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(Point of View – Son Ethan)
Leaving the corridor leading us out of the stadium, still holding Mai's hand, I heard a buzz of excitement behind us, like the crowd had just been brought back from a trance. I exchanged a quick look with her, both of us curious and heavy-hearted. It was almost as if the atmosphere was saying, "The fight isn't over."
"I think there's more going on," I muttered, gently letting go of Mai's hand.
She nodded silently, a mute request for me to go see what it was. I pulled away, walking briskly back to the stadium's main area, where the crowd was moving like a sea of frenzied people.
"It's the next fight!" someone shouted beside me, hopping with excitement. "Ma Junior is going to face Krillin!"
My stomach twisted at the name "Ma Junior." That was definitely Piccolo in disguise—or rather, Piccolo Jr. And if I knew that Namekian, I knew he wouldn't show any mercy to an unworthy opponent.
I settled in a spot near the arena, trying not to draw attention but wanting a close view all the same. The arena was practically shaking with anticipation. The sun, previously shy, now burst into a bright glare, as though it wanted to illuminate every detail of the scene.
In the ring, Krillin was already in position, flexing his arms and legs, trying to warm up. Sweat trickled down his gleaming bald head, his expression serious and focused. Despite his short stature, everyone there knew Krillin's reputation as one of the strongest humans on Earth. But on the other side…
"Hmpf," Ma Junior, or Piccolo Jr., took a step forward. His long cape billowed with arrogance, as if even the wind obeyed him. The crowd fell silent. You could only hear the rustling of the fabric in the air and the heartbeat of those watching.
"Krillin, are you ready to lose?" The Namekian's voice was deep, reverberating like restrained thunder.
Krillin took a deep breath, clenching his fists. "Don't underestimate the short guy here, got it?"
"You're gonna tell me you're not afraid?" Piccolo provoked, a dangerous gleam in his eyes.
Krillin forced a grin. "It's not fear, it's respect. But I won't lie: your power is great."
"Then stop talking and fight," the other growled impatiently.
The referee lifted his hand, hesitantly. "W-whenever you're ready…"
Ma Junior didn't even wait for the formal authorization. FWOOOSH! In an instant, he vanished, leaving a blur and a sudden boom in the air. The wind whipped the bleachers, and only then did we see where he'd stopped: mere inches from Krillin, fist raised.
"Ah!" The startled cry echoed through the crowd.
By sheer reflex, Krillin managed to raise his guard, arms crossed in front of his body. SMACK! Piccolo's blow landed like a hammer destroying a flimsy door. Krillin was thrown back, rolling on the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Krillin!" I shouted, gripping the railing in front of me, heart pounding.
He stood up with difficulty, spitting a thin line of blood from the corner of his mouth. "Tch… What power." He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "But… I won't give up so easily."
Piccolo Jr. let out a dry, derisive laugh. "Then I'll have to break you piece by piece."
The crowd was torn between cheering and fear, forming a strange symphony of screams and gasps.
Krillin concentrated, his ki growing like a fire fed by air. I could feel his energy pulsing, invisible waves shaking me to the bones. He launched a swift attack, running along the edge of the ring. TATATATA! His steps sounded light, but determined.
"Kienzan!" he roared, raising his hand. A disc of energy appeared, spinning like a circular saw.
The crowd held its breath. That move was famous for slicing through practically anything, including far stronger enemies. Piccolo didn't back away; he merely curved one side of his mouth in a grin, as if to say, "Seriously, is that all?"
Krillin hurled the Kienzan. VUUUSH! The disc flew, whizzing, ready to slice the Namekian in half. The tension was palpable. Would it be a decisive blow?
"Hmpf." In an almost lazy motion, Piccolo lifted two fingers, aimed at the disc, and fired a bright green ray. ZAP! The Kienzan trembled in midair, losing power until it fizzled out in sparks. Krillin's face was a picture of pure shock.
"How's that possible?!" He stepped back, stunned, before looking at the enemy in front of him like a living nightmare.
"Disappointing," Piccolo Jr. growled, bringing up his knee to strike Krillin's stomach dead-on. THUD! The impact lifted the bald fighter off the ground, forcing out a sharp cry of pain.
The crowd made a collective "ooooh," and even I felt a shudder of empathy.
With a simple wave of his hand, Piccolo finished the blow: WHAM! A punch to the side of Krillin's face, sending him flying out of the ring like an old toy. He hit the ground hard, a cloud of dust rising, and lay there motionless.
The referee ran to check on the fighter's condition, while an expression of shock fell over everyone around. Silence hung for a second before the verdict:
"Krillin is unable to continue! Winner: Ma Junior!"
The audience exploded in a mix of euphoria and horror. Some shouted, others booed, some simply didn't know what to think. I shrank back, feeling a chill down my spine. That display of power was no joke.
Piccolo Jr. let out a classic villain laugh, head held high like he was feeding on everyone's panic. "You think this is the level of Earth's warriors? What a joke."
Krillin was rushed to the infirmary, conscious but injured. Before they took him away, I saw his eyes searching for mine, with a hint of apology, as if he regretted not holding the Namekian off longer. I shook my head, trying to convey some reassurance.
"You'll be fine, Krillin. Rest," I murmured, still uncertain of everything.
While the medical team passed by, giving way to Piccolo Jr., I noticed that he also glanced at me from the corner of his eye. A grin full of meaning appeared, hinting at more storms ahead.
"Looks like there's going to be a lot more fighting to come," I said to myself, sighing.
From a distance, Gina, Tien Shinhan, and other friends watched that green figure leaving the ring victorious, like a predator ready for its next hunt.
It was clear to me that if we wanted any chance of saving our world, we'd have to overcome even bigger barriers. Sadly, Krillin had only been the appetizer for that dark mind. And the way Piccolo Jr. hated anything reminding him of Gina or his allies, this tournament was far from a friendly test.
Deep in my chest, I felt anger mixing with a tinge of fear. But also the determination that only grows when you see someone you care about falling before a merciless enemy.
"Piccolo…" I muttered, clenching my fists until my nails dug into my palms. "If that's how you want to play, let's play."
Maybe I wouldn't be the next to face him, but I knew sooner or later this fight would come for me, for Gina, for all of us who defended the Earth. Because when the darkness grows, the light has to stand up, or everything collapses.
And on that day, I was sure the entire ring would tremble under the true force of destiny. After all, the story of Piccolo and the Z Fighters isn't just another chapter—it's practically a hurricane ready to swallow everyone and everything in its path.
But the tournament isn't over yet, and Ma Junior's easy victory is just another harbinger of the chaos to come. I can't wait to see what this vengeance-hungry Namekian's next move will be. Yeah… we'd better get ready.