Rustle...
It was raining in front of the World Martial Arts Tournament arena on Papaya Island.
"Hmm... Why haven't they arrived yet? It's almost time." Master Roshi glanced at his watch.
"Ah! They're here!" Launch, who was holding an umbrella over Master Roshi, looked ahead and exclaimed excitedly.
"Long time no see, you two!" It was Oolong, Puar, and Bulma.
"Where's everyone else? They haven't arrived yet?" Bulma asked.
"Wow, you're looking more and more womanly!" Master Roshi crept up behind Bulma and exclaimed admiringly.
Smack!
"Stop groping me!"
"Haha, Master Roshi, you really haven't changed a bit." Just then, Sun Wumian suddenly appeared before them.
Half a year earlier, after sensing Goku's ki and using Instant Transmission to return to Earth, Sun Wumian hadn't disturbed Goku's solitary training. Instead, he'd gone back to Mount Paozu and lived there alone for a while.
"Exactly... Huh? Wumian, where did you come from?" Bulma jumped in fright.
"It's a new move I learned recently: Instant Transmission! Pretty impressive, huh?"
"Speaking of which, where is everyone else? Why is it just you guys?" Sun Wumian looked around. It seemed Goku, Yamcha, Krillin, and the others hadn't arrived.
"Yamcha went off to train by himself..." Puar said.
"Krillin and Goku did the same thing. They went off to train. Maybe you inspired them too much three years ago, Wumian..." Master Roshi said.
I only showed off a little. Was it really that big a deal? Sun Wumian thought.
"Hey, everyone! Long time no see." Just then, Sun Wukong arrived with an umbrella, a headband tied around his head.
"Is that one of your friends?" Master Roshi asked Bulma in confusion.
"No."
"Grandpa Roshi, everyone! You all look well."
"Could... could it be... Goku?"
"Huh? What are you talking about? Of course it's me." Goku took off his headband. "See?"
"That kid... He really knows how to surprise you..." Master Roshi exclaimed.
"I can't believe it. Goku grew up to be so handsome!" Bulma stared at him, wide-eyed.
As the rain gradually let up, Krillin, Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu, and Yamcha arrived together. Now everyone was there.
Boom! Boom! Clang! Clang!
"All contestants in this World Martial Arts Tournament, the preliminary rounds are about to begin! Please gather at the competition arena!"
A voice boomed from the loudspeakers.
"It's starting! By the way, Grandpa Roshi, did you bring our uniforms?" Goku asked.
"You've set out on your own martial arts paths. You can't keep wearing Turtle School uniforms forever," Master Roshi said. In truth, he was just too poor to buy them.
Oh, right. My uniform doesn't fit anymore, Sun Wumian thought. I should try checking in with Piccolo and see if I can learn his disguise magic.
Piccolo's ki... There it is. Sun Wumian hadn't entered the tournament, so to avoid trouble, he used Instant Transmission directly into the arena where Piccolo was.
"System, quit sleeping and get to work." He hadn't checked in much lately, so the system hadn't made a sound in ages.
[ Ding~ Check-in with Piccolo successful. Host's battle power has not increased. Would you like to learn disguise magic? ]
"Learn it!"
He hadn't expected it to work so easily.
At that moment, Piccolo sat cross-legged in the air, three feet above the ground, his eyes closed. He didn't seem to notice Sun Wumian's arrival.
After checking in, Sun Wumian ignored him and turned to find Goku. Since he was already here, he might as well watch their matches.
"Damn it, why am I trembling? I can't even look at him. He's too strong. There's no way I can avenge my father." After Sun Wumian left, Piccolo suddenly opened his eyes and thought in lingering fear.
"No, I have to get revenge. I'll start with his companions."
"Hey, Wumian, you're already so strong. Are you entering the tournament too?" Krillin asked.
"I'm not competing. I was bored, so I came in to watch your matches and see whether you've improved after all that training."
"Huh? You didn't enter, so how did you get in?"
"Hehe, it's a new move I learned: Instant Transmission. I'll show you sometime. Looks like the draw is about to start. You guys go ahead."
"Instant Transmission? Is it just moving so fast that it looks like teleportation?"
"You don't believe me? Then I'll bring Master Roshi in." As Sun Wumian spoke, he vanished in an instant, then went to say a few words to Master Roshi.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
"Hey, Wumian, what's so interesting about the preliminaries? I'd just spotted a beautiful girl, and you interrupted me..." Master Roshi grumbled incessantly.
"That's amazing!" Krillin had no choice but to admit it.
"Oh, I didn't know there was a beautiful contestant over there. Wow!" Master Roshi spotted a new target.
The girl happened to glance over at them, then suddenly brightened and walked their way.
Oh, it was Chi-Chi, the Ox-King's daughter.
Chi-Chi walked straight up to Sun Wukong. "Hehe! Sun Wukong..."
"Huh? Who are you?" Sun Wukong didn't recognize her at all. He scratched his chin, puzzled.
"Hmph? You jerk! Hmph!" Chi-Chi yelled, then turned and walked away.
"Goku, who was that just now...?"
"What a cute girl..." Blood started running from Master Roshi's nose.
"Old Master Roshi, forget it. She's Goku's future wife." Sun Wumian patted Master Roshi.
"My wife? I feel like I've seen her somewhere, but I can't remember..." Even as an adult, Goku was still as single-minded as ever.
"Contestants, sorry for the wait. The World Martial Arts Tournament, held once every three years, is now beginning its preliminary rounds. There are 72 contestants this time. Please begin drawing lots..."
Just then, the loudspeakers blared. At long last, the tournament was officially underway.
Before you continue