Chapter 23 - Kid Champion
Goku was currently sitting in the back resting his injuries while the next round starts. The last move that he did really wore him out. For all intents and purposes, it was not ready yet but it did the job.
Krillin's and Putput's match had just started in the background if the loud cheering wasn't enough of an indicator. Any competent martial artist would know who would win so Goku really didn't pay attention and closed his eyes.
His rest didn't last very long when he heard some footsteps approach him. Opening his eyes, he came face to face with Jackie Chun. He was still over
"That was a very interesting technique you did, can you explain it to me a bit. I am very intrigued because I have seen never it from the Turtle School before, did you create it yourself?" Jackie tried his best to act nonchalant about his questioning but he was secretly euphoric with joy and anticipation.
A student of his created a new move that was able to counter one of the strongest techniques currently! He couldn't help but feel proud.
Proud of himself.
'I trained that guy! Oh, you are in love with him? Well, guess who trained him babe!'
As Jackie was ogling the girl in his daydream, Goku smirked a little deciding to mess with the old coot for a little.
"Why would I tell you? If you win your rounds, then I will have to fight you in the future! I won't just tell you about my greatest move in case you use it against me. What are you, slow?"
Roshi opened his mouth and closed it several times. That sentence at the end obviously had a double meaning but that couldn't be it! There is no way that he would know that he was actually Master Roshi!
He was so tempted to ask him if he knew or just straight up tell him and get it over with. Saved by the bell as the fight in the stadium came to a closing. Krillin won by a landslide but just humored his opponent by letting him show his moves.
"And the winner is Krillin from the Turtle School! This concludes the first round of battles and we are moving on to the Semi-Finales! The next match will be the old monster Jackie Chun versus the handsome bandit of the desert Yamcha."
Jackie reluctantly went up to the stage when his voice was called out. In the end, he didn't reveal his identity although he felt that Goku knew somehow.
The two fighters went to their respective spots and got into their starting positions. Jackie felt at this point the tournament was kinda pointless for him to stay. Krillin and Yamcha have gone far beyond his expectations let alone Goku who has surpassed all odds.
"You may be the last tourney's champion but I will show you the fruit of my training under Master Roshi! He even told me that I was probably even a step above him."
At this point, he was just rubbing his nose to remove the sh*t that was leaking out of it.
'No. I can not leave this guy get into the finals. All would be lost in the world if he does.'
It was sufficient to say that it did not take him too long to beat Yamcha's skyrocket ego down a peg, or two, or all of them. At this rate you could only feel bad for the guy, he only wants to win at something in his life.
No mercy in temperament as such in the beating that Jackie was giving the poor man.
"Jackie w-wins and moves onto the finals!"
---
"For the next match, the original rivals have come to meet from the Turtle School, Krillin versus Goku! Let's see who the superior turtle is! Although we probably already know."
Krillin scowled at the last comment that the announcer made even if it was just a whisper. Krillin didn't need another reminder to tell him that he is weaker than Goku. He knew that just fine and has accepted that considering his current performance. It doesn't make it easier for the young man to swallow if he had to be reminded.
"Let the match begin!"
Krillin did a fierce assault immediately. If he was going down, he was going to go down with a fight. No one wanted to be humiliated like Yamcha was last round. He did a two-prong attack by going so fast that both of his attacks hit in unison.
Goku used one hand to block both by going at a faster speed and judo slammed the poor monk onto the floor. Quickly recovering, he reached with his legs to wrap around Goku's body to lock him in place. Goku jumped in response and plundered straight down to the floor. Krillin's head was bounded to land first with the way they were positioned so he tried to loosen up and reposition.
This time, however, Goku reversed it and locked Krillin into place by entrapping him with his tail. Krillin had the actual lock and advantage in position, but with Goku's superior strength, he stood still like a statue.
Who knew having an extra appendage would actually be useful.
Krillin's bowling ball planting in the middle of the stage creating spiderweb extending to the edges. Goku finally released his friend and pried him out of the floor. Once he pulled out the unconscious midget, it was like he pulled out a tight piece on a Jenga tower. The stadium's pieces all fell down without its anchor and landed on the edges with dust scattering everywhere.
"The winner is of this match of Turtles goes to Goku! Unsurprisingly." Krillin was still unconscious on the floor, but when the announcer said that last word, a stream of blood originated from Krillin's nonexistent nose.
---
"The final match of the 22nd World Martial Tournament! Reminisce of the last tournament, we have a cold blood duel of two of the strongest in the World! Will Goku who was defeated the last tournament redeem himself and achieve vengeance or will Jackie retain his title and beat down all that oppose him as he stands atop the mountain of strength!"
"Let the match begin!"
After the dramatic opening, Goku and Jackie started to have a casual conversation.
"You have grown tremendously boy. I'll say you have the most potential this world has ever seen. I might even say that with your advent, something or one will need your skill for the greater good!"
"All I hear is talk old man. You may have won last time but I have been training arduously for years for this!"
"Truly. I don't believe to win this but I will try and bring out more of your potential."
"You do know that with all this time you are wasting, I am recovering my ki from my last 2 matches right."
Jackie knew that. Of course, he did. Just because he panicked immediately didn't mean anything.
Jackie did a normal approach and sped right in front of Goku. Standing in front of Goku, he planted his feet and did a blur of punches. All aiming at the focal points of a human's body weak points. He tracked Goku whenever he moved and tried to keep up with him.
This workout produced some sweat dodging the flurry of punches but nothing too bad. Making it more training for his body, he secretly put a hand through his gi and turned the gravity belt up a little. From 2 to 3.
Jackie felt extremely aggravated to see that Goku was easily dodging his punches. He finally reacted and kicked his foot high in the air. Jackie put a firm defense in front of his head to block the kick but instead of a head injury, he left with a leg injury. The kick was only a feint and changed his momentum to kick at his thigh.
The old-timer couldn't stand anymore from the weight of the kick. Most of it attributed 3x gravity that was applied to his body making the kick feel extra heavy.
Nursing his wounds with both of his hands, he felt like he was a little child in front of his parent after doing something bad. Just 3 years ago they were on somewhat equal grounds and now this 16-year-old teenager can practically kill him whenever he wanted. What a world.
To salvage his reputation and pride, he resorted to his last option.
"Look! Tien is back up and is calling you!"
Goku turned to look back towards the fighters stands, he only saw Krillin, Yamcha, and Chiaotzu staring back at him. Before he could tense up for the attack, he heard Jackie talk.
"I give up."
He was already off stage by the time anyone could react. Roshi, by giving up, kept the little pride that he had by not having his own student hand his a*s to him.
Everyone knew that had happened and only had one word to describe this kind of behavior.
'Shameless!'