Easy Instant Kill!

(The cover is finally done!! Yay! How does it look, fellow readers?!)

"This energy... is Piccolo! He came after all... but the other energies seem to be Yamcha, Tien Shinhan... Chiaotzu, and Krillin... Why are they here?! At this rate, they'll all run into each other on the way."

Son Goku flew through the air with a serious expression, frowning slightly as he sensed several energies all heading in the same direction, muttering to himself.

This time, Goku was both surprised and shocked by that inexplicably powerful energy that had appeared. It far surpassed him... and what's more, it was filled with an evil aura—far stronger than even Piccolo's, the "little demon king" of Earth. That was why he'd come, to see who it was.

As for fear... Goku didn't really feel any. He was more troubled.

"Son Goku really did come too! And some small fry... but..."

Piccolo also flew rapidly toward a certain direction, suddenly sensing several familiar energies, his expression darkening.

This was the first time Piccolo felt a sense of defeat. Just sensing that overwhelming energy from afar nearly made him lose the will to fight. After all, their battle power was barely around 300 at this point—nowhere near Betkas's full power of 110,000, a difference of more than a hundredfold!

...A few minutes later...

"It's really Goku!! Hey!! Hey!! Goku!"

Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu, and Krillin were also heading toward where Betkas was. On the way, they spotted a familiar, reliable figure, and Krillin shouted joyfully.

"Krillin, it's you guys! Why are you here too?!"

Goku, flying ahead, turned his head slightly and smiled when he saw Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu, and Krillin. He slowed down a bit, and when they got close, he asked.

"Honestly, it's embarrassing. If I could, I really wouldn't want to come."

Yamcha said in a trembling, low voice. Goku looked at him and understood how he felt. After all, facing such a powerful opponent took courage just to show up. Even Piccolo had nearly lost his will to fight, let alone Yamcha and the others, who were even weaker.

"But... if he's going to destroy the world, hiding won't help either. It's better to join forces. Maybe..."

Tien Shinhan cut in, but before he could finish, a cold laugh interrupted.

"Hmph... maybe there's still a sliver of hope! But a bunch of weaklings like you going there wouldn't even count as cannon fodder."

Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, Krillin, and Chiaotzu were startled, then turned to look at the source of the voice. Goku just smirked, glancing sideways at the arriving Piccolo.

"Piccolo!! What are you doing here?!"

Krillin asked in shock, staring at Piccolo in fear. The other three were also on high alert.

"Piccolo... Earth's in a huge crisis this time."

Goku didn't react much, just spoke with an odd tone.

"Hmph, Son Goku. You don't need to tell me. If he really plans to destroy the world, I can't escape either. In that case, I might as well not hide. What's wrong with teaming up with you lot for once?!"

Piccolo snorted arrogantly.

"Then I'm a lot more confident."

Goku said something that left everyone confused.

"How confident?!"

Piccolo looked at Goku with a strange expression, puzzled. The other four were also bewildered.

"Fighting together is still better than going alone. After all, with my strength alone, I'm not too sure about this opponent. If you join in, Piccolo, at least there's a bit more of a chance."

Goku said seriously.

"Hmph, in the end, it's still just adding 0.0001% to the odds of winning, isn't it?! What a waste of words!"

Piccolo's mouth twitched slightly, then he said in exasperation. Goku just smiled without replying, while the other four looked on blankly. Still, the six of them kept flying quickly.

A few minutes later... a vast forest appeared before them.

"It's here. Everyone, suppress your energy! Don't let him notice us!"

Piccolo checked the distance, then led the way with Goku as they dove toward the ground, giving instructions.

Everyone nodded gravely, then suppressed their energy. After that, they slowly walked forward.

"Gulp!"

Walking through the silent forest sent chills down their spines. Krillin swallowed nervously, looking around left and right. Goku and Piccolo led the way at the front, alert and serious. Tien Shinhan, Yamcha, and Chiaotzu followed, sweating coldly.

When they reached a strange, large crater, they all stopped.

"The energy lingers here... What is that thing?!"

Goku looked at the round spaceship in the crater, staring at it curiously.

"Could that be a spaceship?!"

Yamcha said with a shiver.

"Then... are we really dealing with aliens this time?!"

Tien Shinhan said, sweating.

The others fell silent... but then a sudden voice made them all tense up.

"Long time no see... Kakarot."

A cold, detached voice reached everyone's ears. They all spun around in shock, looking up at the sky behind them. There, floating in the air, was a handsome man with light yellow hair, staring at them with an indifferent expression. It was Betkas.

"Who are you?!"

Son Goku and the others immediately braced themselves in a fighting stance, then asked with a serious expression.

"My name? Hmph... you want to know..."

Betkas suddenly sneered, then spoke slowly. The next instant, he vanished before their eyes.

"Bam!"

"Whoa!"

"Bam!"

"Pfft!"

"Bam!"

"Ah!"

"Bam!"

"Eek!"

Suddenly, when Son Goku and Piccolo reacted, they found Betkas right in front of them. In a single exchange, Yamcha, Krillin, Tien Shinhan, and Chiaotzu all cried out in pain as they were struck and sent flying backward.

"Yamcha... Tien Shinhan, Krillin, Chiaotzu!!"

Son Goku snapped out of it with a start and shouted.

"This guy!! Haaah!!"

Piccolo was also shocked—he realized he hadn't even caught the opponent's movements. Such terrifying speed made him tremble. But the next moment, his right hand fired a pale golden circular Ki Blast toward Betkas.

"Is this a toy?!"

Betkas looked disdainfully at Piccolo's attack, then somehow produced a small stone in his left hand. He pressed his thumb against his middle finger and flicked it out.

"Whoosh!!"

"Boom!!!"

The stone shot through Piccolo's Ki Blast at incredible speed, detonating the energy. Due to its rapid flight, the stone even grazed Piccolo's cheek, drawing a trickle of his strange pale purple blood.

At the same time, the explosion of the Ki Blast kicked up a cloud of dust. Son Goku retreated a few steps into the air, his face grim as he watched. Piccolo stared ahead, both hands trembling.

When the dust fully cleared, Betkas still stood there as if nothing had happened—but he had already put immense pressure on the two.

"As I thought... no good!"

Betkas raised his right hand and wagged his index finger, speaking with a look of utter contempt.