The Day the Multiverse Stood Still Imagine this: the Tournament of Power arena shakes, the gods fall silent, and even Jiren opens his eyes wider than ever before. A bright flash of light fills the sky, and from it steps a figure Goku never thought he’d see again—his father, Bardock.
For Dragon Ball fans, Bardock’s story has always been one filled with mystery, courage, and tragedy. He was the Saiyan who stood alone against Frieza’s empire, the warrior who foresaw the rise of his son. But what if the impossible happened? What if Bardock returned right in the middle of the Tournament of Power?
This “what if” moment could shake the very foundations of the multiverse—and possibly change everything about Goku’s destiny.
Bardock Miraculous Return
The Tournament of Power brought together the strongest fighters across twelve universes. Angels, gods, and mortals all fought for survival. Yet, there was one thing Goku never had—a connection to his true Saiyan heritage in battle.
Now imagine during one of Goku’s toughest moments, when Jiren has beaten him to the ground and Ultra Instinct has faded away. Suddenly, time seems to stop. The Grand Priest looks up, sensing an energy long thought erased from existence.
A portal of golden light appears above the arena. From it, Bardock steps forward—armor cracked, eyes sharp, and aura burning like a dying star. The gods murmur in disbelief. “A Saiyan from Universe 7… resurrected by time itself?”
No one knows how Bardock returned. Maybe Whis interfered, maybe Shenron’s power extended beyond limits, or perhaps Bardock escaped from another dimension. But one thing is clear—he’s not here to watch. He’s here to fight.
Father Meets Son for the First Time
The moment Goku locks eyes with Bardock, the entire arena goes silent. For a second, the Saiyan who has faced gods, demons, and destroyers becomes just a son meeting his father for the first time.
“Who… are you?” Goku asks, his voice shaking.
Bardock smirks, wiping the dust off his armor. “You already know, Kakarot.”
It’s a moment no fan would ever forget. Vegeta, watching from the side, clenches his fist. “So this is the Saiyan who started it all…” he mutters. Even Beerus seems uneasy—because a Saiyan with Bardock’s will could shift the balance of the tournament.
The father-son bond that was never meant to happen now becomes the universe’s strongest weapon.
A New Saiyan Legacy
Bardock quickly assesses the situation. He senses Jiren’s god-like power, the desperation in Universe 7, and the presence of gods watching from above. But he also feels Goku’s spirit—the same fire he once carried when he defied Frieza.
Bardock tells Goku, “You’ve surpassed me, but your fight isn’t done. Stand with me, son.”
Together, they rise. Bardock taps into a mysterious energy—one that looks like a mix of Super Saiyan Blue and something ancient. Maybe it’s his dormant power awakened by divine intervention. Goku, inspired by his father’s words, unlocks Ultra Instinct once again, this time with greater control.
The two charge forward side by side. Their combined power shakes the entire World of Void. The Grand Priest watches closely, and even Zeno leans forward in excitement.
The father who defied destiny and the son who mastered godhood—fighting together for the fate of their universe. Bardock vs. Jiren: The Ultimate Clash
Jiren stands unshaken. He’s faced gods, angels, and warriors beyond reason. But when Bardock rushes him, Jiren feels something different a burning spirit of rebellion that refuses to die.
Bardok punches are raw, his aura wild. Goku joins in, and for a moment, the arena becomes a storm of energy. Bardock lands a hit that forces Jiren back, shocking even the spectators.
The teamwork between Bardock and Goku becomes legendary. Bardock calls out moves that Goku somehow understands instinctively, as if fighting beside his father was something he’d done all his life.
But Jiren, ever the unshakable wall, begins to adapt. “Impressive,” he says calmly. “But emotions don’t win battles.”
Even so, the emotional strength of a father and son fighting for their universe gives Universe 7 something no other team has—a bond born from pure Saiyan pride.
A Farewell Worthy of a Saiyan
As the fight nears its end, Bardock realizes his time is running out. His body starts to flicker—proof that he’s not truly alive. He smiles as he sees Goku standing tall, bruised but still burning with Ultra Instinct’s silver light.
“You did it, son,” Bardock says softly. “You became everything I hoped for.”
Before fading away, Bardock pushes all his remaining energy into Goku. That surge helps Goku deliver one final blow that defeats Jiren and ensures Universe 7’s survival.
As the light of Bardock fades completely, Goku stands silently, tears hidden behind his usual grin. “Thank you, Dad,” he whispers.
Legacy of the Saiyan Spirit
After the tournament, Whis tells Goku that Bardock’s return was never supposed to happen—it was the result of pure willpower breaking through time itself.
Beerus, pretending not to care, says, “Hmph. That Saiyan spirit is more troublesome than ever.”
But Goku knows that his father’s spirit will always live inside him. Every time he fights, every time he protects someone, Bardock’s legacy burns in his heart.
The legend of the Saiyan who defied fate continues—not just in Bardock, not just in Goku, but in the very soul of Universe 7.
