Cryos, who had been wearing a smile, suddenly twitched slightly at the corners of his mouth. Although he still maintained his grin, an intense chill emanated from him, sending a wave of freezing air sweeping through the surroundings.
"Whoa! Boss, why do I suddenly feel so cold?" The strategist shivered and pulled his clothes tighter around him.
"Damn! That's some serious killing intent! I didn't expect this guy to be this strong! Boss—" Taurus, unlike the strategist, was much more perceptive. He immediately pinpointed the source of the chilling aura and, realizing its intensity, quickly hid behind Goku.
Goku ignored the two and instead focused on Cryos, his heart filled with unease. That brief surge of energy just now was terrifyingly powerful! And he had claimed to be only slightly stronger than Frieza? What a joke—this guy was on a whole different level!
However, the suffocating aura disappeared just as quickly as it had come. Cryos resumed his calm demeanor, smiling at Goku as he said, "These two… are your subordinates? If you keep letting them run their mouths, they're going to cause you a lot of trouble."
Then, with an amused smirk, he added, "Well, I suppose I'll see you at the tournament. I'm very interested in testing the strength of a Super Saiyan."
With that, Cryos casually walked past them.
---
"Goku, that guy was really strong! Why does it feel like we keep running into more and more terrifying people? I think I should just not participate in this tournament," Krillin said, wiping the sweat from his forehead, his face filled with helplessness.
He suddenly realized that his world had undergone a drastic change ever since meeting Goku. It had transformed beyond recognition, and he could no longer keep up with the pace.
"It's fine. If you face him, just forfeit immediately. You should still have a shot at fourth or fifth place," Goku said casually.
"Then I'll aim for third place!" Taurus grinned.
"You're competing too? What about him?" Yamcha asked, pointing at the strategist.
"I'm the brains, not the brawn, so I won't be participating. Thanks for asking." The strategist adjusted his glasses, looking completely serious.
"That's a relief," Krillin sighed.
At that moment, he and the others realized something rather depressing—they weren't even strong enough to defeat this seemingly weak and sleazy-looking minotaur. A wave of frustration and determination surged within them—they had to get stronger!
---
Smack!
Suddenly, Goku felt a light tap on his shoulder. Curious, he turned around, and the moment he saw who it was, his eyes lit up.
"Hehe! Goku!" The one who had tapped him was a cute girl.
"Huh?!" Krillin, Yamcha, and the others were all stunned as they stared at the girl. Then, they turned to Goku with suspicion in their eyes.
"Wait… this girl… don't tell me she's another one of…"
"Uh… you are…" Goku pretended to scan her from head to toe before his face lit up in realization. "Chi-Chi! You're Chi-Chi, aren't you?"
"Yay! You still remember me! That makes me so happy!" Chi-Chi clasped her hands together, her face full of joy. Then, blushing slightly, she asked, "So… do you still remember what you promised me?"
"You mean the part where I said I'd marry you when we grew up?" Goku asked with a warm smile.
"So you do remember! Then… what do you think?" Chi-Chi asked shyly.
"Well, if you're okay with it, we can get married." Goku grinned. After all, how could he possibly turn down a girl who willingly offered herself?
"What?! Marriage?!" Krillin and the others immediately let out exaggerated screams of jealousy.
Krillin grabbed Goku by the collar and shook him furiously. "You bastard! Why is it that everywhere you go, women just throw themselves at you?! You already have a bunch of wives—how are we single guys supposed to feel about this?! You heartless jerk!"
"Wait… what? He already has a wife?" Chi-Chi's expression changed dramatically upon hearing that.
"Yes, and not just one!" Yamcha nodded, clearly jealous and eager to stir up trouble.
Chi-Chi gritted her teeth, her entire body trembling with anger. Then, she shouted, "You bastard!" before storming off.
"Yamcha! You bastard! You did that on purpose, didn't you?!" Goku immediately glared at Yamcha in anger.
"What? No way! I was just being honest!" Yamcha shook his head frantically.
---
"Chiaotzu! Make sure our numbers are spread out, and whatever you do, don't let us get matched up against that guy!" As the number drawing began, Tien immediately whispered to Chiaotzu, signaling him to cheat.
"The first group of preliminary matches is about to begin. You all know the rules, right? If you fall out of the ring, lose consciousness, or surrender, you lose. However, if you kill your opponent, you'll be immediately disqualified. Please keep that in mind. Now, would contestants 1 and 2 please step onto the stage!"
Goku glanced at his number—it was a large "1." He chuckled softly. "Looks like I'm up first. Aren't the strongest fighters supposed to go last?" With that, he walked up onto the stage.
---
"I never thought I'd face you in the first round! Perfect! You're the ideal opponent for me to redeem myself!"
Standing before Goku was a burly man with a wild afro and a look of confidence.
"Hey, look! It's King Chappa again!" Krillin said, already feeling sorry for the guy.
"Wasn't he the runner-up last time?"
"Yeah! He used to wear a Turtle School gi. Why's he dressed differently now?"
"He must've grown up!"
Many spectators began whispering among themselves.
"Let the match begin!" the referee announced.
Goku stood there calmly, watching King Chappa without a hint of tension.
King Chappa, on the other hand, was visibly frustrated. "Hmph! That's your stance? You'd better not underestimate me! Disrespecting martial arts will bring you nothing but disaster!"
"Hah!" King Chappa charged at Goku, his stance fierce and imposing—clearly, he was a seasoned martial artist.
Unfortunately, the result was completely one-sided.
Smack!
Goku casually slapped him to the ground, knocking him unconscious instantly.
"…He's… unconscious… Contestant 1 wins…" The chubby referee was stunned. That was way too fast!
"Wow… he knocked out King Chappa in a single hit…"
Many contestants were left speechless.
"What's so surprising? That weakling never stood a chance against the boss," the strategist scoffed.
The subsequent matches were similarly one-sided. Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, and the others all swiftly defeated their opponents and advanced to the next round. The only exception was Chiaotzu, who was struck down by Tao Pai Pai's Dodon Ray and sent flying out of the ring, unconscious.
"Chiaotzu! Are you okay?! Chiaotzu!" Tien rushed over, cradling him in his arms, his face filled with worry.
"Heh… I held back enough to keep him alive. If I had killed him, I would've been disqualified." Tao Pai Pai smirked arrogantly, his hands behind his back.
"You… what did you say?!" Tien gritted his teeth in fury.
"Long time no see, Tien. I assume Goku is up next?" Tao Pai Pai sneered.
"Tao Pai Pai…" Goku narrowed his eyes as he approached.
"Hmph, so you recognize me?" Tao Pai Pai said smugly.
"You're still alive?" Tien was in disbelief.
"Of course. I'm not that easy to kill. Though, I'll admit, surviving took quite a bit of effort…"
Ignoring him, Goku waved a hand over Chiaotzu's body, enveloping him in a soft white glow. Moments later, Chiaotzu's eyes fluttered open.
"Chiaotzu! You're awake!" Tien exclaimed joyfully.
"Goku, when did you learn such an amazing technique?!" Krillin and the others were shocked.
"Not too long ago," Goku replied casually.
Meanwhile, across the ring, Cryos barely moved. With a casual flick of his tail, he sent his opponent flying, knocking them out instantly.
"Contestant 21 wins!"
"That guy is seriously strong… Goku, can you beat him?" Krillin and the others watched Cryos with unease. He felt even stronger than Broly…