Five Years of Change

New Vegeta City, autumn. The morning sun shone over the city, lighting up its wide streets and orderly houses. After five years of expansion, New Vegeta City had grown from a small town into a medium-sized city, with a permanent population of nearly two hundred and complete infrastructure—schools, hospitals, training centers, research centers, farms, and factories. Kashu stood on the roof of the council hall with his arms folded, looking down over the city. Five years had turned him from a nine-year-old child into a fourteen-year-old boy. He stood 1.7 meters tall, with a lean, sturdy build. His long black hair was tied into a high ponytail with a band, revealing his sharply defined profile. He wore a modified Turtle School martial arts uniform—an orange top, blue pants, and a black belt tied around his waist, with the character "龟" printed on the back. "Big brother!"

A familiar voice came from below. Kashu looked down and saw Son Goku waving at him. Twelve-year-old Son Goku wore the same martial arts uniform as Kashu. His hair was a little longer than it had been five years ago, but he still had that familiar round face and a bright, innocent smile.

"Kakarot, have you finished today's training?" Kashu jumped off the roof and landed in front of Son Goku. "Done! A hundred-kilometer weighted run, two thousand push-ups, two thousand sit-ups, and two hundred Ki Blast shots!" Son Goku counted on his fingers. "Big brother, my Ki Blast accuracy is up to ninety-five percent now!"

"Not bad." Kashu patted his younger brother on the head. "But it's still not enough. The World Martial Arts Tournament is about to begin, and your opponents might be much stronger than you think." "I know! Krillin has improved a lot, too. We sparred the day before yesterday, and I almost lost to him!" "Krillin is certainly very talented," Kashu said. "Come on, it's time to meet up at Kame House. Master Roshi said he'd give us one last bit of guidance before the tournament." The two took to the air and flew toward the East Sea. Kame House was still the same little two-story villa, with its white beach, blue sea, and palm trees swaying in the breeze. Master Roshi was sprawled in a beach chair, holding a copy of Fitness Girls. When he saw his two students flying over, he lazily waved at them. "You're here? Krillin's already inside."

Krillin came out of the house. At eleven, he had grown a lot taller over the past five years. He was still bald, but his body was already taking on a muscular shape. He wore the same martial arts uniform as his fellow students and had a confident smile on his face. "Senior Brother Kashu, Goku!" Krillin ran over. "You're finally here!" "Krillin, your ki is even stronger than it was last month." Kashu sensed it. "You've broken through ninety thousand?" "Ninety-two thousand!" Krillin said proudly. "I just learned a new technique yesterday. It's called the Destructo Disc—it compresses ki into a disc that can slice through anything. Want to see?" "No need. Save it for your opponent," Kashu replied with a smile. Master Roshi put down his magazine and sat up, wearing a serious expression for once. "Children, sit down. I have something important to tell you." The four students—Kashu, Son Goku, Krillin, and Yamcha, who had joined them later—gathered in front of Master Roshi. Yamcha had been twenty-four five years ago and was now twenty-nine, but he was still a student of the Turtle School.

"This year's World Martial Arts Tournament will be different from the past," Master Roshi said. "Three powerful opponents will be competing." "Who are they?" Krillin asked. "First, Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu of the Crane School," Master Roshi said. "Master Shen is my junior fellow disciple, and the Crane School has always been the Turtle School's rival. Tien Shinhan is said to be descended from the Three-Eyed Clan, and his strength is unfathomable. Chiaotzu may be small, but he excels at psychic powers." "The Three-Eyed Clan?" A curious light flickered in Son Goku's eyes. "What's that?" "An ancient warrior race, said to have once fought across the universe," Kashu explained. "Their third eye can see the flow of ki and predict their opponents' movements. If Tien Shinhan really is descended from the Three-Eyed Clan, he's certainly not to be underestimated." "Who's the second opponent?" Krillin asked. "King Chappa's students," Master Roshi said. "King Chappa was the champion of the previous World Martial Arts Tournament. You should have seen him five years ago. His Eight-Hand Fist is astonishingly powerful, and he's trained several strong students over the years." "And the third?" Son Goku asked.

Master Roshi's expression grew grave. "Demon King Piccolo." Silence fell.

"Demon King Piccolo?" Krillin's voice trembled. "The Demon Clan king who nearly destroyed the world three hundred years ago?" "Yes." Master Roshi nodded. "Three hundred years ago, my master, Mutaito, used the Evil Containment Wave to seal him inside an electric rice cooker. But the seal began to weaken a few years ago. Kashu, you know about this." Kashu nodded. "I went to check on it. The seal will hold for a while longer, but not much longer. If Demon King Piccolo really does break free and enter the tournament, he'll be coming for the world." "So you'll have to face powerful opponents in the tournament and guard against Demon King Piccolo's schemes." Master Roshi looked at his four students. "I'm old, so I won't be competing this time. But remember—the true meaning of martial arts isn't defeating your opponent. It's surpassing yourself." "We'll remember!" all four replied together.

In the autumn of Age 747, registration opened for the World Martial Arts Tournament. The grounds of the East Sea tournament arena were packed with people. Martial artists from all over the world had gathered there: some were built like iron towers, others lean and agile as leopards, and still others wore strange outfits that drew attention. Kashu, Son Goku, Krillin, and Yamcha arrived at the registration area. After five years of growing up, they were no longer the little kids who had once carried turtle shells on their backs. Kashu was fourteen and nearly as tall as an adult. Son Goku was twelve; though he still looked like a child, his eyes held a resolve beyond his years. Krillin was eleven, his bald head gleaming in the sunlight. "Senior Brother Kashu, look over there." Krillin suddenly tugged at Kashu's sleeve and pointed to the other side of the registration line. Three tall young men stood there in matching dark blue martial arts uniforms, each with the character "拳" embroidered on the chest. They all had buzz cuts, sharp eyes, and an air of aggression. "Who are they?" Son Goku asked. "Students from Orin Temple." Krillin's expression darkened. "I studied at Orin Temple for a while. Those three are my senior brothers—Kong Ming, Kong Zhi, and Kong Hui. They always looked down on me and called me a 'coward.' I didn't expect them to enter the tournament, too." "That's the temple you said bullied you?" Kashu asked. "Yeah." Krillin lowered his head. "They always picked on me and said I was too small and had no talent. I couldn't take it anymore, so I ran away and eventually found Master Roshi." Kashu patted Krillin on the shoulder. "You're not the same person you were back then. Hold your head up." Krillin took a deep breath and raised his head. Just then, the three Orin Temple students spotted him, too. Kong Ming, who led the group, curled his lips in a scornful smile and came over with the other two. "Well, if it isn't little Krillin!" Kong Ming looked down at him. "Five years, and you're still just as short. So, what did you learn at the Turtle School? How to serve tea to an old man?" "Senior Brother Kong Ming, it's been a long time." Krillin's voice was calm, but Kashu could feel the ki inside him stirring. "Senior Brother? You're calling me that now?" Kong Ming laughed. "I suppose it makes sense. You're still beneath us. Don't get knocked out in the first round and bring shame on Orin Temple." "Orin Temple?" Krillin smiled back. "Sorry, I'm a student of the Turtle School now. Orin Temple has nothing to do with me." Kong Ming's face darkened. "What did you say?"

"I said Orin Temple doesn't deserve to be my school." Krillin enunciated each word. Kong Ming flew into a rage and slapped at Krillin's face. The blow cracked through the air, carrying at least three years' worth of power. But Krillin only tilted his head slightly and dodged it. "Senior Brother Kong Ming, you're too slow," Krillin said. "Is that all Orin Temple taught you?"

Kong Ming's face flushed red. He was about to attack again when a slender hand landed on his shoulder. "That's enough." The speaker was Kashu. He stood beside Krillin, watching the three of them calmly. "This isn't the place to fight. If you have a problem with Krillin, settle it in the ring." Kong Ming looked Kashu up and down. The boy looked no older than fourteen or fifteen, but his gaze was so steady it made Kong Ming uneasy. "Who are you?" "Kashu, a student of the Turtle School. And Krillin's senior brother." Kong Ming snorted. "Fine. See you in the ring." He turned and left with the other two. Krillin let out a breath and looked gratefully at Kashu. "Senior Brother, thank you."

"What are you thanking me for? You could have handled him yourself," Kashu said. "Krillin, you're far stronger than they are. Don't hold back at the tournament." "Okay!"

Five hundred and twelve contestants entered the preliminaries, competing for eight spots in the main tournament. Kashu's first opponent was a middle-aged man who used nunchaku. Kashu didn't even raise a hand. A glance and a slight release of ki were enough to send his opponent flying out of the ring. Son Goku's first opponent was a burly sumo wrestler. With a casual Ki Blast, he punched a hole in the ground beneath the wrestler's feet, throwing him off balance and sending him tumbling to the ground. Krillin's first opponent—unfortunately—was Kong Hui of Orin Temple. "Krillin, I didn't expect to face you in the first round," Kong Hui sneered. "Perfect. Now you can see the true strength of Orin Temple." "Let's do this." Krillin took the Turtle School's opening stance. Kong Hui moved first. He threw a lightning-fast high kick at Krillin's head. Krillin leaned back to dodge, then planted his hands on the ground and swept at Kong Hui's supporting leg. Kong Hui jumped to avoid it, turned in midair, and kicked at Krillin's chest. Rather than retreat, Krillin stepped in and took the kick on his shoulder. It landed with a dull thud, but Krillin didn't budge. "Is that all your strength?" Krillin raised his head, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes. Kong Hui's expression changed. His foot felt as if it had struck an iron plate, and the shock left it numb. "My turn." Krillin drove a straight punch into Kong Hui's stomach, doubling him over. Then he followed with an uppercut that sent him flying off the ring and into the guardrail by the stands. The entire arena fell silent. "K-Krillin wins!" the referee stammered. Krillin dusted off his hands and stepped down from the ring. Kong Hui lay outside the arena, eyes wide, muttering, "How is this possible... How can he be so strong..." Kashu watched from below, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. Krillin had used only a tenth of his strength in that punch. If he'd really gone all out, Kong Hui wouldn't have just been sent flying—he would have been blasted to pieces. When the preliminaries ended, the eight finalists were announced: Kashu (Turtle School, age 14); Son Goku (Turtle School, age 12); Krillin (Turtle School, age 11); Yamcha (Turtle School, age 29); Tien Shinhan (Crane School, age 24); Chiaotzu (Crane School, unchanged in appearance); Piccolo (Demon Clan, age unknown); and King Chappa (former champion, age 55). "Four of the eight are on our side," Krillin said, counting the names. "Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu, and Demon King Piccolo... none of them will be easy." "Yamcha, who are you up against in the first round?" Son Goku asked. Yamcha looked at the bracket, his face going pale. "Demon King Piccolo. Bad luck." "Piccolo is very strong," Kashu said. "Don't try to fight him head-on. If things feel wrong, surrender." "I know..." Yamcha grimaced. Kashu was matched against King Chappa. Son Goku was matched against Chiaotzu. Krillin was matched against Tien Shinhan. "Senior Brother, I'm up against Tien Shinhan?" Krillin swallowed. "The descendant of the Three-Eyed Clan?" "Are you scared?" Kashu asked. "Not really scared, just a little nervous." Krillin scratched his bald head. "But I'll give it everything I've got!" "Good."