"Next up—Krillin versus Yamcha! Please step onto the stage!"
Both fighters quickly leapt onto the arena.
But after the previous matches, the contrast between them couldn't have been sharper.
Yamcha had just been humiliated—repeatedly struck in that sensitive spot by the frail-looking Shen due to a string of ridiculous "accidents."
Meanwhile, Krillin had defeated Piccolo's offspring with a flawless combo.
Their reputations now stood worlds apart—one soaring in the heavens, the other buried underground.
When the audience saw Yamcha's fairly handsome face, all they could remember were the replay images of him clutching his groin and screaming in agony. Laughter rippled through the stands.
Krillin, on the other hand—short, bald, and plainly dressed—somehow gave off the aura of a true hidden master.
The moment he stepped onto the stage, cheers erupted.
"Krillin! Krillin!"
"Mr. Krillin, I love you!"
"You're amazing!"
The crowd chanted his name in unison.
Watching this from a short distance away, Yamcha clenched his fists.
Seeing Krillin bask in adoration—while he himself had just become a walking punchline—made anger boil in his chest.
To shatter the awkward atmosphere, Yamcha roared and launched the first attack, kicking straight at Krillin.
Krillin stretched his arms—
Afterimage Technique!
Yamcha's kick passed straight through a phantom.
In the next instant, Krillin appeared behind him and stuck out his tongue.
"Hehe, I'm over here!"
Bang!
Krillin's foot slammed into Yamcha's back.
"Aaagh!"
Yamcha crashed to the ground.
"Whoa—what a clean kick!"
"Mr. Krillin is incredible!"
A lovestruck girl screamed with hearts in her eyes:
"Ahhh! His tongue was so cute— I want to da—!"
Yamcha pushed himself up, rubbing his back, staring at Krillin with frustration.
"Krillin… I never imagined you'd become this strong."
"In front of you, I'm like a child—completely at your mercy…"
Krillin waved his hands quickly.
"No, no! It's just that I put in a bit more effort."
"You've always worked hard too—but I never dared relax even for a single day."
Yamcha smiled bitterly.
"No need to explain."
"I'm not losing that easily."
"I've trained a finishing move. You'd better be careful!"
Krillin blinked.
"A finishing move?"
Yamcha raised his hand as his ki surged into his palm.
"Heh—sorry about this, Krillin."
"This move is powerful. The winner is going to be me!"
A sphere of energy formed in his hand.
He lifted it high.
"Ready?"
"Spirit Ball!"
With a swing of his arm, the glowing orb shot toward Krillin.
Krillin smacked his lips.
"How's that different from a normal energy wave?"
"Does it turn too?"
He leapt backward.
Boom!
The Spirit Ball smashed into the marble tiles, blasting out a crater.
The audience gasped.
"Whoa!"
"It blew through the floor!"
"That attack has serious power!"
Krillin landed lightly and called out:
"Yamcha, if that's all it does, you won't beat me!"
Yamcha grinned.
"Don't underestimate me!"
He snapped his fingers upward.
The Spirit Ball burst from the ground like a guided missile, shooting straight toward Krillin.
"What?!"
Caught off guard, Krillin took the hit under the chin.
Still, he twisted his body at the last second, minimizing the damage.
The crowd erupted in shock.
"He got hit!"
"Krillin was struck!"
Yamcha laughed loudly.
"Hahaha! How about that—my Spirit Ball's awesome, right?!"
Krillin flipped backward, landed, and steadied himself.
He wiped his mouth—though there wasn't even a drop of blood.
A confident smile appeared.
"I just wanted to test its power."
"That level won't defeat me."
Yamcha's pupils shrank.
"What?! You're fine?!"
From the sidelines, Goku watched with arms crossed, slightly surprised.
Krillin… was stronger than he'd expected.
Yamcha swung his fingers again.
The Spirit Ball tore through the air toward Krillin.
Krillin vanished—dodging effortlessly.
The Spirit Ball smashed the tiles again.
Yamcha pointed once more—
The orb burst up from underground and chased Krillin again.
But this time, Krillin avoided it cleanly.
The same trick wouldn't work twice.
Yamcha kept directing the Spirit Ball with rapid finger movements.
The glowing orb darted wildly across the arena.
Krillin leapt, rolled, sidestepped—constantly evading.
The entire stadium held its breath.
Then—
Krillin's body suddenly blurred.
Yamcha's Spirit Ball struck only an afterimage.
He froze for just a fraction of a second.
And that moment was fatal.
Krillin appeared behind him.
BAM!
A brutal kick slammed into Yamcha's back.
Yamcha screamed and flew off the stage.
The moment his breathing broke, the Spirit Ball dispersed.
He crashed to the ground outside the ring.
Krillin stood at the edge, looking down at him.
"Hehe. You thought I'd keep playing tag with your Spirit Ball?"
"As long as I hit your real body, the technique collapses instantly."
Yamcha rubbed his back and laughed helplessly.
"Man… I trained so hard."
"I even used my ultimate move—and still lost."
"Krillin, you've really become terrifyingly strong."
Krillin scratched his head shyly.
"Hehe… it's nothing."
"I just spent more time thinking… and training."
The referee raised his hand.
"Yamcha has fallen out of bounds—Krillin wins!"
"Yeahhh!"
"Krillin wins!"
"That was an amazing fight!"
The crowd exploded once more, riding the momentum of his popularity.
After the cheers died down, the referee asked:
"Krillin, the final match is next. Do you need time to rest?"
Krillin shook his head.
"No need. Let's start right away."
The referee nodded and lifted the microphone.
"Then—our grand final begins now!"
"Please welcome Son Goku to the stage!"
Goku stepped onto the arena.
Krillin faced him, eyes burning with anticipation.
"Goku… I've waited a long time for this."
"This time, I want to see all of your strength!"
Goku assumed his stance and grinned.
"Then you'd better go all out from the very first move."
"Otherwise, you might not even get the chance before I knock you out."
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