As Tambourine flew toward location 2933 in WSC at astonishing speed, Son Goku was already waiting quietly there.
The surrounding air was thick with tension and danger. Son Goku's gaze was unwavering, his aura burning like a raging fire, heralding the fierce battle to come.
"Finally here!" Son Goku muttered, his sharp gaze fixed on the dark silhouette gradually approaching in the distance.
His fists were clenched and his muscles taut, ready to fight at any moment.
"Yajirobe, I'm not leaving this one to you."
Yajirobe chuckled and replied, "All right, all right, you can deal with this one, but the eating is mine."
His tone was relaxed, as though he thought nothing of the enemy before them.
Tambourine finally landed on the ground, a cruel gleam in his eyes.
"So you were the ones who killed Cymbal. What a useless fool, losing to a few little brats." His voice was full of scorn and disdain.
"Damn it! Who are you calling a little brat?" Yajirobe retorted indignantly, clearly angered by Tambourine's assessment.
Tambourine looked at Son Goku and laughed mockingly. "You still dare to fight me? You can't withstand a single blow. Looks like you really don't want to live."
He pointed his thumb arrogantly at himself, his eyes full of provocation.
Son Goku's aura grew even stronger as he answered firmly, "My belly's nice and full this time. I'm much stronger than before!"
His voice carried unquestionable confidence.
"Oh? What difference does that make? Let me see." Tambourine grinned viciously, clearly dismissing Son Goku's words.
"Just watch! You hurt my friend, and I'll never let you get away with it!" Son Goku roared, the aura around his body intensifying.
The flames of vengeance burned in his eyes, and every cell in his body was preparing for the coming battle.
Their gazes clashed like lightning and sparks. Then Son Goku suddenly charged at Tambourine, both fists striking fiercely with the sound of air tearing. Tambourine reacted swiftly, spreading his wings and darting aside to deftly evade Son Goku's attack, but Son Goku immediately swung back with a palm strike aimed at Tambourine's chest.
The blow sent Tambourine staggering back several steps, a trace of surprise appearing in his eyes. He had not expected Son Goku to be so strong.
Son Goku seized the opportunity to launch several attacks in succession, each blow packed with strength and speed, leaving Tambourine struggling to keep up.
"You're stronger than I expected, but that's still nowhere near enough!" Tambourine shouted, a powerful ring of energy suddenly erupting around his body and forcibly pushing Son Goku away.
Son Goku steadied himself and took a deep breath, an even firmer flame burning in his eyes.
He knew this battle was about avenging Krillin. He could not fail.
"Take this!"
Son Goku shouted, gathering all his energy into his hands to form a huge ball of light.
He rushed forward in great strides and hurled that powerful energy straight at Tambourine.
Tambourine tried to block it with energy, but the ball of light was far more powerful than he had imagined, its violent impact almost impossible for him to withstand.
Amid a tremendous explosion, Tambourine was blasted away and slammed heavily into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Watching from a distance, Yajirobe could not help muttering, "I'd better not make Son Goku angry from now on."
Tambourine struggled to climb up from the ground, his body already covered in wounds. With an enraged roar, he fired a powerful Tri-Beam from his mouth, sending it straight toward Son Goku.
Facing this attack without the slightest fear, Son Goku crossed his arms in front of himself and took the Tri-Beam head-on.
The Tri-Beam's energy gradually dissipated against Son Goku's defense, and Son Goku seized the opportunity to charge at Tambourine again.
His fists were like the sound of air tearing, every blow leaving Tambourine in agony.
At last, Tambourine could fight no longer and tried to flee the battlefield.
Unwilling to let this chance to avenge Krillin slip away, Son Goku swung the Power Pole. Its shaft instantly lengthened, catching up with Tambourine.
Son Goku gathered all the strength in his body and shouted.
"Kamehameha!"
A powerful blue wave of energy shot from his palms, striking Tambourine directly.
The tremendous impact defeated Tambourine utterly. His body exploded in midair, scattering into countless fragments.
Beneath a blanket of heavy, dark clouds, King Piccolo's airship cut ponderously through the low sky. The surrounding clouds were like ferocious black beasts, greedily devouring the scant light.
Inside the airship, the lighting was dim and yellow. The flickering lights of various instruments cast shadows across King Piccolo's furious face, making him look even more terrifying.
"The two warriors I went through untold suffering to create have both been killed!" King Piccolo's voice echoed through the cramped space, filled with rage.
His hands were clenched into fists, veins bulging on their backs, and a dangerous light flickered in his eyes.
"Whoever you are, just you wait! I, Piccolo, will come in person and show you the true terror of the great demon king."
As he spoke, the viciousness in his eyes deepened. His entire body trembled, as though terrifying power might erupt from him at any moment.
Beside him, Pilaf operated the airship while cautiously watching the Dragon Radar display on the screen.
He suddenly cried out in surprise, his voice anxious and urgent. "Several Dragon Balls have gathered together here, Great Demon King! What should we do? If they find those Dragon Balls first..."
King Piccolo turned, his gaze sweeping over Pilaf like an icy blade, his voice low and forceful. "There's no need to worry. They can't possibly gather them all. After all, one of them is in my hands."
He took a Four-Star Dragon Ball glowing with a soft light from inside his clothes and toyed with it gently, a scheming gleam in his eyes.
"Whoever they are, they'd better gather all the other Dragon Balls first. That would actually save me quite a bit of trouble. Then I'll take them all at once."
As he spoke, King Piccolo's tone suddenly grew harsher. "Never mind that. The most important thing now is to find whoever killed Cymbal and Tambourine. Hurry up and find them."
A trace of resolve flashed through his eyes. Clearly, this matter was of great importance, and no mistakes could be allowed.
"Yes, Lord Great Demon King!" Pilaf immediately answered, his fingers tapping rapidly across the controls as he adjusted the airship's course and sped toward the Dragon Ball signals shown on the Dragon Radar.
After defeating Tambourine, Son Goku had remained there waiting. By now, he also knew that Tambourine and Cymbal had been working for someone else.
Bored stiff, he took out the Dragon Radar and kept refreshing its data.
Just then, Yajirobe lifted the Dragon Ball hanging around his neck and spoke.
"Remember to let me know if you win. I'll give you this Dragon Ball then."
"Huh?"
Son Goku stared at the Dragon Radar with a puzzled expression. Yajirobe stood up and asked indignantly.
"Did you hear me? Are you even listening?"
"It's nearby now. A Dragon Ball is coming this way." Son Goku stared at the Dragon Radar.
Beep, beep, beep...
The Dragon Radar's beeps grew more and more frequent.
It's here!
Son Goku looked around but found nothing.
"Up there!" Son Goku suddenly looked up and saw an airship hovering overhead.
He stared intently at the airship. Just then, its hatch opened, and a figure jumped down without any protection, kicking up a cloud of dust upon landing.