The medical team hurriedly carried the unconscious Chiaotzu away on a stretcher.
Tien Shinhan followed close behind, his eyes bloodshot.
Before leaving, he shot one final look at Tao Pai Pai's back. The killing intent in his gaze was enough to freeze the surrounding air.
Tien Shinhan clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms as he ground his teeth.
"That bastard... I'm going to kill him for sure! To beat Chiaotzu like that!"
…
Back to the present.
The announcer, sporting a small golden mustache and sunglasses, wiped the cold sweat from his brow and forced a trembling smile.
"This... this is truly regrettable... but the tournament must continue!"
"Next match, competing for a spot in the Top Sixteen! From the Kame School, Krillin versus... Yamcha!!"
The moment the names were announced, the crowd—still overshadowed by the bloody scene from before—suddenly erupted into noisy excitement.
Gossip was the best medicine for easing fear.
"Hey, did you hear? This is a battle between love rivals!"
A martial artist with an afro excitedly elbowed his companion.
His companion's eyes widened.
"That bald guy Krillin supposedly stole Yamcha's girlfriend?"
"The heiress of Capsule Corporation?"
"My god, this is way more exciting than the fight earlier!"
"Look at Yamcha's expression—he looks like he wants to kill someone."
Amid the whispers and pointing fingers, Yamcha slowly stepped onto the stage.
He wore the familiar orange gi with the "Kame" symbol embroidered on the chest. Three signature scars marked his face.
Over the past three years, he had undergone hellish training in the wild.
His skin was bronze from the sun, his muscles more defined, and his aura carried a fierce, untamed edge.
But right now, the crowd's idle gossip cut deeper than any blade.
His expression was dark and terrifying.
This wasn't the composure of a martial artist facing a strong opponent.
It was the resentment of a man consumed by jealousy.
Puar floated nervously at the edge of the ring, wringing his tiny paws.
"Master Yamcha... good luck... don't be too impulsive..."
Yamcha ignored him completely.
His gaze locked onto Krillin across the arena.
If looks could kill, Krillin would have been shredded into pieces already.
"Krillin." Yamcha's voice was hoarse, as if scraped raw by sand.
"It's finally our turn."
Krillin stood with his hands in his pockets, looking relaxed.
Compared to Yamcha's burning resentment, he appeared almost indifferent.
He yawned casually, his eyes sweeping over the mission prompt displayed on the System panel.
[Mission: Completely destroy and defeat the fighting spirit of your love rival, Yamcha.]
[Reward: charm +1.]
"Yamcha, you can't beat me." Krillin spoke calmly.
"Even though Master Roshi's training made you stronger, you're still far from being able to defeat me."
"Shut up!!" Yamcha roared, veins bulging across his forehead like an enraged lone wolf.
"Stop acting so high and mighty, you despicable coward! You took advantage of my absence to swoop in and steal Bulma! You knew we were dating! You knew she was mine!!"
His roar echoed through the arena speakers.
The crowd exploded instantly.
"Wow! It's confirmed! He really is the third party!"
"That bald guy looks honest, but who knew he was such a player!"
"But relationships are mutual, right? Why is Yamcha screaming like that?"
Krillin sighed and scratched his bald head.
He had originally wanted to save some face for his old friend.
But since Yamcha insisted on publicly embarrassing himself, there was no need to hold back.
"Yamcha, since you insist on bringing this up here, let's clear the record."
Krillin's expression sharpened.
The relaxed air around him vanished, replaced by the pressure of a true powerhouse.
A faint sliver of his aura leaked out, causing the surrounding air to grow heavy.
Several nearby spectators subconsciously stepped back, struggling to breathe.
"First, you say I stole Bulma. No. I pursued her fair and square."
"Second." Krillin raised a finger and pointed directly at Yamcha.
"Do you really not know why Bulma left you? Or do you need me to remind you? The girl named Lily from the West City flower shop. And the female instructor at the gym.
Even during your so-called hellish training, you didn't exactly stop flirting with female martial artists everywhere, did you?"
Yamcha's face turned pale instantly.
His eyes darted wildly, like a cornered animal.
"You... you're lying! That was a misunderstanding! I just didn't know how to say no! I didn't want to hurt them!"
"Was it that you didn't know how to say no, or that you enjoyed being worshipped?" Krillin cut him off mercilessly.
"Yamcha, Bulma isn't your trophy. She isn't something you own. She's a living person. What she needs is security and wholehearted love.
And those are things you can't provide. You love yourself too much."
Krillin took a breath and turned slightly.
His gaze pierced through the crowd and landed on a blue-haired figure standing on the second-floor balcony.
The sharp aura around him vanished instantly.
In its place was warmth.
"She's very happy with me. And I promised her that if I win this World Martial Arts Tournament, I will officially propose to her."
The entire arena exploded.
"Propose?!"
"My god, that's romantic!"
"Using the championship as a betrothal gift? That bald guy talks big!"
"But why is that actually kind of cool?"
On the balcony, Bulma covered her mouth as tears welled up and fell.
She hadn't expected Krillin to say something like that in front of the whole world.
That feeling of being chosen without hesitation made her heart melt completely.
Through her tears, she nodded fiercely and shouted, "You idiot, Krillin! If you dare to lose, I really won't marry you!!"
At that moment, the outcome was already decided.
Not in strength.
But in mindset.
Watching the scene unfold, Yamcha felt as if his heart were being crushed by an invisible hand.
Shame.
Rage.
Despair.
All tangled together until his reason shattered.
He felt like a clown performing a solo act, while the lead role had long since changed.
"I don't believe it... I don't believe it!!" Yamcha roared like a wounded beast.
His Qi erupted violently, pale blue flames surging around him and sending gravel flying in all directions.
"I'll prove I'm the strongest! I'll take Bulma back!!
Krillin, go to Hell!!!"
...
Author's Note:
Dragon Ball: Reborn as Krillin, One Punch to Crush Saiyan's — Part 1 is now fully completed, with more than 80+ chapters available on my Patreon!
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1.Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
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3. Doraemon: Filtering with Nobi Tamako
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