"The next match is Yamcha versus Aqi!" the announcer declared.
The audience immediately erupted into lively discussion.
Aqi, the mysterious masked contestant, drew everyone's attention.
Since weapons were forbidden by the rules, Aqi had not brought the katana he usually excelled with into the ring.
Yamcha stood to one side, his eyes fixed intently on Aqi.
"This time, I'm sure I can win," Yamcha said confidently to Krillin.
Krillin nodded and gave him an encouraging smile. "Good luck, Yamcha. I believe you can do it!"
Yamcha smiled faintly, took a deep breath, and stepped into the ring.
Standing in the ring, Yamcha recalled his defeats in the previous two martial arts tournaments. Every loss had left him deeply frustrated, to the point that he had once doubted his own strength.
The feeling of being looked down on by others, of being powerless to strike back, had lingered in his heart.
This time, I absolutely can't fail again! Yamcha swore to himself.
He was no longer the kid who could only rely on Master Roshi's teachings.
Across from him, Aqi wore that mask, making his expression impossible to read. Only those cold eyes could be vaguely seen through its slits, like a beast watching its prey.
Yet Yamcha knew that what hid behind that mask might not be an ordinary opponent.
He understood that anyone able to compete in this tournament had to be exceptional.
Yamcha and Aqi locked eyes, and the atmosphere between them instantly froze.
Yamcha swiftly entered a fighting stance, while Aqi remained calm and unhurried as he slowly assumed his own stance.
Aqi smiled faintly, then suddenly stepped forward and thrust out a hand, lunging at Yamcha like lightning.
He moved so quickly that it was almost impossible to follow, his movements nearly invisible.
Yamcha reacted at