While the group was still discussing strategy, Krillin suddenly lost his footing.
"Ahhh! Help!"
Goku's eyes widened. He scrambled down the tower in a flash, yelling, "Krillin! Grab the tower!"
Krillin gritted his teeth. "I can't… no strength left…"
Luckily, Goku was still full of energy. He launched himself downward, springing from one handhold to the next like a blur.
Bulma, startled, rushed after him on the Flying Nimbus—but Krillin couldn't ride the Nimbus, and she didn't have the strength to catch him.
Just as Krillin was falling helplessly, Goku shot past him and grabbed his arm, pulling him safely back onto the tower.
But the reality hit them: they were barely halfway up Korin Tower. If they had to retreat quickly—either back down or all the way up—it wasn't going to happen fast.
They could use the Nimbus… but only Goku and Bulma could ride it. Leaving Krillin and Chi-Chi behind wasn't an option.
And Bulma, worried for her parents' safety, still couldn't bring herself to abandon her friends.
There was only one real choice—rest and recover. Fortunately, they had Senzu Beans.
After eating one, the team was refreshed. Goku sent Bulma back to the tower's summit via Nimbus to keep her safe.
Soon after, Chi-Chi, Krillin, and Goku returned to the tower base.
"Mr. Bora, Upa, you two should get clear," Goku warned. "There's a powerful assassin coming."
"A threat to the sacred grounds of Korin? Then I'll fight alongside you," Bora replied.
"No need," Goku said firmly. "This enemy is ours to face."
Bora reluctantly stood down.
Goku placed the three collected Dragon Balls on the ground and waited.
Not long after, a figure appeared—riding atop a tall pillar, slicing through the sky like a spear.
Tao Pai Pai, the world's greatest assassin, landed with pinpoint accuracy, standing before the trio.
He glanced at the glowing Dragon Balls and smirked.
"Well, well. You've even laid the Dragon Balls out for me. Looks like you know resistance is futile against Tao Pai Pai. I didn't expect such graceful acceptance of death."
Then he squinted.
"Hmm? This isn't right. I was told there were four of you. Someone missing?"
Krillin stepped forward.
"There's no one hiding. Just us three—and that's all we need to take you down."
Tao pointed to himself, incredulous.
"Did I hear that right? You brats think you can kill me? That's rich!"
Krillin, a student of Master Roshi, believed no assassin could surpass his teacher. He leapt forward, fist blazing.
"Then we'll see!"
But just as his punch was about to land, Tao gracefully hopped aside, dodging it with insulting ease.
Krillin's eyes widened—but before he could recover, Tao spun and delivered a punishing roundhouse.
Wham!
His boot left a full imprint on Krillin's face, sending him flying into Korin Tower, then slumping to the ground.
"Krillin!" Chi-Chi and Goku shouted.
A moment later, Krillin groaned.
"Ugh… no way… I couldn't even land a hit…"
Chi-Chi rushed to him. "Krillin! Can you stand?"
"It hurts… my back—feels broken…"
She was stunned. "Just one hit and you're in this shape?!"
Tao Pai Pai sneered. "To survive even one strike from me is already impressive."
Goku narrowed his eyes and readied his stance.
"Chi-Chi, get him out of here. Give him a Senzu Bean."
Tao snorted. "Planning to run? I'm afraid all four of you are targets. No one's leaving."
Then—he struck.
"Dodon Ray!"
A golden beam shot straight at Krillin and Chi-Chi.
In a blink, Goku intercepted it.
Boom!
Dust exploded, engulfing everything.
"GOKU!" Chi-Chi screamed, eyes brimming with tears.
But then, a gust of wind cleared the smoke—Goku stood firm, his clothes slightly scorched, but otherwise unharmed.
Chi-Chi gasped in relief. "You're okay! I knew you'd be fine!"
Goku exhaled. "Yeah. Now give Krillin the bean—quickly."
Chi-Chi fumbled to pull out a Senzu Bean and shoved it into Krillin's mouth.
Krillin chewed and swallowed… then blinked.
"…I can move?! My back—it's healed?!"
He sat up in awe. "This thing is magic!"
From atop the tower, Bulma watched through the water basin, her heart finally easing.
Master Korin had told her Goku's strength was on par with Tao Pai Pai. Now she'd seen it herself.
He's fine. We're safe.
Tao stared at Goku in disbelief.
"No one's ever survived my Dodon Ray. But you… you blocked it barehanded…"
He looked between Goku and his companions.
"No wonder you brats wiped out the Red Ribbon's forces… you've got some skills."
Goku tightened his stance. "You're supposed to be the 'world's greatest assassin'? Come on then."
"Hmph!"
Tao lunged forward, fist whipping out like a bullet.
Goku ducked.
Tao swept a kick—Goku bent backward, dodging again.
Then Goku kicked off the ground and flipped, booting Tao in the chest and sending him tumbling.
Tao rolled to his feet, flipped his ponytail, and struck a pose.
"Not bad, kid. Fast and tricky. Who taught you?"
Goku narrowed his gaze. "What—trying to find out my style now?"
"Cut the chatter," he added. "You talk way too much."
Tao growled. "So be it! Time to witness my true strength!"
He tore off his upper clothes and dashed forward again—faster, stronger, and more precise.
But Goku met every strike.
Fist after fist, kick after kick—blocked. Dodged.
Then, Goku saw an opening and slammed a clean chop to Tao's face.
BOOM!
Tao hit the dirt hard, a dust cloud billowing around him.
He rose, wiping blood from his lip.
"Enough of this! You'll regret humiliating me!"
He lifted a finger.
"DODON RAY—FULL POWER!"
Krillin and Chi-Chi shouted in panic. "Goku! Dodge!!"
But Goku didn't move.
He dug his heels in, palms raised.
"I'll block it—again."
Tao grinned viciously.
The golden beam fired—roaring toward Goku like a spear of judgment.
Goku's hands locked tight, Ki surging to his palms.
He caught it.
His feet skidded back, digging furrows into the dirt.
But he held.
And finally—the beam faded.
Tao panted, sweating.
Goku didn't have a scratch.
"How—how did you stop it?! My full power…"
Goku stood tall.
"You let me block yours. Now block mine."
He brought his hands to his waist.
"Ka…me…ha…me…"
Tao's face twisted in panic.
"That stance… No! That's Turtle Hermit's—!"
"HA!!!"
The blue-white beam erupted, swallowing the space between them.
Tao tried to block it, hands raised… but the pressure was unimaginable.
No—this is unstoppable!
He tried to flee, but it was too late.
Light consumed him.
His body was obliterated—shattered, then turned to ash.
Silence followed.
Goku exhaled, then looked down at his wristband.
Didn't even climb to the top… and I've already surpassed Tao Pai Pai. This gravity wristband really works.
"Goku, that was incredible!"
"You were amazing!"
Chi-Chi and Krillin rushed forward, hugging him tightly.
"Seriously, Goku! We've been training together, but that strength—how are we supposed to catch up?"
Chi-Chi beamed. "You really crushed him. Tao Pai Pai couldn't even touch you."
Krillin sighed. "Guess we need to bump up our gravity settings if we ever wanna keep up."
Goku grinned. "Once we gather all the Dragon Balls, how about a second climb—this time with weights?"
"Deal!"
"I'm in!"
But before they could enjoy their victory too long, Bulma descended from the tower on the Flying Nimbus.
"Guys, we can't waste time," she said, voice sharp. "Before the Red Ribbon Army realizes Tao Pai Pai is dead, we need to strike their headquarters and take them down."
Krillin blinked. "But… what if they take your parents hostage?"
Bulma clenched her fists. "That's why we strike now. Before they react."
She glanced at the Dragon Balls.
"If we're too late, and they try to use my parents as leverage… at least we have the Dragon Balls. We can't let them fall into enemy hands."
Chi-Chi sighed. "If only we knew where the last Dragon Ball was…"
Bulma thought of the stew-loving trio—the ones who had hidden it in a strange box.
I think I have an idea.
"Forget that for now. Let's go—we head for Red Ribbon HQ!"
Goku stepped forward. "Bulma, it's too dangerous. Let me go alone. You, Krillin, and Chi-Chi should stay behind."