Jackie Chun

At the sight of this, the audience burst into applause, praising Krillin again and again. After all, Wild Man had left a terrible impression on everyone.

"Congratulations, Krillin. You've advanced to the semifinals."

The referee returned to the center of the ring, raised the microphone, and announced Krillin's victory!

"The second match is about to begin. Before that, however, our staff will disinfect the ring. Please wait patiently for a moment."

With that, the backstage staff put on gas masks and sprayed air freshener and disinfectant into every corner of the ring.

"The second match is about to begin!"

"Ziye versus Yamcha!"

"Please welcome the contestants!"

The referee returned to the ring with the microphone and announced the start of the second match. The two contestants slowly walked out, and the whole arena erupted once more.

"Go, Ziye! You have to win!"

"Yamcha, you have to do your best, too!"

In the stands, Bulma shouted at the top of her lungs.

"Who are you cheering for, anyway?"

Oolong rolled his eyes.

"Well... I want them both to win, of course!" Bulma said hesitantly.

"Hmph. Women."

"Go, Ziye! You have to win!" Oolong shot Bulma a look, then loudly cheered Ziye on.

"Go, young master Yamcha!"

Puar wasn't about to be outdone.

"What are they doing?"

"Why haven't they started yet?"

"Hey, are you two going to fight or not?"

"Can you hurry up? Stop dawdling!"

In the ring, Ziye and Yamcha regarded each other calmly, making no move to fight. The audience was growing impatient and began shouting loudly.

"Come on, Yamcha! Let's see how much stronger you've gotten!"

Ziye chuckled, looking completely at ease. He didn't seem the least bit tense about the match!

"Do you really think that little of me?"

Yamcha smiled wryly, then assumed a fighting stance and carefully watched Ziye's movements.

"Ha!"

The next moment, Yamcha shouted and leaped into the air. As he came down, he focused all his strength in his right leg and kicked fiercely at Ziye!

Facing Yamcha's brutal attack, Ziye didn't seem concerned. He slowly raised an arm and held it in front of his face!

Thud!

Yamcha's kick landed, and his expression suddenly changed. It felt as if he'd kicked a solid iron plate. His heel immediately began to swell and redden, and he fell to the ground clutching his foot.

"Ow!"

"I can't believe you've gotten this strong!"

"No wonder you're a disciple of the God of Martial Arts."

Yamcha looked frightened as he spoke. He got back to his feet, his expression turning grave.

"But I won't give up!"

"Again!"

The next moment, Yamcha rushed at Ziye with blinding speed, but Ziye easily dodged every attack. In Ziye's eyes, Yamcha's movements were riddled with openings!

"Wolf Fang Fist!"

Realizing the gap between himself and Ziye, Yamcha stopped holding back and unleashed his signature technique!

In an instant, Yamcha's fists multiplied into dozens of wolf-shaped shadows that lunged fiercely at Ziye!

"Your speed is good, but you still have too many openings!"

"This match is over."

Ziye spoke calmly, then vanished from where he stood. In the next instant, he appeared behind Yamcha and punched him. Yamcha cried out in pain and flew right out of the ring!

"Yamcha has fallen outside the ring! Ziye wins the match!"

When the referee's voice rang out, everyone in the stands froze. The two had moved so fast that nobody had seen what happened in the ring.

"Are you okay?"

Ziye hurried over to Yamcha, helped him up, and asked calmly.

"Congratulations, Ziye."

"I never thought the gap between us would be this big. I accept my loss completely!"

Yamcha smiled wryly and shook his head helplessly. Then he got up and walked backstage with Ziye.

"Ziye, you're amazing! You beat Yamcha in an instant!"

Seeing them, Goku ran over excitedly. Yamcha's face betrayed his embarrassment.

"I really don't want to have to fight either of you."

Krillin shrugged and said helplessly.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the third match is up next: Jackie Chun versus Nam!"

When the referee announced the next match, the group stopped chatting and hurried over to watch.

Jackie Chun and Nam walked side by side into the ring.

"Huh? That's the old man!"

Goku said when he saw Jackie Chun.

"Goku, you know him?" Krillin asked, puzzled.

"Yeah!"

"I saw his earlier matches. He beat his opponents with just one move. He's really strong!" Goku nodded and explained.

"Hello, Mr. Nam!"

Jackie Chun chuckled and held out a hand in greeting.

To his surprise, Nam ignored him and turned away.

"Is he that aloof? He didn't even say hello before turning away?" Jackie Chun said, puzzled.

"Your face is so serious. Let's see what you're thinking."

Jackie Chun furrowed his brow, sending his mental energy into Nam's mind. Scene after scene from Nam's thoughts appeared before him.

"I see. No wonder he's so serious! But I have my own mission, so I can't lose this match!" Jackie Chun sighed and muttered under his breath.

"The third match is now officially underway!"

Bang!

At the referee's words, the gong rang out, and the two contestants immediately took fighting stances.

"I'm sorry, old man. For the sake of the people in my village, I have to win this match!" Nam pressed his palms together, then assumed a fighting stance, his expression solemn.

"Bring it on!" Jackie Chun replied without a care.

"Ha!"

The next moment, Nam let out a shout, stomped hard against the ground, and charged forward.

Facing Nam's attack, Jackie Chun shook his head and lightly leaped aside. Then he tapped Nam on the head with his toe. Losing his balance, Nam fell flat on his face!

"Give up. You can't beat me."

Jackie Chun spoke nonchalantly, then slowly turned around, presenting his back to Nam.

"I can't lose. I have to win for my village."

"I'm sorry, old man."

Nam slowly got back to his feet, resolve showing on his face. Then he leaped up, soaring a hundred meters into the air.

"Sky Cross Fist!"

Nam shouted, then rapidly descended, his hands crossed to form a cross as he charged at Jackie Chun's back.

Boom!

As Nam landed, Jackie Chun's figure suddenly turned hazy. Nam's attack passed straight through him and slammed into the ground, leaving a deep crater in the ring!

"What? How could this happen?"

Nam touched his swollen arm and stared in shock.

Thud!

The next moment, Jackie Chun reappeared and kicked Nam hard in the waist!

Whoosh!

Nam cried out in pain and flew backward. Jackie Chun walked to the edge of the ring and looked at Nam, who had fallen outside it. "Remember, that move is called the Afterimage Technique!"

"That was incredible! Nam has fallen outside the ring, and Jackie Chun wins the match!" The referee was stunned by what he'd witnessed. After a long moment, he finally raised the microphone and announced the result loudly.

"Th-that old man is incredible! As expected, nobody who makes it to the end is ordinary." Krillin stood frozen, looking astonished.

"Yeah. I just don't know why, but his energy feels so familiar!" Goku narrowed his eyes and spoke.

"Nam has lost the match. You can see how upset he is, but we thank him for giving us such an exciting match. Let's give him a round of applause!"

The referee's voice rang out again. The match seemed to have shocked him so much that he did everything he could to liven up the crowd!

Nam paid no attention to the continuous praise and applause around him. Instead, he returned to the ring and bowed deeply to Jackie Chun. "You're truly strong, old man! I accept my loss completely!"

With that, Nam straightened up and turned to leave. Seeing his dejected expression, Jackie Chun called out to him.

"Are you really going to go back like this?"

"I don't feel like watching the rest of the matches anymore!" Nam turned around and let out a soft sigh.

"Even without me, you wouldn't have made it to the finals with your current strength. So there's no need to take it to heart." Jackie Chun shook his head and continued.

"Old man, I know what you mean. I have no complaints about losing to you!" Nam nodded in reply.

"Mr. Nam, didn't you want to save your village? There's another way. You don't have to win the tournament."

Seeing that Nam had misunderstood him, Jackie Chun explained further.

At his words, Nam looked astonished and asked in disbelief:

"How... how did you know?"

Jackie Chun smiled and took a capsule from his pocket, tossing it to Nam.

"Take this."

Nam examined it closely and recognized it at once. Confused, he asked, "Isn't this a Hoi-Poi Capsule? Why are you giving it to me?"

"Don't misunderstand. It's empty inside! But you can use this capsule to carry a lot of water. Mr. Nam, come with me."

With that, Jackie Chun turned and hurried out of the ring, paying no attention to the referee's bewildered expression!

Nam quickly followed. After walking for about five minutes, Jackie Chun stopped beside a well!

"Old man, who are you? How do you know about my situation?" Nam asked, looking puzzled.

"Haha! Everyone calls me Master Mutten." Jackie Chun stroked his beard and chuckled.

"You... You're Master Mutten?"

Nam was so shocked he could barely close his mouth.

"Shh! Keep your voice down. I entered the tournament in disguise because I didn't want too many people to know."

Nam couldn't help asking, "But why...?"

Jackie Chun sighed softly, then continued, "You saw those three boys in the top eight, didn't you? They're all my disciples."

"Oh? No wonder they look so young, yet each one is more impressive than the last. So they're your disciples!" Nam nodded.

"That's right! Each of the three is more talented than the last. That should be a good thing, but I'm worried that if they win the World Martial Arts Tournament, they'll become arrogant and ruin their paths in martial arts!"

"You've seen it yourself: more and more people in the world are giving up martial arts, and most people can't even dodge bullets. If things go on like this, I'm afraid martial arts will meet its end!"

"I entered the tournament in disguise because I wanted them to understand that there's always someone stronger. I don't want them to get complacent over a little success. Only then will they be able to go further in the future."

Jackie Chun stood with his hands behind his back, looking every bit the master. At that moment, he was utterly unlike the lecherous Master Roshi of old!

"I see! Master Mutten, you've gone to such trouble for their sake!" Nam nodded.

At his words, Jackie Chun waved his hand and continued, "I saw the drought in your hometown in your mind. That's why I'm giving you this capsule to carry water in. I think it should solve the problem when you get back."

"Master Mutten, even if you give me a Hoi-Poi Capsule, it won't help. I can't afford to buy water!" Nam smiled bitterly and shook his head.

Jackie Chun was taken aback. Pointing at the well beside them, he asked in surprise, "Don't you know the water here is free?"

"What?"

"How can that be?"

Nam's mouth fell open, unable to believe what he was seeing. He'd worked so hard in the tournament to earn money to buy water, and now someone was telling him the water was free and wouldn't cost him a thing?

"Haha, you can draw water here. I'll be going now!"

Seeing Nam's astonished expression, Jackie Chun couldn't help laughing. Then he turned and headed back the way they had come.

"Thank you, Master Mutten! I'll repay you someday!" Nam pressed his palms together and bowed deeply in gratitude.

"You don't have to repay me. Just remember to keep my identity a secret!"

Master Mutten waved his hand and said casually before leaving.

"Everyone, we're saved!"

Nam looked at the capsule in his hand, his face full of excitement.