Android 8

Goku arrived at the outskirts of Masluta and stood before the tower, looking up.

The top of the towering structure disappeared into the clouds, shrouded in heavy dark clouds that gave off a cold, sinister air.

Outside the tower, everything was silent except for the howling wind, which sent waves of chill through the air.

Standing on the snow-covered ground, Goku took a deep breath and surveyed the towering structure before him.

From the top of the tower, General White spotted the kid who had suddenly appeared below through the surveillance cameras.

Seeing his fearless expression, General White snorted and switched on the intercom. "Hey! Kid, if you've got the guts, fight your way up here!"

Goku looked up at the top of the tower. Hearing General White's provocation, he grinned, excitement flashing in his eyes. "Sure! Then I'll come up!"

With that, he strode toward the tower entrance, pushed open the heavy doors without hesitation, and stepped into Masluta.

The harsh light of the tower's neon lamps shone down on him, stretching his shadow long and thin.

Goku glanced upward and gave a disdainful snort.

He set off, breezing through the first floor. The armed guards were swiftly and cleanly knocked down with a punch or a kick.

Before long, he reached the second floor. The lights here were dim, and a cold, oppressive presence bore down on him.

The wall in front of him suddenly slid aside, and a massive metal man appeared before him with a thunderous sound. Steel gleamed across its body, its arms whirring heavily with machinery as it radiated tremendous pressure.

"Wow, it's huge!" Goku exclaimed, but he showed no fear as he assumed a fighting stance.

The metal man raised its enormous fist and smashed it down at Goku.

Goku nimbly leaped aside, then countered with several heavy punches. Dull, reverberating impacts rang out beneath his fists as the metal man quickly began to deform and crack.

Goku's gaze sharpened, and he sped up his punches, landing several consecutive blows on the metal man's upper body.

"Boom!" With a tremendous crash, the metal man's upper body was completely shattered, pieces scattering everywhere.

At the top of the tower, General White stared at the scene with wide eyes. His hands began to tremble slightly, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

"Damn it... What kind of monster is this kid?"

Goku reached the third floor of Masluta. Before him stood an enemy dressed in purple ninja garb, his arms crossed as he coldly assessed Goku. With a sneer, he said, "Kid, it's impressive that you made it this far, but this is where you end!"

The purple ninja swiftly formed hand seals and released several clones, which charged at Goku from every direction at once. Goku calmly observed them, then easily leaped and dodged, precisely evading every attack.

As Goku threw punches, the ninja clones vanished one after another.

Realizing he could not defeat Goku head-on, the purple ninja turned and ran to an iron door in the corner. He pressed a switch, and with a click, a huge figure stepped out.

It was a tall, massive Android with a large face. His eyes were kind, and he did not seem to want to fight.

The purple ninja pulled out a remote control and shouted threateningly at Android 8, "Number 8, get rid of this kid! Otherwise, I'll press the bomb button and blow you to pieces!"

Android 8 lowered his head. He clearly did not want to obey, but he was powerless to resist.

While the purple ninja was gloating, Goku dashed forward at lightning speed. With a swing of his right fist, he struck the remote control precisely.

The remote instantly shattered into countless pieces. The purple ninja's face filled with terror, and he fled in a panic.

Goku turned to Android 8 and gave him a friendly smile. "You're free now. You don't have to listen to his orders anymore."

Android 8 froze for a moment, seemingly touched by Goku's warm smile. He said softly, "Thank you, little friend. I never wanted to hurt anyone..."

Goku said sincerely, "It's okay, Uncle 8. You don't need to worry! I'll defeat those bad guys."

Android 8 nodded. "I'll go with you. I know the layout of every floor in this tower, and I can take you to the village chief."

Goku nodded excitedly. "Sure! Let's go together!"

Goku and Android 8 arrived at the next floor, where a complicated maze lay before them.

Android 8 was about to give directions. "Goku, I know how to get through this maze..."

Before he could finish, Goku said with a smile, "No need to make it so complicated!"

With that, Goku raised his fist and punched a huge hole straight through the wall ahead.

He easily smashed through wall after wall. Amid a series of thunderous crashes, stairs leading to the higher floors finally appeared before them.

Android 8 stared in astonishment and exclaimed, "Goku, your strength is incredible!"

Goku smiled, beckoned to Android 8, and continued leading him upward.

The two reached the top floor of Masluta—the main control room of General White.

When General White saw them burst in, his expression changed drastically. Then he cursed furiously, "Number 8, you traitor! You actually brought outsiders in here!"

Looking troubled, Android 8 tried to persuade him. "General, we can settle this peacefully. Fighting is bad. Don't fight..."

Goku looked at Android 8 and secretly found this simple, honest uncle both kind and a little adorable.

However, he had no intention of wasting any more time. He suddenly rushed forward and kicked General White away. General White died instantly.

Goku walked to the prison cell beside the control room, pulled open the heavy iron door, and freed the imprisoned village chief.

Goku left Masluta with Android 8 and the village chief, and they stood outside.

At that moment, Android 8 turned to look at the base of the tower and said somewhat nervously, "This place shouldn't continue to exist."

He walked up to the tower and struck it fiercely with his huge fist, punching a massive hole through the wall.

As the wall at the base was destroyed, cracking sounds rang out from the tower. Before their eyes, the entire tower slowly toppled over, finally collapsing with a thunderous crash and sending dust billowing into the sky.

Goku looked at the fallen tower and said to Android 8 and the village chief, "Let's go. Everyone's free now."

The three returned to the village, which was still quiet and peaceful. When Suno and her mother saw Goku return with the village chief, their eyes immediately lit up, their faces filled with surprise and excitement.

Suno's eyes sparkled as she cried happily, "The village chief is back! The village chief is back!"

She held her mother's hand, her face glowing with a happy smile.

Looking at Suno and her mother, the village chief was so moved that his voice caught. "Thank you for continuing to wait for me. You've suffered so much."

He walked over to them with a smile and patted Suno on the head.

"Thank you, Brother Goku! Thank you for saving the village chief!" Suno thanked Goku excitedly.

Goku smiled and patted her shoulder. "It's nothing. Everyone's okay now."

He pointed at Android 8. "This is Android 8. He helped a lot too."

Although Suno and her mother were somewhat surprised to see Android 8, they were not afraid. "Thank you, Android 8."

Android 8 scratched his head. "You're welcome. I just did what I should have done."

The village chief nodded as he looked at Goku and Android 8. "Your help has brought hope to our village. Thank you."

Goku suddenly remembered something and asked, "Android 8, don't you have a star-marked ball with you?"

Android 8 froze for a moment, then took an orange ball from his pocket. Four red stars glowed on it. "Is this it?"

Goku's eyes lit up as he said excitedly, "Yes, that's it! It's a Dragon Ball! I've been looking for it!"

Seeing how happy Goku was, Android 8 smiled faintly and handed him the Dragon Ball. "Since you need it, take it. To me, it's just an ordinary ball."

Goku happily accepted the Dragon Ball and thanked him again and again. "Thank you, Android 8! This is really important to me!"

Android 8 gave an honest smile and scratched his head. "No need to thank me, Goku. As long as you like it."

Goku carefully put away the Dragon Ball and looked gratefully at Android 8. "Android 8, you're really too kind. If you ever have any trouble, you can come find me anytime!"

"Since everyone's okay, I'll be leaving first," Goku said, waving to everyone.