Watching Goku and Chi-Chi's dazzling battle unfold, Tenshinhan felt like his brain was about to explode.
But on the stage, Goku and Chi-Chi weren't serious in the slightest.
They were fellow disciples, and more than that—engaged. There was no way they'd go all-out.
Even though it looked intense, neither of them was using their full power. It was a performance of give-and-take, a playful spar between two people who didn't actually want to win.
To outsiders, it looked like a titanic clash.
But to Krillin, who was on par with them, it looked more like an elaborate massage session.
Eventually, after exchanging countless blows, Chi-Chi, ever the better actor, let out a dramatic gasp as Goku gently landed a palm strike on her chest. She staggered backward with a pained cry and "accidentally" toppled out of the ring.
"Ah! I lost!" she said brightly, clearly more amused than disappointed.
Her over-the-top theatrics left Krillin speechless.
Still, while they were clearly faking it, the crowd had no idea. They erupted with thunderous applause.
"Beautiful!"
"Absolutely thrilling!"
"Top-level martial arts! I've never seen anything like it!"
"Even the girl was amazing—she lost, but with honor!"
From the sidelines, Bulma watched in silence, deep in thought.
'They're... way too strong.
I remember, after the tournament ends, Tambourine appears.
Krillin dies during that crisis.
I have to talk to them soon. They must not kill King Piccolo by accident—if he dies, the Dragon Balls vanish with him. That'd be a disaster.'
Soon, the match was officially declared.
"Son Goku wins!"
"And now, our next match—Tenshinhan versus Jackie Chun!"
"A truly fascinating matchup! Last tournament's champion, Jackie Chun, versus the unstoppable Tenshinhan! Let the battle begin!"
Tenshinhan, once proud and arrogant, now wore a very different expression. After witnessing true strength, his self-confidence had been shaken.
Facing Jackie Chun, he took a serious stance.
At the signal, both fighters rushed forward.
Their moves weren't as ethereal as Goku and Chi-Chi's, but the clash between Tenshinhan and Chun was sharp, calculated—every attack and defense executed with precision.
As time passed, their speed increased. Jackie Chun knew he couldn't outlast a youth—he didn't have that kind of stamina anymore.
So, he used the Afterimage Technique, hoping to win with finesse.
But just as one of his afterimages lunged in, Tenshinhan struck the real body directly.
He tapped his third eye with a smirk.
"You can't fool my third eye."
Jackie Chun blinked, then chuckled.
"Ah, I see. Very impressive. Looks like I'll have to take you seriously."
He stripped off his outer robe and powered up.
Tenshinhan charged again.
"You may be old, but I won't go easy. Let's see if you can keep up!"
But even as he increased his speed, Chun blocked every strike with ease.
Then, with a quick pivot, Chun swept his leg and sent Tenshinhan flying.
Applause rang out across the arena.
"Amazing!"
"Still strong after all these years!"
"That counter was beautiful!"
Tenshinhan flipped midair and landed on his feet, scowling. Losing to an old man? Unthinkable.
His pride couldn't accept it.
With a furious roar, he powered up and launched himself back at Chun.
This time, his punches were filled with real force—blows that could shatter stone.
Jackie Chun blocked, absorbed, redirected. Unlike the mystical feel of Goku and Chi-Chi's fight, theirs was grounded—flesh and blood colliding in raw, physical combat. You could feel every hit.
They clashed, separated, clashed again. Still, neither could gain the upper hand.
Tenshinhan was in awe.
'This old man... he's stronger than the Crane Hermit!'
Chun was equally impressed.
'This kid… took all my punches and didn't even flinch. His strength is beyond anything I expected.
I have to admit it—my era is ending.'
As they fought, Chun couldn't help but feel pity.
Such talent… wasted under the Crane Hermit.
"Why do you follow the Crane Hermit?" he asked.
"With this kind of skill, why walk a crooked path?"
Tenshinhan's face hardened.
"That's none of your business! Say one more bad word about my master and I'll make you regret it!"
Chun smiled. "Oh? What will you do?"
Tenshinhan smirked darkly.
"I'll stop holding back."
Chun blinked.
"Wait, you weren't holding back before?"
Krillin muttered, unimpressed.
"Please. Quit the drama, old man. Hit him with everything you've got."
Chi-Chi glanced at the fight, then turned to Goku.
"Goku?"
"Hm?"
"Back then, I always thought Jackie Chun was way stronger than me. But now, watching him fight… it's clear. Our three years of training weren't wasted. We've really gotten strong."
Goku nodded.
"Of course. Hard work always pays off."
Chi-Chi frowned slightly, eyes on the stage.
"I just hope he doesn't get hurt. That Tenshinhan guy hits hard."
Goku said,
"Don't worry. After Bulma healed Chiaotzu, I think he got the message."
"Hope so…"
Just then, Tenshinhan raised both hands to the sides of his head and shouted:
"Solar Flare!"
A blinding light burst forth.
"Ahhh!"
Jackie Chun staggered, suddenly blind.
"I can't see a thing!"
Tenshinhan flashed behind him and drove a sharp knee into the back of Chun's head.
Thud!
Chun collapsed face-first onto the arena.
The crowd gasped.
"What a devastating combo!"
"A flash of light to blind, then a precise strike from behind! Incredible technique!"
Tenshinhan stood tall.
"Ref! Start the count. He's down!"
The referee rushed in and began counting.
"1… 2… 3…"
But by the time he reached 5, Jackie Chun groaned and slowly sat up, rubbing his neck.
"Ow ow ow… That was a dirty shot, kid. Can't you show a little respect for your elders?"
Tenshinhan was stunned he got up so quickly.
The count stopped.
"Jackie Chun is up! What resilience! Let's give a hand to this fighting legend!"
In the audience, the Crane Hermit narrowed his eyes.
'That guy… he looks familiar.
And that spot on the neck…
Taking a hit like that and standing up? He's not ordinary.'
Tenshinhan growled,
"You're no ordinary martial artist. Who are you?"
Jackie Chun stared him down.
"You have great talent. So why use it for evil?"
"Why follow the path of darkness?"
"You're disgracing your skill. Cut ties with the Crane Hermit. Come into the light!"
Tenshinhan clenched his fists.
"Enough with the lectures!"
He lunged again.
Despite his age, Jackie Chun held firm, blocking every strike.
Between clashes, he spoke calmly.
"Why the hesitation?"
"Your moves… they've lost their bite. Are you confused?"
"Don't spout nonsense!" Tenshinhan snarled.
"I'm not preaching," Chun said.
"I just hope that one day, you'll laugh freely…
And enjoy life, not fear it."
"You want to end up like the Crane Hermit? Hated, feared, forgotten?"
Then a voice echoed telepathically in Tenshinhan's mind.
"It's him! That's Master Roshi!"
Tenshinhan froze.
"What?! That's…?!"
A jolt ran through his chest.
'No wonder… no ordinary old man could be this strong.'
Jackie Chun gave a sheepish shrug.
"Whoops. Guess I've been found out.
Well, don't tell anyone, alright?
I wasn't lecturing you out of pride—just didn't want to see your talent wasted."
Tenshinhan smirked.
"Then let me repay you—with a surprise!"
Jackie Chun raised an eyebrow.
"What, you gonna show me swimsuit photos?"
"Photos, my ass!"
Tenshinhan dropped into a familiar stance—hands cupped at his side, waist twisted.
Jackie Chun's eyes widened.
"No way…"
Krillin and Chi-Chi gasped.
"That's the Kamehameha!"
Krillin:
"Are you kidding?! He learns faster than I do!"
Chi-Chi looked unimpressed.
"Well, Goku learned flight just by watching Chiaotzu, so he's even faster."
Krillin grumbled.
"Hey! I'm the only one left who can't fly!"
Chi-Chi giggled.
"I'll teach you."
"Bah, no thanks! I'll just copy Tenshinhan next time he uses it!"
Just then, Tenshinhan unleashed the Kamehameha.
Jackie Chun's eyes went wide.
"Crap! If I dodge, someone in the audience might get killed!"
He tensed, arms bulging with power, and caught the blast head-on.
Redirecting it skyward, the beam shot into the clouds.
Everyone exhaled in relief.
"That was close!"
"I thought I was gonna die!"
"Watching this tournament is hazardous!"
The announcer shouted in awe,
"Incredible! The Crane School's Tenshinhan has mastered the Turtle School's Kamehameha!
Absolutely astonishing!"
Jackie Chun stared in disbelief as Tenshinhan chuckled darkly.
"Hmph. That dumb move? I figured it out just by watching.
Got anything else for me to copy?"
Jackie Chun's eyes were steady.
"Your talent is outstanding. I'm truly impressed."
"I just hope you use it to walk a brighter path someday."
Tenshinhan growled.
"Still preaching?"
Jackie Chun walked calmly toward the edge of the ring.
"I only hope that more young people shine in the martial arts world.
That way… I can retire in peace."
Then—he stepped down.
"What?!"
The crowd gasped.
"Jackie Chun has stepped out of bounds!
Victory goes to Tenshinhan!"
Tenshinhan stared in shock.
"Why… why did you give up?"
The Crane Hermit sneered.
"He's a coward! Afraid of losing! I exposed him, so he backed off!"
Tenshinhan frowned.
"That's not it. He wasn't even fighting seriously."
He glanced backstage.
Goku. Krillin. Chi-Chi.
All his students.
A flash of clarity struck.
'I've surpassed the Crane Hermit.
But they… they've surpassed Master Roshi.
And yet… he still tried to guide me.
He had nothing to gain from it.
He did it… for me.'
Tenshinhan turned back to the Crane Hermit.
And for the first time, he wondered if he had been walking the wrong path.
The seed of regret had been planted.