As the matchups for the quarterfinals were announced, the audience eagerly awaited the first official match while chatting with their friends.
"I remember Tien Shinhan—he was the champion last time! That handsome guy with three eyes!"
"Three eyes? That's so weird... Wait, you went to Papaya Island to watch the last tournament? That was five years ago! How come I didn't know about this...?"
"Yamiru? That strange name sounds familiar..."
"He was also a former champion of the tournament! That Son Goku in the third match—he was the runner-up who lost to Yamiru back then."
"What?! So, along with King Chappa, that means three of the quarterfinalists this time are past champions?!"
"That's insane..."
Nearby, the audience continued their lively discussions. Bulma, leaning over the front railing, teased, "Goku got matched up with his brother right away. So, one of those two Saiyans is definitely going home at the quarterfinals, huh? Haha!"
"Bardock, who do you think will win between Goku and Raditz?" Gine asked, looking up at him.
Bardock, standing at a towering 1.8 meters, had golden hair and blue eyes. (A rough-looking yet cool uncle—scratch that.) His muscular frame and silent demeanor created an unapproachable aura, naturally clearing a space around him, allowing the group to secure a prime viewing spot in the front row.
Hearing Gine's question, he replied, "If Kakarot has been to Korin Tower, he'll win for sure. As things stand now, it's fifty-fifty."
Gine was surprised. "Goku hasn't been to Korin Tower yet?"
After leaving home to train under Master Roshi, Goku had been sent off to travel the world for further training.
In Gine's mind, a martial arts sanctuary like Korin Tower should be quite famous. Had her silly son really wandered around the world for years without visiting it? As for Bardock's judgment—she had no reason to doubt it.
"Kakarot and Raditz are at about the same level. They haven't reached the stage where their power can grow rapidly yet. Learning to control ki a day earlier or later doesn't make much difference," Bardock said indifferently. "Besides, building a strong foundation before advancing isn't a bad thing. Saiyans are too impatient."
"I see..." Gine smiled. "Well, as long as Kakarot is healthy and strong like he is today, I'm already satisfied."
"Chi-Chi got matched against that desert bandit," Tights mused, stroking her chin. "Doesn't look like she has much chance of advancing."
Gine leaned in. "You shouldn't underestimate that little girl—she's quite strong."
"Bandit?" Bulma's curiosity was piqued. "That scruffy-looking hottie was a bandit before?"
Tights was about to explain to her sister, but at that moment, the blonde-haired announcer on stage spoke into the microphone, officially announcing the first match of the quarterfinals: King Chappa versus Tien Shinhan—a battle between two former World Martial Arts Tournament champions!
"Let's focus on the match first," Tights said.
The audience played along, cheering, clapping, whistling, and taking photos to hype up the atmosphere.
Tien Shinhan and King Chappa walked from opposite sides of the archway toward the center of the arena.
"King Chappa is really unlucky," Tights remarked with a chuckle, recalling what Yamiru had told her. "Running into Tien Shinhan again."
On the stage, King Chappa wore an expression of deep frustration. As the blonde announcer declared the start of the match, he took his stance and muttered, "I'm so lucky..."
Normally, he would've expected Tien Shinhan to respond with a "What?" or something similar. But to his surprise, the three-eyed martial artist showed no reaction at all. Left to himself, King Chappa smirked coldly and continued, "...With both you and Yamiru competing this time, my luck is just fantastic. I'll make sure to—ugh!"
His words were abruptly cut off, his eyes rolling back in shock.
Tien Shinhan had vanished from his original position and reappeared in front of King Chappa, his fist buried deep in the latter's abdomen.
"A strike aimed at the forehead, followed by two quick, close-range punches to the stomach," Goku calmly analyzed from behind the archway, watching alongside Yamiru.
"The second punch was clearly pulled back—probably to avoid rupturing his internal organs," Yamiru commented.
Leaning lazily against the wall with his arms folded behind his head, Raditz flicked his tail leisurely and scoffed, "What's the point of watching a fight between weaklings like that, Kakarot?"
Son Goku glanced at him. "Don't say that. Tien might surpass you one day."
"I have to admit, you're good at telling jokes." Raditz rolled his eyes.
"Sorry, but we're not exactly close, are we? I'm not interested in reminiscing with you."
On the tournament stage, Tien withdrew his hand. King Chappa's body hunched over, his toes gripping the tiled floor so tightly from the pain that the stone cracked beneath them. Clutching his stomach, he slowly collapsed to the ground.
Ignoring the applause from the audience, Tien casually walked back behind the Martial Arts Pavilion and said to Yamiru, "I didn't use up much energy, so you better be careful in the next match."
"Hey!" The short, bald-headed Krillin raised his hand. "I haven't lost yet!"
Tien and Goku both looked at him.
"…Alright…" Krillin weakly lowered his hand. "I know I don't have much of a chance against Yamiru."
Outside, the blond referee announced in a loud voice, "The second quarterfinal match of the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament is about to begin!"
Yamiru patted the small bald head and said, "Standing on a stage where you know you can't win is a form of courage in itself."
Krillin looked up at him, confused.
"A martial artist who only knows victory and has never tasted defeat—how can they understand their true strength?" Yamiru said with a lighthearted smile. "Let's go, it's our turn to fight."
Raditz, standing aloof at the side, opened his eyes and gazed at the sky, lost in thought.
"Good luck, Krillin!" Goku cheered him on.
"Let's welcome… Contestant Krillin! And the former champion of the 19th World Martial Arts Tournament, Contestant Yamiru!"
The difference was massive… With his head lowered, Krillin walked out, listening to the announcer's introduction and the roaring cheers of the audience. The pressure was suffocating.
Yamiru strode confidently onto the stage, giving a thumbs-up toward his wife and sister-in-law in the front row.
"Go, Krillin!" Master Roshi waved his wooden staff and shouted, "Teach that brat Yamiru a lesson for me!"
"Like that's gonna happen!" Krillin snapped, baring his teeth at his shameless master. "Seriously…"
"Hey!" Tights crossed her arms, slightly displeased.
Master Roshi, feeling wronged, began ranting about how Yamiru had secretly warned him about something during their first meeting.
"Ahhh~~" Tights suddenly dragged out her words in realization. "So that's what he meant back then."
Bulma covered her mouth, giggling. "Looks like Yamiru understands you pretty well, you old perv."
Master Roshi muttered, "You were cuter when you were still a little kid."
"You really are a pervert!"
"Don't twist my words, I didn't mean it like that!"
Puar quietly floated a bit farther away…
On the stage, Yamiru and Krillin both took their stances, preparing for battle.
"Gulp…" Krillin swallowed hard. Just by watching his fellow disciple assume his fighting posture, he could feel the overwhelming aura pressing down on him. The sheer pressure made a cold sweat run down his forehead, but he still managed to say, "I-I'll give it my all! P-please, don't hold back!"
"As you wish, junior brother." Yamiru replied.
In Krillin's eyes, Yamiru suddenly became completely motionless.
Tap. A footstep echoed—right behind him.
"Wha—" Krillin's eyes widened. "—aaaaah…" Only now did the pain hit him. The stone floor of the ring rushed toward his face. Splat! His nose—oh, right, he didn't have one—slammed into the ground, earning him a spectacular crash landing.
The Yamiru who had been standing still slowly faded away—it was just an afterimage left behind by his Afterimage Technique.
Master Roshi muttered, "He said he wouldn't hold back, and he really didn't… That brat…"
Behind the Martial Arts Pavilion, Tien was stunned. "Did you see his movement, Goku?"
"Yeah," Goku said. "He only used one strike… and he didn't even actually hit Krillin."
Just the wind pressure from a single attack… Tien smiled nervously, cold sweat running down his face.