A true demon king only needs one thing — absolute power.
Everything else can be handled by subordinates.
That was something Naruto had taught Piccolo.
I already have invincible power.
Now I just need worthy followers.
Piccolo clenched his right fist, eyes narrowing toward the other side of the arena.
There, a burly man wrapped head-to-toe in bandages felled his beast-man opponent with a single punch.
It was The Mummy Man, one of the top five warriors once in Fortuneteller Baba's service — the same group Devilman had belonged to.
Piccolo had practically poached Baba's roster; her two strongest fighters now served him instead.
And not just those two.
"Piccolo-sama, I'm one match away from reaching the top 16,"came a respectful voice from the shadows.
A tall young man stepped forward, his presence radiating malice.
Emblazoned in bold script across the chest of his martial-arts gi was a single character: 雷 (Thunder).
He stopped before Piccolo and bowed.
Piccolo didn't even glance his way.
"Win," he said coldly.
"Yes, my lord."
"Next up — the legendary martial artist, Rai Wu (OC)!" the announcer called.
The sinister young man leapt onto the ring in one bound.
Rai Wu — a prodigy among dark-style martial artists.
Clearly, this "Thunder Warrior" was yet another of Piccolo's subordinates.
Barely ten seconds after the match began, he claimed victory with ease.
"Winner: Rai Wu!"
Now I have powerful subordinates as well, Piccolo thought with satisfaction.
Finishing his own match with a single finger flick, he too advanced to the top 16.
Naruto, you'll soon see how far I've come these past two years. I guarantee you'll be shocked.
Meanwhile, Goku had just finished his own preliminary round and was jogging over to watch Krillin's match when —
A soft tap touched his shoulder.
A slender white hand.
He turned to see a tall, graceful girl standing behind him, dressed in a blue Tang-style martial robe.
Her refined features and elegant aura left Yamcha and Krillin both momentarily speechless.
Since when did Goku know a beauty like that?
"It's been a long time," she said with a gentle smile, a faint blush rising on her cheeks.
"Uh…"
Goku scratched his head, circling around her curiously.
No matter how he looked, he couldn't recall where he'd seen her before.
Finally, under her hopeful gaze, he asked bluntly, "Who are you?"
" …!!! "
In an instant, the girl's smile vanished, replaced by fiery anger.
"You heartless man! Trying to back out of our engagement?!"
Her furious roar echoed through the entire arena like a lion's roar.
Without giving Goku a chance to respond, she turned on her heel, stormed up to the ring, and obliterated her opponent with a single punch.
Krillin blinked blankly. "Engagement…?"
Yamcha gawked. "Heartless man…?"
Those words might have fit him, but Goku?
The two exchanged a look, both equally bewildered.
"Goku," Krillin asked skeptically, "during that year you were training at Kami's place… you were actually training, right?"
Yamcha chimed in, "Yeah, you sure you weren't out flirting instead? How else do you know such a cute girl?"
Despite the teasing, Goku brushed it off, won his own match, and secured his spot among the top 16.
One by one, the rest of the Dragon Team qualified as well.
Thus, the Top 16 lineup for the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament** was decided:
Naruto Uzumaki, Son Goku, Tien Shinhan, Krillin, Chiaotzu, Yamcha, "No Name" (the mysterious girl), Mr. Shen, the Assassin, Crane Hermit, Demon Spawn #2, Mummy Man, Devilman, Rai Wu, Masked Man, and Tiger nosuke.
The greatest warriors on Earth had all gathered.
As always, the match order would be determined by random draw.
Match 1: Naruto vs. Masked Man
The "Masked Man" turned out to be a short, round fellow.
Even through the mask, Naruto instantly recognized him — Yajirobe, the infamous Senzu Bean Slayer.
After all, there weren't many chubby guys with a power level of 170.
He wasn't connected to Goku's group at all; he'd simply been lured by the huge prize money.
"Begin!"
Yajirobe's specialty was swordsmanship, but tournament rules forbade weapons, leaving him to fight barehanded.
Still, his sumo-style grappling made him no pushover.
Against anyone else, he might have lasted a few rounds.
Unfortunately, his opponent was Naruto.
"Hrah!"
Knowing Naruto wasn't easy prey, Yajirobe charged cautiously, pushing forward sumo-style, hands thrusting rhythmically.
When he saw Naruto standing there casually, barely acknowledging him, a grin crept across his face.
He's underestimating me… perfect.
When only ten meters separated them, his eyes flashed.
Now!
He exploded forward like a human tank, pouring every ounce of strength into the rush.
Even a stone wall would've been flattened.
When his hands finally met Naruto's chest, he felt resistance — Naruto's feet sliding backward, inch by inch.
Got him! Yajirobe thought, doubling down with all his might, determined to shove him out of bounds.
Then — POOF!
A puff of white smoke filled the air.
Suddenly the weight before him vanished.
He looked down.
In his arms wasn't Naruto — it was a log.
"Wha—?!"
A sharp pain exploded from behind.
Naruto's foot slammed squarely into his rear, sending him flying out of the ring.
Not being able to fly was… a serious handicap.
Face-first in the dirt, Yajirobe dimly heard Naruto's voice behind him:
"That kick was for all the Senzu Beans you've murdered."
"Sen… what beans?" Yajirobe muttered dazedly, rubbing his face.
Match 2: No Name vs. Son Goku
"Hmph!"
The moment the "No Name" girl stepped onto the ring, she glared at Goku and let out a sharp hmph!
Then another. And another.
"Hmph, hmph, hmph!"
"What's with all the snorting?" Goku asked, tilting his head innocently.
"Are you secretly a little pig, like Oolong?"
Her expression darkened instantly.
"Ask your conscience, you heartless man!"
"My… conscience?" Goku looked even more confused. "Uh… are you sure you've got the right guy?"
"Even if you turned to ash, I'd still recognize you!" she shouted.
"Son! Go! Ku!"
"The things you did to me — and now you won't even admit it!"
Her words sent the entire crowd into a frenzy of gossip.
Even the announcer leaned forward excitedly, microphone trembling.
Everyone loved a good scandal.
"Goku used to be such a player?" Tien muttered in disbelief.
Krillin shook his head firmly. "No way. I know Goku. If he really had done something to that girl, he'd have said so outright."
He crossed his arms. "Only Yamcha would deny it like that."
"Hey!" Yamcha snapped. "Are you doubting my devotion to Bulma? I've never two-timed anyone!"
"Yeah right," Krillin scoffed, rolling his eyes.
Then he turned to Naruto — only to find the blond eating a slice of watermelon, grinning as he watched the drama unfold.
"…Naruto, where'd you get that melon?"
"Want some?" Naruto offered him a wedge. "It's sweet."
"Mm… this is really good," Krillin admitted, munching happily.
Onstage, "No Name" had lost all patience.
Seeing Goku's clueless expression, she launched into a furious assault, every strike aimed at his vital points.
One kick in particular drew sympathetic winces from all the men watching.
Naruto muttered under his breath, "Good thing he dodged that one… otherwise Gohan might've never been born."
"You don't remember anything at all?!" the girl shouted mid-fight. "You made me wait for years!"
"Wait for who?" Goku asked sincerely.
That did it. Her rage peaked.
"Have you forgotten our promise?"
"Our… promise?" Goku blinked. What promise?
Before he could finish the thought, she yelled—
"You promised you'd marry me!"
" …Uh."
" …PFFT!!!"
Krillin spat his watermelon juice all over Yamcha's face.
"Marry you?! When did I ever say that?" Goku stammered. "At least tell me your name first!"
For all his combat genius, Goku was hopeless when it came to romance.
Half the things he said or did sounded unbelievable to normal people — hence his reputation as a bit of a clueless brute.
No one expected him to be a family man like Vegeta would one day become; even having his father Bardock's sense of responsibility would've spared Chi-Chi from turning into the nagging wife she later became.
The girl took a deep breath, calming herself.
"Fine. If you can defeat me," she said coldly, "I'll tell you who I am."
"That's all? Easy," Goku grinned. "Let's fight!"
"Hmph." A faint smile tugged at her lips despite herself. "Don't think I'll go easy on you."
She charged, but Goku's single punch — charged lightly with ki — sent her flying clean off the ring and into the wall.
A textbook display of energy control.
"See? Told you it'd be easy." Goku laughed, scratching his head. "Now can you tell me who you are?"
"Ow…"
The girl rubbed the back of her head, standing up with teary eyes.
"As expected of my future husband."
"You still don't remember me, huh?" she sighed.
"I'm Chi-Chi, daughter of the Ox-King. Does that ring a bell?"
"Chi-Chi?!"
Everyone who'd seen her years ago was stunned.
The little girl from back then looked nothing like this elegant young woman.
Even Naruto couldn't help muttering,
"Last time she looked like an Ultraman knock-off, and now she's a Chinese-style beauty… who could've recognized her?"
"Oh! Now I remember!" Goku suddenly clapped his hands. "Yeah, I did say I'd marry you!"
"And a promise is a promise."
"Then let's get married!" Goku declared cheerfully.
Chi-Chi instantly turned shy and demure. "Mm!"
Just like that — one question, one answer — they were engaged.
Even a shotgun wedding wouldn't be this fast.
The others could only stare, slack-jawed.
Chi-Chi was indeed beautiful, and everyone silently envied Goku.
Yamcha, now long past his fear of women, could only shrug, while Krillin's envious eyes practically popped out of his head.
Amid cheers and laughter, Chi-Chi held Goku's arm lovingly as they walked off the stage together.
Whether marrying Goku would bring her happiness or not — that, only time would tell.
Unlike his father Bardock — or even Vegeta — Goku was never much of a family man.
Match 3: Rai Wu vs. Krillin
"Be careful, Krillin. This guy's strong," Goku warned as his friend stepped onto the stage.
"If you see an opening, go all out."
Even Goku couldn't fully read the opponent's ki. One thing was certain: it was powerful.
"Show them the might of the Demon Tribe," Piccolo instructed Rai Wu quietly before the match.
"Crush that little bald one with overwhelming strength."
"Yes, Lord Piccolo."
Rai Wu smiled confidently — and in the next instant, he was already on the ring.
Watch carefully, Piccolo's voice echoed telepathically to Naruto.
He's one of my three strongest followers — the Demon Rai Wu.
Impressive aura, Naruto thought, nodding slightly.
"Your man's strong, no doubt. But Krillin's no pushover either.
If Rai Wu underestimates him at the start, he might just flip the match."
On Bulma's scouter, Rai Wu's power level read 700, slightly below Krillin's 770.
But Naruto had sensed it — Rai Wu was holding back something deeper.
Piccolo laughed.
"So, you noticed. Good! That makes it all the more interesting…"
"My… teacher."
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