At the time when Goku and Yajirobe first met, Yajirobe was likely one of the strongest humans alive; he climbed the Korin Tower with Goku on his back in a single day (something Goku initially struggled with), he seemed evenly matched with Goku despite not fighting at his maximum. Goku once considered him a challenge, saying "I've never met someone so tough!" However, like the rest of the other heroes, he is soon far surpassed by Goku. During the preliminaries of the 23rd World Tournament, Yajirobe is shown easily defeating everyone he was matched against until he fought Kami in disguise during his last match at the only World Tournament he entered. Yajirobe's next major appearance is in the
Vegeta Saga where he trains with Kami and Mr. Popo on Kami's Lookout. Yajirobe easily defeats Krillin while sparring at Kami's Lookout, all the while eating and moving nonchalantly; he then fights "seriously" after Krillin tells him to.
[7] After training, Kami tells the Z Fighters that all of them have surpassed both Mr. Popo and himself. His
power level during the battle against Vegeta is 970
[8] (it is 500 in
Dragon Ball Z: The Anime Adventure Game). The movie pamphlet for
Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might states that Yajirobe has a power level of 2,100.
In addition to his physical power, Yajirobe also shows exceptional skill as a swordsman and, on more than one occasion, demonstrates the ability to cleave objects or opponents thicker than the blade of his katana clean in half.
Yajirobe is the only primary Z Fighter who never learns the
ability to fly, and usually uses this as an excuse not to fight.