The villagers murmured nervously as Oolong's anger rose.
"It's over!"
"That kid's dead for sure!"
"He's gonna get crushed under Oolong's foot!"
"Such a good boy… it's a shame he's going to die!"
"Why'd we let an outsider fight for us? It's cruel!"
"A child that small, dying so young—what a waste!"
"He's not even as tall as Oolong's knee, and he dares to point a stick at him? He's insane!"
"Poor kid…"
When Goku raised his Power Pole toward him, Oolong drew a massive sword.
The sunlight flashed along its blade, gleaming with a false, deadly chill.
The villagers winced, unable to watch, fearing the boy would be hacked to pieces.
Of course, Oolong had no real strength—just theatrics.
Still, he puffed out his chest and roared, "You dare provoke me? When I'm angry, I'm terrifying! I'll show you what I can do!"
Goku crooked his finger, smiling. "Then stop talking. Come on."
The taunt hit Oolong's pride like a slap. With a furious bellow, he swung his sword down toward Goku.
The blade's arc gleamed coldly, its descent accompanied by a gust of air so fierce that even Bulma—who knew Oolong's true weakness—felt a twinge of tension.
Inside the houses, villagers gasped in horror.
In their minds, they already saw the little boy split in two.
Fear rippled through the village—hands trembling, hearts pounding.
A few young girls, the ones most likely to be targeted by Oolong, clutched their hands over their mouths.
"Please don't die, little hero…"
One girl's knees buckled as she collapsed to the floor.
She turned toward her father, eyes full of tears. "Dad, let me go out there—I'll marry Oolong! I can't watch that boy die!"
Her father dragged her back. "Nonsense! Hide! Once Oolong's angry, no one can stop him."
Then—clang!
Just before the sword could reach him, Goku tilted his head slightly. The blade missed by a breath.
To him, Oolong's swing was laughably slow—like watching something in slow motion.
"You're too slow," Goku said casually. "And weak."
In the next instant, he leapt into the air, both hands gripping the Power Pole, and brought it down with all his might.
Bulma shouted in alarm, "Goku! Don't kill him!"
Goku wasn't aiming to kill. He slowed his strike at the last moment.
Even so, Oolong barely dodged, stumbling backward—just as the staff slammed into the ground.
BOOM!
The impact shook the entire village. The air rippled with force, wind surging outward like a storm.
Crack!
A jagged fissure split the stone-paved street, stretching far beyond the village gates.
The villagers gasped as the rumble echoed.
"What power!"
The crack deepened, widening to half a meter across.
Oolong's legs gave out completely.
He stared at Goku in terror, sweat streaming down his pig-like face.
That single blow could have reduced his bones to dust.
He didn't even dare transform. Escape? Impossible.
With a panicked squeal, Oolong dropped to his knees and kowtowed repeatedly.
"Mercy! Please don't kill me! I surrender! I'm sorry!"
Goku calmly slid the Power Pole back into its sheath and turned to Bulma.
"All done! He's yours now."
Bulma exhaled in relief and nodded.
She hadn't expected Goku to be this strong.
So young, and already capable of splitting the earth with one swing.
For a moment, she'd truly feared he'd kill Oolong.
But she couldn't deny it—the sight of him standing there, staff in hand, had been incredibly cool.
At that moment, Oolong reverted to his small pig form, pitifully kneeling before them.
His pants, however, were unmistakably wet.
The villagers poured out of their houses, no longer afraid.
"Young man, that was amazing!"
"That strike was legendary!"
"Kid, you want a wife? When you bring back my daughter, she'll marry you! She's always dreamed of marrying a hero!"
"My daughter wasn't taken! She's pure—what do you say, huh?"
One after another, parents pushed their blushing daughters toward Goku.
"Look at her—broad hips, strong bones, perfect for having children! You can't go wrong!"
Bulma's temple twitched as her face darkened.
"Enough!"
The word cracked through the air like a whip. Silence fell instantly.
Seeing Goku's strength, they'd realized appearances were deceiving.
And if this little boy was that strong, the girl who traveled with him…
They dared not offend her either.