Mr. Popo's Trial

The man's expression was calm, almost dull, yet his eyes were exceptionally clear, as if they could see through everything.

"Greetings," Mr. Popo said in a peaceful voice.

"Hello! Are you Kami?" Goku asked first, eyeing the other man with curiosity.

"No, I am not Kami," Mr. Popo shook his head slightly. "I am Kami's servant, Mr. Popo."

"Mr. Popo!" Raditz nodded in greeting.

Mr. Popo turned his gaze toward Raditz, his calm expression carrying a hint of scrutiny. "Although you are a mortal, you were able to defeat King Piccolo single-handedly. Your strength and courage have been recognized."

He then looked at Goku. "Though your strength still lags behind your companion, your heart is pure, your will is firm, and you possess infinite potential. You, too, are qualified to undergo the trial."

"I've still got a long way to go; Raditz is much stronger than me," Goku scratched his head in embarrassment, then asked with some confusion, "A trial? What kind of trial?"

"A sparring match against me," Mr. Popo smiled and pointed to himself. "If you can defeat me, I will let you see Kami."

Upon hearing this, Raditz quickly weighed his options.

Defeating Mr. Popo is the key to seeing Kami? He secretly sensed the other's ki; the fluctuations suggested a level of around 300.

Given his current combat power, his chances of winning seemed quite high.

But was it really that simple?

Raditz knew well that true masters could perfectly control their ki, and deliberately suppressing it to a certain level was no difficult task.

In the original story, Mr. Popo's true strength was always somewhat obscured. He appeared ordinary, but in reality, through the long passage of time, while Kami might have changed, this silent servant had always remained. His true depth could never be measured by surface-level data.

After a moment of thought, Raditz decided to test it himself. Regardless of success or failure, this would be a rare learning opportunity.

"I'll go first." Raditz stepped forward and offered a martial artist's salute to Mr. Popo.

Mr. Popo returned the gesture, standing still with a calm, unruffled gaze.

Raditz hesitated no longer. He focused his energy, and his figure suddenly vanished from where he stood.

"So fast!" Goku exclaimed from the sidelines.

Raditz appeared instantly at Mr. Popo's side, unleashing a rapid flurry of punches.

However, Mr. Popo merely slid back half a step with a subtle, sudden shift in movement, letting Raditz's fists graze past his clothes.

Raditz was startled, but he didn't stop his assault, pouring out punches, kicks, and elbows like a torrential storm.

Yet, no matter how he attacked, Mr. Popo always managed to evade or parry with the smallest, most efficient movements. His actions looked simple, but they were precise to the millimeter, as if he were predicting every one of Raditz's strikes.

Ten minutes later, Raditz's breathing had already become ragged.

Mr. Popo, by contrast, remained standing in place, completely composed.

"You possess astonishing energy, but your application is crude, lacking variation, and you are severely lacking in the refined control of 'ki'," Mr. Popo said calmly, shaking his head. "There is no need to continue. In your current state, you cannot pass the trial. Go back."

Raditz took a deep breath, suppressing the flicker of restlessness in his heart.

He did not argue, nodding humbly. "I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Popo." He paused, looking at the platform, and added, "May I stay here to train for a while? I hope to make some progress."

Mr. Popo looked at Raditz, seemingly satisfied with his attitude. "You may. As long as you do not disturb the peace of the Lookout, you are welcome."

"Thank you."

Goku, who had been itching to join in, jumped out the moment Raditz finished. "Mr. Popo, I want to try too!"

The result was self-evident. Although Goku had astonishing combat talent, he returned empty-handed, panting and exhausted, under Mr. Popo's near-prescient responses.

"Aw, man! How embarrassing!" Goku sat on the ground, scratching his head. He didn't seem discouraged, however; instead, he was full of fighting spirit. "Mr. Popo is amazing!"

He glanced at Raditz, who was sitting nearby and beginning to regulate his breathing, then scrambled up and clenched his fists. "I have to train even harder! Raditz, let's race to see who can beat Mr. Popo first!"

With that, he began running at full speed around the massive platform.

Just as the two began their training, a peaceful voice resonated.

"I am pleased with them. Bring them to see me."

A hint of surprise crossed Mr. Popo's calm face, and he bowed respectfully toward the direction of the inner sanctum. "Yes, Kami-sama."

He turned to look at Raditz and Goku. "You are fortunate. Kami-sama is willing to see you. Follow me."

Raditz wore an "as expected" expression. In his view, as long as they showed enough dedication to their training, Kami wouldn't hide from them.

After all, with a growing Piccolo lurking below, Kami couldn't afford to commit suicide; he had to rely on strong individuals like them to solve the problem.

The two followed Mr. Popo toward the heavy, closed doors of the sanctum.

After waiting at the entrance for a moment, a green figure slowly walked out.

When that figure fully revealed itself before them, Goku's eyes went wide, and he pointed forward, shouting.

"Piccolo!! You bastard, you're not dead?!"

Before the words had even faded, he pushed off the ground with all his might, lunging forward to strike the figure with a punch.

"Wait!" Mr. Popo hurriedly tried to stop him, but it was too late.

Facing Goku's angry punch, the green figure merely raised a hand slightly and flicked a finger.

"Bang!"

With a soft sound, Goku was sent flying by a massive force.

He landed and rolled several times, clutching his head with a look of utter astonishment on his face.

"Did Korin not tell you? About me?" Kami spoke slowly, his voice tinged with a hint of helplessness.

Raditz showed no particular emotion. "Korin only said it would be a face we were familiar with."

Kami: "..." That mischievous fellow.

Mr. Popo hurriedly spoke to Goku and Raditz, "This is Lord Kami, the creator of the Dragon Balls. He was originally one with the defeated King Piccolo..."

Mr. Popo explained the relationship between Kami and the Demon King to the two of them, and only breathed a sigh of relief once he saw they understood.

"You scared me; I thought Piccolo had secretly come back to life, hehehe." Goku scratched his head with a silly grin.

Kami nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Raditz with approval. "Your name is Raditz, right? You certainly keep your cool, and your strength is impressive—worthy of praise." He paused, then continued, "As a reward, I will grant your request. It is to revive Shenron, correct?"

"Yes, Lord Kami. We need Shenron to resurrect our friends," Raditz replied.

"I understand. Mr. Popo, go and bring Shenron here."

Mr. Popo quickly retrieved an exquisite model of Shenron and assembled its fragmented body parts.

Kami then channeled his divine power to restore it.

"Shenron has been revived," Kami said, withdrawing his hand with a gentle tone. "And he can grant your wish right now. I imagine your friends already know."

"Thank you very much, Lord Kami." Raditz bowed in gratitude.

Beside him, Goku hurriedly mimicked Raditz's movements to show his thanks.

"Since you have come all this way, I assume it is not just for Shenron. Stay and train," Kami said with satisfaction, seeing their respectful attitudes.

"Really?" Goku jumped up in excitement, waving his hands. "I would love to learn from you! I was just about to ask for your permission!"

Raditz nodded; he felt the same!

"You must prepare yourselves mentally and train hard. The reborn Piccolo will come for you again in three years, especially you, Raditz," Kami said.

"Piccolo?" Goku's jaw dropped. "Wasn't Piccolo defeated by Raditz..."

"Regrettably, he is still alive. He left behind his reincarnation before he died," Kami said with a grave expression, looking at Raditz. "And because of you, he has been building his strength early."

"The next time you see him, he will not be so easy to deal with."

"I understand." Upon hearing this, Raditz was not particularly worried.

No matter how much Piccolo trained, could he possibly be faster than a Saiyan?

"In that case, let us begin the training immediately!"

Just as Raditz and Goku began their training at Kami's Lookout.

Deep within a remote and desolate jungle.

A short, green figure radiating coldness and violence sat quietly in meditation.

His eyes were tightly shut, his brows furrowed, and the antennae on his forehead twitched slightly.

It was the reborn Piccolo.

He was not sleeping, but meditating.

Countless images and sounds washed over his consciousness, replaying the memories and experiences passed down by his father, King Piccolo, before his death.

And the most unforgettable humiliation of all.

He had "experienced" his father's battle against that black-haired youth, Raditz—a total, despair-inducing crushing defeat.

He swore he would never repeat his father's mistakes. He would become stronger—stronger than his father, and stronger than that guy named Raditz!

"Raditz..." He slowly opened his eyes, his crimson pupils flashing with a fierce light.

"Just you wait. In three years, I will make you, and this boring world, crawl at my feet once again!"