Tenka'ichi Budōkai

Everyone watching the arena was quiet as Gokū and Chi-Chi glared at each other with ominous fury that was almost palpable. The Frypan princess had attempted to strike down her defeated opponent with cold brutality until Son Gokū intercepted the attempt. Caulifla was still down and breathing shakily, while the announcer was trying to figure out what to say. Eventually he pulled words together and held up his microphone.

"L-Ladies and Gentlemen," The announcer stammered. "This is certainly an unprecedented outcome for the Tenka'ichi Budōkai. Contestant Chi-Chi attempted to strike down Contestant Caulifla after she lost due to ring out, but Contestant Son Gokū had intercepted and prevented further harm. I will need to speak to the monks about this, so for now, we shall take a 30 minute recess."

Several audience members let loose a breath that was held from all the tension in the air. As the crowd began to disperse to take care of their own business, Chi-Chi turned away and returned to the waiting wings, furious that her revenge had been denied. Gokū meanwhile relaxed his glare and turned his attention to Caulifla, who was quietly sobbing into the earth.

"Are you alright?" Gokū asked softly, placing a hand on her back.

"What happened to me out there?" Caulifla choked out in a whisper. "I… I've never felt so angry in my entire life…"

"I'm sure anyone would've gotten that angry if they were in your shoes," Gokū consoled.

"That's not it…" Caulifla retorted. "You know that rage and power we feel when we turn Oozaru? It felt just like that…"

"I guess it's something we'll have to figure out," Gokū responded lamely with a frown. He thought back to what happened in the arena, what with Chi-Chi's vitriolic recounting of Caulifla's history, and the root of the princess's vendetta. "I'm sorry, Caulifla," Gokū said sullenly. "I feel like I could've prevented this."

Caulifla lifted her head and offered a sad smile in response to Gokū's frown. "Don't beat yourself up for my sake, Kakarrot," Caulifla sniffled, earning a small flinch from the boy in question. "There was no way we could've known she'd be this insane. The only way you could've prevented this is to go along with her wants, and you probably wouldn't be happy in the long run. I couldn't do that to you."

Gokū eventually smiled and pulled Caulifla in for a hug, adding his tail to the embrace, to which Caulifla reciprocated. Several audience members who remained gave an audible 'aww,' including Gyūmaō, who had watched the whole ordeal. Gokū helped her girlfriend up to her feet and hobbled her over to the waiting wings, where Kuririn was the first to greet them.

"Man, I'm sorry about what happened out there," Kuririn consoled. "If you need an extra set of ears to open up to, I'm here."

"Thanks, Kuririn," Caulifla waved off. Jackie Chun stepped forward, a gloomy look on his face.

"You were raised by Menra?" Jackie Chun asked quietly. Caulifla said nothing and simply nodded. The disguised master offered a small smile and knelt down to Caulifla's level. "I'm certain she would forgive you, lass. I've known her longer than anyone in this room has existed put together."

"You knew Mera-Sensei?" Caulifla asked, surprised that the disguised Kame-Sennin knew the Ramen-Sennin.

"Indeed," Jackie Chun nodded. "Back in my youth, I was a student of the greatest martial artist of that era, Mutaito. Menra and the Tsuru-Sennin were fellow students at the time. A terrible conflict nearly consumed the world centuries ago, and Mutaito laid his life down to save it. I thought Menra perished during that conflict, but I am relieved knowing she had lived for so long."

Jackie Chun placed a hand on Caulifla's shoulder and offered a warm smile. "It also explains your culinary aptitude," he said with a small chuckle. "Menra was not called the Ramen-Sennin for nothing.~ She was a kind soul whose heart rivaled Son Gohan's, and I'm certain she would forgive you."

"T-Thank you, Mu-Mr. Chun," Caulifla bowed, feeling somewhat better. Gokū walked up to Caulifla's side and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"How's about I prep a few triple BLTs for all of us, since we have time?" Gokū offered with a warm smile. "I know you offered, but I think you need it more than I do."

"On Texas toast please," Caulifla requested, smiling once again, to which Gokū happily nodded and proceeded to prepare.

"Anyone else want some?" Gokū offered. Kuririn raised a hand, eager to have a mid-round lunch, the same going with Jackie Chun. Chi-Chi, naturally, refused the order, and Tenshinhan was quick to do the same. "Alright then. Lemme just get my stuff ready."

While Gokū got to work prepping the mid-round lunch for everyone, Jackie Chun heard heavy footsteps approaching from the audience wings. 'I don't expect you to know what to do in this situation, Gyūmaō,' The old master thought. 'I especially wouldn't know what to do.'

Lumbering into the waiting wings was the imposing form of Gyūmaō with an upset expression on his face. Even when not wearing his armor, his presence was imposing, moreso when he was not happy. Gokū looked away from his BLT work and noticed Chi-Chi's father with them and reflexively flinched back ever so slightly. The Frypan Princess looked nonplussed to see her father here.

"Get over here, Chi-Chi." The Frypan King sternly ordered. The girl in question ignored her father, irritating Gyūmaō further. "Now."

Reluctantly, Chi-Chi walked over to her father and then hovered up to face him at eye level, frowning the entire time.

"Why did you do it?" Gyūmaō inquired. "Why did you abandon my teachings and follow the Crane School?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Chi-Chi retorted, jerking her head in Caulifla's direction. "I wanted to get back at that thistle head for stealing Gokū away from me."

"Gokū made a mistake, Chi-Chi," Gyūmaō retorted.

"I don't want to hear it!" Chi-Chi snapped back. "You were the one who suggested it in the first place, dad!"

Gyūmaō had no counter to that statement. Chi-Chi was so hell-bent on making Gokū hers that she was willing to kill to get what she wanted.

"What would your mother think?" Gyūmaō asked quietly, earning a flinch from Chi-Chi. "What would she think if she saw you so blinded by revenge that you would kill someone just to get what you wanted?"

"Well gee, I couldn't answer that," Chi-Chi spat venomously. "I never got to know her before she died."

With that, Chi-Chi returned to ground level and walked away with a frustrated huff. Gyūmaō was left hurt by his daughter's words. Gokū soon walked over to the towering Ox King with a sad look on his face.

"Mr. Gyūmaō, I-"

"Don't," Gyūmaō interrupted. "You're not to blame here, and neither is your girlfriend. When Chi-Chi's mother passed away, I doted over my daughter to no end. I spoiled her. Hindsight is a frustrating thing."

"You've taken the first step to fixing your problem though," Jackie Chun added, walking up to his former student. "As for what you could do next, I cannot say for certain."

"I think the next step is in Gokū's hands, not mine," Gyūmaō suggested, earning a look of surprise from the boy in question. "I'd hate to ask this of you, kiddo, but if you can, please help Chi-Chi correct her course, in the arena if need be."

"I'll do what I can, Mr. Gyūmaō," Gokū nodded. "Oh, and Grandpa Gohan says hi."

"G-Gohan said-"

"Uranai Baba's work," Jackie Chun interrupted. "I'm sure you've heard of her, yes?"

"Oh right," Gyūmaō sighed with a small chuckle. "You did mention your sister once or twice."

"Wait Wha-"

"Oh come on, Muten Rōshi!" Gyūmaō interrupted with a goofy smile. "You think I'd not figure it out over the course of 3 decades?"

"Hmph. Might need a new disguise then,~" The disguised hermit chuckled. "Pretty much everyone here knows who I am at this point."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for your patience!" The announcer called out over his microphone, earning a cheer from the crowd. "I've spoken with the monks, and they have decided that despite Contestant Chi-Chi's actions, she will still proceed to the semifinals."

This earned a few boos from the crowd to which the announcer was prepared for. "However, Despite Contestant Son Gokū's interruption, he will proceed as well to fight Contestant Chi-Chi in the semifinals!"

The crowd went from booing to cheering at the news, which earned a proud smile from the announcer.

"Speaking of the semifinals, we will now get underway with the first round! Contestants Jackie Chun and Tenshinhan, please step forward!"

As prompted by the sunglasses-wearing announcer, Tenshinhan and Jackie Chun stepped from the waiting wings and onto the arena, taking to their respective ends of the marble grid. Jackie Chun offered a small bow before the announcer could speak. Tenshinhan flinched ever so slightly at this display of manners from someone who knew he was out for their blood. He hesitated for a moment before returning a bow of his own. Both warriors could feel the air by the spectator wings tense up. Clearly the Tsuru-Sennin was not happy that Tenshinhan was being so formal to his rival.

'He's never been one for sportsmanship,' Jackie Chun sighed mentally.

"These two competitors will surely give us a good showing for the first match of the semifinals, folks!" The announcer cried out. "Contestant Jackie Chun was a former champion of the 16th Tenka'ichi Budōkai and looks eager to take home the gold after Son Gokū defeated him last time! Tenshinhan however has demonstrated how powerful and skilled he is, so it's anyone's guess who will win!"

The drums began to slowly ramp up into a trill, until…

GONG!

"Begin!"

Immediately both combatants lunged at each other. Tenshinhan began with a swift punch which Jackie Chun blocked with his forearm. The older master was not eager to allow his foe to keep up pressure, so he threw a swift kick in return, only to be blocked in kind. Tenshinhan followed up with a kick of his own, but Jackie Chun ducked and grabbed his leg, followed up by a mighty throw of the three-eyed warrior. Tenshinhan was quick to right himself and once he touched the arena floor, he sprung forward with a double knife hand chop charge. Jackie Chun vaulted over this maneuver, and both fighters rebounded their momentum back in each other's direction to deliver a series of rapid fire strikes at each other in mid-air. When the two landed, Jackie Chun suddenly split into 8 different Jackie Chuns and encircled the three-eyed warrior.

"Zanzoken, eh?" Tenshinhan grumbled before turning his attention to one of the Chun clones "Not gonna work on me!"

Tenshinhan delivered a swift kick to Jackie Chun's jawline and sent the old man flying into the arena-adjacent wall, earning several gasps from both the spectator and waiting wings.

"There's a benefit to having extra eyes, old man!" Tenshinhan boasted, gesturing a finger to his central eyeball. "Illusionary moves like that won't work on me."

Jackie Chun dusted himself off and lightly chuckled to himself. "Guess I'll have to fight seriously now," The disguised master muttered. With one swift motion of his arm, he ripped off the coat of his tangzhuang, revealing a lean and relatively toned form - an improvement to the lack of muscle before the training regimen for the 21st Tenka'ichi Budōkai. Jackie Chun adjusted his stance accordingly and glared at his foe. "Come at me!"

"Don't assume I'll hold back because you're my senior!" Tenshinhan roared as he charged forward, moving his arms in swift jabbing motions. "You can't even see my hands, can you?!"

Immediately, Tenshinhan's question was answered as Jackie Chun grabbed both of his forearms, preventing any damage being done. The older master followed up with a swift knee to Tenshinhan's gut, causing him to gasp. Jackie Chun immediately followed up with an uppercut kick that sent the three-eyed warrior flying. Tenshinhan landed a short ways away, but raced in with a swift charge, fast enough to catch Jackie Chun off-guard and take a knee to the sternum and a particularly fierce right hook. The elder warrior was knocked to his back, but immediately sprung back to his feet to deliver a quick punch to Tenshinhan's jaw, forcing him back a few meters to recover and nurse the bruise on his face.

'This old hermit sure packs a punch,' Tenshinhan contemplated mentally. 'He's better than Tsuru-Sennin, and that's saying something.'

'Despite his choice in master, this kid is no slouch,' the disguised hermit thought. 'To take those attacks head-on and return them in kind is nothing to sneeze at.'

"Ladies and gentlemen, these two appear neck and neck in terms of speed and strength!" The announcer called out. "There's no telling what they'll do next!"

"I won't say your master Tsuru-Sennin is wholly evil," Jackie Chun stated, earning a small grimace from Tenshinhan. "But his intentions are not noble, even if they are to avenge someone. I don't see why an outstanding warrior such as yourself would allow him to puppeteer you for his own goals."

"Watch your mouth," Tenshinhan warned. "Master Tsuru-Sennin has taught me more than you realize. I am no one's puppet."

"I see," Jackie Chun sighed, settling into a defensive stance. "Why don't you prove it to me then?"

"Hmph," Tenshinhan harrumphed before smirking. "Alright. I'll start by showing you my full strength."

Jackie Chun flinched, given the impression that his opponent was not going all-out until now. Tenshinhan splayed his hands at the sides of his face, palms facing backwards and grinned.

"Kuririn, you might need these," Gokū implored, handing the monk a pair of sunglasses, which he happily took, remembering what Chi-Chi did before. Both Saiyans wore their respective shades and braced for what was going to come next.

"TAIYŌKEN!"

Immediately a blinding flash of light enveloped the arena, emanating from Tenshinhan's being. Jackie Chun was immediately blinded but was swiftly knocked to the ground by a knee to the back of his neck. The triclops stood up with a smirk.

"Don't worry," Tenshinhan said. "He's still alive. I don't want to risk that if I'm to proceed onwards. He might never wake up again though."

Tenshinhan could easily tell without looking at him that Tsuru-Sennin was not happy with his approach and was growling from behind the spectator wings.

"What a diversion, folks!" The announcer cried out. "Tenshinhan used the same light technique Contestant Chi-Chi used against Contestant Caulifla, and kneed Jackie Chun from behind! He looks to be out, but I'll start the 10 count just to be sure. One! Two! Three! Four-"

Before the announcer could say 'Five,' Jackie Chun groaned to life and struggled to push himself to his feet.

"That one really smarts, lad!" Jackie Chun growled with annoyance before smirking underneath his thick beard. "That said, congratulations on proving your point."

"What do you mean?" Tenshinhan inquired, arching an eyebrow.

"You elected not to kill me, even if it's just to advance in the tournament," Jackie Chun answered. "That makes you easily more honorable than your master who elected to follow a darker path. It may be a longshot for him, but you still have a chance to change for the better."

"Spare me this fortune cookie crap!" Tenshinhan roared as he charged forward. "I'll make you eat those words!"

Tenshinhan unleashed a fierce volley of attacks that pushed Jackie Chun back, followed by a swift kick to the face, which the older hermit recovered from, the only visible damage being a bloody nose.

"Not as cocky as before, eh?" Jackie Chun chuckled as he wiped the blood from his nose. "Are you losing your nerve?"

"As if!" Tenshinhan snapped back.

"All I'm saying is that you should consider living a little. Make a few friends. I know the little guy with you means well. Or would you rather go down in history as a scorned assassin that is frowned upon by all but the lowest of beings on this earth?"

Tenshinhan said nothing in response and remained quiet for several seconds before smirking again.

"I'll… consider your words," Tenshinhan sighed. "But first, we have a fight to finish, and I know just the way to do it. You might find this interesting."

"Nudie mags?" Jackie Chun guessed with a shrug, earning a nonplussed expression from Tenshinhan.

"Wh-No!" Tenshinhan snapped back. "Why would I have such things?!"

"Hahaha! I was only kidding, lad!" Jackie Chun laughed. "Even I have my weaknesses to overcome."

"Kaaa… Meee..." Tenshinhan began as he outstretched his arms and put his wrists together, curling his fingers.

'Oh, THAT kind of surprise!' Jackie Chun exclaimed mentally, almost shocked at what was happening.

"Is he-?!" Gokū exclaimed, recognizing the maneuver.

"Haaa… Meee…" Tenshinhan incanted as he pulled his arms back and the blue sphere of his latent ki pooled forth, smirking the entire time.

"It is!" Kuririn exclaimed, confirming it as the Turtle School's specialty.

"HA!"

Tenshinhan thrust his palms forward and unleashed a brilliant wave of white-blue ki that was absurdly massive.

"That blast is huge!" Jackie Chun shouted, almost stupefied. "That might kill some of the spectators!"

Immediately, Jackie Chun thrust his hands forward in an effort to catch the massive recreation of the Turtle School's Kamehameha. Just before it could make contact, the beam diverted course and around to Jackie Chun's side, who swiftly adjusted his hands to block accordingly. With a mighty roar, he rebounded the attack skyward and let out a relieved sigh.

"Absolutely incredible, folks!" The announcer cheered. "Contestant Tenshinhan of the Crane School launched an immense Kamehameha - a Turtle School specialty with ease!"

"It's not a difficult move in principle," Tenshinhan boasted with a continued smirk. "Anyone with rudimentary understanding of ki control could do it. Why don't you show me more techniques? I'd like to learn them!"

"You are certainly no slouch, and better than I could've expected," Jackie Chun sighed, smirking underneath his beard. "I've been waiting for warriors like yourself to come along. I truly hope you follow the path of light and use your strength for the better."

Tenshinhan's smirk faded, annoyed that Jackie Chun was still continuing this supposed drivel, but the old master did something unexpected. He turned around and nonchalantly hopped onto the grassy turf outside of the arena.

"Now I can get back to good ol' retirement again," Jackie Chun chuckled as he hefted himself back onto the arena, nodding to the announcer.

"O-Out of bounds!" The announcer stammered. "Contestant Tenshinhan has won by ring-out!"

"Why the hell did you ring yourself out on purpose, hermit?!" Tennshinhan shouted, outraged that his opponent gave up so easily. Jackie Chun had just finished buttoning his coat when he turned around, only to be wearing sunglasses. He then proceeded to peel the glue of his wig off, causing everyone in the crowd, arena, and waiting wings to collectively gasp. "You… You removed your disguise?!"

"C-Contestant Jackie Chun has removed his hair!" The announcer stammered.

"It's a wig you nitwit!" Muten Rōshi snapped, causing the announcer to flinch back. "Gimme that!" Muten Rōshi then proceeded to snatch the microphone away from the announcer. "I am the Kame-Sennin, Muten Rōshi - Founder of the Turtle School. Sorry for the get-up, folks, but I do have my reasons. You see, Jackie Chun was for the sake of my students. If one of them were to win this prestigious competition, it would likely put them on a high horse and cause them to slack off. It's an especially dangerous trap for younger fighters. I was lucky that one of my students, Caulifla, did not fall for these trappings, given the circumstances of her victory last time."

The Kame-Sennin turned to face Tenshinhan, microphone still in hand. "Of course the new generation from what I've seen seems to be turning out alright. None of my students show signs of any possible ego trips, so I am confident that Jackie Chun can be retired. Better still, I'm pleased to see that students of other schools, despite my grievances with their masters, are no slouches either."

"But to throw away your disguise like that?" Tenshinhan questioned.

"Well, it was kind of a lousy disguise in hindsight," Rōshi shrugged. "All of my students figured out it was me in the end, so I decided to ditch it, 'specially since the new generation has supplanted its use. And even if we were to continue fighting, I suspect you would have eventually overpower me and I would have lost in the end."

Muten Rōshi lightly hopped over the spectator wing barrier and waved. "Toodles, and good luck, lad! I expect a good match from you!"

Muten Rōshi tossed the microphone back to the announcer, who fumbled with it for a moment before getting a solid grip on the device and clearing his throat. "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is truly unexpected!" The announcer called out. Contestant Jackie Chun - The champion of the 16th Tenka'ichi Budōkai and runner-up of the 21st was none other than Muten Rōshi himself! Let's all take his words of wisdom into account, folks, as his experience seems to have no bounds!"

'To simply admit he was fighting a losing battle…' Tenshinhan mentally mused. The three-eyed warrior was left bewildered and walked back into the waiting wings. The first thing he was met with was Gokū holding up a plate with a deliciously toasted BLT on it.

"I made a few extras, if you're interested," Gokū offered with a smile, leaving Tenshinhan even more bewildered than he was to begin with, and Gokū picked up on this. "Don't get me wrong, I'm still upset with what you did to Yamcha, but I think Ja-*ahem* Muten Rōshi has a point. Assassin work doesn't seem to suit ya."

Tenshinhan looked at the Saiyan boy, but eventually smiled and accepted the BLT peace offering. "You Turtle Schoolers really are something else," Tenshinhan shrugged as he took a bite out of the sandwich, only for all 3 of his eyes to open wide as the flavor sensation of perfectly seasoned and toasted Texas toast assaulted his taste buds, complimented by the cool lettuce and tomato, along with the smoky flavor of the bacon, and a light layer of mayonnaise on the top side of the bread. "How did you make this?!"

"I had some cooking lessons," Gokū answered, gesturing his head in Caulifla's direction, who gave a small smile and wave.

"Like I said, you guys truly are something else," Tenshinhan reiterated as he sat down to enjoy the offered BLT.

"You won't get in my good graces so easily, Gokū," Chi-Chi grumbled as she walked up to Gokū, causing his gaze to harshen.

"I don't expect to," Gokū retorted flatly. "But I do expect you to fight fairly this time around."

Chi-Chi said nothing in response, and the two fighters waited for the announcer to call them forth.

A/N: Hookay! Big fight between Roshi and Tien! Nothing really more to say than that. Though, I did want to incorporate the Jackie Chun reveal, because let's face it, everyone and their dog and their dog's squeaky toy knew who he was at this point. Also, we got some backstory on Caulifla's foster family! I do hope this was a fun read, and please do leave a reivew letting me know what you think. :)