Tien Shinhan

Seeing this, Ziye shook his head with a bitter smile, then quickly caught up and began apologizing to Bulma incessantly. After over an hour of explanation, Bulma finally forgave him.

Soon after, the group arrived at the entrance of the World Martial Arts Tournament registration office. Goku had yet to arrive, so Ziye and the others had no choice but to register first. Master Roshi was not participating in the tournament this time.

"Goku, that guy is unbelievable. Registration is almost over, why isn't he here yet?" Krillin said, sounding anxious.

"He... he didn't forget, did he?" Master Roshi frowned and said.

"There are only five minutes left. Where on earth did that guy Goku run off to?" Bulma checked her watch and pouted.

"Oh, if it isn't Master Roshi?"

A mocking voice rang out, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

Three strange-looking figures approached, all wearing identical deep green uniforms. The man in the center was a thin, elderly man whose appearance resembled a crane. The two beside him were even more peculiar: on his right was a tall, sharp-featured young man with three eyes, while the other was a short child with a deathly pale complexion and two red spots on his cheeks.

"So it's Crane Hermit. I didn't think you were still alive," Master Roshi said, looking at the old man with visible disdain.

"I'll outlive you, that's for sure! I heard your students hogged all the spotlight at the last tournament?" Crane Hermit sneered.

"And what of it?" Master Roshi asked, his brow furrowing.

"It just goes to show that the current martial arts world has declined. That's why I've brought my own disciples to compete, so everyone can see who the true masters are!" Crane Hermit said with a look of contempt.

"As if a half-dead old man like you could teach anyone worth a damn."

"Still better than you, you bald old turtle!"

Watching the two bicker endlessly, Tien Shinhan shook his head and cut them off, his tone dripping with the same mockery as Crane Hermit's.

"Master, let it go. Don't waste time on these idiots. I'll make them regret it when the matches start!"

"Haha, you have a point."

Crane Hermit nodded in agreement and replied with a laugh.

Watching the three walk away, Bulma's face filled with disgust. She turned to Master Roshi and asked, "Who was that annoying guy?"

"That is Crane Hermit. He might be our toughest rival in this tournament," Master Roshi replied with a grave expression.

Hearing this, Ziye showed a look of disdain and said dismissively, "A rival? They aren't worthy! Don't worry, Master, one move is all I need to deal with them!"

"Ziye, don't underestimate them," Master Roshi warned, turning his head.

"Don't worry, Master, I understand."

Ziye nodded calmly.

"Hey, everyone!"

Just then, Goku's voice rang out. The group turned around to see Goku sprinting toward them, draped in the hide of a saber-toothed tiger.

"Goku, you finally made it!"

Seeing him, the group broke into long-awaited smiles and gathered around to greet him.

"Looks like you've grown quite a bit," Ziye said with a smile, patting Goku on the head.

"Have I?"

Goku replied nonchalantly.

"Damn it, he's still taller than me," Krillin muttered, standing next to Goku and comparing their heights, looking clearly disgruntled.

"Alright, Goku, hurry up and register!"

With Goku registered, the group finally relaxed. They headed to a high-end restaurant to feast. With the wealth of the Red Ribbon Army and the daughter of the world's richest man sitting at the table, there was no need to worry about the cost of Goku's massive appetite.

After eating their fill, night fell, and the group returned to their rented hotel in high spirits. After some time spent catching up, everyone drifted off to sleep.

The next day, at the crack of dawn, the group donned their custom-made Master Roshi uniforms and headed to the tournament venue. After some persuasion from Krillin and the others, Yamcha had finally left his life of luxury to become a student of Master Roshi.

The tournament grounds were already packed with people, buzzing with excitement. When they saw Ziye and the others arrive, many of the contestants from the previous tournament wore grim expressions.

"Welcome back to the World Martial Arts Tournament. Please line up to draw lots for your opponents!"

The group lined up and received their tags. Fortunately, they were all placed in different brackets, so they wouldn't have to face each other in the preliminaries.

"Will contestant number 178 please report to Ring Four."

As the announcement echoed, Ziye bid farewell to Goku and stepped onto his designated ring.

Boom, boom, boom.

With a heavy thud, a massive sumo wrestler stepped onto the ring opposite Ziye. The moment the man saw Ziye, he recognized him as the champion of the previous tournament.

"Ziye, I've watched your matches. I'll give it everything I've got on the first move to knock you out; I won't give you a chance to retaliate!"

Hearing the man's roar, Ziye remained unfazed. He sneered and replied, "Don't worry, I'll go easy on you!"

"Damn you, how dare you look down on me!"

The man flew into a rage, lunging at Ziye with all his might. However, the moment he neared Ziye, he was blocked by an invisible wall of energy.

Whoosh!

With a gentle exhale from Ziye, the man was sent flying, his body slamming into the wall behind him before he slumped into unconsciousness.

"Contestant 178 wins!"

"Truly worthy of being the previous tournament champion."

The referee swallowed hard, his face pale with shock as he spoke.

"So... so powerful. As expected of Ziye."

"It's a good thing we didn't run into him this early!"

Krillin and Yamcha were left speechless by the scene before them. To them, this had transcended the realm of martial arts; they exchanged a glance and shook their heads with bitter smiles.

"Ziye, you're amazing! I really hope I get to have a good fight with you!" Goku clenched his itching fists, his voice brimming with excitement.

"Tien Shinhan, look!"

On the other side, Chiaotzu, who had just finished his own match, tugged on Tien Shinhan's sleeve and pointed toward Ziye.

"That man is indeed not to be underestimated. I suspect he is the strongest of the Turtle School, but in the end, he will still fall by my hand!"