The Tournament Continues

There was only 7 minutes left before the World Martial Arts Tournament resumed and the match between Kenpachi Zaraki and Buu. Vegeta had finished giving Hercule an earful a good while ago and was preparing for his match against Toushiro. The young captain however was trying to come up with ways on how he could win against the saiyan prince. Goku saw Toushiro sitting alone and thought that it was a good chance to get to know the Captain of Squad 10 better. The saiyan was still amazed that this young boy gained the trust of one of the most dangerous warriors ever to exist so easily. The night when Vegeta returned to rescue him and the others from Coge, the saiyan prince told them what had happened in the Soul Society but Goku was still curious. Goku decided that Vegeta should stay with Toushiro because it sounded like the 13 Court Guard Squads could use a little help with the betrayal of 3 of their Captains. So Goku walked over to the young captain to chat.

Goku: "Hey Toushiro. Thinking about your match with Vegeta?"

Toushiro: "Huh, oh Goku. Yeah I was just thinking of a good strategy."

The saiyan sat down on the bunch next to the child prodigy with a chuckle.

Goku: "Yeah, Vegeta will go easy on you but don't expect him to go too easy. He unfortunately has a tendency to get carried away at times."

Toushiro: "You can say that again."

Goku: "Hahaha! Say, I was wondering... What exactly happened 4 years ago? I only know of a few details."

Toushiro: "What do you know?"

Goku: "I know that Vegeta was injured and that he saved you from a Menos."

Toushiro: "Is that it?"

Goku: "No. I also know that you helped him and after the fight with the Arrancar, Lechku Nechku, Vegeta became your second lieutenant."

Toushiro: "Well it sound like you know the whole story. So what are you still in the dark about?"

Goku: "It's why. Why were you so interested in Vegeta?"

Toushiro: "Vegeta asked me that same question."

Goku: "What did you tell him?"

Toushiro: "I wasn't sure about it at the time, but now I know for sure. It was because he was different. I was actually get tired of the same old things and Vegeta brings something new every day."

Goku: "I get it. Well that explains a lot."

Toushiro: "Goku... I was wondering. Could you perhaps tell me more about Vegeta's past. I know about Frieza and when we went back in time to retrieve the Noble Time Traits, we came to the time where you and Vegeta were fighting. What happened to him?"

Goku: "A lot of horrible things. Frieza treated Vegeta like a slave and he grew up the way Frieza wanted him to be and that was cold and heartless. The fact that he is a prince didn't help either or that he had Coge looking to kill him at every turn. Vegeta basically spent his childhood looking over his shoulder."

Toushiro: "I see..."

Goku: "Look Toushiro... Vegeta may have had a hard start in life but you've changed that. As I said before you are the first person to ever win his complete trust. I have never seen Vegeta act the way he does around you and the only times I've seen him act close to this behavior is around his family. You are special and like I said before, you tamed the wild saiyan prince. When I first met him, he was as evil as they came. You said that you saw him as a Giant Ape, right, well that fight pretty much destroyed me as I hung on by a thread. At the end of the fight, Vegeta and I were beaten and broken all over. Krillin was the only one who had enough strength to approach Vegeta as he crawled back to his ship."

Toushiro: "What stopped Krillin from killing him?"

Goku: "I did. I told him to stop, well it was more like moderate begging, and after some encouraging Krillin finally let Vegeta go. For many years most of my friends didn't trust Vegeta at all despite me constantly telling them that he was on our side. It was only when the upcoming fight with the Androids did I tell them something."

Toushiro: "What was it?"

Goku: "I said 'Sometimes, a person can become better than what they were before... If given a second chance.' The irony is that the majority of my friends like Yamcha, Puar, Tien, Chiaotzu, Piccolo, and Oolong were all given a second chance by me and they were the ones who gave me the most grief."

Toushiro: "So what made them finally trust Vegeta?"

Goku: "Well Tien still doesn't really like Vegeta, but it was during the fight with the Androids to the battle against Majin Buu that everyone started to trust Vegeta more. In fact... Looking back on everything, we owe a lot to Vegeta as he changed all of our lives in one way or another. You have a special friend in Vegeta, Toushiro, I hope you know that."

Toushiro: "I do Goku. Thanks."

Goku: "Uh don't tell Vegeta what I said or he'll gut me."

Toushiro: "I thought you said that the two of you were friends?"

Goku: "Old habits die hard."

Vegeta: "What dies hard?"

Goku: "AHHH! Vegeta!? Don't DO that! You scared me!"

Vegeta: "Sheesh... Sorry. So what were you and Toushiro talking about, Kakarot?"

Toushiro: "Nothing important Vegeta."

Vegeta: "Ok..."

Suddenly, all of the attention turned to the stadium as the contestants all heard shouting and screaming. The crowd had erupted into a frenzy of noise as the Announcer stepped back into the ring. All on the fighters knew what that meant...

Announcer: "Thank you for that short break folks! Are we ready for the tournament to continue!"

The crowd cheered in response.

Announcer: "Then lets get the 6th match underway! Give it up for Kenpachi and Buu!"

The crowd continued to cheer as Buu walked out towards the ring. However, Vegeta stopped Zaraki to give him a reminder.

Vegeta: "Keep in mind that you're in an enclosed area surrounded by people, ok. So be careful otherwise you'll have me carving some new scars into you."

Zaraki looked at the saiyan prince nervously before walking outside.

Announcer: "Buu has appeared in many tournaments and has been runner up each time except for last year where he lost to Val! He is Mr. Satan's greatest pupil and after last years defeat, don't expect him to go easy on his opponents! Kenpachi is a first timer to the tournament! His enjoyment of fighting is equal to that of his size so prepare for a good match!"

Yachiru: "Go Kenny!"

Yumichika: "Squad 11 is known as the Zaraki Squad. Our Squad is the strongest of all the Squads."

Ukitake: "Captain Zaraki is the only Soul Reaper to become a captain without mastering his Zanpakuto's Shikai or Bankai form. He is also the only one to obtain the rank of captain by defeating the previous captain."

Krillin: "Like Vegeta, Buu was once our enemy who turned good after becoming friends with Hercule."

Videl: "Buu is strong and can withstand multiple attacks."

At the ring...

Buu: "Buu do his best! Give Buu good fight!"

Zaraki: "I intend to!"

Announcer: "Let the match begin!"

Buu started the match off by bouncing in one spot and then charging at the giant captain. The giant pink creature swung at the Soul Reaper with a powerful punch, but Zaraki countered it with one of his own. Without missing a beat, Zaraki started to slam punch after punch at Buu who only stood there taking them. After landing nearly a hundred punches, Zaraki backed off.

Zaraki: "Now this is fun!"

Buu: "Now Buu's turn!"

Buu started to repeat Zaraki's move. The Soul Reaper quickly dodged the majority of the punches, but his opponent was able to land a few hard blows. Buu watched as the Captain of Squad 11 ducked and slammed his fist into Buu's stomach. But Buu was unfazed by the attack. Zaraki couldn't believe how much fun he was having. No matter how hard he hit Buu, the pink creature recovered and continued to attack. In the waiting area, Ikkaku and Hercule were having a little match of their own.

Ikkaku: "I know that my Captain will win!"

Hercule: "Buu will win, I know it!"

Toushiro: "Would you two just shut up!"

Ikkaku fell silent but Hercule didn't.

Hercule: "And why should I take orders from... You..."

Hercule was stopped as his eyes fell on Vegeta. Vegeta was staring at him with a glare that said: You had better listen to him or you'll have me to deal with. Since his match was right after Vegeta's, Hercule thought it best to do as he was told for fear of what the mighty saiyan prince would do to him in the second round. The sixth match went on for 7 whole minutes before a winner emerged.

Announcer: "Kenpachi wins!"

The crowd cheered as Zaraki was declared the winner of the match.

Yachiru: "Way to go, Kenny!"

Buu lost because the Soul Reaper was getting very excited and Vegeta, as well as Byakuya and Soifon, warned the Majin of what could happen if Zaraki got too excited. So Buu decided to let the captain win for fear of what would happen. As Zaraki and Buu returned to the waiting area, Vegeta and Toushiro stood ready for their names to be called.

Vegeta: "Don't worry. I won't let myself share the same fate as Kusaka. I promise."

The young captain smiled when he heard Vegeta say that. Then... At last...

Announcer: "Now lets get the seventh match underway!"