After a long journey, Yajirobe's vehicle finally rolled to a slow stop at the foot of Korin Tower.
The door opened with a click, and Yajirobe jumped out first. Looking around, he could not help frowning. "We're here. This is the place, right?"
He spoke uncertainly, then added with a little dissatisfaction and a trace of curiosity, "It's honestly a little hard to believe. Is there really any delicious food to eat here?"
Son Goku then landed lightly beside the vehicle. He took a deep breath, a trace of nostalgia flashing through his eyes. "This place brings back memories. It hasn't changed at all."
His voice carried a faint pleasure and reminiscence. Two years ago, it was here that he had defeated Mercenary Tao and met Bora and his son.
Suddenly, a familiar voice broke into Goku's recollections. "Goku!" Upa's voice was filled with surprise and excitement.
He ran over from the distance, his steps light and hurried, as though he wanted to reach Goku as quickly as possible. "It's been so long! I'm so happy!" Upa's eyes brimmed with joy.
Goku smiled and patted Upa's shoulder. "Have you been doing well? You've grown so much."
Upa laughed, looking delighted. "Yeah!" He turned and shouted into the depths of the woods, "Dad, it's Goku! Goku's come to see us!"
Just then, Yajirobe leaned close to Son Goku's ear and muttered, "Listen here. Don't forget about my delicious food."
Son Goku nodded. "I know!" he replied.
Bora slowly emerged from the woods. The moment he saw Son Goku, he called out happily, "Oh! Son Goku!" His voice was full of delighted surprise.
"Bora!" Son Goku called back, and the two began catching up.
During their conversation, Upa learned that Son Goku had been injured in battle and needed to see Master Korin for treatment. Upa looked at Goku worriedly. "With injuries that bad, how are you going to climb up?" His eyes were full of concern.
Goku waved a hand to show there was no need to worry. "With Yajirobe taking me up, none of that will be a problem."
Although Yajirobe was strong enough, he clearly wanted no part in this troublesome business.
However, when Goku mentioned that the delicious food was up on Korin Tower, Yajirobe's eyes immediately lit up, and he quickly agreed.
"Let me help you part of the way," Bora volunteered, his tone firm and sincere.
Then Yajirobe hoisted Son Goku onto his back, and Bora lifted them with all his strength and hurled them toward the top of Korin Tower.
Yajirobe and Son Goku shot into the sky. Once their momentum ran out, they clung tightly to the pillar of Korin Tower and continued climbing rapidly upward.
Pilaf rubbed his palms together, a smile on his lips, and respectfully addressed King Piccolo, who sat in a high-backed chair. "Great Demon King, congratulations on regaining your youth. Now you can rule this world for a long, long time. When the time comes, don't forget to give me half."
King Piccolo slowly turned his head, sweeping his abyss-like eyes over Pilaf. A mocking smile curled his lips before he burst into laughter, full of arrogance and confidence.
"Hahaha..." His laughter echoed throughout the room, sending chills down their spines. It stopped abruptly, and his expression suddenly turned cold. He stared wickedly at the Pilaf Gang and said icily, "I don't want to see you again."
Terrified by this sudden threat, the Pilaf Gang huddled together, their bodies trembling involuntarily, their voices filled with fear. "We'll leave right away." Yet their steps faltered despite themselves, and they dared not move rashly.
King Piccolo waved impatiently, his voice growing colder still. "I said I don't want to see you."
Then he rose and walked to the airship's hatch, wrenching it open. The powerful rush of air immediately blew all three of them out of the cabin.
Just then, a crow-man wearing a black cloak emerged from the shadows. Holding a detailed map, he reported calmly, "Great Demon King, according to our current intelligence, the reigning king has divided Earth into forty-three regions."
He pointed to a spot on the map. "This is where King Castle resides. His city..."
"Enough. Say no more," King Piccolo interrupted, his voice betraying his irritation. "This is utterly boring."
The crow-man immediately lowered his head and answered with just one word. "Yes!"
King Piccolo's gaze sharpened once again. His eyes suddenly fired red lasers, shredding the photograph of the king's palace in his hand.
As the airship drew closer, they arrived above Kesru Royal Palace.
King Piccolo stood, full of vigor. "Watch closely. The first step toward conquering the world will be a moment worth remembering."
He and the crow-man walked to the window together and looked down at the bustling scene below. The crow-man suddenly said, "Today happens to be the twentieth anniversary of the reigning king's accession. It seems these fireworks are celebrating for you, my lord."
A sinister grin spread across King Piccolo's face. Using the Flight Technique alongside the crow-man, he slowly floated down and replied coldly, "Celebrate all you like!" His voice was full of mockery and disdain. These celebratory fireworks would soon become the fireworks of victory after his conquest.
After landing, King Piccolo strode toward the king's castle, his footsteps heavy and resolute. Even the wind around him seemed to turn biting at his arrival, and an oppressive aura filled the air.
"This will become my castle. Not bad." His voice was deep and imposing, like an echo rising from an abyss, sending chills down one's spine.
At the sight, a young gate guard in silver armor immediately stepped in front of him and said nervously, "Please stop. You aren't allowed inside."
King Piccolo did not pause at all, walking straight ahead as though he had not heard the guard. As he passed him, he suddenly struck the guard's neck with his palm. A flash of disbelief crossed the guard's eyes before he collapsed and lay motionless.
Seeing this, the other gate guard was overwhelmed with fear and hastily drew his pistol and fired. The bullets struck as though hitting a barrier of steel, having no effect on King Piccolo.
The guard's eyes filled with disbelief, and his hand began to tremble. The sound of his bullets failing to hit their mark echoed in his heart, as though announcing his end.
King Piccolo gave him a contemptuous glance, then sent him flying with a palm strike. The guard traced a tragic arc through the air, his life fading away with it.
With two screams, alarms blared throughout the palace. All the guards assembled as though jolted by electricity, and a large force hurried over.
Standing in the square before the castle, King Piccolo's eyes suddenly flashed with terrifying red light. Beam after beam swept through like the Grim Reaper's scythe. Powerless to resist, the guards fell one after another.
Meanwhile, in the palace's rear courtyard, the dog king stood on a small stage, addressing the people. His voice was passionate, his expression resolute. "For as long as I live, I intend to devote my life to contributing to peace. Love forever, justice forever."
Then a group of girls in festive clothing prepared to present flowers.
The sudden unrest briefly threw the scene into chaos. King Piccolo walked in step by step, his tread heavy, each footfall seeming to shake the earth.
Troops and tanks along the way mobilized to stop this uninvited intruder, but he easily destroyed them all, as though these high-tech weapons were no more than fragile toys before him.
When the king learned that a monster had broken in, his expression changed drastically. He hastily ordered the crowd evacuated and retreated deeper into the palace himself.
His heart was filled with fear and unease, yet he still clung to a sliver of hope, hoping someone would stop this disaster.
But King Piccolo tracked the scent of fear like the Grim Reaper, sweeping through everything in his path and mercilessly killing every guard who stood before him.
The king stood with his back to a window, his body trembling slightly. His eyes were full of fear and despair, and his lips quivered as he tried to say something, but in the end, no sound emerged.
A trace of mockery flashed through King Piccolo's eyes as he slowly approached the king, the sound of every step pounding against the king's heart. His voice was low and cold. "This castle belongs to me now."