"That was so satisfying. After loosening up a bit, I feel even hungrier." Broly clapped his hands, looking pleased and excited, as if he'd just finished a healthy morning workout.
"You've worked hard. Here, wipe your hands." Launch considerately stepped forward, took two fragrant alcohol wipes from her little bag, and gently handed them to Broly. "Disinfect them, so you don't pick up anything nasty."
"Mm." Broly nodded and took the wipes without a second thought. He carefully wiped both hands, especially between his fingers, then casually tossed the wipes into a trash can in the distance.
A deathly silence fell over the scene. The only sounds were the faint announcement of the tournament from afar and Master Shen's feeble groans.
After a suffocating silence,
"Old Shen... sigh..." Master Roshi looked at Master Shen's battered body on the ground and let out a complicated sigh, his voice tinged with pity and helplessness. "You shouldn't have... You really shouldn't have provoked Broly."
Master Shen hadn't passed out. The crushing humiliation and pain kept him conscious.
He stared blankly up at the clear blue sky, feeling as if every bone in his body had come apart. He couldn't move a muscle.
As for what Master Roshi had said, Master Shen had heard him, but he was so utterly despondent that he didn't want to comment on anything—not even angry enough to muster the strength.
"You probably don't know this, do you?" Master Roshi said with a sigh, looking at Master Shen's utterly defeated expression. "Three years ago, the legendary King Piccolo was released from his seal. In the end, Broly stepped in and took him out with ease. Just like... just like what you went through just now. Maybe even more easily."
"Y-you... You said what?!"
Master Shen, who had been lying there like a dead fish, suddenly convulsed at those words. His pupils shrank, filled with utter shock and disbelief!
King Piccolo?!
That legendary demon?!
This... this kid who only ever ate chicken drumsticks... had defeated him?!
That news shook Master Shen to his core even more than the beating he'd just taken!
"Go home and take care of your injuries!" Master Roshi shook his head, no longer looking at Master Shen's mangled state, and offered one last heartfelt piece of advice. "From now on... behave yourself. Stop doing bad things. The world is a lot bigger than you think."
"Broly, it's been three years, and you're still this strong." Son Goku stepped forward and gave Broly a pure, sunny smile. His eyes were filled with respect for a strong fighter and an eagerness to test himself.
"I don't know how it happens." Broly grinned at Son Goku, showing his white teeth, and answered honestly. "Anyway, every day when I wake up, I feel like I've gotten a little stronger without even trying. The more I sleep, the more I seem to improve."
Son Goku's smile stiffened for a moment.
A question mark seemed to pop up over Krillin's bald head.
Yamcha's mouth twitched violently.
The three of them were left speechless, dealt a massive blow.
He got a little stronger every day just by waking up?!
Could you get stronger while you slept?!
Wasn't that basically cheating?!
How were the rest of us, who worked so hard to train, supposed to live?!
In the shadow of a tall tower at the Martial Arts Temple,
a green figure had watched Broly beat Master Shen from beginning to end.
It was the newly reborn Piccolo!
Piccolo narrowed his blood-red eyes. A cold, deep-rooted hatred like that of a venomous snake filled his gaze, along with a trace of barely perceptible caution.
This was the man who killed my father!
Just as the rumors said, he has strange and tremendous power!
I'll make you pay for this blood feud!
I'll use your blood to avenge my father's spirit!
But first, I'll deal with those annoying little fry.
I'll win the championship of the World Martial Arts Tournament fair and square!
Then the whole world will see my power!
After that, right in front of everyone, I'll crush that bastard Broly with my own hands, bit by bit, and make him die in agony!
With the strength I've gained from training in a hellish environment for the past three years, I can easily win the championship!
Son Goku, Tien Shinhan, and the others are nothing but slightly tougher stepping-stones on the path to my revenge. How could they possibly be my match?
"Attention, contestants! The official matches of the World Martial Arts Tournament are about to begin. All contestants, please report to the main arena immediately!"
The referee's clear, booming voice rang out over the broadcast once more, echoing above the Martial Arts Temple.
"All right, do your best, you three!" Master Roshi collected himself and called out to Son Goku, Krillin, and Yamcha with an encouraging smile. "But remember, safety first! Don't push yourselves too hard. If you need to back off, back off! As long as you live, you can fight another day!"
The three of them nodded firmly, their eyes full of fighting spirit.
"Good luck, everyone!" Bulma cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted, then turned especially to Yamcha. "Yamcha! Do your best and win the championship!"
"Mm, at least I can finally enjoy watching the matches this time." Master Roshi watched his students head toward the arena and took a deep breath, savoring this rare moment of ease.
In the previous two tournaments, Master Roshi had disguised himself as the contestant Jackie Chun and entered the competition himself. It had worn him out.
Broly was surprised to hear that and looked at Master Roshi in confusion.
Broly didn't know that Master Roshi had disguised himself as Jackie Chun in the previous two World Martial Arts Tournaments. He'd never cared enough to find out. His attention had always been focused on food and sleep.
"Wow! There are so many people! They're packed in layers, and there are so many of them that we can't see the ring at all!" Oolong stood on tiptoe and craned his neck to look ahead, but all he could see was a sea of heads. He started to feel a headache coming on.
"This is no good. All the seats are taken." Master Roshi frowned as he looked at the jam-packed stands, then fell into thought.
"What should we do? It'd be such a shame to miss the matches." Launch looked around too, disappointment written all over her face.
"Then let's not watch!" Broly's solution was as simple and direct as ever. He pointed at a snack stall nearby and suggested, "Let's get something to eat over there. I can smell the sausages grilling."
Master Roshi and the others were speechless, dark lines seeming to hang over their foreheads.
You really are easygoing...
Before you continue