un ser más poderoso. Zarbon se convierte en una espantosa bestia que logra vapulear a Vegeta dejándolo completamente agónico dentro de un estanque. Mientras tanto en el espacio, Kaiō-Sama se comunica telepáticamente con Gokū, comentándole que Chaoz, Yamcha, Ten Shin Han y Piccolo, se encuentran entrenado arduamente en un entrenamiento más riguroso que el que tuvo él aquella vez. Por último, Kaiō-Sama advierte a Gokū que bajo ningún concepto intente enfrentarse con Freezer ya que él, es un ser con un poder más allá de lo imaginable. 

Krillin y Dende logran llegar a la montaña donde se encuentra la casa de Saichōrō. Allí se encuentran con Nail, un guerrero de la más alta élite, quien los invita a pasar. Una vez adentro se encuentran con Saichōrō. Como las intenciones de Krillin son puras, decide entregarla la Dragon Ball que está en su poder. Para alegría de Krillin, Saichōrō logra despertar el poder dormido que tenía. Krillin pregunta si también puede despertar el poder dormido de otra persona y va en busca de Gohan. Mientras tanto, Zarbon reporta a Freezer, que Vegeta ha sido derrotado. Freezer regaña duramente a Zarbon dicíendole que posiblemente Vegeta haya escondido una de las Dragon Bal y ordena que traiga de vuelta a Vegeta a la nave y lo cure. En esos momentos, Freeza platica a Zarbon acerca de la sospecha de encontrarse con un guerrero más fuerte que Vegeta; por ello, decide llamar a las Fuerzas Especiales Ginyū. Más tarde, Zarbon encuentra a un malherido Vegeta, llevándoselo a la nave para sanarle.

Vegeta logra recuperarse antes de tiempo, destruyendo el motor de la nave y robando las Dragon Balls de Freezer. El Tirano enfurecido, envía a Zarbon en su búsqueda. Mientras tanto, Krillin llega al refugio donde se encuentra Bulma. Vegeta logra interceptarlo, seguiéndolo cuidadosamente por detrás. Vegeta también es interceptado y seguido también por Zarbon. Una vez llegado al refugio, Bulma comenta a Krillin, que Gohan fue en busca de una Dragon Ball que no fue interceptada por el enemigo. En esos momentos, Gohan llega a la aldea donde se encuntra la señal del radar, descubriendo la Dragon Ball y llevándosela consigo. Mientras tanto, Vegeta ordena a los terrícolas que le entreguen la Dragon Ball que poseen. En esos momentos llega Zarbon, comenzando la confrontación entre ambos. Poco sirvió la transformación de Zarbon, ya que el Zenkai Power de Vegeta lo puso en una posición de mayor poder que él. Vegeta termina su pelea, matando a Zarbon. 

Sin opción alguna, Krillin le entrega la Dragonball en su poder a Vegeta. Eufórico, el saiyajin perdona la vida de los terrícolas. Al retirarse, Bulma alivia a Krillin con la noticia de que Gohan fue en busca de la última Dragon Ball. Vegeta se topa con Gohan quien al detectar su Ki, logra esconder a tiempo la Sì Xīngqiú. Vegeta pregunta a Gohan que lleva en sus manos. Este le contesta que un reloj. El saiyajin perdona la vida a Gohan diciéndole que ya tiene en su poder todas las Dragon Ball. Luego, Gohan llega donde los demás. y deciden partir lejos a un lugar más seguro. Vegeta busca deseperadamente la última Dragon Ball que escondió en la aldea. Al no encontrarla, se percata que el reloj es un artefacto para buscarlas. Con extrema furia, Vegeta se dirige en busca de los tres. Mientras tanto, Freezer es informado con la noticia de que las Fuerzas Especiales Ginyū se encuentran en camino a Namek. En esos momentos, Gokū entrena arduamente bajo una fortísima gravedad.

Encontrando nuevo refugio para Bulma, Krillin decide llevar a Gohan ante Saichōrō. Estando cerca del recinto del patriarca, Vegeta detecta las energías de ambos, por lo que decide ir hacia ellos. Una vez llegan, Gohan entra a la casa de Saichōrō, incrementando su poder de pelea. Durante esos momentos, Vegeta llega allí reclamando rabiosamente la esfera faltante. Nail interviene en ese momento pidiéndole a Vegeta que se retire. En ese instante, un Gohan renovado sale al exterior encontrándose con los demás. Nail advierte al instante la aproximación de cinco poderosas energías entrando a Namek. Vegeta se percata de que son las Fuerzas Especiales Ginyū por lo que convence a Krillin y Gohan de juntar las Dragon Balls faltantes para otorgarle la vida eterna. De esta manera, podrían enfrentarlos y hacer las cosas más fáciles. Los tres, vuelan a toda prisa para llevarse la esfera en poder de Bulma. Mientras tanto, las Fuerzas Especiales Ginyū aterrizan, presentándose ante Freezer. 

Las Fuerzas Especiales Ginyū entregan un nuevo scouter a Freezer, recibiendo órdenes de recuperar las Dragon Balls y eliminar a Vegeta y a los dos terrícolas. Mientras tanto, Vegeta, Krillin y Gohan llegan hasta el lugar donde estaban escondidas las cinco Dragon Balls restantes. En esos instantes, Ginyū y sus hombres llegan hasta allí, obteniendo las Dragon Balls por medio de una rápida maniobra de Burter y la detención del tiempo por parte de Guldo. Ginyū decide llevar las esferas donde se encuentra Freezer. Recoome gana su turno para pelear con Vegeta por lo que Guldo, ganaría su turno luchando contra Krillin y Gohan. Luego de detener en reiteradas veces el tiempo y verse en apuros, Guldo decide usar una técnica paralizante con los dos terrícolas. Antes de acestar el golpe de gracia, Vegeta decapita a Guldo y poco después, vaporiza su cabeza. En esos instantes, Gokū se encuentra a menos de diez minutos de llegar al planeta Namek. 

Vegeta y Recoome entran en combate. El príncipe saiyajin golpea abruptamente al gigantesco Reecome sin embargo, este parece no sentir daño alguno ante sus ataques. Vegeta es gravemente herido por lo que Krillin y Gohan, deciden entrar en batalla. Mientras tanto, Freezer tiene en su poder las siete Dragon Balls a las que intenta hacer que funcionen para otorgarle la vida eterna. Sin resultado alguno, Freezer decide utiliar su scouter para ver si aún queda algún namekiano con vida para poder preguntarle la forma de activar las esferas. El tirano espacial detecta tres energías en un sector que no fue atacado por lo que decide dirigirse allí a toda prisa, dejando las Dragon Balls en custodia de Ginyū. En esos instantes, Krillin y Gohan son rápidamente dejados fuera de combate por la fuerza bruta de Reecome. Finalmente, la nave espacial de Gokū aterriza en Namek. 

Luego de aterrizar, Gokū se dirige a toda prisa a donde se encuentran Krillin y Gohan. Al llegar, le entrega una semilla del ermitaño a cada uno haciendo que recuperen sus fuerzas. Burter, Jeice y Reecome quedan atónitos al ver como ambos terrícolas se recuperan rápidamente. Luego, Gokū entrega otra semilla a Vegeta haciendo que se recupere de sus heridas. Gokū decide pelear contra Reecome pese a las advertencias de Krillin y Gohan. Para la sorpresa de todos, Gokū deja Knock-Out a Reecome de un solo golpe. Luego de una absurda demostración de poder por parte de Burter y Jeice hacia Gokū, este despacha de un solo golpe a Burter, dejándolo inconsciente en el piso. Vegeta teme que Kakarotto se haya convertido en el super saiyajin legendario mientras que Jeice, queda pasmado frente al poder de su enemigo.

Gokū le dice a Jeice que se lleve a Burter y a Reecome y salgan del planeta para siempre. Jeice se escapa y se dirige donde el capitán Ginyu para comentarle lo sucedido. Vegeta por su parte asesina a Recoome y a Burter aún cuando Gokū le pidió que no lo hiciera. Mientras tanto Freezer se dirige a buscar la contraseña para llamar al dragón de Namek en la casa del gran patriarca. Jeice y Ginyu llegan al campo de batalla donde se encuentran Gokū y los demás. Gokū le dice a Gohan y Krillin que se vayan y se dirijan a buscar las esferas del dragón antes de que Freezer vuelva por ellas. Vegeta en un principio, iba a apoyar a Gokū en su pelea con Jeice y Ginyu, sin embargo, lo engaña y se escapa volando. Ginyu pelea contra Gokū en una pelea bastante pareja, sin embargo Ginyu sabe que Gokū está suprimiendo su poder y lo obliga a liberarlo. Gokū hace el kaioken y su poder se comienza a elevarse más allá de las expectativas del capitán. 

Gokū potencia hasta su máximo nivel(que es mucho mayor que Ginyu). El capitán no puede hacer nada sino mirar boquiabierto a su oponente.El Gran Viejo desbloquea los poderes ocultos de Dende y lo envía al encuentro con los demás, Nail comienza a pelear contra Freezer. Mientras Freezer es claramente el más fuerte de los dos, él está sorprendido por la capacidad de Nail para regenerarse. Gohan y Krilin rescatan a Bulma de un dinosaurio, y toman el radar del dragón para encontrar dónde Freezer escondió las dragon ball.Ginyu se lastima a si mismo, dispara una energía rara hacia Gokū. 

El haz de Ginyu hace que el y Gokū cambien de cuerpos. Gokū está ahora atrapado en el cuerpo de Ginyu herido. Krilin y Gohan llegan a la nave de Freezer y desentierran las dragon ball. Ginyu, en el cuerpo de Gokū, Jeice llega de nuevo a la nave, pero cuando Ginyu intenta elevar su nivel sólo alcanza 23.000, mucho menos que el nivel propio(180.000).Gokū se da cuenta de que se requiere de fuerza, mente y cuerpo, Gokū (en el cuerpo de Ginyu) grita a Krilin y a Gohan que puede derrotar a Ginyu. Vegeta mata a Jeice. 

Después de matar a Jeice, Vegeta fija su mirada en Ginyu (todavía esta Gokū). Vegeta se distrae y el verdadero Ginyu intenta conseguir el cuerpo de Vegeta aunque falla porque Gokū intercede, dejando a Ginyu de nuevo en su cuerpo original y Gokū en el suyo. Ginyu intenta de nuevo cambiar con Vegeta, pero Gokū lanza una rana de Namek en el camino, dejando a Ginyu en el cuerpo de la rana. Con esto derrota a Ginyu completamente, Vegeta le muestra un lugar a Gokū , un tanque de rejuvenecimiento de la nave espacial de Freezer, les da a Krillin y a Gohan unas armaduras, después se queda dormido. Mientras tanto, Nail continúa luchando contra Freezer para ganar tiempo. Nail finalmente revela su intención y Freezer decide volver a la nave. Krilin, Gohan y Dende tomar las dragon ball lejos de la nave y convocan a Polunga, el dragón eterno de Namek.

Krilin y Gohan descubren que a pesar de que las dragon ball de Namek pueden conceder tres deseos, pero solo pueden resucitar a una sola persona por deseo, a diferencia de las dragon ball de la Tierra. Después de consultar con sus amigos muertos a través de habilidades telepáticas de Kai, utilizan el primer deseo para revivir a Piccolo, que también trae a Kami y las dragon ball de la Tierra aparecen de nuevo.Utilizan el segundo deseo para que Piccolo aparezca en Namek para que pueda ayudarles. Vegeta finalmente despierta y se entera de que ha sido engañado, pero antes de que puedan utilizar el último deseo de convertirse en inmortal, el Gran Viejo muere y las dragon ball de Namek se vuelven piedras. Al igual que Vegeta piensa que su suerte no podía ser peor, Freezer, finalmente llega. 

Piccolo llega en el Planeta Namek después de ser resucitado. Empieza a correr hacia el campo de batalla, y en el camino se encuentra con Nail, al borde de la muerte. Piccolo se fusiona con Nail, lo que aumenta considerablemente su poder, y comienza a toda prisa hacia el campo de batalla. Mientras tanto, Freezer, después de luchar contra los terrícolas y Vegeta en su primera forma, se transforma en su segunda forma(esto aumenta el nivel de Freezer a más de un millón) he incita a Vegeta. Con su creciente poder, Freezer atraviesa a Krilin con los cuernos.

Después de herir a Krilin, Freezer lo tira en el agua. Gohan se apresura a rescatar a su amigo, pero Freezer lo detiene. Gohan se enoja y aumenta su poder y pelea contra Freezer.Dende salva a Krilin de ahogarse y lo cura(éste fue uno de sus poderes ocultos que el Gran Viejo había desbloqueado). Freezer empieza a darle una paliza a Gohan, pero es rescatado por Krilin, que distrae a Freezer con numerosos ataques y escapan, Dende cura a Gohan. Desafortunadamente, resulta claro que Freezer supera a todos ellos, pero Piccolo llega por fin en el campo de batalla, anunciando que será el ganador de la batalla.

Piccolo con su poder actual, lucha contra Freezer pero Piccolo finalmente se da cuenta de que Freezer tiene una ventaja, por lo que se quita la ropa cargada y comienza a ganar contra Freezer. Freezer se encuentra acorralado en una esquina, por lo que decide que es mejor transformarse de nuevo para luchar contra Piccolo. Convirtiéndose en una forma grotesca, una vez más gana la partida y comienza a apalear a Piccolo. Gohan se apresura a rescatar a su maestro, cuando Krilin intenta hacer lo mismo, Vegeta lo detiene revelando a Krilin que puede tener una estrategia que derrotara al tirano.

Freezer esquiva los ataques de Gohan. Freezer decide transformarse en su última forma y la más poderosa.El plan de Vegeta para derrotar a Freezer incluye que el sea herido de muerte y luego sanado por Dende. Dende no tiene ningún interés en curar a Vegeta (porque le causó daño a muchos de su pueblo), sin embargo, lo cura Piccolo, quien convence a Dende para curar a Vegeta también. Freezer finalmente alcanza su forma final, e inmediatamente mata a Dende con una ráfaga de ki diciendo que su poder de sanación seria demasiado molesto. Krilin, Gohan y Piccolo pasan al ataque, pero el tirano esquiva cada ataque que lanzan en su camino. Vegeta prepara todo su nivel para poder pelear contra Freezer.

Vegeta gives his increased power and speed a test run by launching a violent attack on Frieza, but no matter how furiously he fights, the Saiyan is unable to penetrate his enemy’s defenses!

Goku arrives at the battle scene only to find Vegeta battered and badly beaten. With his dying breath, the Saiyan prince reveals the truth about Frieza’s roll in the death of Goku’s father, prompting a fierce outburst of Saiyan pride!

Goku and Frieza go head to head in a vicious slugfest that threatens to destroy the planet of Namek. Krillin and Gohan are amazed by the brutality of the battle, but Piccolo believes two warriors are just warming up!

The bruises are multiplying as Goku and Frieza continue to pummel each other mercilessly! Meanwhile, Bulma’s encounter with an unusual frog leads to an out-of-body experience!

After suffering a savage beating at the hands of Frieza, Goku summons the awesome power of the Kaio-Ken! If his desperate attack succeeds, victory will be his, but if it fails, the Saiyan race will be eliminated!

When his most powerful attacks fail to faze Frieza, Goku turns to his ultimate weapon: the Spirit Bomb! Piccolo joins the fight to buy Goku some time, but can the noble Namekian survive long enough to taste sweet victory?

With the help of his friends, Goku succeeds in blasting Frieza with a gargantuan Spirit Bomb! Victory seems assured, but when the monster remerges to strike a shockingly fatal blow – Goku undergoes a powerful transformation!

While Gohan races to save Piccolo, Goku inflicts a Super-Saiyan beating on Frieza. The blonde brawler’s impressive new powers drive his opponent to a desperate counterattack that could obliterate Namek!

Despite the danger of Namek’s impending implosion, Goku continues his battle with Frieza, determined to extract revenge for Krillin’s murder. Elsewhere, Gohan tries to locate Bulma before it’s too late!

Kami and King Kai concoct a plan to restore the wish-granting power of the Namekian Dragon Balls, and Goku continues his epic battle with the villainous Frieza!

After Goku is seemingly defeated by Frieza, Gohan enters the fight to avenge the loss of his father. Meanwhile, a newly resurrected Dende rushes to make a final wish before planet Namek is destroyed.

Goku and Frieza continue their epic battle as planet Namek crumbles beneath their feet. Back on Earth, Gohan eagerly awaits word of his father’s ultimate fate!

On Earth, the Grand Elder dies again, but before his death, he gives his power to Moori, one of his eldest sons, making him the new Grand Elder, and thereby preserving the power of the Namekian dragon balls. Meanwhile, on Namek, the dying Frieza begs for mercy from Goku. Despite his better judgement, Goku cannot ignore Frieza's pleas for help and gives the tyrant some of his own ki before departing. However, Frieza lets his pride get the better of him and unleashes one final ki blast at Goku, but the Super Saiyan easily repels the blast right back at the tyrant and seemingly destroys Frieza in the process. Goku then attempts to escape in Frieza's spaceship, but is unable to make it take off. Namek finally explodes and it appears that Goku perishes along with the planet.

Following Namek's destruction, King Kai informs Bulma and the others on Earth of Goku's apparent death, and that even though the Namekian dragon balls can resurrect Goku and Krillin, they will be brought back to where Namek used to be and die again in the vacuum of space. However, Vegeta comes up with the idea of using the dragon balls to first bring Goku and Krillin's souls to the Earth's check-in station in the Other World, from where they can be resurrected on Earth. 130 days after their use on Namek, the Namekian dragon balls become re-active, and the first two wishes are used to successfully revive Krillin; it is revealed that Goku is actually still alive and that he will return to Earth on his own later. Yamcha is then brought back to life with the third wish. Another 130 days later, the Namekian dragon balls are used to revive both Tien and Chiaotzu, and are then used to teleport all of the native Namekians to a new planet. The Z Fighters then return to their peaceful lives, waiting patiently for Goku to return.

A year has passed and still Goku has not returned to Earth. However, it is revealed that Frieza managed to survive his battle with the Super Saiyan, has been rebuilt into a cyborg by his father King Cold, and is heading towards Earth, intending to exact revenge on Goku. The rest of the Z Fighters gather to defend the Earth from Frieza, despite knowing the odds are against them. However, as soon as Frieza, King Cold, and their army of soldiers arrive on Earth, they are met by a mysterious teenager wielding a sword, who claims that he's come to kill them.

The mysterious teenager easily takes out Frieza's soldiers, then surprises Frieza by transforming into a Super Saiyan. The evil tyrant attempts to destroy this second Super Saiyan, but has no success. Eventually, the teenager slices Frieza into pieces with his sword, before blasting him away. King Cold tries to defeat the Super Saiyan himself, but is also easily destroyed. After reverting to his normal state, the teenager spots the Z Fighters and claims that Goku will be arriving nearby soon. Despite their skepticism, the Z Fighters agree to join him in awaiting Goku's arrival.

After three hours of waiting, a space pod crash lands on Earth and Goku emerges from it. There is no time for celebration, however, as the mysterious teenager pulls Goku aside to talk with him in private. After testing Goku's Super Saiyan powers, the teenager reveals that his name is Trunks and that he comes from an apocalyptic future 20 years from the present, as well as that he is the future son of Bulma and Vegeta. He further informs Goku that in three years from now, a pair of deadly androids, built by Doctor Gero of the former Red Ribbon Army, will begin a rampage on Earth and kill all of the Z Fighters, except for Goku, who will have died from a heart virus six months before their assault. Trunks then supplies Goku with a heart antidote made in his future timeline, instructing him to take it when the virus attacks him. Piccolo hears the whole conversation using his special hearing. Goku promises that he and the other Z Fighters will train hard for the next three years to prepare for the androids' assault, and Trunks then returns to the future in his time machine.

At Vegeta's request, Goku explains to the others that he managed to survive Planet Namek's destruction by escaping in one of the Ginyu Force's space pods just seconds before Namek exploded. He further explains that he eventually landed on a planet called Yardrat and was nursed back to health by the friendly inhabitants of the planet. He also reveals that he learned from them a special teleportation technique called Instant Transmission. The Z Fighters then go their separate ways to each begin preparing themselves for the androids' assault. After three years of intense training, they all head off to meet on the island on which Trunks had indicated that the androids would begin their attack.

The Z Fighters gather at the island in anticipation of the androids' attack. However, as the time approaches, the androids are nowhere to be seen. Yajirobe arrives to deliver Korin's new batch of Senzu beans to the others, but as soon as he departs, the androids shoot down his ship and immediately descend into the nearby city before the Z Fighters can get a glimpse of them. Gohan goes to rescue Yajirobe, while the rest of the Z Fighters fly down to the city as well to search out their enemies. After a period of searching, Yamcha becomes the first victim of the androids, after having his energy absorbed by Android #20, and then being impaled. The others arrive just in time to save him, and Goku eventually persuades the androids to move to a new location to fight after a large portion of the city is destroyed.

As Goku, Piccolo, and Tien take the androids to a new location to battle, Krillin revives Yamcha with a Senzu bean. However, once Yamcha reveals the androids' ability to absorb energy, he, Krillin, and Gohan head off to warn the others. Meanwhile, it is revealed to Goku that the androids are a result of years of research conducted by Dr. Gero, in which miniature spy robots were used to analyze Goku's fighting techniques and developments in strength, all in an attempt to exact revenge on Goku for destroying the Red Ribbon Army. However, Gero did not analyze Goku during his time on Planet Namek, and thus the androids are unaware of his ability to transform into a Super Saiyan, which Goku gladly demonstrates in front of them. A battle then ensues between Goku and Android #19, and though Goku clearly has the upper hand, he soon appears to be losing energy. Eventually, Goku is seen clutching the left side of his chest, which Gohan immediately recognizes as a symptom of the heart virus that Trunks had warned Goku of. However, the virus is attacking Goku's heart much later than Trunks had predicted. As Goku struggles to stay conscious, #19 prepares to finish the battle by absorbing Goku's remaining energy. Piccolo tries to intervene, however, Android #20 blasts Piccolo with his eye beams, which sends him crashing to the ground.

Before Android #19 can finish draining Goku's energy, Vegeta finally arrives, saving Goku by kicking the android in the face. Yamcha then escorts Goku back home in order to administer the heart antidote to him. Vegeta then squares up to the androids, and much to everyone's surprise, transforms into a Super Saiyan. It is revealed that, whereas Goku's first transformation was triggered by his rage over Frieza's murder of Krillin, Vegeta's was triggered by his rage at simply being unable to surpass Goku. The battle then begins, and it's clear that Vegeta has the edge over #19. Even the android's energy absorption attack proves futile, as Vegeta tears off the android's hands, making it impossible for it to absorb anymore energy from its opponents. As the android runs away in fear, Vegeta launches his Big Bang Attack and finishes the battle, leaving nothing but the android's head intact. Android #20 then escapes into the nearby cliffs, planning to use the terrain to launch a surprise attack on the Z Fighters.

The Z Fighters split up to search the area for Android #20. Frustrated at his enemy's deceptiveness, Vegeta fires a large ki blast at the cliffs, planning to level the area. Seeing this opportunity, #20 emerges from his hiding place, only to absorb Vegeta's blast and run away before Vegeta can catch up. The android then attacks Piccolo from behind and begins to drain his energy, although this is thwarted by Gohan, who senses Piccolo's fading ki and attacks the android. After receiving a Senzu bean, Piccolo then faces off against his attacker, and proves to be more than a match for the android. Meanwhile, Trunks finally returns from the future, and is disturbed to find that the remains of Android #19 are different from the androids that he faced in his own timeline. He then arrives at the current battlefield, and also seems not to recognize #20.

As the dust settles, Android #20 is nowhere to be seen, and it is assumed that he plans to return to the laboratory to awaken Androids #17 and #18 - the androids causing havoc in Trunk's timeline. Meanwhile, Trunks rescues his mother and young self, and berates Vegeta for failing to protect his family. Bulma then reveals that #20 may actually be the androids' creator, Dr. Gero, who has seemingly converted himself into one as well. The group then plan to find the lab and destroy the androids before Gero can activate them. Vegeta also sets off to find the lab, but with the intentions of fighting the androids as a demonstration of his power. Trunks leaves to stop his father, while Piccolo finally unveils the truth of Trunks' origin to the rest of the group. He knew this because he overheard the conversation between Trunks and Goku. Meanwhile, Piccolo, Krillin and Tien split up and search the mountains where Gero's lab is rumoured to be located, while Gohan takes Bulma, baby Trunks, and Yajirobe home. Meanwhile, Krillin is attacked by the doctor, but is spared when Gero senses Piccolo nearby and escapes.

Dr. Gero finally makes it to his laboratory, with Krillin in hot pursuit. Tien, Piccolo, Vegeta and Trunks soon locate him and break into the lab, although Doctor Gero has already awakened Androids #17 and #18. Although initially appearing loyal, the duo demonstrate their independence when Android #17 destroys Gero's remote, ensuring that he cannot deactivate them should they disobey him, and Android #18 attempts to activate Android #16. In an act of desperation, Trunks launches a large ki blast at the androids, hoping to destroy Android #16 before he is activated. Although the entire lab is decimated, both Androids and #16's pod remain intact, and he is awakened anyway. The trio then decide to carry out their initial orders, and set out to kill Goku. However, their plans are disrupted when Vegeta intervenes, challenging the three androids to a battle. After Android #16 refuses to fight, Android #18 steps up to face Vegeta.

Android #18 fights with Super Saiyan Vegeta and wins easily. Super Saiyan Trunks tries to help his father, but is also easily defeated and gets his sword broken in the process. Piccolo and Tien then get beaten down effortlessly by Android #17, while Krillin stays behind and watches the horror, and Android #16 simply observes the nearby birds. After the fight, the androids leave, but before they do #18 kisses Krillin on the cheek.

Krillin feeds the remaining Senzu beans to each of his fallen comrades. Vegeta flies off in anger, having been beaten, while Trunks explains to the others how the androids of the future are different from the ones they just fought. The androids of the present are apparently more powerful, but they seem to be less cruel. There also was not an Android #16 in Trunks' time period. Piccolo then flies off to try to convince Kami to merge with him once again, believing that it is the only way to stop the androids. However, Kami believes that the androids are not entirely evil and that the only reason they fought against the Z Fighters was because the Z Fighters attacked first. Kami then decides to wait and see what happens as Piccolo sits down waiting until Kami agrees to merge with him.

Bulma receives a phone call about one of her company's products from Capsule Corporation. She is sent a photograph of what appears to be Trunks' time machine that he travelled in. Trunks investigates this with the others only to discover that it is the exact time machine that he came in but three years later in his world. He recognizes it because of the word 'Hope' that Bulma wrote on the time machine. Kami realizes that the evil he felt four years ago wasn't the androids but it was the monster that travelled back in the time machine.

Trunks, Gohan, and Bulma are investigating the other time machine when Gohan notices a strange shell that has been cast off by an unknown creature. On the way back to her house, Bulma watches a news broadcast about thousands of people in nearby Gingertown who have inexplicably disappeared, as if they simply melted away in their clothes. Kami also watches in horror as the people are killed, and finally decides to merge with Piccolo. After the merging, Piccolo states that he is neither Piccolo nor Kami anymore, but a Namekien "who has long since forgotten his name." He departs from the lookout and arrives at an empty, ghostly-quiet Gingertown, where the monster steps out of the shadows to confront him.

While staring down Piccolo, the monster pierces the man he'd been dragging and appears to absorb him, leaving only his clothing. The others are confused, claiming that the android is emanating multiple ki readings characteristic of Frieza, Vegeta, and Goku. Krillin and Trunks head toward Gingertown, where Piccolo and the monster begin fighting. Piccolo has the advantage, but is surprised when the monster uses Piccolo's own Makankosappo technique on him. The two exchange blows, and then the monster states that Piccolo only has the upper hand because he [the monster] has not yet reached his "perfect form." He then surprises everyone by powering up a Kamehameha and launching it point-blank. Piccolo's dodge leaves him open to the monster's follow-up attack, which he uses to trap Piccolo in a hold and pierce his arm. Piccolo manages to escape, but his left arm has been completely incapacitated. Sensing he has won, the monster states that his name is Cell and reveals that he is an android.

Sensing that he has defeated Piccolo, Cell explains that he was created from the cells of the greatest warriors--including Goku's, Piccolo's, Vegeta's, King Cold's, and Frieza's--as a project started by Dr. Gero and continued for 24 years by his computer. Cell furthermore reveals that by absorbing Androids #17 and #18, he will achieve his "Perfect Form," making him "invincible." With the androids destroyed in his own timeline, he was forced to travel to the present one in Trunks' time machine, after killing him. Having learned Cell's identity and intentions, Piccolo regenerates his arm and prepares to attack. At this point, Trunks and Krillin arrive, and Cell realizes he has no chance of winning. He surprises everyone by using Tien's Solar Flare technique to blind them, and then flees. Vegeta and Tien arrive, and Piccolo explains everything he's learned. Meanwhile, Cell heads toward Nickytown to absorb more people, until his power exceeds that of the androids'.

After Piccolo debriefs everyone on Cell's objective, Vegeta states that he intends to develop a power that surpasses even that of a Super Saiyan. Trunks and Krillin go to Dr. Gero's laboratory, where they discover a set of blueprints for Android #17. In hopes that the prints will allow Bulma and Dr. Briefs to uncover a weakness in the androids, they take the prints before destroying the developing Cell and the rest of the laboratory. Trunks goes to find Vegeta while Krillin delivers the prints to Bulma. Several days go by, during which Piccolo and the others are unable to locate Cell. However, back at the Kame House, Chi-Chi and Master Roshi start hearing thunderous booms on the island and rush to the window to find a fully recovered Goku launching Kamehameha waves into the horizon. The three share a joyous moment before Goku turns serious and states that he'd fare no better against the androids than Vegeta did. Also like Vegeta, he states his goal of surpassing the level of Super Saiyan.

Goku uses his Instant Transmission ability to take Gohan, Vegeta, and Trunks with him to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber inside Kami's Lookout. The chamber only has a capacity of two so Goku allows Vegeta and Trunks to go in first. Goku explains a years worth of training in the chamber is actually only one day in the outside world. When Trunks and Vegeta step inside the chamber, all they see is a vast amount of nothingness. While this is going on, the androids arrive at the Kame House and ask for Goku's whereabouts. Piccolo refuses to tell them, which results in a fight between Piccolo and Android #17. Piccolo overpowers #17 and tries to finish him off, but #17 manages to dodge the attack. Back at Kami's Lookout, Vegeta and Trunks are due to be coming out of the time chamber any second now, which will reveal if it is possible to go beyond the level of a Super Saiyan.

Bulma is hard at work trying to figure out Dr. Gero's prints. Meanwhile, Piccolo and Android #17 are fighting each other. After #17 gets serious, it turns out that he and Piccolo are evenly matched. Cell senses the two fighting and starts making his way towards them, stating that his power level is now higher than theirs. Krillin, and the others on a nearby island, receive a call from Bulma saying that she has completed the switch to shut down the androids and prepares to deliver it to the others. #17 states that since his stamina and power level will never drop, he will be the victor of the battle. However, Cell arrives at the scene of the battle, leaving Piccolo shocked. Meanwhile, Goku and Gohan are still waiting for Vegeta and Trunks to come out of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

At Chi-Chi's suggestion, Krillin leaves the Kame House to intercept Bulma so he can obtain her shut-down device before Cell absorbs Androids #17 and #18. Unwilling to wait helplessly, Tien leaves the Kame House, as well, to help Piccolo on the battlefield. Meanwhile, #17 refuses to heed Piccolo's warnings about Cell, and is quickly defeated. Piccolo tries to ward off Cell, but Cell has become too powerful for him to handle. Cell quickly breaks Piccolo's neck, before blasting him through the chest at point-blank range, and then Cell tosses Piccolo's body into the sea. Then, Cell turns his attention to Android #17.

Android #16 decides to enter the fight in order to prevent Cell from reaching his Perfect Form, because Cell's goal is not to kill Goku, but to destroy life. The two fight at an even level, with #16 landing a massive blast on Cell. However, Cell survives and uses the opportunity to absorb Android #17. Cell transforms into his Semi-Perfect Form and gains incredible power, after which #16's attacks prove utterly ineffective. Just when all hope is lost, Tien appears and uses his Tri-Beam technique to hold off Cell so Android #18 can escape.

To Goku and Gohan's great concern, Tien repeatedly fires his Tri-Beam, drastically draining his ki in order to hold Cell down while Androids #16 and #18 escape. Tien eventually runs out of ki and collapses, at the mercy of a furious Cell. Unwillingly to wait idly at Kami's Lookout anymore, Goku uses Instant Transmission to come to Tien's aid. While confronting Cell, Goku also notices that Piccolo is still alive, and teleports back to the Lookout with the two fallen warriors. Shortly afterward, Trunks and Vegeta emerge from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, stating that they have successfully surpassed the level of Super Saiyan. They leave to confront Cell, while Goku and Gohan prepare to enter the time chamber for their own training. Meanwhile, Cell begins destroying islands in a bid to make #18 show herself.

Cell continues to destroy islands until only one remains, the one on which Androids #16 and #18 are hiding. Before he can launch his attack, Vegeta and Trunks arrive as Super Saiyans. After some taunting, Vegeta initiates a transformation that produces a form beyond that of Super Saiyan - evidenced by increased muscle size and an intense golden aura. As an Ascended Super Saiyan, Vegeta makes easy work of Cell while Trunks watches from the sidelines. Meanwhile, Goku and Gohan begin their training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, where Goku states that he will not only make Gohan a Super Saiyan, but that he will make Gohan stronger than even himself.

Goku continues to train Gohan so he can become a Super Saiyan. Kuririn has found the Artificial Humans. Vegeta effortlessly overpowers Cell with the results of his training from the Room of Spirit and Time. Cell is furious that he hasn't achieved his perfect form and gives Vegeta an offer to fully test his strength.

Cell successfully persuades Vegeta to let him find and absorb Android #18, but Trunks is determined to prevent this.

With Cell having gained his perfect form, not even Vegeta stands a chance against him.

Vegeta, still willing to fight on, tries his best in his latest powered up form to take on Cell. But with the villain literally at the peak of perfection, can anyone stand a chance against him?

With Vegeta out for the count, Trunks finally sees it fit to reveal his own new transformation to finish off Cell once and for all.

Willing to allow his enemies time to regroup and train, Cell interrupts a television broadcast to announce to the entire world his idea for a tournament: The Cell Games.

Goku and Gohan finally emerge from the Room of Spirit and Time. However, sensing Cell's current strength, he is still unsure as to whether he is able to defeat him in his current state.

The Cell Game is only a few days away, with Cell keeping his promise with Goku about not killing anyone before then. However, with the army taking matters into their own hands, Cell is forced to act accordingly.

With Kami and Piccolo having fused together, the Earth's dragon balls no longer exist. Knowing this, Goku travels to New Namek in search of someone to create new dragon balls.

The Cell Games finally begins. But as Goku and the others reach the fighting area, they realize another warrior is willing to join the fray going by the name of "Hercule."

Following the humiliating match of Hercule vs. Cell, the much anticipated battle has finally arrived: Goku vs. Cell.

Goku shows the fruits of his training, giving everything he has to fight Cell who wants nothing more than a good tournament between him and every willing fighter.

The match between Goku and Cell nears a close, Goku finishing it off with a surprising decision that may cost him dearly.

Goku makes the decision to forfeit his match, leaving the fate of the entire Earth to his reluctant son - Gohan, confident that he has surpassed everyone in strength, Cell included.

With some unexpected help from Mr. Satan, Artificial Human 16 is able to give Gohan the necessary push to transcend the Super Saiyan level that others before him failed to reach.

Having reached a new form of Super Saiyan, any hesitation to fight back has been removed, as Gohan holds nothing back to destroy the Cell Juniors.

Gohan, having absolutely no qualms over killing the Cell Juniors has moved on to Cell itself, willing to drag on the fight as long as possible if only to make Cell suffer that much more.

Cell has been driven to his breaking point, willing to detonate himself to destroy the rest of the planet. Gohan is at odds with himself as to what to do until his father steps in one last time to help.

Gohan can't help but feel helpless in front of the newly revitalized Cell. However, some words of encouragement from the heavens give Gohan the strength to fire one last kamehameha.

With Cell finally defeated, the fighters all part ways, closing this chapter in their lives.

Trunks returns to the future to settle unfinished business with the remaining androids and the monstrous Cell. Elsewhere, Goku adjusts to his new surroundings by looking for a fight!

Seven years have passed since the battle with Cell. Gohan is now a high school student attending Orange Star High School, in Satan City. Gohan also has a younger brother named Goten, who was born after Goku died. On his way to his first day of high school, he comes across a bank robbery in the city and stops it with his Super Saiyan form. As rumors spread about a "Golden-Haired Warrior", Gohan gets to know his new classmate and Mr. Satan's daughter, Videl. After a day of trying not to act suspicious in front of his classmates, Gohan travels to Capsule Corporation to talk to Bulma about his problem.

Gohan approaches Bulma, who gives him a transformation watch to hide his true identity. On his way home, Gohan encounters two people driving recklessly. This is where he comes up with the alias "Great Saiyaman", and scares the people into driving more safely on the road. Gohan returns home later that night, where Chi-Chi and Gohan's little brother, Goten, discover that Gohan now has a costume to conceal his identity while fighting crime. The next day, Videl is called in to stop a bus hijacking and handles the criminals, but the bus falls off a cliff, as nobody is driving the vehicle. Gohan uses the alias \"Great Saiyaman\" once again and pitches in to save Videl and the passengers.

Soon after, Gohan saves the passengers of a plane about to crash and extinguished a fire that caught fire in a building in the city by destroying the water container. On his way to school, Gohan is chased by Videl in her helicopter, who is trying to find out who is hiding under the mask of Great Saiyaman. Gohan escapes by placing Videl's helicopter on the roof of a building. Both of them arrive to school late, which leads Videl to be even more suspicious of Gohan. Later, kidnappers from the Red Shark gang take the mayor of Satan City hostage. The police warn Videl of the situation, so she responds by confronting the leader of the gang. Meanwhile, Gohan, growing impatient of class since he would rather assist Videl as The Great Saiyaman, starts aggressively tapping his foot, triggering an earthquake. He slid out of class during the confusion and arrives to the scene of the crime as the Great Saiyaman.

After ten days of training, Videl manages to master flight. This finally gives Gohan and Goten the opportunity to resume their training for the tournament. On the day of the tournament, Gohan suggests to Vegeta, Goten, and Trunks that they do not use their Super Saiyan forms during the tournament in order to avoid hassle from the press. Arriving at the island where the tournament will take place, Gohan and the others are greeted by Goku, whom Fortuneteller Baba had granted 24 hours visit to Earth. Goku meets Goten for the first time, while Piccolo destroys all the cameras in the area to keep Gohan's identity a secret. After the participating fighters register for the tournament, Goten and Trunks are forced to participate in the juniors division.

While Gohan and Videl wait to take their preliminaries, Goku, Vegeta, and the others go to spectate the junior division, where Goten and Trunks effortlessly progress through each round until they face each other in the final round. The battle gets more intense. Goten and Trunks surprise the audience with advanced techniques. The fight between Goten and Trunks continues.

During an intermission, Trunks and Goten decide to take out one of the participants and steal his clothes. Trunks and Goten take his place in the adult division. As Goku and the others get something to eat, they encounter a pair of mysterious participants named Shin and Kibito, who Piccolo determines as not being from Earth. As the sixteen qualifying participants gather together to decide the drawings for the first round, Gohan is paired up against Kibito. Goku gets paired up against Vegeta.

As the drawings come to a close, Piccolo is put up against Shin. Android 18 is put up against Mr. Satan. After Krillin wins his first match against his opponent, Piccolo and Shin face off against each other. As Piccolo senses an overwhelming power coming from Shin, he decides to forfeit the match before it even begins. Piccolo feels Shin's power is far beyond his own. Videl prepares to go up against a man named Spopovitch.

With Spopovich nearly beating Videl to death, Gohan loses his temper and prepares to storm onto the field, but Spopovich's partner, Yamu, convinces Spopovich to end the fight by pushing Videl out of the ring. With Videl heavily injured, Goku uses his Instant Transmission to deliver some Senzu beans from Korin, which Gohan gives to Videl to restore her to full health. Gohan, whose identity is revealed to his classmates after his bandana was blown off during his outburst, steps up to face against Kibito, who requests to see Gohan's Super Saiyan transformation. After Piccolo informs the other Z-Fighters of Shin's identity as the Supreme Kai, he orders Gohan to transform. Right after Gohan transforms, Spopovich and Yamu appear and use a device to drain his Super Saiyan energy, leaving him weakened. As Kibito offers to tend to Gohan, the Supreme Kai asks Goku and the others to join him in pursuing the culprits.

As Goku and the others set off to join the Supreme Kai, Kibito uses his unique ability to restore Gohan's energy, before the two of them, along with Videl, set off after the others. Along the way, Supreme Kai and Kibito explain to the others about how an evil wizard named Babidi is seeking to revive an evil being known as Majin Buu, who was responsible for the death of four Supreme Kais long ago. To accomplish this, he manipulated Spopovich and Yamu to join the tournament and steal Super Saiyan energy needed to break the seal placed on Buu. Unable to push her flight any further, Videl, coming to understand that Gohan was the one who defeated Cell back then, places her faith in him and returns to the tournament grounds, while Gohan and Kibito catch up to Goku's group. Arriving at the site of a buried spaceship, the Z-Fighters lie in, watch as Spopovich and Yamu deliver Gohan's energy to Babidi and his partner, Dabura, the Demon King.

Supreme Kai and Kibito warn Goku and the others about the malicious pair, with Dabura being the strongest being of the underworld and Babidi possessing magic powerful enough to sway him to become his henchman. Having obtained the energy from them and deeming them of no further use, Babidi kills Spopovich with his magic while having his other henchman, Pui Pui, kill Yamu. Having detected the presence of the Z-Fighters, Babidi and Pui Pui head inside of the ship while Dabura attacks the group, immediately killing Kibito and firing his spit at Krillin and Piccolo, turning them into stone. Learning that they can only unpetrify them by killing Dabura, the remaining fighters chase after him into the ship, despite Supreme Kai's warnings. Upon reaching the first floor, they are confronted by Pui Pui, who informs them they must face several floors before they can reach Babidi at the bottom.

As Vegeta easily outmatches Pui Pui in terms of fighting skill, Babidi changes the stage to match that of the high gravity planet, Zun, where Pui Pui is at his top fighting form. However, this makes no difference to Vegeta, who obliterates his opponent and opens the way to the next floor. Believing that the Saiyans should not be underestimated, Babidi sends in his next warrior, Yakon, and changes the stage to that of Planet Ankoku, but even with the aid of the pitch-black darkness, Yakon is no match for Goku's keen senses. When Goku turns Super Saiyan, however, Yakon uses his ability to consume light and sucks in Goku's energy, reverting him into his normal state. Rather than finding an alternative way to fight, Goku instead feeds him even more Saiyan energy, until he explodes from being overloaded, allowing Goku and the others to move onto the next stage.

As Babidi fears the power of the Saiyans, Dabura decides to face them himself, going inside a meditation chamber to raise his power before his battle. Meanwhile, back at the tournament, Goten and Trunks take a break from their Mighty Mask disguise to get some drinks, barely avoiding having their cover blown. With Goku and the other members still missing, Mr. Satan suggests that a battle royale be held between the remaining contestants; #18, "Mighty Mask", Killa, Jewel, and himself. As the match begins, Killa and Jewel are quickly dispatched by #18 and the Trunks/Goten combo, who proceed to ignore Mr. Satan and go after each other.

As the battle between #18 and \"Mighty Mask\" continues to escalate, #18 struggles to keep up with her opponent's unpredictable moves, but manages to land a critical hit against the pair, knocking them into the center of the stage. Goten and Trunks decide to switch places with Goten now on top, pushing #18 to the point where she starts using energy blasts against them, but she manages to hit back with support from her daughter. The pair decide to go Super Saiyan and launch a powerful blast at #18, but she manages to dodge it and reveal their true identity, resulting in the pair becoming disqualified, leaving #18 and Mr. Satan as the only remaining fighters. As Goten and Trunks come across Videl upon her return, Dabura emerges from his meditation chamber, ready to face off against Gohan.

Noticing his complete lack of fighting skill, #18 makes a deal with Mr. Satan to let him win the match and maintain his dignity in exchange for twice the price money. Meanwhile, Goten and Trunks, having heard about the current situation from Videl, become interested and head towards the action. Back at the spaceship, Dabura appears before Gohan, deciding to give him a handicap by choosing an arena similar to Earth's environment. As the fight gets underway, both Gohan and Dabura bring out their full power against each other. Despite being hit by some of Dabura's powerful attacks, Gohan refuses to lose against him.

As the battle between Gohan and Dabura continues, Vegeta's impatience to settle things with Goku catches the attention of Dabura, who decides to abandon the fight and report to Babidi. Learning that Vegeta still retains a lot of evil in his heart, Babidi uses his magic to target Vegeta's mind and sway him over to his side. To make matters worse, Babidi transports everyone to the tournament grounds, where Vegeta, still focused on his desire to defeat Goku, prepares to face off against him, even with innocent bystanders watching.

Vegeta begins his attack on Goku, killing several innocent people in the crowd without any remorse. Realizing that Vegeta had fallen under Babidi's spell on purpose, purely for the sake of his grudge, Goku is left with no choice but to fight against him, despite Supreme Kai's attempt to stop him. Goku also has Babidi warp them to someplace else where they can fight alone. As Supreme Kai and Gohan decide to go on ahead and leave the two Saiyans to their fight, Babidi attempts to command Vegeta to kill them, but his pride defies even his master's demands.

While Goku and Vegeta's fight gets underway, building energy for Majin Buu each time Goku takes damage, Gohan and Supreme Kai arrive at Majin Buu's egg, where they are confronted by Babidi and Dabura. Before the fight between them can begin, Majin Buu's egg reaches full power, as a result of Goku and Vegeta's battle.

Goku and Vegeta's fight continues to escalate, with Vegeta revealing he chose to go under Babidi's control in order to gain the strength to face against Goku, feeling he needed to get rid of his gentle side. Meanwhile, as the seal containing Majin Buu starts to be break, Gohan attempts to stop him reaching full power by shooting multiple Kamehameha Waves at the egg. The egg splits apart with seemingly nothing more than pink smoke coming out of it, leading Supreme Kai to presume Majin Buu had been destroyed. However, Gohan senses a powerful energy from the smoke, which forms together to make Majin Buu, who appears to be nothing more than a mere child.

Everyone seems to be bewildered by Buu's childlike behavior, curious as to whether his rebirth was actually unsuccessful. However, Buu soon shows off his frightening strength when he effortlessly beats Dabura, the rise in his power level even catching the attention of the other Saiyans. Although Goku tries to convince Vegeta to postpone the fight in order to stop Buu, Vegeta knocks out Goku when he drops his guard, taking Goku's senzu bean and setting off to fight Buu himself. Gohan and Supreme Kai attempt to flee from Buu, but he easily catches up to them, proving himself immune to Supreme Kai's attacks.

Buu completely overwhelms Supreme Kai and Gohan, with Supreme Kai using the last of his strength to make sure Gohan survives Buu's attack. Before Buu can finish Supreme Kai, he is attacked by Dabura, who believes he cannot be made to obey anyone. Meanwhile, Goten and Trunks arrive nearby, inadvertently breaking the petrified Piccolo. Unfazed by Dabura's attacks, Buu uses his unique ability to turn Dabura into a cookie and eats him, undoing the petrification on Krillin and Piccolo, the latter of whom survived being broken thanks to his regenerative abilities. Before Buu can do the same to Supreme Kai, Vegeta arrives on the scene.

Vegeta, willing to put his life on the line, begins his assault on Buu, managing to blast a hole through him. However, Buu manages to regenerate himself and builds up his anger to create a giant explosion, dealing a great amount of damage to Vegeta.

As Vegeta is ensnared by Buu, Trunks and Goten can no longer stand by, and rush to the scene to rescue him, while Piccolo attacks the defenseless Babidi and rips him to pieces. Feeling he cannot defeat Buu with conventional means, Vegeta says his farewells to Trunks before knocking both children out, instructing Piccolo to take them far away. Once everyone is cleared from the scene, Vegeta uses his last resort, overloading his Super Saiyan form and sacrificing himself in a massive self-destructive explosion, in order to obliterate Buu.

As Bulma and the others from the stadium follow Videl's directions in pursuit of Goten and Trunks, they are hit by the shockwave from Vegeta's attack and almost crash, but are saved by #18. Piccolo leaves Goten and Trunks with Krillin, telling him to inform the others that Vegeta and possibly Gohan have been killed, before he investigates the site of Vegeta's sacrificial attack, finding various charred fragments of Buu, along with Babidi, who narrowly survived the explosion. However, Piccolo is shocked to witness Buu's fragments suddenly come to life and reassemble, to bring Buu back to his normal form. As Buu uses his power to heal Babidi, who vows to make the planet suffer, Piccolo decides to take Goten and Trunks up to Kami's tower. Elsewhere, Goku regains consciousness and tries to determine the situation, while a weakened Supreme Kai searches for Gohan, whose fate is still unknown.

Bulma's group goes to seek out the Dragon Balls so they can revive all the spectators that Vegeta killed, coming up against a large dragon whilst trying to get the last one. Meanwhile, as Piccolo and Krillin as they leave Goten and Trunks in the care of Dende and Mr. Popo, they are soon joined by Goku, who learns about the situation. Goku states he isn't strong enough to defeat Buu, but mentions having learned a technique known as Fusion, in which two similarly built fighters can merge together to become a single powerful fighter. Though he had originally planned to do this himself with either Gohan or Vegeta, Goku realizes from Mr. Popo that he can instead teach this technique to Goten and Trunks, due to their similar size.

Using the Dragon Balls, Bulma summons out Shenron, using one of its wishes to bring back everyone who had been killed that day. As using all three wishes would mean they would have to wait another year before they can use the Dragon Balls again, Goku warps over to Bulma's group and convinces Shenron to postpone the other two wishes, shortening that time to four months. Kibito, who was revived by the wish, manages to find Supreme Kai and heal his injuries, and together they manage to find Gohan and decide to bring him to the world of the Kais. Meanwhile, Goku warps Bulma and the others to Kami's Palace, where he informs them of the grim situation concerning Gohan and Vegeta, before Babidi announces his message to the world.

Babidi announces that he will have Buu destroy the planet unless Piccolo, Goten, and Trunks are brought to them within five days. Piccolo almost sets off but Goku convinces him to stay, saying they can bring back everyone who dies with the Dragon Balls. Meanwhile, Gohan, Supreme Kai, and Kibito arrive in the world of the Kais, where Supreme Kai reveals he wants Gohan to master the legendary Z-Sword in order to defeat Buu. Back at the palace, Goten and Trunks wake up and are given a crash course in Fusion by Goku.

Using his Super Saiyan strength, Gohan manages to pull the Z-Sword from its resting place, finding it to be incredibly heavy. Meanwhile, Babidi makes another broadcast of Buu laying waste to another city, prompting Trunks and Goten to contact him, informing him that they will soon grow strong enough to defeat them. The pair soon begin their Fusion training, learning how to match their Super Saiyan energy with each other. Meanwhile, Babidi learns where Trunks lives, and announces his plans to attack Capsule Corporation in Metro West.

Realizing that they won't be able to find the Dragon Balls if the Dragon Radar is destroyed, Goku orders Trunks to head to West City to retrieve the Dragon Radar from Capsule Corporation, while he heads off to delay Buu and Babidi. In order to buy Trunks some time, Goku builds up a large amount of energy, which also uses some of his remaining time on Earth, to transform into his ultimate form, Super Saiyan 3, with its immense power being felt even in the world of the Kais.

As Goku begins his battle against Buu, who demonstrates an ability to copy other people's techniques, Trunks arrives at Capsule Corporation, but struggles to find where the Dragon Radar is. Bulma soon realizes that she had left the Dragon Radar in her aeroplane, and manages to inform Trunks about it. Sensing Trunks has accomplished his mission, Goku undoes his Super Saiyan 3 transformation once more, and takes his leave after informing Buu that Trunks and Goten will be ready to fight him in two days. Shortly after Goku leaves, Buu, deciding he has no further use for Babidi, turns against him and kills him.

Without Babidi to order him around, Buu continues to freely destroy cities while waiting for his opponents. With less than thirty minutes left on Earth due to the energy spent in Super Saiyan 3, Goku wastes no time teaching Goten and Trunks the key to the Fusion technique, the somewhat embarrassing-looking Fusion Dance.

Buu lays waste to another village, turning its citizens into clay in order to build himself a house for a brief rest. Meanwhile, Goten and Trunks, slightly bored from their training, ask Goku to show them his Super Saiyan 3 transformation. However, upon doing this, Goku uses up the remainder of his time on Earth. After saying goodbye to everyone, Goku returns to the afterlife, leaving the Fusion training in the hands of Piccolo. Meeting up with Yemma, Goku is relieved to hear that Gohan isn't dead and decides to follow his energy trail.

Goku arrives in the Realm of the Kais where Gohan is training with the Z-Sword, deciding to help him with his training. Meanwhile, Buu, who has already killed two thirds of Earth's population, comes across a blind young boy and heals his vision, becoming surprised when he thanks him instead of being afraid. With Gohan growing more proficient with the Z-Sword, Goku tests out the sword's sharpness by throwing a metal cube at it, only to inadvertently break the sword in half instead. However, from the broken sword emerges the Supreme Kai of fifteen generations ago, Old Kai.

After some dubious persuasion from Goku, Old Kai reveals he has the ability to draw out someone's true power beyond their limits, though this turns out to be a lengthy process that can take over a day to complete. Meanwhile, Goten and Trunks try out the Fusion Pose for real, but an error in the Fusion Pose results in the merged fighter, Gotenks, ending up with a failed transformation. After another failure, the pair eventually perform a successful fusion and transform into the true Gotenks who, confident that he can defeat Buu with his current power level, goes off in search of Buu, despite Piccolo's warnings.

Gotenks arrives to fight against Buu but, despite showing a great amount of strength, is overwhelmed by his power, barely managing to escape from him after he launches an all-out attack against the armed forces. Meanwhile, Mr. Satan reluctantly confronts Buu, who becomes amused with his traps disguised as presents, and decides to make him his servant.

After completing his ceremony, Old Kai instructs Gohan to sit still for the next 20 hours in order to complete the power-up. Meanwhile, Goten and Trunks learned how to perform the fusion while in Super Saiyan form, becoming Super Gotenks. Gotenks' cockiness almost leads him to confront Buu again, but ends up retreating when the Fusion time runs out. Elsewhere, Buu inadvertently befriends a small dog after healing its injured leg, while Mr. Satan almost manages to convince Buu to stop killing humans. However, a hunter looking to take down Buu for himself relentlessly shoots the dog, leaving Buu shocked and infuriated.

After managing to calm down Buu's rage by dealing with the thugs himself, Mr. Satan discovers that the dog is barely alive, with Buu managing to heal him just in time. As Buu, Mr. Satan, and the dog start becoming closer, Mr. Satan decides to stop taking advantage of Buu's innocence and become his earnest friend. However, the thugs from earlier show up and shoot Mr. Satan, once again causing Buu to be overcome with anger. After healing Mr. Satan, Buu instructs him and the dog to get away from him, as the evil in his body escapes and transforms into a tall, grey, emaciated version of Majin Buu.

Buu attempts to fight against the Evil Buu, but out that finds he is much weaker, as most of his power had been transferred over to his evil side. As such, Evil Buu manages to reflect Buu's candy attack back at him, turning him into chocolate before eating him and gaining his power, giving him a more complete form. Sensing the energy of Piccolo and the others, Evil Buu arrives at Kami's Palace, demanding to fight against Gotenks. Piccolo attempts to stall for time by telling Evil Buu to wait until all earthlings are killed, instructing Krillin to bring Goten and Trunks to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber to make use of what little time they have.

Piccolo's hopes of being able to buy some time are dashed when Evil Buu unleashes a powerful homing attack which targets and kills every human on the earth, with the exception of Mr. Satan, Tien, and Chiaotzu. Piccolo, along with Videl, manages to convince Evil Buu to wait for an hour so that Goten and Trunks can train. Meanwhile, Gohan, tired of waiting any longer for Old Kai's power-up, discovers that he has indeed managed to increase his power and agrees to wait for the power-up to be completed. Becoming further angered when Evil Buu kills an impatient Chichi, Goten barely holds in his anger and joins Trunks in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. With Evil Buu growing impatient after only thirty minutes, Piccolo tries to buy as much time as possible as he slowly leads Evil Buu to the chamber, believing that even if Goten and Trunks fail, they can destroy the chamber's entrance and trap him there.

Piccolo continues to lead Evil Buu to the Time chamber, when Goten and Trunks train hard to avenge the loved ones that they have lost. After rerouting Buu through Kami's palace, due to Buu being extremely unhappy and throwing tantrums every now and then, Piccolo takes Buu to the Time chamber, and Gotenks fights Buu after a warm-up round and playing around.

Super Buu and Gotenks begin to fight, and Gotenks decides to use some of his new special moves. The problem is that these moves, while flashy, are ineffective against Buu, not to mention they have ridiculous names, like the "Screaming Angry Wombat". After it is clear that these moves have no effect, Gotenks talks strategy with Piccolo. He then creates a ring of energy, the "Galactic Doughnut" and uses it to trap Buu. After a brief struggle, Buu is able to break the ring. The two then do a bit of real fighting. Gotenks decides to use another one of his special moves, called the Super Ghost Kamikaze Attack. He spits out a ghost of himself, and plans to use it against Buu. Gotenks creates ten ghosts that detonate with explosive force when they are touched. He sends all but one at Super Buu, and they reduce him to a deformed puddle of his former self. Gotenks sends the final one down Buu's mouth, blowing him into tiny pieces. Gotenks and Piccolo destroy all of the pieces, but the smoke coming from the pieces gathers above their heads and reforms Super Buu. To play up the drama of the situation, Gotenks acts like he's out of ideas, and Buu begins beating up the fused Saiyan. Thinking that Gotenks cannot stop Buu, Piccolo destroys the door to the outside world, which traps the three of them in the Chamber for all eternity.

Hysterically upset at the prospect of being trapped in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber forever, with nothing to destroy and no candy to eat, Super Buu starts to scream. To everyone's surprise including his own, his screams become so powerful that they create a hole in the barrier between the dimensions of the chamber and Earth. Buu changes shape in order to fit through it, and the hole closes, leaving Piccolo and Gotenks trapped. Back on The Lookout, Buu is hungry and excited at the prospect of turning more people into food, and so he turns everyone on the lookout into chocolate. Piccolo and Gotenks have been attempting to scream loud enough to create an inter-dimensional hole like Buu did, but they have no success. Gotenks decides to play his trump card, transforming into a Super Saiyan 3. In this state, he has the power necessary to create a hole for him and Piccolo to jump through. Upon their return to the lookout, Buu tells Gotenks that he ate all of his friends, and enraged, Gotenks promises Buu that he will pay.

Gotenks and Super Buu begin to fight, and the collateral damage from the battle begins to destroy The Lookout. Buu slams Gotenks down through The Lookout itself. Down on earth, Gotenks tries another Super Ghost Kamikaze attack, but it once again fails. Buu lands a powerful hit on Gotenks that sends him flying back into The Lookout. Buu then folds himself into a ball, and begins repeatedly shooting himself through The Lookout until all that's left is rubble floating in the air. While still in a ball, Gotenks is able to trap him in a little sphere. He and Piccolo then play some volleyball with Buu, and Gotenks spikes him down to earth. Just when it seems like Buu is dead, a powerful blast of energy comes from the crater. With Buu once again ready to fight, Gotenks only has a few minutes until he separates.

Gotenks and Buu continue their fight. Gotenks seems to be wearing Buu down, and he now has the upper hand in the fight. Just as he's about to hit Buu with his final move, Gotenks unexpectedly returns straight to his normal state from his Super Saiyan 3 form. The power was too high for him to sustain. Buu begins beating up Gotenks, who is now no match for him. Gohan has finally finished his training, and is ready to return to earth. After saying goodbye to Goku for what they both believe will be the last time, Kibito takes him back, and Gohan asks him to change his clothes. He's now wearing clothes just like Goku and arrives just in time, because Gotenks has separated.

Gohan arrives at the scene, and everyone is shocked at how much power he has. After Gohan expertly pounds him to a pulp, Buu heals himself and steps up the intensity, but Gohan still has the upper hand. He is easily picking Buu apart. Realizing that he's totally outmatched, Buu decides to self-destruct, hoping to take Gohan with him. Gohan escapes before Buu explodes, and he takes the others with him out of the blast radius. Afterwards, there is no sign of Buu, but Gohan knows that he's still around. They suddenly detect Dende's energy signal, and they go to find him. On the way, they pick up Hercule Satan and the dog, Bee. Dende explains that as Buu was escaping through the interdimensional hole, Mr. Popo threw him from the lookout, because without Dende, there would be no Dragon Balls to grant the wishes they intend to use to reverse all the damage. Buu tracks them down, but instead of having a rematch with Gohan, he calls out Goten and Trunks.

Unknown to the others, Buu secretly separates two chunks from his back, and the two pink blobs creep around behind the others. As soon as Goten and Trunks fuse, one of the blobs encases Gotenks. Piccolo, too, has been covered by a pink blob. Buu calls each of the blobs back to him, which merge with him, changing his appearance and giving him access to all of Piccolo's and Gokenks' memories, abilities and power. The new and improved Super Buu then fights Gohan, and it's clear that Buu has the advantage. Gohan is unable to keep up with Buu's new speed and strength. Buu taunts Gohan by telling him what his three friends that were absorbed think of him.

Gohan is no match for the new Super Buu. Buu now possesses new skills, such as the Super Ghost Kamikaze Attack and the Special Beam Cannon, each of which he uses on Gohan. He is about to finish Gohan, when Bee comes running up. Hercule tries to save Bee, but is only several times stronger than the average human - nothing compared to Buu. Buu is about to blast each of them when Gohan saves them. Buu then uses Gotenks' Galactic Doughnut trick on Gohan, and aims a Kamehameha wave at him, but Gohan is able to summon enough strength to break free and move out of the way in time. Meanwhile, in Other World, King Yemma decides to send Vegeta back to earth to help in the fight against Majin Buu. On the world of the Kais, Old Kai decides to give his life to Goku so he can return to Earth and fight Buu. The now deceased Old Kai gives Goku his earrings. He explains to Goku that if he and another person each wear one, they will fuse together.

Old Kai tells Supreme Kai and Kibito to try a fusion with their earrings, but only after they fuse together does he reveal that it is a permanent fusion. Dende heals Gohan's injuries, so to prevent this from happening again, Buu creates a giant energy ball and aims it at Dende. Just before it hits, it is deflected by Tien's Tri-Beam attack, who has decided to help, even though he is terribly outclassed. Buu tries again, but Goku suddenly appears and sends a disk of energy at the monster. It cuts off his legs and part of his head. His legs deal Tien a crushing kick which completely incapacitates him and then they return to Buu. Desperate to stop Majin Buu, Goku throws Gohan the other earring, but his aim is off and the earring is lost in the rubble. Goku goes Super Saiyan 3 in an attempt to hold Buu off while Gohan searches for the earring. Inside Super Buu, Gotenks' fusion wears off, splitting back into Trunks and Goten, causing Buu to lose well over a third of his power and his appearance to change. Realizing what's happened, Goku declares he can now defeat Majin Buu without fusing with Gohan and prepares to fight. Knowing he needs a massive power increase, Buu causes the part of his head that was cut off earlier to suddenly engulf Gohan, just like Piccolo and Gotenks. He reabsorbs the blob containing Gohan, and is now even more powerful than he was with Gotenks absorbed. Now back in control, Buu toys with Goku, telling him he has some time to find someone to fuse with. He considers fusions with Dende and Hercule, but neither of them are appealing possibilities. He suddenly senses that Vegeta has returned, and uses Instant Transmission to teleport to his location. While Buu is distracted, Dende heals Tien. After Goku finds Vegeta, Goku tries to convince him to fuse, but Vegeta is angry at Goku because he knows Goku was holding back his Super Saiyan 3 transformation when they fought. With Vegeta refusing to cooperate, they are forced to take on Buu as individuals, but are clearly outclassed. Goku tells Vegeta that Buu absorbed Trunks and killed Bulma and asks him to put their differences aside to save their people. Vegeta finally agrees, and only when he puts the earring on does Goku mention that the fusion is permanent. The two last surviving Saiyans fuse and a new being is created.

The new being names himself Vegito, and begins to fight Buu. He clearly is far superior to even the new Super Buu. In Other World, Bulma, Videl, Chi Chi, and Dabura are looking for Gohan, whom they mostly believe to be dead. When Dabura arrived at the Check-in Station, he resisted the guards attempts to subdue his aggressive behavior, and knowing Dabura would enjoy being sent to hell, King Yemma turned him good. Back on earth, Dende and Hercule arrive at the battle scene, just as Buu has decided to destroy the earth. He creates a massive ball of energy, and throws it towards the earth. Vegito easily catches it, and deflects it back out into space. Buu claims that he has yet to fight at his full power. Vegito says the same, and powers up to a Super Saiyan. Now calling himself Super Vegito, he continues to thrash Super Buu. Buu tries to hide himself with his own steam to gain an advantage, but Vegito continues to batter him. On the Grand Kai's planet, Krillin and Yamcha are training with King Kai. Back on earth, Buu is starting to become desperate. He liquifies himself, and shoots down Vegito's mouth, entering his body and turning him into what looks like a super-muscular version of himself. While inside Vegito, Buu takes control of his body and boasts that he will use him to destroy him from the inside, but Vegito uses his energy to isolate all of Buu into one spot and pound him. Buu moves around but Vegito simply continues to pound him. Buu is forced to exit Vegito's body. Realizing he doesn't know how he can save himself, Super Majin Buu begins to freak out, and the immense amount of energy he releases into his surroundings threatens to tear apart the universe itself. Realizing this, Vegito tries to stop him, but Buu has put up a shield around himself. After a long struggle, Vegito breaks through the shield and stops Buu.

Vegito and Buu continue to fight, but Vegito is still far more powerful than his opponent. He repeatedly dominates Buu, which makes Buu angrier and angrier. Vegito is just toying with him. Buu hatches a plan, and calls Vegito out. Vegito comes closer, and Buu turns him into candy. As Buu celebrates his apparent victory, the Vegito candy unexpectedly begins to attack Buu. It turns out that Vegito is somehow still in full control of his new, candy body, and that he is just as powerful as he was before, and can even still talk! (Albeit in a higher pitch). The candy Vegito is just as fast as Super Vegito, and due to its tiny size, is impossible for Buu to hit. Infuriated at being toyed with by a piece of candy, Buu changes it back into Vegito, who then continues to beat him up. Vegito literally starts tearing Buu apart. He gives Buu until the count of ten until he destroys him, and during this countdown, Buu notices a part of himself that Vegito tore off down on the ground. This part rises up behind Vegito, and before Vegito reaches ten, he is engulfed by the pink blob. Buu calls the blob back to him and absorbs it.

After absorbing Vegito, Buu notices that he has not taken on any of his characteristics. He guesses this is because he hasn't digested Vegito yet. Inside Buu, Vegito still exists intact, and separate from Buu. It turns out that Vegito had planned this, putting up a barrier during the absorption, and letting himself be shrunk by Buu's magic absorption process, but not incorporated into his being. Once he dispels the barrier, Vegito unexpectedly splits back into Goku and Vegeta. Taking advantage of this unexpected event, Vegeta crushes his fusion earring, not wanting to give up his independence from Goku by permanently fusing with him. He cites that once they free their absorbed friends, Buu will lose most of his power and they won't need to be fused to defeat him. Goku and Vegeta cut down the cocoons of Gohan, Goten, Trunks, and Piccolo, and as they do, Super Buu regresses to his normal form. Dende and Hercule continue to follow Buu. Back inside Majin Buu, Goku and Vegeta also find the fat Majin Buu. They read his thoughts to find out what happened to him. Suddenly, a thought form of Super Buu himself appears. The two join forces to defeat it, but once they do, another one appears. They realize that this is a battle they cannot win. Buu finally decides that he's had enough, and he tries to absorb Goku and Vegeta.

Goku saves Vegeta from being absorbed. As Vegeta recovers, Goku continues to fight the thought form of Super Buu. Goku is rapidly losing energy, and just as Super Buu is about to defeat Goku, Vegeta cuts down the pod containing the fat Majin Buu. This causes Super Buu to go mad, as without the fat Majin Buu absorbed, Super Buu cannot exist. As Super Buu's insides begin to change, Goku and Vegeta realize they must leave, and so they grab the pods containing Gohan, Goten, Piccolo and Trunks and try to find a way out. On their way through his body, they notice one of the tunnels that leads to one of the holes in Buu's skin where the steam escapes. They are able to fly out through here, and when they emerge on the other side, all six of them regain their normal size. As Goku and Vegeta set the pods down, they observe Super Buu changing into a different being. He first transforms into a hulking form, and then shrinks into a childlike version of himself.

Supreme Kai explains to Old Kai that there were once one five Supreme Kais. He was one of the four that each ruled over a quadrant of the universe, and the fifth was their leader. He says that this latest, childlike version (Kid Buu), is the original, true Majin Buu, and by far the most powerful of them all. Supreme North and West Kai perished against him. Supreme South Kai was absorbed, changing the original Majin Buu into the hulking form that was seen briefly in the previous episode. The leader, Dai Kaio, was then absorbed by that form, but this absorption changed Buu into the fat, happy Buu that came out of the ball. This absorption of the Kais actually weakened Buu, making him less focused and less destructive. Back on earth, Kid Buu creates a powerful ball of energy and throws it at the earth, intending to destroy it. Goku and Vegeta deflect it. In retaliation, Kid Buu then a creates a ball ten times more powerful than the previous one and throws it. Knowing that they currently do not have enough strength left to stop it, Goku and Vegeta try to grab everyone and teleport away, but are only able to grab Dende, Hercule, and Bee. As the Earth is about to be destroyed, Supreme Kai appears and instantly transmits Goku, Vegeta, Dende, Hercule, and Bee to the world of the Kais.

Kid Buu is blasted apart by the explosion, but he reforms after the destruction of the Earth, and goes on a rampage throughout the galaxy. He goes from planet to planet, looking for Goku and Vegeta, and then destroys each planet when he doesn't find them. He goes to the Grand Kai's planet, and starts to toy with everyone there. When he becomes bored, he creates an energy ball, intending to destroy the Grand Kai's planet. Supreme Kai offers Goku and Vegeta his fusion earrings, but they both refuse them. They raise their power levels so Buu will know where to find them. Buu abandons his attempt to destroy the Grand Kai's planet and teleports to the world of the Kais. The Supreme Kai transports himself, Dende, and Old Kai to a distant planet so they will be out of Goku and Vegeta's way, along with a crystal ball that allows them to watch the battle. Unfortunately, they forget to take Hercule and Bee along. Goku and Vegeta play rock, paper, scissors to decide who will fight first, and Goku wins. He powers up to Super Saiyan 2, and starts beating up Buu. Goku blasts him apart, but he reforms. Buu creates another massive energy ball and throws it down at the planet. Goku is able to deflect it, but Buu guides the ball back around and into the planet. Powerful shock waves rock the entire planet, disfiguring its shape and leaving the surface ragged and uneven. Goku decides to power up to Super Saiyan 3.

Goku and Kid Buu continue to fight, each taking powerful blows from each other. Kid Buu folds himself into a ball again, and hits Goku hard. Goku puts all of his energy into a massive Kamehameha, but Buu just reforms afterward. Goku returns to his normal state, collapsing from exhaustion. Vegeta then steps in, but that finds he is no match for Buu. Buu cleans his clock, and just as he's about to deal Vegeta the finishing blow, Goku pushes him out of the way. He then powers back up to Super Saiyan 3 and continues their furious fight. Vegeta reminisces about all of the fights he and Goku were in. He finally admits to himself that Goku is better.

Goku continues to fight Buu, and he seems to have the upper hand. He deals a lot of damage to Buu, but as the fight goes on, his hits become weaker and weaker until they have virtually no effect at all. He tells Vegeta that it's his turn, but Vegeta declines, deciding that he is no match for Buu. He tells Goku that Buu is too powerful for him and that Goku stands a much better chance of destroying him. Goku is shocked and unsettled by this admission, telling Vegeta that he deliberately let the fight drag on so that Vegeta could have a turn, and that now he is exhausted. Vegeta is horrified by this, because now they cannot stop Buu. Goku unsuccessfully attempts to reassure Vegeta, telling him that he needs one uninterrupted minute to power up enough to destroy Buu. Despite the fact that Vegeta recognizes that he will need a miracle to survive a minute against Buu now, he reluctantly steps in while Goku is powering up, even though Goku tells him that if he is destroyed when he is already dead, Vegeta will no longer exist in any form. Buu thrashes Vegeta, but every time he gets knocked down, Vegeta gets up, ready for more. Buu stretches out his arm, wraps it around Vegeta's neck, and begins choking him for fun. It's been more than one minute, but Goku still hasn't generated the power he needs.

Fat Majin Buu enters the fight, saving Vegeta from death. However, he is no match for Kid Buu, who begins to severely beat him. Hercule tries to help Fat Buu, but is ineffective. Vegeta suddenly comes up with a plan. He communicates with Dende, telling him to go to New Namek and gather the Dragon Balls. The Supreme Kai and Old Kai take Dende there, and the Namekians are waiting with the seven balls. Porunga is summoned, and Vegeta tells Dende his two wishes: bring back the earth and restore it to its undamaged state, and bring back all of the non-evil people that died since the morning of the World Martial Arts Tournament. These wishes are granted, and even Vegeta himself comes back to life, proving that he is no longer evil. He finally reveals the main part of his plan to destroy Buu: the Spirit Bomb.

The people of earth come back to life, including the Z Fighters and their friends. Goku gets into position to create the Spirit Bomb, and with the help of King Kai, Vegeta speaks to the entire population of earth. He tells them what's going on, and that to defeat Buu, they need to raise their hands up and offer their energy. Only Goku and Vegeta's family and friends comply. No one else is willing to listen to a mysterious voice from the sky. Vegeta repeatedly pleads with the earthlings, but to no avail. While this is going on, Fat Buu is buying them time by fighting Kid Buu, but it's not going well. Goku hasn't gathered nearly enough energy to destroy Buu.

Vegeta continues to plead with the people of earth, but no one will listen to him. Fat Buu has finally lost all of his energy, so Vegeta is forced to fight Kid Buu. He is no match for him, and gets severely beaten. Now Goku asks the earthlings to raise up their arms and donate some of their energy, and small pockets of people who recognize his voice or just like the sound of it do so, but the vast majority remain uninterested. Piccolo, Gohan, Goten, and Trunks spread out into the city, hoping to convince people to raise their arms. Hercule has finally had enough, and he speaks to the people of earth. When they hear the familiar voice of the "World Champion," all of the people of earth raise their arms and offer their energy. The Spirit Bomb is finally ready.

Goku is ready to throw the Spirit Bomb, but Vegeta is in the way, and, despite Vegeta's pleas otherwise, he refuses to take out Vegeta along with Buu. Suddenly, Fat Buu gets up and holds Kid Buu down long enough for Hercule to pull Vegeta to safety. Kid Buu kick Fat Buu aside, and Goku throws the Spirit Bomb. It hits Kid Buu, but he starts pushing it back. Goku uses all of the remaining energy he has left trying to push it back into Kid Buu, but he is too powerful. After a brief panic, Vegeta suddenly remembers that they still have a third wish with Porunga. He instructs Dende to wish for Goku's power level to be restored to its normal, healthy level. The wish is granted, and upon turning into a Super Saiyan, Goku is easily able to force the Spirit Bomb back at Kid Buu. As he does so, he silently wishes that Buu had been a better person, and hopes to fight him as a different person, some day in the future. The Spirit Bomb hits with full force, finally destroying the evil, childlike Majin Buu permanently. After billions of years of destruction, he has finally been brought to justice.

Ten years have passed, and much has changed. Gohan has become a scholar, and Trunks and Goten are in their late teens. Goku is training with Goten when Bulma and Vegeta, who have a new daughter, Bulla, show up after not seeing him in five years. Goku says that he and Goten will be entering the World Martial Arts Tournament, so Vegeta says that he and Trunks will do the same. The day of the tournament comes, and old friends catch up. Everyone has arrived to watch. Gohan, who is now married to Videl, has decided not to enter, but his daughter, Pan, will fight. Since there is no junior division this time, she will be fighting with the adults. Hercule and Buu will also be fighting. However, Goku says that there is someone who is 100% human that can threaten to beat him and Vegeta. The seeding draw for the tournament begins, and Goku asks Majin Buu to use his magic to rig it so that he faces the powerful mystery fighter he had talked about. In the first match, Pan faces Wild Tiger, and the four-year-old easily dispatches him. Next up is Goku against a ten-year-old boy named Uub. Uub is the reincarnation of the evil Kid Majin Buu. King Yemma apparently heard Goku's wish right before the evil Buu was destroyed, and he reincarnated him as a good person named Uub. Uub is apprehensive, so to bait him into fighting, Goku eventually resorts to taunting the young boy. After a particularly nasty insult and a kick to the face, Uub has snapped, and is now ready to fight.

Goku and Uub begin to fight, and it is clear that Uub does not know much about fighting. But as the match goes on, he learns more and more, and more and more of his hidden power is released until he is able to go toe to toe with Goku in his base state (without Goku powering up). When Goku does power up slightly (in his normal state) Uub nearly falls out of the ring, but Goku saves him from hitting the ground. He realizes that Uub doesn't even know how to fly, so Goku decides to train him. Despite his friends and family pleading with Goku to stay, he flies away with Uub on his back. Goku decides to train Uub to defend the Earth when he's gone. He hopes one day, when Uub's training is complete, to have a real all-out match with him to test their power. Goku and Uub fly off into the distance with whoops of joy.

While Gohan tries to balance everyday life and his exploits as Great Saiyaman, Videl becomes obsessed with unmasking the city's new hero. Although he won't reveal his identity, he steps in to help confront a hostage situation.

While rescuing his old playmate from a greedy circus manager, the Great Saiyaman accidentally reveals his true identity to Videl. The price for her silence is Gohan's entrance into the upcoming World Martial Arts Tournament.

Gohan tells everyone about the approaching tournament and Goku's day-long return from Otherworld. While training with his brother, Goten reveals just how strong he's already become. Meanwhile, Videl visits for a flying lesson and meets Chichi.

As the crowd enjoys the tournament's opening ceremonies, a preliminary round determines the final 16 adult fighters who will compete in the ring. Meanwhile, the first round of the junior-division competition is about to begin!

The battle between Trunks and Goten escalates as the two ramp up their attacks in front of a bewildered audience. The one who emerges as the victor is given a chance to fight Mr. Satan, but the former World Champion may hardly stand a chance.

Videl wastes no time getting serious with her oversized opponent, but his ability to recover from her attacks begins to take its toll. Will she be able to keep up the pace?

Goku returns with the senzu beans for Videl. Gohan begins his match with Kibito, but gets more than he bargained for when Spopovitch and his partner intervene.

With Majin Buu defeated, peace has returned to Earth. Finally, the fighters can sit back and party!