Mr. Shen removed his glasses.
In that instant, his ordinarily dull eyes deepened, as if containing galaxies and oceans.
He understood that conventional methods would not work against this monster.
"In that case…"
Mr. Shen's voice became solemn and grand, no longer that of a middle-aged man.
"Let me show you a technique worthy of a god."
He spread his hands and began to float slowly.
The space around him started to warp.
This was no ordinary ki it was a higher form of energy manipulation, something closer to magic.
"Mak… no, using a sealing wave with this mortal body would destroy it."
Mr. Shen instantly dismissed the sealing technique and switched to another ability.
His fingers moved rapidly through the air, leaving golden trails behind.
"Divine Binding Technique!"
The golden trails instantly solidified into chains, shooting toward Krillin from all directions.
These chains were not physical; they were made purely of spiritual energy, capable of locking a target's soul and movement.
"This is…"
Tien's face turned pale at the sidelines.
"It's like Gyoza's psychic powers, but at a much higher level!"
The golden chains wrapped around Krillin, binding him tightly like a dumpling.
"Got him!"
Mr. Shen exhaled in relief.
Once this technique landed, even King Piccolo would be unable to move.
"This is godly power?"
Krillin looked down at the golden rings around him, feeling a bit heavier, like… wearing a thick sweater.
"Is that all you've got?"
Krillin looked up, disappointment lacing his tone.
"If this is the extent of a 'god,' then I overestimated this profession."
"You… what did you just say?"
Mr. Shen froze.
"Break!"
Krillin didn't even strike a proper stance; he simply expanded his chest.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
The crisp sounds echoed across the arena.
The chains, said to bind a soul, snapped under Krillin's sheer physical strength, like cheap plastic ropes.
The golden fragments dissolved into the air like sparkling stars.
Mr. Shen's body convulsed in midair, almost vomiting blood.
That was the backlash of his technique being violently broken.
"Impossible… these are rule-based bindings… how can brute force break them?"
His worldview shattered at that moment.
To him, magic and rules were above physical strength.
Yet Krillin's existence seemed to say: if your power is enough, rules are meaningless.
"Nothing is impossible."
Krillin brushed the dust from his chest and stepped forward.
Just one step.
Boom!
The entire arena trembled violently. Mr. Shen felt a terrifying pressure crash over him.
It wasn't ki; it was the pure, apex-predator aura of a dominant male.
To Mr. Shen, Krillin was no longer human he was a beast capable of devouring heaven and earth.
The bald man seemed like a black hole, greedily consuming every bit of light and hope around him.
"What… what are you?"
Mr. Shen collapsed to the ground, his middle-aged disguise barely holding, face pale as paper.
"Me?"
Krillin stood over him, sunlight glinting gold along his silhouette.
"Krillin, student of Master Mutaito."
He reached out and lightly flicked Mr. Shen on the forehead.
Thump.
The flick was nothing special, not even a "normal finger strike," just the casual strength of a kid teasing another.
Yet Mr. Shen felt as if he'd been struck by a battering ram.
He rolled across the ground multiple times, landing flat on his back, glasses flying off.
The arena went silent.
Seconds later, laughter erupted.
"Hahaha! What's that old guy doing?"
"He just got flicked on the head and fell over?"
"Is this some kind of scam?"
"Krillin is insane! Even a flick to the head can send someone flying!"
Mr. Shen stared at the blue sky, bitterly realizing the truth.
He had lost.
Completely.
No excuses.
Even using his true godly form would not have changed anything.
Krillin wasn't on the same dimensional level.
This was absolute power, the ultimate demonstration of overwhelming force.
"I surrender."
Mr. Shen raised a hand weakly.
The referee blinked in surprise, then shouted, "Mr. Shen admits defeat! Winner Krillin!"
[Ding! Congratulations, host has defeated Earth's god (disguised version).]
[Reward calculation in progress…]
[Obtained S-rank passive skill: Beginner Divine Healing.]
Krillin glanced at the system panel, a satisfied smirk on his lips.
A healer skill?
Nice.
At this early Dragon Ball stage, it was rare like having infinite Senzu Beans on hand.
If Bulma or anyone got hurt, he could just place his hands on them…
Heh, the picture was too perfect.
Mr. Shen shakily stood up and put on his glasses.
He looked at Krillin, his expression a complex mix of emotions.
"Young man… no, Krillin."
Mr. Shen corrected himself.
"The future of Earth may really depend on you."
"Your power is… unusual, but I can feel that you bear no ill will toward this world."
"Don't worry, old man."
Krillin patted his shoulder, casually tossing him the newly acquired Beginner Divine Healing.
A gentle green light shimmered.
Mr. Shen felt warmth fill him; the internal injuries from earlier vanished instantly, even his original lower-back disc problem was healed.
"This is…"
He stared at his own hands, shocked.
"Divine power? You… can actually perform healing at this level?"
"Learned it on the sly."
Krillin winked.
"My only skill is picking things up fast."
Mr. Shen was utterly speechless.
He shook his head like a lonely retired official and slowly walked down the arena steps, briefcase in hand.
Krillin watched him leave, then spoke to the system in his mind.
"System, can this Divine Healing be upgraded?"
[Answer: Yes. Currently beginner level, applicable only to Earth's god-level beings. If host absorbs or defeats higher-dimensional gods, skill will evolve.]
"That old man said I have a strange aura. Thoughts?"
[That is the sensitivity of higher-dimensional beings to rules.]
[Your power originates from One Punch Man, a force that breaks limiters. In this ki-and-state-focused Dragon Ball world, it's like coding a digital signal into a painting naturally noticeable.]
Krillin stroked his chin, eyes deep with thought.
"Gods, Kai, Supreme Kai, Kaioshin… the ladder goes on."
At 16% fusion with the Saitama template, he was already invincible on Earth at this point.
Even Raditz would be a one-punch job.
But Vegeta?
Frieza?
Those guys had tens of thousands, millions, even billions of battle power.
Though Saitama's strength is conceptual, "unbeatable," he was still constrained by data until 100% fusion with the system.
"If I could learn Kaioken, or Ultra Instinct, combined with Saitama's Serious Series…"
A vision formed in his mind.
Bald head, glowing silver aura, one punch, even Zen-Oh would be knocked off his throne.
"Heh, if I could absorb Zen-Oh's power, could I just snap my fingers and erase things?"
Krillin shook his head, dismissing the wild thought.
Messing with Zen-Oh now would be suicide.
Even Beerus sneezing could probably take him down at this stage.
Step by step, bite by bite.
First goal: win this Martial Arts Tournament.
Capture Bulma completely, then prepare for the Saiyan arc's experience boost.
"Ladies and gentlemen! The moment has arrived!"
The host's voice cracked with excitement, the loudspeakers squealing.
"The 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament, the final match!"
"On one side, the bald powerhouse with unfathomable strength, able to send even gods flying Krillin!"
"On the other side, the young hero with incredible speed and indomitable will, who defeated Tien Son Goku!"
"This is not just a match, but the ultimate showdown between Turtle School disciples!"
"Who is truly the strongest on Earth? Let's watch!"
DONG…
The giant gong shook hearts.
Goku stood on the opposite side of the arena.
He had eaten a Senzu Bean, fully restored.
Thanks to his Saiyan physiology, the fierce battle with Tien had made him even stronger.
His clear eyes burned with unprecedented fighting spirit.
"Krillin!"
Goku crouched slightly, excitement blazing.
"We've trained together since childhood, but your growth this time is incredible. I can't wait to fight you!"
Krillin looked at him.
The system panel flickered.
[Son Goku]
[Battle Power: Unloaded]
[Potential: ??? (You know, Saiyan bonus)]
[Status: Extremely excited, wants to pin you to the ground and rub you around.]
"Wanna beat me?"
Krillin grinned, casually rolling his wrists.
"Goku, I need to teach you something."
"What lesson?"
"The fewer the hairs, the higher the power."
He pointed to his shiny bald head.
"You have so much hair, you can't beat me."
Bulma snorted from the crowd, while Mr. Shen, still lingering, stared blankly.
"Enough talk."
Krillin's gaze sharpened; the casual aura vanished, replaced by oppressive intensity.
"Come on, Goku. Give me everything you've got."
"Don't disappoint me, or I'll eat your share of the barbecue tonight."
"Not happening!"
Goku's expression changed immediately at the mention of losing his meal.
"That calls for serious effort!"
Boom!
Two incredible auras collided at the center of the arena. The air cried out. The final match had officially begun.