"So, Raditz," asked Yamcha after breakfast, "Why didn't you decide to enter the Budokai? You ARE a Super Saiyan."

"True, but I'm a relatively weak one. King Vegeta, his sons, and Broli all outclass me. And from what I've been hearing, so do the Namek and the robot woman. I really don't have much of a choice, and I don't want to get humiliated."

***

To return to the useful old cliche...time passed.

6 days passed. May 7th had come.

***

The various contestants and their families assembled at the Budokai. Like last time, they agreed not to go Super Saiyan. Vegeta personally couldn't see what the big deal would be if they were recognized from the Cell Games, but a look from Bulma was all it took to convince him to agree that it was bad.

As the families waved goodbye and went to their seats, Vegeta saw that he had been accurate in his predictions of who would fight. He, naturally, would fight, as would Mirai, Trunks, and Broli. There was Kakarot and Goten. He could see Mr. Buu and Juhachigou, and there was Piccolo alone in a corner. There were also approximately two hundred humans.

As it turned out, there was no Junior Division. Trunks and Goten were ecstatic at the fact that they could fight adults without having to disguise themselves.

While everyone was waiting for the eliminations to begin, they were soon approached by a very familiar figure, one with blonde hair and sunglasses.

"Hey! It's you guys!"

The Budokai Announcer strode over, a grin on his face. "With all you guys competing again, this should be an interesting tournament indeed!"

He turned to Broli. "Haven't seen you before, though. What's your name?"

"A pleasure to meet you, fine sir. My name is Broli, I'm a friend of theirs."

"I see." He turned to Mirai. "And you look like you could be Trunks's older brother."

"Funny you say that. I am, actually." Everyone had agreed that this would pass for a cover story.

"Ah. You must be a great fighter, then."

"I like to think so. I haven't competed before, I've been living...too far away."

"I see."

Somewhere in the distance, a huge gong rang.

"That's the signal for the eliminations to begin! I've got to run. Good luck, not that you need it!"

***

Far away...

Gohan and his wife of a week, Videl, lay together in the bed in their honeymoon suite, television turned on. Today they were going to take a break from the usual "action" and watch the Tenka'ichi Budokai.

"Well, this should be interesting," he said. "I must admit I'm looking forward to seeing how this Broli character fights."

"I hope Dad doesn't win again," Videl muttered, drawing her husband closer to her. "Someone needs to put him in his place."

***

At the 25th Budokai, punch machines that measured strength had been used to determine the finalists. However, after several malfunctions which measured seemingly impossible scores, the decision had been made to retire the machines. Instead, eliminations were once again determined through the traditional practice of the contestants fighting one another until there were 15 left; Mr. Satan, as the champion, got an automatic spot.

The eliminations did not take long.

***

"Attention, everyone!" said the Budokai Announcer over the speaker system. "I have here the names of the 15 finalists who have qualified from the eliminations! And they are--Son Goku! Vegeta Briefs! Son Goten! Trunks Briefs! Mirai Briefs! Broli! Mr. Buu! Juuhachigou! Ma Junior! Hokorashii! Jinsoku! Kasabaru! Soumei! Karyuudo! And Magai! These 15, along with Mr. Satan, will now be drawing numbers to determine the order of their fights!"

The Budokai Announcer led the 16 into a back room.

***

"When I call your name," he said, "please step forward, reach into this bag, and draw forth your number! Broli!"

The huge Saiyan stepped forward, reached into the bag, and drew out a number.

"Two."

"Mirai Briefs!"

"Eleven."

"Trunks Briefs!"

"Twelve."

This caused some murmurs, and Vegeta cocked an eyebrow. His sons would square off in the very first round.

"Vegeta Briefs!"

He walked forward.

"Nine."

"Mr. Buu!"

"Thirteen."

"Hokorashii!"

"Seven."

"Jinsoku!"

"Fourteen."

"Juuhachigou!"

"Fifteen."

"Karyuudo!"

"Sixteen."

"Kasabaru!"

"Eight."

"Magai!"

"Six."

"Ma Junior!"

Piccolo, under his assumed name, stepped forth.

"Three."

"Mr. Satan!"

"Five."

"Son Goku!"

"One."

"Son Goten!"

"Ten."

"Soumei!"

"Four."

The Budokai Announcer nodded. He then motioned for the fighters to follow him.

***

They returned to the arena, where the Budokai Announcer returned to his microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen! The first set of matches have been decided! Round one: Son Goku vs. Broli! Round two: Ma Junior vs. Soumei! Round three: Mr. Satan vs. Magai! Round four: Hokorashii vs. Kasabaru! Round five: Vegeta Briefs vs. Son Goten! Round six: Mirai Briefs vs. Trunks Briefs! Round seven: Mr. Buu vs. Jinsoku! And round eight: Juuhachigou vs. Karyuudo!"

After taking one last glance at the assembled fighters, he continued.

"Now let the 26th Tenka'ichi Budokai....BEGIN!"