Cool for Less Than Three Seconds

Far away at Kame House, Bulma, Launch, Yamcha, and Krillin looked up at the suddenly darkened sky, unease rising in their hearts. Bulma said in surprise, "The sky suddenly turned dark... Could someone have summoned Shenron?"

Perhaps Master Roshi had successfully summoned Shenron. If so, they might have a chance to destroy King Piccolo.

Meanwhile, on the desolate battlefield, King Piccolo felt the youthful power surging through him again, and wild delight spread across his face. He clenched his fists, feeling boundless energy fill his body, as though the entire world were under his control.

Shenron looked down at Piccolo and said in a deep voice, "Your wish has been granted. Farewell."

Piccolo suddenly let out a sinister laugh and shouted up at Shenron, "Die!" He opened his mouth and violently spat out a dazzling golden demonic beam straight at Shenron! The beam shone with deadly light and carried an aura of destruction as it hurtled toward Shenron.

Shenron froze, surprised by Piccolo's sudden attack, but he had no power to fend it off as the demonic beam bore down on him.

At that critical moment, Goku lightly flicked a finger. An invisible force surged forth, and Piccolo's demonic beam instantly vanished without a trace, as though it had never existed.

Shenron immediately reacted. He cast a panicked glance at Piccolo, then swiftly transformed into seven Dragon Balls. Wrapped in golden light, they flew toward all corners of the world. He had clearly been terrified by Piccolo's attack and was inwardly grateful that he had escaped so quickly. Otherwise, he might really have been finished.

Piccolo paused for a moment before glaring furiously at Goku, undisguised killing intent blazing in his eyes.

The restored King Piccolo stared coldly at Goku, his eyes gleaming with ferocity and contempt. He could feel the surging power within his body. Now, the boy who had once made him wary no longer posed any threat. In his heart, no one remained who could stop his ambition to rule the world.

Piccolo sneered, raised a hand, and looked down at Goku as he said arrogantly, "Son Goku, you have no idea who stands before you! I will turn this world into the domain of the Demon Clan and make everyone crawl at my feet!"

His voice echoed through the air, filled with endless killing intent and arrogance, as though he had already declared his victory.

Goku's expression did not change. He raised his head slightly to look at Piccolo, his face still carrying an easy smile, completely unaffected by the threat.

Watching Piccolo immerse himself in his own world, Goku gave a faintly cold smile and cut him off. "Piccolo, you can die now."

Piccolo was briefly stunned, as though he had heard an absurd joke, and shot Goku a disdainful glance. But the next second, Goku lightly pointed a finger. A Ki Blast instantly tore through the air and pierced straight through Piccolo's chest, leaving a fatal hole as blood poured from the wound.

Piccolo's body began to sway. His eyes widened as he stared at Goku in disbelief. His cells desperately tried to repair the wound, but his life force drained away too quickly for his regeneration to keep up. Pain and rage appeared on his face.

The surroundings fell completely silent. Everyone present was left dumbstruck by the sight. On the distant airship, the Pilaf Trio, Piccolo's servants, Master Roshi, Tien Shinhan, and Chiaotzu all stared blankly at Piccolo's swaying figure.

Piccolo gasped painfully, his entire body trembling, his eyes filled with rage and unwillingness. He glared at Goku, vengeance burning in his heart. Knowing there was no way to turn things around, he used the last trace of his life force, gritted his teeth, gathered his remaining power within himself, and spat a green egg out from deep in his throat. It flew toward the distant horizon. In a low murmur filled with hatred and despair, he said, "My child, you must avenge me. Kill Son Goku..."

The light in Piccolo's eyes gradually faded. His massive body slowly collapsed, and he died completely. His shadowy aura vanished with him, leaving behind hollow silence.

Master Roshi slowly stepped forward and warily kicked Piccolo's corpse a few times. Only after confirming that King Piccolo was truly dead did he let out a long breath of relief. He turned to look at Goku, his heart filled with complicated emotions—whenever they faced a hopeless crisis, Goku always turned the tide with unbelievable power, as if he had been born to create miracles.

Tien Shinhan, still lying on the ground, slowly pushed himself up and looked at Goku's back with both shock and a bitter smile. He understood now. Goku had not used his full strength at all during the martial arts tournament. Their previous fight had merely been Goku casually "playing" around, yet he had never realized it.

At this moment, Master Roshi could not help asking, "Goku, what about the egg Piccolo spat out before he died? If that is his offspring too, it might cause trouble in the future."

Goku smiled and casually waved a hand. "Don't worry about him. When he grows up, he'll come find me at the next martial arts tournament."

When the Pilaf Trio and Piccolo's servants on the airship saw King Piccolo defeated, they were instantly scared out of their wits and hurriedly turned the airship around to flee. Pilaf nervously controlled its direction while shouting, "Hurry! Hurry! We can't afford to mess with Son Goku!"

Mai and Shu were equally pale-faced and did not dare linger for even a moment, afraid that Goku would take them out as well. The airship wobbled as it accelerated through the sky, disappearing beyond the distant horizon in moments.

Goku glanced in the direction of their escape, the corners of his mouth lifting into a relaxed smile. He knew Pilaf and the others were the comic relief of the Dragon Ball world, so there was no need to hold them accountable. He simply let them run away.

Goku, Master Roshi, Tien Shinhan, and Chiaotzu returned to Kame House. Seeing that they had come back safely, Bulma, Yamcha, Launch, and Krillin eagerly rushed up to greet them. Before anyone could ask what had happened, Master Roshi wore a relaxed expression and slowly said, "Don't worry, everyone. King Piccolo has been dealt with."

Bulma froze and asked in confusion, "Dealt with? You mean... King Piccolo was destroyed?"

Master Roshi nodded and slowly recounted everything that had happened. "Goku defeated King Piccolo. Even after Piccolo regained his youth, he was still no match for Goku. In the end, Piccolo died at Goku's hands."

Hearing the news, everyone was utterly shocked. Bulma looked at Goku in disbelief, then excitedly threw her arms around him. "Goku, you really did it! You saved everyone!"

Krillin stood there dumbfounded and said admiringly, "Goku, you're incredible! When you fought me at the martial arts tournament, you really weren't showing your true strength!"

Goku scratched his head and smiled shyly.

Yamcha also said with feeling, "Having a companion like you really puts people at ease."

Launch said excitedly, "We have to celebrate properly! Today, you're everyone's hero!"

As night fell, Launch and Bulma bustled around Kame House for a while before finally serving up a lavish dinner. The table was packed with delicious dishes, their rich fragrance making everyone's appetite stir.

Everyone sat around the table, and Launch took a seat directly beside Tien Shinhan. She looked at him tenderly, leaning close from time to time and even helping him pick up food. Tien Shinhan was usually calm and composed, but beneath Launch's enthusiastic gaze, his face flushed bright red. Even the hand holding his chopsticks trembled slightly, and he did not dare look directly at her.

On the other side, Bulma sat focused beside Goku. Watching him wolf down food, she kept placing more dishes into his bowl. "Goku, eat more! You must have used up a lot of energy just now, right?"

With his mouth stuffed full of food, Goku replied indistinctly, "Thanks, Bulma! The food here is really good!"

Krillin watched Goku rapidly empty his bowl, then looked at Bulma constantly adding more food. He could not help joking, "Goku, your stomach is practically bottomless! Bulma can barely keep up with you!"

Goku blinked and burst out laughing. "This isn't even much! If I'm hungry, I can eat a hundred times this much!"

Bulma smiled helplessly. "Oh, I just like seeing Goku eat so happily!"

Seeing Tien Shinhan's red face and Goku's grease-smeared mouth, Master Roshi could not help bursting into laughter. "Haha, this is a rare sight indeed! Goku and Tien Shinhan are both getting some special 'attention' today!"

Everyone immediately burst into laughter, and the atmosphere became relaxed and warm.