Krillin watched Satan gradually increase his strength and couldn't help feeling secretly pleased. As long as Satan lost his composure, Krillin would have his chance.
Satan felt Krillin's attacks growing weaker and couldn't help becoming smug, as if victory were already within his grasp.
Suddenly, Satan knocked Krillin into a corner of the ring. Little did he know that this was a trap Krillin had set. Krillin deliberately put on a worried expression, and Satan immediately brightened up.
He charged forward with a punch, aiming straight for Krillin in the corner, only to notice the sly smile at the corner of Krillin's mouth. Krillin bent down, grabbed Satan's arm, and tried to throw him over his shoulder and out of the ring.
By then, it was too late for Satan to pull back. During their earlier exchanges, he had fallen into Krillin's rhythm. There was no turning things around now; all he could do was watch helplessly as Krillin flung him out of the ring.
The spectators burst into enthusiastic cheers. To them, the battle had been absolutely brilliant. Unlike the previous fights, which had ended very quickly, this one had been a real pleasure to watch.
"Congratulations to our winner, Krillin! Let's give him a big round of applause!"
Krillin happily accepted the crowd's cheers.
Down below, Satan knew he had lost, but he wasn't discouraged. Instead, he remembered the seniors in the Martial Alliance telling him that there was always someone stronger, and there was always a greater world beyond.
They had also told him that those were the Alliance Leader's words.
At that moment, those words rang through Satan's mind like the tolling of a great bell.
A look of regret crossed his face. He had been too arrogant.
Clearly, the principles Jiang Yun had been instilling in the Martial Alliance were working. Jiang Yun was always telling its members that martial artists shouldn't just train their bodies; they also needed to cultivate their minds. A true martial artist should have a Martial Heart and the Martial Virtue expected of one.
That was what made a martial artist worthy of the name.
The fights after Krillin's were different. They all ended very quickly. Goku even faced the dinosaur Giran and got trapped by his Rubber Ring.
If Bu Fan had been there, he would surely have said, I know this move. Isn't this that dinosaur's dishonorable trick?
Unfortunately, the move didn't cause Goku any trouble. Goku swiftly knocked Giran out of the ring.
Before long, the four semifinalists had been decided.
This time, Goku's opponent was Nam. The winner of this match would receive the runner-up's prize. As for third place, the two losers would fight to determine it.
Nam versus Goku!
Both wore serious expressions. Neither of them was an easy opponent.
Goku started by using the Afterimage Fist against Nam, then charged in to attack.
Turtle Hermit, watching below the ring, was a little shocked. He hadn't taught Goku the Afterimage Fist. Could the kid have learned it just by watching?
If that was really the case, Goku's talent might be even more terrifying than he'd imagined.
"Maybe Goku will eventually catch up to that terrifying young man."
Jiang Yun's image suddenly appeared in Turtle Hermit's mind. With Goku's monstrous talent, he might catch up to Jiang Yun—and perhaps even surpass him someday.
Nam quickly began to feel immense pressure as he fought Goku, struggling to keep up with the flurry of punches and kicks.
Goku was still fighting with ease, while sweat beaded on Nam's forehead. Goku's formidable strength was clearly putting him under tremendous pressure. That made Nam even more cautious, because he had a reason he absolutely had to win.
Goku was also surprised. Nam had actually seen through his Afterimage Fist. Meanwhile, Yamcha and the other two were staring at Goku in amazement from below the ring.
"Goku learned Jackie Chan's move that easily?"
Turtle Hermit, disguised as Jackie Chan, was also surprised that Nam had figured out how to counter his move.
Then Nam attacked with his feet while Goku retaliated with his hands. Neither gave an inch!
Goku caught Nam off guard and knocked him flying. But Nam bounced off the wall and leaped back, knocking Goku to the ground.
Goku clutched his neck in pain and cried, "Ow, that hurts! This guy!"
"I have a reason I must win, so please fall out of the ring!"
Nam's expression hardened. He charged at Goku, clearly hoping to knock him out of the ring while he had the chance.
But Goku tripped Nam with his tail, then grinned and showed it off.
"Hahaha, this is great!"
The spectators saw that Goku had a tail and cried out in surprise.
"He has a tail! It's a real tail!"
After driving Nam into a corner, Goku got playful. He tried to knock Nam out of the ring with a spinning attack, but ended up making himself dizzy first, giving Nam a chance to escape.
Jiang Yun couldn't help laughing at the sight. Goku really was like a certain unpredictable troublemaker. The audience hadn't expected such a ridiculous move either, and they all burst out laughing.
Nam had nearly been knocked out of the ring by Goku's antics. Seeing Goku lying unconscious on the ground, he didn't let the opportunity pass.
"Sky Cross Fist!"
Nam leaped into the air and unleashed his signature technique, the Sky Cross Fist!
Seeing Nam jump so high, everyone knew the move had to be powerful. Bulma and the others shouted at Goku to get up.
But Goku only opened his eyes groggily and didn't dodge. Nam struck him hard in the neck.
Everyone was stunned. Goku gasped for breath, his eyes rolled back, and he passed out. Seeing this, Nam assumed Goku couldn't possibly get back up and continue fighting. He rose to his feet, clasped his hands together, and fell silent.
The entire arena fell completely quiet. Everyone stood there in a daze. Nam even prayed for Goku before saying, "Please begin the count!"
The Announcer couldn't believe it either and slowly began counting. Even Turtle Hermit thought it would be difficult for Goku to get back up. Krillin couldn't believe Goku had been defeated just like that. It was Goku, after all!
Nam was also certain Goku wouldn't wake up. He knew his own technique better than anyone and was convinced Goku wouldn't wake for at least ten days.
Everyone there believed Goku might never wake up after taking that blow!
Time slowly passed, and the count was nearing its end!
Watching this, Jiang Yun couldn't help thinking, If Goku falls here, he isn't Goku!
Having read the original story, Jiang Yun already knew Goku wouldn't fall here. But the others didn't. The Announcer's counting continued, and hope filled everyone's eyes.
They hoped Goku would get back up!
"Six, seven, eight."
Just then, Goku's hand suddenly twitched. He sprang to his feet.
He stood up under the astonished gazes of the crowd. Nam couldn't believe anyone could get back up after taking his move. He even thought he might have missed.
Turtle Hermit and the others could only marvel at Goku's incredible vitality!
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