In truth, the shock Goku felt was no less than Zamu's.
After all, in the original timeline, beings like Cell and Majin Buu had mastered the technique after merely observing it a handful of times!
"It seems an organic brain really can't compete with bio-androids or magical constructs when it comes to pure mimicry," Goku mused with a sigh.
With Shunkan Idō mastered, Goku turned his attention to Fusion.
His expectations for this technique were even higher than for instant transmission. A wild idea had taken root in his mind: if his theory proved feasible, his power could increase boundlessly.
Then, he would truly have nothing to fear in this universe.
Compared to the mental focus required for Shunkan Idō, learning the basics of Fusion was straightforward—memorizing the specific energy synchronization and the precise, often silly, dance steps. Goku grasped the fundamentals quickly. The real limitation was the lack of a partner of comparable strength to test it with.
Next, he learned an Energy Barrier technique—a practical defensive skill that used ki to project a powerful shield capable of deflecting or absorbing incoming attacks.
As for the other esoteric Yardratian skills, while strange and inventive, they held little practical combat value for him, so he chose not to pursue them.
Having acquired the knowledge he sought, it was time to leave Planet Yardrat.
The Yardratians were deeply reluctant to see him go, especially Anjēru. She clung to his sleeve, pleading to travel the universe with him.
Finally, with no other choice, Goku gave her his spaceship. Now that he possessed Shunkan Idō, the vessel was of little use to him. This, he reasoned, fulfilled his earlier promise to show her the stars.
Only then did Anjēru relent. Since learning Goku already had a wife, she had quietly let her fleeting crush fade, gradually opening her heart to Zamu. With their childhood betrothal and the unspoken barrier between them gone, their relationship began to blossom naturally.
With all affairs settled, departure was at hand. Goku's next destination was the heart of the Cold Force—Freeza's homeworld.
During his battle with Freeza, the shattering of the World Ring and the loss within had ignited a cold fury. His vow to exterminate Freeza's entire bloodline had not been an idle threat born of rage.
On the main path out of Gurando, Goku raised a hand to the crowd seeing him off. "This is far enough, everyone. Thank you."
Placing two fingers to his forehead, he concentrated, reaching out across the cosmic void. His senses latched onto a familiar, malignant energy signature far to the galactic northwest. "There… It's incredibly distant, but the ki is unmistakably of Freeza's line."
Whoosh!
In an instant, he vanished.
"To think our Shunkan Idō could be used to traverse the cosmos itself…" Zamu whispered, watching the empty space where Goku had stood with a mix of awe and longing. "I wonder if I'll ever reach that level."
"Then you must train diligently, my boy," Chief Zāda said, placing a hand on his grandson's shoulder. "When your power approaches his, such feats will be within your grasp."
"I will," Zamu vowed, his expression firm.
---
Deep in the void of space, a colossal battleship sliced through the cosmos. Inside its sterile halls, a menagerie of alien mercenaries went about their duties.
In the opulent command hall, a towering figure reminiscent of Freeza occupied the central throne. Beside him sat a more compact, equally familiar form.
"Mūgu," the larger being intoned, taking a sip from a crystal goblet of blood-red wine. "Report our estimated arrival at Planet Yardrat."
A wizened, short-statured alien below bowed. "At our current speed, Lord King Cold, approximately five standard days remain."
"Five days…" hissed the smaller figure seated at the foot of the throne. "By then, the monkey who killed my brother will have undoubtedly fled." This was Cooler, Freeza's older brother.
They were Freeza's father, King Cold, and his firstborn, Cooler. Having received word of Freeza's demise, Cold had summoned Cooler from his own domain to hunt down the perpetrator.
"Let him run," King Cold waved a dismissive hand. "The universe is finite. He will be found. It is merely a matter of expending slightly more… effort."
Whoosh.
A figure materialized directly between the two royals.
Goku's eyes swept over them, lingering on Cooler. "Freeza? No… he's dead. You must be the older brother, Cooler. And you," his gaze shifted to the larger figure, "would be the father, King Cold."
"INTRUDER!"
"ALERT! TO THE COMMAND DECK!"
A swarm of armored soldiers rushed in, weapons raised, encircling Goku.
Cooler's eyes darted to a side screen displaying the fugitive's profile. "Father! It's him! The Saiyan, Son Goku! The one who killed Freeza!"
"Oh?" King Cold took another leisurely sip, his reptilian eyes appraising Goku. "This is the legendary Super Saiyan? His energy feels… unremarkable. To think we hadn't even begun our hunt, and our prey delivers itself. Is your confidence in this 'legend' truly so great?"
"The feeling is mutual," Goku replied, a cold smile touching his lips. "Saves me the trouble of searching. Since we're all here, I'll send both of you to keep Freeza company."
"Arrogant fool!" Cooler roared, his temper flaring. "Let me measure the true worth of your legend!" He launched himself at Goku in a blur of motion.
Goku met the charge.
For several seconds, the hall became a storm of colliding fists and ki, the durable metal walls buckling and shredding under the force. In his base form, however, Goku was hard-pressed against Cooler, who had already shifted into a more powerful, brutish transformation. A vicious tail-swipe caught Goku, smashing him through multiple bulkheads before he skidded to a halt.
"Is this the fabled power of a Super Saiyan?" Cooler sneered, hovering amid the wreckage. "Pathetic."
Goku stood, brushing dust from his torn gi. "I'll admit, you're stronger than Freeza was. But if you think this is enough to defeat me…" His voice dropped, laced with finality. "…you're still naïve."
HAAAAAAAA—!
A primal roar tore from his throat. Golden light erupted, flooding the shattered deck. His hair swept upward, blazing like a sun, his eyes igniting into piercing emerald orbs. The very framework of the massive ship groaned and shuddered under the sudden, crushing pressure of his Super Saiyan aura.
"Now," Goku said, his voice echoing with power. "Let the real battle begin."
He vanished. A golden flash, and a devastating kick connected with Cooler's chest. The impact wasn't just felt; it was seen as Cooler was blasted clean through the ship's hull in an explosion of molten metal, sent spinning helplessly into the silent, starry vacuum of space.