In an instant, the raging energy shot toward Piccolo like a wild, charging beast.
With a tremendous boom—!
An unbelievable scene unfolded before everyone's eyes.
Master Roshi's Kamehameha was shattered by Piccolo's formidable aura half a meter before reaching him, instantly breaking apart into countless particles of energy, which drifted through the surrounding space.
"So, this is how it ends after all..." Master Roshi gazed at the scattered blue specks of light, his eyes dimming a little.
Though he had long foreseen such a result, it still affected him deeply.
As a master of martial arts of his generation, he had now been completely left behind by this era. Even though he had always been striving to catch up, all he could do now was quietly step off the stage…
"Step down. The current you is not my match," Piccolo said suddenly, having appeared behind Master Roshi at some point.
Hearing this, Master Roshi's body trembled.
Piccolo did not strike. He let him step down on his own…
It was as if all their past grudges had dissolved in this very moment.
Master Roshi cancelled his transformation, withdrew his aura, looked seriously at Piccolo, then finally let out a long sigh and walked off the arena.
Piccolo watched Master Roshi's retreating figure, then finally looked toward the blonde-haired referee.
This match was Master Roshi's solo performance.
Piccolo merely underwent Master Roshi's assessment.
"The match is decided! The winner is Contestant Piccolo!" the blonde-haired referee announced, declaring the outcome of the battle.
…
In the backstage waiting area, Krillin and Yamcha hurried over, with Goku in tow.
They were naturally concerned about Master Roshi's condition, but thankfully, he was all right, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
When Piccolo came in, everyone looked at him, their expressions completely different from before.
Whatever wariness or hostility they had initially felt was now gone.
Piccolo was truly no longer the same ruthless Piccolo as before.
Otherwise, things wouldn't have turned out like this.
…
The tenth match ended.
The eleventh match began.
This was another battle between ordinary people, nothing particularly remarkable.
But with the end of the eleventh match, it was finally time for the match between Chiaotzu and Krillin.
The two had faced off countless times in the past, so they knew each other extremely well.
You could say, when it came to Krillin, Chiaotzu didn't have any advantage at all.
Even though his psychic powers were impressive, allowing him to challenge Krillin despite the level gap, the truth remained that Chiaotzu's power level was only 2 million, far too weak compared to Krillin.
Krillin won. Chiaotzu was defeated.
Even so, they put on a very good match.
…
With the end of the twelfth match, Ragar and Nail both took the stage in turn, each easily eliminating Earth's ordinary contestants.
Afterward, there was another match between ordinary martial artists.
At last, it was time for the main event.
Vegeta vs Nappa!
This was a battle between Saiyans.
Nappa was fully prepared to face Vegeta.
But Vegeta was extremely solemn.
After all, all the warriors from Earth he once looked down on had shocked him, and he began to wonder. If Nappa was facing him with such confidence, maybe he really had gotten much, much stronger over these years.
He started to worry that if even Nappa had surpassed him, how could he ever face himself again?
When the final break was over, Vegeta and Nappa, called out by the blonde-haired referee, left the backstage area and each stepped onto the tournament arena.
Vegeta and Nappa locked eyes, their gazes clashing.
The aura of the strong expanded invisibly, creating an incredibly terrifying pressure.
The referee standing at the edge of the arena immediately froze up, unable to move a muscle.
Everyone in the audience could also inexplicably feel an oppressive atmosphere, causing those nearby to experience a quickened heartbeat, as if they could already sense that this match would be anything but ordinary.
…
"Vegeta and Nappa… a battle between two Saiyans. I wonder how this one will end?" In one corner of the stands, East Supreme Kai could feel the increasingly intense aura and spoke up.
Naturally, he was paying close attention to these two Saiyans.
Although they weren't quite on the level of Talot or Raditz, they were no longer minor characters like before.
"At last, another good show to watch. This match should be even more exciting." Old Supreme Kai stroked his chin, full of anticipation for the battle.
Beside him, Attendant Kibito remained silent. He also had some feelings about the match but didn't voice them at this moment.
After all he'd experienced, he had come to realize the strength of mortals and no longer looked down on them.
Especially when it came to the Saiyans, he summed up his impression of this race with just one word: monsters!
…
On the other side.
"Lord Champa, aren't you interested in watching this battle between Saiyans?" Vados smiled slightly, reminding the God of Destruction Champa beside her.
Champa, at this moment, was as laid-back as always, not caring in the slightest.
"Tch, just as expected of this level." Champa showed no interest, though he gave it a glance.
As a God of Destruction, he had witnessed far greater storms than this.
To him, this level of battle really wasn't worth mentioning.
If there were anyone who could truly attract his attention, it would only be Talot fighting at full strength.
After all, he'd only come by on a whim.
…
In the Super VIP room.
Bulma, Talora, Gine, Whis, Son Gohan, Launch and others all perked up a bit, watching seriously as the last match of the Top 32 was about to begin.
Both Vegeta and Nappa were extremely strong. If they went all out, the intensity of their fight would definitely far surpass the earlier fight between Yamcha and Tien Shinhan.
After all, Saiyans could transform, and with Vegeta and Nappa facing off, transformations were bound to happen.
"Sigh~ In the end, it's come to this. Our prince still hasn't completely let go of his identity," Gine sighed.
Though only about twenty years had passed since their planet exploded, the times had truly changed.
The Saiyan rule of old is long gone; this is a new era.
…
In the arena.
Vegeta and Nappa stared each other down, neither making the first move.
The oppressive aura radiating from the two of them grew increasingly intense. A white energy erupted from within, its immense pressure creating a suffocating sense of dread.
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