Great Ape

As night fell, if not for the moonlight guiding them, they would have been lost long ago, let alone find a stone in the vast darkness.

In the forest, Goku had searched in vain. He slowly turned around, only to find Ziye standing beside him. Curiously, he asked, "Ziye, where's Krillin? Did he get lost?"

Ziye shook his head and smiled. "Don't worry. That little bald guy's probably up to some clever trick again."

"Master Mutten's challenge really is hard. Good thing we have the moonlight to guide us, or we'd really have gotten lost in the forest!" Ziye said calmly.

"Yeah, Ziye! This is the first time I've ever seen the moon!"

At Goku's words, Ziye's expression suddenly changed. He fixed his gaze on Goku.

Meanwhile, at Kame House...

"Why haven't Ziye and the others come for dinner?" Launch asked, puzzled, as she set all the dishes on the table.

"They're still training. It won't hurt young people to eat a little less!"

Master Roshi answered casually, drool trickling from the corners of his mouth as he stared intently at Launch's backside.

"Oh, right! There's still some soup in the kitchen. I'll go get it!"

With that, Launch turned and headed for the kitchen. Master Roshi followed her without taking his eyes off her. Just as he was admiring her shapely backside, the door to Kame House suddenly opened.

"Master Mutten, I found the stone!"

Krillin ran up to Master Roshi, holding a stone with the turtle character on it.

Annoyed that Krillin had interrupted him, Master Roshi took the stone and examined it closely. Then he slammed it against Krillin's bald head.

"You little brat! How dare you trick me? That's clearly not my handwriting!" Master Roshi roared.

Rumble!!!

Suddenly, all of Kame House began to shake. Small bits of rubble fell from the roof. Master Roshi's expression tightened. "What's happening?"

"Master Mutten, it seems to be coming from the forest over there, where Ziye and Goku are!"

Krillin pointed toward the nearby forest and spoke in a panic.

"Oh no! We'd better go check it out!" With that, the two rushed out of the house.

Rumble!

A gigantic monster had appeared in the forest. It was covered in dark brown fur, with a four- or five-meter-long tail trailing behind it. Its eyes were bloodred, and it looked like a rampaging Great Ape.

Bang!

The Great Ape swung its enormous fist and smashed it into the ground. Shattered rocks flew into the air, and a huge crater appeared in the earth!

Ziye lay in the crater, covered in injuries and looking utterly battered.

Huff...

What bad luck! How could I forget that Goku turns into a Great Ape?

Goku's really strong after transforming. No wonder he accidentally crushed Son Gohan to death!

If I hadn't wished on the Dragon Balls for my body to recover quickly, I might not have made it through today!

Ziye's expression was tense as he spoke in a low voice.

Roar!

The Great Ape let out a furious roar, sending a powerful shock wave that knocked down all the surrounding trees. Then he raised his massive foot and stomped hard toward Ziye!

"Kamehameha!"

Boom!

Suddenly, a huge beam of white light shot in and slammed into the Great Ape, knocking him to the ground with its tremendous force!

"Ziye, are you all right?"

Seeing him, Krillin hurried forward and helped Ziye out of the crater.

"What happened? How did such a powerful monster appear here?"

"And where did Goku go?"

Master Roshi asked, his expression grave.

"This monster is Goku!"

"What?!"

Krillin and Master Roshi were both shocked. Then they remembered Goku saying that his grandfather had been crushed to death by a terrifying monster, and immediately understood what had happened.

"Ziye, you know Goku better than we do. Is there any way to turn him back?"

Master Roshi asked in a low voice.

"Cut off his tail or destroy the moon!" Ziye said firmly.

"All right, I'll hold him off! You two find a chance to cut off his tail!"

Master Roshi said gravely. Then he took off his shirt, and his formerly thin body instantly became muscular.

"Come on, monster!"

Master Roshi shouted at the Great Ape, then leaped toward him. The Great Ape seemed to be enraged too. With a roar, he charged forward!

Boom!

Their fists collided, and the Great Ape's body staggered back several steps. Master Roshi immediately struck again, punching the Great Ape in the face and knocking him to the ground once more.

"Th-that's amazing!"

Krillin stared at the scene with his mouth agape, too shocked to speak.

Roar!

The Great Ape roared again and suddenly stood up. This time, he seemed completely enraged. He charged at Master Roshi without a thought for anything else!

"Now!"

Ziye, hiding off to the side, seized his chance. He leaped into the air, brought both hands to his waist, and shouted,

"Kame... hame... ha!"

Boom!

A beam of white energy blasted out. With the Great Ape completely off guard, it struck his tail.

Roar!

The Great Ape cried out in pain. In an instant, his tail was severed in two. Then his massive body slowly shrank, and before long, he had returned to his original form.

"Finally!"

Ziye caught his breath and wearily landed on the ground.

"Kid, you're getting more and more skilled with the Kamehameha! It's rare for someone your age to reach this level!" Master Roshi praised him without reservation.

Then he walked over to Goku and gently picked him up.

"How's Goku?" Ziye asked, worried.

"He's fine. He just passed out!"

"That's good."

Ziye nodded calmly, then fainted too, leaning against Krillin for support.

"Let's take them back first. We can talk about everything else tomorrow!"

"Yes."

The two of them carried Goku and Ziye toward Kame House.

The next morning, sunlight streamed into the room. Ziye rubbed his eyes, dispelling the last of his drowsiness. He stretched and walked out of the room.

Master Roshi, Krillin, and Goku had already started training. Perhaps because his tail was gone, Goku seemed a little unsteady with every step.

Power levels in this chapter

Goku's power level: 16 (160 in Great Ape form)

Master Roshi's power level: 139 (180 in his muscular form)