Goku vs. Tien Shinhan

Piccolo was punched so hard by that bald guy that he doubted his own existence. After he fled the scene, the Martial Arts Tournament grounds fell into a strange kind of frantic activity.

Several staff members drove a steamroller over the arena, desperately filling in the massive crater Piccolo had left behind, while a group of others swept up the scattered debris with brooms.

"Alright, dear audience members!"

"Although we just had a little... uh, minor incident."

The Sunglasses-wearing host crawled out from under his desk, straightened his crooked tie, and forced a professional fake smile onto his face.

"Our tournament will continue!"

"That green guy has been chased off by Krillin! Everyone's safe now!"

Sparse applause rippled through the stands; most of the audience was still in a daze.

That image of a fist piercing the sky was just too over-the-top, making the upcoming matches feel utterly dull by comparison.

"It's like watching a nuclear bomb go off, and then being told to watch two kids set off firecrackers—who can handle that kind of letdown?"

Krillin sat on the bench in the competitor's waiting area, legs crossed, staring off into space out of boredom.

[Ding! Detected host watching a low-tier match. Activating "Boredom Relief" mode.]

[Real-time Battle Power monitoring enabled.]

A translucent light-blue interface popped up in front of Krillin's eyes, displaying the data of the two fighters about to take the stage.

"Next up, the second match of the semifinals!"

"Fighter Son Goku versus Fighter Tien Shinhan!"

With the host's roar, two figures walked up from opposite sides of the Arena.

Goku was still wearing his orange Turtle School Gi. He had grown quite a bit taller than three years ago, the baby fat on his face had faded some, and his eyes were as clear as a spring of water.

Across from him, Tien Shinhan's three eyes gleamed sharply. His bare upper body showed clearly defined muscle lines—he clearly hadn't been idle these past three years either.

"Goku, it's our turn."

Tien clasped his fists, his expression serious.

That punch from Krillin earlier had shaken him deeply, but he quickly pulled himself together.

That Krillin was a monster, but that didn't mean Goku was one too.

"Heh, Tien, you've gotten a lot stronger too."

"But you can't beat me."

Goku did a few warm-up stretches, his joints popping with crisp cracks.

"Big talk."

Tien snorted coldly.

"I don't know what's up with that Krillin of yours, but if it's you, I'm confident I can take you down."

"Then let's see you try!"

The moment the gong sounded, the air over the Arena seemed to warp.

No probing moves—the two vanished from their spots instantly.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

White shockwaves exploded in the air.

The audience could only hear the dull thuds of fists and feet colliding, but couldn't see a thing.

All they could see was the arena's stone tiles inexplicably cracking, with debris flying everywhere.

"S-so fast! I can't see a thing!"

The host shouted into his microphone.

"Cameraman! Can the slow-motion replay catch it?"

The cameraman was drenched in sweat: "No way! I've nearly worn out the shutter, and all I'm getting is afterimages!"

On the Arena, the two figures suddenly separated.

Tien was breathing heavily, a fine layer of sweat beading on his forehead.

In that intense flurry of attacks just now, he hadn't gained any advantage at all.

Not only had Goku blocked every one of his strikes, but he'd even landed a kick to Tien's stomach during a counter.

"How is this possible... this kid's speed..."

Tien's mind reeled with shock.

Three years ago, he could still outpace Goku in speed.

How, after three years, had the other's movements become so light, even... eerie?

Goku stood still, not even breathing hard.

He struck a strange stance, arms hanging naturally, his whole body relaxed, like a willow tree swaying in the wind.

"What kind of stance is that?"

Master Roshi's sunglasses slipped halfway down his face as he watched from backstage.

"All openings... no, all defense? Could this be..."

"Mr. Popo taught me—be as still as the sky, as fast as lightning."

"Tien Shinhan, if that's all you've got, you're about to lose."

Goku flashed a grin at Tien Shinhan.

"Don't look down on me!"

Tien Shinhan's temper flared, veins bulging on his forehead. He crossed his arms in front of his chest, assuming the Crane School's opening stance.

"Since I can't beat you in speed, I'll crush you with technique!"

"Volleyball Fist!"

Tien Shinhan launched Goku into the air, then appeared above him as if teleporting, clasping his hands together and slamming them down hard.

It was a combo—if even one hit landed, the follow-up strikes would rain down like a storm.

But just as his fist was about to touch Goku's back, Goku's figure vanished into thin air.

"What?!"

Tien Shinhan's pupils shrank sharply.

"Over here."

The voice came from behind.

Goku was already standing where Tien Shinhan had jumped from, grinning as he watched him.

"Afterimage Fist? No... that's pure speed."

Krillin commented from ringside, giving Goku a thumbs-up on the System Panel.

"Looks like Goku didn't waste his time at Kami's Lookout. His ki control is way more refined than before."

"He used to just brute-force it and waste stamina. Now he knows how to put his ki where it counts."