Watching the pure, vacant stupidity on Goku's face, the girl finally snapped.
She slammed her blades into the ground with a clang and let out a near-hysterical shout.
"You heartless jerk! Beat me, and I'll tell you!"
"Really?"
Goku's spirits immediately lifted. He straightened up and assumed a fighting stance again, his expression turning just a little more serious.
Before Chi-Chi could even react, Goku vanished.
"So fast!"
A violent gust slammed into Chi-Chi's face. This time, Goku did not dodge.
He appeared right in front of her. He did not throw a punch. Instead, he gently swept his palm forward, using the terrifying pressure generated by his speed.
"Whoosh…"
A soft yet irresistible wave of air lifted Chi-Chi clean off the ground.
The strike was perfectly controlled. The outcome was decided, but there was not the slightest hint of injury.
"Ah!"
Chi-Chi cried out as her body floated gracefully out of the ring, drifting down like a feather before landing steadily on the grass. Not even a strand of hair was harmed.
"Out of bounds! The winner is Son Goku!"
The announcer roared himself hoarse, as if he had just witnessed the greatest drama of the century.
Goku stood at the edge of the ring, grinning as he waved at Chi-Chi below.
"Hehehe, I won! Now you can tell me, right?"
Chi-Chi sat on the grass and looked up at the boy bathed in sunlight. The disappointment of losing vanished instantly.
She stood up, brushed the grass from her skirt, and slowly rose to her feet, a shy smile appearing on her face.
"I'm the Ox-King's daughter, Chi-Chi. Do you remember now?"
She looked at Goku with eyes full of hope, her heart pounding.
"Chi-Chi?"
Goku blinked, tilted his head, and slowly rolled the name around in his mouth.
His expression shifted from confusion to puzzlement, then a faint spark flickered in his eyes.
Suddenly, a door deep within his memories swung open.
The scene returned to long ago, to a blazing afternoon at the foot of Fire Mountain.
A strange little girl in odd armor, wearing a helmet with blades, riding a Flying Nimbus. The girl he had kicked once, who later shyly tugged at his clothes.
"Ah! I remember now!"
Goku smacked his fist into his palm with a sharp crack, his face lighting up with his trademark foolish grin.
"You're that… that girl! The Ox-King uncle's daughter! You were really small back then!"
"Wow, you're so tall now. No wonder I didn't recognize you!"
Hearing Goku finally say her name, the tension drained from Chi-Chi's face.
She sheathed her blades behind her back. A blush quickly spread across her cheeks as she twisted her fingers together shyly.
All her fiery aggression vanished, replaced by a maiden's bashfulness.
She lowered her head and traced circles on the ground with her toe, her voice soft and gentle.
"So… you finally remembered?"
Chi-Chi lifted her eyes and looked at Goku with affection.
"Then do you remember… the promise we made when we crossed the river?"
"A promise?"
Goku froze again, his eyes returning to that clear, foolish look.
Tens of thousands of spectators held their breath. No one dared make a sound.
This was the climax of the year's greatest drama.
What kind of promise could make such a beautiful girl wait so many years?
"Well…"
Chi-Chi's voice dropped to a whisper. Her face was red as a ripe tomato, steam practically rising from her head.
"You said that when we grew up…"
"You would come marry me and make me your bride!"
Boom!
The words exploded like a bomb, detonating the entire stadium.
In the stands, Bulma crushed her drink in shock, splashing Yamcha from head to toe.
Her eyes went wide as she screamed.
"A bride?!"
"Goku already had a fiancée?!"
"And she's this pretty?!"
Yamcha stood there, jaw hanging open, completely petrified.
"This… is this really the Goku I know? The guy who can't even tell men and women apart?"
"This is unfair! He's a total life winner! I give up! Why has no one waited for me for years like this?!"
Only Goku remained completely confused.
He scratched his cheek and asked a question that sent the entire crowd into hysterics, a question worthy of going down in history.
"A bride? What's that? Is it tasty?"
The referee stared at Goku as if he were an alien.
Chi-Chi froze. The tears she had just stopped threatened to spill again.
"You… you don't even know what a bride is? Then why did you agree back then?"
"I thought it was something good to eat," Goku replied honestly, his sincerity beyond doubt.
"It sounded crunchy. Like it'd taste really good. I was super hungry back then!"
"So I figured if you were giving me food, I'd say yes!"
The entire stadium collapsed.
The audience had no strength left to complain. This kid's way of thinking clearly came from another dimension.
Moments ago, they had cursed him as a scumbag. Now they only felt that he was genuinely stupid. Stupid in a way that was somehow adorable and infuriating.
"Idiot! Big idiot!"
Chi-Chi stomped her foot in frustration, her face burning red.
"A bride isn't food!"
"It's someone who lives with you, cooks for you, washes your clothes, and spends their life with you! A partner for your whole life!"
"Huh?"
Goku paused, then his eyes lit up as he locked onto the most important part.
"She cooks for me forever?"
"Yes! Every day! As much as you want! Whether it's roasted meat or steamed buns, I'll make it all for you!"
Chi-Chi shouted, as if this were her ultimate bargaining chip.
"Well, that actually sounds pretty good!"
Goku nearly started drooling.
For a super glutton, this temptation was impossible to resist. Far more attractive than any world champion title.
"So… will you do it?"
Chi-Chi looked at him with hopeful eyes, stars sparkling inside them.
Goku did not hesitate for even a second. He nodded eagerly, his face filled with pure joy.
"Sure! If I promised you, then let's get married!"
"R-really?"
Chi-Chi covered her mouth in shock. Happiness hit her so suddenly she felt dizzy.
"Of course! I, Son Goku, always keep my word!"
Goku patted his chest confidently.
Overcome with emotion, Chi-Chi rushed forward and stood on her tiptoes.
Goku smiled down at her, curious and cheerful.
"Chu."
Chi-Chi quickly kissed his cheek, then ran off backstage with her face blazing red.
"I'll be waiting for you in the back! You have to win! My… groom!"
Goku touched the cheek she had kissed and looked blankly at Krillin, who had walked over.
"Krillin, why did she bite my face? Is that part of getting married too?"
"It felt weird. Soft and squishy."
Krillin shook his head helplessly, though a relieved smile tugged at his lips.
A chime echoed in his mind.
[Ding! Key story point detected: Goku's engagement established.]
[Host did not interfere. Timeline stabilized.]
[System Evaluation: Sometimes, fools really do have foolish luck. In a world full of schemes, this kind of purity may be the strongest power of all. Congratulations, Host. You have witnessed the purest love in the Dragon Ball world.]
"Yeah."
Krillin patted Goku on the shoulder, his gaze sharpening as he looked toward the other end of the contestant tunnel.
"Alright, stop spacing out."
"Your life problem is settled. After Yajirobe finishes his match, it's my turn."
From the tunnel, a tall figure wrapped in a white cape slowly emerged.
Green skin. Pointed ears. An overwhelming demonic aura, deep and suffocating like an abyss.
The Demon King's offspring.
Piccolo.