Piccolo: Me Fight the Supreme Kai? Me?

Piccolo's eyes flickered as he warned, "Vegeta, those two people from earlier aren't simple. And judging by how they look, they probably aren't Earthlings. You'd better not underestimate them."

"Hmph!"

Vegeta snorted coldly, showing no intention of paying Piccolo any attention. In his eyes, there had always been only one person: Kakarot.

The story continued.

Soon, it was time for the elimination-round drawing.

Son Goku and the others arrived at the tournament ring, where the drawing would take place.

Piccolo's gaze immediately fell on Shin, who stood in one corner of the ring.

Sensing Piccolo's gaze, Shin turned and gave him a faint smile.

Piccolo was instantly frightened into breaking out in a cold sweat and hurriedly lowered his head.

The host of this tournament was an old acquaintance of Son Goku's. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they began the official drawing.

Without Shin deliberately interfering, the results of the drawing were the same as in the original story.

Son Gohan versus Kibito.

Piccolo versus Shin.

Son Goku versus Vegeta.

The others were unimportant.

In the first match, Krillin faced a fat extra and won with ease.

In the second match, Piccolo faced Shin...

Piccolo: ...

Backstage.

Shin smiled at Piccolo, then took the lead in walking toward the tournament ring.

Watching Shin's departing back, cold sweat kept pouring from Piccolo's forehead...

"Piccolo, what's wrong?" Son Goku called out.

Piccolo came back to his senses and realized that his body had been trembling nonstop.

Piccolo forced a smile at Son Goku, then staggered toward the tournament ring.

Son Goku and the others all watched the ring curiously, including Vegeta.

Although he had shown disdain toward Shin and Kibito earlier, he actually took them very seriously. He could sense a faint but ever-present pressure from Shin as well!

A powerful enemy!

That was Vegeta's first thought upon seeing Shin!

It was only that Vegeta's overwhelming pride refused to let him show weakness.

Vegeta stared solemnly at Shin on the ring. Let me see just how strong you really are!

"Both contestants are in position. Then the second match begins now!" the host shouted.

As soon as the host's words fell—

Neither of the two people on the ring moved.

Piccolo stared tensely at Shin across from him. Shin merely stood with his hands behind his back, a faint smile on his face as he watched Piccolo.

Piccolo's mind: Move! Hurry!

Piccolo's body: No! You don't want to!

Piccolo clenched his fists. His mind kept urging his body into action, but at this moment, his body seemed completely beyond his control. He could not summon even a trace of strength.

"Why?!"

Piccolo gritted his teeth. Cold sweat streamed down his forehead, and his face had turned green from the strain, but he simply could not muster any strength.

"Why can't I use my strength? Where has my power gone?" Piccolo panted heavily. At this moment, his mind and body were fighting each other!

His mind urged his body to attack the opponent, but his body had completely given up. Not only did it refuse to obey his mind's commands, it practically spat at his mind as if saying: If you're so capable, then you do it yourself!

Piccolo's strange condition was noticed by his companions, who had been watching the match backstage the entire time.

Son Gohan asked worriedly, "What's wrong with Uncle Piccolo?"

Son Goku scratched his head. "Maybe he isn't feeling well. I thought his complexion didn't look too good earlier."

Vegeta's expression was grave, his eyes fixed firmly on Shin atop the ring...

On the ring.

Piccolo clearly had not done anything strenuous, yet he now felt as though he had collapsed from exhaustion. He could not exert even a little strength, and the cold sweat soaking his body had drenched his cape!

Who... who exactly is this guy?! Piccolo thought in terror.

Shin heard Piccolo's inner voice through telepathy and answered with a smile, "You'll find out soon enough."

Piccolo jolted in fright. The last of his mental defenses completely shattered. Once he gave up the thought of attacking, the body that had refused to obey him moments ago immediately returned to normal.

"Um... contestant, are you all right? Your complexion doesn't seem very good," the host asked Piccolo worriedly from beneath the ring.

Piccolo panted heavily as though he had just gone through a fierce battle. Even his voice sounded weak. "Sorry... I forfeit..."

Shin smiled. "A wise decision."

With that, Shin was the first to walk down from the ring.

Backstage.

Shin gave Son Goku and the others, who were watching him, a faint smile before returning to Kibito's side.

Piccolo returned shortly afterward and was immediately met with everyone's concerned questions.

"Uncle Piccolo, are you okay?"

"Piccolo, was that person really that strong?"

Cold sweat still covered Piccolo's forehead. He secretly glanced at Shin in the corner from the corner of his eye and quietly told his companions, "Yes. He's very strong. The gap between our realms is far too great."

Piccolo's words shocked everyone, including Vegeta.

Although Vegeta did not think much of Piccolo, he still acknowledged Piccolo's strength. If even Piccolo said the gap between their realms was enormous, then one could imagine just how powerful the other man was!

The most frightened person present was probably Krillin, because...

"P-Piccolo... you're joking, right? That person is my opponent in the next match..." Krillin's lips began trembling in fear.

Piccolo did not reply. But his tense expression told Krillin that he was not joking. Krillin immediately wilted... This martial arts tournament might be where his journey ended.

While everyone else was extremely nervous, Son Goku looked curiously at Shin, his eyes gleaming with eagerness. "Is that guy really so strong? I really want to fight him."

At those words—

Piccolo's expression changed as he warned, "Goku, don't do anything foolish!"

Vegeta also said unhappily, "Kakarot, the only opponent you should want to fight now is me! Until then, you are not allowed to think about anyone else!"

Son Goku laughed. "Got it, got it."

Though he said that, Son Goku's eyes still drifted toward Shin from time to time...

Shin likewise turned to look at Son Goku, the faint smile never leaving his face.

Holding a microphone, the host loudly announced to the audience, "The tournament continues! Next is the third match: contestant Videl versus contestant Spopovich!"

As soon as his words fell—

The spectators immediately erupted in thunderous cheers. It was no wonder; Videl was simply far too famous among the public!

Looking at the passionately cheering audience outside, Son Gohan exclaimed, "You're really popular!"

Videl proudly lifted her chin, her face full of delight.

Son Gohan smiled at Videl. "Videl, good luck!"

Videl gave Son Gohan a thumbs-up. "Watch me take him down in no time, Gohan. I'll wait for you in the next match."

"Yeah." Son Gohan nodded.

Then Videl and Spopovich walked toward the tournament ring.

The moment Videl stepped onto the ring, the audience immediately began chanting her name in unison!

"Videl!!"

"Videl!!"

"Videl!!"