The World Martial Arts Tournament was really starting to live up to its name. Fighters from all across the globe had turned up and were continuing to arrive by the boatful to compete, all of them proficient in different forms of combat and all of them adorned in a variety of different costumes. Much like the Intergalactic Tournament months before, the promise of prize money had drawn in a bucket load of competitors. While most of them were definitely in it for the rewards being promised should they make it to first, second or third places on the chart, only a small number of them were really here for a shot at the title.
It was a pretty big show they were putting on and everyone was eager to get started. The sound of the crowds filing into the stadium just over the rooftops could be heard filtering over the rambunctious groups of martial artists. This was all the sign that was needed to let everyone know that the main events were just about to start.
"It's a shame the two of us are underage. I'd really like to fight it out on the ring with the adults," Gohan murmured in disappointed.
"Yeah. Same here," Videl replied with a bit of a frown as well as she watched the adults warming up across the courtyard, "Maybe it will be different next time. But for now we're just going to have to be content with blowing through the kids in the Junior Division. It was a piece of cake last time I was here and it looks like it's going to be a piece of cake this year as well."
"Well… until you reach the finals of course," Gohan remarked, at the same time grinning across at his raven haired student. "Don't forget; you've now got me to contend with."
"And you can bet that I'm going to give it my all when we finally meet each other in the ring," Videl answered, throwing the spiky haired fighter a grin while flicking a pigtail over her shoulder, "Even though I know you're going to win, there's no way I'm going to make it easy on you. You can count on it."
Sharing a laugh, the two youngsters went back to watching the competitors for the adult event file in, while at the same time trying to make out any of the other Junior Division entrees. Unable to find many even with their ability to sense energy, the demi-Saiyan then became curious about something and looked back at his friend inquisitively. "There are an awful lot of fighters here. How do you think they're going to decide who gets to compete in the tournament? Are they going to let all of them into the ring?"
Videl frowned, "Well, in the last several tournaments the officials decided the finalists through a series of preliminary matchups, which helped them to weed out the weaker fighters from the best ones, and allowed them to fill up the roster. But now they've switched to a stupid counter system where they decide through a test of strength whether you're able to qualify."
"Strength test?"
"A punch machine to be more precise," the raven haired youngster informed with a shrug. "If you ask me, I think that's a really cop-out way to decide who gets to battle it out with the champion in the lineup. The art of fighting isn't all about strength. It's also about speed and technique, and how you conduct yourself in the arena. Power is just a contributing factor."
"Yeah. You can say that again," Gohan murmured. Even though power was now a predominant factor in the case of the Z-fighters, they fought their battles on an entirely different level. When they were coming up against someone who was equal to them in power and speed, that's where strategy, intelligence, and skill came into the picture.
Taking interest in a couple of the more hilariously dressed fighters, including a man who'd gone full punk-rocker and another in colorful, super-hero spandex, the pair soon had their attention drawn to the front when a group of tournament staff members stepped up and began making their announcements.
"Could everyone who is participating in the Adult Division of the World Martial Arts Tournament please gather over here so that we may begin the preliminaries!" the short, portly man in the checkered shirt and suspenders said through the microphone, before then gesturing over to his right by the board. "And to all those participating in the Junior Division please make your way over to the staff member standing beside me!"
"That's our cue," Videl chirped, taking Gohan's hand and quickly running him over to the front. The boy matched her speed with his own, ducking and dodging martial artists all the way across the quad, before eventually stopping before the tournament official in question. About a minute or so later, them and dozens of other youngsters all dressed in fighting gear were led across the rest of the court and into the central building.
Following the main corridor for several minutes, the platoon of adolescent fighters was eventually deposited in the main hall right where the entrance to the arena stood. Arranging themselves within the well lit area, they made extra certain to pay attention to the elderly monk who'd led them here so as to take in his next set of instructions.
"All of you who are participating in the Junior Division will wait here in this room until your names are called out. When they are, the two competitors who will be facing each other may pass through the barricade and follow the footpath up onto the ring to begin your match," the official explained, gesturing the children's attention towards the canvas divider with the tournament Kanji emblazoned upon it.
Looking at it, both Gohan and Videl could see through the beams of sunlight the stadium beyond the doorway. It was a sight that had them clench their fists excitedly.
"Remember, there is to be no quarreling between participants during the fights," the elder continued with a firm wag of his finger. "If you are not fighting out on the ring, you are either waiting here for your name to be called or warming up for your matches. Staff members will be posted here to keep an eye on you lot and if they see any roughhousing between competitors, the participants responsible will be automatically disqualified." Putting the fear of divine retribution in the groups of youngsters, the monk then gave them a smile and a nod. "Also, as part of the rules of this tournament, there is to be no hitting below the belt or poking in the eyes. Actions like that are considered dishonorable and are not allowed out in the ring. Am I clear?"
"Yes," came the unified reply from every child and youngster present.
Acknowledging their simultaneous responses, the official continued. "Good luck… and may the heavens smile upon you. As an added bonus to your experience here, not only will the winner of the Junior Division leave for home with one million zeni in their pockets, with the runner up receiving five hundred thousand, the victor will also have a chance to fight with Mr. Satan himself." He then pointed towards the wall, where the kids saw a large board being set up by two other officials. "You can find out when you'll be fighting and who your opponents are going to be on the roster over there. Bear in mind that your names have been randomly assigned to the lineup and that no changes can be made now that they've already been listed. So if you're fighting against somebody you don't want to, you can either stick it through or throw in the towel. It's your choice."
As soon as that announcement was made, almost every single child in the crowd made their way over to check out the brackets. Crowding before the board, with many of the stronger kids shoving their way to the front, they saw exactly how many were participating in the Junior Division and who they were set to battle in the first round of matches.
Thirty five fighters in total by Videl's count and judging from the variance in ages between those competing, it didn't look like their part of the tournament was going to be very exciting. With the adult division, the crowds had the pleasure of watching some real martial artists with real skills fight it out. This on the other hand was just a sideshow, an opening act that the spectators would have to sit through before the real fun started.
Of course, Gohan and Videl had every intention of putting on an awesome final round match for their run. That is… if they were actually fighting in the last round.
Sure enough…
"Hey. Check it out. We're on opposite ends of the board," Gohan exclaimed, pointing up at the brackets.
"Awesome. That means we get to face each other in the last round," Videl said, throwing the boy a grin and jabbing a fist into her open palm. "All we have to do is get through these guys and we'll be fine."
Apparently her words were loud enough for some of the more competitive kids to hear and when they turned to see what girl was bold enough to mouth off like that, they got the surprise of their lives when they saw the daughter of Mr. Satan standing behind them. One boy around thirteen years old and standing in front of her, dressed in a taekwondo uniform, turned to glare down at her, only to back off when he recognized her face.
"Gah! I-It's Videl Satan?"
"The champ's daughter is competing?" another kid spoke up when he turned to spot the teen. "Aw, man. Now we're never going to win this thing."
"Hey. She's wearing the same outfit as that boy next to her."
"Are they both disciples of the same gym?"
"Then that means he must be really strong as well!"
Seeing the commotion start up and the crowd of kids give them their full and undivided attention, the demi-Saiyan looked around oddly before turning to his friend. When he did, he saw that the raven haired fighter was rubbing her cheek in embarrassment and trying not to make eye contact.
"Wow. You're pretty popular around here."
"Yeah. You can thank my dad for that," the raven haired girl mumbled while smiling across at the Saiyan warrior. "It's a shame they don't recognize you from your outfit. You are the son of a former world champion as well."
"Heh. I guess the tournament wasn't as commercialized back in the days my dad was competing as it is now."
"True. But I bet when the announcer calls out your name, he might make mention of your dad and the audience will remember who he is."
"That would be cool," Gohan remarked, radiating with positive waves at the thought of his father being acknowledged for his accomplishments in the previous competitions.
After making sure they had their placements for the tournament assured, the children then scattered around the room to wait out the next several minutes before they were all called out. While most of the kids decided to mingle, Gohan and Videl, adorned in the orange and blue colors signature of their respective mentors, decided to find their own space by the wall. Around them they could hear the kids challenging and trying to intimidate each other, while friends were boasting about how they were going to shake hands with the Champ at the end of this.