The group continued strategizing.
"They're a military-industrial army, heavily armed. We need to be cautious," Bulma said thoughtfully. "I'm not much for combat, but when it comes to planning, I'm better than any of you. So I suggest we follow my plan: divide and conquer.
The Red Ribbon Army is massive. We need to dismantle it from multiple fronts, from the inside out, to make sure it doesn't rise again. That way, no new warlord can step up to take over and commit even worse atrocities."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Krillin: "Bulma makes sense. What do you think, Goku?"
"Yeah, I agree with Bulma."
Bulma gripped the Dragon Ball. "Alright then, we move now. While we were talking, I finished the plan. First stop: Muscle Tower."
"Let's go!"
Near Muscle Tower, Northern Region
Snowflakes danced down from the sky like countless tiny white spirits.
The world below was blanketed in a soft silver veil, pure and silent.
Normally, this would be the kind of day for huddling by the fire, sipping warm wine, chatting about life and waiting for spring.
But not anymore.
Ever since the Red Ribbon Army arrived, the villagers' lives had changed.
In the snow, a dozen armed Red Ribbon soldiers in heavy coats paced with rifles, forcing the entire village out to dig through snow searching for a Dragon Ball.
"Hurry up!"
"Stop slacking!"
"No one goes home until we find it!"
A gust of wind blew off an old man's winter hat. The freezing air pierced his skin like knives. He shivered violently.
He stepped forward to retrieve the hat, but just as he reached for it—
BANG!
A single shot. It pierced the back of his head.
Blood splattered across the white snow like a crimson rose.
His hand reached, trembling—but his eyes had gone lifeless.
The bitter cold immediately froze his body solid, transforming him into a monument of cruelty.
He fell, the snow creaking under his body.
Nearby villagers turned and gasped.
"Papa!"
"Dad!"
"Grandpa!!"
Two young men and a red-haired girl rushed forward—
BANG! BANG!
Both men fell, bullets through their skulls. More roses bloomed in the snow.
Only the little girl survived.
Her eyes burned with unspeakable grief.
Behind the villagers, one soldier took a drag of his cigarette and sneered down at the corpses.
Then turned to the rest.
"Don't try anything funny, or you'll join them! I'd rather be home by the fire, not freezing out here with you useless sacks. Get digging!"
The villagers—terrified, pale, and exhausted—had no choice but to dig deeper into the snow.
Even the little girl, tears frozen to her cheeks, kept searching.
In Bulma's Plane
Chi-Chi gazed out the window. "Wow, the snow's so pretty."
Krillin, bundled in thick clothing: "Thank goodness for Bulma's planning. We'd have frozen otherwise."
Goku: "It must be below -20°C out there."
Bulma chuckled. "Try -35°C."
Goku: "Yikes! I'm glad I didn't ride the Nimbus. I'd be frozen stiff! I wonder if the villagers are out in this weather too..."
Krillin: "No way. Even the Red Ribbon Army has to be human. They wouldn't go that far... right?"
Bulma frowned. "There are kind people in the world, but don't forget—some people have no bottom line."
Chi-Chi: "Come on, even in weather like this? They can't be that evil."
Suddenly, through the window, they saw it.
Dozens of villagers forced to dig in the snow at gunpoint.
Chi-Chi gasped. "Bulma! It's them! They're forcing people to search for the Dragon Ball!"
Bulma nodded. "Confirmed. The Dragon Ball is nearby.
Strap in. We're landing."
A few minutes later, they landed several hundred meters away and disembarked in thick winter coats.
Krillin smirked: "Wanna see who can beat up more bad guys?"
Chi-Chi: "Obviously, it'll be me."
Bulma: "You two go fight. Goku, protect the villagers and try not to cause too much destruction."
"Got it!"
The three sprinted toward the Red Ribbon troops.
"Who goes there?!"
"Kids? Get lost!"
But Chi-Chi and Krillin weren't listening.
The moment they spotted the uniforms, fists started flying.
Bullets rained down—but they bounced harmlessly off.
The villagers froze, stunned.
Within seconds, the Red Ribbon soldiers were down.
The villagers dropped their tools, gaping at the three children.
"Who... who are you?!"
Krillin: "Don't worry! We're here to find the Dragon Balls!"
The villagers recoiled.
"What?! More Dragon Ball hunters?!"
"We thought you came to save us!"
"You devils want us all dead!"
Before panic could spread, Bulma stepped forward.
"Everyone, listen! We're here to destroy the Red Ribbon Army.
But we need your help."
The villagers hesitated, recalling the trio's superhuman abilities.
Bulma continued. "This cold will kill us. Let's head to your village and talk inside."
The villagers didn't need to be told twice. One by one, they began walking home.
Except for one little girl.
She knelt in the snow, digging.
Krillin approached her. "Hey, it's over. No one will force you again. Come inside and warm up."
Just then, she brushed away snow—and revealed a frozen face.
Krillin froze.
Goku and Chi-Chi rushed over.
They cleared the snow to find three bodies.
The red-haired girl collapsed, weeping over them.
"Papa... Mama... Grandpa...!"
Chi-Chi and Krillin's expressions darkened.
They had thought forcing villagers to search was harsh—but this...
This was slaughter.
Bulma: "We can't stay. Goku, Chi-Chi, Krillin, carry the bodies. We need to move."
The wind howled. If they lingered, they'd all freeze.
Each of the three picked up a body and followed the girl back to the village.
There, they learned the full truth.
The Red Ribbon Army's radar had detected a Dragon Ball nearby.
After failing to find it, they found the village—and enslaved the villagers to dig.
With pressure from higher-ups, the soldiers turned brutal.
Over two months, dozens had been killed.
Chi-Chi clenched her fists. "Monsters! I thought only the higher-ups were corrupt, but even the soldiers are ruthless!"
Goku nodded.
In his memory, the Red Ribbon Army had seemed almost comical. Their general wanted to be taller, after all.
He assumed their soldiers were just normal people.
Now, seeing the carnage firsthand, he knew better.
In the original story, Goku had saved this village after the Martial Arts Tournament.
But this time, he went back to Kame House to train instead.
Now he felt guilty.
Maybe if he'd come earlier, fewer would have died.
Chi-Chi, Goku, and Krillin all looked ready to storm Muscle Tower.
Bulma smiled.
"Don't be reckless. You all forgot one thing:
We have the Dragon Balls. If we collect them, we can bring everyone back.
But the village chief is still imprisoned in Muscle Tower.
If you destroy it before saving him, we can't resurrect him."
Realization dawned on all three.
Krillin: "That's right! The Dragon Balls!"
"We can wish to revive the villagers!"
The red-haired girl looked up.
"You mean... my family can come back?"
Krillin nodded. "Yes. Bulma and Goku have done it before. With all seven balls, Shenron will grant any wish."
Hope lit her tear-streaked face.
"Please, save them. I'll give you anything—money, whatever you want!"
Krillin blushed but looked serious.
"We don't want your money.
We'll defeat them.
And bring your family back. I promise."
"Thank you!"
She bowed to each of them.
Krillin gently helped her up.
"Goku, Chi-Chi. Let's go end this."
They nodded.
Bulma turned to the girl. "Keep the bodies safe. Tell the villagers to do the same. Shenron can only revive those whose bodies are intact."
The girl nodded. "Thank you. It's so cold, the bodies are frozen. They'll be okay."
Bulma: "Good. Stay strong. We're off."
"Thank you!"
They boarded the plane and flew to Muscle Tower.
"We're getting close," Bulma said. "If we get shot down, we're in trouble."
Goku: "Let's land and approach on foot."
Chi-Chi and Krillin agreed.
Soon, they stood beneath the tower.
A loudspeaker boomed.
"Intruders! You dare enter Muscle Tower?! Do you have a death wish?!"
Armed guards poured out.
Chi-Chi and Krillin exchanged a glance—then charged.
Bulma ducked behind Goku.
"You better protect me, or I'm dead!"
Goku sighed. "Should've left you behind..."