I Should Be Able to Beat Him

"Well, that's unexpected..." Tien Shinhan stepped forward and picked up Krillin, a bitter feeling stirring in his chest.

Broly walked over silently, saying nothing.

"There's a piece of paper here—maybe it has something to do with the guy who killed Krillin?" Oolong picked up a sheet from the ground and muttered under his breath.

Bulma took the paper, examined it closely, and said thoughtfully, "There's a character for 'demon' inside a circle on this paper. What does it mean?"

Hearing this, Master Roshi's face darkened, his expression turning grim.

"You... what did you say?" Master Roshi hurried over, snatched the paper, and scrutinized it.

When he saw the characters on the paper, Master Roshi's face went pale in an instant, and the hand holding the paper trembled.

"What's wrong, old man?" Broly asked with concern.

"Could it be... how is this possible?" Master Roshi's voice grew deeper and heavier.

"What's going on?" Bulma pressed.

"This is King Piccolo's Emblem." Master Roshi's eyes filled with deep fear.

"King Piccolo?" Bulma blinked in surprise.

"I've heard of him..." Tien Shinhan broke out in a sweat. "A long time ago, this King Piccolo turned the world into a terrifying hell, but..."

"But King Piccolo can't possibly appear in this world again." Master Roshi said gravely. "He's an incredibly evil being, and his power is immense—no one could stand against him! He and the monsters he created plunged the world into the abyss of death in no time."

Everyone present was stunned.

"Master Shen and I were still young back then, and even our teacher, Master Mutaito, couldn't beat him." Master Roshi continued. "But Master Mutaito refused to let that demon rule the world and do as he pleased, so he devised a ultimate technique! That was the Evil Containment Wave! In the end, Master Mutaito sealed King Piccolo inside a Rice Cooker... but he exhausted all his energy and paid with his life."

The group fell into silence.

"But... how did King Piccolo escape again?" Master Roshi wondered, puzzled. "I personally sank that Rice Cooker to the bottom of the sea."

"Could it have been Master Shen?" Chiaotzu asked.

"No! Absolutely not—he knows how terrifying King Piccolo is!" Master Roshi shook his head firmly.

"If the one who killed Krillin really is one of King Piccolo's minions, then Goku is in danger." Yamcha said solemnly.

"Goku... please don't die." Master Roshi's face grew even more troubled.

"It'd be best if Goku doesn't find the monster that killed Krillin." Tien Shinhan sighed.

"He'll find it—he's got the Dragon Radar." Launch replied.

"What do you mean? What's a Dragon Radar?" Tien Shinhan was taken aback.

"I'm worried about the things he took..." Master Roshi frowned slightly and said gravely, "The Dragon Balls and the World Martial Arts Tournament roster... what exactly is he planning?"

"Let's wait here for Goku." Broly suggested.

"Alright." Master Roshi nodded in agreement.

Time ticked by, minute after minute.

The sky gradually darkened.

Yet Son Goku still hadn't returned.

"Goku, come back soon. I shouldn't have given him the Dragon Radar." Bulma prayed silently, full of regret.

"Waiting this long with no sign of him—maybe Goku's already been killed..." Master Roshi said with a heavy heart. "Let's head home first. We still have to bury Krillin!"

"Dammit! I don't care who this King Piccolo is! I'll come up with a strategy and wipe him out!" Yamcha clenched his fists in righteous fury.

"What are you babbling about? Who can handle someone that strong?" Bulma snapped angrily. "If you go, you'll just be throwing your life away!"

"He's got the tournament roster—we're all marked anyway." Yamcha said darkly.

Bulma: "..."

Bulma realized he had a point and found herself speechless.

"Yeah! That means I'm off the hook! Good thing I didn't enter the World Martial Arts Tournament." Oolong breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"Idiot! After he conquers the world, do you think you'll have any peace?" Bulma shouted in anger.

"Do you know what kind of technique the Evil Containment Wave was that Master Mutaito used back then?" Tien Shinhan turned to ask Master Roshi.

"No. I don't know." Master Roshi shook his head.

"Maybe we should call the police?" the Referee suggested.

"The police are no match for him either—it'd just cause panic in society." Master Roshi sighed. "Let's think of something ourselves. If Goku comes back, tell him we've gone home."

"Understood. I believe you'll save this world." The Referee nodded.

"Are you still willing to come with us?" Tien Shinhan asked.

"Of course. The more of you, the better." Master Roshi welcomed it.

"Ah! This is terrible—my future's pitch black!" Oolong sniffled, on the verge of tears.

"Shut up! It's not just your future!" Launch fumed. After speaking, she glanced at Broly, who was staring up at the stars, and quickly asked, "Broly, what are you looking at?"

"Nothing much... I don't think this King Piccolo guy is all that impressive. I could probably beat him." Broly said thoughtfully.

Everyone on the scene froze, all eyes turning to focus on Broly.

Even Broly felt a bit embarrassed under the stares, unable to help letting out a simple, foolish grin.

"Broly, don't talk nonsense!" Master Roshi said in a low voice. "You've never trained a day in your life. All you do is eat and sleep... Forget it, I won't bother scolding you."

"I'm serious." Broly scratched his head.

"Shut up! We'll talk when we get home!" Master Roshi snapped in irritation.

Broly quickly covered his mouth and said no more.

He'd just take things one step at a time.

If this so-called King Piccolo dared to come looking for trouble...

He wouldn't mind smashing him flat!

Bulma tossed out a Hoi-Poi Capsule.

"Pop!"

The capsule transformed into a jet helicopter.

Everyone boarded the helicopter.

Soon, Broly and the others returned to Master Roshi's island.

They waited another night.

Son Goku still hadn't come back.

Everyone felt a knot in their stomachs.

With Goku not back yet, there was a good chance he'd already met with misfortune.

After all, he'd already burned through nearly all his energy fighting Tien Shinhan at the World Martial Arts Tournament.

"But even a peak-condition Goku wouldn't stand a chance against King Piccolo..." Master Roshi sighed regretfully, shaking his head gently.