The Fated Showdown!

Piccolo Advances

With Kami's spirit sealed inside the bottle, the World Tournament Announcer counts down on Shen, whose body lies face-first on the ring after Kami departed from it. The count reaches ten. Piccolo Jr. is declared the winner. Goku stares in disbelief as the announcer rouses the fallen Shen. The bewildered man has no memory of the match, wanders back into the crowd wondering if he drank too much sake, and is congratulated by his son on a fine performance.

The announcer declares a ten-minute break before the finals. Backstage, Goku demands Piccolo hand over the bottle containing Kami. Piccolo refuses and swallows it whole, explaining that the only way to retrieve it is to kill him. Since killing Piccolo also kills God, Goku is trapped in an impossible bind. Laughing at his own cleverness, Piccolo walks away.

The World Learns the Truth

Master Roshi and Tenshinhan press Goku for answers. Goku reveals that Piccolo Jr. is King Piccolo reborn, hatched from an egg the Demon King spat out just before dying. This new incarnation carries the same essence but far greater strength. Chi-Chi realizes for the first time that Goku was the one who defeated the original Demon King years ago.

Goku explains the bond between God and Piccolo: they were once a single being, so if either one dies, the other perishes too. The group struggles for a solution until Piccolo returns to taunt them, boasting about the Demon World he plans to build. The announcer calls both finalists to the ring. Piccolo threatens Krillin on the way out, while Goku heads to the arena with startling composure. Piccolo throws off his mantle and asks if Goku is prepared to die. With Bulma and Launch cheering from the stands, the finals of the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai officially begin.