"Broly, are you really the one who defeated King Piccolo?" Yamcha couldn't hold back his curiosity and astonishment any longer. He edged closer to Broly, who was devouring the steaming dumplings Launch had just cooked for him, and asked cautiously.
"Didn't I already tell you?" Broly swallowed a plump dumpling and took a sip of soup, his expression as calm as ever. He spoke as if he were discussing something as ordinary as eating or drinking. "Why not just kill him outright? Why make things so complicated, with the Evil Containment Wave and the Rice Cooker and all?"
At that moment, Broly's tone even carried a hint of confusion at Master Roshi's complicated plan.
Everyone was left speechless by Broly's offhand answer.
Thinking back, Broly had indeed said something like that before they set out. It was just that everyone had assumed he was either joking or recklessly overestimating himself.
They never imagined... Broly had been serious, and he really could do it!
Then, as Master Roshi recounted the story with vivid enthusiasm, spittle flying, he embellished every detail: how Broly had struck like lightning, how effortlessly he had pinned King Piccolo's head down, how he'd dealt with him like a swatted fly, and how he'd used King Piccolo's corpse to smash the spaceship.
Of course, he very naturally and casually skipped over the humiliating part where Broly had urgently pressed his head into the ground. Instead, he focused on Broly's astonishing prowess and on the pride and relief he felt as Broly's guardian.
After Master Roshi finished his colorful account, everyone sighed in amazement once more. Their looks at Broly grew even more complicated, filled with wonder, disbelief, and a trace of awe. They showered him with praise.
"Broly, you're something else!" Krillin worked up the nerve to step forward and punch Broly on the shoulder with a grin. He grimaced and shook out his hand, looking impressed. "I never knew you were hiding so much strength! You're always so quiet and unassuming, but when it counts, you're a monster!"
"I wasn't hiding it." Broly swallowed his food, raised his head, and gave Krillin a simple, open smile as he corrected him. "I just don't like training. It's boring. But that doesn't mean I'm weak."
Broly's reasoning was simple and direct, as though strength were something he'd been born with and didn't need to work for.
"But still, when you fought King Piccolo, you must've used everything you had, right? He was a legendary demon, after all!" Yamcha chimed in with a smile, trying to estimate the upper limit of Broly's strength.
In Yamcha's imagination, it must have been a world-shaking battle.
Master Roshi heard him and immediately covered his face in anguish, turning his head away so he wouldn't have to watch.
The same words... the same question... I asked him that, too!
Young man, you're just too young...
I advise you not to ask that question!
Otherwise, Broly's about to start that infuriating bragging routine of his again!
Sure enough, Broly stopped chewing and scratched his thick black hair in earnest, as if trying to recall and calculate something. Then he answered with complete honesty, "No. I only used... um... about one ten-millionth of my power."
Master Roshi: "..."
Master Roshi felt his blood pressure shoot up. He couldn't bear to listen anymore.
That's not the number you told me earlier!
You swore you'd used one tenth of one ten-thousandth of your power!
It hasn't even been half a day, and now it's shrunk to one ten-millionth?!
How does your story get more ridiculous every time?
Did your gym teacher teach you math?!
Wait, I think I was your gym teacher...
"Ahem... ahem, ahem..." Master Roshi choked on his own saliva and coughed twice, pointedly. At the same time, he kept winking at Broly.
Master Roshi was afraid that if Broly kept going, next time he'd claim it was "one hundred-millionth."
If you exaggerate too much, heaven will strike you down!
"Old man, I don't think what I told you earlier was quite right." Broly seemed to understand what Master Roshi's expressive face was trying to tell him, but he still looked serious, his tone somewhat apologetic. "I've never been good at math, so I make mistakes when I calculate. I had nothing to do on the way back, so I worked it out carefully again. I think one ten-millionth of my power is a more accurate estimate for an opponent of that level."
Master Roshi: "..."
Master Roshi gave up completely. He felt exhausted and didn't want to say another word.
A moment later, Master Roshi quietly walked to the corner, picked up a glass of water, and downed it to extinguish the blazing fire of his urge to complain.
Krillin listened to the absurd exchange, wiping at the beads of cold sweat that were both there and not there on his forehead. The corner of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.
Broly, my good buddy, can you stop bragging with such a straight face?
If you said you'd used one percent, or even one tenth of your power, we might have believed you!
One ten-millionth of your power?!
What does that even mean?!
That boast has broken through the atmosphere and is headed straight for outer space!
"Really? Broly, you're so amazing! You're that strong with just one ten-millionth of your power!" Launch clasped her hands to her chest. Her big blue eyes shone with boundless admiration and trust, as if she were looking at the greatest hero in the world. Little stars practically sparkled in her eyes. She believed every word Broly said.
It seemed Launch was the only one there who believed him without reservation.
Yamcha saw how completely starstruck Launch was and couldn't help feeling both amused and helpless.
That's it... Launch has really fallen for Broly. She's become his most devoted little fan!
You believe something that so clearly defies the laws of physics and conservation of energy?
Love really does make people blind!
"Grandpa," Son Goku said, turning away from the discussion of Broly's strength. His face was full of excitement and anticipation as he spoke to Master Roshi. "Master Korin said Kami wants to see me."
"Y-you said what?" Master Roshi had been lost in regret over his failure as a math teacher. He froze for a moment, then his face filled with utter shock. His eyes widened, and his voice shot up an octave. "K-Kami?! The Kami who lives above the Lookout?!"
"That's what Master Korin said, though I'm not really sure what it's about." Son Goku scratched his head and grinned.
"Then go! You have to go! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" Master Roshi came to his senses and nodded vigorously, his face flushed with excitement. He patted Son Goku's shoulders, speaking rapidly. "If you train under Kami and learn from him, your strength will improve by leaps and bounds!"
He paused.
"Take Broly along, too!" Master Roshi added.
"No!" Broly refused without a moment's thought.
Master Roshi: "..."
Before you continue