The Preliminary Rounds

Bam!

Bulma's face flushed red as she punched Oolong in the head. A huge bump sprang up on his head the next second.

"Ziye, Goku! Once we're in the ring tomorrow, we might become opponents. You'd better not go easy on us!" Yamcha said with a serious expression.

"Don't worry. Goku has never even heard of going easy on someone!"

Everyone burst into laughter at Ziye's words.

Night fell. After basking in the joy of their reunion, they each returned to their hotel rooms to rest.

The next day, the World Martial Arts Tournament finally began. They changed into their outfits and arrived at the grounds early. The sight of the vast crowd left them gaping in astonishment.

"All right, let's head to the preliminary-round venue first!"

Then, led by a staff member, they arrived at a place called the Martial Arts Arena.

"Only registered contestants can take part in the preliminaries. I can only accompany you this far."

"Oh, and here are the martial arts uniforms I prepared for you!"

With that, Master Roshi took three differently styled red uniforms from his suitcase and handed them to the three of them.

Clang!

As the staff member struck the gong, all the registered contestants began filing into the arena.

"Today is the World Martial Arts Tournament, held once every five years. Welcome, heroes, and thank you for making the journey here. We'll select eight skilled fighters in the preliminaries to compete in the final tournament!"

"I'll now explain the rules.

The preliminaries are divided into four areas, with contestants fighting one-on-one. You lose if you're knocked unconscious or fall out of the ring. There is one rule: no killing, and no weapons."

"All right, please line up to draw lots for your areas!"

At the referee's announcement, everyone lined up and began drawing numbers.

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

"My number is seventy."

Goku replied with a smile.

"Then you're both in area three!" Ziye said, looking over the order of the areas.

"What?"

Krillin was startled. He hurriedly checked the area assignments, then drooped his head in disappointment. "I can't believe I got put in the same area as Goku. You two are the last opponents I want to face!"

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

"I'm in area one, and Yamcha's in area two!" Ziye said, glancing at his tag.

"Everyone around us looks so strong. Can we really win?" Krillin said, looking at the muscular crowd around them, his face turning fearful.

"Have some confidence, Krillin. Most of them are all brawn and no bite." Ziye patted him on the shoulder to reassure him.

"Let's hope so!" Krillin nodded.

"The matches in area one are starting. Contestant number three and contestant number ten, please come to the ring!"

The referee's voice rang out. Ziye glanced at the tag in his hand, then smiled. "Oh? It's my turn already!"

"Good luck, Ziye!" Goku called encouragingly.

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

"Right? Why can't I ever get that lucky?"

The other contestants below the ring jeered when they saw Ziye step up.

At the same time, a hulking muscle-bound man strode toward the ring. Seeing how small Ziye was, he sneered. "Haha, kid, you're my opponent? You look so cute, I don't want to hit you. Why don't you run home and drink your milk?"

"You'll have to be strong enough to make me."

Ziye sneered.

"Big talk for a kid. I'll show you!"

The big man clenched his fist and charged at Ziye.

Ziye sprang into the air and kicked him in the stomach!

Bam!

The big man yelped in pain and flew out of the ring, where he landed unconscious.

"Contestant number three wins!"

At the referee's announcement, the spectators finally snapped out of their astonishment.

"What just happened?"

"That kid is actually strong?"

The crowd below gaped in disbelief.

"That was great, Ziye! I can't believe you won your first match so easily!" Krillin ran up to him, excited.

"Heh, don't worry. You can do it too!" Ziye said with a chuckle and a nod.

"Well, well, isn't that Krillin? I haven't seen you since you ran away from the Shaolin Temple in tears!"

Just then, two monks, one fat and one thin, approached and mocked Krillin.

"S-senior brothers..."

Krillin stared at them in fear, stammering.

"You here to compete in the World Martial Arts Tournament?"

Krillin honestly nodded.

"Let's see what number you got. Haha, number ninety-three! What a coincidence—your opponent is me!" the thinner monk taunted.

Smack!

"Haha, don't you dare cry later!"

Then the two monks smacked Krillin on his bald head and walked away with scornful expressions.

After they left, Krillin kept his head down, fear written all over his face.

"Krillin, what's wrong?" Goku asked, worried.

"I think I'll just forfeit."

Krillin glanced at Goku, then lowered his head.

"Don't worry, Krillin! You're not the same person you were before. Wasn't getting stronger the whole reason you came to train with Master Mutten? This is your chance to prove what you can do!" Ziye patted Krillin on the shoulder and reassured him.

"Can I really do it?" Krillin said uncertainly.

"Believe in yourself, Krillin. Your match is about to start, so go on!"

"O-okay!"

Encouraged by Ziye and Goku, Krillin felt a little better. He nodded and headed for the ring.

"Go, Krillin! That guy isn't strong at all! One punch and you'll knock him flat!" Goku shouted.

In the ring, the thin monk sneered at Krillin. "You didn't run away? You've gotten pretty brave!"

"Take this!"

He swung a fist and charged at Krillin.

"Krillin, watch out!"

Whoosh!

At Goku's shout, Krillin suddenly snapped to attention and leaped into the air!

Bam!

Then he dropped rapidly, punching the thin monk right in the face!

"Ah!"

The thin monk cried out and flew straight off the ring.

"Contestant number ninety-three wins!"

At the referee's announcement, Krillin stared blankly at his hands, muttering in disbelief.

"I... I won?"