After regaining his youth, King Piccolo brimmed with confidence—he looked every bit like Vegeta walking out of closed-door training.
Goku hooked a finger at him. "Come on. I've been waiting."
Piccolo didn't hesitate. In the blink of an eye, he launched himself toward Goku with a devastating punch, filled with raw strength and explosive speed—enough to level a small town, he thought.
Surely this brat couldn't survive such force.
But Goku didn't dodge.
The punch landed—and didn't budge him.
Goku's small hand had caught it. Piccolo tried to pull back, but Goku's grip was like a steel trap. The demon king's expression twisted in disbelief.
'What… the hell?!'
He had only just unleashed his power… but this was enough to make him question reality.
"No way! You shouldn't be able to block that!"
Goku met his eyes. "What's wrong? Doubting yourself already? Realizing that even with your youth restored, you're still no match for me?"
Piccolo wrenched his arm free and stumbled back, a cold sweat breaking out across his forehead.
"What are you?! What kind of human are you?!"
"You talk a lot for a so-called Demon King. What, trying to stall for time now? Sorry—I'm not much of a talker. And frankly, you're too weak to be interesting. If that's all you've got…"
Goku's tone dropped.
"…I'll just end this now."
"Damn you!" Piccolo growled. "Mocking me like this—wounding the pride of King Piccolo—I'll make you PAY!"
He planted his feet, muscles bulging, veins popping, and began powering up.
His green skin rippled with Ki as the ground shook violently. The sky itself seemed to tense in anticipation.
When he finally raised a hand, a gust of power shot toward Goku—a slicing wind that whipped the earth like a typhoon.
But Goku didn't move.
Not even a scratch.
Only swirling dust remained from Piccolo's effort.
Goku gave a slight nod. "Not bad. What was that technique?"
"You think I only got a little stronger from this secret technique?" Piccolo sneered. "That power-up came at the cost of my lifespan!"
Goku tilted his head. "Really? So it made you, what—twice as strong? Three times?"
He smiled faintly.
"But whether it's one ant or a few ants… I still can't feel the difference."
Piccolo's eyes went wide.
"You dare call King Piccolo an ANT?!"
Furious, he lunged, throwing another vicious punch at Goku's head.
Smack!
It landed—clean on Goku's forehead.
Goku didn't flinch.
"…Weak," he sighed.
Then his knee shot upward.
It smashed into Piccolo's gut with a crunch. The demon king's back arched, drool flying from his gaping mouth. He staggered back, legs trembling.
Sweat beaded his brow. He was already exhausted.
Goku shook his head.
"Boring. You're done."
A blinding energy glow formed in Goku's hand as he walked forward.
Piccolo, terrified, stumbled away.
He didn't want to die—not now, not just after regaining his youth.
Meanwhile, high above in the Lookout—
Kami watched the battle unfold. His expression was complex, but mostly… relieved.
"That child is… unbelievable. Piccolo can't even survive a single move. I suppose… it's time I said farewell to this world."
He closed his eyes, prepared for death.
But death didn't come.
He opened them again.
In disbelief, he looked back down at Earth—just in time to see a shocking sight.
Piccolo had grabbed Mai by the head and was using her as a hostage.
"Don't come any closer, or I'll crush her skull!"
Goku blinked.
"Really? You're going for hostage tactics now?"
"You saved her earlier!" Piccolo barked. "I saw it! Don't pretend she doesn't matter to you!"
Goku frowned. "Come on. You're the Demon King. If you wanted something, just say it. Honestly, I barely know her. She's basically a stranger."
He kept walking.
"Don't move! One more step and I'll kill her!"
Piccolo's grip tightened. Mai whimpered in pain, tears streaming down her face.
Goku stopped.
A smirk crept over Piccolo's lips. "Heh… got him. Just as I thought—human weakness lies in the heart. Even a stranger can be a weakness."
He bent down, picked up a rock, and snapped it toward Goku's knee.
Ping!
It bounced off harmlessly.
"…What was that?" Goku asked.
Piccolo cursed under his breath. "That didn't work?!"
"Really?" Goku chuckled. "A pebble? You thought that would break my leg?"
'This guy has no weaknesses… I'm screwed,' Piccolo thought.
Still holding Mai, he screamed, "Don't follow me! Or she dies!"
Goku shrugged. "Let her go and I'll let you go. Fair trade."
Piccolo sneered. "You think I'm dumb enough to believe that? Stay back!"
He took off—Mai still in his grasp.
Goku trailed at a distance.
He knew Piccolo wouldn't risk killing the hostage if it meant his own death.
Suddenly, Piccolo hurled Mai in one direction and bolted in another.
She screamed, flailing through the air like a missile.
"…Clever," Goku muttered.
He changed course instantly.
Mai flew for miles like a human cannonball, but Goku was faster. He caught her midair before she splattered.
He gently set her down. She was shaking.
She had peed herself in fear.
Mortified, Mai clung her knees together. But to her relief, Goku hadn't noticed—his eyes were already scanning the horizon.
With a gust of wind, he flew off again to chase Piccolo.
Mai collapsed to her knees, heart pounding.
'That was… that was a rescue… Like in the movies…'
Tears welled in her eyes.
'He saved me… like a true hero…'
'He's so cool… so strong…'
"They say if someone saves your life, you should offer them everything…"
"But… what if he doesn't like me?"
"Even if I'm just his maid, I'd be happy…"
"Ahhh! What am I saying?! I'm drowning in love!"