"Master Roshi… aren't you planning to compete this time?" Tien Shinhan asked quietly, lowering his voice with a hint of respect.
"I'm not going up there," Master Roshi waved his hand.
He smiled calmly, though there was a trace of melancholy.
"I can't compete with you young people anymore."
Time spares no one.
Looking at the energetic younger generation in front of him, Roshi felt a little nostalgic—but mostly proud.
Besides… I already have Broly.
He will carry the Turtle School forward for me.
Why would I need to compete myself?
Bulma Can't Stop Looking at Goku
"I still can't believe it…" Bulma said, her eyes never leaving Son Goku.
She cupped her cheeks as her gaze sparkled with excitement.
"In just three years…"
"Goku went from that silly little kid to such a tall, handsome young man!"
"The change is unbelievable!"
"Hey hey, don't tell me you've fallen for him now?" Oolong rolled his eyes.
"You changed your heart that quickly?"
"Is Yamcha's head already green?"
Preliminary Results
A few hours passed quickly as they waited and chatted.
Inside the Martial Arts Temple, the noise of the preliminary rounds finally settled down.
Goku, Krillin, Yamcha, and the others came out of the competitors' waiting area.
They found Roshi and the rest who were waiting in the spectator area.
They reported the results.
Except for Chiaotzu, who unfortunately lost—
Goku, Krillin, Yamcha, and Tien all defeated their opponents.
They successfully passed the preliminaries and qualified for the main tournament.
"I'm worried about the guy who beat Chiaotzu," Yamcha said with a frown.
"He fights extremely ruthlessly."
"That man is Tao Pai Pai," Krillin added with a serious expression.
"He's Master Shen's younger brother."
"Tao Pai Pai?" Roshi was surprised.
He adjusted his sunglasses.
"Wasn't he killed by Goku years ago?"
"He's still alive," Krillin explained.
"He turned himself into a cyborg somehow."
"Part of his body is mechanical."
"Tao Pai Pai clearly came back for revenge!" Yamcha clenched his fists.
"He wants to kill Goku and Tien!"
"And according to the bracket…"
"The first quarterfinal match is Tien vs Tao Pai Pai!"
"Tao Pai Pai…" Roshi's expression became serious.
"This is troublesome."
"He's not only the world's greatest assassin…"
"He practically raised Tien since childhood."
"He knows all of Tien's techniques and weaknesses."
Goku Is Calm
"It's nothing special," Goku said with a relaxed smile.
Broly stood a little further away.
He was busy eating a shiny roasted chicken leg.
His cheeks were puffed full.
He showed zero concern about the dangerous opponent being discussed.
"That guy isn't Tien's match anymore," Goku added confidently.
He fully trusted his friend's strength.
"Huh?" Yamcha blinked.
He was surprised by how certain Goku sounded.
Crane Hermit Appears
"You people really underestimate Tao Pai Pai."
A cold, sarcastic voice suddenly spoke nearby.
Everyone turned.
Master Shen (Crane Hermit) had walked over at some point.
He wore the traditional Crane School uniform.
A smug and mocking smile sat on his face.
"It's Master Shen!" Krillin's pupils shrank as his body instinctively tensed.
"Look at you fools standing there like stunned chickens!" Shen sneered.
His gaze swept across Roshi and his disciples like knives.
"Since we're both martial artists…"
"I'll give you a piece of advice."
"Run away while you still can."
"Otherwise you'll embarrass yourselves in the arena…"
"Or lose your lives."
Shen Targets Broly
Then Shen's narrow eyes shifted.
He spotted Broly standing nearby.
Broly was completely focused on his chicken leg.
His hands and mouth were greasy.
He looked entirely absorbed in his meal.
Broly looked up briefly.
He noticed the hostile gaze.
Without hesitation—
He rolled his eyes and snorted.
Clearly annoyed that someone interrupted his eating.
"Hmph! That kid must be Broly," Shen said mockingly.
"I heard you're the abandoned baby that old turtle picked up from a garbage heap."
"You look like a brainless idiot who only knows how to stuff food in his mouth!"
"As expected, the Turtle School produces nothing but trash!"
Everyone Freezes
The entire area fell silent.
Goku.
Krillin.
Yamcha.
Roshi.
Bulma.
Everyone stared at Shen with a mixture of shock and pity.
You really don't know when to stop, do you?
You challenge everyone you see.
And of all people…
You chose to provoke Broly.
You clearly have no idea what kind of monster he is.
This guy is about to suffer terribly.
Broly's Reaction
Broly suddenly stopped chewing.
The chicken leg froze midair in his hand.
His usually lazy and satisfied expression stiffened slightly.
His eyebrows slowly furrowed.
Then—
He turned his head toward Master Roshi.
Roshi's mouth twitched.
A headache began forming.
"Old man," Broly said calmly.
But anyone who knew him could hear the irritation beneath that calm tone.
"If I kill him…"
"You wouldn't object, right?"
He asked it as casually as if he were asking:
Can I eat another chicken leg?
"Maybe… maybe you should spare his miserable life," Roshi replied quickly.
"Oh."
Broly nodded.
"Alright."
"Then I'll beat the crap out of him until he shits himself."
"And make him eat it."
"His mouth smells too bad anyway."
"He's polluting the environment."
Roshi: "..."
Roshi felt his face twitch.
Honestly…
You might as well just kill him.
That somehow sounds less horrifying.
Shen Laughs
"Hahaha! HAHAHAHAHA!"
Shen suddenly burst into loud laughter.
He clutched his stomach and laughed hysterically.
"You idiot who only knows how to eat!"
"You think you can kill me?!"
"Even if I stand here and let you hit me…"
"Your soft little fists wouldn't even scratch me!!"
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