King Piccolo

There was no howling wind, nor were there dark clouds, yet in that instant, every martial artist's hair stood on end.

"What is this energy?!"

Goku and Tien Shinhan simultaneously assumed fighting stances, staring fixedly at the sky.

"This energy... evil, immense, and reeking of blood..."

Master Roshi's sunglasses slipped down, and his face instantly turned deathly pale. "N-No... impossible... This feeling is..."

"Boom!!!"

A purple beam descended from the sky and blasted apart the hotel's enormous sign!

Amid the scattering rubble, the dust gradually cleared.

A tall green figure hovered in midair, looking down on everyone from above. Behind him stood a winged, pterosaur-like monstrous subordinate.

The green figure wore a dark blue martial arts uniform with a large "Demon" emblazoned across his chest. His entire body exuded a terrifying pressure that made it hard to breathe.

And he was young—young and brimming with explosive power.

"K-King Piccolo?!!"

Master Roshi cried out, his voice trembling. "And he's... restored to his youth?!"

"Oh? There are still people who recognize me?"

King Piccolo sneered, his gaze sweeping across the crowd.

"Perfect. All the martial artists are here, so I won't have to hunt you down one by one."

"Today is a good day. I'm in a fine mood." Piccolo rolled his neck, producing a series of cracking sounds. "So I'll kill every last one of you as the opening ceremony for my rule over the world."

"Quit talking big!"

Tien Shinhan charged forward first. "I don't care what kind of Demon King you are—don't think you can run wild here!"

"Tri-Beam!!"

Tien Shinhan opened with a desperate technique. He was full of energy now, and this strike was powerful enough to flatten an entire mountaintop.

However...

"Too slow."

King Piccolo did not even bother to dodge. He merely flicked his hand.

"Bang!"

The terrifying Tri-Beam was swatted away with one hand, exploding over the distant sea and raising towering waves.

Then, Piccolo's figure instantly appeared before Tien Shinhan, driving a knee into his abdomen.

"Urgh—"

Tien Shinhan could not even withstand a single exchange. He dropped to his knees and lost all ability to fight.

"Tien Shinhan!!"

"You bastard!!"

Son Goku roared. Rather than being frightened, he erupted with an unprecedented fighting spirit.

After his brutal battle with Tien Shinhan yesterday, combined with a night of deep sleep, the Saiyan passive ability to grow stronger after near-death experiences quietly activated once more.

At that moment, Goku's energy was even stronger than it had been during yesterday's finals!

"Yaaahhh!!"

Goku shot forward like a cannonball. The Power Pole became a skyful of staff shadows as it smashed fiercely toward Piccolo.

"Hmph, overestimating yourself... Hm?"

King Piccolo had intended to casually swat Goku away, but the instant they made contact, he discovered in surprise that the brat was absurdly strong!

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The two clashed fiercely in midair.

Though Goku was at a disadvantage and was driven back again and again by Piccolo's blows, he was like an unkillable cockroach. Every time he was sent flying, he rushed back even faster!

"How strange... It feels like strength is constantly pouring out of me!" Goku grew stronger the longer he fought. He even seized an opening and kicked Piccolo in the face!

"Smack!"

Piccolo's head was knocked to the side.

The entire crowd was stunned!

"G-Goku can actually contend with that monster?!" Krillin's eyes widened.

"N-No..." Master Roshi stared intently at the battle, cold sweat covering his forehead. "Piccolo still hasn't used his full strength, but Goku's rate of growth is terrifying... Still, he can't win."

Sure enough, after taking that kick, Piccolo's expression twisted viciously.

"Good... very good!"

"You dared touch my noble face... You wild monkey, I'll tear you to pieces!!"

King Piccolo's energy surged again. His movements became so fast that not even afterimages could be seen, and he began a one-sided beating of Goku.

Just then.

Master Roshi, who had been searching for an opportunity from the sidelines, suddenly narrowed his eyes.

"Now!!"

He abruptly pulled a small rice cooker covered in a Talisman from his robes, threw it onto the ground, and opened the lid.

Taking advantage of the moment when Piccolo's attention was fixed on Goku, Master Roshi assumed the stance that had haunted King Piccolo's nightmares for centuries.

"Evil—Containment—Wave!!!"

His roar exploded like thunder.

A green whirlwind rose from the ground, carrying a powerful suction force as it instantly locked onto King Piccolo in midair!

"W-What?!"

Piccolo, who had been about to deliver the final blow to Goku, heard that name and saw that familiar green whirlwind. His entire face turned a sickly green with terror!

It was a fear carved into the depths of his soul!

"That's... Master Mutaito's technique?! No!!!"

King Piccolo tried to flee in terror, but his body was dragged uncontrollably toward the tiny rice cooker.

"It has to work!!!" Blood flowed from Master Roshi's seven orifices as he exhausted the last trace of his life force.

Just as King Piccolo was about to be sealed, at that critical instant—

"Piano!!" King Piccolo let out a desperate shriek.

The pterosaur-like subordinate watching from the side, Piano, had been scared stiff as well. But upon hearing his master's call, he instinctively rushed forward.

"My King!!!"

Piano blocked Piccolo's path.

"Whoosh—"

The Evil Containment Wave's whirlwind instantly struck Piano, twisting him into a knot before sucking him into the rice cooker with a "thud."

"Bang!"

The lid snapped shut.

"..."

Master Roshi remained in his casting stance, staring at the rice cooker now emitting wisps of green smoke. The light in his eyes instantly dimmed.

"I... failed..."

He spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed weakly.

"Pant... pant..."

Having narrowly escaped death, King Piccolo gasped heavily, his entire body drenched in cold sweat.

For that brief moment, he had truly believed he was finished.

"Damn it... Damn you, old bastard!!!"

After the overwhelming terror came boundless fury.

"I'll kill you! I'll kill every last one of you!!!"

"Boom!!"

With a wave of his hand, King Piccolo fired an energy blast directly at the already exhausted Master Roshi.

Master Roshi did not even let out a groan before he was blasted away, his fate unknown.

"Old man!!" Goku's eyes widened with fury.

"You're next!!"

King Piccolo gave Goku no chance to catch his breath. In a flash, he appeared behind him and slammed the edge of his hand hard into the back of Goku's neck.

"Crack."

"Ugh..."

Goku's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the ground, completely unconscious.

"Die, all of you!!"

King Piccolo spread his hands, unleashing countless energy blasts that fell like rain and reduced the entire hotel plaza to ruins.

Krillin, Yamcha, Bulma, and the others could only desperately dodge amid the wreckage.

Finally, King Piccolo landed atop a broken wall. In his hand, he formed a massive sphere of light powerful enough to destroy the entire island, aiming it at Bulma and the other survivors.

"This is the price of defying me."

"Farewell, insects."

Bulma collapsed onto the ground, tears streaming endlessly down her face as she watched that light of death.

Goku had fallen. Master Mutaito had failed. Everyone was lying in pools of blood...

Who could come save us?