Can He Surpass Him? That Broly Is Monstrously Strong!

"Yeah, he seems to be holding back a drive to get stronger, especially wanting to surpass that kid named Broly." Master Korin smiled, as if seeing through Son Goku's thoughts.

"Can he do it? That Broly sounds like a monster strong." Yajirobe pressed curiously.

"If he trains hard under the Kami, it shouldn't be a big problem." Master Korin nodded, confident in Son Goku's talent and potential.

But then Master Korin flashed a mischievous grin and added, "Though... when he meets the Kami, he'll be in for a huge shock. That expression will be priceless."

"What do you mean?" Yajirobe's curiosity was piqued. "Is the Kami's face that scary? Fangs and tusks? Or three eyes?"

"Well, in a way, it really is terrifying." Master Korin stroked his whiskers, his smile deepening. "And it's a face Goku knows well—one he'd never forget."

Son Goku had no idea about the conversation atop the tower. He clung tightly to the rapidly ascending Power Pole, hurtling through howling winds for several minutes, piercing thick layers of clouds.

Finally, at the edge of his vision, he spotted a magnificent structure like an island, its base an inverted cone, hovering silently tens of thousands of feet in the air—Kami's Lookout!

"Clack!"

A soft impact rang out as the tip of the swiftly extending Power Pole precisely connected with a corresponding socket on the underside of the Lookout, coming to a steady halt.

Son Goku hooked his agile tail around a ladder dangling from the Lookout's base, then scrambled up hand over foot like an orange lightning bolt, climbing swiftly.

When his feet finally touched the solid, ancient ground of Kami's Lookout, he let out a long breath and gazed curiously at this mysterious, solemn place. Clouds swirled around the temple, making it feel like a celestial realm.

The first thing Son Goku saw was a figure standing motionless nearby, like a statue.

The man's skin was pitch black, he wore exotic clothing, had a round build, and bore no expression, silently watching him.

"Hey, hello." Though surprised by the man's skin color and attire, Son Goku flashed his trademark friendly smile and waved.

"Hello." The dark figure raised a hand and waved mechanically, his voice flat and emotionless, like still deep water.

"Are you the Kami?" Son Goku stepped forward curiously, examining him up and down.

"I am not the Kami," the dark figure shook his head and introduced himself, "I am Mr. Popo, the Kami's attendant. Come with me. The Kami knows you're here and wants to see you."

"Oh, okay!" Son Goku perked up at the prospect of meeting the Kami, nodding eagerly. He obediently followed Mr. Popo toward the main temple building, muttering excitedly under his breath, "So pumped! Finally gonna meet the Kami!"

Under Mr. Popo's guidance, they crossed a wide plaza and arrived at the solemn main gate.

"Wait here. Don't wander off." Mr. Popo stopped before the closed gate and instructed Son Goku.

"Yes, yes." Son Goku nodded promptly, standing still and proper, but his eyes darted around curiously, his heart full of anticipation and a hint of nervousness.

The next moment, the heavy main gate slowly swung open.

A figure stepped out with steady strides from the dim interior, emerging into the bright sunlight, clearly coming into Son Goku's view.

The moment Son Goku saw the Kami's face, the excitement, anticipation, and curiosity on his face vanished like an ebbing tide, leaving nothing behind!

Son Goku's pupils shrank to pinpricks, his face turned ashen, then twisted into extreme shock, rage, and disbelief!

"It's... it's King Piccolo! You bastard are still alive!!" Son Goku cried out in alarm, practically roaring the words!

Without a moment's hesitation, Son Goku's inner energy exploded, his combat instincts overriding all thought!

Then, dropping his center of gravity, he clenched his right fist and, with a howling rush of air and all his strength, threw a powerful punch toward the Kami, who had just stepped out and seemed not yet fully steady!

This punch, fueled by fury, struck like a thunderbolt!

"Hey! Wait! It's not what you think!" Mr. Popo shouted in alarm at the sudden turn of events.

Facing Son Goku's earth-shattering punch, the newly appeared Kami showed no panic, not even shifting his footing.

The Kami simply raised a hand slowly, extending a finger that looked frail yet held unfathomable power, and lightly, casually flicked it against Son Goku's fist, which was wrapped in violent energy.

"Snap!"

A crisp sound, like flicking away a speck of dust.

The next instant, Son Goku felt an utterly irresistible, overwhelming force surge from that finger, sweeping through his entire body!

His forward momentum halted abruptly, and he flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily onto the hard floor over a dozen meters away, tumbling several times before stopping.

"Mr. Popo, help him up!" The Kami's face remained impassive as he gave the order in a calm, even tone.

"Yes!" Mr. Popo acknowledged, easily hauling Son Goku up with his dark, powerful arm and explaining in his flat voice, "Calm down! Look closely! This isn't King Piccolo!"

"Huh?" Son Goku blinked, stunned, then squinted and studied the Kami from a distance.

Indeed, on closer inspection, though the face was strikingly similar, the eyes were completely different.

King Piccolo's eyes brimmed with brutality, cruelty, and a lust for destruction.

But this one's eyes were deep, peaceful, carrying a wisdom born of long experience and a faint, gentle compassion, with no trace of evil aura.

"That mischievous little cat, Master Korin! Didn't he tell you anything?" The Kami sighed helplessly and shook his head, seeing Son Goku's still skeptical expression.

Son Goku: "????"

More question marks popped up over Son Goku's head, utterly baffled by what the Kami was saying.