A drone used for research, which was quite advanced compared to civilian devices, was flying over the ocean. It maintained an altitude of only a few meters above the water.
It moved slowly and methodically, occasionally emitting a green beam of light toward the water before traveling several hundred meters forward and repeating the process.
Clearly, it was performing some kind of scan or search. But each attempt seemed to be unsuccessful. Who knows how long it had been performing this arduous task?
It was not alone; other similar machines were performing the same process in different areas. How many were there? It didn't matter too much, but if anyone had been nearby, they would have found the sight impressive.
From a large ship, Dr. Kochin observed the drones he had produced as they investigated. According to Dr. Wheelo, the person they were looking for was in this maritime area.
Dr. Kochin was not interested in this task. In fact, he feared the target because he had grown up hearing stories about how cruel and terrible Demon King Piccolo was.
'Fortunately, current technology should be a great counterbalance to beings like that,' Dr. Kochin thought, consoling himself as he considered the countermeasures he and Dr. Wheelo had organized for this task.
Times had changed! Today, humanity is no longer as powerless as it was centuries ago, when one person could brutally subjugate others.
Martial artists are stronger than in the past, as acknowledged by Muten Roshi, one of the few warriors who survived that era and witnessed Demon King Piccolo's defeat.
Technological advances had also enabled the creation of more powerful weapons, defensive devices, and disruptive equipment. Above all, scientists were more aware of the power of extraordinary energies.
That was quite a leap! Dr. Kochin was certain that, with the necessary improvements and measures in place, his current machines could better withstand a Ki explosion, psychic influence, or a spell.
Of course, everything has its limits, but they had been raised thanks to a certain blue-haired young woman who advocated against leaving technology behind as it grew stronger. Her actions helped many scientists around the world.
Dr. Kochin didn't have the Brief family's technology, but it only took a little inspiration for his intelligent mind to produce equally important changes.
'The legend says that Demon King Piccolo could create minions on his own. How will they compare to the new generation of Bio-Warriors? Although I am physically powerless against such a being, my mind is not!' This thought calmed Dr. Kochin's restless emotions somewhat and gave him a sense of anticipation about finding the cause of his childhood nightmares.
As if the world wanted this to happen, an alert appeared on the screen in front of him. One of the drones had detected an above-average energy trace on the seabed.
The scanner also displayed the information it had gathered, showing a model made from the objective results. Partially buried in the sand was an old rice cooker, the object he had been searching for.
It was the place where the Demon King Piccolo had been sealed away for centuries. An ugly smile spread across Dr. Kochin's wrinkled face because he had finally accomplished his grueling task.
His ship approached the area where the target of the mission was located and released an underwater drone equipped with sophisticated cameras and the means necessary to retrieve the rice cooker.
The images showed the partially rusted object with yellow paper that was obviously worn. The energy detectors, which were created after the tournament ended years ago, registered a particularly strong signal that was different from that of the surrounding marine animals.
'If a supposedly powerful being could be sealed in something like this, could it be considered weak?' At that moment, Dr. Kochin's respect for Demon King Piccolo diminished considerably.
However, he kept his emotions in check because he knew the demon's consciousness could extend beyond the seal due to the clear wear and tear on it.
He didn't want to ruin the "surprises" he and Doctor Wheelo had prepared for this being. So, he calmly watched as the drone collected the rice cooker and brought it to the surface.
Soon, the object was in front of him, still wet and covered with barnacles. Although he felt nothing from the rice cooker, his detectors showed that the energy it emitted had become more active.
The demon was eager to come out but did not communicate with Doctor Kochin, probably out of contempt for him. The man simply stood there, admiring the rice cooker, before speaking.
"Dr. Wheelo asked me to open the seal in our laboratory, where he has signal blockers. You are the strongest being in the world, but many martial artists have emerged.
Even an elephant can die if attacked by many ants. Therefore, it is advisable to break the seal in an isolated and private place where you can better prepare for your future actions," he told the rice cooker. Surprisingly, it vibrated slightly without human intervention.
Taking this as a response from Demon King Piccolo, Kochin bowed and left the room where the object was located, leaving it alone again in the darkness.
''A sealed being must be weak, right?" But if you've endured centuries of imprisonment, you should be resilient. Agents that burn life for youth and power, as well as limit removers with severe side effects, will surely be useful to you.
You will want revenge; we will want a body born from you.' Although he was an old man, probably weaker than the average person, Doctor Kochin's thoughts were filled with unparalleled malice and twisted ideas.
Working with a being like Demon King Piccolo was dangerous, but humans were never far behind in that sense. It's no wonder that humanity is known throughout the universe as...
The Human Terror.
...
"Wow, looks like someone beat me to it," Bulma said, watching the rice cooker on a holographic screen where Demon King Piccolo was sealed.
But how did she get these images? It's simple. Since she was five years old, she had been making spider robots, so why wouldn't she make other small robotic animals?
That's how her spy drones were born! If Gero could track down the Z Warriors with insectoid drones, then she could do it too—and better. She already knew the location of the rice cooker, but never thought anyone would rescue it.
"It seems that the talisman is losing its effect," said an aged voice. Muten Roshi, wearing a black suit and top hat, watched the projection with a serious expression.
"Master, don't worry. We are quite strong. I don't think Piccolo will cause as much havoc as before," said Gohan, touching his old master's arm to calm him down.
"Yes... But I still can't forget the lives that monster ruined," growled Muten Roshi. He looked down, holding back the killing intent emanating from his eyes.
Goku, looking curiously at the screen, felt his tail bristle from Muten Roshi's aura. It was the first time he realized that this kind old man could be so terrifying.
"To think it had something to do with Kami-Sama! I always thought it was an urban legend!" Yamcha commented, trying to divert the conversation to a more pleasant topic.
"I never thought Kami-Sama would be green," said Lapis, who was present with his sister, also trying to lighten the tense atmosphere.
"I think the color green suits me well, young Lapis," said Kami-Sama, making Lapis feel embarrassed while the others burst out laughing and lightened the mood.
"Wow, it seems that Kami-Sama is paying attention to mortals," Krillin joked, causing Goku to tilt his head slightly.
"He always has been, hasn't he? He helped me get in touch with Ozaru!" Goku exclaimed, waving his tail constantly.
"Bulma, are you really planning to let that guy go?" Lazuli asked her partner, puzzled by Bulma's motives.
"Of course! The best way to solve a problem is to let it explode in someone else's face first. Besides, I don't want Kami-Sama to cease to exist for some strange reason, so I want something to happen." Bulma, who had heard about the origin of Demon King Piccolo from Kami-Sama, devised a plan and told it to the god.
"Raise Piccolo's descendant in a good way!" To do so, they would have to force the original to undergo asexual reproduction.
Although Kami-Sama knew about his own origins, he still felt uncomfortable with his 'evil' side. As a god, though, he had to trust that mortals could redeem themselves. Even the son of someone so evil could do it!
He decided to contribute to Bulma's strange plan, which she explained to her companions. She hated people who made complicated plans and didn't explain them to others.
Hers was simple, and everyone knew it! They had to provoke Piccolo. They could do that; after all, Bulma made sure that everyone present had a higher fighting level than their original counterparts.
"I'm glad I raised you right from a young age. Can you imagine being Bulma's enemy?" Gohan said, touching his forehead with a handkerchief. He was relieved that his apprentice was a positive person and not an evil figure.
Because even if her plan was simple, it was damn insidious and exasperating. Even he, a fairly relaxed person, would surely die of rage if something like that were used against him.
Chi-Chi looked at Bulma with admiration since she was her role model. She took note, planning to use those qualities if she faced an enemy in the future. After all, as a witch, she had to be cunning, right?
Bulma glanced at Chi-Chi out of the corner of her eye, sensing her emotions and realizing that her impact on this young woman had perhaps been too great. But it was better this way, wasn't it? At least she could stand shoulder to shoulder with Goku, who would grow stronger when the time was right.
"However, I never expected Doctor Wheelo to be involved in this." Bulma began typing on the holographic screen and used her insectoid drones to hack into the ship's system. This allowed her to access the laboratory, which served as the two doctors' operations center.
This allowed her to review all the information Doctor Wheelo had stored, including his current status: There was technology to preserve the brain, robotic bodies, and even Bio-Warriors.
"They look like those things that were Yamcha's companions!" Goku pointed to an image of a Bio-Warrior similar to those used by Pilaf years ago.
"Indeed, they do. Pilaf never told me where he got them. It seems he had some kind of deal with Wheelo," said Yamcha, narrowing his eyes as he remembered his former boss.
Although Pilaf might seem funny because of his voice and size, Yamcha knew the man was dangerous. Even now, he remained cautious around Pilaf, especially after Bulma made him understand the power of superior technology.
"In fact, there are records of transactions between Pilaf and Wheelo. Wow! Look at the surprise I found here!" Bulma's blue eyes lit up with excitement when she found a formula for a medicine among the files she was exploring.
[Medicine to force the awakening of potential].
What a wonderful surprise!
Bulma had already begun researching the utilization of martial artists' potential. One thing was the limit you reached, and the other was the actual limit your body possessed.
There is always unused potential when training or fighting, which is why the Great Patriarch's ability on Namek did not work if a person could extract all their potential.
This is what a certain Kaio-Shin trapped in a sword could achieve. However, unleashing all your potential didn't mean you couldn't 'store' potential to unleash later.
Gohan was still able to become stronger even after unleashing all his potential because, essentially, he had not reached his limit. Isn't the essence of Dragon Ball to break those limits?
This makes the subject quite abstract and conceptual, but some things can be done through technology or extraordinary abilities. Bulma never thought Doctor Wheelo would have something so juicy for her!
'But, as I expected, the side effects are terrible. That's why it's never good to rely on that kind of thing. However, can't I be inspired to create an improved fruit that would gradually channel unused potential during exercise?' Bulma felt that her whim now had justification.
She wanted to raid Doctor Wheelo's lair!