The Great Climb

A Bitter Departure

Tao Pai-pai tears his pillar free from the ground and prepares to leave. In a final act of defiance, Upa hurls a stone at him, but the assassin simply puffs it back into the boy's face and sneers that he should consider himself lucky to still be breathing. With that, Tao launches his pillar into the sky and streaks off toward a nearby town. At Red Ribbon Headquarters, Commander Red's satisfaction curdles into fury when the Dragon Radar shows one ball still sitting at Korin. Tao, meanwhile, is too busy getting his ruined outfit tailored, strong-arming the shop into a three-day turnaround while he reports back to base.

Saved by Grandpa

At the tower's base, Upa has just finished burying his father and is about to dig a grave for Goku when the boy suddenly stirs. The Four-Star Ball tumbles from a scorched hole in his gi where the Kame logo once sat, the orb having absorbed the lethal blast. Goku whispers that Grandpa protected him. Standing over Bora's grave, he solemnly promises Upa that he will collect every Dragon Ball and wish his father back.

Up the Endless Tower

Since Tao will surely return for the final ball, Goku knows he must become stronger fast. He remembers the legend of Korin Tower and decides to scale it on his own strength rather than cheat with the Kinto-Un. Tucking the Four-Star Ball into a pouch at his side, he warns Upa to hide at the first sign of trouble and begins climbing. He vaults up the outer shaft, pushes past the clouds, and nearly slips before his tail saves him. A full night passes, then another slow hungry morning, until at last he catches sight of something above him and pulls himself onto the summit.