Demon King Piccolo stands as the greatest threat the world has ever known, driven by thoughts of conquest and revenge that have fueled him for decades. Today, those thoughts burn brightly in his mind as he longs to assert his superiority over this weak world and its insignificant inhabitants. He refuses to be defeated; he cannot afford to fail. Even as his first son is swiftly dispatched, leaving him surprised and wary, Piccolo remains resolute. No mere human should have the strength to defeat one of his sons so easily. Yet, Tambourine has vanished completely from his senses, leaving no trace.

Unacceptable.

"Drumm."

His second son kneels before him, eager to avenge his fallen brother and fulfill the simple task assigned to him. The mission is clear: retrieve the Dragon Balls and eliminate anyone in the way. Drumm must prove himself superior to his deceased sibling.

"Collect the Dragon Balls and eliminate the one who dealt with Tambourine."

With no further prompting, Drumm vanishes, leaving Piccolo to watch with narrowed eyes. Anger simmers beneath the surface, fueled by his own perceived weakness. For Tambourine to fall so easily... it must have been blind luck or foolishness. In his current state, he cannot risk creating more sons without further weakening himself—a risk he is not willing to take. Piccolo despises admitting it, but he is weak. He feels it in his deteriorating body and through his connection with his other half. He scoffs at the irony that his once weaker half has now surpassed him in strength, yet he refuses to confront him. His other half has always been a coward, hiding behind others in battles. Piccolo relishes the thought of destroying him once he attains eternal youth through his wish.

And he intends to destroy the Dragon once he achieves his desire. He will not allow these puny humans any hope of defeating him, nor will he suffer the ignominy of being sealed away again like centuries before in that accursed rice cooker.

Scowling, he eyes the short blue creature who freed him, smirking as the being shivers and scurries away. A cowardly creature trying to order him around? Lucky for him, Pilaf is still useful—for now.

"Tell me, Pilaf," Piccolo demands, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Who could have defeated my son?"

The simple question sends Pilaf into a panic, sweat pouring down his face as he stammers out an answer. He hesitates, fearing Piccolo's wrath, yet compelled to speak.

"There's a group of kids," Pilaf blurts out bitterly, fear turning to anger as he recalls Kakarot and Durian's monstrous strength. "They're like monsters."

Children? Piccolo's blood boils at the thought that mere children could best his bloodline. If Tambourine and now Drumm have fallen to children, it's a humiliation beyond measure.

Glaring at Pilaf, Piccolo refrains from killing him outright. Pilaf still has value, for now. He needs more information about these children before he disposes of his new minion.

Before he can interrogate further, a terrible sensation grips him once more. Drumm has fallen—a swift, merciless end that shakes Piccolo to his core.

"How?!"

The arm of his throne shatters under his grip, sending Pilaf scrambling for cover behind a sturdy structure. Even Piano, his last remaining son, feels fear for the first time. Tambourine's defeat could have been luck, but Drumm's loss suggests a more significant threat. Their enemy is undeniably powerful—stronger than Tambourine and Drumm combined.

"Piano, go."

Piano hesitates briefly, earning a glare from his father that promises death. With trembling resolve, Piano departs, his mind clouded with thoughts of inevitable death. If he doesn't perish at the hands of their enemy, Piccolo might kill him himself.

Silence fills the chamber, thick with tension. Piccolo's anger seethes beneath his wrinkled exterior, his eyes dark with hatred. Children? Mere children are slaughtering his sons like animals? He vows to make them suffer a slow and painful death once he has gained the strength from his wish. And then, he'll deal with his weaker half. He may not kill him, but he'll relish in his destruction.

His thoughts are interrupted by a sudden explosion, tearing through half of the chamber. Amidst the chaos stands a grinning boy, waving as if they were old friends reunited.

Piccolo is beyond surprised.

"You insignificant human!" Piccolo snarls, enraged by the boy's nonchalance.

"The name's Kakarot, my lord," the boy introduces with a playful bow. "And I'm sorry to inform you, I'm not human."

Before Piccolo can react, the boy is upon him, and in the next moment, Piccolo finds himself hurtling through the air, crashing out of the chamber.

Today has been nothing but a series of unpleasant surprises.

---

As Kakarot bulldozes through Pilaf's aircraft, I couldn't have predicted Piccolo's subsequent freefall with a comically enraged expression on his aged face, desperately trying to stabilize before a crash that might temporarily inconvenience him. Although he could likely repair himself, it would cost him valuable time.

Kakarot swiftly returns, clutching a panicking Pilaf who flails helplessly in his grip.

"I'm not surprised you're involved with Piccolo," Kakarot remarks, holding Pilaf at arm's length, sending the small blue man into further panic at the threat of being dropped.

Pilaf pleads desperately, offering servitude and everything he possesses to avoid Kakarot's wrath, showing how desperate he is to avoid Piccolo's fate.

"It's pitiful," Bulma comments with a shake of her head. "Releasing a literal demon king—what was he thinking?"

"Technically, Piccolo isn't a demon king; he's more like an alien or plant king," I interject, correcting her. "Considering Kami's species, they share some plant-like traits."

Bulma raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "Go on."

"Well, they're green, for one," I explain. "And they don't require food, just water. Kami also mentioned feeling strange at night, which could imply photosynthesis—gaining energy from sunlight and water, much like plants. Plus, their regenerative abilities resemble how plants regrow from damage."

"I see where you're coming from now," Bulma nods thoughtfully. "If we could get a DNA sample..."

"I've already thought of that," I assure her, scanning the area for Piccolo. "Not from Kami, of course, but Piccolo is right there. I could easily obtain a sample."

The idea had crossed my mind after encountering Piccolo's second son, piquing my curiosity about their biology and how they reproduce despite their varied appearances.

"That explains your eagerness," Bulma chuckles.

"Piccolo will be a useful subject for my research," I conclude with a grin.

---

As we locate Piccolo, Krillin and Yamcha catch up with us, and Kakarot playfully suggests a game to decide who gets to fight Piccolo. I argue that since Piccolo destroyed his two sons, it's only fair that I confront him. Kakarot's knack for drawing out an opponent's full power during fights also makes me the logical choice. Moreover, Kami has tasked me with dealing with Piccolo, so it aligns perfectly.

"Come to die, child?" Piccolo taunts as I land in front of him. He shifts his shoulder back into place and wipes purple blood from his face, looking eerily similar to Kami in his aged form. The wealth of knowledge this old villain must possess after so many years...

He unleashes his full power in a sudden burst of ki, creating a strong wind and heavy pressure. It's intimidating, but I can sense his strength doesn't match mine. The realization fills me with a strange exhilaration—years of training with Kami and Kakarot have paid off.

"I will not be defeated again," he declares defiantly. "Especially not by some human child."

Despite being less than half my strength, he attacks swiftly and determinedly. His sharp nails graze my face as I dodge, a reminder of the stakes.

Grasping tightly, I deliver a double kick to his chest with enough force to sever his body from his arms. It's a gruesome sight.

Are two arms enough for my research?

"You did not just rip out his arms" I hear Krillin say, his voice wavering.

"I did," I say as I toss said arms towards him. "Hold onto them for me"

Krillin does not appreciate being tossed two green arms, but what is he to do? He just needs to hold onto it for me until this is taken care of, which won't take a minute

Piccolo's old age makes his regeneration slower than usual. When I locate him again, he's still without arms, desperately trying to buy time to recover. His eyes widen in desperation when he sees me, forming a ball of energy in his mouth—a desperate move.

"Pointless," I remark coolly as I sidestep the attack. "You're incredibly weak, Piccolo."

The realization seems to dawn on him. He bellows defiantly, "I am the mighty Demon King Piccolo! I will not be defeated by some human child!"

The air around us crackles with blue light as I gather the energy needed to end this quickly and mercifully. There's a pang of pity for this deluded creature at my feet, unable to comprehend his imminent defeat.

As I release the technique, a blinding flash of blue and white engulfs the area. It's powerful, perhaps too much, but I'm certain Piccolo won't survive.

"All in a day's work," I murmur as the energy subsides. Piccolo is gone, his ki faded.

Ahead, where Piccolo tried to flee, I'm taken aback by what I see.

"Durian..."

Kami? He's alive? He must be if he's communicating with me now.

"You're alive?" Yes he is, I can feel his presence familiarly settle over my mind. I've learned to associate it with telepathic communication. Piccolo is dead, yet Kami lives.

And there's an egg in front of me.

"Do spawned children come from eggs?" I must ask because that is the only thing that could make some sense. But then if Piccolo made a child in his last moment, how does that keep Kami alive?

"Yes, Piccolo used his last bit of strength to create his last son" Kami explains. "But this is unlike what he has done before"

I would assume so because Kami is alive.

"He may have transferred his essence into his latest creation"

Reincarnation then?

"Curious thing" crouching down, I carefully collect the sizable egg and turn to reunite with the others. "It's quite fascinating the things your species can do, I'm impressed"

"We must take care of it, immediately"

I don't think Kami's words mean what I want them to and I say as much.

His voice is persistent in my mind when I do not reply or agree with him and I ignore him as best I can. His telepathic skills far outclass my own so I am not strong enough to force him out of my mind but acquainted enough to ignore him as easily as I would a drowning mouse.

When I return to the clearing I had first been in, no one is in sight. Apparently they left me here.

"Nimbus!"

It takes little time for my trusty cloud to come to me and hitching a ride alongside Bulma, is Krillin, whose clothes are dirtied with purple blood.

"Yo"

"Why do you have an egg?" Is Bulma's first question and frankly that is the most important matter at the moment.

"It's my trophy"

---

Kami was clearly displeased when I returned with the very thing he had been urging me to destroy. His stare bore down on me heavily, but I was accustomed to facing his disapproval. His attempt to take the egg from me failed, as I refused to let him destroy it out of fear for his own counterpart. Frankly, he should be grateful the egg existed; it was likely the reason he was still alive. If he destroyed it, he would be sealing his own fate. While I had no qualms about his demise, I wouldn't allow him to act on it.

"You stubborn child!" Kami bristled, pointing his staff at me threateningly. "I trained you to destroy Piccolo, and that is what you must do."

"And I did," I retorted. "Blew him into bits and pieces, if you recall. This is different."

"That egg is Piccolo. Otherwise, I would not be standing here right now."

I was well aware of that, Kami. I had pieced it together. Nevertheless, I refused to let anyone harm the egg. Whatever emerged from it had done us no harm, and I couldn't condone killing an innocent creature. It might possess Piccolo's intentions, but that was the only potential threat I could see. If it did prove dangerous, I would handle it. For now, though, no one would touch the egg without facing consequences. Even if Kami was the Earth's god.

"Kami, let's wait and see what comes out of the egg," Kakarot suggested, attempting to diffuse the tension.

The silence on the lookout was thick, and Kami's gaze on me was intimidating. But eventually, he sighed, his shoulders relaxing.

Without a word, he turned and walked towards the lookout's building. Hopefully, he would reconsider his demands while he was away.

Relieved, I sat down and gently placed the egg on the ground.

"That was awkward," Yamcha remarked with a nervous laugh from the edge of the lookout, glancing between me and the departing Kami. "Does this happen often?"

"Kami is Kami," I replied dryly.

"So, Piccolo made this egg?" Bulma asked, raising a brow.

"Yeah."

"That's why Kami wants to destroy it?"

"Yeah."

Bulma nodded in understanding, eyeing the egg curiously.

"So, are you going to take care of it?"

"We'll see how things play out."

"I thought you two were going to come to blows for a moment there," Bulma admitted, joining me on the floor. She seemed more amused than concerned. "Imagine fighting two green aliens all in one day. That would've been something."

"Man, so this is where Kami lives," Yamcha whistled as he looked around. "I don't know what I expected, but I guess this fits."

"The air here is thin," Chichi wrinkled her nose, as if catching a foul scent. "How do you train up here?"

"By emptying your mind and soul," Kakarot replied casually, almost mocking, repeating the words Popo had taught us. "You'll feel like dying, but you'll get used to it."

"Yeah, don't exert yourself physically if you don't want to pass out," I advised Bulma, knowing the thin air would affect her the most, even though she hadn't mentioned it.

Kakarot wasted no time in sparring with Chichi and Krillin, always eager for a fight. It was a lopsided match, two against one, and Kakarot quickly realized his mistake as Krillin and Chichi's teamwork overpowered him.

"Kakarot is individually stronger than them," Bulma noted, tilting her head. She hummed thoughtfully, settling her arms on her knees as she watched their bout. "I can tell."

"Yeah, he is."

She could discern the difference between their strengths, a testament to her developing sixth sense.

"My ki feels like an ant compared to you guys," Bulma remarked after a moment of silence and focus.

"At least it's higher than the avera-"

There was a distinct crack that caught everyone's attention. The egg in front of me had visible cracks spreading across its surface, slowly revealing something inside.

"It's hatching already?" Krillin wondered, baffled.

The white shell crumbled away, revealing a small green creature covered in what appeared to be amniotic fluid.

"Oh."

"It's a baby," Bulma sounded dumbfounded. "He's adorable, Durian."

"Yes, he is quite a sight," I agreed. The newborn looked nothing like Kami or Piccolo, with his entirely green body and distinctive antenna.

"And those ears," Bulma remarked. "His species really does have big ears."

Carefully, I lifted the baby from the remnants of his shell, ignoring the uncomfortable feeling of the amniotic fluid on my hands. He didn't resist, merely staring at me intently.

"Okay, you're just a baby," I addressed him gently, aware of Kami's potential change of heart. "Bulma, do you have something I can use to clean him off?"

Bulma handed me a towel promptly, and I carefully swaddled and dried the little Piccolo. While Kami's species was durable, this infant needed delicate handling.

"He's really cute," Chichi remarked with a smile, observing him closely. "And harmless."

I doubted that; his strength seemed greater than his progenitor's, though not yet a threat. Still, it was something to note.

Once clean, I dressed him in Kami's colors using a technique he had taught me. The little Piccolo looked endearing in his tiny gi, though he seemed unusually serious for an infant.

"Maybe he's Piccolo Jr.?" Bulma suggested, looking at him thoughtfully.

The baby didn't speak, which wasn't surprising given his age. He could stand and walk, exploring the lookout with curiosity. So far, I hadn't sensed any malice from him, only curiosity.

Yet he continued to stare at me.

Ah, but his exploration of the lookout comes to a halt once Kami emerges with a grave expression painted onto his face. He looks at the small Piccolo, hard eyes softening for mere moments, a good sign.

"I sense no malice," he admits warily, his gaze now fixed on Piccolo Jr. with distrustful eyes. Kami clearly has some serious trust issues to resolve. "Still—"

"I am not harming a child, Kami," I interject firmly, sensing his apprehension. "And as you've said, you sense no malice, which means he poses no threat to us. He's just a child who has done no harm to anyone. There's no reason to harm him."

Despite Piccolo Jr. potentially inheriting Piccolo's intentions, I believe he can be nurtured into a better person. While Kami would be the ideal mentor given their shared species, if Kami doesn't accept him, I'm prepared to take him under my wing.

Kami remains quiet for a minute or two, his gaze fixed on Piccolo Jr. all the while.

"I'll allow him to stay here," he finally says, his voice measured. "I can keep a close eye on him."

"You won't attempt anything?" I press, not fully trusting Kami with the child of his mortal enemy. "No Mafuba or anything of the sort?"

"No," Kami assures me tersely.

"Okay," I concede reluctantly, still wary. "I'll be staying on the Lookout, just in case."