The showdown between Goku and Illip was highly anticipated by all.
Some said that during the World Martial Arts Tournament five years ago, had Goku not faced Illip—the global champion of that tournament—so early on, he would have easily made it into the top three of the 20th Tenkaichi Budokai finals. After all, he was Gohan's grandson and the disciple of the Muten School.
"What a pity. I didn't think Goku would run into Illip this early again. Must be fate!" someone in the audience murmured.
"Who cares? As long as it's a good match. It's been five years, they must have gotten stronger!" another laughed.
"These people have no eye for talent. You think Goku would lose to that guy?" Bulma grumbled at the chatter around her. When she glanced at her father, Dr. Brief, silently smiling with a cigarette in his mouth, her cheeks turned red. She argued, "I mean, Goku spent a whole year training hard under Grandpa Muten—there's no way he'd lose now!"
"Yes, yes, you're absolutely right," Dr. Brief nodded cheerfully, doing his best to avoid irritating his daughter.
By then, the two fighters on the arena had already exchanged several rounds.
They were among Earth's top young martial artists, but neither had gone all out yet. Since this was their second fight, both wanted to feel out how much the other had improved over the past five years.
Boom!
Their elbows clashed midair with a dull thud. Four eyes locked with fighting spirit crackling between them, like sparks flying. At once, they both lashed out with kicks that sent them tumbling backwards, landing steadily on their feet.
"You've improved a lot, Goku," Illip said as he wiped the corner of his mouth.
"Heh heh..." Goku trembled slightly with excitement. That was his nature—he was slow to get into the rhythm of a fight, but the stronger his opponent, the deeper he could dig into his own potential. At times, he could even defy all logic and unleash incredible power.
Illip took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, his expression growing more serious. "But if that's all you've got, you won't beat me... I don't want to drag this out, so from here on, I'll show you what I'm really capable of. Don't take me lightly."
He lowered his stance slightly. The aura of a reigning Tenkaichi Budokai champion erupted from him. The pressure around him twisted and deepened, his ki swirling and multiplying several times over in intensity, spilling into the air like a heavy fog.
"That's the Muken!" Yamcha cried out from the contestants' waiting area. "It's Illip's Muken! I heard that back at the tournament five years ago, he already reached the third level of the Muten Tower, and through his enlightenment there, he grasped real ki. That means he can fully unleash the true power of the Muken in reality!"
"This is bad... Goku's in danger!" Yamcha's face turned grim—but then he noticed Krillin beside him, looking completely confident.
Surprised, Yamcha asked, "You're not worried about Goku? Sure, he's strong, but against Illip, who's mastered the third level of Muken..."
Krillin shook his head with a calm smile, eyes fixed on the screen. "You don't get it. I have absolute faith in Goku... He's not normal! He's different from us—different from everyone. There's something incredible inside him. I'm sure of it. Master Roshi poured his heart into training Goku, and only in a fight like this can that effort be fully revealed. Just watch—no matter who the opponent is, Goku will win!"
Yamcha fell silent, then turned back to the screen and muttered, "No way something like that could be true..."
---
"Just as expected! As soon as Illip unleashed the power of the third-level Muken, Goku started to struggle! He's falling behind fast, with barely any chance to fight back. Could he lose again, just like five years ago?" the announcer's voice sped up, working the crowd into a frenzy.
All around the world, eyes were glued to this match—whether in the arena or in front of a screen. Even viewers from other regions, upon hearing about the showdown between Illip and Goku, tuned in or made their way to West City just to see it.
Boom!
With a sudden burst of speed, Illip landed a solid punch that sent the unguarded Goku flying.
"Is Goku still not going to take off his wristbands?" In a quiet corner of the spectator stands, Hathaway wore toad-shaped sunglasses as she shelled some nuts and popped one into Taro's mouth. She asked offhandedly, "How heavy is he right now? I remember Krillin saying he's wearing 100 kilograms... but Goku? Doesn't he adjust his training weight even more often than Krillin?"
Wearing the same style sunglasses, Taro's hair remained the silvery gray Hathaway liked, though he'd shaved his beard—something she insisted on for a change of mood. His eyes stayed on the arena, where Goku was now climbing to his feet. He wiped blood from his face with the back of his hand and seemed to be smiling—no fear in his eyes, only a blazing will to fight.
"Now Goku's standing up and... what's he doing? He's... taking off his wristbands?" the announcer's voice rang out. "Illip has paused too, seemingly giving Goku time to prepare. Huh... he looks like he's in pain. Could it be the last clash injured him so badly that even removing a wristband hurts?"
The crowd erupted in curious murmurs. Everyone was puzzled—what was Goku doing?
"He's finally taking them off. Looks like the pressure from Illip got to him too," Krillin said with a chuckle—but then his expression suddenly changed. He muttered, "No... Goku's ki... it's growing way too strong!"
"What?" Yamcha looked confused, not understanding what Krillin meant.
In the stands, Taro whispered to Hathaway, "Goku... the weight he's wearing now is probably around 600 kilograms."
"What?!" Hathaway was shocked, removing her sunglasses to get a better look at the arena.
Goku struggled with all his strength to take off the wristband from his right arm. The moment it came off, the magical pressure woven into his training gi vanished. The crushing weight, like a mountain on his back, instantly disappeared. Goku nearly floated off the ground. He casually tossed the wristband aside, his eyes locked onto Illip's, a sharp glint bursting forth.
"A real fight..."
"You... wait, his ki?!" Illip's expression suddenly changed—but before he could react, Goku vanished on the spot.
From what seemed like the distant sky, his voice echoed by Illip's ear: "...is only just beginning!"