The sun shone on the World Tournament stadium, but the atmosphere wasn't what one would expect.
Too quiet. Too many cameras. Too many "security" agents.
When Buu's group passed through the gates, the crowd erupted into a murmur that seemed to have been held for hours.
It wasn't just him who was drawing attention: it was the entire procession.
Bulma, the pink aura barely lit beneath her skin, all of the male presents had hearts on their eyes and the women were torn between envy and anger.
Mai, calm and lethal as ever.
Team Bardock, compact and menacing like an ancient pack.
And Panchy—bright, unwittingly escorted by Saiyans who could take down an army.
People didn't understand what they were looking at.
But they had to look.
Bulma studied the stands with a grimace. "I didn't think there will be all this tension at the Tournament..."
Mai nodded, her eyes narrow. "It's an ambush waiting to happen."
Fasha laughed. "Good thing. At least we're not bored."
Tora nudged her. "Don't be too happy."
"Then stop looking at me!" she muttered.
Buu advanced calmly, hands in his pockets, a thin smile that wasn't at all reassuring.
Every now and then, a spectator stiffened as if a wave of cold had passed over them.
The registration was chaos. The staff shivered as they handed out the forms.
Bulma was about to speak when a flat voice crossed her path.
"Majin Corps."
Everyone turned to Bardock.
Bulma stared at him as if he'd gone crazy.
Mai sighed.
Fasha burst out laughing.
And Buu… he smiled slightly. "Cute."
When they finally entered the arena, the announcer was already shouting into the microphone with too much enthusiasm to be honest.
"Welcome to the Special Edition of the World Tournament! This year, completely new rules!"
Bulma exchanged a look with Mai.
"New rules... just by chance."
Mai didn't respond. Her hand was already collecting energy.
"The first round," the voice continued, "will be... team competition!"
The stadium erupted in discussion.
"Team competition?" Bulma blurted out. "They've never done it!"
"They're doing it for us," said Bardock. Without irony.
The speaker crackled.
"The Majin Corps team will face..."
A silence as tense as a wire fell over the arena.
A red symbol appeared on the giant screen.
Two letters.
RR.
The Red Ribbon Army.
Bulma paled. "Oh, Kami..."
Mai took a step forward. "Finally."
Bardock clenched his fists.
Fasha stretched her neck as if before a great dinner.
From the opposing tunnel emerged a perfect formation:
five figures advanced with unison steps, lightly armored, their artificial eyes glowing an unnatural white.
They were alive.
And yet... they weren't.
The first in line spoke, his voice metallic and emotionless.
The first in line spoke, his voice metallic and emotionless.
"Primary objective: Capture Buu."
"Secondary objective: Take possession of the dragon ball."
"Tertiary objective: Kill everyone that oppose us."
Bulma snapped: "Kill!?"
Mai: "Really annoying."
Fasha: "How sweet. They've done their homework."
Buu advanced slowly.
His smile tilted, sweet as a dangerous promise.
"Interesting..." he murmured.
The announcer swallowed hard.
"The match... begins!"
And the arena exploded in a flash of lights, shouts, wind, and energy.
The Red Ribbons leaped like bullets.
The Bardock team followed suit.
Bulma and Mai positioned themselves flanking Buu.
And the Majin, in the center, leaned forward slightly…
Smiling like someone who had been waiting for this moment for a long, long time.