Okay, but did Piccolo actually care in Dead Zone??

Just re-watched Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone (the very first DBZ movie, wow!) and I'm having FEELINGS. Specifically, about Piccolo's role in the whole Gohan-rescue thing. I know, I know, he's always got this brooding 'I'm only doing this for MY reasons' vibe, but there were a few moments that felt... genuine? Like when Garlic Jr. slams Gohan around and Piccolo actually looks concerned? I’m a sucker for hidden softies. Does anyone else think he was actually starting to care about Gohan even back THEN, or am I projecting hardcore? Like, let's be real, Goku's not exactly winning any parenting awards in this movie. He's all about fighting and kinda forgets Gohan exists until he's in peril. Kami's... well, he's Kami. But Piccolo just felt like such a different dynamic. The way he fights alongside Goku, even begrudgingly, felt almost like a team. And then Gohan's little tantrum unlocking latent power... it’s almost like Piccolo recognizes something special there that even Goku is missing. Maybe it's just that he sees potential for a really good sparring partner, haha, but I'm choosing to believe there's more! And Garlic Jr., ugh! Talk about an embarrassing villain. He's just so whiny. I get the revenge motive and wanting immortality, but his execution is just... lacking. But, honestly, Piccolo's deadpan delivery throughout his scenes with Garlic Jr. totally make up for it. Is it just me, or is Piccolo actually kinda hilarious in this movie, even if the humor is accidental? So, yeah, I'm curious what everyone else thinks. Was Piccolo just being Piccolo (aka incredibly grumpy), or did he ACTUALLY have a soft spot for Gohan in Dead Zone? And Bonus points for anyone else who was secretly hoping Piccolo would just vaporize Garlic Jr. from the start – seriously, such a weak villain!