Videl's Crisis

The adult division tournament was held on the second day. There were far more participants than in the junior division, and their skill levels varied wildly. Son Gohan, Vegeta, Goku, Kashu, Lazuli, Cell, Krillin, Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, and Chiaotzu all signed up, occupying most of the spots in the top ten. However, the appearance of one person caught everyone off guard.

Mr. Satan. This self-proclaimed "strongest man on Earth" had become an idol to all of humanity after "saving" the world during the Cell Games seven years ago (a feat actually achieved through luck and edited footage). His daughter, Videl, had followed in his footsteps to become the new generation's fighting star. "Mr. Satan! Mr. Satan!" The cheers from the stands were deafening. Wearing his signature red cape, sporting a mustache, and showing off his muscular build, Mr. Satan looked every bit the powerhouse. He stepped onto the ring, waved to the crowd, and then spotted Goku and his group. "You guys again?" Mr. Satan frowned. "How are you lot here again?" Goku laughed and said, "Mr. Satan, long time no see! We're here to compete!"

"Hmph," Mr. Satan raised his chin. "I won't go easy on you this time! I'm going to show you what real martial arts looks like!" Vegeta sneered but said nothing. The preliminary rounds for the adult division used an elimination format. Goku and Vegeta were placed in different groups and both advanced with ease. Kashu and Cell didn't even break a sweat, defeating their opponents with a single strike.

Son Gohan's path to advancement was also smooth, until he encountered an unexpected opponent in the round of sixteen: Videl. The two stood on the ring, locking eyes.

"Son Gohan," Videl said seriously, "I won't go easy on you just because you're my boyfriend." Son Gohan gave a wry smile. "I won't either. But Videl, be careful—I won't let you get hurt." "Underestimating me?" Videl scoffed. "Take this!" She rushed forward, delivering a beautiful spinning kick toward Son Gohan's head. Son Gohan leaned back slightly to avoid it, the tip of Videl's shoe passing just centimeters from the tip of his nose. Videl launched a continuous assault, using both punches and kicks in a display of flashy, fierce techniques. Her fighting skills were indeed excellent, definitely top-tier among ordinary people. But compared to Son Gohan, the gap was like that between an ant and an elephant. Son Gohan only dodged, never attacking, each movement perfectly timed to avoid Videl's strikes. He didn't want to hurt her, nor did he want her to lose too embarrassingly. "Son Gohan! Fight seriously!" Videl grew anxious. "Are you mocking me?" Son Gohan paused. "I'm not..."

"Then show me your real strength!" Videl said angrily. "I know you're strong, but I don't want to be treated like some fragile vase that needs protecting!" Son Gohan looked into Videl's eyes, seeing the unyielding flame burning within them. He took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright. I'll fight seriously." Son Gohan's figure suddenly vanished.

Before Videl could react, a hand rested gently on her shoulder. She turned to see Son Gohan standing behind her with a smile on his face. "Give up," Son Gohan said. "You've already lost."

Videl bit her lip, a flash of frustration in her eyes. But she knew Son Gohan was right—if he had wanted to win, the match would have ended in the first second. "I give up," Videl whispered. The referee declared Son Gohan the winner. Videl turned and walked off the ring, her shoulders trembling slightly. Son Gohan caught up to her and took her hand. "I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to embarrass you." "I know," Videl said, looking up with slightly reddened eyes. "I just... I'm frustrated. I've wanted to be a martial artist since I was a child, to be the best in the world like my father. But today I realized I'm just not good enough." Son Gohan squeezed her hand. "You don't need to be the best in the world. You just need to be yourself." Videl looked at Son Gohan's face; there was no mockery, no pity, only sincerity. She couldn't help but smile and wipe away her tears. "You nerd, when did you get so good at talking?" Son Gohan blushed. "I... I was just telling the truth." The two walked off the ring hand-in-hand, while Mr. Satan watched from nearby, his face turning livid. He had never known his daughter had a boyfriend. And that boyfriend was that "nerd" Son Gohan? "Hey!" Mr. Satan charged over. "What did you do to my daughter!" "Dad!" Videl blocked him. "We're just dating!" "Dating?!" Mr. Satan's eyes widened. "I don't approve! My daughter should marry someone stronger! At least stronger than me!" Son Gohan scratched his head. "Mr. Satan, I think I'm stronger than you, aren't I?" Mr. Satan's face turned the color of a pig's liver. "What did you say?!"

Just then, a commotion broke out on the ring. A short man in strange attire jumped up, pointed at Mr. Satan, and shouted, "So you're the Satan who deceives the world? 'Strongest man on Earth'? It's all a lie!"

Mr. Satan roared, "Who are you?" The short man sneered. "I am a man from another world. The life and death of Earth is at stake, and you mortals are still playing these boring games!" His ki suddenly erupted, and a powerful pressure enveloped the entire venue. Goku, Vegeta, Son Gohan, Kashu, and Cell all stood up at once. "This ki..." Goku frowned. "It's strong. About the level of a Super Saiyan 2." "More than that," Vegeta said. "It's still climbing." Kashu's gaze sharpened. "They're here." Several figures appeared behind the short man: an elderly man with a tall stature, wearing ornate robes and a crown; a clown holding a magic staff; a burly, hulking man; and a thin figure shrouded in shadows. The tall elder stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "I am the East Supreme Kai," he said. "One of the highest deities in the universe. I have come to Earth to prevent an ancient evil from awakening." He looked toward Son Gohan at the edge of the ring, his brow furrowed.

"Son Gohan, your power... is too weak. Much weaker than I imagined." Son Gohan was stunned. "What?" "All of you," the East Supreme Kai looked around, "are not strong enough. Once that evil awakens, you will all be killed." Mr. Satan laughed loudly. "What Supreme Kai? What evil? Are you putting on a show?" No one laughed.

Goku walked up to the East Supreme Kai and looked at him seriously. "What evil are you talking about?" The East Supreme Kai took a deep breath. "Majin Buu." The name struck everyone's heart like a bolt of lightning. Kashu's pupils contracted sharply. He had read the name in ancient texts from alien ruins—Majin Buu, one of the oldest evils in the universe, a being feared even by the gods. "Majin Buu... is still alive?" Kashu's voice was low. "He is in a sealed state," the East Supreme Kai said, "but the seal is weakening. An evil wizard is attempting to break it." He looked into the distance, his gaze piercing through the stadium walls toward West City. "The wizard's name is Babidi. He has already arrived on Earth."