This match ended even faster than expected.
Bang.
Krillin's back slammed heavily into the arena floor as he stared up at the sky.
He had lost.
Lost completely and utterly.
He had used all his ki, along with every trump card he had.
He had undoubtedly given it everything he had, yet he could no longer even see Goku's back.
At that thought, a complicated expression appeared on Krillin's face.
A few years ago, they had entered Master Roshi's school together. Now, Goku had gone so much farther than him.
Just then, a spiky-haired head poked into his field of vision.
At some point, Sun Wukong had come to his side and extended a hand to him.
"Krillin, you've gotten so much stronger!"
Hearing that and seeing the sincere admiration on Goku's face, Krillin could not help but smile. He grabbed the offered hand and pulled himself to his feet, brushing the dust from his martial arts uniform.
"Cut it out. You're obviously the stronger one!"
Krillin lowered his voice and leaned closer.
"Just how have you been training these past few years?"
Goku grinned, flashing two rows of white teeth, and pointed at Zhang Qi beneath the parasol below the stage.
"Teacher Zhang Qi taught me. You can ask him too. He'll definitely teach you."
Krillin froze and followed Goku's gaze.
Beside the arena.
"You really are incredible..."
Master Roshi wore a deeply moved expression. He had personally trained Krillin and knew exactly how strong he was.
But Goku... he could no longer make sense of him.
"If you want to learn, I can teach you."
Zhang Qi smiled at his words and spoke casually.
"Hm? What did you say?"
Master Roshi was stunned, even wondering for a moment whether he had misheard.
Training methods were the essence of