Looking down on his opponents and failing to recognize his own limits—this trait sums up Yamcha's entire life.
In the original Dragon Ball story, during the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai, Yamcha underestimated Master Roshi because of his age. Instead of going all out from the start, he chose to test the waters. The result? A light breeze from Roshi's casual swing sent him flying out of the ring—eliminated in the quarterfinals.
By the 23rd tournament, Yamcha's strength had improved greatly under Roshi's tutelage. Yet, still overestimating himself, he believed he could handle Tien easily—only to be instantly defeated.
In the 24th tournament, he again made the same mistake—this time underestimating Shen-san, who was possessed by Kami. Yamcha assumed Shen-san was just a comic relief character, and even after being hit multiple times, he dismissed it as luck—until Shen revealed a bit of his true power and thoroughly schooled him.
People say "once bitten, twice shy," but even after so many humiliating lessons, Yamcha never learned.
During the Saiyan Saga, he failed to deal a killing blow to a Saibaman. The creature clung to him and self-destructed, giving birth to that legendary scene—"Yamcha lying down."
From that point on, Yamcha's combat relevance in the manga essentially ended. By the time of the Frieza and Android sagas, he could no longer keep up with Goku and the others.
In the anime, however, he still had some screen time—like when he defeated members of the Ginyu Force.
"Damn brat!" Yamcha growled, scowling after Naruto's lecture. "Looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson!"
In the next instant, Yamcha moved—assuming the classic Kame-style stance. His speed suddenly exploded, like a sudden storm, his fists flashing like lightning.
Even though he wasn't going all out, his probing attacks already far exceeded the level of an elite jonin.
But Naruto's current power couldn't even be measured by such a scale anymore.
"A lion gives its all, even when hunting a rabbit," Naruto said calmly. "You should do the same."
He blocked Yamcha's fierce barrage with just one finger.
"Testing your opponent only makes sense when you're strong enough to afford it," Naruto said, flicking his finger lightly. "Can't you sense the difference between our power?"
With that light flick, Yamcha was sent flying backward.
Thankfully, Naruto hadn't used much force—otherwise Yamcha would've been out cold. Clawing at the arena floor, he left five deep gouges before barely stopping himself at the edge.
"This guy…!"
Naruto's effortless move stunned not only Yamcha but also Tien, Goku, and Master Roshi, whose faces grew visibly serious. Their expressions toward Yamcha shifted—they realized something about Naruto wasn't ordinary.
Even when Naruto had just left the seal space with Kid Goku, he already possessed strength enough to challenge him. Now, at the time of the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai, he was operating on an entirely higher level.
In short, Naruto's power was a full tier above the Dragon Ball Z warriors.
Naruto crooked a finger at Yamcha, his expression teasing.
"Come on—show me what you've really got."
"Fine! I'll fight seriously this time!"
Yamcha quickly adjusted his mindset and lunged again—his speed now much faster than before, unleashing a furious storm of punches and kicks.
"Too flashy, too showy, and completely impractical," Naruto commented as he effortlessly dodged. "You trying to overwhelm me with a light show? Too bad—I'm not some old master. I'm younger than you."
"You're wasting movement during attacks," Naruto continued, weaving through Yamcha's strikes while pointing out his flaws one by one.
"Didn't Master Roshi teach you not to fight just to look cool?"
Yamcha's biggest weakness had always been his obsession with looking stylish in combat—a flaw Tien had long since overcome.
Then Naruto spun around and kicked Yamcha squarely in the back of the head. The blow made Yamcha clutch his skull and crouch down on the arena floor in pain.
"Damn it! Take this—Wolf Fang Fist!"
Yamcha unleashed his signature technique—a style he'd developed by mimicking wolves in the desert, abandoning defense for pure offense.
It was his trademark move, though aside from its first appearance, it had rarely ever brought him victory.
"Your stance leaves too many openings."
Naruto casually sidestepped, sweeping Yamcha's legs with a low kick.
Smack!
Yamcha's face slammed straight into the floor—a perfect "face-plant."
"Martial arts aren't just about your fists," Naruto said calmly. "Your footing is part of your attack too."
The audience erupted in laughter.
"So embarrassing…" muttered Bulma, covering her face in shame.
"Damn it…" Yamcha gritted his teeth, face red, climbing back to his feet.
"Don't worry about what others think," Naruto advised coolly, sensing Yamcha's chaotic energy.
"If a bit of laughter can throw your breathing off, that could cost you your life."
That was the difference between their worlds.
In the Naruto world, ridicule was meaningless—so long as you won, who cared if people laughed? Naruto himself had grown up surrounded by mockery and hatred, and yet here he was.
(And when he eventually got married, he'd probably have to endure his in-laws' disapproval too—dog head for safety 🐶).
But in the Dragon Ball world, things were different. Even during the Frieza saga, there were no large-scale wars—combat was always one-on-one, like a martial arts match.
"Don't make unnecessary moves. Don't strike fancy poses. Otherwise, you just give your opponent more chances."
Naruto ended the exchange with a single, casual punch to Yamcha's gut. The pain doubled him over, forcing him to one knee.
Yamcha had been completely overwhelmed from start to finish.
"That technique… isn't that Kame Style?" Goku exclaimed, recognizing the movements instantly.
Krillin glanced at Master Roshi, who had slipped backstage to get a closer look at the fight.
"Master, is he one of your disciples?"
Roshi shook his head firmly.
"Don't be ridiculous. I've never taken on a disciple like that."
No way he's one of Ox-King's students, Roshi thought. Someone with that level of ki control… he's beyond me already.
"You sure about that?" Krillin muttered, recalling how he'd been accepted as a student.
"Didn't you once teach someone just because they brought you a few magazines?"
"Nonsense!" Roshi smacked Krillin on his bald head. "Is that what you think of your master? I'll have you know I'm one of the most respected gentlemen in the martial arts world! How dare you imply I'm some kind of pervert?"
But as he waved his hands in protest, something fell from Roshi's robe—
A familiar book: "Icha Icha Paradise."
Krillin stared at the risqué cover, then looked back at Roshi.
Stare… 👀
"I'm… uh, reading it from a critical perspective," Roshi said, his face as thick as a fortress wall. Calmly, he picked the book back up and tucked it away as if nothing had happened.
He didn't press the issue any further, but a thought did cross his mind:
Could it be… that I actually trained him once before?
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