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*****
"Next match: Krillin vs. Puntar!"
The host's voice rang out, calling the contestants for the third match to the stage.
"Krillin, go ahead and get your match over with," Goku said. Seeing that the Supreme Kai was still struggling to come up with a plan to handle Dabura, Goku suggested they keep the tournament moving. Deep down, he wasn't particularly intimidated by Dabura or Majin Buu—a confidence born from seven years of intense training in the Other World.
Vegeta felt the same. His primary focus was settling his score with Goku; he didn't view some self-proclaimed "King of the Demon Realm" as a credible threat. Mostly, he just wasn't that impressed by the Supreme Kai's own power level.
Krillin nodded and headed up. He knew staying in the huddle wouldn't help; with the massive power gap between him and enemies like Babidi or Dabura, he wasn't exactly the heavy hitter for this mission anyway.
"Supreme Kai," George said, stepping over with a smile while Krillin fought. "Since a plan hasn't materialized yet, why not watch the matches? You might find your perspective shifting once you see what these warriors can do."
He added reassurances: "Besides, Babidi won't be able to gather enough energy to resurrect Buu in just a few minutes." George knew that once the Kai witnessed Goku and Vegeta in action, he'd realize Dabura wasn't the insurmountable wall he imagined.
The East Supreme Kai hesitated, then nodded. Observing these Earth-based warriors would help him calibrate his strategy. Regardless of Dabura's presence, he was determined to stop Buu's resurrection—Buu was a cosmic horror that made the Demon King look like a mere nuisance.
"Krillin wins!" the referee announced. It hadn't taken long.
"Fourth match: Kibito vs. Great Saiyaman!"
"Kibito, test his strength," the Supreme Kai whispered. "Don't hold back."
"Good luck, Gohan!" Videl cheered, giving him a thumbs-up. She was still a bit lost regarding the talk of wizards and demons, but she could tell Kibito was a top-tier expert.
"I won't lose," Gohan said, adjusting his bandana and sunglasses to ensure his disguise was secure before stepping onto the tiles.
Now the real show starts, George thought, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
Gohan had asked everyone not to transform into Super Saiyans to avoid the spotlight, assuming they would be the only ones dictating the pace. However, while Kibito wasn't as strong as a full-power Gohan—and perhaps even weaker than Piccolo—his power level was still in the billions.
Without transforming, Gohan's base power was roughly 600 to 700 million. In a base-to-base fight, he was no match for the Kai's attendant.
CLANG!
The gong sounded, and the two blurred into motion. The sheer speed and impact of their exchange left the audience in a daze once again. After a heated trade of blows, the two leaped apart, and the stadium erupted in standing ovations.
"Son Gohan, you cannot win like this," Kibito said calmly. "Transform into a Super Saiyan. I know your strength goes far beyond this. Only by seeing your true power can the Supreme Kai forge a plan to save the universe."
The Kais hadn't come to Earth completely blind; they knew about the Saiyans who had defeated Frieza. But in their eyes, Frieza was someone they could have disposed of easily, so they assumed the Saiyans' peak was only marginally higher.
Gohan hesitated. He craved a normal life, but with the fate of the universe at stake, vanity had to take a backseat. At least Piccolo broke all the cameras, he thought. Only the people here will see.
"HAAAAA!"
Gohan let out a roar. His black hair spiked into a brilliant gold, and a violent golden aura erupted, shattering his bandana and sunglasses. He didn't just go Super Saiyan; he pushed straight into Super Saiyan 2. His eyes grew sharp and fierce.
"What incredible energy!" Kibito and the Supreme Kai gasped, their eyes wide. Gohan's output was several times greater than their own.
"Hmph. The kid has slacked off for seven years," Vegeta muttered, arms crossed. "Even with his recent catch-up, he's a shadow of what he was."
"What?" the Supreme Kai asked, spinning around. "You mean he was stronger seven years ago?"
"Much stronger," Goku confirmed with a nod.
The Supreme Kai's expression shifted from disbelief to surging hope. If Gohan was this powerful, and Goku and Vegeta were supposedly even stronger, they actually stood a chance against Dabura.
"Watch the final match," George interjected. "Match eight is Goku versus Vegeta. If you want proof of their strength, you'll see it there." He suggested they wait before heading to Babidi's coordinates—mostly to ensure the Kai didn't think they were overconfident blusterers.
Meanwhile, Babidi's other henchman, Yamu, was watching his energy meter spike into the red. "This is it! This is the energy we need!" He ignored the rules entirely, circling behind Gohan to launch a sneak attack with the energy-drain device.
"Hmph!"
Gohan sensed the malice instantly. He spun, delivering a thunderous roundhouse kick. Yamu, with a measly power level in the hundreds, was sent flying like a ragdoll into the back wall, knocked unconscious instantly.
The Supreme Kai didn't interfere, George noted. In the original timeline, Shin had used his divine paralysis to hold Gohan still so the energy could be stolen, hoping to follow the trail back to Babidi. But since George had already provided the location via memory reading, there was no need for the sacrifice.
"How unexpected! Contestant Yamu has been disqualified for a foul attack!" the host shouted, quickly recovering.
The students from Orange Star High were rubbing their eyes in shock. "Isn't that... Gohan? The nerd Gohan is the Gold Fighter and the Great Saiyaman?"
"I can't believe it! George is a powerhouse, and even dorky Gohan is a monster!"
Kibito looked at the golden aura radiating from Gohan and smiled. "Impressive. I concede; I am no match for you." He wasn't there for a trophy; he had seen what he needed to see.
"Great Saiyaman wins! Next match: Android 18 vs. Mr. Satan!"
This match was the shortest of the day. 18 stood perfectly still, letting Satan pummel her. When he realized he couldn't even bruise her, and she nearly broke his ribs with a casual flick of her finger, Satan panicked. He realized these people were the real heroes who had beaten Cell.
In a desperate whisper, 18 cut a deal: "Give me 20 million Zeni, and I'll let you win."
Satan agreed instantly. Money was nothing to a man with fifty mansions, as long as his reputation remained intact. George understood 18's logic perfectly—she knew she couldn't beat Goku or Gohan in the later rounds, so she decided to secure a payout bigger than the first-place prize. She was a mother and a wife now; those 20 million would buy a lot of gifts for Marron.
The crowd, blindly loyal, roared as Satan "triumphed."
In the sixth match, Videl easily defeated Killa. In the seventh, Mighty Mask won by default since Yamu was unconscious.
Then came the main event: Goku vs. Vegeta.
Even George found himself leaning in. Both had trained relentlessly for seven years, and their technical mastery was flawless. However, Vegeta's base power was still trailing Goku's. He was forced to go Super Saiyan first.
The battle escalated to Super Saiyan 2. In a display of raw power that shook the foundations of the stadium, the two rivals clashed until, finally, Vegeta fell.
"Damn it... even after all this time, I still lose!" Vegeta lay on the floor, his voice a guttural roar of frustration. "I am the Prince of all Saiyans! How can the gap between us be this wide?"
"Vegeta..." Goku started, unsure of how to comfort him. He hadn't held back; to do so would have been the ultimate insult to Vegeta's pride.
"Sometimes," Vegeta said, slowly pushing himself up, his back to Goku as he walked off the stage, "I want to go back to being that cold, ruthless prince. To care about nothing again."
He paused. "But somehow, without even realizing it, your influence... it softened me. I never thought having a family would feel... good. Living on this backwater planet... I've grown to like it."
Suddenly, he whipped his head around, glaring fiercely at Goku. "Kakarot! Don't you dare get smug! I won't give up. I'll keep training, and next time, I'll be the one saving your pathetic life!"
Goku flashed a genuine, wide grin. "I'll be waiting, Vegeta. I won't let you pass me that easily!"
Wow, I'm actually a little moved, George thought to himself. Don't worry, Vegeta. Maybe I'll help you reach Super Saiyan 4 later so you can have your moment at the top. George knew that while Goku struggled with his primal instincts in the Great Ape form, Vegeta's royal lineage allowed him to maintain perfect clarity. With enough Blutz Waves, Vegeta could skip the mental struggle and go straight to the fourth stage.
As for why George didn't just seal Buu's egg right now? He could have. He could have added ten layers of protection to that ship. But he needed the crisis. He needed Majin Buu to pressure the Supreme Kai and the others—it was the only way to facilitate the learning of the Fusion Technique and solidify his standing in the divine hierarchy.
(End of Chapter)