Krillin vs. Yamcha

# Chapter 21: Shattered Fang and Missed Love

The medical team's stretcher hurriedly carried away the unconscious Chiaotzu.

Tien Shinhan followed with reddened eyes.

Before leaving, he shot a deep, piercing glare at Tao Pai Pai's back—the killing intent in that look was enough to freeze the surrounding air.

Goku clenched his fists so hard his nails dug into his palms, grinding his teeth.

"That bastard... I'm going to kill him for good! Beating Chiaotzu like that!"

Back to the present.

The host with the little gold mustache and sunglasses wiped cold sweat from his forehead and broke the suffocating silence with a trembling voice:

"This... is truly regrettable... but the tournament must go on!"

"Next match, for a spot in the top sixteen! From the Turtle School, Krillin, versus... Yamcha!!"

The moment that name rang out, the crowd, still steeped in the shadow of blood, suddenly erupted into an odd commotion.

Gossip was always the best cure for human tension.

"Hey, heard about this? It's a love-rival match!"

A martial artist with an afro said excitedly to his companion.

The companion's eyes went wide.

"That bald Krillin—didn't he steal Yamcha's girlfriend?"

"The heiress of Capsule Corporation?"

"Damn, this is way more exciting than all that fighting just now!"

"Look at Yamcha's eyes. Tsk tsk. He wants to kill."

Amid the whispers and pointed fingers, Yamcha slowly stepped onto the arena.

He wore the familiar orange martial arts uniform, a "Turtle" character stitched on the chest, three signature scars across his face.

For three years, he'd trained like hell in the wilderness.

His skin was bronzed, his muscles more defined, his whole being radiating a wild aura.

But right now, the crowd's idle chatter stabbed into his heart like knives.

His eyes were terrifyingly gloomy.

Not the solemn focus of a martial artist facing a strong opponent, but the venom of a man consumed by jealousy and rage.

Puar floated at ringside, wringing her little hands, calling out worriedly.

"Yamcha... hang in there... don't be too rash..."

Yamcha ignored Puar. His gaze locked onto Krillin.

If looks could kill, Krillin would already be hacked to pieces.

"Krillin."

Yamcha's voice was hoarse, like gravel scraping in his throat.

"Finally, it's our turn."

Krillin stood there with his hands in his pockets, looking completely at ease.

Compared to Yamcha's bitter intensity, he was far too calm—almost careless.

He yawned, glancing at the System Panel's mission prompt.

[Mission: Completely crush and defeat love rival Yamcha's fighting spirit.]
[Reward: Charisma +10.]

"Yamcha, you can't beat me."

Krillin said flatly.

"Sure, Master Roshi's training made you a lot stronger. But you're still far from winning against me."

"Shut up!!"

Yamcha roared, veins bulging on his forehead like an enraged lone wolf.

"Don't act all high and mighty, you sneaky bastard!"

"While I was gone, you wormed your way in and stole Bulma!"

"You knew we were together! You knew she was mine!!"

The roar carried through the microphone across the whole venue.

The audience exploded, gossip flames blazing.

"Whoa! Confirmed! It really is a third-party love affair!"

"That bald guy looks honest, but who knew he was a secret player!"

"But why's that Yamcha guy yelling so loud? This kind of thing is supposed to be mutual consent, right?"

Krillin sighed helplessly and scratched his bald head.

He'd originally wanted to save his old friend some face.

But since the guy insisted on shoving his face out there to be slapped in front of such a big crowd, there was no helping it.

"Yamcha, since you insist on bringing this up here, let's get things straight."

Krillin wiped the smile off his face, his eyes turning sharp.

It was the pressure of a true expert, instantly freezing the air around them.

The aura he usually kept restrained leaked just a fraction, making the nearby spectators struggle to breathe.

"First, you say I stole Bulma away—no, I pursued her fair and square!"

"Second!"

Krillin raised a finger, pointing it at Yamcha's nose, his tone icy.

"Do you really have no idea why Bulma left you? Need me to jog your memory?"

"That girl Lily from the West City flower shop? And that female trainer at the gym?"

"Even during your so-called 'hell training,' you were flirting with female martial artists all over the place, weren't you?"

Yamcha's face went pale instantly, his eyes darting frantically like a man caught by the tail. He stammered, "You... you're lying! That... that was just a misunderstanding!"

"I just didn't know how to say no... I didn't want to hurt them..."

"Didn't know how to say no, or just loved the feeling of being worshipped?"