"So that's how it is—Krillin narrowly defeated Piccolo and today he's about to compete against Tien for the overall championship…" Taro nodded slightly after hearing a brief recap of yesterday's matches from Hathaway.
A faint smile curled at the corner of Hathaway's lips as she softly said, "I watched Krillin's match with Bulma and Gohan right there at the venue. He really gave it his all not to lose face for you… That Piccolo, he fought ruthlessly and without restraint, completely indifferent to Krillin's life or death. Krillin had his Fivefold Muken, which should have given him a huge advantage, but Piccolo, relying on his species' resilience, didn't fear injuries to his limbs and kept Krillin locked in a fierce struggle, injuring him repeatedly… In the end, Krillin risked having his right shoulder pierced by Piccolo's claw, holding back the claw with one hand while using a sharp ki technique from his fingertips pressed against Piccolo's forehead… Everyone could see he held back, so the referee immediately declared Krillin the winner."
Taro nodded, "It seems Piccolo never trained in the Muken. Well, let him be… But if he participates in this Virtual Earth Network Muken Tournament without the Muken, he'll have a really hard time."
Hathaway smiled and nodded.
Taro glanced upward at the phoenix playfully interacting with a flock of birds and said, "Come walk with me."
The two walked hand in hand through Bulma's vast garden. The air was filled with the scent of flowers and the earthy fragrance of grass and soil. Above, the sounds of birds flying and frolicking blended beautifully with the atmosphere.
"Piccolo should easily take third place. The finals between Tien and Krillin are about to start…" Hathaway said lightly, holding Taro's hand.
Taro glanced at the eastern sky and said, "It's already started…"
Hathaway smiled and asked, "So, who do you think will win?"
"If it drags on too long, Krillin will lose," Taro said, shaking his head slightly.
Hathaway nodded but wasn't really sure; she had just said it casually… Soon, she changed the topic as they strolled through the expansive garden that felt like a scenic countryside, comfortable and peaceful.
---
After several laps in the back garden, Taro and Hathaway returned to the hemispherical mansion at the front of Bulma's estate.
In the living room, they saw Son Goku seated cross-legged, floating in the air in the same meditation posture that his master Taro often used. His hands rested bent at right angles on his knees, eyes closed tightly, face calm as still water… He had practiced martial arts since childhood, enduring years of hard training, savoring every moment. It had been fifteen or sixteen years recently.
Though young at only eighteen, he had already won the Tenkaichi Budokai five years ago. His martial arts skills and realm now ranked just below a few elite like present-day Gohan and Tsuru.
At this moment, Goku's meditative posture radiated the aura of a true martial arts master.
"Goku has grown up!" Hathaway looked at the floating Goku and smiled with the relief of a senior; she had watched Gohan grow, and now even the child Gohan had brought back to raise had grown so much.
Taro smiled faintly too. Compared to Hathaway, his feelings watching Goku mature were tinged with a different kind of emotion.
"Hmm, Master, Mistress," Goku opened his eyes, furrowing his brows as he looked over.
"Watching Krillin and Tien fight?" Taro asked.
Hathaway was surprised, "Eh? So you're not training?"
Goku nodded, "Yes, if Tien lets his Mutsuken power loose again, it'll be even harder for Krillin."
Even though separated by hundreds or thousands of miles, with his martial arts level, Goku could clearly sense the ki of Tien and Krillin battling far away in Sayuan City. Not only that, he could roughly understand the situation of their fight through his ki perception.
"Hathaway, who do you think will win?" Taro asked with a smile.
"Hmm…" Goku thought for a moment, "Maybe a tie!"
He laughed and said, "Krillin trained on another planet, and he said he stopped a war disaster—it's impressive. If it's Krillin, he should be able to seize the chance and suppress the rise of Tien's Mutsuken!"
"I really want to see it… The fusion of Tien's Muken and Tsuken…" Goku scratched his head, clearly itching with excitement, making Hathaway smile.
Taro said, "Once the Budokai ends and the Virtual Earth Network Muken Tournament begins, you'll definitely get your chance to spar freely with Tien."
Goku's eyes were filled with fighting spirit as he said, "Yeah!"
"Alright, you three never stray from these topics..." Hathaway said with a smile, then suddenly laughed and teased, "I just suddenly remembered something. Goku, I heard from Jarivs… that girl named Chi-Chi who shone at yesterday's tournament, she once came looking for you?"
"Yeah!" Goku nodded honestly, mostly because he didn't quite catch the teasing tone in Hathaway's voice. He asked curiously, "Did she also join the World Martial Arts Tournament? That strange girl!"
In the end, even with Goku's straightforwardness, he couldn't quite explain what was going on.
---
Not long after, by this evening, Krillin, Tien, Chiaotzu, Bulma, Gohan, and the others returned.
They all came back on Bulma's capsule flyer. When they flew over the huge open space in front of Bulma's house, Taro, Hathaway, the Phoenix, and Dr. Briefs with his wife were already waiting there.
"Krillin, Tien, congratulations! An unprecedented joint championship," Dr. Briefs said with a beaming smile.
Martial arts matches are the kind of thing where if you try to force a winner, it becomes unpredictable. So, since Krillin and Tien fought to a draw in the finals and both were exhausted, the judges declared them co-champions, sharing the grand champion trophy.
Krillin and Tien exchanged a knowing smile, a sense of mutual respect between them.
"Just like Goku guessed!" Hathaway whispered into Taro's ear.
"That kid has instincts…" Taro nodded.
In the original story, Goku often showed extraordinary abilities. For example, in the Android Saga, even though he was unconscious in the Kame House due to viral heart disease, when he woke up, he was aware of everything that had happened outside — truly incredible.
"Goku… you'll be joining the Martial Arts Tournament too, right?" Tien looked at Goku, his third eye burning with fighting spirit. In his final battle with Krillin, many of the deadly moves he learned from old acquaintances of the Three-Eyed tribe couldn't be used.
But in the virtual Earth network tournament, it would be a whole different story—he could fight freely, without restraint.
"Ah! Of course!" Goku nodded, smiling. "You're confident, but I'm not going to lose either!"
"Heh… still the same old you!" Tien smiled back.
Taro waved his hand. "Alright, everyone prepare well."
Gohan nodded too. "Yeah, Krillin, Tien, this Martial Arts Tournament… hmm, I have a feeling that since Krillin defeated Piccolo this time, Piccolo might start training in the Muken. Don't let your guard down."
"That's right. I'm afraid that's exactly what will happen… Piccolo has always been proud. Losing to me this time must be very frustrating!" Krillin nodded seriously. "With Piccolo's talent and years of experience, once he starts training at the Muken Tower… whoa, just thinking about it is scary!"
"And that Yajirobe… for some reason, he didn't participate," Tien added. "I guess he thought he couldn't show his real strength using the wooden swords on the finals stage… but I bet he'll definitely join the Martial Arts Tournament!"
Krillin nodded. "Exactly! If Yajirobe competes… he'll definitely use the master's sword! Hah… that's troublesome…"
Goku laughed. "That's what makes it interesting, isn't it?"
Bulma, walking up from behind, shook her head. "Honestly, you're all crazy martial arts fanatics!"
Hearing Yajirobe's name reminded her of that girl Chi-Chi, so she glanced over at Goku, thoughtful…