#master mutaito

[tyote]

[quantumleper]

Master Mutaito w/Young Master Roshi uses Mafuba to seal Piccolo Daimao

Dragon Ball | King Piccolo Saga

[celticcatgirl2]

“…you have mastered much of my teachings well but at this point I fear you may NEVER learn my most important lesson…how to respect women….”

[bearstarseraphffxi]

Chapter 32 of Black as Sin is Up!!!

Happy Turkey Day! Christmas psychosis can’t officially start till midnight.

[degenerate-otaku]

Sneak peek at a fic I started today (i wrote 4000 words in one day...)

Oh my God, they were roommates-

THERE WAS ONLY ONE BED!!?!

[deusvervewrites]

Saiyan

Ashido could also nom on Master Shen for the Evil Containment Wave since he was also Master Mutaito’s student and presumably also knows how to perform it.

This is true, that would work, but I doubt Garaki or Ashido know that

[theunkn0wn-0]

The Gift of Immortality DRAGON BALL STORY: Insert Reader

GENDER-NEUTRAL READER ✕ DRAGON BALL CHARACTERS

╰➤ ⌈ 𝑰𝑵𝑭𝑶𝑹𝑴𝑨𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵… ⌋ ╰┈┈➤ This is a FIRST PERSON POV story for the reader, Y/N, M/C. ╰┈┈➤ Instead of (Y/N), I use [First Name] for your name. ╰┈┈➤ Enjoy the story, have fun.

PREVIOUS CHAPTER: 004 | 𝑬𝑷𝑰𝑷𝑯𝑨𝑵𝒀 FIRST CHAPTER: 𝑷𝒓𝒐���𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒆 — 𝑩𝑰𝑹𝑻𝑯 | 1

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Mentions of SCARIFICATION, VIOLENCE, BLOOD & SWEARING!!!

005 | Catalyst

❝Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.❞

•◉◓☆◓◉•

"You poor soul, you must leave."

Startled, I whipped around, expecting to see someone standing there, but the hallway was empty. The eerie whisper echoed in my mind, and confusion crept in as I scanned my surroundings. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, a shiver coursing through me, wondering if my mind was playing tricks on me. The voices in my head had a habit of whispering and yelling at the most inconvenient times, clouding my thoughts with their incessant chatter.

Perhaps it was those annoying voices.

I shook my head, trying to dismiss the eerie encounter. I needed to stay focused. Recalling the intricate steps of the Evil Containment Wave was crucial. I could not afford to let my mind play tricks on me now. With a deep breath, I pushed the unsettling experience to the recesses of my mind and continued walking.

The sounds of distant cheers reverberated through the halls, a stark reminder of the stakes at play. I found a quiet corner, a small alcove where I had stashed the bottle of water. Sitting down, I closed my eyes, forcing myself to center my thoughts.

Memories of my training with King Piccolo surfaced, the rigorous drills, the grueling lessons. I could still feel his cold, unyielding grip around my throat, his voice a cruel whisper in my ear. My body remembered the pain, the sensations of damage inflicted without mercy.

A bitter scoff escaped my lips as I leaned against the cold stone wall, trying to push those memories aside.

Instead, I focused on the teachings of Master Mutaito. With his calm demeanor, and his wise counsel, he was a good teacher, the one who kept me—somewhat—sane during my time as King Piccolo's weapon. I recalled the simple moments and remembered the Evil Containment Wave that Master Mutaito used against King Piccolo.

I could see his steady hands demonstrating the precise motions, and feel the immense energy it demanded. It was a technique of last resort, a desperate gamble, but one I might have to use against Junior.

As I sat there, the weight of my mission settled heavily on my shoulders. The room around me seemed to fade, the sounds of the arena distant and muffled. My thoughts were a whirlwind of strategies and what-ifs.

. ୭ ˚○◦˚★˚◦○˚ ୧ .

Time seemed to warp as I delved deeper into the technique, each repetition bringing me closer to mastery. But even as my movements grew more fluid, doubt still lingered in the recesses of my mind. I could only hope I might manage to trap Junior without any fatal mishaps. The blaring speakers cut through the silence, jolting me back to reality. Match 4 had come to an end, and the winner was announced with a flourish—a man named Hero.

"With the first round of intense fighting over, the best four have been decided! It's time to welcome our top four athletes to the semi-finals: Tenshinhan, Anonymous, Junior, and Hero!"

As the announcer's voice reverberated through the arena, my heart quickened its pace. The semi-finals were about to begin, and I was among the chosen few. My gaze drifted towards the entrance of the arena. The sunlight spilled in the cold, dark interior.

"Attention, semifinalists, and spectators! The first match of the semi-finals is about to commence. Tenshinhan versus Anonymous!"

I sighed softly at the mention of my alias, "Anonymous." I hoped this next competitor would be more challenging than Goku, or at least that someone else would deal with Junior before I had to. Stepping into the light of the arena entrance, the scent of sizzling food from nearby vendors mingled with the earthy tang of sweat and soil, assaulting my senses.

The crowd grew louder with each step, a cacophony of excitement and anticipation. The sky above was a canvas of vibrant hues—blue, purplish-pink, and gold—heralding the approach of sunset.

As I walked past Junior, our eyes locked for a fleeting moment, a silent exchange laden with unspoken threats. I could feel his gaze boring into my back, a reminder of the danger he posed. My focus shifted to Krillin and Goku, both defeated, and I exchanged glances with them before approaching the ring.

There, my eyes met Tenshinhan's intense, three-eyed gaze. He stood tall and confident, muscles coiled and ready for combat. I took a deep breath, centering myself. I needed to test his strength and skill. The announcer's voice boomed, "Let the first match of the semi-finals begin!"

Tenshinhan moved first, his speed astonishing. He closed the distance between us in a heartbeat, his fist aimed squarely at my face. For a moment, I was frozen in bewilderment, not expecting such impressive speed from a regular human.

Instinct took over. I leaped back, my shoes scraping the cement floor as I landed, stopping myself from tumbling out of the ring. My hand reflexively reached for my belt, patting to realize my gun wasn't there—old habits from survival situations die hard.

This is a tournament, idiot! Not a war! I'm not even in danger, not yet.

I scolded myself inwardly, berating my paranoia in the heat of the moment. With renewed focus, I pushed aside my doubts and focused on the task at hand. Tenshinhan's attacks came in waves, but I held my ground, meeting each blow with steely determination. His attacks were relentless, a barrage of strikes that kept me on the defensive. I countered with a swift kick to his midsection, but he blocked it effortlessly, retaliating with a powerful elbow strike.

The force of his blow sent me skidding backward, my feet digging into the ground to maintain balance, stopping mere centimeters from the ring's edge. Tenshinhan followed up with a right hook. I evaded the attack by leaping off the ground and swinging my leg toward his face, delivering a solid blow to his left cheek.

The impact reverberated up my leg, causing him to stagger, but he quickly regained his footing. Landing gracefully, I closed the gap between us with a swift dash. His eyes narrowed, anticipating my next move, scanning for an opening.

My immortality granted me an edge, but I couldn't rely on it. Not here. Not now.

I brought my fist to my chest, feinting a jab, then swiftly dropped to the ground, sliding towards Tenshinhan. Caught off guard, he stumbled, unable to react as I swept his legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the floor with a resounding thud.

I always had a knack for faking maneuvers and playing dirty.

As Tenshinhan sprang back to his feet, I watched closely, testing his intellect. He wasted no time, delivering a swift kick to my midsection that knocked the breath from my lungs. I rolled away, clutching my stomach, the pain coursing through me.

This is good.

I welcomed it—it was all part of the plan, a calculated risk to make Junior underestimate me. And besides, a little pain was nothing compared to what I had endured.

The crowd's cheers filled the air, but I tuned them out, focusing on my opponent. With each passing moment, my body recovered. I stood up, my breathing steady, my expression unreadable. Tenshinhan and I locked eyes, and without a word, we charged at each other once more. Our movements were fluid, a seamless blend of offense and defense. Each strike he landed was met with a counter from me, each block calculated to perfection.

The arena around us seemed to fade away, the only sounds that mattered were the rhythm of our breathing and the thunderous thud of our footsteps. Tenshinhan was relentless, his attacks coming faster and fiercer with each passing moment. As he unleashed a flurry of kicks and punches; I blocked and dodged with precision, my mind racing with strategy.

Does this man want to push me further? Fine, I can keep up.

My energy surged as I matched his pace and power. I blocked and dodged, feeling the strain in my muscles. We clashed again, Tenshinhan's firm, warm, and sweaty hand pressed against mine. His brow furrowed in concentration, teeth gritted with resolve and frustration as he sought to overpower me with sheer strength. But I held my ground, pushing back with equal force.

It was a brutal test of strength, a relentless tug-of-war that seemed to stretch on endlessly. The broadcaster's voice cut through the tension, their exclamations echoing in the arena. "Whoa, the two have finished their lightning-speed battle, but Tenshinhan and Anonymous are practically at each other's throats!"

Every muscle in my body tensed every sense heightened as I focused on the fight at hand. Despite Tenshinhan's strength, I sensed a flicker of doubt in his eyes, a momentary lapse in his resolve, noticing I wasn't tired. Centuries of experience had made me somewhat immune to the face of exhaustion.

"Come on, Tien! Take 'em down, hurry!"

The shout seemed to bolster his resolve. Seizing the opportunity, I brought my knees to my chest and thrust my legs forward, my feet connecting under his chin with a powerful blow. The impact forced Tenshinhan to release his grip, sending him soaring off the bounds of the arena.

But he disappeared before he could make contact with the ground.

Sensing his energy building behind me, I reacted on instinct, executing a flawless backflip to evade his strike. Time seemed to slow as I watched him miss his mark, his surprise evident in the widening of his eyes, our gazes locking as I flipped through the air.

With a graceful landing, I kept my hood securely, concealing my identity from prying eyes. I caught his arm and twisted, using his momentum to slam him into the ground. The impact reverberated through the arena, leaving him winded but far from defeated. After a moment, he pushed himself up, a mixture of determination and respect shining in his gaze as he met my eyes.

"You're good," he rasped, his voice rough with exertion, wiping a trickle of blood from his lips.

"I could say the same," I replied, my tone measured despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins. The truth was, I didn't tire easily. Centuries of life had honed my stamina, from traversing into the wilderness, and learning how to swim, to scaling towering peaks. I had embraced the physical challenges that came with my immortal existence.

The announcer's voice reverberated through the arena, "It doesn't get more exciting than this, folks! Anonymous and Tenshinhan standing toe to toe in intense combat! The way it looks now, the match could go either way. Let's hope they won't disappear again!" The crowd's cheers and shouts created a din that seemed to fuel our resolve, the palpable energy in the air amplifying every heartbeat.

Tenshinhan advanced once more, his movements calculated and precise. I scrutinized his approach, recognizing the subtle shifts in his stance. He launched a barrage of rapid punches, each aimed to pierce my defenses. I parried and dodged, feeling the rush of air from each narrowly avoided strike. Taking a deep breath, I decided to change tactics.

I lunged forward, feinting to the left before swiftly pivoting and delivering a decisive kick to his right side. Tenshinhan groaned, stumbling back but quickly regaining his footing. "Impressive," he said, his voice tinged with respect and irritation. "But this isn't over."

We circled each other, both assessing and recalibrating our strategies. My eyes lingered on his form—well-defined, slightly battered, but far from beaten. His extraordinary ability to stand toe-to-toe with me, a regular human exhibiting unparalleled swiftness, power, and energy, was awe inspiring and deeply unsettling.

What if there was a possibility he was an agent sent to apprehend me? What if there were more like him, capable of pushing themselves to extreme limits?

The thought gnawed at my paranoia. I couldn't afford to make errors. The real question was: how skillful and powerful is he in utilizing ki energy? As if in response to my silent query, Tenshinhan halted his circling and adopted a new stance, forcing me to pause.

He emitted a series of grunts, a battle cry tearing from his throat as his energy levels spiked. Before my eyes, he formed a copy of himself, which appeared beside him. My eyes widened in bewilderment, a chill of trepidation running down my spine.

Can he make more copies himself endlessly?

The idea of facing an army of Tenshinhans filled me with dread. Detecting the crack in my facade, he smirked smugly, chuckling at my reaction. "If you think that's it, wait till you see what's next." With another cry, he materialized two more clones.

I dropped into a defensive stance, my heart pounding and my muscles tensing with anxiety. The four clones moved into offensive positions, and though Tenshinhan spoke, his words were lost to me. My ears rang, my heart thumped in my eardrums, and my hands quivered as my breathing became erratic.

Surrounded by Tenshinhan's clones, I felt a surge of adrenaline course through me, my instincts kicking into overdrive. With a sharp intake of breath, I extended my hands, channeling my ki into a focused assault. The clones closed in, in a split-second decision, I unleashed a beam of energy aimed directly at the chest of one of the clones.

Eyes squeezed shut against the blinding brilliance, I braced myself, arms forming a protective barrier fueled by my own ki. The explosion that followed was deafening, a symphony of chaos that reverberated through the arena, I held my ground, my barrier of ki offering some protection against the shockwave and heat. For a moment, all was chaos—a symphony of destruction that drowned out the distant roar of the crowd.

As the light began to dim, I cautiously opened my eyes, squinting through the lingering haze of smoke and debris. Dust swirled around me in lazy spirals, obscuring my vision until the silhouettes of Tien's clones began to fade into the dissipating fog.

Heart pounding, I steadied my breathing, mind racing with possibilities. Could Tien be the one to defeat Junior? The thought flickered in the recesses of my mind, a fragile hope in the uncertainty. But as the smoke cleared, reality came crashing upon me like a ton of bricks. Tien lay before me, battered, and bruised, parts of his skin scorched, but resolute.

Yet, he was outside the bounds of the arena—a grave miscalculation that sealed his fate.

"Tenshinhan is out of bounds, ending in an impressive battle! Anonymous wins the first match of the semi-finals and now advances to the championship round where the 23rd Martial Arts Champion will be determined!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, their jubilation echoing around me. My barrier dissipated, the tension in my body easing as the round came to an abrupt end. I stood there, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions that threatened to overwhelm me.

What the fuck just happened?

Those words echoed in my mind, realizing I could have accidentally killed a man in front of thousands due to a survival instinct I tried so hard to suppress. The panic surged through me; the silence hung heavily in the air after my victory, broken only by the sound of my ragged breathing.

The shock of ending Tenshinhan's match so quickly left a bitter taste in my mouth, and the cheerful crowd seemed distant and out of place in this surreal moment. Tenshinhan lay on the ground, his body battered and slightly burned, struggling to regain his bearings.

I could have killed him if I hadn't controlled my instincts.

I felt Junior's eyes lingering on me. Looking up, I saw Junior's sharp gaze fixed on me from atop the tournament building roof. His mind was undoubtedly filled with an array of thoughts, analyzing my strengths and capabilities, and silently forming opinions based on what he witnessed.

Dismissing Junior's stare, I forced myself to regain my composure and turned my attention back to Tenshinhan, who seemed to be slowly gaining his bearings. My expression was firm and mingled with frustration, attempting to maintain my calm facade as I watched Tenshinhan gather the remnants of his strength to stand up.

Gradually, with a groan of pain, Tenshinhan stood up, his body still reeling from the aftermath of our battle. He faced me, his dark eyes meeting mine, his expression a combination of pain, determination, and something more—respect.

"Damn it," he managed to mutter, his voice crackling with pain, as Tenshinhan climbed back into the arena. "You're one hell of a fighter..."

The crowd seemed to hold its breath, the suspense electrifying the air as they waited for my response or next move. I could feel the weight of their stares, their curiosity, their expectations. But I paid them no mind, my focus only on Tenshinhan. I was silent, attempting to push aside my emotions as I spoke, my voice controlled and firm.

"Likewise, at least you're not dead."

Fuck, I'm awful at socializing.

A flicker of pain and frustration still lingered in Tenshinhan's eyes, but there was also a hint of admiration beneath it. Hearing my response, he chuckled softly, a mix of humor and acceptance in his tone.

"Yeah, I guess I should be grateful I'm still breathing," he responded, wincing as he gingerly touched his injured ribs. "You sure know how to throw a punch... or a blast, I should say."

The crowd's applause died down, and the spectators were still in awe of my seemingly effortless victory over Tenshinhan. The atmosphere was thick with the scent of sweat and adrenaline, the sounds of murmured conversations and footsteps on the arena floor blending into a low hum. I could feel the texture of the stone floor beneath my feet, grounding me in reality.

Tenshinhan coughed slightly, drawing my attention back to him. He stood before me, his body still bearing the signs of our previous battle, yet his eyes fixed on mine with a blend of respect and curiosity.

"I never caught your name," Tenshinhan said, breaking the silence. "I didn't expect such strength from you," he admitted, his tone tinged with genuine surprise.

"Anonymous, that's all," I replied, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind. The sun cast a golden glow over the arena, highlighting the dust particles still floating in the aftermath of our battle. My heart pounded, not from exhaustion but from the adrenaline and the fear of what lay ahead.

Before he could respond, I turned on my heel and walked away, my mind racing. If Junior won the next match of the semifinals, I would be forced to confront him—the very outcome I had been desperately trying to avoid. Attempting to quell the rising tide of panic, I reminded myself of the Evil Containment Wave, my last resort. There was no need to panic—not now.

Tenshinhan watched me walk away, his eyes following my figure, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating. There was a mixture of anticipation and confusion among the onlookers, and I could feel their gaze on me as I made my way back toward the tournament building.

In my mind, I could almost hear Junior's voice, his presence lingering in the air as if he was silently waiting for the next round to begin. As I entered the tournament building, the sudden silence enveloped me. After the roaring cheers and applause outside, the contrast was stark and left me with a few moments of solitude to catch my breath and regroup. Before I could walk further, the blaring speakers announced the next round.

"This next match is an important one. It will determine who will fight Anonymous in the final battle for the title. The outcome is unpredictable, but one thing is certain: this battle is one you wouldn't want to miss. So, get a good view and welcome the mysterious Junior and his unpredictable opponent, Hero!"

I inhaled deeply, trying to quell the rising tension within me. All thoughts of the previous battle quickly vanished, replaced by the mounting dread growing in the pit of my stomach. Junior is next. The thought echoed in my mind, the realization bringing a wave of unease. I stood there, my mind racing with thoughts and emotions. A part of me wanted to run to escape this confrontation.

However, I knew deep down that running wouldn't solve anything. I decided to watch the match to analyze and get more information about Junior's skills and power again. I took a step back, retreating to the arena as I sought out a vantage point. Among the familiar faces of Goku, Krillin, and Tenshinhan, stood another man.

The man stood tall with a light tan complexion that spoke of countless hours spent under the sun. His medium-length black hair, perpetually wild and spiky, framed a face marked by a single diagonal scar running across his left cheek, underscored by a subtle smirk that danced across his lips. His eyes, sharp and confident, betrayed a hint of mischief beneath his steely gaze. Clad in an orange gi similar to Goku and Krillin.

As I approached, Goku greeted me with a warm smile, his usual cheerful demeanor cutting through the tension like a ray of sunshine. Krillin's gaze held a mix of curiosity and caution, while Tenshinhan remained stoic, his expression unreadable.

"Hey, you're back," Goku said, his voice filled with genuine warmth. I fell into step beside him, nodding in response. "That was an impressive match you had," Krillin chimed in, his gaze probing, seeking to unravel the enigma that was me. I acknowledged his comment with a nod, though guilt gnawed at me beneath the surface. Tenshinhan remained silent, his gaze piercing yet inscrutable.

Goku chuckled lightly, oblivious to the weight of my internal turmoil. "You really gave Tien a run for his money," he said, a hint of mischief in his tone. Tenshinhan shot him a glare, though there was a flicker of admiration in his eyes.

"How are you holding up?" I inquired, betraying no hint of emotion as I met Tenshinhan's gaze. Tenshinhan shifted slightly, his ribs still tender from our encounter with the burn marks. His response was laced with a hint of wry humor, masking the pain he undoubtedly felt.

"I'll live," Tenshinhan replied, his smirk belying the pain he endured. "You certainly don't hold back, do you?"

If only you knew.

I thought, keeping my thoughts carefully guarded behind my stoic facade. "Yeah," I said simply, evading his gaze as I wrestled with the guilt that threatened to consume me. Tenshinhan nodded, a silent acknowledgement passing between us. He understood my reticence, recognizing that words were not my forte. Despite the pain he endured, there was no animosity towards me; the intensity of battle often yielded unexpected camaraderie.

Goku and Krillin observed our brief interaction. "You're not much for conversation, huh?" Krillin remarked, studying me with a hint of confusion. He seemed puzzled by my concise responses.

"Not everyone is as chatty as you," Goku chimed in, a playful grin on his face as he rested his hands behind his head. Krillin shot Goku a playful glare, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Goku chuckled, "Justat you tend to talk a lot, that's all." Krillin rolled his eyes in mock exasperation, "And you? You can ramble on about food for hours."

Goku laughed, "Well, food is important. I can't help it if I appreciate good grub." Krillin shook his head, "Always with the food talk."

Suppressing the urge to roll my eyes, I tuned out their banter, my focus fixed on Piccolo Junior, awaiting his challenger. Suddenly, Goku excused himself and disappeared into the tournament building, leaving Tenshinhan, Krillin, and an unfamiliar man in his wake. With Goku's departure, an awkward silence descended upon us.

The unfamiliar man cast curious glances my way, his eyes a mix of intrigue and caution. Krillin appeared lost in thought; his brows furrowed as he oscillated between me and the tournament building. The absence of Goku's jovial presence amplified the uneasy atmosphere.

The man, breaking the silence, directed his cautious inquiry towards me. "So, who are you?"

"I'm someone. And you?" I replied, deflecting with a touch of sarcasm. The man raised an eyebrow at my cryptic response, realizing he wouldn't elicit any straightforward answers. He shrugged nonchalantly, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips. "Just a martial artist trying to make my mark," he quipped, a hint of bravado in his voice.

Tenshinhan, still recuperating, rolled his eyes at the man's boastful demeanor. "Try not to let your ego overshadow your skills, Yamcha," he cautioned, wincing slightly as he adjusted his stance.

Yamcha.

His name echoed in my mind as I took note of him. Krillin, finding the situation amusing, chuckled softly. He knew Yamcha's penchant for boasting. "Hey, it's not ego, it's confidence," Yamcha countered, the smirk still evident. "And trust me, I've got the skills to back it up."

Krillin interjected with a playful jab, "Yeah, like the time you lost to a clumsy opponent?" My interest was piqued for a moment, recalling the fourth match from the quarterfinals where Yamcha faced Hero, understanding Krillin's implication.

Yamcha's smirk faltered at the reminder of his defeat. He muttered under his breath, his pride stung. "That guy just got lucky," he grumbled, crossing his arms defensively. Ignoring their banter, my focus remained on Junior. I studied him intently, trying to discern his intentions and how he planned to confront me in the arena.

Sensing my intense gaze, Junior turned his head towards me, his eyes locking onto mine from the arena where he stood. Despite the distance between us, his scrutiny felt palpable, as though he were dissecting my very essence. I braced myself, feeling the weight of his stare. The tension in the air thickened as our eyes met. 

Junior's gaze held a sinister gleam, his lips curling into a smirk that sent a shiver down my spine. It was as if he was sizing me up, searching for any chink in my armor. Behind my facemask, I concealed the whirlwind of emotions raging within me. Fear, uncertainty, and simmering anger bubbled beneath the surface, but I refused to let them show.

Tenshinhan, Krillin, and Yamcha sensing the brewing confrontation, exchanged uneasy glances but wisely chose to remain silent, not wanting to escalate the tension further.

Despite the fear gnawing at my insides, a surge of anger pulsed through me, fueled by the confidence that I could seal him if it came down to it.

With a nonchalant flick of my middle finger, I delivered a silent message of defiance, telling him to back off. Junior's smirk faltered momentarily, taken aback by my audacity. He regarded me with a mixture of surprise and amusement before letting out a scoff, his smirk returning with a hint of excitement dancing in his eyes.

Krillin, Tenshinhan, and Yamcha exchanged incredulous glances, their expressions a mix of shock and apprehension. Whispering under my breath, mindful of Junior's acute hearing that could catch even the faintest of sounds just like King Piccolo.

"Suck my—"

•◉◒☆◒◉•

FINISHED: JUNE 10, 2024

PREVIOUS CHAPTER: 004 | 𝑬𝑷𝑰𝑷𝑯𝑨𝑵𝒀 NEXT CHAPTER: 006 | 𝑹𝑬𝑪𝑲𝑶𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑮

LINK TO THE BOOK [WATTPAD]: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 — 𝙳𝚛𝚊𝚐𝚘𝚗 𝙱𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚂𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢 If you're interested in stories like these, here is my 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓

[ultraericthered]

Something interesting I recently noticed about Freeza as originally written by the late Akira Toriyama in the Dragon Ball manga.

Out of the five Big Bads of the manga when it became a more high stakes action-oriented series (King Piccolo, Vegeta, Freeza, Cell, and Majin Buu), Freeza has by far the least impressive on-page kill count in regards to deaths we see him directly bringing about in the present or deaths he's confirmed to have brought about. It's closest to King Piccolo's and actually lesser than that of Vegeta, who continues racking up his body count even in Freeza's own saga. And this may surprise fans who remember Freeza being viciously kill-happy with even his own underlings in the anime (killing Oran, killing Namole, killing a guy during the encounter with Future Trunks on Earth), but such incidents never occured in the manga, where Freeza never lay a finger on any of his employees. A major characteristic of Freeza is that while he has all the power within him at his disposal to kill as he pleases and could easily kill someone, he prefers not to dirty his own hands since he has a wide array of footsoldiers who could kill for him on his orders. Prior to the fight with him on Namek, whenever he did make a direct kill himself, it tended to be very nonchalant and casual, like he doesn't need to flex any muscle in order to do so.

For comparison, here's the kills we got out of the other Big Bads:

King Piccolo: killed Krillin (via Tamborine), several martial artists we knew from earlier in the series (again via Tamborine), Master Mutaito and many fighters and civillians in the past, Master Roshi, Chiaotzu, Shenron, and the militants and civillians of Earth's capitol city. He also very nearly momentarily killed Goku when he stopped his heart. And of course there was his plan for PICCOLO DAY, where he'd annually blow up nations of the Earth and kill thousands for fun!

Vegeta: killed dozens of city civillians (via Nappa), Yamcha (via Saibamen), Chiaotzu (via a senseless sacrifice), Tien (via Nappa), Piccolo (via Nappa), Cui, Dodoria, an entire village of Namekians, Appule, Zarbon, Guldo, Recoome, Burter, Jeice, and the remaining Freeza Forces posted at Freeza' mothership. He kills much less after this, only killing Android 19, a random truck driver, Puipui, and people in the audience of the 25th World's Martial Arts Tournament.

Cell: killed dozens of whole city populations, Android 17, human and animal life on islands, Android 18, Android 16, the Royal Military, Goku himself along with King Kai and Bubbles (via a senseless sacrifice), Future Trunks, and he intended to kill every living thing on Earth and on other worlds across the entire universe had he not been stopped. He also very nearly killed Piccolo and Tien almost sacrificed his whole life to stop him from pursuing 18 and 16.

Majin Buu: killed the Kaioshins, Dabura, random civillians and dozens of whole city populations, Babidi, Van Zant, Smithy, all remaining humans on Earth sans Mr. Satan, Chi Chi and then all the good guys out at Kami's Lookout, Gotenks, Piccolo, Gohan, Vegito, all plant and animal life on Earth, and would kill every living thing on other worlds across the entire universe if not stopped.

Now here's Freeza, who killed....

Namekian villagers

Cargo (dunno why the anime gave this kill to Dodoria)

The Saiyan race of Planet Vegeta

Nail

The Grand Elder and Porunga (indirectly, premature deaths)

King Vegeta

Dende

Bardock

Prince Vegeta

Nearly kills Piccolo (Nail's energy inside him narrowly saves him)

And of course, Krillin

And yet, despite having limited on-page or confirmed kills, Freeza's the villain who set a whole new standard for pure evil in this series, with even Toriyama himself saying that he was the one villain who was a bit personally, viscerally discomforting for him to have to write and read, as there was so little about him to mitigate how vile he was. The anime adaptation played up his monstrous villainy for this very reason. Two things in addition to these kills rendered Freeza a different beast than other villains and made him seem so damn evil.

1. He's a galactic emperor, warlord, conqueror and profiteer by trade. Because he leads his own empire and is at the head of this horrible business that has looted, depopulated, and sold entire planets across galaxies, Freeza is responsible for genocide after genocide. The extermination of the Saiyans cuts particularly deep because they were his loyal followers in this sick business and he still wiped the vast majority of them out just to remove the slim possibility of his power getting challenged, rivalled, or surpassed by one of them, but the Namekian genocide he is introduced carrying out tells us everything we need to know about how he regularly operates. Freeza is your typical "civilized savage" in the vein of Europeon colonizers, Spanish conquistadors, and terrorist state-leading dictators from all across history, putting on the superficial facade of being the well educated, well spoken, better developed, sophisticated, "civilized" person than indigenous populations while he nonetheless engages in actual barbarism and savagery against said population that he can rationalize and justify by being stronger and "better" than them. He doesn't need to directly slaughter a whole bunch of planet natives when he's the one sitting at the top of his enterprise calling the shots for his lackeys to carry out the slaughter for him, but as such he still stands responsible for everything carried out by the likes of Zarbon, Dodoria, and the Ginyu Force. He's the Palpatine of Dragon Ball!

2. His absolutely chilling, heartless, brutal, sadistic cruelty, and all the other negative characteristics that he displays, especially when in a fight himself. This is a dude who physically pummels his opponents bruised and bloody with a grin on his face, threatens to tear people limb from limb and torture them to death when he's really pissed at them, impales a guy with his curved horns, brutalizes a child and steps on his head to crush his skill while gleefully cackling, fires a barrage of lasers to blow holes into an opponent with visible maniacal ecstacy, strangles his former follower with his tail while punching his injured body repeatedly, toys with the opponent he enjoys fighting in the most bluntly hurtful and malicious ways yet is incensed at having to take what he dishes out, whose instict when he's no longer getting his way and a mental thread has snapped is to throw an energy ball into the planet's core to blow it all up, will twice repay the choice to spare his life with trying to take the life of the one who spared him, and has such a pathological need to be the most powerful, to be the winner, to exact petty vengeance upon whoever committed an affront against him that he'd slaughter as many among a planet's population as he wanted to just to make his enemy suffer (we can see where Vegeta got that from!). Freeza is, all in all, the worst, most despicable bully in the cosmos and you loathe him for it.

So when Toriyama returned to writing for him years later, for all the character growth he got, he also got worse in some areas like in the direct actions he's taken and the harm he's caused (blowing Tagoma and many of his other troops out into space, killing his entire attack force when they got beaten down, nearly killing Gohan, blowing up the entire Earth so that he'd not lose to Vegeta, killing Paragus to make Broly a Super Saiyan, continuing his reign of destruction and death across several planets more directly now, what he did to Planet Cereal and to Gas and Elec of the Heeter Force, etc.)

Has his characterization developed any semblence of decency at all?

That is some quintessential Pure Evil right there!

[xangoshin]

Xan & Zizzi vs. Super Buu @bluemajingirl

Last Time on Dragon Ball Z: Majin Buu has killed the Supreme Kai Shin, the Z Fighters, and most of humanity. Xan an apprentice Supreme Kai, takes Shin’s place as Whis summons a blue Majin Time Patroller named Zizzi as Beerus’ replacement. Xan is distrusting of Zizzi as she is a Majin like Buu, they are unable to defeat Buu and resort to training in the Room of Spirit and Time.

-

Xan and Zizzi finally exited from the Room of Spirit and Time, where two to three days had passed since on Earth. “What is this energy? Is that Buu?” Xan commented in shock at what he was sensing, his ki was somehow more sinister than before.

“After Buu killed most of humans by turning them into candy and eating them, he actually settled down in a home for himself and even adopted a dog. Unfortunately some survivors killed the dog out of revenge, and Buu somehow split into two. This new Buu ate the one you saw and transformed into what you’re sensing. He killed the rest of humanity with a single attack, you must stop him before he finds us here-“ Dende explained, soon seeing the new Buu arrive on the Lookout.

“You two, have become stronger than last time…” Buu addressed Xan and Zizzi with a grin, ready for a rematch.

“Yeah, just like you have. But this time, we will destroy you!” Xan declared, then threw his hands in front of him to release a shockwave. Soon Buu was blasted off the Lookout, down back towards the ground below.  “Let’s go, Zizzi!”

As they raced after Buu to set the stage back down on Earth and away from the lookout, Xan established a mental link with Zizzi to speak through her mind with his telepathy.

“I realise now why I could not seal Buu with the Evil Containment Wave before, my heart was not in the right place to use it successfully. I was arrogant, believing the technique just by itself would work, there was no sacrifice on my part. Unlike the previous users that used it to save the Earth in their time, I brought shame to their legacy,” Xan admitted, talking about Master Mutaito and Master Roshi who used it on Demon King Piccolo at the cost of their lives. “That is why. If your finisher attack does not work Zizzi, that will be my last resort. I will sacrifice my life force to seal Majin Buu if I must.”

[dballzposting]

You're the only one I can think of right now that can maybe see what in trying to get at but have you ever seen Bill & Ted's Exellent adventure? Would it be possible, with the "help" of Future Trunks, to compile Goten & Trunks's excellent adventure? One of my main questions is what parts of history they'd visit? Would they go within their parents' time like when Vegeta and Nappa arrived or go as far as Bardock or when S Broly was sent off?

I have so defintiely said that Goten & Trunks are Bill & Ted before. Last I watched the movie they were all I could think of. I have defintiely written fanfiction where Goten & Trunks say things like "radical" and "most unrighteous."

That is a FASCINATING and Inspired idea to enlist Future Trunks's help and time machine.

I think that the most objectively correct answer here is that they visit the parts of history most notable in the original dragon ball or mentioned therein - When Goku took on the Muscle Tower, when he later took out the Red Ribbon Army, Piccolo Daimao's initial appearance where Master Mutaito first used the Mafuba, the lost-to-time appearance of the unnamed Namekian and his efforts to become the next Kami, maybe the 21st Budokai Tenkaichi ... Even the events of the first episode, the fateful encounter between Bulma and Goku.

They would probably be contained to Earth so IDK about Bardock and Broly.

This would be such a NICE little way to bring back to relevance and to appreciate the type of story that dragon ball was when it started! They can even visit the characters of Dr Slump since they did make an appearance in Dragon Ball.

WOW! What a cute idea! Future Trunks can bring them places and Goten & Trunkz can just be like woah... Radical, dude!

THIS IDEA IS DELIGHTFUL! Thanks for sending it in! Goten & Trunks as Bill & Ted FOREVER!!

[brucenorris007]

Hot take (granted it’s about a show almost 40 years old but I’ve never seen this come up anywhere else): Muten Roshi, the Kame Sen’nin, is one of the most traumatized characters in Dragon Ball. 

Yes. This dork.

Wait, wait, hear me out, I know his reputation, but bear with me...

I’m essentially expanding on thoughts I’ve had for a while and started putting into to words through an ask for @dragonballwish​ but I had another epiphany on the subject a few days ago and now it’s all boiling over. 

All right, everyone knows Roshi is the OG Dragon Ball sensei character, the one in the memes about perverted old men, who people probably like to laugh at but maybe not talk about at length. I’m not going to list instances of the sort of behavior that gave him this reputation, IYKYK and all, but what if Roshi had a reason for living isolated in the middle of the ocean, away from people, interacting more with animals and sea creatures than other human beings, who in all likelihood will die long before he does?

No, I’m not accusing Toriyama of doing anything other than his usual MO of flying by the seat of his pants, I’m just saying, the pieces are there for a pretty compelling narrative/character arc.

Roshi’s vague about his personal history. When Dragon Ball gets rolling with the Wuxia elements of the story, he’s iffy about taking on pupils; he primarily makes the initial offer to Goku because he’s Gohan’s grandson. He only takes on Kuririn after the boys bring Lunch back to Kame House for... let’s call it companionship. Despite his choice to live alone, one could infer that he’s actually truly lonely. Hell, his goofy perversions could easily be the result of extended isolation, which all of us know does weird things to the mind.

Wish actually brought up this point; his isolation likely started after seeing the results of his teachings in Ox-King and Son Gohan, one a pillager, a murderer and a hoarder of treasure, the other thankfully not violent but uninterested in interacting much with the world (seems like Gohan also had his own sad story.)

He takes great pains to keep Kuririn and Goku from getting swelled egos; perhaps not only for the sake of their growth, but so as to avoid the mistakes he made with his previous pupils, Son Gohan and Ox-King. 

He’s unfazed by most forms of threat to his life; Goku’s Ozaru form startles him, sure, yet he refuses to kill his student despite clearly being capable of doing so and chooses a far more drastic alternative instead. The Red Ribbon army showing up at his house only get taunts, a chuckle and a beating until someone takes Lunch hostage. Even then, he discourages her more violent persona from killing the soldier who threatened her; his appreciation for the sanctity of life could be part of his own disciplines, but it’s just as likely something shaped by his experiences.

He drops out of the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai, despite hints that he could’ve gone to the finals again if he’d continued; he plants seeds of altruism in Tien’s mind to sway him away from Shen’s violence and in his words, foster the growth of a new hero. 

We only learn anything of substance about Roshi’s past when 22nd Budokai arc ends and kicks off the start of the Piccolo Daimao saga. 

And it’s here that we see Roshi well and truly rattled for the first time. 

Roshi fought Piccolo Daimao alongside Mutaito and his fellow students; the battle cost him the lives of his friends and his master. Worst still, Shen, the only other martial artist shown to have survived the fight and the Kuririn to Roshi’s Goku, turned bitter; the last friendship Roshi had became so sour and resentful that neither of them could stand each other. 

When the time comes for Roshi, Tien and Chaozu to confront Piccolo, the old hermit refuses to let anyone else face him; for all he’s lived through, he wouldn’t survive fighting another doomed battle alongside friends.

Toriyama doesn’t show or explain anything else about Roshi’s past, but we can infer that, at some point in the intervening years before Goku’s story begins, Roshi established his reputation as the Kame Sen’nin, while Shen did the same as the Tsuru Sen’nin. 

In contrast to Shen, who garnered his reputation alongside his brother for taking the technique and skills he learned from Mutaito and twisting them for the purposes of torture, pain and assassination, Roshi must have gone to lengths to heal, at least somewhat, from the trauma and survivor’s guilt and grow stronger. Personally, I think to assuage his guilt, he would’ve traveled and helped people (maybe ‘twas in this time when he met and grappled with Korin) as something of a... hero.

I know it might feel like a stretch to see him that way, and I suspect he doesn’t feel much of a hero himself despite the somewhat flashy façade he puts on as Jackie Chun. But consider this fact: 

There was a time when Roshi could ride Kinto’un.

We don’t see it, nor is it explicitly stated (that I can remember) but both Roshi and Turtle are surprised when he falls through the magic cloud instead of landing on it when he passes Kinto’un on to Goku. So something that happened between his Master’s demise and the start of the story we’re shown that robbed his purity of heart, at least by Kinto’un’s definition. 

Again, was this traumatized survivor narrative what Toriyama intended for Roshi? Probably not.

I’m just saying, all the pieces are there.

[quantumleper]

Young Master Roshi (Turtle School) & Young Shen (Crane School) of Mutaito Dojo kill Demon Clan members

Dragon Ball | King Piccolo Saga

[sweetescapeartist]

RESEMBLANCES OF THE PAST

Kuririn = Mutaito

It appears to be that Toriyama's design of an older Krillin was meant to resembles Master Mutaito.

His hair and mustache are similar to Mutaito's except Krillin's hair isn't fully gray & his moustache is shorter. Both Krillin & Mutaito are of short stature as well. And another visual similarity is that Mutaito has a nose that is barely pronounced & Krillin is noseless.

Son Gokū = Grampa Gohan

Toriyama's drawing of Oldman Goku has a moustache that resembles his Grampa Gohan's, but he's also holding Roshi's staff.

There are aspects of Sun Wukong that were used for Grampa Gohan as well. Example being how Gohan being friends with Gyumao (Ox King) when Wukong was friends with the Ox-Demon King in Journey to The West. So, Goku is in a way, a continuition of Son Gohan's story which is inspired by a portion of Sun Wukong's story.

I just think it's cool that Goku & Krillin end up resembling one of Roshi's previous students & Roshi's master. Makes me wonder if Toriyama had designed Goku & Krillin to resemble them on purpose. 🤔

[yusuke96universe]

Underappreciated Dragon Ball Character: The Crane Hermit's Story

The Crane Hermit is introduced as a very one-dimensional mustache twirling bad guy who quickly faded into obscurity, but after digging into his history and connecting the dots, I found him to be a rare 3 Dimensional villain from classic Dragon Ball.

I mean the dude starts out as a rich snob, humbles himself while befriending his one time enemy and forges a brotherhood with other martial artists under the same dojo. He even is so loyal and brave to the point of fighting alongside his brothers in arms to the bitter end against a horde of Demons. To top it all off, he was even willing to do it again when suggesting they come back and try to defeat King Piccolo again right after barely surviving their first encounter with him. This is very much in tune to what many noble members of the Dragon Team would do, meaning at one point, Crane was a redeemed villain like half the Dragon Ball cast, but willingly CHOSE to return to his old evil ways.

And this only happened after his master gave up the fight which turned his heart away from the light, as if GOODNESS itself betrayed him and/or the lure of the evil King Piccolo's power could've swayed him to be the self-serving man he is today. I would love to explore that side to him because there has to be something still awesome about him for Tien to have held such high respect for him

This is the story that I pieced together from watching a string Crane Hermit related episodes.

He is first introduced in Roshi's picture book as Roshi's good friend and owner of Inoshikacho with early designs before they shaved their heads and started wearing their master's uniform, like in the flashback of them fighting against King Piccolo. Those designs are used two more times, when Roshi climbed Korin's Tower and trained for 3 years gaining the power pole and Nimbus, so they must've looked like that for a few years at least. We get more details on their lives when Mr. Popo sends Goku to the past and meets a sort of cowardly or at least less confident Roshi, we know that this is more of a simulation of the past because this is basically used again for the humans to fight some weak Saiyans in early Z, so the events of Roshi and Crane starting out as romantic rivals in their teens and Crane's highly inflated attitude without any strength yet to combat Kid Goku implies that he came from a wealthy upbringing like a lot of similar people in old Kung Fu movies. You put these together and you got a very interesting character Here is how I rationalize it-

Roshi and Crane's bickering/ fighting over a girl likely got them disciplined hard by their mutually shared master, Mutaito. (Whom they both respected and studied under) Young Crane respected enough to restart his training over from scratch rather than being expelled during the Kid Goku goes to the past episode, so the probability that this would once again apply to a young Crane and possibly young Roshi in this new context seems pretty high. The punishments was probably super harsh and severe, probably was too much for Crane's flunkies to bare and they quit early, but NOT Roshi or Crane. They both are WAY, WAY too stubborn to quit early. Plus the thought of not wanting to be outdone by the other is what probably aided in pushing themselves past their limits throughout the harsh punishments and the intensive training.

So now it's basically two teenagers, one from a humble background and the other from a privileged background. Both with a lot of beef. Now stuck together alone. So while they're busy being bickering and competing, perhaps that girl they both were interested in, Fanfan, found herself a boyfriend in the meantime, leaving both of them heartbroken.

Now, since they are in the same boat together, they can start relating and bonding with one another as teenage punks do. Talking about mistreated they are, how unfair things, mostly complaining and roasting one another, etc. But the important thing is, they put their differences aside to overcome the challenges in front of them and this newfound bond leads them to becoming best friends.

The rivalry while healthier becomes stronger with time though because they're young and brash so Roshi goes to Korin's Tower at some point for bragging rights and Crane probably did something equally outrageous in an attempt to one up him, like maybe he won a Martial Arts Tournament or completed some grand trial of their dojo or something.

After being studying together for many years, they shave their heads and join the other students in wearing the formal uniforms of their master, so this is likely the peak of their disciplined lifestyle as Martial Artists.

Eventually this school made a stand and fought to the last man against Demons that terrorized and devastated entire cities and destroyed armies, harming countless innocents in the process. So in order to face such a threat implies a strong brotherhood and loyalty within the group.

Also the effect of his master giving up the fight being one of the factors for his turn toward evil implied that the Crane had great respect for him and that was the greatest disappointment of his life, plus the allure of power that King Piccolo showed must've been too tempting for him to resist so he left the losing side and returned to a lifestyle similar to his origin, using his skills in service of his own self and living it up in a lavish style (as shown in how much of a big spender he is and comparing his hotel room to the Turtle School's). In doing so, he purposely pushed away all the great teaching his Master had taught him, deeming them as weak or worthless for what he believed to being truly strong in his own distorted mind. He desperately needed someone like his Master to correct his misconceptions, and maybe at one time Roshi tried to, but failed because Crane closed off his heart to his once best friend (kind of like Gintoki and Takasugi frrom Gintama) who exemplifies everything he now hates and stands against.

Though some lessons still stuck, like loyalty, specifically to his brother Tao. Which is his prime motivation in the 22nd tournament was to avenge his brother and he even lamented on how they never patched things up so he tried getting justice for him instead of blaming himself. Dodging accountability, but accepting responsibility. Proving maybe even he is not too far gone, if he felt their was even a point to change.

But that doesn't mean he was the nicest brother. His pride and jealousy couldn't stand the idea that his brother was far more naturally gifted than him and so he attempted to sever one of the few remaining bonds he has in his long life of losses, with his own hand because of his own inferiority complex.

He allowed his greed, anger, pride, and jealousy blind him to what would've been his greatest legacy as a Master of Martial Arts. His students. The most well known are Tien and Chiaotzu. Who he long since failed to guide them to the righteous path which led them pass the point of no return. Tien and Chiaotzu were one in a million prodigies that he wanted to turn into a mere weapons at his command. To make matters worse, these self-centered, cruel and down right malicious teaching actively corrupted Tien's nature and forever shut his Third eye's truest abilities. So he didn't nurture his disciple like he was completely capable of, instead, he actively/incompetently crippled his number 1 student forever preventing him from reaching his full potential by stealing his birthright. Truly failing as a Master.

He makes one last appearance in the 23rd Tournament feeling betrayed and wronged, but leaves as a coward. It is such a shame to see what once was a great man, how far he had fallen.

His Death. Toriyama mentioned that he and his brother Tao Pai Pai got in over their heads and died somewhere in the middle of Z off-screen. In-spite of all of his gifts, he utterly failed as a Master by actively trying to spite everything his Master taught him and what did all of his efforts and years of experiences gift him with? An inconsequential death that will not be remembered, which is heartbreaking for a man who was once and could've forever remained as great as the fan-favorite Master Roshi. It is a shame because unlike his teacher, he never redeemed himself, not even in death. What could've been a Legend, instead turned into a Cautionary Tale.

Honestly, it is such a shame that this character wasn't utilized more. I've got a few more Crane Hermit related headcannons, some from when he was younger, some of how he could've been used after the 22nd Martial Arts Tournament, like a role in the King Piccolo Saga since that is so closely tied to his past, watching his continual, but strained relationship with his students, etc.

[duhragonball]

Dragon Ball 102

Last time on Dragon Ball... OH FUCK KRILLIN’S DEAD

He had gone back to the arena to fetch Goku’s Nyoibo and Four Star Dragon Ball, and then Goku found him and the World Tournament Announcer laid out on the floor.   The Announcer, at least, is okay.   He explains that some monster barged in and took the Four Star Ball and a copy of the Tenkaichi Budokai roster.   Krillin tried to fight the creature, but it was just too strong.  

Goku is livid.   A lot of people have asked why Goku didn’t just turn Super Saiyan right here.   Personally, I think there’s more to turning Super Saiyan than the emotional shock of your best friend getting killed.   For one thing, Goku wasn’t there when it happened.    I think there’s a difference between finding Krillin’s dead body and watching him get slaughtered while you’re powerless to stop it.  Also, Goku isn’t nearly as strong now as he will be on Namek, and I think that has a lot to do with it.

Nevertheless, this scene has a lot to do with Goku being a Super Saiyan.    It’s all well and good to talk about Goku “transforming” into a Super Saiyan, but you can argue that he always was a Super Saiyan, since he eventually figured out how to tap into that form.   And this righteous fury we see from him is what sets him apart from most of his species.   Nappa and Raditz never felt this way in their lives, or they never allowed themselves to feel this way.   Goku has this capacity throughout his whole life, and so when he’s finally strong enough to cross the threshold, he has the emotional intelligence to carry him to the other side. 

He grabs his Nyoibo, asks Bulma for her Dragon Radar, and rushes off to hunt down Krillin’s killer.   Roshi tells him to wait, even orders him to stop, but to no avail.   After all, Goku’s hungry and tired, and any monster who could beat Krillin so easily would probably be too much for Goku while he’s less than 100%.

Oolong finds a piece of paper on the floor with a mark on it.  

And once Roshi sees it, he realizes that he knows who’s behind all this.

King Piccolo.  

Okay, so here’s my perspective on this.   I watched DBZ first, and it was pretty clear from casualy watching the early episodes around 1998 or so that Piccolo was the bad guy before Z got started.  All we really knew about him was what little the edited dub revealed in flashbacks or exposition.   Goku said that he wanted to take over the world, though he never understood why, and it was pretty clear that Goku had been the only thing standing in the way of that goal.    While the early sagas of DBZ involved the good guys having an uneasy alliance with Piccolo, it was clear that no one really trusted him, and they were terrified of what he might do if left unchecked.

All of this led me to wonder just what Piccolo had done as a villain.   I think he struck me as a sort of Dr. Doom or Skeletor archetype at the time.    He wanted to conquer the planet, which suggested that he probably pulled some schemes that might have almost worked if Goku hadn’t come along and punched him in the face.   Yeah, he was super strong, but he must have been fairly restrained if the world was still in one piece.

Then I finally get to the first episode of the King Piccolo Saga, and it turns out to be way, way worse than I ever imagined.   Krillin’s dead, and that’s just for openers.   Piccolo had once terrorized the world a long time ago, and he had a horde of demonic creatures helping him kill innocent people right and left.  

This is one of the best filler scenes I’ve seen so far.   While Roshi tells the story of King Piccolo’s first reign of terror, we’re treated to this horriffic sequence of scaly green monsters flying around, blasting energy beams out of their mouths, stalking frightened humans, and crushing any and all resistance.  

This monster was about to descend on an innocent woman, until some guy tried to beat him up with a pipe.   But the pipe just bent around his body like it was nothing, and then the monster mauls him instead.    Now imagine that the entire world is like this, and you start to understand the horror of King Piccolo.

And through it all, King Piccolo’s just enjoying the whole thing.    Why did he do all of this?   Why turn the whold world into a charnel house?   We never really get an answer to that.

Piccolo’s monsters eventually came after the dojo that Master Roshi and the Crane Hemit used to belong to.   He doesn’t really mention why this conflict happened, but my guess is that that Piccolo’s creatures were just going after everyone.    There was probably no strategy to it at all.

I’m pretty sure these are Roshi and the Crane Hermit, although I have trouble telling which one is supposed to be which.  The one on the left looks a little more like Roshi, though.   

I’m not sure when this was supposed to have happened.   I’m pretty sure the Funimation dub established it was fifty years ago, but that doesn’t make much sense.   For one thing, of all the characters Roshi is telling this story to, only Tien has even heard of King Piccolo, and he hasn’t heard much.  If King Piccolo had been around only fifty years ago, then Bulma’s parents would probably know about him, since her grandparents would have surely lived during that time.

Also, Roshi is well over 300 years old, so if he looked this young fifty years ago, he must have aged really badly since then.   So I’m pretty sure Funi goofed, or I’m misremembering something.   It makes a lot more sense if the King Piccolo crisis happened a lot longer ago.   Two hundred years, minimum.

Whatever the chronology, Roshi and the Crane Hermit were only able to beat back Piccolo’s minions, and never King Piccolo himself.   Not even their master, Mutaito, could stop Piccolo, although he swore to oppose him with all his power.   

Piccolo wounded the guy, but he managed to survive, thanks to his superhuman vitality.   Only, he left Roshi and his other students before he was healed, and he promised to return one day.

Roshi thinks that the magnitude of the Piccolo crisis was what turned the Crane Hermit into the villain he is today.   That’s pretty heavy stuff.  Piccolo is so evil that he inspired other evildoers to turn to evil. 

Getting back to the story, one day, years later, Mutaito returned, having finally mastered a technique that would save the world from King Piccolo.

So he went right up to King Piccolo and zapped him with the Mafuba, also known as the Evil Containment Wave.    It didn’t kill Piccolo, or even hurt him...

Instead, it directed him into a vessel, which could be sealed with a sacred talisman.   I don’t know why he picked a rice cooker, but his options may have been limited in those days.

The only downside to the Mafuba is that it kills the user.   So it was up to Roshi to deal with the imprisoned King Piccolo.

So he dropped it into the bottom of the sea.    The only way King Piccolo could possibly have returned would be if someone found the jar and opened it.   Tien and Chiaotzu wonder if the Crane Hermit might have done it, but Roshi says that he never would have dared to unleash such horror again.   So the question is: Who would be dumb enough to find King Piccolo and set him free?     What sort of colossal idiot would... oh, who are we kidding?   It’s Emperor Pilaf.

Worse, Pilaf told Piccolo about the Dragon Balls.    He thinks King Piccolo would want to wish to rule the world...

But no.    Conquering the world is easy for him.   What he wants is eternal youth, so he can have the vitality and longevity to rule the wold forever!

Pilaf tries to suggest that Piccolo should share half the world with him in exchange for all of his help.    It was Pilaf who found Piccolo’s jar, released him, set him up in this cool airship, and he told him about the Dragon Balls and the Tenkacihi Budokai.   Piccolo replies that he’ll think it over.

As for the Dragon Balls, Piccolo has one of his goons named Tambourine looking for them, and he’s on his way back with one right now.    What the Pilaf gang doesn’t understand is why he had Tambourine steal the tournament roster while he was at it.    Piccolo explains that it was a martial artist who sealed him away for so long, and so he considers martial artists to be the only possible threat to his plans.   Any one of them might possibly know or reinvent the technique that sealed him away, so he plans to kill them all, and the Tenkaichi Budokai roster makes a nice list of strong fighters to kick off his purge.

Back at the arena, Roshi has reached the same conclusion.  

Meanwhile, Goku, who knows none of this, has finally caught up to Tambourine. 

[theultradork]

Guess who went full fanboy and Kame'd up his DS4?