After the conclusion of the third match, the fourth match was about to begin: Krillin vs. Piccolo.
John and Goku approached Krillin, offering him some advice.
John said, "Krillin, be careful with this guy. He's definitely not weak; in fact, he's quite strong. If things get tough, you can choose to forfeit."
Goku added, "Krillin, conceding isn't shameful. Don't worry; after you lose, I'll help you deal with this guy."
Upon hearing their conversation, Piccolo felt a vein bulging on his forehead. If he weren't still somewhat rational, he might have confronted Goku right then.
Krillin chuckled bitterly at John and Goku's comments. "I don't think I'm that weak. Why do you both assume I'm going to lose?"
John suddenly realized that Krillin's strength might not actually be inferior to Piccolo's—especially after Bulma had created a gravity chamber that could simulate 50 times Earth's gravity.
If Piccolo's strength was still at the level it was during his battles with Goku in the anime, it was hard to say who would win against Krillin now.
Thus, John quickly changed his tone and encouraged Krillin: "Go for it! Try to defeat Piccolo!"
Krillin looked at John in disbelief, feeling that John's attitude had shifted too quickly.
With the host's invitation, Krillin and Piccolo stepped onto the stage.
As the gong sounded, their battle officially began.
Fueled by frustration, Piccolo charged at Krillin and in an instant was behind him, swinging a knife-hand strike. However, Krillin used the Afterimage Technique to dodge the attack effortlessly.
"What?!" Piccolo was shocked; he hadn't expected this little sidekick of John and Goku to be so capable.
After breaking through Krillin's afterimage, Krillin swiftly executed a side kick that sent Piccolo flying off the stage.
If Piccolo hadn't been able to fly, he would have lost right there. Instead, he used his flight ability to hover in mid-air and looked at Krillin incredulously. "I didn't expect you to be this strong; it seems I'll have to use my full power."
With that, Piccolo removed his cape and threw it aside before charging at Krillin with increased speed.
The two began exchanging blows on stage.
Watching from the sidelines, John asked Goku, "Who do you think will win?"
"You were the one who thought Krillin would lose; why are you asking me now?" John replied.
Goku shot back, "Aren't you thinking the same thing?"
"I changed my mind," John said proudly.
Goku rolled his eyes at John's arrogance but still answered his question: "From the energy levels, Piccolo has a slight edge. But Krillin isn't weak either; he's just been controlling his energy so well that we haven't noticed his strength."
"While energy levels indicate their power difference, in such a negligible gap, it will come down to how they utilize their techniques."
"This is going to be an extremely exciting and tough battle."
As they discussed this, Piccolo jumped into the air and prepared to launch an energy blast. Unexpectedly, Krillin fired two energy blasts first that seemed to track Piccolo as they flew after him.
With no choice left, Piccolo shot laser beams from his eyes to intercept the incoming energy blasts, causing them to explode in mid-air.
After exchanging dozens of blows without a clear victor emerging, Piccolo was furious. He couldn't believe he was struggling against someone he considered just a sidekick; how could he face John and Goku later?
In a fit of rage, Piccolo shouted as he began gathering energy in mid-air. His aura surged around him like lightning as he concentrated power into his hands before unleashing a powerful energy blast towards Krillin.
Krillin recognized the blast's immense power and jumped to evade it. However, this attack was part of Piccolo's strategy; as Krillin leaped into the air, Piccolo quickly moved behind him and executed a spinning kick.
Krillin crashed heavily onto the stage with a loud thud, creating a large crater upon impact.
Then Piccolo launched another energy blast at Krillin that resulted in a massive explosion.
As dust settled from the blast, it revealed a large pit where Krillin lay unconscious at the bottom.
The host approached and began counting down: "One... two... three... seven... eight." Just then, Krillin stirred beneath the rubble and struggled to rise.
When everyone saw Krillin standing again, they erupted into thunderous applause. Even Piccolo looked serious; he hadn't expected this little fighter to stand up after taking such severe damage.
Krillin's clothes were tattered as he tore off some obstructive fabric and faced Piccolo: "Piccolo! Now it's my turn for my ultimate move! I can't hold back anymore; be careful!"
With that declaration, Krillin raised one hand as energy began swirling around it like a circular saw blade. He shouted loudly: "Energy Slice!"
He then swung his hand forward as the Energy Slice sped toward Piccolo.
Seeing this technique reminded Piccolo of how his father had died at the hands of John's Energy Slice. He never thought this bald-headed fighter would also wield such an attack.
Momentarily stunned by this realization, by the time Piccolo reacted, the Energy Slice was already upon him. At the last moment before impact, he managed to twist his body just enough so that he wasn't sliced in half like his predecessor had been.
However, Krillin's Energy Slice still inflicted damage; it severed one of Piccolo's arms.
Purple blood dripped from his wound ominously as it flowed down his arm.
The host rushed forward and asked Piccolo: "Piccolo! Do you wish to forfeit? You can only fight with one arm now."
Piccolo remained silent as he continued gathering energy. Suddenly with a loud pop sound, a new arm sprouted from where his old one had been severed.
"Whoa!" Everyone—including Krillin and the host—was shocked by this unexpected ability of regeneration from Piccolo.
Waving his new arm around confidently at Krillin, he said: "You're impressive; I didn't expect you to injure me like this. But it's over now."