When Chi-Chi casually suggested that Tights—Bulma's older sister—should also marry Goku to keep Capsule Corp from being split up, Bulma stared at her in disbelief.
Chi-Chi, however, simply looked back with pure sincerity.
Her wide eyes shone with… clarity? Or was it stupidity?
Bulma's eyelid twitched.
'Chi-Chi… do you hear yourself?'
'Back in the other timeline, I risked my life, crossed light-years to Namek for the Dragon Balls. And what did you do? You packed Gohan a full bag of homework.'
'Now I've been reborn, I try to go easy on you—let you marry Goku alongside me. But now you want to throw my sister into the mix too?!'
'Please… I'm scared. Are you going to be the only one in our future family with no brain?'
Bulma screamed internally—but on the outside, she said nothing.
Chi-Chi continued watching her with those same innocent, idiotic eyes.
Seeing Bulma stay silent, Chi-Chi tilted her head.
"Bulma, what's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"
Bulma forced a tired smile.
"Chi-Chi, don't worry about that stuff. I said I'd handle the money, right? Just let me handle it."
"Oh, okay then. I'll listen to you! You're the smartest. Goku and I will both listen to you."
Just as Bulma turned to return to her seat, a shout came from outside.
"Hey! Look out the window—it's a magic carpet!"
Puar's voice followed:
"The guy on it looks kinda funny!"
Everyone rushed to the window. Bulma looked too—and her eyes narrowed.
'Mr. Popo?!'
Floating just outside the aircraft, Mr. Popo hovered calmly atop his magic carpet.
Everyone stepped out of the plane to greet him.
"Hello, everyone," Mr. Popo said with his usual serenity. "I am Mr. Popo."
Bulma approached.
"Nice to meet you… is there something you need from us?"
The magic carpet gently lowered to the ground. Mr. Popo's bright, unblinking eyes scanned the group. He paused briefly on Chi-Chi and Krillin before looking at Bulma.
"I serve the Guardian of Earth. I've come on his behalf to ask a favor."
That stunned the group.
"The Guardian of Earth?"
"He rides a magic carpet?!"
Snow whispered to Krillin, "Wait… does this world really have a god?"
Krillin frowned. "I mean, he says he's a servant of God… but what kind of god asks us for help? Could be a scam."
Mr. Popo ignored the skeptical murmurs and continued.
"The Guardian watches over the Earth from his sanctuary. Today, he observed the entire World Martial Arts Tournament… and we were shocked. Shocked to see such powerful martial artists in the mortal world."
He looked directly at Krillin and Chi-Chi.
Both of them stiffened.
'Did the Guardian just compliment us?'
They flushed and lowered their heads shyly.
Krillin whispered to Snow, "Okay… I think this guy's legit."
Snow nodded. "Yeah… I think so too."
Mr. Popo went on.
"However, a disaster has recently struck the world. The being known as King Piccolo has returned."
"King Piccolo?!" Yamcha blurted out.
Snow turned to Krillin. "I've heard that name before…"
Krillin's face grew grim.
"I learned about him back at the temple," he said. "Three hundred years ago, King Piccolo nearly plunged the entire world into darkness. He was ruthless, unmatched in power. He and the monsters he created ravaged the earth… until one day, he vanished. That's how peace returned."
Gasps rippled through the group.
Snow covered her mouth in disbelief.
'We just got together… and now the world's ending?!'
She instinctively gripped Krillin's hand tighter.
Krillin squeezed her hand reassuringly and looked at Mr. Popo.
"Mr. Popo… the King Piccolo you're talking about—is it really the same person?"
Mr. Popo nodded solemnly.
"Yes. You are correct."
"Then… why are you here?" Krillin asked. "Are you offering to help us defeat him?"
Everyone's eyes lit up with hope.
Chi-Chi leaned forward. "Yeah! You're God's servant, right? Can't you help us destroy him?"
Mr. Popo shook his head.
"According to our observations, the top martial artists in the world today are already powerful enough to defeat King Piccolo. In fact… there are three humans capable of doing it. Two of them… are right here."
Bulma instantly understood—he meant Goku, Chi-Chi, and Krillin.
Goku was off searching for Roshi. That left Krillin and Chi-Chi as the top contenders present.
The others turned to look at the two.
Chi-Chi pointed to herself. "You mean… me and Krillin?"
Mr. Popo nodded.
"Yes. That's why I'm here. I've come to ask one favor."
Bulma stepped forward. "What is it? Go ahead."
Mr. Popo raised a hand.
"Please don't interrupt until I finish. You'll understand everything."
Everyone nodded solemnly.
Mr. Popo took a breath.
"To become Guardian of Earth, one must purge all evil from their heart. Long ago, when the current Guardian underwent that purification… he cast out his darkness."
"That darkness… became King Piccolo."
The revelation struck everyone silent.
"Piccolo and the Guardian… are two halves of the same being."
Gasps.
"Furthermore, the Dragon Balls were created by the Guardian. If he dies, the Dragon Balls will become stone forever. All hope for the future would vanish."
Mr. Popo bowed deeply.
"So please… I beg of you. Defeat King Piccolo, but do not kill him."
The group fell into stunned silence.
Piccolo and the Guardian… were one?
The Dragon Balls—made by the Guardian?
Snow clenched Krillin's hand tightly. She knew the power of the Dragon Balls.
If not for them, her family would still be buried underground.
If not for the them, Krillin would've never met her.
If not for the search for the Dragon Balls, Chi-Chi wouldn't have met Goku at Fire Mountain.
Their fates were bound to the Dragon Balls.
Bulma stepped forward, breaking the silence.
"Mr. Popo… we accept your request."
He blinked.
"Can you speak for everyone?"
Everyone else immediately nodded.
"We agree with Bulma!"
"Yeah, count us in!"
"We'll do our best!"
Mr. Popo looked truly moved.
"Thank you… thank you all."
He straightened up.
"Though your strength is great, your hearts are still unrefined. If you survive this and defeat King Piccolo, you are welcome to climb Korin Tower and come to the Sanctuary. I will guide your further training."
He bowed once more, then ascended back into the sky on his magic carpet, disappearing into the clouds.
Meanwhile, Goku had reached the backstage of the tournament, breath short.
But no one was there.
'Good… maybe Tambourine hasn't come yet.'
Then—
A cry.
He dashed toward the sound.
Moments later, he found the tournament announcer slumped on the ground alongside several unfamiliar martial artists—all unconscious, some not breathing at all.
A flyer with the word "魔" ("Demon") drifted to the floor.
Goku's eyes scanned the area. 'No sign of Master Roshi.'
Just then, the announcer groaned and lifted his head.
"Goku…? Is that you…?"
Goku rushed over.
"You're alive?!"
The man coughed violently.
"There was… a monster. He stole the list of tournament contestants. Said… he's going to kill them all. Please… call the police…"
Blood dripped from his mouth.
Goku's eyes flashed. He pulled a Senzu Bean from his pouch and shoved it in the man's mouth.
"Chew it! Quick!"
Moments later, the announcer gasped.
"All my pain's… gone! What did you give me?!"
But when he looked up—
Goku was already gone.
"Wait! Goku!"
He stood, dazed.
"He's going after that monster…"
He clenched his fists.
"He's not like the rest of us… He can win. He will save the world!"
In the skies above, Goku flew over the tournament grounds, scanning for signs of movement.
But the silence was heavy. Still. No battle sounds. No ki flares.
"…Already gone?"
'But where's Master Roshi?'
He floated higher, scanning the horizon.
"MASTER ROSHI!!"
No response.
"Don't tell me he's really in the toilet…"
Goku scratched his head, suddenly losing motivation.
But then—
He felt it.
A flicker of Ki. Distant. Chaotic. Violent.
His eyes sharpened.
"…Someone's fighting."
And just like that, he shot off into the distance, wind howling behind him.