Hearing the call, Bulma hurried them along.
"Alright, time to assemble. Go on!"
Goku nodded. "See you later—we're going!"
Goku, Chi-Chi, and Krillin dashed for the arena.
With a single leap, all three easily flipped inside.
Watching little Goku, Bulma couldn't stop smiling.
"He hasn't changed—still such a little guy.
I'm seventeen now and he's thirteen.
If I wait until he's eighteen, I'll be twenty-two… that's a bit older.
Sigh…"
Her eyes glinted thoughtfully.
"When Goku grows up, I'll gather the Dragon Balls again
and wish to be four years younger.
Then I'll be the same age as him. Done."
When she snapped back to reality, Roshi was gone.
"Huh? Where'd Master Roshi go?"
…
A moment later, the diligent announcer stepped onto the ring.
"Thanks for waiting!"
"The 21st World Martial Arts Tournament officially begins!"
"The quarterfinal matchups are as follows!"
"Match One: Krillin vs. Bacterian!"
"Match Two: Jackie Chun vs. Yamcha!"
"Match Three: Namu vs. Chi-Chi!"
"Match Four: Son Goku vs. Giran!"
The referee shouted,
"Also, this year's champion prize is 500,000 zeni.
Before we begin, please welcome the tournament director for a short speech!"
"Clap clap clap!"
The crowd applauded wildly.
A dog-headed man walked onto the ring.
"Woof woof!"
Then turned and walked off.
In most places you'd get a long speech,
but here it ended in two words.
The spectators exploded into cheers.
"Well said, Director!"
"Truly moving!"
"Brilliant speech!"
The announcer continued,
"Thank you for the director's wonderful remarks!
Now, contestants for Match One please step up: Krillin and Bacterian!"
"Clap clap clap…"
Krillin and Bacterian climbed onto the ring.
In an instant, a disgusting stench filled the arena.
Many people pinched their noses—some even wore gas masks.
With both fighters ready, the announcer began introductions.
"Contestant Krillin is only thirteen—the youngest competitor in this tournament.
Our other contestant is Bacterian, who has never bathed since birth."
"Are you ready? Falling off the ring is a loss.
Being down for a count of ten is a loss.
Surrendering is a loss. No time limit."
"Match One—begin!"
The fight was… revolting.
Krillin kept backing away, nearly fainting from the stench.
But right as the match started, Goku shouted Krillin's advantage:
"Krillin! You don't have a nose!"
Krillin instantly felt a surge of divine help.
He unleashed everything he'd learned under Roshi,
and effortlessly knocked the reeking Bacterian down.
The announcer was thrilled.
That was martial arts!
"Krillin is too strong! He takes Match One in a flash!"
The crowd erupted in applause.
"That kid's really good!"
"Don't judge a book by its cover!"
Krillin returned backstage to share the joy with Goku and Chi-Chi.
After Bacterian was dragged away, the announcer called out again:
"Match Two—contestants Jackie Chun and Yamcha, please step onto the ring!"
Jackie Chun and Yamcha stepped up.
Yamcha raised his stance carefully, studying Jackie Chun,
who merely stood with hands behind his back like an old master.
No matter how Yamcha looked, he couldn't read him.
"Strange—no stance, no aura.
But this old man beat everyone in one move during prelims.
I don't know anything about him.
I'll have to test him first!"
When both were set, the referee shouted, "Start!"
Yamcha rushed forward and swept a leg kick.
Jackie Chun didn't move his feet—he just leaned back slightly and dodged.
Yamcha followed with a punch to the face.
Jackie Chun calmly tilted his head and avoided it again.
Yamcha missed once more.
Growing impatient, he attacked low with a sweep!
Jackie Chun hopped back, avoiding it too.
Ten, a dozen, more—
Yamcha couldn't touch even a single hair.
Jackie Chun remained calm, while Yamcha panted heavily.
Now Yamcha understood: he was outmatched.
Even the referee saw it and explained,
"Yamcha's attacks are fast, but Jackie Chun is even faster.
He dodges effortlessly. He doesn't move like an elderly man at all!"
Jackie Chun offered a blunt critique.
"Your real combat experience is good, but you have too many wasted motions."
Yamcha's forehead beaded with sweat. "What did you say?"
"I said you have too many useless movements."
Yamcha scowled. "Damn it. I was saving this for Goku,
but fine—let me show you the power of my Wolf Fang Fist!"
He unleashed his strongest move.
Roaring with fierce momentum, he lunged—
and the instant he got close,
Jackie Chun lightly swept him away, knocking him off the ring.
The result was obvious.
The referee announced, "Yamcha is out of bounds. Jackie Chun wins!"
Krillin, seeing how sharp Jackie Chun was, got nervous.
"That old guy is insane… if I win, I'll have to fight him next!"
Chi-Chi encouraged him. "It's okay, Krillin.
You're way stronger than Yamcha. You can beat Jackie Chun."
Krillin still couldn't read him and turned to Goku.
"Goku, what do you think?"
Goku thought seriously.
"Someone like that is already top-tier worldwide.
If we face him, we just go all out."
Krillin blinked, then brightened.
"Right!
I've already made the semifinals of the World Tournament. That's amazing!"
Chi-Chi and Goku both nodded. "Exactly!"
Krillin scratched his head.
"Heh, yeah.
But now that I'm here, who wouldn't want to go even further?"
Just then, the referee's voice rang again:
"Match Three—Namu versus Chi-Chi! Please step up!"
Krillin hurried. "Chi-Chi, that's you! Good luck!"
Goku gave a firm nod. "Good luck!"
Chi-Chi clenched her fists,
shot them a reassuring look,
then ran onto the ring with quick little steps.
Both fighters raised their stances, and the referee didn't waste a second.
"Match Three—begin!"