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New Characters:
Mister Popo: The little, fat black guy wearing a Turkish outfit.
Is
Kami-sama's sole servant, and is more powerful than anyone
that Gokuu's fought before.
Kami-sama: (Kami means "god," and that is the reading
for the kanji on
his tunic.) Occupant of the island floating high above Karin
Tower. Most powerful character yet.
Fighting styles:
Other notes:
Story:
Volume 14
Piccolo is laughing, and Gokuu comments that the monster's
power
really is impressive. But then, so is his own. They banter a
little,
and fight again. (Note: While Gokuu is tumbling horizontally from
the
blow, the crater could only have been made if he'd fallen
straight down
from a very great height.) Piccolo gloats over Gokuu's death, and
Tenshin prepares to fight next. But while they're talking,
there's this
muffled voice in the background ("Ka. Me. Ha. Me.")
They both notice,
and then Gokuu leaps up to yell "Ha" -- but Piccolo's
seen this trick
before and prepares to block it. Gokuu shouts "Now" and
shows that
Kamehame-ha can be controlled for non-linear motion. "Did
it!" Tenshin
didn't know you could do that with Kamehame-ha, and Gokuu tells
Piccolo
to stand up (the Kamehame-ha wasn't full-strength.) Piccolo calls
Gokuu
a monster again. And they return to the fighting. Tenshin remains
stunned. At the next lull, the triclops cheers on Gokuu.
In the castle, the ex-Emperor's people are just noticing the
noise
coming from outside. One guard states that Piccolo isn't at the
Western
District, yet. They run to the windows to watch. Piccolo gets an
eye-beam attack in against Gokuu's knee, and gloats. But, Gokuu
says he
doesn't need that knee to keep on. Piccolo laughs and gets ready
to
swing, when Gokuu tells his bo to extend. The ex-Emperor is
impressed,
but his guard tells him that it's dangerous here, and they should
move
to a safer place. It's Gokuu's turn to gloat, and the monster
complains
about the bo.
And, some distance out, Yamcha says that they'll arrive in 10
minutes,
and hopes that Tenshin isn't dead yet. Buruma wants Tenshin to
fight
well, so that the western district won't be destroyed. Then the
announcer comes on TV and states that there's some fighting at
the
King's Castle -- between Piccolo and a young boy. Buruma wonders
if
Gokuu is alive after all, and Yamcha doubts it. However, Uranai
Baba
had stated that Gokuu would go on to do a great thing, and maybe
this is
it. Yamcha and Buruma believe this option, and cheer on Gokuu.
Piccolo starts powering up again, and neither of the two good
guys
know what's happening (other than it's a lot of power.) The
monster
uses a finger blast to knock away the bo, which is all he wanted
to
accomplish. Yelling "It's over," he blows up the block.
On the plane,
the TV station has gone off the air, and Buruma points out the
cloud
ahead of them. The Emperor has managed to escape the blast, but
he
mourns the loss of this district. Piccolo laughs insanely -- he
has
won. But, he suddenly notices a flash of power, and looks around
for
it. There's a laugh from above him, and he sees Tenshin holding
the boy
aloft. Gokuu thanks Ten for rescuing him. But, Tenshin has been
hurt
very badly. Piccolo knows that Ten can't do this again, so Gokuu
will
die soon. But, Gokuu says he still has a chance. Piccolo doesn't
believe this, since the brat has a bum knee, no bo, and Tenshin
is
exhausted. As the monster readies another explosion attack, Gokuu
attacks him. But, the punch isn't strong enough, and Piccolo
completes
the blast. Now, it's really over.
At the bottom of the pit, there's this faint voice calling for
Kintoen (Gokuu had been able to shield himself from most of the
force.)
This blows Piccolo's mind. No human can stand up to his power.
Gokuu
tells him that his tail should prove that he's not human. But, he
wants
this decided now, as to who is actually stronger. So, Piccolo
grabs out
to the side, and lifts Tenshin up by the head. If Gokuu moves,
Tenshin
dies. Ten tells the boy to attack anyway, and then screams in
pain as
Piccolo starts to squeeze. Gokuu tells him to stop, and will do
as the
monster says. "Don't move." The first rock takes out
Gokuu's left arm.
Then they yell at each other, and Gokuu promises to use the
Dragon Balls
to wish things better. But, Piccolo now tells him that Shenlon is
dead.
Does the boy really want to risk Tenshin's life by risking
Piccolo's
wrath? The second rock takes out Gokuu's good leg. Piccolo likes
Gokuu's show of spirit, but loves the fact that Gokuu can't stand
up
now. He doesn't need Tenshin any more, and tosses the triclops
away.
Piccolo laughs insanely, gloating over how it's all going to end
now.
He leaps into the air to kill Gokuu. He yells out
"Die!!!!" Gokuu
yells out that he still has one attack left, and uses his good
hand to
perform a version of Kamehame-ha. He'll win with one good fist.
Piccolo readies for pay-back time (for the death of this
children.) The
power from the Choushin water startles Piccolo, and Gokuu wins.
Piccolo can't believe that this is happening to him, but has time
to
spit out one last egg (and tells the child to grow up to avenge
him.)
Then he explodes. (Note: Just exactly how does Piccolo create
these
eggs before spitting them out?) Gokuu has no power left, and
falls
helplessly to the ground. Tenshin calls out "Son!!",
but can't save the
boy. However, Gokuu looks up at the one that does catch him and
says
"Yajirobee..?" Ten asks if they know each other.
Hiding behind some rubble, Yamcha and Buruma are nervously
discussing
the latest explosion, and wondering how dire the situation is.
Yajirobee is annoyed because he missed the fun. Tenshin is
impressed
with Gokuu's performance, and the boy says that his body is all
banged
up. Although Yajirobee offers to carry them both in his car,
Tenshin
refuses, stating that he has to return to Kame House and tell
people
what happened (the monk wonders if the triclops is really ok.)
Ten
tells Gokuu to get well fast, but Gokuu wants to know if
Kamesennin is
really dead -- yes, Chao-zu and Shenlon, too. But because of
Gokuu, Ten
is still ok. Then, Tenshin says they'll meet again at the next
Tenkaichi-budoukai. Waving, he thinks that Gokuu is truly an
impressive
brat; the other two ride off. Yajirobee is commenting on the
destruction of the city, and wondering who really won. Then,
Tenshin
finds Gokuu's staff and decides to take it for safekeeping, when
Yamcha
pops out asking where Piccolo is. Later, Tenshin has told the
others
what had happened, and Buruma calls the TV station to let
everyone still
living know that the terror is over. But... while peace and
harmony
threaten to return, baby Piccolo is vowing to kill his father's
murderer, saying "I hate peace."
Back at Karin Tower, Gokuu is amazed that the Senzu seed has
healed
him so quickly. But, Gokuu's going to need his powers, because
it's not
over with Piccolo, yet. Yajirobee doesn't believe this, since
Gokuu had
destroyed the monster. But Senpyou tells him about the baby. So,
they
need to get the Dragon Balls right away. (Gokuu asks if Senpyou
knows
about the Dragon Balls, and the cat says that there's nothing he
doesn't
know.) Then the monk asks if he knows that Shenlon is dead -- he
has
trouble believing that. Gokuu curses, because if Shenlon were
alive,
the others could be wished back. Yajirobee says that's the way it
goes
-- sickness and death happen. The cat basically agrees, and Gokuu
gets
angry with the situation. Then, Senpyou remembers that there is
ONE
person who can fix the Dragon Balls -- the other two ask him who
this
is, and he answers "Kami-Sama."
This bugs Yajirobee, since he's a monk, and this is like
saying that
the best doctor is time (i.e. -- it's a meaningless statement.)
But,
Gokuu wants to know more about this Kami-sama. The other two tell
him
that Kami-sama is very strong, and can do anything. However, you
have
to be pure of heart to see Him, which leaves Yajirobee out. Gokuu
wants
to know where to find Him, and Senpyou replies that His quarters
are
above Karin Tower. They check outside, and there's nothing above
them.
Can't use Kintoen, because it's too high up. The monk suggests
using a
rocket. Gokuu's running out of choices, and asks if he has to
jump up.
Senpyou says that the only way up is to use Gokuu's expanding
staff
(which Kamesennin had taken from its place, a long time ago.)
Then they
discover that the bo is missing -- this is really serious.
Yajirobee
suggests that it was left at the fight site, and Gokuu calls for
Kintoen. But, the bo isn't where he left it, either. The boy is
going
crazy, when he remembers that if you have a question you can't
answer
yourself, you go to Uranai Baba. Which he does.
Quickly, Gokuu asks Baba where his bo is, and tells her to
bring on
her five fighters so he can beat them up right away. But, Baba is
afraid of Piccolo herself, and her little brother's future is at
stake,
so she answers the question for free -- it's at Kame House. Gokuu
can't
believe this, but he thanks Baba and rushes off. Baba says that
Gokuu
really is what she'd predicted. At the House, Gokuu bursts in,
shouting
"where's my bo!?" Everyone is happy to see him, but he
doesn't have
time for greetings. Grabbing the bo, he tells them that he's
going to
Kami-sama's to have all of the dead people brought back to life.
After
leaving them, the group says "What'd he say?"
"Something about back to
life, and Kami-sama..." He rushes back, shouting that he has
the bo.
They go upstairs, and Senpyou gives him instructions (plus, the
cat
wants a bell given to Kami-sama.) But, Yajirobee is afraid that
if
there really is a Kami-sama up there, that Gokuu might blow it
all by
acting rudely. Senpyou replies that that won't be a problem. But,
the
other two don't really understand that answer.
The two are worried about how Senpyou worded the answer, and
he tells
them that there will be a little test, first. Gokuu gets ready to
go,
and Senpyou wishes him LOTS of luck... Then the staff expands.
Yajirobee says that Gokuu is a scary guy, and Senpyou is afraid
of what
will happen when the boy sees Kami-sama's face for the first
time.
After a long time (the bo has never been able to expand this far
before,
must be the fact that this is its one real purpose,) a shrine is
visible. The bo stops expanding just as it reaches the matching
hole
for it. Gokuu notices the ladder and clambers up.
The boy sees a strange black man in a turban and they greet
each
other. Gokuu asks if the guy is Kami-sama, and the reply is
"Wrong.
I'm Mister Popo, Kami-sama's servant." And continues saying
"You're the
one that defeated Piccolo." Gokuu asks how he knows this,
and is told
that Kami-sama knows everything. Gokuu notices the building in
the
background and asks if that's Kami-sama's house. Popo asks if
Gokuu has
something for him. Gokuu pulls out the bell, and Popo tells him
that
its time for the test -- Gokuu has to fight Mister Popo before he
can
meet Kami-sama. Gokuu thinks that this is simple enough, and is
told to
come and attack, as the test has started. The boy hopes to
surprise
Popo ("Oh, he's disappeared. Is he 'here?' [smack]) Popo
isn't
impressed, and asks if Gokuu had really defeated Piccolo. This
makes
Gokuu mad, and he attacks again. Popo says that he wins, so Gokuu
can't
talk to Kami-sama. This pushes Gokuu over the edge, and he uses
the
Choushin power. But misses. Popo states that Gokuu doesn't have
any
remarkable powers, so there's no point to continuing the test.
Popo tells Gokuu to return to Earth, but the hero is desperate
to
bring his friends back to life, and decides to start on some
special
training up here (Popo tells him to do as he likes.) After
running,
Gokuu's head is pounding. Popo tells him that it's because of the
altitude. But, Gokuu's doing it wrong, he has to be like the sky,
like
the lightning (which he things means moving fast.) Popo says that
his
heart has to be empty, so Gokuu tries to be just like Popo. Which
is
hard. Popo states that the lightning is faster than Gokuu, and he
demonstrates. Gokuu couldn't see him move, and Popo calls himself
great, then states that Gokuu had tried watching him only with
his eyes
(which is why he failed.) Popo continues -- he's learned a lot of
things from Kami-sama. Kami-sama is great, therefore Popo is
great.
Popo predicts that Gokuu will be able to beat him sometime, but
he
doesn't know how many years it will take.)
There's a feeling of power in the air, and a voice states that
Gokuu
can meet Kami-sama after all, which is lucky for the boy (he
thanks the
voice.) He's told to wait outside the house, and he says that his
heart
is pounding. The door opens and out steps Piccolo.
Gokuu attacks. Popo catches him on the rebound, stating that
this
isn't Piccolo, it's Kami-sama. Turns out that Kami-sama and
Piccolo are
the same person. Some time ago, the previous god had died, and it
was
this guy's turn to take up the role as Kami-sama. (I'm not
exactly sure
about this part.) Kami-sama says that when he became Kami-sama,
Piccolo
was born from the evil that was stripped from him. Because of
Gokuu's
willingness to take on special training, Kami-sama will help him,
but
Shenlon is the only one that can bring people back to life. So,
Kami-sama has to resurrect Shenlon, first. Popo is told to bring
Shenlon
out, and then put the statue together again (Popo says that this
task is
simple.) Kami-sama explains that Shenlon was created to give
people on
earth something to do (more or less,) and that the key is the
assembly
of the Dragon Balls. When the statue is completed, they stand
back, and
Kami-sama activates Shenlon -- who rushes out of the top of the
case and
appears at Kame House.
Because the Balls were turned to stone, the one year
requirement
between wishes doesn't apply. But, Gokuu can't leave to see his
friends, because he must stay to train for the next
Tenkaichi-Budoukai,
3 years away. Because, Piccolo will be attending that budoukai.
Kami-sama explains what had happened just before Piccolo had
exploded.
So, Kami-sama offers to allow himself and Mister Popo to fight
Gokuu as
part of extra special training. Gokuu promises to train really
hard.
But first, he needs to use the toilet. Popo says that since
Piccolo and
Kami-sama are the same person, if Piccolo is killed, Kami-sama
will die
too. But, it can't be helped.
At Kame House, everyone is happy to see that Shenlon is back.
The
Dragon King explains that Gokuu is with Kami-sama, and was
responsible
for reviving him. For various reasons, they won't be able to meet
Gokuu again until the next Tenkaichi-budoukai. Shenlon also knows
what
the wish is that they want to make -- bring the ones that Piccolo
had
killed back to life. He does this, then the Balls fly off.
Kiririn and
Kamesennin are glad to hear that Gokuu had saved them, but when
they're
told that the boy is in heaven right now, that can only mean
(according
to the old man) that Gokuu is receiving special training from
Kami-sama.
Kiririn has the most trouble handling this idea, but Tenshinhan
looks
forward to going up against Gokuu (with the expected increase in
Gokuu's
power and skill) in the next Tenkaichi-Budoukai. After Tenshin
says
this, everyone else agrees with the idea. The next few panels
show the
group training -- Gokuu trying to become perfectly still, Tenshin
and
Yamcha fighting. Kiririn thanks his friend, and looks forward to
meeting him again.
Three more years pass.
Ranchi is complaining about how everyone is late. Buruma
arrives in
a taxi, saying that it's been a long time since they've seen each
other.
Kamesennin is impressed with how the girl has grown. Apparently,
Buruma
and Yamcha have had another fight, as Yamcha hadn't been at the
west
district, which is where Pool and Oolong met Buruma. Kamesennin
looks
forward to seeing Yamcha and Kiririn after so long, and Gokuu
after the
3 year period. Then, a strange voice calls out, but neither
Kamesennin
or Buruma know this guy. The guy says he's happy that the old man
is
alive, and that everyone is looking healthy. He asks where
Tenshin,
Yamcha, and Kiririn are. Very slowly, people recognize him, and
he
asks them what's wrong. The rain stops, and Gokuu takes off his
turban.
He asks if Buruma's red lips mean that she's sick, and she
angrily
replies that it's lipstick.
Kiririn, Chao-zu, Tenshinhan, and Yamcha show up, and greet
the
group. Everyone has changed since they last saw each other. Gokuu
asks
if Kuririn's been doing ok, and Kiririn stammers "Go, Go,
Gokuu..
Gokuu...!?" Kiririn is overwhelmed with emotion, but Yamcha
and Tenshin
still can't believe that this is Son Gokuu.
The PA announces the start of the Budoukai, and Gokuu asks if
Kamesennin had brought their fighting uniforms (douji. Of course,
he
always does.) The old man tells them to fight well, and then
Tenshin
whispers a question (is he going to fight again this time? The
old man
says that he is going to pass this year. Obviously, no one else
knows
that he is Jackie Chan, even after all this time.) Buruma has
developed
a crush on Gokuu. As they walk to the changing rooms, Gokuu is
asked
if he'd really been trained by Kami-sama ("Yes. He's
great.")
Everyone is happy to be wearing their uniforms (the kanji is
"kame"
-- turtle.) Then, Yamcha notices that Gokuu's tail is missing. It
just
fell off one day -- he doesn't need it for fighting any more
(which
bothers Kiririn and Yamcha, who'd probably counted on grabbing it
at
some point.)
[Note: The word balloon on page 147 was probably left
blank by accident.]
The two guys want to know why Gokuu's gone stiff suddenly,
then they
look over to see Piccolo Jr.
Yamcha and Kiririn don't recognize the demon king's child, but
Tenshin does. Gokuu thinks to himself that Piccolo actually did
arrive
at the budoukai. Tenshin asks if that really was Piccolo, and
Gokuu
says yes, but that there's nothing to worry about. However,
Yamcha,
Chao-zu, and Kiririn didn't hear the other two talking, and
aren't let
in on who the strange guy was. Then, a hand taps on Gokuu's
shoulder,
and the beautiful woman standing there smiles and says his name.
Gokuu
asks who she is. She calls him an idiot and stalks off.
Yamcha and Kiririn want to know who the cute chick is, but
Gokuu
really doesn't have a clue. Kiririn gets angry, because Gokuu has
all
the luck (training with Kami-sama, meeting pretty women...) Then,
the
PA announces the rules -- same as before. 72 fighters this time.
Tenshin wants to know why Piccolo has chosen to fight in the
budoukai.
As they pull their numbers, Tenshin telepathically tells Chao-zu
that
it's ok to put people in different blocks (so that they're not
fighting
Piccolo, or each other, right away.) Gokuu is #2, block 1.
Kiririn
notices the pattern, and Chao-zu flashes us a peace sign. The
floor
judge gives the normal rules, and starts the match between Gokuu
and
person #1. As Gokuu gets into the ring, Kiririn tells him that he
wants
to see a sample of Kami-sama's special techniques.
The first fight is with Chapa-Ou -- the guy that Gokuu had
defeated
in a previous budoukai. Chapa-Ou is looking forward to the
rematch (he
recognizes Gokuu right away.) They start. Gokuu just stands
there, and
everyone gets angry with his lack of spirit (apparently, their
friend
plans on losing the fight.) Chapa-Ou kicks, then tries to
discover
where Gokuu has disappeared to. He thinks the guy is above him
(that's
what had happened last time.) Gokuu taps Chapa-Ou on the back of
the
neck, and wins by a knock-out. The rest of the group is
impressed, the
audience is stunned. Piccolo knows that the demon king is going
to win
the budoukai. And, he expects to have lots of fun.
We get to see Tenshin, Yamcha, and Kiririn all win their
matches.But,
Chao-zu blacks out, drops, and loses. Tenshin rushes over to help
his friend. Chao-zu's opponent gleefully says that the boy is
dead.
Ten angrily rears back to attack the last person he'd ever
expected to
see standing in front of him -- Tao-pie Pie is back. He gloats,
then the
referee wants Tao to move, to let the next match start. Kiririn
is
getting annoyed over the number of people Gokuu knows that he
doesn't.
Gokuu replies that Tao-pie Pie is an assassin, the younger
brother of
Tsurusennin, and Tenshinhan's and Chao-zu's sempai (someone they
looked
up to.) Tao states that he has come back as a cyborg (which makes
him a
lot stronger.) Tao also hopes to fight Gokuu in the Budoukai (and
get
revenge.) After that, Tao wants to repay Tenshin for the
triclops'
treatment of his older brother. (Ten stammers out that he isn't
guilty
of anything.) But, Ten will fight to avenge Chao-zu, which Tao
looks
forward to.
#51 (Piccolo) easily wins his match. The heroes fret over
this.
However, Gokuu isn't worried. Gokuu taps his man, and wins by
knocking
the guy out of the ring. The others are all shown winning their
right
to advance to the finals round (Piccolo wins because his opponent
gave
up.) Kiririn tells them to watch Tao-pie Pie, whose fighting
spirit
comes from wanting to kill the heroes. Then, the girl they'd seen
before
wins her match. This leaves one last fight. Kiririn had heard
about
the one guy on the morning radio. The nerd rushes the masked
blimp,
obviously asking to be pummeled senseless. The blimp regretfully
prepares to do the pummeling. The nerd trips, stands up, and
knocks out
the blimp. Everyone laughs, and the announcer tells the winners
to
gather to hear the rules for the main tournament. Then, Yajirobee
takes
off his mask, and curses. He dresses and acts philosophical.
As the announcer looks over, he sees Kiririn, and immediately
screams
and starts praying for the ghost to not haunt him. Kiririn has to
explain that he's not dead. The narrator sets up the next chapter
as
the winners draw numbers to establish their places in the final
rounds.
The final line up is:
Tao-Pie Pie Vs Tenshinhan
Gokuu Tokumei Kibou (the mysterious girl)
Majunia (Piccolo) Kiririn
Shen (the nerd) Yamcha
End of book 14.
-- Curtis H. Hoffmann July 10, 1993
