Age 750, May 7, World Tournament Arena
Ten
I watched as the announcer called for the next match. Goku’s turn had come, and his opponent was none other than Suruna.
It still felt a little strange to see her here, almost a year after our own fight in the Central Games.
As Suruna’s name was called, I observed her closely. She reached up, gathering her distinctive green hair into a ponytail with practiced ease.
Something about her movements caught my attention. They seemed… different.
When she turned to Goku, offering him a smile and wishing him luck, I noticed something again. The gesture appeared forced, as if it were an imposed behavior rather than a genuine expression. This wasn’t the Suruna I remembered.
In my mind, I could still see the bubbly, enthusiastic woman I’d faced.
Her energy had been infectious, her smile genuine, if a little worn. But now, as I watched her prepare for her match against Goku, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed.
The contrast was stark and unsettling. What had happened to her in the time since our match?
Why did she seem so… different? The carefree spirit I’d known seemed to have been replaced by someone more guarded, more calculated.
As Goku and Suruna made their way to the arena, my mind raced with questions. What could have caused such a dramatic change in her demeanor?
I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about Suruna. Her smile seemed hollow, nothing like the bubbly girl I’d met at the Central games. As she walked towards the arena with Goku, I decided to use [Insight] on her.
“Suruna”
Minako – Lv 33
Race – Human
Age – 20
HP: 72,000
Ki: 55,000
Rep: 0/10,000 Hostile
“Suruna” was kidnapped and forcibly enhanced by the Red Ribbon Army. She endured multiple painful body modifications, increasing her power exponentially. Escaping through a desperate manipulation of a particularly lonely soldier, she now harbors deep trauma and a fierce desire for revenge. Her once cheerful demeanor masks a troubled, conflicted soul.
Battle Power: 195
My eyes widened in disbelief. Her power had increased so much since I last saw her! But it was the description that truly horrified me.
I felt sick. The Red Ribbon Army had done this to her, too?
Forced body modifications… My hands clenched into fists as I thought about what she must have gone through. And to escape the way she did. I wasn’t a fool; I knew what the system meant… I shuddered, not wanting to imagine the depths of her desperation.
Looking at Suruna now, I saw past her fake smile. I could see the pain in her eyes, the tension in her shoulders.
She was a completely different person from the enthusiastic fighter I’d met before. And now she was about to face Goku, with power far beyond what was expected of her.
I watched as the announcer took center stage, his voice booming through the speakers.
“Ladies and gentlemen! Our next match promises to be a thrilling encounter! In this corner, we have the young martial artist, Son Goku, making his martial arts debut on the world stage!” The crowd cheered wildly as Goku waved, grinning from ear to ear. “Let’s give him a round of applause!”
“And in this corner.” The announcer continued after the applause had abated. “We have the enigmatic Suruna! This skilled martial artist has been making waves in the fighting world for years, but mysteriously vanished ten months ago!”
The crowd murmured with intrigue. I saw Suruna tense up, her eyes darting around nervously.
“But fear not, fight fans! It seems Suruna wasn’t idle during her absence. Sources suggest she underwent an intense, esoteric training regimen in the wilderness, honing her skills to new heights!”
The spectators erupted in excited cheers. Suruna’s shoulders relaxed slightly, though her smile seemed forced to me.
“Will Suruna’s secret training give her the edge? Or will Goku’s natural talent prevail? We’re about to find out!”
As the crowd roared, I couldn’t shake my confusion concerning something about Suruna. Why was her view of me hostile now?
Did she not know we were on her side?
I suppose it makes sense, considering she’s likely been surviving alone this whole time, unsure of who to even talk to, let alone trust. I thought sadly.
Beside me, Krillin nudged my arm. “Man, look at Goku! He’s so pumped up!”
Yamcha nodded in agreement. “Yeah, it’s getting me fired up just watching!”
Their excitement contrasted sharply with my unease. If only they knew what Suruna had been through. As Goku and Suruna took their fighting stances, I held my breath.
I shook my head.
I couldn’t stop the match to talk to her. In fact, there was nothing that could stop this at this point.
Perhaps before, I could have continued to seek out the Red Ribbon Army after my ‘final’ battle with Blue, but instead I had prioritized the oldest quest in my quest journal— that of my Gamer powers, as well as the destruction of the universe.
It had seemed a prudent move at the time, but when it came to ‘what-ifs’, nothing ever was clear.
As I grappled with my thoughts, the announcer’s voice cut through the air. “Let the match begin!”
Goku wasted no time, launching himself at Suruna with incredible speed. His small frame became a blur as he zigzagged across the arena, trying to catch Suruna off-guard. But Suruna was ready.
As Goku’s fist came within inches of her face, she tilted her head ever so slightly, letting the punch whistle past her ear and pivoting gracefully. In the same motion, she countered with a lightning-fast palm strike aimed at Goku’s chest.
Goku managed to twist in mid-air, narrowly avoiding the full force of the blow. He landed on his hands, immediately springing back into a flurry of kicks.
Suruna’s enhanced speed was evident as she weaved through Goku’s assault, her movements so fast that she seemed to leave afterimages. She retaliated with a series of precise strikes, targeting Goku’s pressure points.
The young fledgling fighter, relying on his instincts, managed to block or dodge most of the attacks, but a few connected, causing him to wince. However, his resilience was astounding, and he quickly bounced back, surprising Suruna with a sudden leg sweep.
Despite the surprise, Suruna leapt over the sweep, somersaulting in the air and landing behind Goku.
“Incredible!” I heard someone in the crowd gasp. “It’s like she’s not even there!”
Without missing a beat, she unleashed a barrage of punches aimed at his midsection, hoping to overwhelm him quickly.
Goku crossed his arms in front of him, taking the brunt of the assault. The force pushed him back, his feet skidding across the arena floor.
As soon as there was a split-second pause in Suruna’s attack, Goku uncrossed his arms and tackled her, momentarily pushing Suruna off balance.
Taking advantage of this opening, Goku closed the distance once again, his fist glowing with ki as he prepared to unleash a powerful blow. Suruna’s eyes widened, realizing the danger too late.
The crowd gasped as Goku’s fist connected with Suruna’s midsection, the impact sending ripples through the air. For a moment, time seemed to stand still.
Then, to everyone’s shock, Suruna grabbed Goku’s arm, using his own momentum to fling him towards the edge of the arena. Goku, caught by surprise, tumbled through the air but managed to right himself just before going out of bounds.
As both fighters paused to catch their breath, I could see the mixture of excitement and confusion on Goku’s face. He was clearly enjoying the challenge, but also puzzled by Suruna’s level of power.
Suruna, on the other hand, wore a mask of determination, but I could see the conflict in her eyes. This wasn’t just a tournament fight for her— it was something much more personal and painful.
Goku, however, wasn’t done. As Suruna pressed her advantage, closing in for what looked like a finishing move, Goku suddenly dropped low. In a move that caught the woman by surprise, he swept Suruna’s legs out from under her.
The crowd erupted in cheers as Suruna, for the first time, lost her footing. She managed to turn her fall into a backward roll, quickly regaining her stance, but the surprise was evident on her face.
“Unbelievable!” The announcer shouted. “Just when Suruna seemed to have the upper hand, young Goku turns the tables! This match is far from over, folks!”
As the two fighters squared off again, I could see the determination in both their eyes. Goku was grinning, clearly enjoying the challenge, while Suruna’s expression had hardened into one of intense focus. The opening exchanges had set the stage, but I knew this fight was only just beginning.
Suruna’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of frustration crossing her face. She suddenly burst forward, her speed increasing dramatically.
Her movements became a blur, leaving afterimages in her wake as she unleashed a barrage of ki-enhanced punches.
Goku’s eyes widened in surprise. He managed to block the first few strikes, but Suruna’s enhanced speed proved too much. Several punches broke through his guard, connecting with his chest and face. The young man was sent reeling, struggling to keep his footing.
“Oh my! Suruna has kicked it into high gear!” The announcer exclaimed. “Goku is taking a harsh beating! Will he be able to stay standing, or is this the end?”
Just as Suruna prepared what looked like another finishing move, her fist glowing with concentrated ki, Goku’s instincts kicked in. He used his small size to his advantage, squeezing to the side of Suruna’s arm at the last second. The powerful punch whistled by his head, missing by mere millimeters.
In that split second, Goku spun around and launched a surprise attack, landing a solid kick to Suruna’s chin. The woman was flung back, caught off guard by Goku’s unexpected maneuver.
Suruna recovered fairly quickly, her face a mask of frustration. She charged at Goku again, her speed now so great that she seemed to vanish and reappear. Goku found himself on the defensive once more, barely avoiding critical hits as Suruna’s attacks came from all directions.
In a desperate move, Goku leapt high into the air, hoping to gain some breathing room. But Suruna was ready. She appeared above him, her leg already swinging in a powerful axe kick.
The kick connected, sending Goku plummeting towards the edge of the ring. The crowd held its collective breath as Goku seemed destined for a ring-out.
“Is this the end for young Goku?” The announcer cried.
But at the last possible moment, Goku used a burst of ki to propel himself back into the ring, rolling to his feet just inside the boundary line.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Goku was a hair’s breadth from ring-out! But this young fighter just won’t stay down!” The announcer shouted, his voice filled with awe.
Suruna’s frustration was palpable now. Her eyes, once focused, now burned with an intensity that sent chills down my spine. She launched into a series of devastating combos, her movements so fast they were almost impossible to follow.
Goku managed to block or dodge some attacks, but many found their mark. A vicious uppercut sent him airborne, followed by a knee to his midsection that knocked the wind out of him.
Goku hit the ground hard but immediately rolled to his feet, his determination unwavering.
There he goes and does it again. I thought in astonishment. The beatings he can take, and just shrug off… a hallmark of this ‘Saiyan’ race, huh…?
Goku, for his part, was bruised and breathing heavily, but his eyes still held that spark of excitement. This challenge was pushing him to his limits, and he was loving every second of it.
Suruna, however, was far from pleased. Each time Goku got back up, her attacks became more ferocious. She charged up a ki blast in her palm, the energy crackling ominously.
“Watch out, Goku!” I heard Krillin yell from beside me.
Suruna released the blast, and for a moment, it seemed like Goku had no chance to avoid it. But at the last second, he cupped his hands at his side.
“Ka… me… ha…” He said as he stepped to the side, her blast crashing against a palm tree and tearing it to bits, filling the air with shards of wood. “Me… HA!”
A blast of brilliant blue energy erupted from Goku’s hands, colliding with Suruna’s follow-up blast mid-air. The resulting explosion rocked the arena, forcing many spectators to shield their eyes.
Out of the smoke, however, erupted the Kamehameha wave, crashing into Suruna and exploding with brilliant light, sending her crashing into the arena floor.
The announcer’s voice cracked with excitement. “Incredible! Just when all seemed lost, Goku unleashes a technique beyond his years! This match is anyone’s game!”
As the dust settled, both fighters were at opposite ends of the ring, panting heavily. Suruna’s eyes widened in disbelief as she struggled to push herself off of the floor. She had clearly underestimated Goku’s power.
This realization, however, only seemed to fuel her anger, allowing her to get back to her feet. With a cry of frustration, she charged at Goku with renewed ferocity. Her attacks became wilder, more unpredictable. Goku, despite his fatigue, continued to narrowly escape her most dangerous strikes.
“Unbelievable, ladies and gentlemen!” The announcer shouted. “Suruna’s power is overwhelming, but Goku’s evasion is nothing short of miraculous!”
I could see the toll this fight was taking on both of them. Goku was covered in bruises, his gi torn in several places. Suruna, while less visibly injured, was clearly burning through her enhanced stamina at an alarming rate.
Taking that Kamehameha head on can’t have been easy, either.
The fight had reached a fever pitch. Both Goku and Suruna were pushed to their limits, their movements becoming more desperate with each exchange. Suruna’s enhanced power was still evident, but her attacks had lost some of their earlier precision, fueled more by frustration than technique.
Goku, despite his exhaustion, maintained his focus. His smaller frame was now working to his advantage, allowing him to slip through gaps in Suruna’s defense that a larger fighter couldn’t have exploited.
The announcer’s voice was hoarse from excitement. “Both fighters are pushing beyond their limits! Who will emerge victorious in this battle of wills?”
Suddenly, Suruna unleashed a massive ki blast, pouring all her remaining energy into the attack. The crowd gasped as the energy illuminated the entire arena.
“This could be it, ladies and gentlemen!” The announcer cried.
But Goku, in a display of incredible insight, didn’t try to block or counter the blast. Instead, he waited until the last possible moment, then used his extraordinary agility to leap high over it.
The powerful blast continued past him, leaving a scorched path across the arena floor. Suruna, having expended so much energy, momentarily sagged in exhaustion.
Goku, seizing the opportunity, landed behind her and immediately swept her legs. Caught off-guard and off-balance, Suruna stumbled backward.
In a flash, Goku dodged her wild swipe and, with a determined shout, he used all his remaining strength to push Suruna.
Already off-balance and exhausted, Suruna couldn’t regain her footing. She teetered on the edge of the ring for a heart-stopping moment before finally falling outside the boundary.
The stadium erupted in cheers as the announcer’s voice boomed. “Unbelievable! Goku wins by ring out! What an incredible display of strategy and timing!”
Goku, panting heavily, managed a weak smile and assumed a victory pose. Suruna, lying on the ground outside the ring, looked shocked and defeated. The frustration in her eyes gave way to a mix of emotions— anger, disappointment, and something that looked almost like relief.
As medical staff rushed to check on both fighters, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration for Goku’s resourcefulness. He had managed to overcome Suruna’s enhanced abilities not just with strength, but with clever tactics.
Yet, as I watched Suruna being helped to her feet, my worry for her returned. The battle was over, but I knew her struggle was far from finished.
The tournament might be continuing, but for Suruna— and for all of us facing the threat of the Red Ribbon Army— the real fight was just beginning.
I couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions. The announcer’s voice echoed through the arena, declaring a five-minute recess to prepare for the next match: Krillin versus Jackie Chun.
The world continues to turn regardless of what’s going on.
Krillin’s face paled visibly, and I could almost see the doubt creeping into his eyes. He gulped audibly, his gaze darting between the arena and the imposing figure of Jackie Chun in the distance.
Yamcha, bless his heart, placed a reassuring hand on Krillin’s shoulder.
“Hey, don’t sweat it, Krillin.” He said with a grin. “Remember how well you did in the preliminaries? You’ve got this!”
Krillin nodded, but I could tell Yamcha’s words hadn’t fully convinced him. The young fighter’s shoulders were still tense, his hands clenched at his sides.
Seeing his nervousness, I decided to chip in.
“Krillin.” I said, offering him a smile. “Don’t worry about the spectators. They’re not here to hurt you. Just focus on your fight; doesn’t matter if you have one watcher or a thousand, right? Just do your best.”
Krillin looked at me, a glimmer of appreciation in his eyes, but still seemed unsure.
Just then, Goku finally made it back to our group in the contestant’s box. Despite his obvious exhaustion and beatdown, his face was lit up with his characteristic grin.
“Goku!” Krillin exclaimed, momentarily forgetting his own nervousness. “That was amazing!”
Yamcha nodded in agreement. “Yeah, man, congratulations on that win. It was a tough fight! Suruna was something else, for sure.”
I added my own words of praise, genuinely impressed by Goku’s performance. “You really pulled through in the end there, Goku.”
Goku, still catching his breath, managed to give us all a thumbs up. “Thanks, guys! It was a really tough fight. Suruna was so strong!”
As the others continued to congratulate Goku, I couldn’t help but notice Krillin’s expression. He seemed to be drawing strength from Goku’s victory, his earlier nervousness giving way to determination.
The five-minute recess was nearly over, and soon it would be Krillin’s turn to step into the arena. As he began to psyche himself up for the match, I found myself hoping that he would find the confidence he needed to face Jackie Chun. After all, in this tournament, anything seemed possible.
Not that I expected him to win. Knowing “Jackie’s” true identity, I figured the old man had a plan, and it certainly didn’t involve losing to his own student.
As Krillin stepped onto the stage, I could see his nervousness begin to fade, replaced by a look of determination. The announcer, always eager to engage the crowd, began his introductions with enthusiasm.
“Ladies and gentlemen, our next match promises to be just as exciting! In this corner, we have the young Krillin!” The announcer paused, his eyes flickering between Krillin and Goku. “Say, Krillin, I couldn’t help but notice your outfit is similar to Goku’s. Are you two from the same school?”
Krillin nodded, his voice wavering with uncharacteristic shyness as he replied. “That’s right. Goku and I both have studied under Muten Roshi.”
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Even the announcer seemed taken aback for a moment before his excitement doubled.
“Did you hear that, folks? These young fighters are students of the legendary Muten Roshi himself! No wonder we’ve been treated to such a spectacular match with Goku! And now, we’re about to witness another display of the Turtle School’s prowess!”
I couldn’t help but smile as I watched the crowd’s reaction. The reverence they held for Roshi was palpable, and it seemed to bolster Krillin’s confidence even further.
Beside me, Goku scratched his head, looking confused. “Huh, I didn’t know the old man was so famous.”
“Are you kidding, Goku?” Yamcha said, shaking his head in dismay. “The old master is the most powerful fighter in the world! Being able to train under him is a true privilege.”
I had to stifle a laugh. If only either of them knew that the very man he was about to watch Krillin fight was none other than Roshi himself in disguise. The irony of the situation was not lost on me.
Suddenly, a loud rumble cut through the air. I turned to see Goku clutching his stomach, a sheepish grin on his face.
“Hehe, guess that fight made me hungry.” He chuckled.
Reaching into my [Inventory], I pulled out a stack of NutriBars.
“Here.” I said, offering them to Goku. “These should help tide you over.”
Goku’s eyes lit up as he took the bars.
“Thanks, Ten! You’re the best!” He immediately began to munch on one, his attention divided between the food and the impending match.
As I watched Krillin and ‘Jackie’ take their positions in the ring, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. This match was bound to be interesting.
I wondered how Roshi would handle fighting his own student, and how Krillin would fare against his disguised master.
The crowd’s cheers grew louder as the announcer prepared to start the match. Whatever was about to unfold, I knew it would be a fight to remember.
The crowd hushed as Krillin and Jackie Chun took their positions on opposite sides of the arena.
Krillin’s face was a mixture of determination and nervousness as he settled into a stance I’d seen Goku take— feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, left hand extended forward, and right hand pulled back near his waist.
This was the Turtle School stance, I was assuming?
Jackie Chun, in stark contrast, stood casually with his hands clasped behind his back, a slight smile playing on his lips. His relaxed posture seemed almost mocking, and Krillin’s eyes narrowed in response.
The announcer’s voice boomed through the stadium. “Fighters ready? Begin!”
Krillin wasted no time. He exploded forward, closing the distance in a flash. His left fist shot out in a quick jab aimed at Jackie Chun’s solar plexus.
Before the punch could land, Jackie simply leaned back, the fist stopping just by mere millimeters from its target.
Undeterred, Krillin followed up with a rapid succession of strikes. A right cross targeted Jackie Chun’s jaw, but the old master tilted his head, letting it sail past his ear.
A left hook came next, which Jackie Chun ducked under with surprising agility for his apparent age.
Frustrated by his inability to land a hit, Krillin changed tactics. He dropped low, attempting to sweep Jackie Chun’s legs. But the old master simply hopped over the successive sweeps, landing gracefully as Krillin’s attacks passed harmlessly beneath him.
Not giving up, Krillin immediately transitioned into a rising uppercut, putting all his strength into the upward strike.
Jackie Chun leaned back, Krillin’s fist missing his chin by a hair’s breadth.
Seizing what he thought was an opening, Krillin launched into a spinning roundhouse kick, his leg whipping through the air with impressive speed.
But Jackie Chun was already moving, bending backwards at the waist so far that his head nearly touched the ground. Krillin’s kick passed harmlessly over him, the wind from the near-miss ruffling Jackie Chun’s beard.
As Krillin’s momentum carried him past, Jackie Chun straightened up, still not having thrown a single punch. The old master’s eyes twinkled with amusement, while Krillin’s face showed a mix of frustration and growing determination.
The crowd watched in awe, murmuring at the display of speed and agility from both fighters. But it was clear that Jackie Chun was in a league of his own, having effortlessly avoided every one of Krillin’s attacks without so much as throwing a punch.
As they squared off again, Krillin’s mind raced, trying to figure out how to land even a single hit on his seemingly untouchable opponent. Little did he know, the real test was only just beginning.
Krillin’s brow furrowed in concentration. He feinted a right jab, then suddenly dropped into a low sweep. Jackie Chun effortlessly hopped over the sweeping leg, but Krillin was ready. He planted his hands on the ground and kicked upwards with both feet, aiming for Jackie Chun’s chin.
The old master once again bent backwards, Krillin’s feet whooshing past his nose. As Krillin landed back on his feet, he immediately launched into a spinning back fist. Jackie Chun ducked under the attack, Krillin’s knuckles grazing his hair.
He was starting to get closer to his mark, adapting to his opponent’s strange movements.
And so, Krillin followed up with a flurry of punches, his fists becoming a blur. For his part, Jackie weaved through the barrage, his head bobbing and weaving with liquid grace. Left, right, up, down— no matter where Krillin aimed, Jackie Chun wasn’t there.
In a desperate move, Krillin leapt into the air, attempting a flying kick. Jackie Chun simply sidestepped, leaving Krillin to land awkwardly on the arena floor.
As Krillin stumbled from his missed flying kick, Jackie made his move. With lightning speed, he appeared behind Krillin. Before the young fighter could react, Jackie lightly tapped the top of Krillin’s head with two fingers.
“Too slow, my boy.” Jackie chuckled.
Krillin spun around, throwing a wild haymaker in frustration. Jackie Chun caught the punch in his open palm, then gently pushed Krillin’s chest with his other hand. The push was soft, almost playful, but it sent Krillin skidding back several feet.
The crowd gasped at the display of Jackie Chun’s speed and control. Krillin, however, felt a fire ignite within him. The old man was toying with him!
With renewed determination, Krillin charged forward.
He launched into a complex, unorthodox combination. A low kick aimed at Jackie Chun’s knee was followed by a quick jab to the solar plexus. As Jackie Chun moved to avoid these, Krillin transitioned into a spinning elbow strike.
Jackie Chun dodged each attack, but his movements were less exaggerated now. He raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed by Krillin’s strange form.
Likely that Krillin has been practicing this in secret.
Krillin pressed his advantage, mixing in techniques he had learned as well as some he’d come up with on his own. He sped up, creating after-images to surround Jackie.
The old fighter’s eyes darted from image to image, a slight frown of concentration on his face. Krillin saw his opportunity and struck, aiming a powerful kick at Jackie Chun’s midsection from behind.
But Jackie Chun wasn’t fooled. At the last second, he spun around, catching Krillin’s ankle mid-kick. With a twist of his wrist, he sent Krillin tumbling across the arena.
Krillin rolled to his feet, panting but grinning. He had forced Jackie Chun to actually defend himself.
It hadn’t amounted to much, but it was progress.
“Incredible!” The announcer called out. “Though Krillin is unable to land a single strike, he has finally managed to acclimate to Jackie’s speed and forced him to defend himself!”
Having gathered himself for another round, Krillin approached Jackie Chun more cautiously this time, fists raised in a traditional guard. Suddenly, he threw a right hook with all his might. Jackie Chun, as expected, moved to block it.
But it was a feint. At the last second, Krillin dropped low, attempting to sweep Jackie Chun’s legs. The old master, caught by surprise, hopped to avoid the sweep. That’s when Krillin’s chance came. He did a few more sweeps, as he had done before, but Krillin abruptly spun his body during a sweep, channeling all his power into a surprise back kick. His foot rocketed upward, aimed squarely at Jackie Chun’s midsection.
For a moment, time seemed to slow. Jackie Chun’s eyes widened slightly, realizing he had underestimated Krillin’s creativity. He twisted his body, trying to avoid the kick, but he wasn’t quite fast enough.
Krillin’s foot grazed Jackie Chun’s side, the impact audible even over the roar of the crowd. It wasn’t a solid hit, but it was contact— the first Krillin had managed to make.
Jackie Chun landed lightly, a hand touching the spot where Krillin’s kick had connected. He nodded approvingly, a small smile playing on his lips.
“Not bad, kid.” He murmured, just loud enough for Krillin to hear.
The crowd erupted in cheers. Krillin had finally broken through Jackie Chun’s seemingly impenetrable defense! As they faced each other again, Jackie Chun’s eyes narrowed, a glimmer of respect visible beneath his playful demeanor.
Emboldened by his success, Krillin’s mind raced with new strategies. He darted towards the edge of the arena, using the boundary as a springboard to launch himself high into the air. Jackie Chun tracked his movement, preparing for an aerial attack.
But Krillin had other plans. Before he jumped, he used the Afterimage Technique, creating multiple illusions of himself jumping towards Jackie Chun from different angles. The old master’s eyes darted from one image to another, trying to discern the real threat.
Krillin used this moment of confusion to ricochet off one of the arena’s corner posts. He shot towards Jackie Chun like a bullet, coming from an completely unexpected angle.
Jackie Chun realized the deception a split second too late. He began to turn, but Krillin was already upon him. The young fighter managed to land a solid elbow strike to Jackie Chun’s upper back, followed by a quick kick to the back of his knee. Krillin pressed his advantage as his opponent turned to fight him. Krillin feinted a low kick, causing Jackie Chun to shift his weight slightly. In that split second, Krillin changed directions, launching himself into the air.
Time seemed to slow as Krillin corkscrewed his body, building momentum for a powerful spinning elbow strike. Jackie Chun’s eyes widened, realizing he had underestimated Krillin’s speed.
With a resounding thud, Krillin’s elbow connected solidly with Jackie Chun’s chest. The old master stumbled back a few steps with a grunt, clearly struggling.
Not wasting the opportunity, Krillin followed up with a lightning-fast jab aimed at Jackie Chun’s face. Though Jackie Chun managed to lean back at the last second, Krillin’s knuckles grazed his cheek, ruffling his fake beard.
The crowd erupted in cheers, amazed to see the seemingly invincible Jackie Chun on the defensive.
As Jackie Chun regained his footing, a change came over him. The playful glint in his eyes faded, replaced by a look of intense focus. His casual stance shifted, feet sliding into a perfect defensive position.
“Well done, boy.” Jackie Chun said, his voice carrying a new edge of seriousness. “But playtime is over.”
The air around Jackie Chun seemed to vibrate with energy. Krillin felt a chill run down his spine, sensing the dramatic shift in his opponent’s demeanor.
In a blur of movement, Jackie Chun closed the distance between them. Krillin barely had time to raise his guard before a flurry of strikes rained down on him.
Jackie Chun’s hands moved with impossible speed, targeting pressure points across Krillin’s body. Krillin blocked frantically, but for every strike he deflected, two more seemed to slip through his defense.
A palm strike to the solar plexus left Krillin gasping. As he stumbled back, Jackie Chun was already behind him, delivering a series of rapid finger jabs to Krillin’s back.
Krillin spun, throwing a desperate roundhouse kick. Jackie Chun ducked under it effortlessly, simultaneously sweeping Krillin’s supporting leg. As Krillin fell, Jackie Chun’s foot lashed out in a blindingly fast axe kick. Only Krillin’s last-second roll saved him from a direct hit, the force of Jackie Chun’s heel cracking the arena floor where Krillin’s head had been a moment before.
Krillin scrambled to his feet, his breathing heavy. He launched into a combination of punches and kicks, putting everything he had into each strike. But Jackie Chun was always one step ahead, slipping past Krillin’s attacks with fluid grace.
A lightning-fast hook to the side of his head dazed him. As Krillin tried to put distance between them, Jackie Chun followed up with a kick aimed at his ribs. Krillin managed to block the strike in time, but the momentum sent Krillin tumbling to the side.
Showing his resilience, Krillin attempted to recover with a handspring. But Jackie Chun was already there, appearing behind Krillin mid-flip.
As Krillin landed, Jackie Chun’s elbow struck the back of his head, sending him staggering forward. Krillin’s vision swam, his legs wobbling as he fought to stay conscious.
The crowd watched in awe as Jackie Chun systematically dismantled Krillin’s defenses. It was clear that the tide of the battle had turned dramatically.
Krillin, battered but unbowed, raised his fists once more. Despite the overwhelming odds, the young fighter’s eyes still burned with determination. The match was nearing its climax, and Krillin was determined to go down fighting.
Krillin, battered but not beaten, summoned his Ki. A faint blue aura surrounded his body as he channeled his energy, enhancing his speed and strength. With renewed vigor, he charged at Jackie Chun.
Jackie Chun’s eyes narrowed, recognizing the basic technique.
Wow. I thought. He’s certainly been busy.
As Krillin unleashed a barrage of Ki-enhanced punches, Jackie Chun’s own aura flickered to life, staying close to his body. His movements became even more fluid, dodging Krillin’s attacks with superhuman grace.
Seeing no openings, Krillin instead leapt back, cupping his hands at his side. “Ka… me…”
Jackie Chun’s eyebrows raised in surprise. There was no way he’d managed to master it!
“Ha… me…” A blue orb of energy formed between Krillin’s palms, growing in intensity.
Jackie Chun slid into a defensive stance, bracing himself.
“HA!” Krillin thrust his hands forward, releasing a powerful Kamehameha wave directly at Jackie Chun.
The beam of energy illuminated the entire arena, eliciting gasps from the crowd.
The blast reached Jackie, exploding with a brilliant light, blinding everyone for a few seconds. When the dust settled, Jackie was down on the ground.
Krillin stared down at his opponent for a few seconds as the announcer began to count to ten. He lowered his arms, finally relaxing.
“Wrong move, son.”
Before Krillin could even react, Jackie appeared behind Krillin, his hand poised for the final strike. Krillin, sensing the danger, began to turn. But he was too slow, too drained from his Kamehameha.
Jackie’s hand, glowing with focused Ki, struck the back of Krillin’s neck with surgical precision. Krillin’s eyes widened in shock, then slowly closed as consciousness left him. He crumpled to the ground, his Ki aura fading away.
Jackie Chun stood over his fallen opponent, a look of respect in his eyes. The stadium fell silent for a moment, then erupted in thunderous applause.
As the medical team rushed to check on Krillin, the announcer’s voice boomed through the speakers.
“Incredible! What an astounding display of skill and power! Jackie Chun emerges victorious, but let’s hear it for young Krillin’s valiant effort!”
The crowd cheered wildly, acknowledging both fighters’ performances.
Krillin began to stir, groaning as he regained consciousness. Jackie Chun knelt beside him, offering a hand to help him up.
“You fought well, young one.” Jackie Chun said, loud enough for nearby spectators to hear. “Your skill with Ki at such a young age is impressive. Keep training, and you’ll go far.”
Krillin, despite his disappointment, managed a weak smile.
“Thank you, sir.” He said, his voice filled with respect. “How did you get me?”
“Your use of the Kamehameha was novel— I hadn’t seen it coming.” Jackie said, though he shook his head. “But it’s clear that you aren’t anywhere near mastering it. I pretended to be defeated and, when you let your guard down…”
“You got me.” Krillin finished and laughed. To think he would have fallen for such an underhanded technique…
As they left the arena together, the crowd continued to cheer.
In the contestants’ area, Goku bounced with excitement, a stack of eaten NutriBars beside him. He looked eager to congratulate his friend on a battle well fought. I couldn’t blame him. It had been a good match.
Well done, Krillin.
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