Maybe We Should Spare His Life

"Master Roshi isn't planning to compete this time?" Tien Shinhan seemed to realize something. Lowering his voice and speaking with a hint of respect, he quietly asked Master Roshi.

"I'm sitting this one out. I just can't keep up with you young people anymore." Master Roshi waved a hand, readily admitting the gap between himself and the younger generation. His smile held both acceptance and a trace of melancholy.

Time spared no one. As Master Roshi watched the vibrant young people before him, he felt wistful, but mostly proud.

Besides, I've got Broly now.

He'll represent me and carry on the Turtle School's legacy!

Why would I compete?

"This is unbelievable..." Bulma couldn't take her eyes off Son Goku. Cradling her cheeks in her hands, she gazed at him with a strange sparkle in her eyes, clearly smitten. "It's only been three years, but Goku's gone from that silly little kid to such a tall, handsome young man! What an incredible transformation!"

"Hey, hey, don't tell me you've fallen for him?" Oolong keenly caught Bulma's expression and couldn't help rolling his eyes. "You're moving on that fast? Is Yamcha's head turning green?"

Several hours passed quickly amid the wait and casual chatter.

The commotion from the preliminaries at the Martial Arts Temple finally died down.

Son Goku, Krillin, Yamcha, and the others left the competitors' lounge and went to find Master Roshi and the others, who were waiting in the audience area, to report the results.

Aside from Chiaotzu, who had unfortunately lost, Son Goku, Krillin, Yamcha, and Tien Shinhan had all beaten their respective opponents, made it through the preliminaries, and qualified for the main tournament.

"I can't stop worrying about the guy who beat Chiaotzu." Yamcha furrowed his brow, his face clouded with concern. "He fought brutally."

"He's Master Shen's younger brother, Mercenary Tao," Krillin added, his tone equally grave.

"Mercenary Tao?" Master Roshi was taken aback. Adjusting his sunglasses, he asked in surprise, "Wasn't he killed by Goku many years ago?"

"He's still alive!" Krillin explained. "I don't know how, but he turned himself into a cyborg! Part of his body is mechanical!"

"Mercenary Tao's clearly back for revenge! He wants to kill Goku and Tien Shinhan!" Yamcha clenched his fists, his voice heavy with concern. "And according to the tournament bracket, he and Tien Shinhan are facing each other in the first quarterfinal!"

"Mercenary Tao!" Master Roshi's expression turned stern, and his white mustache trembled slightly. "This is bad... He's not only the world's greatest assassin, he also watched Tien Shinhan grow up! He knows Tien Shinhan's fighting style and weaknesses better than anyone!"

"He's nothing to worry about." Son Goku smiled, his expression as relaxed and confident as ever.

A short distance away, Broly was intently gnawing on a glistening chicken leg. His cheeks were stuffed, and he didn't seem concerned about the formidable opponent they were discussing.

"That guy's no match for Tien Shinhan now." Seeing everyone's worried expressions, Son Goku added confidently. He had complete faith in his friend's strength.

"Huh?" Yamcha was taken aback, surprised by Son Goku's certainty.

"You're all underestimating Mercenary Tao!"

A sinister voice, laced with obvious scorn, came from nearby.

Master Shen had apparently strolled over without anyone noticing. He wore a traditional Crane School uniform, and his face bore a smug, contemptuous smile.

"It's Master Shen!" Krillin's pupils contracted slightly, and his body tensed instinctively.

"Look at you, standing there like a bunch of stunned idiots! How amusing!" Master Shen sneered. His gaze swept over Master Roshi and his students like a blade, and he spoke in a patronizing tone. "Since we're both martial artists, I'll give you some advice, you Turtle School fools! Get out of here with your tails between your legs before you're all wiped out! Otherwise, you'll make fools of yourselves in the ring—and might even lose your lives!"

As he spoke, Master Shen's narrow eyes shifted, and he spotted Broly standing off to the side, head down as he wrestled with his chicken leg.

Broly was completely absorbed in eating. Grease smeared his mouth and hands, and he had no regard for appearances, lost in his own little world of food.

Broly happened to look up and feel the hostile gaze. He shot Master Shen a huge, unapologetic glare and made an annoyed "huff," as if complaining that he'd interrupted his meal.

"Hmph! So this kid's called Broly, is he?" Master Shen seemed to have found a fresh target. His lips curled into an especially provocative sneer, and he spoke in a shrill voice. "I hear this old turtle picked you up as an abandoned baby from some garbage heap. You look like a dimwitted fool who does nothing but stuff his face! The Turtle School really does turn out nothing but trash!"

The whole place fell into an eerie silence.

Son Goku, Krillin, Yamcha, Master Roshi, Bulma...

Everyone froze, staring at Master Shen with a mixture of shock and pity.

You really were desperate for trouble!

You'd pick a fight with anyone!

Of all the people to provoke, you had to pick Broly, that monster!

You had no idea how to spell "death"!

Looks like this guy's in for a world of trouble!

Broly abruptly stopped chewing, his hand holding the chicken leg suspended in midair.

The lazy, contented expression he usually wore stiffened. His brows furrowed slightly.

The next moment, Broly turned to Master Roshi.

Master Roshi's mouth twitched hard. He could already feel a headache coming on.

"Old man!" Broly's voice was calm, but anyone who knew him could hear the displeasure beneath it. "You don't mind if I kill him, right?"

Broly asked as casually as if he were asking, "Can I have another chicken leg?"

"Um... maybe... just spare his life," Master Roshi replied hastily.

"Oh!" Broly nodded in agreement. "Then I'll beat the crap out of him and make him eat it himself. That'll teach him to watch his filthy mouth and stop polluting the air."

Master Roshi: "..."

Master Roshi felt his old face twitching.

You might as well just kill him!

That sounded even more disgusting and cruel!

"Hahaha! Hahahahaha!" Master Shen seemed to have heard the most ridiculous, funniest joke in the world. He clutched his stomach and roared with laughter, rocking back and forth until tears nearly burst from his eyes. "You, a brainless glutton, think you can kill me? And you're going to make me eat my... Hahaha! You idiot, even if I stood right here and let you hit me, your limp little fists wouldn't even scratch me!"