Deciding the Top Eight

"Oho, isn't that Wu Xiu and Bulma?"

At that moment, Master Roshi also walked over. Though he was soaked to the skin, his eyes behind his sunglasses still lit up when he saw Bulma's cool outfit.

"It's been a long time, Master Mutaito."

Sun Wuxiu set Goku down and respectfully bowed to Master Roshi.

No matter how strong he had become, respecting one's teacher was a basic principle of being human.

"Hehe, it has been a long time, indeed."

Master Roshi sized Sun Wuxiu up, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes behind the sunglasses.

This kid... his aura is restrained to this extent? Even I can't see through him...

Master Roshi was secretly alarmed, though he still wore his usual frivolous expression.

At that moment, the little bald boy who had been hiding behind Master Roshi poked his head out.

He looked Sun Wuxiu over with curiosity and reverence.

Over the past year, he had often heard Master Roshi and Goku mention this name during training.

"Goku's older brother," "a monstrously gifted freak," "a genius even Master praised endlessly"... these labels had filled Krillin with curiosity toward this senior disciple he had never met.

"Um... are you Senior Brother Wu Xiu?"

Krillin nervously rubbed his hands together and bowed.

"I'm Krillin, Master Mutaito's newest disciple! Please take care of me!"

Sun Wuxiu looked at the Krillin before him, who had not yet lost his nose, and smiled.

This was the strongest Earthling in the Dragon Ball world, and Goku's lifelong best friend.

"Hello, Krillin."

Sun Wuxiu returned the bow warmly.

"I heard in West City that Master had taken in a very clever disciple. From now on, I'll have to rely on you to look after that idiot Goku."

Krillin froze for a moment.

He had originally thought that a legendary genius of a senior brother like this would surely be arrogant and cold like the senior disciples at Dolin Temple, perhaps even bullying newcomers.

He had not expected Sun Wuxiu to be so approachable, and his words felt as refreshing as a spring breeze.

"N-No problem! Don't worry, Senior Brother!"

Krillin instantly straightened his back, his favorability toward this handsome senior brother shooting through the roof.

"All right, we can catch up later. Registration is about to close."

Sun Wuxiu pointed toward the registration hall ahead.

"Let's go. Time to give those frogs at the bottom of a well a good scare."

The registration hall was packed with people.

Martial artists from all over the world had gathered there, and the air was filled with the smell of sweat and liniment.

Sun Wuxiu's group did not cause much of a stir. In the bizarre world of Dragon Ball, a tailed child and a bald head were nothing unusual.

The registration process was simple.

Fill out a form, then draw lots.

While they waited, everyone sat together and chatted.

"Oh, right, where's Master Mutaito?"

Krillin suddenly realized that Master Roshi, who had been following behind them, was gone.

"He said he needed to use the restroom. Why has he been gone so long?"

Goku scratched his head.

Sun Wuxiu took a sip of water, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

Of course, he knew what that dirty old man had gone off to do.

By now, he was probably in the restroom changing into his "Jackie Chun" disguise, using industrial-strength glue to attach his wig and beard.

Master Roshi's goal was simple: he feared that his disciples would become arrogant and complacent after growing too strong too quickly, so he had decided to enter the tournament himself under an alias and defeat them in the finals.

He wanted them to understand that there was always someone stronger, so they would remain humble and pursue higher Martial Dao Realms.

It was a well-intentioned plan.

For Goku and Krillin, it truly was necessary.

But...

Sun Wuxiu set down his cup and looked toward the entrance of the hall.

There, an elderly man dressed in a black Zhongshan suit, his head full of silver hair, was slowly walking inside and drawing quite a few glances.

"Jackie Chun..."

Sun Wuxiu looked at that familiar figure and spoke silently in his heart.

Master, I understand your good intentions.

If this were the original story, your plan truly would have been flawless.

But this time, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you.

Because I need this championship too.

What Sun Wuxiu needed was not merely the 500,000 Zeni prize.

He also needed to use this tournament to firmly establish his status as the number one among Earthling youths.

And he wanted to find out whether, without using any Talismans and relying solely on the Turtle Hermit Style's martial arts, he could defeat this god of martial arts at full power!

"Wu Xiu, what are you looking at?"

Bulma leaned over and asked.

"Nothing."

Sun Wuxiu withdrew his gaze, rose to his feet, and rolled his wrists.

An announcement that the preliminaries were about to begin rang out over the loudspeakers.

"Let's go, Goku, Krillin."

Sun Wuxiu walked at the front, his back like an immovable mountain.

"Let this World Martial Arts Tournament become our stage."

The preliminary rules were simple.

First came a massive melee, followed by one-on-one arena bouts. The final eight would advance to the main tournament.

For Sun Wuxiu, preliminaries of this level did not even count as a warm-up.

"Group 44, begin!"

The referee gave the order.

Several burly men grinned viciously as they surrounded him.

"Hehe, this kid has such delicate skin, and he's so handsome too. Smash up his face first!"

"I've hated the sight of him for ages. So what if he has a girlfriend?"

But in the next second—

There was no sound of fierce fighting.

Only a few dull thuds.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The spectators did not even see what had happened.

Those burly men were already sprawled on the ground, rolling their eyes and foaming at the mouth, their bodies twitching involuntarily.

Sun Wuxiu, meanwhile, still stood where he was with both hands in his pockets, seemingly without even moving his feet.

"Too... too weak."

He shook his head and yawned in boredom.

"At this level, you aren't even qualified to make me take my hands out of my pockets."

In the distance, the contestant Jackie Chun, who had just finished a match, happened to witness the scene.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

Hiss... that kid's speed...

Master Roshi groaned inwardly.

Even I would have needed to focus to see that move clearly.

How is this supposed to be teaching my disciples a lesson...? At this rate, this old man's lifetime reputation might suffer a huge setback at this tournament...

The preliminaries moved quickly.

There were no surprises.

Sun Wuxiu, Son Goku, Krillin, Jackie Chun (Master Roshi), Yamcha (despite being frightened by Sun Wuxiu, he had still entered), Nam (the Indian ascetic monk), Bacterian (the foul-smelling wild man), and Ranfan (the seductress).

The list of the top eight was officially decided.

When Sun Wuxiu walked out of the preliminary hall, he was greeted by Bulma's enthusiastic embrace and the expectant cheers of countless spectators around them.

The real battle had only just begun.