Goku Awakens!

Master Roshi's eyes narrowed. He swiftly raised the Turtle Shell Compass in front of himself.

The green light on the compass shone brighter and brighter. Mysterious power seemed to flow through its patterns, forming a faintly visible protective barrier.

The enormous black energy sphere slammed into the barrier with the force of annihilation, unleashing a deafening roar.

Light flashed all around them. The tremendous impact scattered the clouds beneath Master Roshi's feet and forced him slightly downward, but his gaze remained resolute as he held fast against the overwhelming force.

The Turtle Shell Compass hummed under the impact, as if straining under immense pressure. Yet its ancient patterns stubbornly continued to shine, holding the line. Master Roshi gripped the shell tightly with both hands. Beads of sweat, no bigger than grains of rice, rolled down his forehead, and the veins in his arms bulged with exertion. He knew that if the defense failed, not only would he lose his life, but Earth would also be plunged into ruin.

At this critical moment, Master Roshi suddenly took a deep breath and concentrated all his ki on the Turtle Shell Compass, trying to strengthen its defense.

The faint barrier instantly grew solid and thick. It gradually gained the upper hand against the black energy sphere, and the two forces became locked in a stalemate in midair, neither yielding an inch.

Master Roshi shouted, "Piccolo, Gohan, don't worry about me! Find a chance to cut off Goku's tail! Otherwise, Goku will keep destroying everything around us!" His voice pierced through the roar of the fierce battle and reached Piccolo and Gohan clearly.

Piccolo and Gohan exchanged a glance, hope and determination rekindling in their eyes. Gohan quickly turned and flew toward Goku, gathering golden energy in his hands in an attempt to draw Goku's attention.

Piccolo circled around behind Goku, cautiously looking for the right moment to get close to that crucial tail. His whole body was tense, ready to deliver a decisive strike at any moment. Though his wounds still hurt, he cast every distraction aside. All that mattered now was completing this crucial task and saving the frenzied Goku and Earth, which was beset by danger.

After shouting, Master Roshi once again focused all his strength on resisting the Mysterious Person's attack. He knew the responsibility resting on his shoulders: he had to buy Piccolo and Gohan enough time. Even if it cost him his life, he would never back down.

At Master Roshi's call, Gohan and Piccolo immediately raced toward Goku.

Goku was in a berserk state. Every movement of his gigantic body sent the earth trembling. He swung his fists wildly, toppling buildings and blasting enormous craters into the mountains wherever they struck. Rocks flew through the air as dust filled the sky.

Gohan was frantic with worry. He quickly flew in front of Goku, waving his hands as he fired a volley of energy blasts at him, trying to slow his advance.

"Dad, wake up!" Gohan cried, tears glimmering in his eyes. But against Goku in his Great Ape form, the attacks did little more than briefly slow him down.

Piccolo took the opportunity to circle around behind Goku, his gaze focused and determined as he kept his eyes fixed on Goku's tail.

In a flash, Piccolo darted close like a phantom. A green blade of energy formed in his hand once more, and he swung it hard at the tail. But Goku seemed to sense him. His thick tail whipped around, stirring up a powerful gust, and Piccolo had to retreat quickly to avoid it.

Seeing that Piccolo's attack had failed, Gohan increased his energy output. Golden flames blazed more fiercely around him as he leaped high into the air and kicked Goku in the chest. The kick carried all his strength, making Goku sway slightly. But Goku immediately roared and swung a palm down at Gohan. Gohan dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the lethal blow.

While Goku was attacking Gohan, Piccolo charged again from the side. He kept changing direction in midair, trying to confuse Goku and find that fleeting opening. At last, the instant Goku turned around, Piccolo seized his chance and raced toward the tail as fast as he could, bringing his blade down with a fierce slash.

With unyielding resolve, the blade in Piccolo's hand slashed hard at Goku's tail.

This time, fortune finally tipped in their favor. There was a soft thump, and Goku's tail was severed.

In an instant, Goku's enormous body stopped its rampage. The blood-red light in his eyes gradually faded, and his gaze cleared.

His body began to shrink. The Great Ape form fell away, and he returned to normal. But the rampage had drained him of nearly all his strength. His face was pale, his breathing faint, and his body tottered unsteadily.

Seeing this, Gohan rushed forward and caught Goku, calling out anxiously, "Dad! Dad! Are you okay?" Goku weakly opened his eyes. Looking at Gohan's worried face, he gave him a relieved smile. "I'm fine, Gohan. It's all thanks to you..."

Piccolo also let out a breath of relief and slowly landed beside them. Though he was covered in wounds, his eyes showed a trace of ease. At last, this heart-stopping crisis had been temporarily brought under control.

But before they could catch their breath, the Mysterious Person spotted Goku's return to normal and flew into a rage, letting out an angry roar. He turned his attention to Master Roshi and rapidly formed hand seals. A dark energy sphere, even more powerful than the previous one, quickly took shape in his hands. He then hurled it viciously at Master Roshi, clearly intent on venting his fury on him.

Master Roshi felt the immense pressure bearing down on him, but his gaze remained calm and resolute.

He took a deep breath and swiftly summoned what little ki remained in his body. The Turtle Shell Compass in his hands shone brightly once more, its mysterious patterns seeming to come alive as they glimmered and flowed. With a loud shout, Master Roshi hurled the compass at the oncoming dark energy sphere. At the same time, he rapidly formed hand seals and chanted under his breath. A beam of golden light shot from his hands and merged with the compass, as he tried to stop the deadly attack.

The energy sphere collided with the Turtle Shell Compass, unleashing a deafening boom. The light flared so brightly that it was impossible to keep one's eyes open. The tremendous impact spread outward, lifting the earth below in wave after wave of soil and rock. The surrounding peaks shook under the force, and countless boulders tumbled into the valleys with thunderous crashes.

Gohan, Goku, and Piccolo were frantic with worry and wanted to help, but their own strength was nearly spent. Exhausted and battered, they couldn't reach Master Roshi quickly enough.

Goku gritted his teeth and forced his weakened body to move as he began gathering a faint amount of energy in his hands. He knew it might be no more than a drop in the bucket, but he couldn't just stand by and let Master Roshi remain in danger.

At this critical moment, the Turtle Shell Compass gradually began to falter against the energy sphere. Cracks appeared across its surface, and its light started to flicker unsteadily. Master Roshi's face was pale, but there was not the slightest hint of retreat in his eyes as he continued pouring out all his energy.