Piccolo had already flown thousands of miles—over mountain ranges, across terraced hills, and now over a vast open sea.
But no matter the terrain, he couldn't shake the presence trailing just behind him.
Son Goku.
The gap in their speed was terrifying. Goku was gaining fast, like a scythe-wielding reaper whose blade hovered constantly over Piccolo's neck.
Panic gnawed at him.
'Damn it! Why is this brat so fast?! If this goes on, I'm dead for sure!'
Desperation crept into every corner of his mind. He clenched his fists, snarling with frustration.
'Me—King Piccolo! Being forced into this state?!'
What he didn't know was that Goku could've caught him at any moment. He wasn't going all out—he was waiting, hoping to pressure Piccolo into laying an egg. Goku wasn't trying to kill him outright. He wanted him to leave behind a successor.
But Piccolo just didn't get the hint.
Goku sighed in his pursuit. Guess I'll have to say it outright.
Just then, Piccolo spotted a small island below.
It had dense forest and scattered wildlife. He considered hiding in the trees, but quickly dismissed the idea. Too noisy—startling the birds would give him away immediately.
He grimaced, then burned more of his lifespan to boost his speed further.
Meanwhile, on the coast of that very island, a young blonde girl was walking along the beach.
She looked about seven or eight years old, with twin tails tied neatly on her head, lashes long and fair, and her big blue eyes bright with life.
The waves washed up gently around her bare feet, soaking the hem of her small skirt.
She sighed contentedly. "Mmm~ The water's so cool today… Feels great…"
Just then, she spotted a crab stuck behind a rock.
Eyes lighting up, she dashed over. "Yay! Crab!"
With practiced ease, she snatched it up from behind the pincers. Clearly a seasoned beachcomber.
"Gotcha! Looks like dinner just got better!"
Then she spotted another one.
And then a third.
But now both her hands were full.
"Ugh, not again! I need another hand…"
She turned and looked back toward the trees.
"Where is that dummy Lapis?! What's taking him so long? If he were here, I could've caught five of these already!"
Standing on tiptoes, she scanned the tree line.
No sign of him.
But high in the sky—a shadow approached.
She squinted. "Huh? What's that?"
It was Piccolo.
His escape was nearing its end. Goku was closing in, and his options were running out.
Then he saw her.
A young, delicate girl alone on the beach.
A hostage.
Without hesitation, he dived.
He grabbed her by the head.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!" he screamed. "Take another step, and I'll crush her skull!"
Goku halted midair.
He looked at the girl. A porcelain doll of a child—delicate, confused, frightened.
He sighed.
Piccolo smirked. "Haha! You people are so easy to manipulate! Don't move!"
Goku narrowed his eyes. "Do you really think you can run? You've committed far too many crimes to be spared."
Piccolo sneered. "What, you gonna offer me mercy?"
"No. But I'll offer you a compromise," Goku said calmly. "You're a unique creature. It'd be a shame to erase your species. Lay an egg—leave a successor. I'll let your child live."
Piccolo froze. Then he laughed darkly.
"Ha! And waste this freedom I just regained? I'd rather live than leave behind a child."
Goku's voice dropped cold. "You won't."
"We'll see about that," Piccolo snarled.
Suddenly, a beam of light burst from his fingertip—right into the little girl's stomach.
She wailed in agony.
"What are you doing?!" Goku shouted.
Piccolo grinned. "Don't worry. I missed her vital organs. But if you don't take her to a doctor right now, she'll die."
Then, as he'd done before, Piccolo threw her in the opposite direction and fled.
Goku scowled, but turned instantly and shot after the girl.
He caught her in seconds.
Far behind, Piccolo cackled. "You'd better hurry and get her to safety! I'm outta here!"
"Ughhh… uuuhh…"
The girl's whimpering reached Goku's ears as he cradled her in his arms.
She was pale from blood loss, her breath shallow.
Her blue eyes blinked open.
"Big brother… am I gonna die?"
"No." Goku said firmly.
He landed swiftly and reached into his pouch.
"Here. Eat this."
He placed a Senzu Bean into her mouth.
Crunch. Swallow.
Her wound vanished. Her color returned instantly.
She blinked. "W-What was that? I feel great! Not even a scar!"
"Senzu Bean," Goku said. "You're safe now. I've got to go. That guy ran off again."
He glanced toward the beach. "Where are your parents?"
"My daddy and big brother are in the forest," she answered. "They'll come soon. Don't worry about me—go get him!"
Goku smiled. "Alright. Be careful."
As he flew off, she waved with both hands.
"Bye, big brother!"
Then he was gone.
She stared at the sky, heart pounding.
'Was that… real?'
She touched the hole in her shirt. Her smooth belly was whole.
'He really saved me...'
"Wait… I forgot to ask his name!"
Just then, a boy around her age came running over with a basket.
"Lazuli! I'm here! Let's go catch crabs!"
Lazuli turned with a smile. "Okay!"
Lapis stopped mid-step.
"Y-You're bleeding!!"
Lazuli brushed it off. "It's fine. Don't make a fuss."
Meanwhile, far away…
Piccolo, battered and bleeding, fled on.
"Damn it… that brat really won't let up!"
He thought back to Goku's offer. It echoed in his mind.
He gritted his teeth.
"Fine… you win, monkey…"
With a roar, he channeled every last drop of energy into one final egg.
It flew far into a distant river.
"My child… one day, avenge me!"
Then, turning toward the sky, he saw Goku approaching.
A grin split Piccolo's face.
"Fine. You want my life? Then DIE WITH ME!"
He flew straight at Goku—his body swelling unnaturally, Ki flaring.
Self-destruction.
Goku frowned. "Really? You're going that far?"
Piccolo exploded.
A titanic blast erupted in the sky, shaking the earth.
When the dust settled…
Goku floated above the crater, brushing dust from his shoulders.
"…Still not enough."
In the Lookout
Kami watched it all.
His expression was solemn—but relieved.
He turned to Mr. Popo.
"Popo… was that your doing?"
Popo nodded. "Yes, Kami-sama. I made a deal to keep you alive. Earth can't lose its guardian."
Kami smiled gently.
"…Thank you, Popo."