Qualifying Round

Bang!

Bulma's face flushed red as she punched Oolong on the head, and a second later, a large bump sprouted on his skull.

"Ziye, Goku! Once we step onto the ring tomorrow, we might become enemies, so you must not hold back!" Yamcha said with a serious expression.

"Don't worry, Goku has never known what it means to hold back!"

Hearing Ziye's words, everyone burst into laughter.

As night fell, the group settled down to rest in their hotel rooms after the joy of their reunion.

The next day, the World Martial Arts Tournament finally kicked off. The group changed into their clothes and arrived at the venue early, their jaws dropping in astonishment at the sea of people before them.

"Alright, let's head to the preliminary venue first!"

Following this, the group was led by a staff member to a place called the Martial Arts Arena.

"Only registered participants can enter the upcoming preliminaries, so I can only accompany you this far."

"Oh, right! These are the martial arts uniforms I prepared for you!"

With that, Master Roshi took three red martial arts uniforms of varying styles out of his suitcase and handed them to the three of them.

Clang!

As the staff member struck the gong, all the registered contestants began to file into the Martial Arts Arena.

"Today is the once-every-five-years World Martial Arts Tournament. We welcome all you heroes who have traveled so far to be here. We will select eight masters from the preliminaries to compete in the final tournament!"

"Now, let me explain the rules of the match. The preliminaries are divided into four zones. It will be one-on-one combat. Being knocked unconscious or falling out of the ring counts as a loss. However, there is one rule: no killing, and no weapons allowed."

"Alright, everyone, please draw lots to determine your zones!"

As the referee's voice faded, the crowd lined up to draw their lots.

"I'm number ninety-three. What about you, Goku?" Krillin asked, checking the tag in his hand.

"My number is seventy."

Goku replied with a smile.

"That means you two are both in the third zone!" Ziye said after checking the bracket.

"What?"

Hearing this, Krillin was taken aback. He hurriedly checked the zone assignments and slumped, saying, "I can't believe it's such a coincidence that I'm in the same zone as Goku. You two are the last opponents I wanted to face!"

"What about you, Ziye?" Goku asked curiously.

"I'm in the first zone, and Yamcha is in the second!" Ziye said after checking his tag.

"Everyone looks so strong. Can we really win?" Looking at the muscular crowd around him, Krillin's face turned fearful, and he said with a lack of confidence.

"Krillin, you need to have some confidence. Most of the people here are all bark and no bite!" Ziye patted him on the shoulder, offering comfort.

"I hope so!" Krillin nodded in response.

"The first zone matches are now beginning. Will contestant number three and contestant number ten please come to the ring!"

At this moment, the referee's voice suddenly rang out. Ziye glanced at his tag and said with a smile, "Oh? My turn already!"

"Good luck, Ziye!"

Goku said, encouraging him.

"Haha, it's just a kid! Contestant number ten is really lucky!"

"No kidding, why don't I have such good luck?"

The other contestants below the stage began to mock Ziye as he stepped onto the ring.

At the same time, a burly, muscular man stomped onto the stage with heavy footsteps. Seeing Ziye's small frame, he sneered, "Haha, kid, you're my opponent? You look like a pretty boy, so your uncle doesn't want to hit you. Better go home and drink your milk!"

"You'll need the skill to back that up!"

Ziye said with a cold laugh.

"The kid's got some nerve. Watch how I deal with you!"

With that, the man clenched his fists and charged at Ziye.

Seeing this, Ziye leaped into the air and kicked the man in the abdomen!

Bang!

The man let out a cry of pain, flew out of the ring, and passed out cold.

"Contestant number three wins!"

As the referee's voice rang out, the crowd below the stage finally recovered from their shock.

"What just happened?"

"Is this kid actually that strong?"

The crowd below looked on in astonishment.

"That's great, Ziye! I never expected the first match to be won so easily!" Krillin ran up, speaking with excitement.

"Heh, don't worry, you can do it too!" Ziye chuckled and nodded.

"Well, well, if it isn't Krillin? Haven't seen you since you left the Shaolin Temple in tears!"

Just then, two monks, one fat and one thin, walked over and began to mock Krillin.

"Se... Senior brothers."

Seeing who it was, a look of terror appeared on Krillin's face as he stammered.

"You aren't here to participate in the martial arts tournament, are you?"

Hearing this, Krillin gave an honest nod.

"Let me see what number you are. Haha, number ninety-three. What a coincidence, your opponent is me!" the thin monk said mockingly.

Smack!

"Haha, make sure you don't cry when the time comes."

With that, the two of them gave Krillin's bald head a hard rap before walking away with expressions of disdain!

After they left, Krillin remained with his head bowed, his face filled with fear!

"Krillin, what's wrong?"

Goku couldn't help but ask with concern.

"I think I'd better just forfeit!"

Krillin glanced at Goku, then lowered his head and said.

"Krillin, don't worry! You aren't the same person you were before. Isn't the reason you came to train with Master Mutten to become stronger? Today is the perfect time to prove your strength!" Ziye patted Krillin on the shoulder, offering comfort.

"Can I really do it?"

Krillin said, lacking confidence.

"Krillin, you have to believe in yourself. Your match is about to start, hurry up and go!"

"O... okay!"

Hearing the encouragement from Ziye and Goku, Krillin felt a little better, then nodded and walked toward the ring.

"Go for it, Krillin! That guy isn't tough at all! You can knock him flat with one punch!" Goku shouted loudly.

On the ring, the thin monk looked at Krillin with disdain and mocked him: "You didn't run away? You've grown quite a bit of nerve, haven't you!"

"Take this!"

With that, he swung his fist and attacked Krillin.

"Krillin, watch out!"

Whoosh.

Hearing Goku's voice, Krillin snapped to his senses and leaped high into the air!

Bang!

Immediately after, he descended rapidly and landed a punch directly on the thin monk's face!

"Ah!"

The next second, the thin monk let out a cry and went flying straight out of the ring.

"Contestant number ninety-three is the winner!"

As the referee's voice faded, Krillin stared blankly at his own hands, muttering in disbelief.

"I... I won?"