What If Tsuru-sen'nin and Tao Pai Pai joined with Gero?

[JulieYBM]

As I was rereading Dragon Ball volume #15 today it occurred to me that Toriyama missed a chance to bring the Tsuru-sen’nin and Tao Pai Pai back for the Artificial Humans arc. Both could have been enhanced cyborg type Artificial Humans like #17 and #18. With the sizable amounts of money they’ve likely earned from assassination jobs they could easily act as investors in Gero’s research. Additionally, their grudges toward the cast could have made for an even more interesting match-up, especially if the story was played as a sort of classic martial arts revenge arc. Tsuru-sen’nin goes about first humiliating the Kame-sen’nin and his students, making a mockery of their name to torture them then goes for the kill. It’s hardly a basic outline, but I think it is solid enough premise that a more personal story could have been squeezed out of it, especially for Kuririn, Yamcha, Tenshinhan and Chaozu. Heck, maybe even throw in the Tsuru-sen’nin finally killing Muten Roushi in a classic “master is killed by his rival” type way. Heck, Gero, #17, #18 and #19 could still be involved, acting simply as foes for the stronger Son Gokuu, Vegeta, Trunks, and Piccolo.

Anyone else think there’s a potential story for these characters, even if not in this vein?

[Ringworm128]

I don't think it would work in the AH arc itself since there were already enough things going on. But Gero somehow coming back and deciding to get Tao Pai Pai and the Crane Hermit to help him would be really interesting as it's own story.

[Gyt Kaliba]

It's hard to imagine how this would work with the Android arc as it is, but altering it to be something like this from the get go? It could prove to be awesome. I always have been kind of disappointed that the two are never brought up again since they're supposed to be out there getting ready for revenge.

I almost think it'd be funnier to see Pilaf's crew and them team up and come back for revenge though, and watch as it all fails horribly.

[caejones]

I assume we're ignoring the half-hearted attempts that filler made at bringing back Tao.

I assume that #17 and #18 weren't martial artists before their conversion, meaning that Gero had to write to their brains everything he needed them to know.
It would have been easier to use real martial artists like Tao and Tsuru Sen'nin and focus on the physical enhancement part, but then there is still their personal motivations to contend with.
And, well, #18 is Krillin's last-ditch effort to fulfill his dreams.

Having Goku's disease be an assassination attempt rather than chance might be interesting, but it might be difficult to handle well.

[Super Sonic]

It would've been rather interesting in the dub had this happened.

[Attitudefan]

Remove the useless 16, 17 and 18 (maybe even 19) for Tao and Tsuru. That would be a great way to reintroduce the Z-warriors after their revival. Plus, it would be a nice break from the intergalactic elements from the Namek arc and return to a more martial arts setting.

[penguintruth]

Dr. Gero wouldn't want a couple of weaklings like Tao Pai Pai and Tsurusennin tripping up his powerful androids with the infinite energy. Gero as Android 20 could have easily flicked those two into the sun if he wanted to.

That's like asking why the Ginyu Force didn't hire Raditz or why Super Buu didn't team up with Pilaf.

[JulieYBM]

Dr. Gero wouldn't want a couple of weaklings like Tao Pai Pai and Tsurusennin tripping up his powerful androids with the infinite energy. Gero as Android 20 could have easily flicked those two into the sun if he wanted to.

That's like asking why the Ginyu Force didn't hire Raditz or why Super Buu didn't team up with Pilaf.

Maybe I didn't make this very clear, but my intention was for Tao Pai Pai and the Tsuru-sen'nin to be turned into Artificial Humans. It'd certainly be interesting to see if that would make them stronger than #17 and #18.

[Gyt Kaliba]

Dr. Gero wouldn't want a couple of weaklings like Tao Pai Pai and Tsurusennin tripping up his powerful androids with the infinite energy. Gero as Android 20 could have easily flicked those two into the sun if he wanted to.

That's like asking why the Ginyu Force didn't hire Raditz or why Super Buu didn't team up with Pilaf.

I think you're missing the idea here. If he used them as the base to make into Androids, then they'd likely have been even stronger, than two random kids he got somewhere to make into Androids. And it'd be a more compelling story option maybe, to have them be people the heroes knew in the past.

Edit: Ack, didn't see that this was already pointed out. Never mind. Carry on then. ^_^;

[Zephyr]

Tao DID join with Gero. He gave his grandchildren to the mad doctor in exchange for those nifty cybernetic enhancements prior to the 23rd TB.

But in all seriousness, I would have liked it more if Gero used Tao and Tsuru as the bases for some of the major Androids. Would have made the character interactions more personal, and would have brought new relevance to now useless/forgotten characters.

[matt0044]

Maybe if they were there along with 16, 17 and 18 since I like them. If there was no Cell to steal the show, there might've been other androids for Goku and co. to contend with. Like Gero's own Neo Red Ribbon Army. Wonder if this'd happen if Toriyama got different idea after the chapter when 19 is killed by Vegeta.

[Akira]

The revenge thing was already played out at the 23rd World Tournament. Tao did appear as an android/cyborg/whatever you want to call him. It is never stated or implied, but I always assumed that his revival as a half man/half machine was due to Dr. Gero of the Red Ribbon Army. Tao had the funds from all his assassination jobs, and Gero had the know how, and they both had connections to the former Red Ribbon. Since Gero wasn't thought of until the Z series, but was implied to have been a former Red Ribbon scientist and collaborator on the earlier Androids and prototypes, it just made sense to me that Tao paid Gero to revive him for his revenge against Tenshinhan and Son Goku. It all fits together neatly, and makes sense, so that's what I always assumed went down behind the scenes.

As for them returning as androids later in Z, it would be looked on as a 23rd Tournament rehash of sorts. Still a neat idea to contemplate though.

[DNA]

Yeah, Gero had already made Tao Pai Pai into an artificial human. After he turned Red into #9 he turned Tao Pai Pai into #10. Deep down you all know this to be true, no matter what lack of evidence we have. Yep, it's true, I'm not crazy.