Smith Dole looked at the shattered arena with a frown. He had already replaced the old brick design with titanium alloy, thinking it would be sturdy enough. Yet Tony still managed to blow it apart. What next, adamantium or vibranium?
He thought about his abilities—Piccolo's magic could create clothing, but restoring an entire arena was out of reach.
Fortunately, he was prepared. He immediately sent a message backstage to Bulma. She wasted no time deploying a large number of robots. The big white machines quickly cleared the debris and laid down new alloy flooring. In just moments, the arena was renewed and gleaming.
Eddie Brock returned to the ring and couldn't help but sigh.
"Technology changes life. Capsule Corporation's philosophy couldn't be clearer than at this moment."
"The first match is over. Now, the second match begins!"
"Please welcome Tina and T'Challa!"
T'Challa rose from his seat. Beside him, T'Chaka reassured him.
"Go, my son. With vibranium, you won't be in danger."
His sister Shuri added with a grin, "Show them the power of the Black Panther. Shock them all."
T'Challa nodded, donned his Black Panther helmet, and sprinted toward the arena. With a front flip, he landed gracefully on the ring.
Having consumed the heart-shaped herb, his speed was formidable. In full sprint, he could reach 100 km/h. But compared to Xu Wenwu and Tony's earlier display, it hardly impressed.
Still, Tony and Ivan Vanko both locked eyes on his suit, their minds on one thing: Was it made of vibranium?
On the other side, Tina took to the air in a single leap from the stands, soaring straight into the center of the ring. Compared to her dramatic entrance, T'Challa's flip looked tame.
Eddie exited, and referee Smith Dole stepped between them.
"Surrender, loss of combat ability, being down for more than ten seconds, or being thrown out of the ring—all count as defeat."
"Now begins the second Dragon Ball Contest match!"
With that, Smith Dole vanished from the ring.
At the call to start, T'Challa charged forward at once. He knew he had no mystique like others here. If he wanted to win, he had to strike first.
Tina didn't move. She just stood there, expression calm, watching him approach.
Closing the distance quickly, T'Challa felt his dark expression turn even darker behind his mask. Was this woman looking down on him? Not even bothering with a stance? Fine. Then don't blame me for being ruthless.
His claws extended, slashing at Tina.
But to Tina, his movements were painfully slow. She sidestepped easily, lips curling into a faint smile, and in the next breath conjured a double-edged sword from pure energy. She swung.
Clang!
To T'Challa's eyes, she moved impossibly fast, dodging his strike and summoning a blade out of thin air. A heartbeat later, he was sent flying.
Though the Black Panther suit blocked the cut, Tina's superhuman strength knocked him clear across the ring.
The crowd gasped.
"So fast!"
On the holographic screen, a picture-in-picture replay rolled in 100x slow motion, showing T'Challa's failed strike, Tina's effortless dodge, and her devastating counter.
"My god, how did that sword appear? Incredible!"
"So cool!"
In the stands, Marcus turned to Selina.
"If you were in this tournament, do you still think you could win the championship?"
Selina shook her head.
"No. Even in the last one, if Tony Stark hadn't run out of ammo, just those missiles alone would've finished me."
Marcus chuckled.
"Luck is sometimes a part of strength."
Back on the arena, T'Challa climbed to his feet, his face hidden by the mask. Too fast. Too strong. Without his suit, that one strike would have killed him.
But surrender? Impossible. His pride wouldn't allow it. He charged again.
This time, Tina dismissed her conjured weapon. She didn't even need it. With a burst of speed, she reached him first, her fist hurtling forward.
Startled, T'Challa rolled aside rather than take the hit. His momentum carried him across the ring, claws digging into the alloy floor to halt his slide. Deep gouges marked the titanium beneath his grip.
Tony and Ivan exchanged a look. No doubt now—the suit was made of vibranium.
Tina glanced at his battered state, smiling.
"Admit defeat. You're no match for me."
But T'Challa shook his head.
"Even if I can't win, I'll fight with everything I have."
Her eyes hardened. She couldn't waste time, not knowing when her "eternal frenzy" might strike.
"In that case… I'll send you out myself."
She blurred forward, appearing right before him, and her fist came crashing down.
(End of Chapter)
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