After Krilin's victory over Chiaotzu, the next match was between Goku and Pamput. As Pamput was a well-known celebrity, his entrance was met with an explosion of cheers from the female audience members.
They applauded enthusiastically, showing unwavering support for Pamput, hoping he would once again prove victorious against his opponent.
Goku, confused, glanced around. He couldn't understand why so many people were cheering for his rival.
Fueled by the crowd's enthusiasm, Pamput began showing off in the ring, flexing his muscles and striking dramatic poses to highlight his physique.
The announcer, eager to capitalize on the moment, allowed Pamput to bask in the attention. Encouraged by the cheers, Pamput launched a powerful kick, instantly shattering the newly reconstructed arena wall.
For an ordinary person, such a display of strength was incredible, leaving the crowd in awe.
Pamput turned to Goku and sneered. "Hey, kid! This is a martial arts tournament, not a playground. You should go home and drink some more milk! Hahaha!"
However, as Pamput reveled in his own arrogance, the Crane Master suddenly leaped into the ring from the stands. Striding toward Goku, he shouted furiously, "You brat! You dared to kill my brother! I will make you pay for this!"
Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu immediately noticed their master entering the ring and attempted to stop him, but John stepped forward and blocked their path.
"Let Goku and the Crane Master settle this themselves," John advised. "If you intervene, things will only get more complicated."
"But don't worry," he added. "If things get dangerous, I'll save the Crane Master for your sake."
Hearing John's words, Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu hesitated, then reluctantly stepped back.
On the ring, Pamput, irritated by the interruption, stormed toward the Crane Master. "Hey, old man! Do you know who I am?! You just interrupted my match—get off the stage!"
Without hesitation, Pamput reached out to grab the Crane Master's shoulder, intending to shove him out of the ring.
But before he could react, the Crane Master seized Pamput's arm, twisted it effortlessly, and hurled him across the stage. Pamput crashed hard against the ground, severely injured and unconscious. Moments later, medics rushed in, carrying him away in an ambulance.
The Crane Master's violent action immediately enraged the crowd. Boos erupted from the stands as spectators demanded that the tournament organizers take action.
However, the tournament officials dared not interfere. This was the legendary Crane Master, the rival of the great Turtle Hermit—far beyond their jurisdiction.
Instead, the officials turned pleadingly to the Turtle Hermit.
"Don't worry," the Turtle Hermit assured them. "Just watch. My disciple will take care of this."
Meanwhile, in the ring, the battle between Goku and the Crane Master had begun.
Despite his fury, the Crane Master was no match for Goku. Within minutes, a swift kick from Goku sent the Crane Master flying out of the ring.
"Damn it!" The Crane Master clutched his bruised face, stunned and furious. He couldn't comprehend how a mere child had such overwhelming strength.
His gaze flickered toward his two disciples—Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu. He shouted, "Are you both just going to stand there like statues?! Your master is being humiliated, and you're doing nothing?!"
Tien Shinhan hesitated before speaking carefully. "Master… I understand what happened to our uncle. But he tried to kill Goku first, and Goku fought back. Kill or be killed—it's the law of the battlefield. Maybe we shouldn't seek revenge."
"You traitors!" the Crane Master spat. "Ungrateful brats! I never should have taught you martial arts!"
He turned back to Goku, his eyes blazing with hatred. "This isn't over! I will return and avenge my brother—you can count on that!"
With that, he shoved past the crowd and stormed out of the tournament grounds.
With Pamput unable to continue, the announcer declared that Goku had won his match by default, securing his place in the semifinals.
The next morning, spectators flooded into the arena, eager for the tournament's final battles. To everyone's surprise, the tournament had essentially become an internal competition among the Turtle School disciples.
The announcer stepped forward, raising his microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen! The moment you've all been waiting for has arrived! Today, we will witness the semifinals! Both contestants hail from the Turtle School: John and Yamcha!"
"Let's give them a round of applause!"
Thunderous cheers erupted from the crowd as John and Yamcha stepped onto the stage.
"I know you've all been waiting for this fight, so I won't waste any more time. I now declare the match officially begun!"
With the announcer's declaration, a staff member struck the large gong, signaling the start of the first semifinal.
Yamcha turned to John. "You're not going easy on me, are you?"
John shook his head. "Of course not. So go all out—otherwise, you might not get another chance to attack."
Taking John's words seriously, Yamcha wasted no time and prepared his stance. He shouted, "New Wolf Fang Fist!"
With lightning speed, Yamcha dashed toward John, his movement resembling a wolf sprinting across the wild plains.
Within moments, he reached John and swung his hands forward like a snarling wolf, aiming directly for John's arms to restrict his movement before launching his strikes.
"BAM! BAM! BAM!" Yamcha's rapid punches landed on John's body.
Yet, despite the attacks, John merely took a few steps back, seemingly unfazed.
Yamcha leaped backward, his eyes wide with disbelief. He couldn't understand why his technique had no effect.
John calmly explained, "The difference in strength between us is too great. I've trained in environments with ten times Earth's gravity, whereas you've only adapted to three times gravity."
"Our physical abilities are leagues apart, so your attacks barely scratch me."
John smirked. "Do you have any other techniques? If not, I'm going to make my move."