Aboard Pilaf's flying ship—
"Lord Piccolo, we've found the last Dragon Ball!"
Pilaf's voice trembled with excitement as he relayed Mai's message.
The withered demon king's eyes glowed, laughter bursting from his dry throat.
"Hahaha! At last… Soon, I shall reclaim my youthful power!"
Even his birdlike attendant smiled in relief. "This is wonderful, Your Majesty. You'll be invincible once you're young again."
"As long as you're revived to full strength, the world is yours," added Shu, eyes glinting with flattery.
Pilaf and his henchmen crowded around Piccolo with faces full of obsequious delight—each one fantasizing about their own reward. After all, they'd found the Dragon Balls. Surely they'd earn a corner of the world once Piccolo was in charge.
They had risked everything—especially when they unknowingly opened a sealed rice cooker from the ocean and freed a demon instead of a treasure. They were already regretting that mistake.
Moments later, Mai and Cymbal returned. Mai carefully presented the final Dragon Ball and immediately retreated—standing too close to Piccolo was suffocating.
He plucked the orb between two claws, a twisted smile crawling across his face.
"To think it came together so easily... all seven, in my hands… hahahaha…"
He turned to Pilaf. "The summoning ritual. Tell me."
Pilaf nodded eagerly. "Just place them in a circle and chant: 'Rise, Shenron, and grant my wish!' He'll appear."
"That's it?" Piccolo narrowed his eyes.
"Yes! That's all there is to it, Your Majesty!"
"Very well. Land the ship. The time has come!"
As the ship touched down, Piccolo disgorged the six Dragon Balls from his throat. All seven gathered, glowing with an ethereal golden light.
Nearby, Cymbal's eyes burned with pride—his father was about to rise again.
But just as Piccolo prepared to speak…
A figure stepped forward through the haze.
It was Son Goku.
Cymbal's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?! Dare to barge in now of all times?!"
Goku didn't even look at him. His attention was fixed on Piccolo.
This… was not a man. His height, his aura—every breath reeked of death. Goku could sense it. The old demon king didn't have long.
What the hell had he been doing to burn through his life so quickly?
Pilaf jolted. "Wha—how did you find us, brat?! This isn't a playground! Don't you know who this is?! That's King Piccolo, the terrifying, world-destroying demon lord! Scram!"
Piccolo chuckled. "So… you've come for the Dragon Balls, boy?"
Goku shook his head. "Nope."
"…Huh?"
"I came to kill you."
Piccolo blinked.
Then howled with laughter.
"You know who I am, and still think you can kill me? You're more foolish than you look! Cymbal! Kill him!"
"Yes, my lord!"
As Cymbal lunged, Goku casually raised a hand. A single, silent Ki blast flew forward—barely a flicker.
BOOM.
Cymbal was obliterated instantly. Not even ashes remained.
For a moment, no one reacted. It was too sudden.
Then Piccolo howled, clutching his head.
"You damn brat! You DARE kill my warrior before my very eyes?!"
"I told you, Piccolo. He was never my goal. You are."
Piccolo's eyes widened. "Wait… you killed Tambourine too?!"
Goku nodded. "He died easier than a bug."
Fury surged in Piccolo's veins. He tore off his cloak with a scream.
"Even in my state, I'll show you the power of King Piccolo!"
He lunged, claws extended like daggers.
But Goku was gone.
Piccolo blinked. He had missed. Not even a shadow.
Before he could react, Goku reappeared in mid-air and spun—a devastating kick to the gut.
Piccolo's body folded. His eyes bulged, bloodshot and wide. His mouth hung open in agony as he was launched backward, crashing through a stone outcrop.
Goku didn't finish him. He waited.
From the rubble, Piccolo staggered up—bruised, rattled, humiliated.
From a distance, Pilaf's trio stared in horror.
"Damn… it's been only three years, but Goku's gotten that strong?"
"…Should we run now?" Shu whispered.
Mai, red-faced, clutched her cheeks. "He's so cool when he fights…"
Pilaf turned to her—only to catch a glimpse of the seven Dragon Balls lying unattended.
A plan snapped into place.
"Mai, Shu—grab the balls and summon Shenron somewhere else!"
Mai and Shu exchanged a look, then crept toward the Dragon Balls.
Meanwhile, Piccolo crawled from the rubble, panting. His gaze trembled.
'What… what is he?! I was asleep for just three centuries! How did a monster like him show up?!'
He chuckled darkly. "Fine. You're strong. But let's see you survive this!"
Goku tilted his head. "Oh? Trying to bait me?"
Piccolo's brow twitched. "You—!"
Goku smiled. "Go ahead. Show me your ultimate attack."
Piccolo raised his arm. A golden glow pulsed in his palm.
"DIE!!"
A massive beam erupted, swallowing Goku in smoke and flame.
"HAHAHAHA! Got you! That blast vaporized everything!"
But then—
A breeze scattered the smoke.
Goku stood there, spotless.
"…What were you laughing at?"
"…What?"
Piccolo stared at his hands. Then at Goku.
'Even my strongest blast… nothing?! Have I grown that weak…?'
He gritted his teeth. "Dragon Balls! I still have them! I can turn this around!"
He spun and began to prepare an egg.
Goku raised an eyebrow. 'Wait—is he laying another kid? Should I dodge that?'
But no—Piccolo only gasped a few times, then stopped. His Ki sank again.
Goku frowned. 'Don't die yet… You haven't laid the kid!'
Suddenly, clouds churned above them. Thunder rolled.
Piccolo looked up. "What's going on?!"
Goku grinned. "Oh, that. Shenron's coming. You said you wanted a wish, right?"
"You're… letting me make it?"
"Sure. Go ahead. If you're going to die soon, I'd at least like a fight at your best."
Piccolo was stunned. Then delighted.
"You won't regret this, brat!"
He flew toward the pulsing storm.
Shenron's massive body began to take form, rising through the clouds.
As Goku followed, Shenron's voice echoed across the land:
"Speak your wish. I shall grant one."
Pilaf leapt forward. "Shenron! I wish to rule the wor—"
BOOM!
A beam of energy tore through the air, aimed right at them.
They froze.
Death was inches away.
Their eyes reflected the incoming light. They felt their bodies tremble.
"I was too careless!" Pilaf cursed.
"I should've run faster!" Shu wailed.
"We're cursed!" Mai sobbed.
Just as the beam was about to hit—
Goku appeared.
With a flick of his hand, he batted the attack aside like it was nothing.
It exploded harmlessly in the distance.
The trio collapsed in a heap, gasping for breath.
"…He saved us?"
Mai blushed. "You don't think he… loves me?"
Shu gagged. "Wait… you're a girl?"
Pilaf stared between them. "Mai, if he marries you, don't forget the gang, alright?"
Mai nodded solemnly. "I'll never forget you two."
Meanwhile, Piccolo landed in front of Shenron.
He ignored the trio entirely.
"I wish to regain my youth! Restore me!"
Shenron's eyes flashed.
Golden energy bathed Piccolo.
His skin smoothed. His muscles swelled.
Piccolo howled in euphoria. "YES! My power is BACK!"
Shenron's body shimmered.
"Your wish has been granted. Farewell."
The Dragon Balls scattered.
Goku watched silently.
'He didn't kill Shenron… That's odd. In the old timeline, he destroyed him to delay revival… Hmm.'
Piccolo turned around, eyes blazing.
"Thank you, boy."
He raised a hand.
"As a reward, I'll use my full power to kill you."