"Just as I thought..." Master Roshi let out a bitter laugh. "He must have had his wish granted. What's coming will come."
He looked around at everyone, his gaze lingering on Raditz and Tien Shinhan for a moment before he finally made his decision.
"Chiaotzu," he said, pointing at an inconspicuous rocky cave in the distance. "Go hide in there and suppress your ki. No matter what happens, don't come out or make a sound. Understand?"
"Master Mutten, Tien..." Chiaotzu looked at Master Roshi's calm but unquestionable gaze, then at Tien Shinhan, his eyes brimming with tears.
"I want to stay with you."
"Go, now!" Master Roshi said more firmly. "Someone has to be left behind..."
"Chiaotzu, listen to him," Tien Shinhan added.
Chiaotzu bit his lip, then finally flew toward the cave. "I'll make sure everyone knows!"
"Master Mutten, what are you planning?" Raditz sensed something was off. Master Roshi was strangely calm.
"What am I planning?" Master Roshi turned around, putting his back to Raditz and Tien Shinhan as he faced the direction King Piccolo was coming from. "You two stay here as a last resort."
"No. We have no choice but to fight. I'm not going to cower like a coward at a time like this," Tien Shinhan said, hurriedly stepping forward.
"Don't come any closer!" Master Roshi spun around. In the same instant, he swiftly pulled two spray bottles from his clothes and pressed them.
A burst of colorless gas sprayed out, engulfing Raditz and Tien Shinhan before they could react.
"Master Mutten, you..." Tien Shinhan felt a powerful wave of dizziness wash over him. His limbs went limp, and his consciousness began to fade. Raditz collapsed beside him.
"I'm sorry, boys." Master Roshi's voice held a trace of apology and resolve. "I don't want any more pointless sacrifices."
"Goku is dead. If I die too, you'll be the only ones who can defeat King Piccolo."
"But you're still far too weak. Keep training, and one day you'll be able to beat him."
He spoke softly, patting their shoulders as if bidding them a final farewell.
When he was done, Master Roshi slowly stood and walked to the middle of the barren rocky terrain. Calmly gazing at the distant horizon, he waited in silence.
"Damn..." Tien Shinhan fought against the drowsiness and tried to struggle to his feet, but it was no use.
Beside him, Raditz's eyes remained bright and alert as he watched the old man.
Before long, a spaceship passed through the clouds and slowly came to a stop above him.
He's here!
A tall, muscular green figure radiating power slowly descended.
The young King Piccolo!
Master Roshi's heart pounded. Though he had expected this, seeing King Piccolo in his prime with his own eyes still left him shaken.
The young figure before him brought back memories from hundreds of years ago. But this time, his master wasn't there to stand in front. He was the only one who could step forward.
"King Piccolo, I've been waiting for you," Master Roshi said.
"Heh." King Piccolo raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes. "You recognized me and stayed here anyway. You've got courage."
"We go way back. This isn't the first time I've seen you," Master Roshi replied calmly, ignoring his taunt.
"What nonsense are you spouting, old man?" King Piccolo scoffed, his expression contemptuous. "Don't make things up."
"I'm not making things up." Master Roshi's expression grew grave as he spoke each word. "My master and I fought you once."
"What?" A flicker of doubt crossed King Piccolo's face. Gradually, it became fear. His expression changed drastically. "You?!"
"Mutaito." Master Roshi slowly spoke the name, a faint smile appearing on his lips. "You haven't forgotten it, have you?"
"Mu—tai—to!!"
As if those three words held some kind of magic, King Piccolo instinctively staggered back several steps. His once-arrogant face twisted in an instant.
The humiliating memories he had cast aside and tried to forget surged back through his mind.
Hundreds of years... Do you know what I've been through all these hundreds of years?
Bang!
While King Piccolo was stunned, Master Roshi pulled out a Hoi-Poi Capsule without hesitation, pressed it firmly, and tossed it ahead.
As the smoke cleared, a rice cooker bearing a talisman appeared before them, ancient and mysterious.
"Uh..." At the sight of the rice cooker appearing out of nowhere, King Piccolo looked as if he were staring at something utterly terrifying. His body began trembling uncontrollably. "Y-you can't possibly..."
"Of course I can!" Master Roshi glared, gathering all his ki into his fists. "You surely remember this technique, don't you, King Piccolo!!!"
He thrust both palms forward, and a terrifying force that seemed capable of swallowing heaven and earth burst forth.
"Take this—"
"Evil—Containment—Wave!!!"
"No!!" King Piccolo went completely berserk and let out a scream.
He didn't want to endure that agonizing seal again—not for a single moment!!
King Piccolo poured all his strength into fleeing toward the horizon.
But the boundless force of suction held him fast. The slightest lapse would drag him back down to the ground.
Just as the vast vortex was about to pull the frantically fleeing King Piccolo into its depths—
A figure appeared at Master Roshi's side as fast as lightning, without warning!
It was Raditz!
His eyes were clear and alert. There was no sign that the knockout spray had affected him.
He thrust out both hands and seized Master Roshi's hands with perfect precision as they guided the Evil Containment Wave with all their might.
He pressed them down!
Master Roshi's whole body shuddered. The ki he had gathered to its peak was suddenly thrown into disarray by the unexpected pressure, and the technique was interrupted!
The sealing technique that had been about to take shape collapsed like a burst bubble, leaving only a chaotic gust of wind that kicked up dust.
"Master Mutten, stop!"
Master Roshi whipped his head around. At the sight of Raditz's composed expression, he froze for a moment, then a mixture of anger and helplessness welled up inside him.
"Raditz! What are you doing?!" Master Roshi cried, heartbroken. "Do you understand?! This was our only chance!!"
When Master Roshi tried to wrench himself free and continue the attack, Raditz had no choice but to tighten his grip and hold him even more firmly.
"Master Mutten, I know. That's why you shouldn't trade your life for it."
"What did you say?!" Master Roshi stiffened, a hint of panic showing on his face.
"Isn't that right?" Raditz said calmly when Master Roshi stopped struggling. "Didn't Grandmaster Mutaito die after using this sealing technique on the Great Demon King?"
"..."
After a long silence, Master Roshi said, "Trading my life for peace in the world is worth it."
"Besides, you can use the Dragon Balls to bring me back afterward."
Raditz released him, stepped forward to stand in front of Master Roshi, and looked up at the figure in the sky.
"Does sacrifice always bring peace? Your Evil Containment Wave might not even work every time."
"Besides..."
His voice was filled with absolute confidence. "This isn't the 'only' chance!"
"What do you mean?" Master Roshi asked, frowning in confusion.
"Master Mutten, it seems you've misunderstood me for a long time!" The corner of Raditz's mouth lifted. "Even though I've always made it clear that I have the strength to defeat him!"