Alvin recounted everything that had happened in Radish Town—from its sudden destruction to the return of Demon King Piccolo.
By the time he finished, both Puar and Oolong were trembling uncontrollably.
Before Alvin and the siblings had arrived, Krillin had already been murdered by one of Demon King Piccolo’s subordinates.
Master Roshi had just explained the history of Demon King Piccolo to everyone.
But hearing about the past and listening to someone who had survived the tragedy firsthand were two very different experiences.
Alvin wasn’t telling them an old legend.
He was describing a nightmare he had lived through.
Master Roshi fell silent for a long moment before speaking.
His aged voice echoed through the deserted tournament grounds.
“…That certainly sounds like something Demon King Piccolo would do.”
Closing his eyes, he seemed to drift back to the dark era when the Demon King had ruled through terror.
“Demon King Piccolo is the embodiment of evil.”
“There is no atrocity beyond him.”
“The fact that only one town has been destroyed so far…”
“…is probably because old age has finally caught up with him.”
“His stamina is no longer what it once was.”
“In the distant past, Demon King Piccolo possessed overwhelming power.”
“He acted without restraint.”
“He created countless demon offspring, and very few people in the world could stand against them.”
“Centuries ago…”
“He destroyed not merely dozens of towns—but hundreds.”
“Cities and villages across the entire world were reduced to ruins.”
“Nearly seventy to eighty percent of the planet’s population perished because of him.”
A cold night breeze swept across the tournament grounds.
Puar and Oolong instinctively hugged each other, shivering with fear.
“That’s terrifying!”
The two cried out in unison.
Master Roshi nodded solemnly.
“If Alvin is telling the truth…”
“…then this may be the best opportunity we’ve ever had.”
“Even Demon King Piccolo cannot escape old age.”
“After centuries, his lifespan is nearly exhausted.”
“His physical strength has reached its lowest point.”
“He is nowhere near as powerful as he once was.”
“And this time…”
“We have warriors like Goku and Tien Shinhan.”
Turning toward Tien, Master Roshi continued,
“You’ve already surpassed the man I once was.”
“If Demon King Piccolo is truly as weakened as Alvin says…”
“…then defeating him isn’t impossible.”
Alvin blinked and looked around at everyone gathered there.
Only then did he realize something was missing.
“Come to think of it…”
“Where are Goku and Krillin?”
He looked at the group in confusion.
“Weren’t they with all of you?”
In this era, long before the events of Dragon Ball Z, the future Z Fighters were still relatively close in strength.
Whenever something happened, they usually acted together.
“So where are Goku and Krillin?” Alvin asked again.
Bulma’s expression darkened.
“Goku’s Four-Star Dragon Ball was stolen by one of Demon King Piccolo’s subordinates.”
“And…”
She lowered her head.
“Krillin was killed.”
“Goku took my Dragon Radar and flew off on the Flying Nimbus to chase Piccolo’s subordinate.”
“We’ve been waiting here for him ever since.”
The moment Alvin heard that, his expression changed dramatically.
“Oh no…”
Everyone looked at him in confusion.
Master Roshi frowned.
“Centuries ago, when Piccolo was at his peak, the demons he created were terrifying.”
“But now he’s old and nearing the end of his life.”
“The demons he creates can’t possibly be as powerful as those from hundreds of years ago.”
Alvin shook his head.
“That’s not what I meant.”
Before he could continue, Lazuli stepped forward.
“I think Alvin is worried about something else.”
She looked at everyone.
“From what he’s told me…”
“Demon King Piccolo’s real objective is the Dragon Balls.”
“He probably wants to restore his youth.”
“Or perhaps…”
“…to obtain immortality.”
Alvin had already explained the Dragon Balls to Lazuli during their journey.
The two of them had hoped to use them to resurrect everyone killed in Radish Town.
The instant they learned that one of the Dragon Balls had been stolen, they had both reached the same conclusion.
Alvin nodded.
“That’s very likely.”
“The Dragon Balls only appeared after Demon King Piccolo was sealed away.”
“He shouldn’t have known they existed.”
“So someone must have told him about them.”
The expressions of everyone present changed.
Master Roshi’s eyes widened.
“So that’s it…”
At last, everything made sense.
He had been unable to understand why Piccolo was suddenly collecting Dragon Balls despite never knowing about them before.
Lapis stretched lazily, folding his hands behind his head.
“You guys are a little slow figuring things out.”
He shrugged casually.
“They probably have a Dragon Radar too.”
“Otherwise, how could they have found the tournament grounds so accurately?”
He nudged Alvin with his elbow.
“You saw them leave in an airplane, didn’t you?”
Alvin nodded.
“I did.”
“And I agree.”
“There’s a very good chance Demon King Piccolo already has a Dragon Radar.”
Bulma frowned thoughtfully.
“Could it have been Pilaf and his gang?”
“They’re the only ones who’ve competed with us for the Dragon Balls in recent years.”
“And they already own a Dragon Radar.”
She hesitated before continuing.
“I can’t be certain without proof.”
“I don’t want to accuse them unfairly.”
Alvin shook his head.
“Who did it doesn’t matter anymore.”
“The important thing now…”
“…is collecting as many of the remaining Dragon Balls as we can before Piccolo does.”
He turned toward Bulma.
“Do you have another Dragon Radar at home?”
Bulma shook her head.
“No.”
“But if I have the proper tools…”
“I can build another one in half a day.”
Lapis’ eyes immediately lit up.
A beautiful girl who was also good with machines…
That was incredibly attractive.
Then his gaze shifted to Yamcha, who was leaning against Bulma for support.
Lapis clicked his tongue.
Alvin continued,
“Then please make two Dragon Radars.” This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
“Lapis is very skilled with engineering.”
“He can help you.”
He paused before adding,
“And I’d like to ask one more favor.”
“Please make a special container capable of blocking a Dragon Radar’s signal.”
“As long as Demon King Piccolo can’t gather all seven Dragon Balls…”
“…whether he wants eternal youth or immortality…”
“…he’ll never get his wish.”
Master Roshi nodded approvingly.
“Well said.”
He looked toward Bulma and Lapis.
“I’m counting on both of you.”
Everyone’s attention shifted to Bulma.
She smiled confidently.
“In that case…”
“Let’s head to my house in West City.”
“Making a Dragon Radar won’t be difficult.”
“I have enough equipment stored in my capsules.”
“But a container capable of blocking Dragon Radar signals…”
“I’ll need the equipment in my laboratory.”
With the situation becoming increasingly urgent, no one suggested waiting for Goku any longer.
The group immediately decided to head for West City to build the Dragon Radars and the signal-blocking container.
During the flight, Alvin took the opportunity to ask Master Roshi about something he had wanted to learn from the very beginning.
“Master Roshi…”
“Could you teach me about Ki?”
“Ki?”
Tien Shinhan looked puzzled.
Among everyone present, only Master Roshi had received guidance from Korin and possessed a deeper understanding of Ki.
Master Roshi smiled.
“Ki…”
“…is the life energy that exists within every living person.”
“It is also the true goal of martial arts training.”
“The physical body has limits.”
“But by cultivating our life energy…”
“…we strengthen our Ki…”
“…and surpass the limits of the flesh.”
He gestured casually.
“My Kamehameha…”
“And your Solar Flare, Tien…”
“Both are applications of Ki.”
Everyone listened attentively.
“Every person possesses life energy.”
“And therefore…”
“Every person possesses Ki.”
“It’s just that, for most people, their Ki is far too weak.”
“Their minds simply aren’t strong enough to perceive it.”
“As one’s martial arts improve…”
“So too does one’s spiritual awareness.”
“After decades of dedicated training, an ordinary martial artist can eventually sense Ki.”
He smiled faintly.
“Of course…”
“True geniuses can accomplish the same thing much more quickly.”
“For your first attempt…”
“The most important thing is to quiet your mind.”
“Only with complete inner calm can you establish contact with the Ki inside your body…”
“…and gradually guide it outward.”
Master Roshi sat cross-legged on the cabin floor.
Patiently, he instructed everyone on how to empty their minds, steady their breathing, and search for the life energy hidden deep within themselves.
One by one, everyone entered a meditative state.
The cabin gradually fell silent.
Only Bulma remained awake in the cockpit, completely focused on piloting the aircraft toward West City.
Send those stones my way—the more, the merrier.