Goku tore off his tattered outer shirt and said,
"You know attacks like that can't hurt me, yet you still used them.
Isn't that just a waste of stamina?"
Piccolo sneered.
"Hmph. You just finished fighting in the World Martial Arts Tournament and burned quite a bit of energy.
The stamina I spent on those attacks roughly balances things out.
From now on, you and I can fight on equal footing."
Hearing that, Goku froze for a moment.
"Man… I didn't even think of that.
But if you beat me, you get to rule the world, right?
And you still won't take advantage of something like this?
I really don't know who you take after…"
A trace of vicious delight appeared on Piccolo's face.
"Hehehe… you're thinking too much!
I don't care about fairness at all.
I just want you to experience true despair.
You're going to lose—without question!"
Goku smiled.
"Don't you know?
Villains usually die because they talk too much."
The moment he finished speaking, Goku lunged forward.
Piccolo's figure flashed, easily dodging the attack.
Goku immediately chased after him, fists firing like a machine gun.
Yet Piccolo's reactions were terrifying—his arms moved nonstop, perfectly blocking every single blow, as if he had countless hands.
Their exchange of strikes gradually turned into a contest of raw strength.
No matter how powerful Piccolo was, his physical strength still couldn't match Goku's.
In a direct struggle, he was clearly at a disadvantage.
But just as Goku began forcing his wrist down—
Piccolo's eyes suddenly fired twin beams of energy.
Goku instantly released his grip, but the distance was too close.
He couldn't evade in time—the beams struck his chest.
A burning pain surged through him, making him grit his teeth.
Seeing this, Piccolo's lips curled into a cruel grin.
Goku stomped the ground and activated Afterimage Technique.
But Piccolo shouted and instantly pinpointed his position, smashing an elbow straight into Goku's face.
As Goku was sent flying, he slapped the ground with one hand—
and vanished in an uncanny arc, reappearing behind Piccolo.
A downward elbow slammed into Piccolo's back.
Piccolo staggered forward several steps before barely regaining his balance.
Goku wiped the corner of his mouth and laughed.
"Heh, dealing with that kind of attack?
I've got over a hundred ways to counter it.
Come on—try again!"
Piccolo roared and charged once more.
Then—he suddenly leapt backward into the air.
"Special Beam Cannon—Makankosappo!"
A terrifying beam of energy blasted downward toward Goku.
Goku's expression sharpened.
That attack was far too dangerous to block head-on.
He dodged at once.
The beam struck the ground—
BOOOOM!
The earth trembled violently as a massive mushroom cloud rose into the sky.
Goku felt a chill down his spine.
"That was close… way too close!"
He looked up at Piccolo and shouted,
"Are you trying to destroy the Earth?!"
Piccolo cursed angrily.
"Damn it—he dodged again!"
...
In the distance, Bulma's aircraft shook violently.
Everyone aboard panicked.
"What's happening?!"
"Why is even the air vibrating?!"
Violet pointed out the window in shock.
"Look! Is that… their battle?!"
Everyone turned to the side of the aircraft.
A gigantic mushroom cloud was rising from the ground.
They all sucked in cold air.
Lanch swallowed hard.
"That's terrifying… is that really just from their fighting?"
Sweat formed on Master Roshi's forehead.
"I never imagined their strength had reached this level…
If this keeps up, they'll destroy the planet's environment!"
Krillin clenched his fists.
"Don't worry, Master.
Goku knows his limits—he won't let Piccolo go too far."
Kami sighed.
"Goku won't allow it…
but Piccolo may exploit that weakness."
Bulma's eyes narrowed.
"Kami… you mean—"
Tien explained quietly,
"If Piccolo attacks the ground directly,
Goku might be forced to take the hit to protect the Earth."
Kami lowered his head.
"Yes. That's exactly what I'm worried about."
At that moment, Bulma spotted a tall mountain peak below.
"There's a flat area up there!
Let's land on the summit and watch from there!"
"Good idea—at least the shockwaves won't reach us!"
...
Piccolo laughed loudly as he looked at Goku.
"What's wrong, Son Goku?"
"Are you holding back because killing me would also kill Kami?"
Goku replied flatly,
"You already know the answer. What's the point of asking?"
Piccolo sneered.
"Hehehe… your greatest weakness is your soft heart.
You can't fight freely because you care about Kami.
But I?
I can do anything I want.
That's the beauty of evil!"
Goku wasn't angered in the slightest.
Instead, he smiled.
"Enjoy the time you have left doing whatever you want.
Because later… you won't get the chance."
Piccolo mocked him.
"You think you can defeat me without the resolve to kill?
How naïve."
At that moment, a system notification flashed through Goku's mind.
[In your previous life, Piccolo treated your son as his own.
He protected Gohan from fatal attacks many times.
After raising Gohan, he later helped care for Pan—your granddaughter.
He devoted his entire life, working tirelessly, even dying without regret.
As a combat-type Namekian, he lost the ability to reproduce and could never experience family bonds of his own.
Yet by raising your child and grandchild, he experienced the joy of being a father—and a grandfather.
Judge by deeds, not intent.
In your previous life, he was more of a qualified father and grandfather than you—or Gohan.
Your life has restarted.
In this life, you have married Chi-Chi, Bulma, and several girls who love you.
You decide to have more children—and occasionally let him help take care of them.
Mission: Within three years, have three children with your wives.
Reward: Kaioken.]
Goku nearly lost his composure when he saw the mission.
Three kids… only three?
With five wives?
Who were they looking down on?
…Wait.
Three is enough.
Everyone knows raising kids drains stamina like crazy.
And a nanny raising children is very different from parents doing it themselves.
His kids wouldn't just study—they'd have to train in martial arts too…
Goku suddenly imagined Gohan training with Piccolo…
Then Piccolo picking Pan up from kindergarten.
Yeah… maybe some things really should be left to fate.
He looked at Piccolo with a strange expression.
This guy… really was born to be the babysitter.
Goku let out a breath and said calmly,
"No. You're wrong.
Even if I defeat you, I don't plan to kill you.
You need to live.
Your life… still has a use."
Piccolo frowned, puzzled.
Then his eyes widened in sudden realization.
He burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! You naive fool!
What—are you planning to seal me away with the Mafuba?
If you can use it, then go ahead—try it!"
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