The Champion Is Destined to Be Mine!

The fourth match pitted Mr. Shen, who was actually Kami in disguise, against Yamcha.

The outcome was even more obvious than before.

Although Kami had suppressed most of his strength, he was still far beyond Yamcha's ability.

Yamcha was suppressed almost the entire match. Kami easily saw through and countered every move and attack, then sent him flying out of the ring with a seemingly gentle palm strike that concealed a deft force. Yamcha lost cleanly and decisively, though not without looking a little pathetic.

Master Roshi was genuinely shocked to see that the obscure Mr. Shen possessed such unfathomable strength. His hand trembled as he adjusted his glasses.

This year's World Martial Arts Tournament... really was full of hidden talents!

What kind of monsters were these contestants?

Each one was stronger than the last!

Thank goodness I didn't enter.

After winning, Kami didn't leave right away. His gaze pierced the crowd and settled on Broly, who was still hard at work in the stands.

But Broly had even more food wrappers piled up in front of him. He'd gone from chicken drumsticks to potato chips, and now he was switching back and forth with beef jerky.

It was as if his stomach were a bottomless pit.

Kami was instantly speechless, a few imaginary black lines hanging over his forehead.

That kid... sure could eat!

He hadn't stopped chewing since the tournament began!

How ironic...

King Piccolo, who had nearly destroyed the world back then, had been defeated by a kid who did nothing but eat and sleep!

Who would believe it if you told them?

"After several tense and thrilling rounds, we've finally determined the four finalists in this year's tournament!" The referee's impassioned voice rang across the arena once more, sending the atmosphere to a new high. "Up next is the even more brutal and exciting semifinal! The four contestants who made it this far are: the previous champion, Tien Shinhan! The previous runner-up, Son Goku! The mysterious and powerful Maginia! And the equally unfathomable Mr. Shen! All four are unquestionably among the greatest fighters in the world today, with extraordinary skill! I have to say, the level of competition in this year's tournament and the strength of its contestants are truly unbelievable!"

"Just as the referee said." Master Roshi watched the four contestants preparing to fight in the ring, his aged face full of emotion. Stroking his beard, he offered his expert opinion. "The strength these four have shown really does make them the strongest people in the world right now! The younger generation is truly impressive!"

"Have they... all surpassed Broly now?" Bulma listened to Master Roshi's assessment, then couldn't help glancing at Broly beside her, whose appearance was completely at odds with that of a peerless master. She asked in a quiet voice.

"Perhaps they hadn't before. After all, Broly could easily defeat King Piccolo three years ago." Master Roshi sighed, looking regretful and uncertain as he pondered. "But that kid Broly... he really hasn't trained at all these past three years! Every day, like clockwork, he just eats and sleeps. Now he's taken up video games, too. The path of martial arts is like rowing upstream: if you don't advance, you fall behind! With time, Tien Shinhan and Goku have made incredible progress, while Broly has stood still—or might even have gotten weaker... They've probably surpassed him by now, haven't they?"

"Oh? You know, you might be right!" Bulma looked at Master Roshi in surprise and giggled. "You old pervert—when you get serious for once, you actually say some pretty profound things!"

"Of course!" At the praise, Master Roshi immediately reverted to type. He chuckled, sidled up to Bulma, rubbed his hands together, and gave her a lecherous grin, nearly drooling. "Actually, the things I say at night are even more profound, and full of life's deepest truths! So... how about we find somewhere quiet tonight and have a good talk, really explore the mysteries of life and living?"

"Pow!"

Bulma delivered a swift uppercut without the slightest mercy!

Her fist landed squarely on Master Roshi's chin, lifting him off his feet and sending him tumbling backward to the ground with a pained cry.

"Ow... you violent girl... you're not cute at all..." Master Roshi clutched his rapidly swelling chin, yelping in pain, tears almost welling in his eyes.

"Why would someone get hit for discussing life?" Watching this, Broly scratched his head in puzzlement. His clear eyes were full of genuine confusion.

Broly really couldn't understand why Master Roshi's invitation, which had sounded so learned, had been met with such a violent response.

Hearing Broly's innocent question, Bulma's pretty face turned bright red in an instant, like a ripe tomato. She glared at Master Roshi, who was groaning on the ground, and couldn't bring herself to say a word. She didn't know whether to laugh or be annoyed.

At least... Broly hadn't picked up any bad habits from that old turtle...

But then again, Bulma couldn't help feeling a little exasperated.

Sure, he hadn't picked up any bad habits... but he hadn't learned anything at all, had he?

He'd been with Launch for so long, so how could he still be completely clueless about even the basics between men and women?

What a pure-hearted boy... as innocent as a blank sheet of paper!

Bulma couldn't help thinking again of Goku and Chi-Chi, who had just gotten married.

Goku and that girl Chi-Chi had gotten married over a childhood promise they hadn't understood at the time...

Could those two be just like Broly, with no idea what they were doing?

Bulma's thoughts wandered, and she found herself imagining all sorts of things. A strange expression crept over her face.

"Now for the first semifinal match!" The referee's voice pulled Bulma out of her daydreams. "Tien Shinhan versus Son Goku! These two contestants fought fiercely in the final of the previous tournament, where Tien Shinhan claimed the championship by a narrow margin! Three years later, these two formidable fighters are meeting in the ring once more. What kind of sparks will they create this time? Let's wait and see!"

The next moment, Son Goku and Tien Shinhan shot out from the backstage passage like two arrows loosed from a bow. They traced graceful arcs through the air and landed lightly and precisely at opposite ends of the ring.

They exchanged smiles, then each assumed his familiar fighting stance, and tension gripped the entire arena.

After a brief exchange of glances, Son Goku and Tien Shinhan wasted no words. They moved at the same time, colliding like two shooting stars as they launched into an intense exchange!

The clash of fists and feet sounded like a rapid drumbeat. Their figures flashed and darted about so quickly they were a blur, while waves of force swept out and made the ropes at the edge of the ring hum.

Seeing the astonishing strength, terrifying speed, and surging power Son Goku displayed in battle, Piccolo—who had been standing below with his arms crossed, watching coldly—couldn't help showing a flicker of surprise and wariness in his eyes.

This guy called Son Goku...

He really wasn't simple!

He was far stronger than that bald little brat from earlier.

There was a good chance I'll end up facing this kid in the final and fighting him for the championship.

But he's definitely no match for me!

How could the power of me, King Piccolo, compare to these mere mortals?

The champion is destined to be mine!