Editing Mercenary Tao (section)

====Cell Saga====
In the [[Cell]] Saga of the anime, Tao makes two notable appearances, though he is absent from the manga.

In his first appearance, Tao is working as a personal bodyguard for Mr. Borbonne, who runs a shelter claiming to protect people from Cell. Their scheme is disrupted when Gohan arrives in the village. Mr. Borbonne's regular bodyguards fail to stop an elderly martial artist, Mr. Lao, so Tao is called in to handle the situation. After a brief fight, Tao has Mr. Lao on the ground and prepares to finish him with the Super Dodon Wave. Gohan steps in to protect the old man, blocking the attack. When Tao recognizes Gohan’s resemblance to Goku, he becomes fearful. Initially relieved when Gohan tells him his name, Tao's fear returns after learning Gohan is Goku's son. Realizing he's in over his head, Tao cuts down a pine tree to escape, quitting his job as Borbonne's bodyguard.

In Tao’s second appearance, he is hired by Vodka, a gangster who wants to use the Dragon Balls to become emperor of the world once Cell is gone. When Goku arrives to retrieve two Dragon Balls Tao has collected, Tao initially doesn't recognize him in his Super Saiyan form. After Goku reveals his identity, Tao is shocked to see his former rival grown up. Goku greets Tao amicably despite their past, and Tao, getting over his shock, proposes a challenge. Tao gives Goku a set of puzzle rings, claiming if Goku can solve them by dawn, he will receive the Dragon Balls; if not, Tao will take Goku’s Dragon Balls. While Goku works on the puzzles, Tao steals his jacket, which contains Goku’s Dragon Balls, and flees with Vodka and his gang.

However, after solving the puzzle rings, Goku uses Instant Transmission to teleport to Tao's location, catching up to him effortlessly. Tao and Vodka can only watch in shock as Goku, unaware of their deception, politely retrieves his Dragon Balls with no further resistance. Tao’s last concern is whether he is still getting paid for his failed attempt.