12. Champion is Born

"Oh, oh! Little Trunks has conceded! Therefore, I announce that the champion of the World Martial Arts Tournament's Junior Division is little Son Goten!"

The blonde announcer's mental fortitude was quite impressive; after his initial shock, he regained his composure and immediately announced Son Goten as the champion upon seeing Trunks concede.

"That's great! Goten won!" Chi-Chi was overjoyed, shouting in excitement.

Bulma felt a bit dejected; after all, it was only natural to feel a little sad when one's own son lost.

Son Goten reverted to his base form and cast an unfriendly look toward the backstage area, specifically at Satan.

"Alright, audience! After that intense match, we have a special program," the blonde announcer said. "Now, let's have the Junior Division champion, Son Goten, and the World Champion, Satan, face off in an exhibition match!"

Satan was so terrified he nearly wet himself. No wonder Son Goten's look earlier had been so strange; he had completely forgotten about this.

What do I do? What do I do? Waiting online, it's urgent! Satan's nose was running, his face full of fear. If he went up there, he was as good as dead.

"Satan!"

"Satan!"

"Satan!"

The audience members were all chanting Satan's name, as excited as if they were... well, let's just say they were acting quite delirious.

Yet, the Mr. Satan they worshipped was in the backstage area, retreating step by step in terror, his body trembling uncontrollably.

"Yo, that little guy is so strong, it won't be easy for Mr. Satan to win easily, right?" the bespectacled backstage staff member teased.

"I... I'll just have to get a little serious," Satan, ever the one to refuse to admit defeat until the coffin was right in front of him, was still bluffing, though the cold sweat on his forehead betrayed his true thoughts.

"Hahaha, no need for that, surely?" The staff member seemed not to notice the cold sweat and continued to tease him.

"Hahahaha."

What... what do I do? I... I'm definitely going to die. Satan was panicked and at a loss. Was it too late to order a coffin?

"Do you need a rest?" the announcer asked Son Goten. Son Goten shook his head faintly to indicate he didn't. The announcer then raised his microphone and shouted, "Now, let's welcome Mr. Satan! Please take the stage—"

Satan stepped onto the ring... er, no, I mean he took the stage.

Seeing so many spectators in the stands, Satan's vanity seemed to overcome his fear, and he raised his fists, laughing arrogantly.

"Whoa, let me see which little brat is challenging the World Champion, Mr. Satan!" He then pointed at Son Goten, acting even more arrogant. "Heh heh heh, is it you? You're already scared, aren't you?"

Heh, scared? I am indeed, so very scared.

Son Goten's lips curled into a cold smirk, but he kept his head down so no one saw his expression.

Satan noticed Son Goten's smirk and broke out in a cold sweat. Ah, what should I do? If this is a dream, please let me wake up quickly!

"Let's head back."

"The preliminaries are probably over by now."

"Oh, right."

Krillin and Son Goku were discussing leaving, as there was nothing left to see and the outcome was already obvious.

"Wait, isn't Goten with you guys? Aren't you going to watch his match against the World Champion?" Videl spoke up, stopping Son Goku and the others who were about to leave.

"Oh, that's true. It might actually be quite exciting," Son Gohan, eager to please the girl, added.

"Then we're off."

But it was all for nothing; Son Goku didn't stop, leaving only an awkward Son Gohan and Videl behind.

Satan untied his cape and flung it away with a flourish, then unbuckled his championship belt and replaced it with an ordinary ribbon. He centered his energy, let out a strange "Ha-ah!" cry, threw a roundhouse kick, and followed it up with a few quick punches into the air. After finishing this flashy display, he struck a pose and flashed a V-sign at the crowd with extreme arrogance.

"Sa--tan!"

"Sa--tan!"

"Sa--tan!"

If a few people from China had arrived here, they would likely be dumbfounded. Damn, are these people idiots? They're shouting for a fool louder than anyone else, acting like they're completely obsessed.

Son Goten watched coldly from the sidelines, as if looking at a clown. And indeed, in Son Goten's eyes, the current Satan was no different from a clown.

Tuan.

Son Goten transformed directly into a Super Saiyan. The sight scared the posturing Satan so badly that his act immediately fell apart. He rushed over, shouting urgently, "Hey, no need to be so serious! This is just an exhibition match, a game show! Don't take it to heart, just relax!"

"No, I'm going to give it my all," Son Goten said with a serious face.

Satan was on the verge of tears, roaring, "This is just a performance! Don't act like a child!"

Son Goten looked carefully at his current appearance and said with a serious gaze, "But I am a child right now."

"You stubborn brat, stop messing around! You really are just a kid!" Satan was so anxious his nose was running.

"I am just a kid."

Satan was about to faint. Damn it, would it kill you to give me some face?

If Son Goten could read minds, he would surely have laughed with contempt: Who do you think you are? Red-Haired Shanks?