Goku... Loses?

The Makosen Finds Its Mark

Piccolo closes his fists against his own chest, gathering a frightening charge, then snaps one palm forward and hurls a ki blast at the bloodied boy. Goku barely vaults over the first beam, only for a second to catch him midair. The explosion slams him into the dirt and leaves him looking truly finished this time. Pilaf gawks at the sight from his deck as Piccolo strolls over to the crumpled body and tears the Four-Star Ball from around Goku's neck. Gloating about the wish for eternal youth that will soon be his, the Great Namekian rises back to the airship, which wheels away toward the last of the orbs.

A Heartbeat in the Grass

Once the sky is clear, Yajirobe creeps out from behind his tree and kneels beside the motionless warrior. He slaps Goku and shouts in his ear, but it is only when he presses his ear to the boy's chest that he hears the faint thumping of a heart refusing to quit. Hauling Goku over his shoulder, the ronin sprints to a nearby river and dunks him headfirst into the cold water. Goku sputters awake furious, but Yajirobe bluntly reminds him that Piccolo Daimao is a monster beyond anyone's reach.

A New Destination

Too battered to walk, Goku asks whether Yajirobe knows Karin Tower. The swordsman has never heard of the place, so Goku explains its location and begs to be carried there. Yajirobe agrees, but only if dinner is still part of the deal. Elsewhere on the plains, the little Capsule Corp plane has landed and Chiaotzu unearths the Three-Star Ball, bringing Roshi's group up to five orbs. The radar shows the final two closing in on their position, and Tien grimly realizes Piccolo himself is on the way. Meanwhile, a borrowed air car streaks across the horizon with Yajirobe at the wheel and a barely breathing Goku beside him.