One of the Biggest “What If” Moments in Dragon Ball Z
One of the most interesting what if scenarios in all of Dragon Ball Z is imagining what would have happened if Ultimate Gohan had arrived on Earth just a little earlier. Instead of showing up after Gotenks’ fusion time ran out, what if he arrived while Super Saiyan 3 Gotenks was still actively fighting Super Buu?
Personally, I think this completely changes the direction of the Buu Saga and potentially prevents some of the most devastating events that followed. The combination of Mystic Gohan and Super Saiyan 3 Gotenks would have been one of the most overwhelming teams Dragon Ball had ever assembled at that point in the story.
Super Buu Would Have Been Cornered Immediately
When Gohan arrived after his Elder Kai training, he completely dominated Super Buu.
The fight wasn’t close.
Buu was getting overwhelmed by Gohan’s speed, power, and combat ability. In fact, Buu became desperate enough to rely on trickery because he couldn’t win a straight fight.
Now imagine that same situation except Gohan isn’t fighting alone.
At that exact time, Super Saiyan 3 Gotenks was already strong enough to challenge Super Buu himself. While Gotenks was still somewhat immature and playful, his power was undeniably enormous.
If Gohan had arrived while Gotenks still had fusion time remaining, Buu would suddenly find himself facing two opponents stronger than anyone he had encountered up to that point.
I honestly don’t see how Buu survives that situation through brute force.
The Absorption Plan Probably Never Happens
The biggest consequence of Gohan arriving early is that Buu likely never gets the opportunity to absorb anyone.
People sometimes forget that Buu’s absorption strategy required very specific circumstances.
He needed time.
He needed distractions.
He needed his opponents to let their guard down.
In the actual story, Gotenks defused, Piccolo was present, and Gohan was left alone long enough for Buu to execute his plan.
But if Gohan and Gotenks are attacking simultaneously, Buu probably never gets that breathing room.
Imagine Gohan keeping pressure on Buu while Gotenks launches attacks from every angle using techniques like the Super Ghost Kamikaze Attack.
Buu would spend the entire battle defending himself instead of setting traps.
Gotenks Would Finally Get His Biggest Win
One thing I’ve always thought about is how unfortunate Gotenks’ story ended up being.
For all his power and potential, he never actually secured a major victory.
He fought Fat Buu unsuccessfully.
He fought Super Buu unsuccessfully.
He was absorbed before achieving anything meaningful.
If Gohan arrives during the fight, Gotenks finally gets the chance to contribute to defeating one of the saga’s biggest villains.
Not only would that be satisfying for his character, but it would also justify all the training that Goten and Trunks endured in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.
The Fusion of Strategy and Raw Power
What makes this matchup so dangerous for Buu is that Gohan and Gotenks brought completely different strengths.
Gohan fought with discipline.
Gotenks fought with unpredictability.
One moment Buu would be dealing with Gohan’s calculated attacks and incredible speed. The next he’d be forced to react to volleyball attacks, ghost explosions, dimensional screaming, and techniques that make absolutely no sense.
That combination creates chaos.
Even if Buu managed to adapt to one fighter’s style, he’d immediately have to deal with the other.
Vegito Might Never Exist
This is where things get really interesting. If Gohan and Gotenks defeat Super Buu together, then several major events never happen.
Piccolo isn’t absorbed. Gotenks isn’t absorbed. Gohan isn’t absorbed.
The heroes never become desperate enough to rely on Potara fusion.
That means Vegito potentially never appears at all.
As amazing as Vegito was, his existence was a direct result of how badly things spiraled after Buu’s absorption spree.
A victory here could completely erase that entire chain of events.
Could Buu Still Find a Way?
The only chance I see for Buu is if he immediately recognizes the danger and attempts absorption from the start.
The problem is that both Gohan and Gotenks possess enough power to pressure him constantly.
Unlike the actual story where circumstances lined up perfectly for Buu, he’d be trying to absorb opponents who are actively overwhelming him together.
That’s an incredibly difficult task.
Could Buu still pull it off? Maybe.
But the odds become dramatically lower.
My Final Verdict
Personally, I think Super Buu loses.
Not because Gotenks alone could beat him and not because Gohan alone couldn’t make mistakes. But because the combination of both fighters at the same time creates a situation Buu was never prepared for.
Mystic Gohan was already stronger than Super Buu.
Adding a fully fused Super Saiyan 3 Gotenks into that battle turns an advantage into a complete nightmare for Buu.
In my opinion, the Buu Saga probably ends right there.
No Buutenks.
No Buuhan.
No Vegito.
No Kid Buu.
Just one of the most dominant team victories in Dragon Ball Z history, with Gohan and Gotenks finally putting an end to Majin Buu together!
