King: Great, that's King Piccolo, we're dead!

Caesar Rukin.

The king was hosting a banquet for Mr. Satan, the greatest martial artist of the current age.

As news of what had happened in West City began to spread, the king grew fearful and could only invite the recently famous Mr. Satan.

He was an exceptionally accomplished fighter, proficient in all kinds of combat techniques and the consecutive champion of several fighting tournaments.

It was precisely because Mr. Satan was so renowned that the king had invited him to offer some explanations and reassure the public.

However, the king had lived through the King Piccolo incident.

So he knew many things, and there was always a lingering worry in his heart.

Looking at Mr. Satan's beaming face, the king asked, "Mr. Satan, did you notice what happened near West City today?"

"Mm, I heard about it. It sounded like there'd been some kind of earthquake."

Mr. Satan sat like a big shot, as though he had everything completely under control.

The king had someone turn on the television, and footage began to play. Two round spacecraft could be seen crashing straight into the city.

Then, two oddly dressed figures flew out of them.

It was clearly the scene of Vegeta and Nappa's arrival. At the time, their faces had been full of smugness and disdain.

"What is this? Are they filming a TV show?"

Clear bewilderment filled Mr. Satan's eyes.

Seeing that he did not seem to be lying, the king looked somewhat disappointed. "According to the person who filmed it, they seemed to be aliens. They fought an earth-shattering battle over there."

As the king spoke, the footage grew more intense.

A battle beyond imagination unfolded in the sky.

Mr. Satan's eyes widened at once. "Th-This is impossible! How can people fly through the air? And their punches and kicks can cause... This is some kind of trick, isn't it?!"

As a fighter who believed in scientific martial arts, Mr. Satan simply could not comprehend such a scene.

Seeing his reaction, the king felt even more disappointed. He had originally thought Mr. Satan might become the savior of the new era, just like that child who had suddenly appeared years ago.

But now, it seemed this fighter did not have that kind of potential.

Suddenly.

The king spotted the child in the purple martial arts uniform.

That gaze, that stance—they were so similar to the child who had saved him from King Piccolo back then. They even both had tails!

Could he be related to that child from back then?

The king abruptly rose from his seat, anticipation filling his eyes.

At that moment, the footage happened to reach the part where Piccolo threw off his cape.

The surroundings shook violently, but Piccolo's full appearance was revealed.

"What?"

The moment the king saw that figure, his entire body began to tremble. He even unconsciously staggered two steps backward, his eyes filled with terror.

"Hmph, how could something like this be possible? Blowing up an entire city with one punch? This has to be a movie, or some kind of stage trick!"

Mr. Satan still had not noticed the king's strange reaction.

Even as he spoke, he stubbornly refused to back down.

But cold sweat was already pouring down the king's face. Having lived through the era of King Piccolo, he naturally knew how terrifying that being was.

He truly could erase an entire city with ease.

After seizing the king's throne back then, he had displayed that very ability!

Nearly nine years had passed since then, yet the king still remembered the scene clearly. Even recalling it made his whole body tremble.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

Mr. Satan finally noticed the change in the king's expression, but he looked utterly confused, because he still did not know what was happening.

The king stiffly turned his head and asked, "Have you heard of King Piccolo?"

"King Piccolo... I think I've heard of him. Wasn't he the one who claimed he was going to rule the world years ago?"

Mr. Satan seemed to remember a little, but that had happened nine years ago, and since he had not experienced it personally, he naturally could not recall much.

"Yes."

"I only remember a little. What a pity—I hadn't completed my training back then. Otherwise, I definitely would have defeated him myself!"

Hearing Mr. Satan say that, the king glanced at him, unsure of what to say for a moment.

He sighed and let his gaze linger on Son Gohan for a long time.

"Mr. Satan, if possible, could I ask you to find that child?"

"Of course. But why does Your Majesty wish to find him?"

"I would very much like to meet him..."

Capsule Corporation.

After their brief battle in the Gravity Chamber, both Son Goku and Piccolo were clad in tattered clothes, their bodies covered in wounds.

Clearly, they had gone through an evenly matched fight.

"I never expected that even without meeting King Kai, you'd still manage to cultivate this level of strength. The Gravity Chamber really is a good place."

Son Goku rested his hands behind his head, a thoughtful look appearing in his eyes.

He had previously seen Son Gohan's tremendous improvement, but he had never expected Piccolo's growth to be so great—enough to surpass his own.

He had to use Kaioken just to match him.

At the same time, though, he had recognized the usefulness of the Gravity Chamber and was confident that he could cultivate even greater power within it.

Piccolo stretched his body as well and said, "That Kaioken of yours isn't bad either. It let you fight me to this extent!"

"Hehe, but this little bit of strength probably still isn't enough to deal with an even stronger Frieza!"

"Yeah, that's true!"

"Then let's make the most of this time and train hard!"

Watching his father get along so well with Uncle Piccolo, Son Gohan could not help but smile. Moments like this were simply too rare.

After seeing their fight just now, he had also begun making plans for the future.

For the time being, he would follow his father and learn real martial arts.

First, he would raise his martial arts mastery. Then he would go to Planet Namek to unlock his potential, after which he would begin his second matched battle.

Those matches could also grant excellent rewards, which could serve as support for him in the future.

Maybe he would obtain some ability capable of turning the entire situation around!

But the prerequisite for everything was improving himself.

After going through the previous match, he had gradually become more cautious about the ones to come. The first match had already been against reincarnators—who knew what absurd monsters would appear next?

Just as they finished training, Bulma had also prepared the food.

This was also her way of celebrating Son Goku's resurrection.

The three Saiyans joined them as well. Since they now shared a common enemy, they were temporarily in a delicate state.

Of course, Son Gohan's suppression of them was also one of the reasons.

After eating, drinking, and relaxing here, everyone departed one after another, intending to make their own preparations.

Naturally, the three Saiyans would be going with Son Gohan and the others.

The three of them were still under observation. Without Son Gohan's forceful suppression, no one could guarantee what they might do.

"Oh, right. Son Gohan and I worked together before to develop new phones and Spirit Messenger. All the money you were supposed to receive has been transferred into this account. This is a good time to give it to you!"

As they were about to leave, Bulma handed over a bank card.

Son Goku still had a puzzled look on his face. He had not figured out what was going on at all. How had Son Gohan ended up making money with Bulma?

Seeing his dazed expression, Bulma shoved the card into his hand and said, "Take it. It was your share to begin with, and besides, you've been gone for a year. You need something that makes sense, don't you?"

As if remembering something else, she handed Goku a capsule. "Oh, right. These are the phones we prepared for you. You can use them to contact us from now on."

Son Goku did not stand on ceremony. After accepting the items, he set off for Mount Paozu with Son Gohan.

Mount Paozu.

After finishing her farm work, Chi-Chi sat at the doorway as usual and gazed up at the sky, where starlight shimmered across the heavens.

Yet her heart was engulfed by endless loneliness.

Back then, she never could have imagined that Son Goku and Son Gohan would merely make a trip to Turtle Hermit House, only for something so terrible to happen.

Son Goku had actually died!

And her Son Gohan had been taken away by bad people to train!

They had not returned for an entire year.

Over the past year, she had felt that life had lost all flavor. If she had not known that Son Gohan was still alive, she would have wanted to go join Son Goku.

Yet every day, she still looked toward the distance, hoping that the Flying Nimbus would streak across the sky and bring those two back to her side...

But the longer she waited, the worse she felt.

"Goku, Gohan..."

Chi-Chi stared blankly at the distant sky.

Then a flash of light suddenly appeared on the horizon. A golden cloud cut through the air like a wave, swiftly descending in her direction.

Several even brighter streaks of light accompanied it.

She should have been very familiar with the Flying Nimbus, yet her gaze remained vacant, as though she had not seen it clearly at all.

She had seen this hazy sight countless times before.

But it was nothing more than a fleeting illusion. The moment she rubbed her eyes, it would all disappear.

Then the Flying Nimbus descended in front of Chi-Chi.

Son Gohan jumped down alongside his father and saw his mother standing ahead of them, her face pale. Her vacant gaze stared forward. She seemed as though she wanted to be happy, yet did not dare to truly rejoice...

In that instant, Son Gohan felt waves of pain stab through his heart.

Over the past year, he had planned everything, preserved all the Z Fighters, and successfully defeated Vegeta and Nappa.

Because of his plans, this world had become far more peaceful.

His father's companions had survived because of it as well.

But for the sake of training and battle, he had made his mother wait for an entire year—wait until even she herself had begun to lose track of it.

He hurried over, wanting to give his mother a hug.

"Chi-Chi, we... are back."