When Chi-Chi casually suggested that Tights—Bulma's older sister—should also marry Goku to keep Capsule Corp from being split up, Bulma stared at her in disbelief.
Chi-Chi, however, simply looked back with pure sincerity.
Her wide eyes shone with… clarity? Or was it stupidity?
Bulma's eyelid twitched.
'Chi-Chi… do you hear yourself?'
'Back in the other tiline, I risked my life, crossed light-years to Nak for the Dragon Balls. And what did you do? You packed Gohan a full bag of howork.'
'Now I've been reborn, I try to go easy on you—let you marry Goku alongside . But now you want to throw my sister into the mix too?!'
'Please… I'm scared. Are you going to be the only one in our future family with no brain?'
Bulma scread internally—but on the outside, she said nothing.
Chi-Chi continued watching her with those sa innocent, idiotic eyes.
Seeing Bulma stay silent, Chi-Chi tilted her head.
"Bulma, what's wrong? Did I say sothing wrong?"
Bulma forced a tired smile.
"Chi-Chi, don't worry about that stuff. I said I'd handle the money, right? Just let handle it."
"Oh, okay then. I'll listen to you! You're the smartest. Goku and I will both listen to you."
Just as Bulma turned to return to her seat, a shout ca from outside.
"Hey! Look out the window—it's a magic carpet!"
Puar's voice followed:
"The guy on it looks kinda funny!"
Everyone rushed to the window. Bulma looked too—and her eyes narrowed.
'Mr. Popo?!'
Floating just outside the aircraft, Mr. Popo hovered calmly atop his magic carpet.
Everyone stepped out of the plane to greet him.
"Hello, everyone," Mr. Popo said with his usual serenity. "I am Mr. Popo."
Bulma approached.
"Nice to et you… is there sothing you need from us?"
The magic carpet gently lowered to the ground. Mr. Popo's bright, unblinking eyes scanned the group. He paused briefly on Chi-Chi and Krillin before looking at Bulma.
"I serve the Guardian of Earth. I've co on his behalf to ask a favor."
That stunned the group.
"The Guardian of Earth?"
"He rides a magic carpet?!"
Snow whispered to Krillin, "Wait… does this world really have a god?"
Krillin frowned. "I an, he says he's a servant of God… but what kind of god asks us for help? Could be a scam."
Mr. Popo ignored the skeptical murmurs and continued.
"The Guardian watches over the Earth from his sanctuary. Today, he observed the entire World Martial Arts Tournant… and we were shocked. Shocked to see such powerful martial artists in the mortal world."
He looked directly at Krillin and Chi-Chi.
Both of them stiffened.
'Did the Guardian just complint us?'
They flushed and lowered their heads shyly.
Krillin whispered to Snow, "Okay… I think this guy's legit."
Snow nodded. "Yeah… I think so too."
Mr. Popo went on.
"However, a disaster has recently struck the world. The being known as King Piccolo has returned."
"King Piccolo?!" Yamcha blurted out.
Snow turned to Krillin. "I've heard that na before…"
Krillin's face grew grim.
"I learned about him back at the temple," he said. "Three hundred years ago, King Piccolo nearly plunged the entire world into darkness. He was ruthless, unmatched in power. He and the monsters he created ravaged the earth… until one day, he vanished. That's how peace returned."
Gasps rippled through the group.
Snow covered her mouth in disbelief.
'We just got together… and now the world's ending?!'
She instinctively gripped Krillin's hand tighter.
Krillin squeezed her hand reassuringly and looked at Mr. Popo.
"Mr. Popo… the King Piccolo you're talking about—is it really the sa person?"
Mr. Popo nodded solemnly.
"Yes. You are correct."
"Then… why are you here?" Krillin asked. "Are you offering to help us defeat him?"
Everyone's eyes lit up with hope.
Chi-Chi leaned forward. "Yeah! You're God's servant, right? Can't you help us destroy him?"
Mr. Popo shook his head.
"According to our observations, the top martial artists in the world today are already powerful enough to defeat King Piccolo. In fact… there are three humans capable of doing it. Two of them… are right here."
Bulma instantly understood—he ant Goku, Chi-Chi, and Krillin.
Goku was off searching for Roshi. That left Krillin and Chi-Chi as the top contenders present.
The others turned to look at the two.
Chi-Chi pointed to herself. "You an… and Krillin?"
Mr. Popo nodded.
"Yes. That's why I'm here. I've co to ask one favor."
Bulma stepped forward. "What is it? Go ahead."
Mr. Popo raised a hand.
"Please don't interrupt until I finish. You'll understand everything."
Everyone nodded solemnly.
Mr. Popo took a breath.
"To beco Guardian of Earth, one must purge all evil from their heart. Long ago, when the current Guardian underwent that purification… he cast out his darkness."
"That darkness… beca King Piccolo."
The revelation struck everyone silent.
"Piccolo and the Guardian… are two halves of the sa being."
Gasps.
"Furthermore, the Dragon Balls were created by the Guardian. If he dies, the Dragon Balls will beco stone forever. All hope for the future would vanish."
Mr. Popo bowed deeply.
"So please… I beg of you. Defeat King Piccolo, but do not kill him."
The group fell into stunned silence.
Piccolo and the Guardian… were one?
The Dragon Balls—made by the Guardian?
Snow clenched Krillin's hand tightly. She knew the power of the Dragon Balls.
If not for them, her family would still be buried underground.
If not for the them, Krillin would've never t her.
If not for the search for the Dragon Balls, Chi-Chi wouldn't have t Goku at Fire Mountain.
Their fates were bound to the Dragon Balls.
Bulma stepped forward, breaking the silence.
"Mr. Popo… we accept your request."
He blinked.
"Can you speak for everyone?"
Everyone else imdiately nodded.
"We agree with Bulma!"
"Yeah, count us in!"
"We'll do our best!"
Mr. Popo looked truly moved.
"Thank you… thank you all."
He straightened up.
"Though your strength is great, your hearts are still unrefined. If you survive this and defeat King Piccolo, you are welco to climb Korin Tower and co to the Sanctuary. I will guide your further training."
He bowed once more, then ascended back into the sky on his magic carpet, disappearing into the clouds.
anwhile, Goku had reached the backstage of the tournant, breath short.
But no one was there.
'Good… maybe Tambourine hasn't co yet.'
Then—
A cry.
He dashed toward the sound.
Monts later, he found the tournant announcer slumped on the ground alongside several unfamiliar martial artists—all unconscious, so not breathing at all.
A flyer with the word "魔" ("Demon") drifted to the floor.
Goku's eyes scanned the area. 'No sign of Master Roshi.'
Just then, the announcer groaned and lifted his head.
"Goku…? Is that you…?"
Goku rushed over.
"You're alive?!"
The man coughed violently.
"There was… a monster. He stole the list of tournant contestants. Said… he's going to kill them all. Please… call the police…"
Blood dripped from his mouth.
Goku's eyes flashed. He pulled a Senzu Bean from his pouch and shoved it in the man's mouth.
"Chew it! Quick!"
Monts later, the announcer gasped.
"All my pain's… gone! What did you give ?!"
But when he looked up—
Goku was already gone.
"Wait! Goku!"
He stood, dazed.
"He's going after that monster…"
He clenched his fists.
"He's not like the rest of us… He can win. He will save the world!"
In the skies above, Goku flew over the tournant grounds, scanning for signs of movent.
But the silence was heavy. Still. No battle sounds. No ki flares.
"…Already gone?"
'But where's Master Roshi?'
He floated higher, scanning the horizon.
"MASTER ROSHI!!"
No response.
"Don't tell he's really in the toilet…"
Goku scratched his head, suddenly losing motivation.
But then—
He felt it.
A flicker of Ki. Distant. Chaotic. Violent.
His eyes sharpened.
"…Soone's fighting."
And just like that, he shot off into the distance, wind howling behind him.
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