After months of grueling training, one might expect the three young disciples to be exhausted or burnt out.
But under Master Roshi's guidance, it was the opposite.
Their time at the Turtle School had been joyful, fulfilling—filled with camaraderie, laughter, and growth.
And in a blink, that final month passed.
The long-awaited day of the World Martial Arts Tournament had arrived.
As they took off their 40-kilogram turtle shells, the effect was immediate.
Their bodies felt light, fast, and powerful—their strength had undergone a total transformation.
Led by Master Roshi, they arrived at the tournament grounds.
It was the first time any of them—Krillin, Goku, and Chi-Chi—had been here.
Even before entering, they could feel it: the atmosphere was electric with martial intent.
"All contestants, please proceed to the Dojo Hall for the Preliminary Round!"
As they approached, a staff member spotted the trio of children and frowned.
"Hey! You kids can't be in here! Spectators wait outside!"
Roshi stepped forward calmly.
"They're not spectators. They're contestants."
"…What?"
The man blinked in disbelief.
What kind of lunatic signs up children for a tournament like this?
But Roshi just nodded, totally serious.
"They've trained hard. They're ready."
After a few more puzzled glances, the three were registered and happily exited the hall.
"From here on, I won't be with you," Roshi told them. "You're on your own now. Do your best."
The three nodded.
Chi-Chi called out, "Master, you'll still be watching from the stands, right?"
"Of course. And remember—don't go all out. This is still a friendly competition."
"Yes, Master!"
As the three disappeared into the tournament crowd—
Roshi looped around the building, put on a disguise, and returned to register again.
"Name: Jackie Chun," he declared.
The staff stared at him blankly.
"What is it this year? First kids, now old men?"
"Is an old man not allowed to enter?" Roshi asked innocently.
"…Fine, fine…"
Inside the locker room, Goku, Krillin, and Chi-Chi changed into their Turtle School gi.
Then they stepped into the tournament arena.
The sea of massive fighters surrounding them was staggering.
Some contestants had biceps bigger than Krillin's entire body.
Goku glanced around with curiosity.
If these muscle-bound fighters had trained under Master Roshi too…
Would they have grown even stronger?
That thought alone made Goku appreciate how amazing Turtle School training really was.
Soon, the announcer stepped forward.
"The 21st World Martial Arts Tournament will now begin!"
"We have 138 contestants from all over the nation—
but only eight will advance to the main event!"
"Preliminaries will be one-on-one bouts.
If you fall off the ring, lose consciousness for ten seconds, or surrender, you lose!"
"No killing. No weapons. Each match lasts one minute—if there's no winner, the judge decides!"
"There are four brackets. Two winners from each bracket will advance!"
"Now, draw your lots!"
Chi-Chi peered at her number. "I'm #23. What about you guys?"
Goku: "#70."
Krillin: "#93."
Chi-Chi looked at the bracket board and grinned.
"Great! We're all in different sections!"
Krillin laughed.
"Lucky me—Goku and I are in the same bracket, but we're far apart in the order. We won't run into each other!"
Just then, the PA system rang out:
"Bracket One! Contestants #22 and #23, please report to the ring!"
Chi-Chi blinked.
"Oh! That's me!"
"Good luck, Chi-Chi!" Goku and Krillin cheered.
Chi-Chi stepped up to the preliminary ring.
Her opponent was a mountain of a man—massive, broad, at least three meters tall.
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Is she seriously a contestant?"
"She's just a kid! And a girl!"
"Poor guy. His opponent's a literal child—what a joke."
The giant man looked down at her, visibly uncomfortable.
"…She's my opponent? This is just sad."
"Match begins in 3… 2… 1… START!"
Chi-Chi stood frozen—staring up at him, nervous.
Then—
"Chi-Chi! You can do it!" Goku shouted from the sidelines.
Her eyes lit up.
'Goku's cheering for me! I can't mess this up!'
With a shout, she charged—
and slammed her head straight into the man's gut.
BANG!
The giant wobbled—then stumbled backward, teetered—
—and fell out of the ring.
Everyone went dead silent.
"Did… that little girl just win?"
"He lost his balance…"
"What a disgrace…"
The crowd murmured in disbelief.
Krillin blinked.
"Whoa. That was clean."
Goku, however, watched the fallen fighter with narrowed eyes.
"It's not just luck. We're way stronger now.
Let's hope he's okay."
Just then, the man groaned and sat up.
Goku exhaled in relief.
"Krillin, Chi-Chi… when your turn comes, don't go all out.
If your opponent isn't strong, pull your punches."
Krillin: "Right."
Chi-Chi, still amazed, stared at her own hand.
"…Am I really this strong now?"
Suddenly, two bald men—one tall and skinny, the other short and round—approached.
Their eyes locked on Krillin.
"Well, well, if it isn't Krillin."
"Heh. Long time no see."
The tall one patted Krillin's smooth head mockingly.
"Still bald, huh? What happened after you ran off from the Shaolin Temple?
You get soft?"
Krillin froze.
His smile vanished.
His fists clenched.
"…S-Senpai…" he whispered.