Preliminaries Begin

In the nighttime rain, lightning tore across the sky. Only scattered pedestrians hurried along the streets. A child stood before a shop window, captivated by the exquisite toys inside, completely unaware of the danger closing in. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck the massive clock on the clock tower. With a deafening crash, chunks of stone from the clock came plummeting down, about to crush the unsuspecting child.

At that critical moment, a figure appeared beside the child in an instant. Calmly raising a finger, the person fired a sharp beam of light at the falling rubble, reducing it to powder in an instant and scattering it into the air. The child's mother rushed over and pulled the child into her arms, still trembling as she thanked the figure. Yet the figure merely paused slightly. His gaze remained cold, and without even turning his head, he vanished into the rainy night.

The mysterious man who had saved someone yet shown no mercy was none other than King Piccolo, walking alone through the night. Though he disdained entanglements with humans, he had revealed a faint trace of kindness buried deep within his heart at a crucial moment.

The next day was clear and bright. Splendid fireworks burst over the martial arts tournament grounds, while children gathered around, cheering excitedly as they watched.

"Grandpa, did you bring my martial arts uniform?" Goku leaned close to Master Roshi and asked with a grin.

"You've all grown up so much. Why are you still thinking about wearing Kame Style uniforms? I really didn't bring any, and your old one probably doesn't fit anymore," Master Roshi said with a sigh as he looked at Goku's now-tall figure.

"Hehe, looks like it's time for a new one!" Goku scratched his head and smiled sheepishly.

Goku and the others entered the arena, ready for the upcoming matches. Krillin and Yamcha had both changed into their familiar Kame Style uniforms, looking especially spirited. Just when no one expected it, Goku walked over wearing a brand-new Kame Style uniform as well.

"Goku, you're wearing one too? I thought you were going for a new style!" Krillin said with a surprised laugh as he looked at Goku's outfit.

"Hehe, I had it ready a long time ago! No matter how much I grow up, I can't throw away the spirit of the Kame Style!" Goku patted his uniform.

As Goku and the others prepared for the tournament, a figure slowly approached. The man wore a white cape, and his green skin and sharp gaze made him instantly recognizable—King Piccolo! A suffocating pressure blanketed the area. Yamcha, Krillin, and Tien Shinhan broke out in cold sweat. Though they had trained for years and believed their strength had greatly improved, the shadow cast by King Piccolo was still difficult to erase.

He's only three years old and already this big. He grew much faster than I did. Once I have Gohan, he and Piccolo will be about the same age. No wonder they got along so well in the original story. Goku, meanwhile, studied Piccolo with great interest.

Piccolo stared at Goku with blazing eyes. A cold hostility seeped from his silence. The two faced each other, neither speaking first. Tension filled the air, as though they were competing to see whose presence was more imposing.

Suddenly, a hand tapped Goku's shoulder from behind. Goku turned around and immediately saw a familiar face. The girl wore a simple martial arts uniform. Her hair was glossy black, and there was a heroic air in her eyes. Smiling, she called out, "Son Goku."

Goku froze for a moment, then his eyes lit up. "Chichi! So it's you!" he said with a smile. He was clearly surprised, but even happier to see that Chichi had come to this lively martial arts tournament.

"Wow, she's such a beautiful girl! I'm so jealous of Goku!" The moment Krillin and Yamcha saw Chichi, they excitedly began whispering to each other. Both of them looked at Goku with unconcealed envy, seemingly completely captivated by Chichi's beauty and charm.

Chichi could not help smiling at that, the corners of her lips lifting slightly. She looked at Goku, her eyes filled with familiar concern and tenderness.

"Hey, Chichi, I didn't expect you to enter the tournament too. Ready to show everyone what you can do today?" Goku was in high spirits.

Chichi's gaze was gentle, but also held a hint of challenge. "Hmph, even if you're strong, I'm not afraid of you." Her tone was playful, as though she wanted to tease Goku.

The atmosphere around them suddenly became much more relaxed. Krillin and Yamcha continued talking quietly. "Those two really do seem close. Their relationship looks pretty good too." They exchanged a glance, apparently envious that Goku had a companion like her.

Outside the arena, although the audience could not see the matches inside, the crowd was still incredibly packed. Master Roshi had been squeezed into the very front, surrounded by enthusiastic beauties. Taking advantage of the crowd, he targeted a nearby woman and suddenly buried his face in her chest. Startled, she immediately slapped him across the face. "Have you gone senile, old man?!" Master Roshi was instantly struck so hard that stars spun before his eyes.

Still, this sort of thing was practically routine for him. Rubbing his face, Master Roshi put on a confident smile and continued boasting. "Haha, don't let my age fool you! Back in my youth, I was a legend in the martial arts world! I was the strongest fighter in the world!" The moment he finished speaking, several women began looking at him admiringly and even asked for his autograph.

Bulma stood nearby, rolled her eyes at him, and could not help saying, "Master Roshi, you really have no shame anymore! You actually make a living by bragging!"

Several women continued crowding around Master Roshi and chatting with him, apparently seeing nothing wrong with him at all, as though they had been completely dazzled by his "world's strongest" aura.

The preliminary draw began. Chiaotzu stood nearby, squinting at the lots. Then he gave a light wave of his hand, using his psychic powers to ensure that Goku and the others were drawn into separate groups. Goku glanced at his number and casually curled his lip, seemingly unconcerned by the result. Krillin, however, held his number carefully, a trace of nervousness on his face.

He could not help turning his head to sneak a look at Chichi beside him. Dressed in her simple martial arts uniform, Chichi stood out brilliantly among the crowd. Krillin's heartbeat quickened, and he swallowed hard. He had clearly been charmed by Chichi's smile.

Goku saw right through Krillin's thoughts and could not help chuckling. Those two might actually be pretty good together.

"Hey, Krillin, why do you keep staring at that cute girl?" Goku walked over and deliberately teased him.

Krillin was abruptly interrupted. His face turned even redder as he hurriedly lowered his head. "I-I'm not doing anything. I just think Chichi is really cute."

Goku was assigned to the first match, and everyone's eyes immediately focused on him.

Standing on the ring, Goku yawned, looking completely unbothered.

The contestants below discussed it among themselves, sighing, "Poor King Gurumes. He's run into Son Goku twice in a row. What terrible luck." When those words reached King Gurumes's ears, he immediately felt irritated. Gritting his teeth, he muttered, "Son Goku is the one who should be unlucky!"

He glared at the opponent before him, who did not look nervous in the slightest, and decided to stop wasting words and attack directly. King Gurumes assumed a stance for a fierce assault, his muscles tense and his eyes locked tightly on Goku. I can't let this guy have his way so easily again. I have to give it everything I've got.

"Come on!" King Gurumes let out a low roar and charged at Goku. He was so fast that he blurred before the eyes, his right hand chopping fiercely toward Goku's chest in an attempt to end the match with one blow.

Yet Goku remained completely still, showing no reaction at all. King Gurumes's palm came down, just about to strike Goku—when Goku suddenly vanished.

King Gurumes froze, then swiftly looked around, his eyes full of caution. He looked left and right, up and down, but could not find any sign of Goku. The entire arena fell into deathly silence, as though time itself had stopped.

Just as anxiety surged through King Gurumes, he suddenly felt a gust of wind behind him. The instant he turned around, Goku was already standing at his back.

"Ah?!" King Gurumes cried out in terror. Just as he tried to turn around and counterattack, he suddenly heard a soft puff of breath beside his ear.

Whoosh!

Before King Gurumes even had a chance to react, Goku's gentle breath blew him away. He flew helplessly out of the ring like a fallen leaf. Astonished cries erupted from the crowd below as King Gurumes crashed to the ground, completely dazed.

Tien Shinhan, Yamcha, and Krillin stood at ringside. Though they had already witnessed Goku's strength before, every time they saw him act, they still could not suppress their shock.

"So strong..." Tien Shinhan murmured, his expression complicated. "I really can't believe it. How exactly does he do that?"

Yamcha nodded deeply as well. "He was just too fast. Even I couldn't see how he made his move..."

Krillin's eyes widened as he watched Goku standing in the middle of the ring, as though he had never exerted any effort at all. An involuntary smile appeared on his lips. "Just as I thought. Goku... he's already surpassed us..."

They all sighed in amazement, but soon their gazes shifted to Chichi beside them. Chichi wore a smile as she watched Goku without blinking, her eyes holding both relief and joy. Though she said nothing, anyone could see from her expression that she was very happy with Goku's performance.

He really is getting stronger and stronger, Chichi thought silently, a trace of tenderness flashing through her eyes.

Piccolo, standing in the distance, appeared somewhat disdainful. He stood in the shadows with a cold smirk on his lips, seemingly uninterested in the entire scene. In his eyes, King Gurumes's attack had been nothing more than a boring little scuffle.

As the matches continued, Tien Shinhan, Yamcha, Krillin, and Chichi all easily defeated their opponents, and the atmosphere gradually became more relaxed and cheerful. Everyone performed exceptionally well. Goku in particular defeated his opponent without the slightest effort, leaving almost no suspense.

Just as everyone was preparing to relax, the atmosphere in the arena suddenly changed. When it was Chiaotzu's turn to fight, he was suddenly knocked down by a fierce attack. He passed out at once and crashed heavily onto the ring. The audience erupted into an uproar, with many unable to understand what had happened.

"Chiaotzu!" Tien Shinhan cried out and immediately rushed toward the ring, his expression turning grim. He quickly crouched down to check on Chiaotzu and found that he had already lost consciousness. His face was pale, his breathing rapid, and he had clearly suffered serious injuries.

"What happened?" Yamcha frowned as he walked over. "How is that possible? He clearly—" Before he could finish, his gaze suddenly froze. He had spotted someone standing on the other side of the ring.

"Mercenary Tao..." Tien Shinhan said through gritted teeth.

That was right. The man who had appeared beside the ring was none other than the former senior uncle of the Crane Style—Mercenary Tao.

Compared to the Mercenary Tao of the past, this man was clearly somewhat different. He stood there in a pink battle suit, and it was obvious that he had been transformed into a cyborg.

Goku and the others hurried over as well, their expressions complicated as they looked at Mercenary Tao. Goku could not help chuckling as he stepped forward and said, "I didn't expect you to become a cyborg, Mercenary Tao."

Mercenary Tao's gaze locked onto Goku, and a mocking smile appeared on his lips. "Son Goku, you actually dare show your face here? You must have a death wish. Don't get eliminated too soon. Wait for me to come take your life." His voice was so cold that it sent shivers down everyone's spine.

Then Mercenary Tao turned to Tien Shinhan, his eyes full of hatred. "And you, Tien Shinhan. Traitor of the Crane Style. Once I deal with Son Goku, you're next."

Goku gave Chiaotzu a Senzu Bean. Chiaotzu quickly recovered, stood up, and rubbed his head. "Thank you, Goku."

Chiaotzu looked at everyone, his expression somewhat embarrassed. "Actually... I lost because I saw that my opponent was my senior uncle, Mercenary Tao. I was so frightened that I didn't dare attack, and he knocked me down in one move."

Tien Shinhan looked at Chiaotzu. "Don't worry, Chiaotzu. I'll avenge you. Mercenary Tao may be a cyborg now, but he's still just a minor player. You don't need to be afraid of him anymore."

Chiaotzu lowered his head and looked at Tien Shinhan gratefully. "Thank you, Tien Shinhan. But... I..."

Tien Shinhan patted Chiaotzu's shoulder. "You were brave enough. Don't blame yourself anymore. Don't worry, I'll definitely take care of someone like Mercenary Tao."