King Piccolo cast a contemptuous glance at Master Roshi's ready stance, the smile at the corner of his mouth growing wider.
Disdain flashed in his eyes. Suddenly, he stepped forward, moving at a jaw-dropping speed, almost vanishing in the blink of an eye.
The air around him gave a faint howl as he moved, as though even time had stalled.
Master Roshi felt his vision blur, and King Piccolo was already before him, as silent as a ghost.
He hurriedly raised his hands to block. Their fists and palms collided with a deafening crash. In that instant, the entire space seemed to tremble.
The battle erupted just like that. Every attack from King Piccolo brimmed with savage power, every punch and kick carrying the force of wind and thunder.
Master Roshi countered with his profound martial skills and wealth of combat experience. Though his movements were not as swift and fierce as King Piccolo's, every dodge and counterattack was exceptionally precise.
Every exchange sent powerful currents of air surging outward. Rising dust blotted out the sky, and rocks in the valley flew in all directions. This battle was not merely a contest of strength, but a clash of wills.
Amid this fierce confrontation, Master Roshi could not help but smile bitterly inwardly.
Facing such a powerful enemy, he knew his situation well, but he also knew that, no matter what, he could not back down.
Every collision with King Piccolo made him feel the flame of his life burning, and every dodge and counterattack pushed his abilities to their limits.
As the battle continued, the wind and rain seemed to sense the intensity between them and grew even more violent.
Gales whipped up more dust, and dark clouds churned across the sky as though they would swallow the entire world.
In these conditions, the battle between Master Roshi and King Piccolo reached a fever pitch.
After a fierce exchange, Master Roshi retreated several steps and steadied himself. A trace of resolve flashed in his eyes. Even against such a formidable enemy, his gaze showed not the slightest retreat.
"Hey! Are you all right? You're sweating a lot!" Yajirobe looked at Son Goku with concern, his voice carrying a measure of worry.
Son Goku wiped the sweat from his forehead and said weakly, "Hurry and take me to Korin Tower." His voice was low, revealing his exhaustion.
"Looks like there's a really good doctor there," Yajirobe replied as he drove.
"Hurry and take me to Lord Korin." Son Goku's voice held a hint of urgency.
"So that doctor's called Korin." Yajirobe seemed to understand, his expression tinged with curiosity.
"He's a kitty..." Son Goku's voice was low, his gaze somewhat unfocused.
Yajirobe glanced at Son Goku, then turned back to keep driving. "He must have a fever. He's talking nonsense."
"This should jog your memory." Master Roshi pressed a Hoi-Poi Capsule and casually tossed it onto the ground. The Capsule instantly transformed and expanded into an ordinary electric rice cooker.
"A rice..." King Piccolo's voice was full of terror. "A rice cooker!" Disbelief flashed in his eyes, and his hands trembled slightly.
"No, this is impossible..." King Piccolo's voice was barely a murmur as an inexplicable fear welled up within him.
He remembered how, long ago, Mutaito had sealed him away using the same method. He had never expected the seemingly harmless old man before him to possess the same skill.
"The Evil Containment Wave. Master Roshi is going to use the Evil Containment Wave. So Master Roshi really does know it. That means he... he's prepared to die."
Tien Shinhan had already regained consciousness while Master Roshi and King Piccolo were fighting. Though his body was utterly exhausted, he lay prone at the cave entrance, his eyes fixed on the battle outside.
"It seems you still remember how Master Mutaito sealed you away long ago." Master Roshi's tone was calm, yet carried an unquestionable resolve. He took his stance, and the ki throughout his body began to gather.
King Piccolo backed away in fear, his face livid green and dripping with cold sweat, the panic in his eyes like that of prey pursued by a savage beast.
Just then, the clouds of ki in the sky began to flow rapidly, and the ground started cracking outward from Master Roshi, as though the entire world were responding to his power.
White light enveloped Master Roshi's entire body. Then he released a beam of green light toward King Piccolo.
The green Evil Containment Wave wrapped tightly around King Piccolo. He screamed in terror as he slowly flew toward the rice cooker.
Master Roshi swept both hands downward, and King Piccolo plummeted toward the rice cooker like a kite with its string cut.
Clang!
Freed from the Evil Containment Wave's restraints, King Piccolo sat on the ground, gasping for breath as though granted a new life.
His heart was filled with shock and bewilderment. In that moment, he felt a fear unlike anything he had ever known.
"Oh no! To think I'd make a mistake. What... what a shame." Master Roshi's voice was weak, and a trace of regret showed in his eyes.
"But if you think you can rest easy now, you're sorely mistaken. I believe someone will defeat you." With those words, Master Roshi closed his eyes and collapsed to the ground, all signs of life gone.
"Master Roshi!" Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu watched this from the cave entrance, their hearts filled with grief and reluctance to let him go.
At the same time, Son Goku's heart suddenly clenched as he sat in the car, and his face turned pale.
"What's wrong? Does it still hurt a lot?" Yajirobe looked at him, full of worry.
"It feels like something... I'm not sure." Son Goku murmured to himself, an ominous premonition stirring in his heart.
"You really are a strange guy. Is your injury acting up again?" Yajirobe asked as he drove, his tone revealing concern and anxiety.
"Heh heh heh..."
King Piccolo looked at the fallen Master Roshi and suddenly laughed. "He's finally dead, the big idiot. Even so, I was going to die too. I never imagined anyone still knew the Evil Containment Wave, but now he's dead too. Hahahaha..."
Then he found the remaining Dragon Balls and placed them together. The seven Dragon Balls shone with dazzling light, and the sky turned pitch-black.
"Come forth, Shenron!"
Elsewhere, a deep darkness shrouded the sky, and the stars hid their light. Bulma gazed anxiously toward the horizon, unease flickering in her eyes.
She nervously gripped the Scouter in her hand, her heart full of confusion and worry, not knowing who had managed to obtain the Dragon Balls.
Son Goku also noticed the change. He stood on a huge boulder, his gaze blazing like a torch as he looked into the distance, knowing full well that this had to be King Piccolo's handiwork. Son Goku clenched his fists, unwillingness written across his face.
Back here, Tien Shinhan lay on the cold ground, his entire body powerless. He could only contact Chiaotzu through Telepathy.
His voice was weak and urgent. "Chiaotzu, listen. I can't move right now. Master Roshi gave me a powerful drug. King Piccolo is about to fulfill his evil wish. You have to make a wish before he does and erase him from this world."
Hearing Tien Shinhan's words, Chiaotzu was terrified, but he knew the weight of the responsibility on his shoulders. He stammered in reply, "All... all right. I'll do my best."
At this critical moment, a brilliant light tore across the sky, and an enormous Shenron appeared before King Piccolo. His body was immense, his scales shimmering with a mysterious luster.
Shenron's eyes were like two dazzling gems. His voice was loud and majestic, echoing into every corner.
"Speak your wish! Whatever it is, I will grant it."
King Piccolo stood before Shenron, a smile of wild delight spreading across his face. He opened his arms as though he could already see the dawn of victory. "Then I'll say it. Please make me..."
Just as he was about to make his wish, a figure suddenly shot out like lightning.
Chiaotzu cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted to Shenron with all his strength. "Shenron... please, make King Piccolo... disappear from this world!"
King Piccolo's face instantly filled with terror. He had never expected anyone to stop him at this crucial moment.