Champion and Parting

Just as expected of Goku.

That kind of fighting talent was top-tier even in the entire universe.

After seeing it only once, he could perfectly replicate and counter it in actual combat.

Against an opponent of the same level, that elbow strike would have been enough to turn the tide.

Unfortunately...

"The gap between us cannot be bridged by talent alone."

At the critical instant before his hand chop collided with the elbow strike,

Sun Wuxiu changed moves.

He forcibly shifted his point of exertion in midair. The hand chop that had been coming down was instantly pulled back and transformed into an upward hook.

This change of move, which completely defied the laws of physics, was so fast that not even an afterimage could be seen.

Goku's pupils suddenly widened.

He saw it.

But he could not react.

Because his body was still carrying out the blocking motion from a second ago, and there was no time to withdraw it.

That was the crushing force of absolute strength.

So-called prediction was nothing but a joke before absolute speed and power.

"Bang!!!"

A dull impact echoed throughout the arena.

Sun Wuxiu's fist slammed solidly into Son Goku's abdomen.

The enormous force did not even send Goku flying. It all penetrated directly into his body.

"Cough..."

Son Goku's eyes instantly lost focus, and he spat out a mouthful of stomach acid.

He remained in that blocking stance, but his body slowly toppled over like a puppet with its strings cut.

Thud.

Son Goku fell to the ground and completely lost consciousness.

The entire venue fell into deathly silence once more.

Everyone was too stunned by that final instant of exchange to speak.

That lightning-fast change of move, that despair-inducing suppression.

"The ten-second countdown is over! Contestant Son Goku is unconscious!"

The referee took a deep breath and raised Sun Wuxiu's arm, his voice trembling.

"The champion of the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament is—"

"Sun—Wuxiu!!!"

"Whooooo!!!"

Cheers erupted like thunder, and streamers rained down from above.

Sun Wuxiu stood at the center of the ring, bathed in golden sunlight and countless admiring gazes.

He was not overly excited.

He merely bent down and picked up his unconscious younger brother, looking at that youthful face, which still bore an unwilling expression even in sleep.

"You did well, Goku."

"But if you want to catch up to me..."

"You still have a long way to go."

The clamor of the World Martial Arts Tournament finally came to an end.

Inside a luxurious restaurant on Papaya Island, a "disaster" that left the owner both pained and delighted was unfolding.

"Another fifty bowls of fried rice! And three whole roast pigs!!"

"One hundred soup dumplings over here! And one of every dessert on this menu!"

The two Sun brothers, who had fought each other to the death in the ring just moments ago, had now turned into two tireless food pulverizers. Plates were piled as high as hills, the waiters were running themselves off their feet, and the chefs were nearly smoking their woks.

"Waaah... my prize money... my retirement fund..."

Master Roshi sat in the corner, watching the scene with his heart bleeding.

Though he had entered the tournament to teach his disciples a lesson, he had not expected to lose the match—not that losing to Wuxiu counted for much—and now his wallet was about to be emptied by these two bottomless pits.

"All right, all right, you dirty old man. This meal is on me."

Bulma smiled and handed a black-and-gold card to the waiter.

"This much money is nothing to Capsule Corp. Let's call it a celebration for Wuxiu winning the championship and for everyone reuniting!"

"R-Really?!" Master Roshi instantly came back to life, his eyes behind his sunglasses turning into hearts.

"Bulma, you really are such a wonderful person!"

Krillin, Yamcha, Puar, Oolong, and the others sat around the table as well, the atmosphere lively and warm.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill,

everyone stood outside the restaurant, their shadows stretched long by the setting sun.

"Then this is where we say goodbye."

Son Goku carried the Power Pole on his back and patted his round belly, his face filled with a satisfied smile.

"I'm so full! I feel like all my strength has come back!"

"Goku, where are you going next?" Krillin asked reluctantly.

Goku leaped onto the Flying Nimbus, his eyes resolute.

"After this tournament, I realized the world is huge and there are lots of strong people. I want to travel and train around the world like my brother, so I can become even stronger!"

"I'm going back to Kame House to keep training too." Krillin clenched his fists. "The next time we meet, I definitely won't lose to you, Goku!"

"Hehe, then I'll be waiting!"

Goku waved at everyone. "Take care, everyone! See you, Brother! Bye, Bulma!"

Whoosh—

The golden Flying Nimbus carried that fearless young boy away like a streak of light toward the horizon.

As they watched Goku disappear into the distance, Master Roshi prepared to leave with Krillin as well.

"Wuxiu," Master Roshi said, giving his eldest disciple a deep look before departing.

"Your path has already gone beyond the scope of my guidance. But I can sense that your heart is steady. Keep it that way, and do not lose yourself in power."

"I will heed your teachings, Master." Sun Wuxiu bowed respectfully.

Before long, only Sun Wuxiu and Bulma remained on the once-lively street.

The sea breeze gently stirred Bulma's purple hair. She turned and looked at the tall, handsome man beside her. Clever as she was, she seemed to have already sensed something.

"You're... leaving too, aren't you?" Bulma asked softly, her voice carrying a barely noticeable tremor.

Sun Wuxiu fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Yes."

He reached out and gently stroked Bulma's cheek, his gaze tender yet resolute.

"Bulma, this past year in West City has been the happiest time of my life. But I have to become stronger."

"Stronger than that old man Jackie Chun?"

"No, stronger than 'heaven.'" Sun Wuxiu pointed toward the sky above.

"The place I'm going is above the clouds, the God Realm that mortals cannot reach."

"The God Realm..." Bulma paused, then gave a bitter smile.

"I knew it. How could a man like you possibly be content with staying by my side and shopping for clothes forever?"

She took a deep breath and tried to make her smile brighter.

"Go! You're a man destined to stand at the top of the world. How could the man Bulma chose be some weakling who only knows how to hide away in comfort?"

"But..." She suddenly rose on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around Sun Wuxiu's neck, and fiercely pressed her lips to his.

"Remember this: no matter how high you fly, you will always have a home in West City. If you dare fool around with other women out there, I'll build a bomb that can destroy the Earth and blow you up! Got it?!"

Sun Wuxiu smiled and pulled her tightly against him. "As you command, my queen."

After saying goodbye to Bulma, Sun Wuxiu did not wander aimlessly like Goku.

His goal was clear.

He headed west, toward Korin Tower.

During this journey, the world was far from peaceful.

The Red Ribbon Army, which sought to conquer the world, was searching everywhere for the Dragon Balls, leaving the people in misery.

But Sun Wuxiu did not go out of his way to deal with such small fry.

They were Son Goku's whetstone.

In the original story, Goku had grown step by step through his battles with the Red Ribbon Army, eventually even destroying the entire army headquarters by himself.

Sun Wuxiu did not want to deprive his younger brother of that experience.

"Besides, that kid's tough as nails. He doesn't need me worrying about him."

Sun Wuxiu flew ten thousand meters above the ground, looking down calmly at the occasional flashes of battle below.

Several days later,

a vast primeval forest appeared before him.

At the center of that forest stood a towering white structure that seemed to pierce the clouds and connect heaven and earth.

Korin Tower.

A legendary holy land said to be home to an immortal.