At the 22nd Worlds Martial Tournament, the final round has just finished with the victor being Tien Shinhan, with all the crowds finally dispersing and the sun starting to set in the distance the last few fighters were left collecting their belongings before heading home. Son Goku was one of these fighters alongside his Teacher Master Roshi and his best friend Krillin, who had just offered his gi top to Goku, who now noticed Tien Shinhan walking towards him.
"Goku, listen. I've been thinking about it and there's something I want you to have" Tien said pulling out a white envelope and stepping closer to Goku.
"Ugh, Tien that's your prize money isn't it"? Goku asked.
"Hmph, look it's no big deal I just think you should take half, we both know if you hadn't of hit that truck you would've won you are stronger" Tien admitted. Goku put on the gi top that was offered to him by Krillin.
"No thanks, I appreciate the offer, but I wouldn't know what to spend it on anyway" Goku declined
"Yeah but" Tien Started
"Hehehehehe, Tien its true luck helped you win today but you shouldn't let that discount your achievement, in fact luck and strength go hand in hand" Master Roshi said whilst walking over to join the conversation.
"And I learned a lot from our fight" Goku admitted
"There you are ""Great match, let's go home" Bulma and Oolong called out whilst walking over to the others with Launch, Yamcha, Puar and Turtle following behind them. They all stopped a few feet from the others besides Yamcha who kept on walking on his crutches to stand in front of Tien.
"You fought well, really" Yamcha complimented.
"Ugh, thank you. Sorry about your leg I've done a lot of terrible things" Tien apologised whilst bowing his head
"No big deal, bones heal just like everything else" Yamcha shrugged "But at the next tournament I expect a rematch, got it?"
"Of course," Tien agreed
"What will you do until then?" Roshi questioned "3 years is a long time, where will you go?" Your more than welcome to stay with me, though you'll have to put up with Launches cooking" Roshi offered
"I heard that, I can tell you like me Tien. If you come to Roshi's Island, I'll be sure to take care of you for good" Launch exclaimed with a blush on her face. Everyone else was just wide eyed at the statement till Tien came to his senses and bowed his head.
"I appreciate the offer unfortunately even though Chiaotzu and I went against Master Shen we were still members of his school. I don't think we're allowed to switch, we'll find a home…..somewhere" Tien declined the offer respectfully with Chiaotzu looking up at him with curiosity.
"As you wish" Roshi sighed dejectively.
"Gggrrr, wait….. If you come I promise not to cook" Launch tried to bargain
"Tempting, but he's made up his mind Launch, well anyways why don't we take advantage of the local cuisine and celebrate your victory with a feast" Roshi offered
"Sounds great" Everyone cheered
"One condition, you allow me to treat" Tien said
"Hehehe, looks like you found a way to spend half that Zeni after all. Hehehehe" Krillin added with a smug grin. After everyone leaving the arena and catching a local bus to the chosen restaurant as they were entering Goku stopped suddenly.
"Wait…" Goku started
"What's the matter"? Turtle asked
"I forgot about my Grandpa's dragon ball and my power pole, I left them both back at the stadium. I'll be right back" Goku said as he started to turn to take off down the road where Krillin stood in his way.
"No, stay here and have fun. I'll go get them for you I know where they're at" Krillin offered
"I should go…" Goku started before his stomach growling interrupted him"… I'm the one who forgot them"
"Don't be silly" Krillin continued "I'll be right back" and with that Krillin started running off down the street towards the stadium
"Wait Krillin" Goku shouted
"What is it" Krillin called back after stopping running
"Ugh, Ugh, Ugh. See ya soon Good luck" Goku said with a laugh and everyone else joined in
"Save some for me" Krillin said before taking off again. With that everyone walked back into the restaurant besides Goku he stared off in the direction that Krillin took off in, with a bad feeling niggling at the back of his mind. After getting seated and ordering a large amount of food for the table and for the food to be brought out and start getting cold with everyone hungry due to the sight and smell of the food with Krillin still not back yet.
"Ooh, I'm starving" Launch complained
"We've been waiting forever, what's taking him so long?" Bulma added
"I'm starving" Puar moaned, whilst across the table Oolong had most watering and groaning, "Raagh, even the pork looks tasty" Oolong groaned as he dropped his head onto the table with a bang.
"All those in favour, dig in" Roshi said where everyone called out after wards "Dig In, Dig In." except Goku. With that everyone started to dig in to the food
"Goku, is there something wrong with your food"? Turtle asked after stopping eating and bringing his head up from his own little table.
"I'm not hungry, I'll wait for Krillin" Goku stated, everyone carried on eating besides Bulma who merely stated "He probably got distracted and lost track of time. Eat Goku" Goku just looked down into his lap when the bad felling returned in full swing this time. Tien noticed this stopped eating.
"What's wrong with you?" Tien asked. Goku just ignored him and concentrated on the feeling where he was rewarded of a vision with a broken window and Krillin calling for help from Goku. Hearing this from the vision he simply took off running out of the restaurant and to the stadium to look for Krillin.
"Goku?" "What's up?" Yamcha and Bulma called after him.
'Hmm, this is unsettling. However, this gives me the opportunity to talk with Tien regarding the match' Roshi thought to himself. Roshi rose from the table and turned to Tien.
"May I have a private word with you Tien, outside?" The old master asked. Tien looking confused nodded his head and followed the older fighter out the restaurant and onto the side walk. Once outside Master Roshi turned a few feet down the restaurants windows, stopped and turned around facing Tien.
"What is it Master Roshi?" Tien asked with keen interest. Master Roshi just looked at him for a few seconds before answering "It's about the match you had with Goku, I know Chiaotzu interfered with Goku's fighting by paralysing him" Roshi stated matter of fact, with a scowl on his aging face.
Tien simply looked shocked before sighing "I knew it wouldn't have gotten past you that is why I let Goku get those free hits in, so we would level the playing field. It wasn't my idea, it was Shen's and got Chiaotzu to do it before he refused and then was threatened" Tien recalled
"Yes, I know this much I was the one that Kamehameha waved him." Tien just looked at him
"Then what about the match?" Tien queried
"What I'm saying is that, because your match was interfered by someone else by your school against another school that an age-old clause has now came into effect. Even though you allowed Goku to level the playing field the clause still comes into effect." Roshi explained. Tien now looking at the ground in shame due to the new situation from his match. Bring his head back up Tien looked at him quizzically for a few moments before speaking again.
"So what clause effect are we talking about here?" Tien asked to find out the details 'How much worse can this get from Shen sticking his nose into my fight?' Tien thought to himself.
"The clause is the fact that your honour and that of your old school would be in question due to the interference, no matter what the result of this match could've been you would need to have a rematch against Goku. Where, if you were to win you would then have wiped the slate clean. However, if you was to lose you must offer something up to bring honour back to yourself and your school. Which was generally a marriage contract, yourself or a child or in worse cases. Your life." Roshi listed the age-old information. Tien just looking at him with look with unrecognisable emotion.
"But, I let Goku get in those free hits and offered up half the prize money. Doesn't that count for something?" Tien pressed on. Roshi just shook his head before pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I'm afraid not, the rules are clear on this. These are the only ways out of this, and if Goku was to throw the next match it would mean that both you and Goku would have to be exiled or killed. Obviously, these are rather out dated but the teachings are a part of both Shen's and my schools basis, that is what was agreed when our schools were set up and would be passed down the generations for the length of time that the schools are still set up and teaching." Roshi listed the details. Tien just sighed "Generally the time limit was the next tournament, which back then was every year but is now every three years. Any questions?" Roshi finished.
"N…no, not at this time. If I did have any questions at any time during these next few years can I come find you and ask?" Tien asked for reassurance. Roshi just nodded his head and smiled
"Now let's get going, shall we?" Roshi said before walking back inside.
TIME SKIP 3 YEARS- 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament
We see all four Tien's flying through the air to the edge of the arena and landing on the grass just outside the tournaments ring. 'I lost, even after all my training. I guess I should've seen this coming, now I need to deal with this damn clause from the last tournament.'
"Hehe, I win. Don't get up on my account. That's an impressive technique, I wish I'd known of it earlier there's been a lot of enemies I would've loved to use it on, but I don't think it works in a fight like this not only were you split into fourths but so were your strengths" Goku analysed, whilst Tien was pulling himself to his feet using the edge of the ring.
"I won't pretend I'm not wounded, but it's only my pride, you did a good job Goku. Congratulations." Tien replied whilst being pulled up by Goku onto the ring "Goku, once this tournament is over I need to have a talk with you and Master Roshi." Tien said. Goku looking confused but just smiled and agreed with a "Alrighty".
The match commenced between Goku and Junior, later revealed to the public as the reincarnation of King Piccolo the tyrant that attempted to rule the world with his cynical and maniacal power-hungry ways pining after total domination. The arena and the surrounding area had been destroyed from the sheer strength and destructive power that Goku and Piccolo radiated.
The following conversations after Goku's victory of Piccolo, watching Goku show mercy to the monstrosity that Is the Demon King Piccolo's reincarnation, the reunion between Tien and Chiaotzu. Wasn't enough to help settle the nervousness Tien was feeling with the impending conversation that was to follow with the turtle hermit, his student and the rival of the Crane school of martial arts.
"Goku…." Kami addressed as he approached the hugging couple of Goku and Chichi
"Sorry to interrupt, Kami. But may I have a word with Goku and Tien before you continue?" The turtle hermit interrupting Kami's approach to Goku.
"Of course, you may" Kami answering the old master. Turning to Goku "Once you are finished Goku, come see me there is something I would like to discuss with you before the days out". Kami walked a short distance away to give them some space.
"Sorry my dear, this is a private conversation for now. Goku can fill you in later on." Master Roshi informing the couple as Tien came up behind him. Chichi just nodding her agreement and went to speak with Bulma and Launch. As the two rival students and the Turtle master walked away from the others, Goku's face twisted with confusion 'I wonder if this is what Tien mentioned earlier after our match'
"Goku, what we are about to discuss is an important matter, so I need your full attention. Okay?" Master Roshi started. With an affirmative "Right" and a determined look on Goku's face, he continued.
"Three years ago, in your match with Tien. Master Shen ordered Chiaotzu to telepathically paralyse you in your fight. In doing so he enacted a clause of a fundamental teaching of the Martial Arts teachings of old. In which if a fight between two martial arts schools are interfered or sabotaged in any way from any member of the two schools, then the honour of the entire school and the two fighting warriors would be brought into question."
During his explanation, Tien hung his head in shame knowing that his former Master had not only damaged the honour of himself but to the whole Crane School of Martial arts. Clenching his fists in anger but remaining silent whilst the turtle hermit finished explaining everything to his rival at the Turtle hermits school.
"Now, as I've already told Tien. These are very old laws and traditions of martial arts, but since these were fundamental teachings of my school they must be upheld. In order for Tien and the Crane school to regain their honour they had to of defeated their opponent in the next tournament, or they pay tribute to regain their honour, usually in the form of a marriage contract of himself, of a child or even his life." Shaking his head and scratching his beard the old hermit pushes onwards "What I hadn't told Tien is that the choice of which it would be, would fall down to you as the victor of the match."
Tien bringing his head up in shock, looking Goku in the eyes now he had turned to look at Tien himself. Goku simply smiled his trademark grin, reaches his hand behind his head and starts laughing.
"Hehehehe, I thought something was fishy in that match. Don't worry Tien I don't hold it against you. Our rematch was great fun. Hehehe. So, what happens now Master?" Goku finally speaking up. Looking back at his Master.
"You must choose." Was the only response he got from the old hermit. Causing Goku to frown with this news.
Goku closing his eyes and crossing his arms 'I have to choose, Oh man! From what I was told earlier marriage is what I promised Chichi and I don't want Tien to die….. gets that leaves one option then"
"I don't want Tien to die and I already promised Chichi to make her my bride, so it would be the child option? What does that mean?" Goku answered not fully understanding the situation.
Master Roshi and Tien both sweat dropped at his response both opening their mouths to answer Goku's confusion, but it was Tien that got their first.
"It would mean that any child I have would be arranged to marry any child that you have!" Tien exclaiming whilst covering his eyes with his hand. Seeing the confusion fall off of Goku's face, eases the tension between the three.
"Ooohhh, so my kid would marry yours? That doesn't sound too bad. Hehehehe." Goku laughing, brought a smile to the Hermits and Triclops faces.
"Then its settled. Tien's child will marry yours Goku. I can handle the details and such. I just need to be kept informed of any births, and Tien your welcome to come to my island at any time just as is Chiaotzu. You may have trained under Shen, but if you need advice I would be more than willing to help." Master Roshi concluded, as he walked away.
Tien, relieved with how things had progressed was only just hit with the realisation that 'Shit! That means I have to have a child! Not to mention explaining this to the mother' Tien suddenly filled with uncertainty as to how he's going to manage all of this, then hearing Goku blasting off with Chichi in tow into the sky on top of Flying Nimbus. 'Well, Goku. I wont let this opportunity go to waste. I'll make sure to regain my honour to you my friend.' Tien watched the happy couple flying off, then suddenly happy he doesn't have to tell Chichi what was just agreed.