Chapter 86: Mission: Defeat the Mutated King Piccolo
Lala's words were like a bolt of thunder, instantly pulling Bulma out of her despair.
"Lin isn't dead. He must've gone back in time with a broken arm. He'll be back any second now."
The absolute certainty in Bulma's voice made Zastin's eyes narrow slightly. Seeing Son Goku next to him, so enraged that he was about to attack the heavenly tribulation itself, cold sweat began to bead on Zastin's forehead.
"Stop right now. If you interfere, Heaven will think you're helping him transcend the tribulation, and you'll be dragged into it. The lightning's power will increase dozens of times because of your involvement."
Even as he spoke, Zastin realized Goku wasn't listening to anyone anymore. He quickly reached behind his waist, pulling out a dark blue diamond-shaped crystal. In an instant, he replaced the green crystal embedded in his chest armor with it.
As Goku unleashed a Kamehameha straight toward the gathering thunderball, sweat soaked Zastin's forehead. His speed surged again, trying to intercept the attack before it struck the lightning sphere—but it was already too late.
Franklin slowly opened his eyes. The somewhat familiar yet unfamiliar ceiling above him made him dazed for a moment as he subconsciously tried to remember where he was. A searing, splitting headache made him feel as if his skull were about to split apart. Fortunately, the events right before he lost consciousness began replaying in his mind one by one.
The image of the sixth bolt of heavenly lightning flashed last, making Franklin shiver in fear.
"I… I'm not dead?"
Instinctively, he sat up, and the empty sensation at his right arm made him freeze. Remembering how he had dealt with the fifth lightning strike, Franklin could only give a bitter smile.
Right at that moment, glowing text appeared before his eyes again. Franklin calmed himself down as he read.
[Traversal successful, mission successfully activated]
[Main Quest: Ensure the Dragon Ball storyline proceeds smoothly. Defeat the Mutated King Piccolo. Reward: 1,000 Supreme Spirit Stones]
[Mission Time Limit: 1 year]
After reading the mission description, Franklin let out a deep breath.
"Mutated King Piccolo… what kind of crap is that supposed to be?"
He was still somewhat confused, but after remembering how even a young Son Goku had been possessed by an otherworldly transmigrator at the very beginning, another mutated King Piccolo showing up wasn't exactly surprising.
"You're awake. How are you feeling?"
The voice arrived before the person did. Hearing that familiar tone, Franklin let out a slow breath.
"Everything else is fine, I guess… but it really sucks not having an arm."
"Yeah, losing an arm all of a sudden isn't easy. I tried to heal you, but it didn't work. The residual power of the lightning tribulation completely evaporated every bit of medicine I used. Lin said you didn't completely survive the tribulation—its leftover power is still inside your body. The fact that I even managed to heal your skin is already a miracle."
He had thought only his arm couldn't be restored, but now it sounded like the damage went much deeper. Franklin frowned.
"You only healed the skin? What about the inside of my body?"
The glass door slid open. Ryōko Mikado entered wearing a white lab coat, holding a stack of clean clothes.
"The inside of your body is like charred coal. The residual lightning power is constantly eroding and damaging your organs. The only reason you're not feeling pain right now is because I used a neurotoxin to numb your pain nerves. And under Lin's instructions, I used a special processed miracle fruit to temporarily separate your soul from your body. That's why you're not in agony."
Hearing Ryōko Mikado's words, Franklin felt a sharp pain in his head.
"So how do I recover from this? Am I going to be like this for the rest of my life?"
Ryōko Mikado shook her head helplessly.
"Time is the best medicine. The power of the lightning will gradually fade. Lin said your physical condition now is nowhere near what it used to be. In fact, you're basically a cripple with all your limbs intact. But this is actually the perfect state to climb Korin Tower—tempering your will and drawing out your body's potential. Just focus on completing the mission you came here for. Everything else will change in time."
"All limbs intact? Wrong. It's three limbs now. Three-limbed cripple." Franklin gave a wry smile. "But I already know what I need to do."
He got out of bed, the sickly pallor of his skin almost stabbing at his own eyes. He tried to take off the hospital gown and change into normal clothes, but with one arm missing, his clumsy movements looked almost comical.
Seeing his frustration, Ryōko Mikado slowly stepped forward and helped him get used to living with just one arm.
Once he was fully dressed, she handed him a waist pouch.
"There are five vials of healing serum in here. When you feel your strength starting to return, you can start drinking them one at a time."
Franklin nodded, fastening the pouch around his waist. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to smile.
"Thanks, Ryōko. I've lost count of how many times you've saved my life. I don't think I'll ever be able to repay you."
Ryōko Mikado casually waved a hand.
"I'm a doctor. And right now, I'm also your big sister. Saving lives is just what I do. Besides, Lin saved my life too. Consider it me paying her back."
Franklin shook his head with a smile.
"My mom saving you is between you and her. But I'll remember every time you saved me. One day, I'll return the favor. Otherwise, I'd just feel too selfish."
Ryōko Mikado didn't argue. She simply nodded indifferently.
"Suit yourself. I don't really care. But speaking of Lin, she told me to let you know the World Martial Arts Tournament has already started. If you're planning to go, you'd better hurry."
Hearing this, Franklin fell silent for a moment. If he remembered correctly, King Piccolo was released by Pilaf during this very World Martial Arts Tournament. In the original story, Tien Shinhan won the championship. After the tournament ended, Krillin was killed by one of King Piccolo's underlings, and Goku set out to avenge him.
Remembering the mission objective and piecing it together with his childhood memories, Franklin realized that to keep the storyline on track, Tien Shinhan had to win. But how could he win with just his ordinary strength? If Franklin didn't interfere, would the timeline fix itself?
He took a deep breath. "Got it. I'll head out right now."
As he approached the elevator leading to the surface, another thought struck him.
"My parents haven't left yet, right? Where did they go?"
Ryōko Mikado shook her head.
"They disappeared through a rift in space again. They come and go at random. I have no idea where they went. Oh, right—wait here a second."
She stepped out of the room. After some time, she returned with something in her hands. When Franklin saw it, he let out a long breath.
"This is what Lin and your dad prepared for you."
She handed him a one-star Dragon Ball, a Dragon Radar, a familiar smartphone, and a plane ticket.
"My parents went to see Bulma, didn't they?"
Ryōko Mikado helplessly spread her hands.
"They're always so secretive. Even if you ask, they'll just give you some vague half-answer. But since you already guessed it, I'd say you're right."
Taking the items, Franklin exhaled slowly. As the elevator ascended, he began searching for the location of the World Martial Arts Tournament.
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