Krillin walked to the edge of the ring and offered Jackie Chun his hand.
"Senior Chun, you were really strong. If you hadn't exhausted so much stamina in the last match, I never would've beaten you. This time… I took advantage."
Jackie Chun blinked, then smiled faintly. He clasped Krillin's hand and rose.
"Hmph. At least you know what's what."
He hopped off the ring.
Krillin called after him again, voice loud and sincere.
"Anyway—thank you for not killing Goku. Because of the promise between me and him, I had to go all out. Next time, I'll defeat you with my own strength."
Jackie Chun paused mid-step.
He turned his head. The satisfaction in his eyes overflowed.
He gave Krillin a small smile, then disappeared into the crowd alone.
At that moment, a notification flashed through Goku's mind.
[Mission: Help Krillin win this World Martial Arts Tournament — Completed.
Reward: Comprehension +50!]
In an instant, Goku's mind became crystal clear.
Everything he'd learned… every technique he'd practiced… every fragment of martial understanding—
it all began reorganizing itself automatically in his head, like a chaotic library suddenly being shelved in perfect order.
His grasp of combat deepened.
The crowd erupted, chanting Krillin's name.
Seeing his best friend bask in cheers and applause, Goku jumped up onto the ring and celebrated with him.
But to Goku's newly sharpened perception…
Everything looked almost slow.
The roaring crowd. The waving hands. The jumping bodies.
All of it, like a film running at half speed.
And along with that clarity came a flood of realizations.
Goku's strength had grown too fast.
He hadn't properly fought anyone truly on his level.
That meant his high-level combat experience was thin.
And that was bad. Really bad.
The original Son Goku could fight stronger enemies and grow in the battle itself.
But Vegeta?
If Vegeta's power level was lower, he almost never won.
And right now, Goku realized with a cold jolt—
He was starting to walk the same wrong road.
A "fake Goku."
He had a cheat.
But if he kept blindly stacking battle power and neglecting real combat refinement…
That wasn't the path of a martial artist.
That was the shortcut mentality Vegeta loved.
A bead of sweat slid down Goku's temple.
Back when he first arrived at the tournament, he'd felt something off.
He thought it was arrogance.
Now he understood.
His path was narrowing.
He was grateful he'd caught it early.
From now on—
He couldn't neglect technique.
He couldn't look down on the tempering that came from real fights.
Soon, the referee brought the prize money—five hundred thousand—and handed it to Krillin.
"This tournament's champion is Krillin! Let's hear it for him!"
"KRILLIN! KRILLIN!"
Thunderous applause shook the arena.
Krillin hugged the money like it might vanish if he blinked.
In this era, five hundred thousand was an insane amount—
worth almost like ten million in buying power decades later.
Krillin and Goku came down from the ring.
Krillin looked around, frowning.
"Where's Master Roshi? Weird… I don't see him."
Goku grinned.
"He's probably in the bathroom. He'll show up. Also—didn't you say you'd treat me to a meal? Ready? I'm eating you broke today!"
Krillin laughed.
"I'm not scared! I don't believe you can eat five hundred thousand worth of food!"
Goku patted his stomach.
He hadn't even burned that much energy today.
"…Fine. Then I'll eat at least one hundred thousand!"
Krillin's face went pale.
"What?! One hundred thousand on food?!"
Just then, a little girl ran up to them.
She held out an elegant card and looked up at Krillin.
"Mr. Krillin… can I have your autograph?"
Krillin froze.
On the card was a crude little doodle—simple, wobbly lines—
but unmistakably a bald-headed fighter.
Krillin carefully signed it.
The girl squealed, hugged the card, and ran away.
But Krillin stayed rooted, staring at her departing back like he'd been hit by a truck.
Goku waved a hand in front of his face.
"Hey. Krillin. Don't zone out. How's it feel being an idol?"
Krillin snapped back, eyes blazing, practically trembling with excitement.
"It feels so damn good!"
Right then, Master Roshi jogged over.
Krillin immediately lit up.
"Master Roshi! Where'd you go? Did you see our match?!"
Roshi chuckled.
"You two did well. I'm satisfied. Especially you, Krillin—you won the championship. That's incredible."
Krillin scratched his head, embarrassed.
"Hehe… you're gonna make me shy. But honestly, I know the truth. Jackie Chun fought Goku and burned too much stamina. Otherwise I couldn't have beaten him… I might not even beat Goku. This win was some skill—yeah—but mostly luck."
He lifted his chin seriously.
"This world really is… there's always someone stronger. Heaven beyond heaven."
Roshi nodded immediately.
"Exactly. There are countless strong people out there. Don't get smug over this little achievement."
He looked at them both.
"Real training… is only just beginning."
Krillin and Goku answered together, firm and respectful.
"Yes, Master!"
Meanwhile, Roshi silently complained in his heart:
Ugh… I nearly worked this old man to death just to teach these brats…
Krillin pulled out the prize money.
"Master, I won the prize. Let's go eat together!"
Roshi said, "Wait. I saw a promising martial artist in the audience. One moment."
Krillin and Goku blinked.
A minute later, Roshi returned—leading Yamcha.
Goku's eyes flickered with understanding.
Audience? Yeah right. He fought him on stage and got interested.
Yamcha walked up and greeted them.
"Hello, Son Goku. This is our second time meeting."
Goku didn't hesitate. He offered his hand.
"Hello."
Roshi raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? You two know each other?"
Yamcha scratched his head and smiled bitterly.
"Yeah… not in a good way. When I used to rob people… he beat me up."
…
Soon, the four of them were seated in a restaurant.
Goku didn't go completely insane, but he still ate food worth around a hundred thousand.
Krillin clutched his chest, pained.
"Goku… you really can eat! I was thinking of saving this money to marry a wife someday!"
Goku patted his shoulder.
"Don't be stingy. You're a world champion now. Once you grow up and your fame spreads, you'll have money that never runs out."
Krillin's eyes sharpened.
"…You're right. I'll win more championships. I'll become an idol."
He sat up straighter, suddenly fired up.
"Then tons of girls will like me!"
Goku grinned.
"Congrats, Krillin. You finally remembered your original dream."
Master Roshi rubbed his hands eagerly, eyes glittering.
"Krillin… when you're rich, you better find your teacher a cute girl too…"
Krillin burst out laughing.
"No problem! When the time comes, I'll invite every model from your photo books!"
Roshi's nose practically exploded.
"Hahahaha—!"
"Krillin… you really are my best disciple!"
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