Red Ribbon Army Headquarters
"Damn it!"
"Bastards! Useless trash!"
"A whole division wiped out by a bunch of brats?! What a disgrace!"
"Every last one of them is a failure!"
"Even that Dr. Gero! What happened to his so-called invincible androids?! Worthless junk!"
"Starting today, cut his research funding in half!"
Red Commander's fury raged as he puffed furiously on a thick cigar, barely coherent through the clouds of smoke.
Just then, a voice rang out.
"Reporting in—Colonel Violet requests an audience!"
Red Commander took a deep drag, smoke pouring from his nose as he tried to calm down.
"Let her in."
"Yes, Commander!"
Soon, Colonel Violet strode in.
"Reporting, Commander. Good news: I've retrieved a Dragon Ball from the western region."
She presented a gleaming golden sphere.
Red Commander's scowl finally eased a little.
"Well, well… you're something else, Violet. Actually managed to bring one back."
She saluted smartly. "Thank you, Commander!"
Red Commander grinned. "Excellent. Loyal officers like you are worth keeping around. Go collect your reward—I take care of those who deliver results."
Violet saluted again and exited with grace.
With the Commander's temper cooling, his nervous aide Black finally dared to step inside.
"Commander… the enemy has gathered two Dragon Balls already. They've turned west. Seems like they're heading for a third."
Red Commander glanced at the massive radar screen.
"I believe Colonel Yellow is in the western region, no?"
"Yes, sir."
Red Commander rubbed his chin. "So we've got three, and they're about to get their third. But the last one… it's not showing up on the radar?"
Black explained, "Commander, we've discovered the radar can't detect Dragon Balls if they're… inside a living creature."
Red Commander narrowed his eyes. "Speak plainly."
Black swallowed. "For example, if a dinosaur or whale swallows one, the radar won't pick it up. But don't worry—Dragon Balls can't be digested. Once the animal dies or expels it…"
"They'll show up again. Got it."
The Commander nodded.
"In that case, since we can't find the last one, let's just take the three they're about to collect—including the one with Colonel Yellow."
Black raised an eyebrow. "What's the plan, sir?"
"Hmph. Let's be honest—Colonel Yellow won't stop them. So I'm hiring the world's greatest assassin: Tao Pai Pai. He'll kill those brats and retrieve all the Dragon Balls."
Just then, the phone rang.
Black picked it up—his face instantly went pale.
"What? You're the only one left?! The whole squad was wiped out?!"
"Yes… that's correct!" came the panicked voice on the other end.
Black's voice turned cold. "Commander is furious. If you don't retrieve that Dragon Ball… your life is forfeit."
"I-I understand! I'll figure something out!"
Red Commander stomped over and grabbed the receiver.
"Colonel Yellow, listen closely! You've got one hour. If you don't find that Dragon Ball, I'm sending Tao Pai Pai. And if he has to clean up your mess… you'll be his warm-up."
"…Yes, understood!"
—
Near Korin Tower
Colonel Yellow flew his aircraft in frustration.
They'd located the Dragon Ball—it was in the hands of a wild man near Korin Tower. His plan had been simple: kill the guy, take the Dragon Ball, mission complete.
But the man was invincible—blades, bullets, nothing worked.
His entire team was wiped out. Only by flying high enough to avoid the man's spears had he survived.
And now, with only an hour left… he was as good as dead.
"Damn it… if I knew I'd die over this, I never would've joined the Red Ribbon Army!"
Just then, he spotted movement below.
The wild man had left for the river. Only a small child was left behind, roasting fish.
A sinister plan flickered in his mind.
"That must be his son. If I kidnap the kid, I can trade him for the Dragon Ball! Genius!"
Without hesitation, he cut engine noise and descended low.
A rope dropped—snaring the boy, Upa, in one go.
Colonel Yellow's eyes gleamed. "Gotcha!"
He tied Upa up and flew toward the riverbank.
The boy's cries rang through the air.
"Help! Papa!"
Upa's father heard the scream and bolted upright.
"Upa?! What are you doing to my son?!"
Colonel Yellow laughed. "You know exactly what this is. Listen up! If you want your son back, throw the Dragon Ball into the aircraft!"
Upa's father pulled out the Dragon Ball. "Fine. I'll give it to you—just bring my son down safely."
"You think I'm that dumb? I come down there, and you'll rip me apart."
The father gritted his teeth. "I'm not like you. I've got no use for the Dragon Ball. Just don't hurt my son!"
"I said—throw it!"
The father hesitated… then sighed. "Alright. Catch it, then. Just don't drop my son!"
He judged the distance, aimed carefully, and hurled the Dragon Ball toward the aircraft.
It soared, reaching just the right height—then hovered in mid-air for a brief moment as its momentum faded.
Colonel Yellow tossed Upa aside and pivoted sharply in the cockpit to catch the ball.
But Upa was now falling.
"AHHH!"
"Papa!"
"Upa!"
The father ran toward his son as fast as he could—but Upa was already less than five meters from the ground.
He was still more than ten meters away.
There wasn't enough time.
Fear gripped his chest. He could already see the horrifying result: his son splattered on the earth.
Then—golden light flashed before his eyes.
The father blinked.
And suddenly, Upa was floating in front of him, riding a golden cloud.
Beside him sat a boy with a tail—Son Goku.
"Papa!"
"Son!"
Upa jumped off the Nimbus and leapt into his father's embrace.
Tears welled in the father's eyes as he looked at Goku.
"Thank you! You saved my boy!"
"No problem. We can talk later—right now, I'm here for the Dragon Ball."
Goku took off on the Flying Nimbus, chasing after Colonel Yellow.
Moments later, Colonel Yellow was down for good.
Goku returned with the Dragon Ball in hand.
Upa clapped excitedly. "Thank you for saving me, Goku!"
Goku hadn't planned to stay—but the smell of roasted fish made his stomach growl.
Since the food was already there, and he was starving…
"Thanks! Mmm, this is delicious!"
Upa's father laughed. "You saved my son. It's the least I can do. There's plenty of fish in this river—if you like it, I'll go catch more."
Upa nodded. "My dad's the best fisherman!"
Goku grinned.
Before he could respond, Upa's father stood, gripping his spear.
"Another aircraft! Probably more bandits. Stay here—I'll deal with them!"
Goku turned to look.
Wait a second… wasn't that Bulma's plane?
And sure enough, Upa hid behind his father, who raised his spear, preparing to throw.
"Wait!" Goku shouted, eyes wide.
Upa and his father looked at him.
Goku quickly swallowed his bite of fish and called out, "Don't attack! They're with me!"
"What?!"
Upa's father froze.
Goku pointed. "That's my friends' plane. We agreed to meet here to climb Korin Tower together."
As he spoke, the aircraft's glass windshield became clear—Chi-Chi and Krillin waved from inside.
Upa's father lowered his spear with a sigh of relief.
"Whew… I thought it was more bad guys…"
Goku patted his chest. "You're way too trigger-happy. You almost took Bulma out! We're the good guys, remember?"