Restored Youth

Master Roshi, Tien Shinhan, and Chiaotzu arrived in a secluded rocky area. Master Roshi took out five Dragon Balls, carefully dug a hole in the ground, buried them inside, and patted down the dirt to hide the traces. They had planned everything meticulously, intending to use this opportunity to stall King Piccolo and seize the remaining two Dragon Balls from him.

Master Roshi quietly instructed, "Chiaotzu, hide behind the rocks later. The moment we get a chance, grab the Dragon Balls. Gather all seven Dragon Balls together and summon Shenron immediately. Our wish will be for Piccolo to disappear completely."

Chiaotzu nodded solemnly and hid behind the rocks, staring ahead with complete focus.

Tien Shinhan nodded slightly and exchanged a glance with Master Roshi. He said calmly, "What happens next depends on our coordination. As long as we get the Dragon Balls, King Piccolo will lose all his leverage."

As Master Roshi observed the surrounding terrain, he replied softly, "That's right. Stay calm no matter what. Opportunities vanish in an instant. We cannot afford to make a mistake."

King Piccolo's Airship slowly hovered above Master Roshi and the others as the scent of battle quietly gathered. Piccolo stood on the deck, his cold gaze sweeping over the rocky terrain below. Pilaf stepped forward and said, "Great King, they must be hiding somewhere, waiting to ambush you!"

Piccolo sneered, lowered his head to look at the two Dragon Balls in his hand, and slyly considered how to keep these people from obtaining them easily. He tossed the Dragon Balls into the air, opened his mouth, and swallowed them. The Dragon Balls slid down his grotesque throat and into his stomach.

Tien Shinhan witnessed this from behind the rocks. Clenching his fists, he turned to Master Roshi with a grim expression. "He swallowed the Dragon Balls! At this rate, we can only get them by defeating Piccolo."

As he spoke, Tien Shinhan took off his shirt, determined to fight to the end. He stepped forward, ready to face Piccolo. Master Roshi hurriedly stopped him. "Tien Shinhan, don't be reckless!"

"This is our responsibility. I have to stop him!" Tien Shinhan said firmly.

Master Roshi sighed, took a bottle of spray from his robes, and sprayed Tien Shinhan while he was off guard. Tien Shinhan had no time to react before he quickly collapsed and lost consciousness. Master Roshi gently dragged him behind the rocks and sighed. "I don't want to see any more meaningless sacrifices."

Master Roshi raised his head and shouted at Chiaotzu, who was hiding behind another rock, "Chiaotzu! The plan is canceled! No matter what happens, do not come out!"

Chiaotzu froze for a moment, watching Master Roshi nervously through a crack in the rocks. He felt a faint sense of unease, but he still nodded, clenched his fists, and tried to remain calm. He knew Master Roshi must have had his reasons for making this decision.

"Just an old man, and you dare challenge me?" King Piccolo looked down at Master Roshi and sneered coldly, his eyes full of contempt.

"King Piccolo!" Master Roshi shouted. "Do you think swallowing the Dragon Balls truly makes you invincible? I won't let you get your way."

"Old man, don't tell me you really think your aged strength can stop me? Today, I'll show you what true terror is!" Piccolo snorted disdainfully.

At Kame House, Bulma stared intently at the Dragon Radar in her hand. When she saw that the signals from all seven Dragon Balls had finally gathered in one place, bright red dots flashed across the screen. Her expression immediately turned grave, and the unease in her heart grew stronger.

"Master Roshi and King Piccolo... have they already met?" Launch asked in a low voice, frowning with worry in her eyes.

Bulma did not answer. She quickly pulled out her communicator and tried to contact Master Roshi. Pressing the call button, she shouted anxiously into it, "Hello! Master Roshi, can you hear me? Master Roshi!"

A burst of harsh static came from the communicator. Even after a long while, there was still no response. Bulma's brows drew tightly together, her eyes filled with anxiety. Launch and Krillin beside her also wore serious expressions as they waited uneasily, but the communicator remained silent.

"Nothing happened to them, right?" Krillin's voice trembled slightly.

At that moment, King Piccolo and Master Roshi stood facing each other in a standoff. Piccolo looked Master Roshi over coldly and sneered. "You old man, had you never heard my name before you dared challenge me?"

"This is not the first time we have met." Master Roshi remained calm.

Piccolo paused, then snorted coldly and said disdainfully, "All you know is how to talk big. The Dragon Balls are right here with me. If you have the ability, come take them!"

"My attacks truly cannot harm you, but I know of a way to seal you away." Master Roshi smiled faintly and spoke slowly.

Piccolo was slightly startled, and his expression changed as a hint of unease rose in his heart.

Master Roshi continued, "You must have heard of my master." He fell silent for a moment before solemnly speaking the name. "Master Mutai."

The moment King Piccolo heard that name, the sneer on his face froze. Cold sweat seeped from his forehead. The name struck his heart like lightning, bringing back the humiliating memories of being sealed away long ago. A trace of fear appeared on his face, impossible to hide.

As King Piccolo stood in shock, Master Roshi swiftly pulled a capsule from his robes, pressed it, and threw it to the ground. In an instant, an ancient rice cooker appeared on the ground. King Piccolo's expression changed drastically when he saw it. It was as though he had seen the nightmare of the past, and for a moment, he was so frightened that he did not know what to do.

Meanwhile, Tien Shinhan behind the rocks gradually regained consciousness and groggily opened his eyes. Though he still could not move, his gaze happened to fall on Master Roshi standing before the rice cooker, his hands in the stance for the Evil Containment Wave. Tien Shinhan instantly realized that Master Roshi intended to use the Evil Containment Wave to seal King Piccolo! This technique demanded an enormous sacrifice. Shock and grief welled up in his heart as he thought, Master Mutai, are you really willing to seal King Piccolo at the cost of your own life...

Master Roshi took a deep breath. Intense waves of energy gradually flowed from his hands as he gathered the aura of the Evil Containment Wave. His entire presence continued to intensify, and even the surrounding air trembled from the concentration of energy. Master Roshi silently recalled the teachings Master Mutai had left behind and steeled his resolve to seal King Piccolo once again, even at the cost of his life.

Seeing Master Roshi use the Evil Containment Wave, the fear on King Piccolo's face grew more and more apparent. He let out a roar, trying to force himself to stay calm, but his body involuntarily retreated several steps. As he backed away, he shouted, "No... impossible! I will not be sealed again!"

Suddenly, a warm aura entered Master Roshi's body, and the Evil Containment Wave energy he had gathered instantly vanished. Master Roshi turned around and discovered that Goku had arrived. Goku smiled and said, "Old man, you can't trade your life for King Piccolo's. It's not worth it."

"Goku, leave this place at once! You're still too young. You can't defeat King Piccolo!" Master Roshi said nervously, frowning.

Goku continued smiling and nodded lightly. "Leave it to me." He calmly walked forward, looked at Piccolo, who was still shaken, and said, "We meet again so soon."

"I'll give you a chance. Since all the Dragon Balls are here, summon Shenron," Goku said to King Piccolo.

Master Roshi was horrified by Goku's words and hurriedly said, "Goku! What are you doing?" He could not understand why Goku would voluntarily give Piccolo such an opportunity.

"Old man, don't worry. I know what I'm doing." Goku turned back and smiled reassuringly at Master Roshi.

King Piccolo stared at Goku, his eyes filled with suspicion and probing. He asked quietly, "Are you serious?"

Goku smiled faintly and flicked his finger. The five Dragon Balls buried underground flew out of the soil, arcing through the air before landing in front of King Piccolo with a faint golden glow.

"Hurry up and become young again," Goku said calmly.

King Piccolo eagerly spat out the two Dragon Balls in his mouth. The seven Dragon Balls were neatly arranged together, gleaming with a faint light as everyone's eyes focused on them.

Piccolo lowered his head and fell silent for a while, clearly unsure what to do next. He frowned at the others and said coldly, "How do I summon Shenron?"

For a moment, there was nothing but speechless silence. Everyone froze, apparently not expecting Piccolo to be unaware of even the basic steps for summoning Shenron.

Goku raised his head slightly, looked at Piccolo's towering body, and smiled. Pointing at the Dragon Balls, he said casually, "Shout at the Dragon Balls, 'Come forth, Shenron.'"

King Piccolo took a deep breath, stared at the Dragon Balls before him, and called out in a low voice, "Come forth, Shenron!"

With Piccolo's shout, the Dragon Balls began to shine with a dazzling light. The radiance of the seven Dragon Balls intertwined, illuminating the surroundings as the air seemed to fill with a mysterious power.

The seven Dragon Balls' light erupted in an instant, converging into a brilliant golden beam. In the blink of an eye, the light rose from the ground like a meteor piercing the night sky and shot rapidly toward the heavens. The golden light climbed higher and higher until it finally condensed into a massive Shenron. His majestic body coiled through the sky, his eyes burning red like flames, as though carrying endless authority and power.

Shenron lowered his head to look down at Piccolo below, his voice booming and deep as thunder. "State your wish. Any wish can be granted."

King Piccolo's heart raced with excitement, and greedy light flashed in his eyes. He took a deep breath, suppressed the excitement in his heart, and said eagerly, "I want to return to a younger, stronger body. Can you do that?"

Shenron's red eyes flashed, and his deep voice sounded once more. "A simple matter."

A dazzling beam of light shone down upon Piccolo, and his aged body gradually began to change. His skin became firm and elastic, while his once-wrinkled face quickly regained its smoothness. The aura of age within him was completely dispelled. As the beam gradually faded, Piccolo had already returned to his youthful appearance. His muscles were taut, his spirit was renewed, and his entire body seemed filled with vitality and power.

"This feeling! Incredible! This is my true power!" Piccolo rejoiced.

Master Roshi, Tien Shinhan, and Chiaotzu stared at everything in shock. Though they had expected it, witnessing Piccolo regain his youth with their own eyes still left them utterly stunned and despairing.

Goku, however, continued watching the younger Piccolo with great interest, silently muttering to himself, He's still just as ugly.