Going Back to Farm the Land?

The pig in front of him could think whatever he wanted. Even if Son Gohan knew what was on his mind, he wouldn't care.

By now, he had already decided to change his original plan.

"Hey, we originally planned to do what the villagers asked and get rid of you, the monster who kidnaps people."

"You should understand that, as far as our team is concerned, that wouldn't be difficult."

"Please spare me! I'll agree to any conditions!"

Looking at the cold-faced boy before him, Pig-headed Oolong's knees buckled, and he dropped to the ground without thinking.

"If I wanted to, you could beg all you liked and I still wouldn't change my mind."

"But for certain reasons, I think there's room for negotiation."

"My bargaining chip is your life. As for yours, that depends on how you behave!"

"I've said my piece. Are you in or out?"

After laying out his plan, Son Gohan lightly tapped the ground with his toe. A muffled crack rang out, and the earth beneath him shattered at once, spiderwebbing with jagged fissures for several yards in every direction.

Oolong stared blankly at the sight. His heart began racing, and his legs could no longer support him. He collapsed to the ground in terror.

He understood, of course, that Son Gohan was warning him. What he couldn't bear to imagine was what would have happened if that kick had landed on him. At the very least, his brains would have been splattered everywhere and blood would have poured from his body, right?

"For a moment there, I thought I saw my great-grandma!"

Half his soul had practically fled his body!

"Sir, just tell me what you need. I promise I'll do everything I can to cooperate!"

Wiping the cold sweat from his brow, Oolong pleaded in a trembling voice.

"Simple!"

Seeing that he had successfully cowed Oolong, Son Gohan crouched in front of him with a dangerous, charming smile. He raised two fingers on his right hand and spoke slowly.

"First, I need your transformation incantation. I hope you'll tell it to me without missing a single word."

"Second, an old woman in the village had her granddaughter kidnapped by you. I need to take her to your castle to find her granddaughter. I hope you won't make trouble for us."

"Easy enough, right?"

After speaking, Son Gohan gently patted Oolong's cheek. Oolong was still a little dazed.

"Yes, yes!"

Those two light pats were enough to make Oolong stop thinking up schemes.

"I'll do everything just as you say!"

Though he hated the thought of someone learning his signature trick, having been on his own since childhood, he understood all too well how terrifying Son Gohan was.

"It's been a long time since I've met someone this dangerous. You really can't afford to mess with him!"

"Then it's settled. Let's go back."

With their terms agreed upon, Son Gohan kindly "helped" Oolong to his feet, and they returned to the village.

Bulma spotted Son Gohan up ahead from far away. Seeing that he was unharmed, she finally let out the breath she'd been holding.

She happily hopped up and down, calling his name.

"Wuneng, I'm so glad you're okay! Did you catch that monster?"

"Oh!"

Son Gohan smiled as he answered her worried question.

"No, that monster was too strong. We fought to a draw."

"But we've made peace now. The great monster king said he admires me, so he's willing to do me a favor and let us take the old woman to bring her granddaughter home!"

Naturally, he was saying all this for the villagers' benefit. That way, he could avoid belittling himself while also preserving Oolong's authority.

"Only a villain can deal with another villain. You can all go back to living in fear!"

After grumbling to himself, Son Gohan briefly explained the situation to Bulma, then pulled her toward the villagers, who were cowering in the distance.

"Hello, Granny. Thank you for giving us the Dragon Ball. To show our gratitude, we'd be happy to help you find your granddaughter. Please come with us."

As soon as he finished speaking, the huddled crowd erupted.

"Weren't you supposed to save our village? Why did you change your mind?"

"Right! You're breaking your promise!"

The accusations came one after another, giving Son Gohan a headache.

He wasn't annoyed, though. He simply shouted toward the rear.

"Ribut!"

"Rumble!"

Ribut lumbered over toward Son Gohan.

As the dragon drew closer, the villagers' questions gradually died down. By the time the winged dragon Ribut stood before them, not a sound could be heard.

Satisfied with the quiet, Son Gohan nodded.

"Then, Granny, please come with us!"

He beckoned to the old woman who had given them the Dragon Ball, then lifted her onto Ribut's back.

"Goku, and you, pig-head—let's go!"

After calling to Goku, Ribut flapped his wings and carried Son Gohan and the others away from the village, without bothering to see how the crowd reacted.

Oolong transformed into a rocket and flew ahead to lead the way. Son Goku rode the Flying Nimbus, while Ribut carried Son Gohan and the other three behind them. Before long, they reached the summit of a mountain.

Rocket Oolong gritted his teeth, bitterly regretting that he hadn't managed to shake them off. After turning back into Pig-headed Oolong, he accepted his fate, then led the group dejectedly to a sprawling palace complex.

"Hey, your place is way too luxurious!"

Bulma exclaimed in surprise as she looked at the vast expanse of buildings before her. She hadn't expected to find such a prosperous place deep in the mountains.

Pig-headed Oolong instinctively puffed up with pride.

"I built all of this with the money I stole!"

But as soon as he said it, he glanced fearfully at Son Gohan beside Bulma and hurried to lead the way again.

After crossing a deep, shadowy corridor, they arrived at a great hall.

Several girls whom Oolong had kidnapped were exercising along with a program on the television.

When one of the girls saw Oolong, she sounded slightly annoyed as she spoke.

"Hey, Oolong, didn't you say you were going to steal me a big jewel? What took you so long?"

"Buya, my little Buya!"

The old woman who had come with them looked at her granddaughter, who had grown much fuller and changed a great deal, and asked uncertainly, "Is that really you?"

"Huh? Grandma, what are you doing here?"

The girl named Buya looked at the anxious old woman without any joy at seeing a long-lost relative. Instead, she seemed a little put out.

"Grandma's here to take little Buya home! These heroes defeated Demon King Oolong, so we came to rescue you!"

Tears slowly welled in the old woman's eyes as she spoke, overcome with emotion.

"Go home?!"

At the words "go home," little Buya immediately bristled.

"I'm not going home! There's delicious food and fun things here, and I get to live in a big house. What's so great about going home?"

"Going back to farm the land?"