Back From the Other Side

A Desperate Gamble

The three hours Vegeta granted have expired, and Goku is still absent. Piccolo, Gohan, and Krillin stand exhausted before the two Saiyans. Vegeta mocks the missing Kakarot, calling him a coward. Gohan protests furiously, but even Krillin begins to wonder whether the threat proved too great. As Nappa removes his cracked armor and cracks his knuckles, Krillin grimly concludes that this wasteland will become their grave.

Piccolo reveals one last strategy. He instructs Krillin to serve as a distraction while Piccolo grabs Nappa's tail from behind, exploiting what he believes is a crippling Saiyan weakness. Once Nappa is immobilized, Gohan and Krillin must pour everything into a finishing assault. Gohan vows not to flee this time, and Piccolo tells him that with a calm mind, the boy could surpass even his own power.

Goku's Return

High above, Kami and Mr. Popo sense that Goku has cleared Snake Way and arrived at King Yemma's checkpoint. Kami teleports to the station, grabs Goku, and brings him to the Lookout instantly. Without pause, Goku leaps off the edge and rockets toward the battlefield. Along the way, Korin tosses him the last two Senzu Beans. Goku swallows one, feels his energy surge to full, and summons the Flying Nimbus to close the remaining distance at top speed.

The Tail Gambit Fails

Krillin launches himself at Nappa with a battle cry, following the plan. Vegeta sees through the tactic but stays silent, wanting Nappa to handle it alone. Krillin fires blasts into the ground and takes to the air, drawing Nappa's confused gaze upward. Piccolo dashes behind the Saiyan and seizes his tail, squeezing with everything he has, then shouts for Gohan to strike.

But Nappa does not flinch. He drives his elbow into Piccolo's skull, knocking the Namekian unconscious with one casual blow. As Piccolo crumples, Nappa grabs him and demands the location of the Dragon Balls. Vegeta laughs, explaining that elite Saiyans have trained their tails to resist such tactics. With Piccolo down and Goku still en route, Gohan and Krillin can only watch in terror.