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The Past and Future (聞け悟空よ! フリーザには手を出すな Kike Goku yo! Furiza niwa Te wo Dasu na, lit. "Listen to Me Goku! Hands Off Freeza") is the seventeenth episode of the Namek Saga and the fifty-second overall episode in the uncut Dragon Ball Z series. It first aired on June 20, 1990. Its original American airdate was September 13, 2005.


On King Kai's Planet, Yamcha is seen asking King Kai if he can say hello to Goku. King Kai instructs Yamcha to rest his hand on his shoulder and speak. Yamcha tells Goku that the trip down Snake Way was not as difficult as the increased gravity on King Kai's planet. Goku agrees with him and tells him he is training under a high amount of gravity himself, with the gravity machine being set at 30 times Earth's normal gravity. Goku explains that he is on his way to Namek so he can aid Krillin, Gohan, and Bulma. As Goku tells them that Vegeta is also on Namek, King Kai, Piccolo, Tien Shinhan, and Chiaotzu all get alerted in their direction. Goku continues to explain that there are other warriors on planet Namek who are not Saiyans but wear the same uniforms. Goku concludes that the leader of the extraterrestrial space pirates is more powerful than Vegeta.

Yamcha and King Kai surprised

King Kai and Yamcha become surprised to hear of trouble brewing on Namek

King Kai asks if the leader's name might be Frieza and Goku responds that he is not certain. King Kai uses his antennae to check the identity of the invader on Namek. King Kai obtains a precise location of the ruler to conclude that it truly is Frieza. King Kai becomes extremely frightened, expressing his surprise through nervous shaking. King Kai begins to warn Goku that Frieza is the strongest and fiercest opponent he could ever face and there's no way he is ready for him. King Kai tells Goku that he is not warning him for his own sake, but for all people everywhere. He continues to warn Goku to never anger Frieza, for his wrath spreads through the entire universe. Goku brings up that he has to collect the Dragon Balls as a valid argument and he at least has to try. King Kai continues to warn him, telling him to promise that he will not go near Frieza.

King Kai detects Frieza

King Kai confirms that Frieza truly is on Namek, becoming fearful in the process

Piccolo places his arm on King Kai's shoulder in order to convey his message. He quickly tells Goku not to listen to King Kai and to collect the Dragon Balls and wish them back to life. Piccolo says that in the meantime, they will do some training with King Kai to get ready. Goku agrees with Piccolo's proposition. Piccolo estimates that between him, Goku, Gohan, and Krillin, they should be able to handle Frieza. King Kai struggles as he argues. Piccolo says there's no time to waste and King Kai should start training them. King Kai says he will not if they are planning to fight Frieza.

Piccolo Encourages Goku

Piccolo tells Goku telepathically to resurrect his allies to defeat Frieza together.

Piccolo promises that he will not fight Frieza, though he repeats to himself that he will. Tien thinks to himself, saying that he needs to train hard, just like Goku. He concludes that in order to face Frieza, they will all have to be at their best. King Kai asks Yamcha, Tien, Piccolo, and Chiaotzu if they are sure they are ready for his training... and none of them back down. King Kai says that their first challenge is to make him laugh in order to qualify for his training.

As Goku is seen in his spaceship, he says to himself that just because he should avoid fighting Frieza, does not mean he should stop training... and continues to train under 30 times Earth's normal gravity. Meanwhile, Krillin and Dende can be seen flying in the Namekian skies, heading for the great elder's house. Dende estimates that they still have five more hours if they continue to go at their current speed. Vegeta is also on Namek, swiftly flying in midair. Vegeta says that he should have been able to sense more Nameks by now. As he is unable to locate another village, Vegeta senses another sign of energy. Vegeta inspects the direction in which he sensed the powers, stating that there is two of them and they are not with Frieza.

Piccolo lies

Piccolo promises himself that he will fight Frieza

On King Kai's planet, Tien struggles to tell a joke to King Kai so he can laugh in order to qualify for his training. Yamcha and Chiaotzu are successful in their attempts as Piccolo becomes annoyed with the whole prospect. After Tien struggles with delivering his joke, Yamcha tells Tien a joke to tell, and Tien uses it, first experiencing difficulty as he remembers it, but eventually successfully making King Kai erupt with laughter.


Zarbon becomes surprised as he collides with Vegeta

On Planet Namek, Vegeta is soaring through the skies as he trails Krillin's energy signals. Krillin and Dende notice that they are being followed and proceed to hide in order to avoid being spotted. As Krillin and Dende find retreat behind a mountain, Vegeta quickly senses another enormous power and changes his direction. Krillin recognizes that Vegeta has gone after the big power level. The great power turns out to be Zarbon, who is still searching for Namekian villages in order to track down the Dragon Balls. Vegeta thinks that Zarbon will be easy prey without Frieza beside him.

Goku is seen training in the spaceship heading for Namek. He performs push-ups and admits that he'll have to turn up the gravitron to 50 times Earth's normal gravity. King Kai begins the training regiment for the deceased warriors on his planet. He calls Bubbles, his pet monkey, so they can chase the primate. This was the same training that Goku had to endure, which King Kai reveals that it took Goku three weeks to achieve. The warriors are surprised at the sight of Bubbles, and are even more surprised to hear that it took so long to catch the monkey.


Zarbon tells Vegeta that Frieza only feared a union of the Saiyans.

Chiaotzu asks that if they are able to catch the monkey, whether they will begin the real training with King Kai. King Kai answers saying that they must surpass another test, which involves Gregory, and only then can they acquire further needed skills. Bubbles begins to run as Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu chase him. As King Kai turns, he is surprised to see that Piccolo has already caught the monkey with ease. Piccolo drags Bubbles and drops him in front of King Kai, noting that he does not want anymore games. Piccolo seriously summarizes the action as "monkey business," which makes King Kai erupt with laughter. None of the warriors share King Kai's enthusiasm for jokes, so he tells them they have a lot to learn about comedy.

Zarbon and Vegeta collide

Zarbon's fails to hit Vegeta.

Zarbon is seen tearing through the Namekian skies as he continues his search for the Dragon Balls. He is still annoyed that their scouters were destroyed, making it greatly harder to track down the remaining villages. He notices a powerful energy approaching him and realizes that it is Vegeta. The two forces of Zarbon and Vegeta collide as they are bounced back from the energy that is emitted from their aura. Vegeta greets Zarbon and tells him that he has already disposed of Dodoria, and now plans to do the same to him. Zarbon becomes surprised with this prospect and finds it hard to believe, saying that he is lying. Zarbon warns Vegeta, telling him he should know better than to disobey Frieza. Vegeta reciprocates by telling Zarbon he never believed himself to be suited for the life of a follower. He explains that he no longer wants to take orders or cower in front of Frieza like a dog. He declares that he intends to see Frieza grovel at his feet as soon as he has made his wish for immortality.

Elegant Blaster Replled

Zarbon performs a concentrated palm blast at Vegeta, whom manages to deflect the blast

Vegeta explains his desire to Zarbon, stating that the winds of change are blowing and that the power of immortality will belong to him, allowing him to rule the galaxy forever. Zarbon replies that Vegeta is dreaming and that Frieza has already managed to acquire five Dragon Balls, and it will not take them long to find the rest. Vegeta tells Zarbon that they are blind without their scouters and it is a liability he does not share, since his powers have increased in more ways than he can possibly imagine. Zarbon laughs about Vegeta's increased strength, stating that the new tricks that he has learned will not make a difference as his abilities will not even hold a candle in comparison to Frieza's.

Krillen and Dende race

Dende and Krillin speed toward Guru's house as Zarbon and Vegeta battle

Vegeta says that Zarbon already knows the answer as to why he will be capable of surpassing Frieza. Vegeta states that Dodoria also knew of his immense strength, and before he died, he revealed everything about Frieza's fear of the Saiyans, concluding that Frieza must also fear him. Zarbon tells Vegeta not to flatter himself because what Frieza feared was a union of the entire Saiyan race rising up against him. Zarbon states that all alone, Vegeta would be no threat to anyone. Vegeta pronounces that there's only one way to find out as he disappears and phases directly behind Zarbon. Zarbon reciprocates by instinctively punching at Vegeta, who proceeds to block his punch by gripping his hand. As Vegeta snickers, he tosses Zarbon into the sky, sending him sprawling.

Zarbon caught Offguard

Vegeta surprises Zarbon from behind, knocking him into the ground

Zarbon gets a grip as he quickly recovers in midair. After phasing farther away, Zarbon grips one arm with the other and delivers the Elegant Blaster (a direct pinpointed palm blast) at Vegeta. The huge blast quickly approaches Vegeta, who proceeds to knock it away, deflecting it with his hand. The blast leaves a tremendous explosion on the ground below and debris flies all over as Zarbon becomes amazed at Vegeta's improved speed and skill, stating that Vegeta has surprised him.


Zarbon warns Vegeta that he has come a long way, but not quite far enough

Krillin and Dende watch the fight from afar. There's a blazing wave left over from Zarbon's blast. Krillin mentions that Vegeta has definitely gone after the enormous power level. He also concludes that Vegeta must be fighting one of Frieza's goons. Krillin concludes that this is a good thing as they should fight and take each other out, because it will not end well for them if either one finds them. Krillin quickly grabs Dende and speeds toward the eldest Namek's house, hoping that they are too busy pounding each other to notice them.

Vegeta punches Zarbon directly in the face, stunning him. Zarbon retaliates with a flurry of rapid kicks. Vegeta still manages to dodge all his attacks and appear above Zarbon. He then flips and rams Zarbon downward, sending him into the ground. Zarbon grips the ground as he slams down and Vegeta appears behind him, surprising Zarbon, only to kick him once again. Zarbon is pushed forward as he bites into the dirt. Vegeta begins to laugh uncontrollably, declaring that he has proved his point. However, instead of acknowledging defeat, Zarbon begins to snicker with an elegant tone. Zarbon is still on his knees and is facing the ground as Vegeta's smile fades and Zarbon's smile becomes apparent. Zarbon turns to face Vegeta, slowly raising his head. Zarbon tells Vegeta that he truly impresses him and that his fighting skills have come a long way since the last time they met, but not quite far enough. As Zarbon laughs, the wind blows his long hair wildly, his eyes have a distinct glare, and he continues to smile at Vegeta.

Major Events

  • Piccolo, Tien, Yamcha and Chiaotzu begin their training with King Kai.
  • Vegeta runs into Zarbon and begins his battle with him.


  • Vegeta vs. Zarbon





Differences from the manga

  • In the manga, King Kai believes Piccolo when he says he won't face Frieza because he has a trustworthy face to which Piccolo thinks King Kai must have bad eyesight. In the anime, he has no such thought.
  • Yamcha, Tien, Chiaotzu and Piccolo telling King Kai a joke to receive training as well as trying to catch Bubbles are exclusive to the anime.


  • This is the first episode since he was introduced in which Gohan does not appear.
  • Tien's joke differs depending on which language version, though most seem to be based on puns. In the English dub, the joke that Tien tells to King Kai in order to make him laugh is: "You can tune a piano, but you can't tune a fish." The reference is between the word combination of "tune-a-fish" and "tuna fish." In the original Japanese version, his joke is "You think what's up your nose is secret, but really it's not" being a play on words of "it's not" and "it's snot." The European Portuguese version is "Say me, what's the color of Don José's White Horse?" while in the Brazilian Portuguese it is "The Photographer's Secret is still not revealed!!" (a play on the procedure of photo rendering, which is commonly called photo revealing or more specifically "revelação de fotos").


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