"Second match: Jackie Chun versus Yamcha!"
"Third match: Nam versus Chi-Chi!"
"Fourth match: Son Goku versus Giran!"
The referee shouted, "In addition, the champion of this tournament will receive 500,000 zeni.
"Before the matches begin, let's invite the head of the World Martial Arts Tournament to give a speech!"
"Clap, clap, clap, clap!"
The crowd erupted in enthusiastic applause.
A dog-headed man walked onto the ring.
"Woof, woof!"
Then he turned and walked away.
At other events, speeches usually went on and on, but at this tournament, the head's speech was over after just two words. The audience cheered one after another.
"That was a great speech!"
"Truly moving!"
"The head's speech was so eloquent!"
The host immediately said, "Thank you for that wonderful speech!
"Now, let's welcome the contestants for the first match: Krillin and Baku!"
"Croak, croak, croak, croak..."
After a round of applause, Krillin and Baku both stepped onto the ring.
In an instant, the entire tournament venue was filled with a foul stench.
Many people couldn't help pinching their noses. Some even put on gas masks.
Once the contestants were in position, the host immediately introduced them.
"This contestant, Krillin, is only thirteen years old, making him the youngest competitor in the tournament.
"This smelly contestant is named Baku. He hasn't bathed once since he was born."
"Are you both ready? You lose if you're thrown out of the ring.
"You also lose if you're knocked down and can't get up by the count of ten, or if you concede. There's no time limit."
"First match, begin!"
The battle was exceptionally disgusting.
Overwhelmed by the stench, Krillin kept retreating and nearly passed out.
Fortunately, Goku pointed out Krillin's advantage as soon as the match began.
"Krillin, you don't have a nose!"
In an instant, Krillin seemed to be blessed with divine strength.
He put the martial arts he had learned from Master Roshi to full use and easily knocked the stinking Baku down.
The host was deeply impressed by Krillin's outstanding performance.
This was what martial arts was all about.
"Krillin is incredibly strong! He's won the first match in one fell swoop!"
The crowd below the ring immediately broke into enthusiastic applause.
"I didn't know that kid was so strong!"
"You can't judge a book by its cover!"
Krillin returned backstage and shared the joy of victory with Goku and Chi-Chi.
After Krillin and Baku left the ring, the host announced again:
"Second match: Jackie Chun versus Yamcha. Would the contestants please take the ring?"
Jackie Chun and Yamcha soon stepped into the ring.
Yamcha assumed his opening stance and carefully sized up Jackie Chun, while Jackie Chun stood with his hands behind his back, looking every bit like a martial arts master.
Yamcha studied him for a long while, but still couldn't get a read on him.
Strange. He doesn't have a stance at all, and I can't sense his fighting spirit either. But this old man defeated every opponent in the preliminaries with a single move. I know nothing about him. I'll have to make the first move and test him!
Once both men were in position, the referee shouted, "Begin!"
In the next instant, Yamcha charged at Jackie Chun and swept a leg toward him.
Jackie Chun didn't move his feet. He simply leaned back and easily dodged the attack.
Yamcha's strike missed. He quickly pulled back his leg and threw a punch at Jackie Chun's face.
Jackie Chun didn't even change his expression. He tilted his head slightly and dodged the attack once more.
Yamcha missed again.
Getting anxious, he immediately went for Jackie Chun's lower body with a sweep kick!
Jackie Chun jumped backward and dodged once more.
After more than a dozen consecutive moves, Yamcha hadn't managed to touch a single hair on Jackie Chun's head.
Jackie Chun remained completely unruffled, but Yamcha was already panting with exhaustion.
By now, he understood that he was no match for Jackie Chun.
Even the referee could see it, and immediately commented, "Yamcha is attacking very quickly, but Jackie Chun is even faster and dodging with ease.
"His agility certainly doesn't seem like that of an old man!"
Jackie Chun also offered Yamcha some honest advice.
"You have plenty of combat experience, but you make too many unnecessary movements."
Sweat beaded on Yamcha's forehead. "What did you say?"
"I said you make too many useless movements."
Yamcha grew a little angry. "Damn it! I was saving this move for Son Goku, but fine. I'll show you the power of my Wolf Fang Fist!"
As he spoke, Yamcha unleashed his strongest technique: the Wolf Fang Fist.
But as he charged at Jackie Chun, brimming with fighting spirit, Jackie Chun swept him off his feet at the first clash and sent him flying out of the ring.
The difference in their strength was clear!
The referee immediately announced, "Yamcha is out of the ring! Jackie Chun wins!"
Seeing how formidable Jackie Chun was, Krillin started to panic.
"That old man is amazing! That means I'll be fighting him in the fifth match!"
Chi-Chi immediately encouraged him. "Don't worry, Krillin.
"You're much stronger than that Yamcha. You can definitely beat Jackie Chun."
Unsure just how strong Jackie Chun was, Krillin turned to Goku and asked, "What do you think, Goku?"
Son Goku thought carefully before replying, "A guy like that is already considered very strong in the whole world.
"If we end up facing him, we just have to do our best!"
Krillin froze for a moment, then brightened. "That's true!
"I've already made it to the semifinals of the World Martial Arts Tournament. That's pretty impressive!"
Chi-Chi and Goku chimed in together. "Exactly! You're already amazing!"
Krillin scratched his head.
"Hehe, yeah!
"But now that I've made it this far, who wouldn't want to go even further?"
Just then, the referee's voice reached them.
"Third match: Nam versus Chi-Chi! Would the contestants please come to the ring!"
Krillin quickly said, "Chi-Chi, it's your turn. Good luck!"
Goku also gave Chi-Chi an emphatic nod. "Good luck!"
Chi-Chi clenched both fists,
gave them a reassuring look,
then trotted toward the ring on her little legs.
They both assumed their opening stances. The referee didn't waste any time and called out, "Third match, begin!"
Chapter 45: Chi-Chi's Impressive Performance
Nam pressed his palms together, seemingly praying for something.
As soon as Chi-Chi stepped onto the ring, she began warming up.
"One, two, three, four. Two, two, three, four..."
Seeing little Chi-Chi, Nam said apologetically, "Little girl, even though you're just a child,
"I have a reason I must win, so I'm sorry!"
Chi-Chi stopped warming up and assumed her opening stance.
"You don't have to go easy on me. I've been through training just as strict as Goku's!
"You won't beat me that easily!"
As she spoke, Chi-Chi suddenly charged at Nam.
Since she was small, she had to know how to avoid her own weaknesses and target her opponent's.
As soon as she got close, she suddenly attacked Nam's lower body.
Her strike was as fast as lightning, swift and sharp.
However, Nam easily dodged the move and leaped high into the air.
"Where'd he go?"
Chi-Chi lost sight of her target and hurriedly searched for Nam in every direction.
At that moment, a shadow fell across her face, cast by the sun.
Chi-Chi looked up and saw Nam coming down with a kick.
In the blink of an eye, Chi-Chi kicked off the tiles beneath her feet,
sliding two meters backward across the ring.
She narrowly dodged Nam's downward kick.