"They're in the sky! They're riding a spaceship!" Tien Shinhan said, his expression changing slightly.
"It seems they don't plan on landing… Maybe they want to keep those two Dragon Balls on the ship."
"If that's the case…" Master Roshi said while looking up at the large aircraft.
"We'll jump up and steal them when they let their guard down."
On the Spaceship
Demon King Piccolo stood inside the ship, looking down at the ground with his subordinate Piano.
Standing beside them were the Pilaf Gang.
"From up here, I can't see anything," Emperor Pilaf said while stretching his neck to look down carefully.
"They're hiding," Piccolo said with a faint smile.
He grabbed the two Dragon Balls in his hand.
"Our enemies must be watching these Dragon Balls closely."
"It's safer if I keep them myself."
Piccolo then stuck out his long tongue and placed the Dragon Balls on it.
Moments later—
He swallowed them whole.
"They're inside his stomach now!"
On the Ground
"T-That's Demon King Piccolo?!" Tien exclaimed quietly.
"My third eye can see clearly… He just swallowed the Dragon Balls!"
"What?!" Roshi's face instantly turned grim.
"This is bad… He's more cunning than I expected."
"It seems we can't retrieve the Dragon Balls unless we defeat him."
"There's no other choice but to fight," Tien said.
He removed his shirt, revealing his muscular back.
He was ready to fight to the death.
"Step back," Roshi said seriously.
"I'll handle him."
"I'm not going to die. I drank the Immortality Water."
"Stop joking!" Tien shouted.
"Do you even know why I came here? I came here to fight!"
"Psshhh—"
Suddenly Roshi took out a small bottle and sprayed sleeping gas directly into Tien's face.
"W-What are you doing?" Tien said, confused.
"Thud!"
Tien collapsed instantly.
"I'm sorry… but you need to sleep for a while," Roshi said quietly.
He dragged Tien deep into a nearby cave and hid him carefully.
"I don't want to see any more meaningless sacrifices."
"There's no such thing as Immortality Water."
"I lied to you."
"Goku is already gone."
"If I die today… you'll be the only one who can defeat Demon King Piccolo someday."
"But right now, you're still far too weak."
"Train hard. One day, you'll defeat him."
Roshi then walked toward the cave entrance.
After a few steps—
He stopped.
"Remember to take care of Broly for me."
"He's the only family I have left in this world."
His voice was heavy.
Then Roshi turned and called out toward the rocks.
"Broly! Chiaotzu! Did you hear everything?"
"Yes, old man," Broly replied.
"Cancel the original plan," Roshi said firmly.
"No matter what happens… neither of you are allowed to come out!"
"Old man… you're not planning to—" Broly frowned.
The uneasy feeling in his heart grew stronger.
"Broly… take care of yourself."
Roshi smiled at him kindly.
Then—
Without hesitation—
He stepped out of the cave.
Facing Demon King Piccolo
"Come down, Demon King Piccolo!" Roshi shouted toward the sky.
"The Dragon Balls are here!"
"Oh?" Piccolo said, surprised.
"You recognized me."
"But anyone who challenges Demon King Piccolo knowing who I am must be insane."
"Hmph… Your courage is admirable."
Piccolo jumped from the spaceship and slowly landed in front of Roshi.
"So the Dragon Balls you collected are buried here?" Piccolo asked.
"Yes," Roshi replied honestly.
He pointed toward the buried location.
"If you defeat me, they're all yours."
"No need to be polite."
"Hmph," Piccolo scoffed.
"What an interesting old man."
"Let's see how long you can keep smiling," Roshi said calmly.
"HAHAHAHA!"
Piccolo burst into mocking laughter.
"You seriously want to fight me?"
"Do you not know the terrifying legend of Demon King Piccolo?"
"You dare speak such arrogance!"
"I've met you before," Roshi said calmly.
He removed his hat, revealing his bald head.
His eyes were sharp and steady.
"Stop talking nonsense, old fool!" Piccolo sneered.
"You think such a cheap lie will scare me?"
"I'm not lying," Roshi said gravely.
"Long ago… my master and I fought you together."
"It was a battle that determined the fate of the world."
"W-What?!" Piccolo froze.
For a moment—
A deep fear surfaced from his memories.
"Let me tell you my master's name!" Roshi stepped forward.
His voice was loud and resolute.
"His name was Master Mutaito!"
"WHAT?! MUTAITOOOO?!!"
Piccolo's face instantly turned pale green.
That name—
That memory—
The humiliation of being sealed long ago—
All returned like a violent storm.
For a brief moment—
Piccolo's mind shook violently.
And in that instant—
He left himself wide open.
The Trap
"Snap!"
Roshi moved faster than lightning.
He threw a Capsule Corp capsule onto the ground.
"Pop!"
White smoke burst into the air.
The capsule instantly transformed into an old rice cooker, covered with mysterious sealing talismans.
The rice cooker stood silently on the ground.
But it radiated a terrifying presence.
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