The King of the Saiyans tapped his foot impatiently. The last two matches had been boring, and the one about to commence looked to be no different.

He tried to calm himself with the knowledge that the fight after this one would be a very interesting battle between his sons.

Of course, Saiyans are not the easiest beings in existence to calm.

Especially not this one.

***

"Time for the fourth fight of the first round!" said the Budokai Announcer. "Hokorashii hails from the Western Capitol, while Kasabaru comes from the Northern Capitol! This is the first time either of them has made it into the finals!"

The two opponents climbed into the ring. Hokorashii, a thin man, walked with a measured care that suggested a belief that it would be impossible to lose. Kasabaru, meanwhile, was a very large, fat man.

***

Soumei, from his seat in the stands, sighed to himself. He had been a fighter for a long time, and had gotten to know many others. And Hokorashii was one of the best. Kasabaru would be hard-pressed to win.

*And that,* he thought, *is a real shame.* Hokorashii was annoyingly self-assured and Soumei would not in the least mind to see him lose. Kasabaru, meanwhile, had confided in Soumei before the match that he was entering--much like Namu from the 21st Budokai--in order to win the prize money and help his family. In reality, he was one of the "gentle giants."

*Well, friend, you can't be gentle now. Not if you want that money.*

***

"BEGIN!"

Kasabaru lunged straight for the smaller man, hoping to end the fight quickly. Hokorashii spoiled his plans by somersaulting right over his head. Kasabaru, meanwhile, had built up a lot of momentum, and it was all he could do to stop himself before he ran out of the ring.

He turned around to see his opponent chuckling nastily.

"Why not just surrender now and save us all the time?"

"Never! I'll never surrender, not while I can win the money and take care of those I love!"

"Well then, those you love had better start looking for another means of financial security, hadn't they?"

The large man growled.

"Yes, get angry, fatso! It won't help you!"

Now Hokorashii went on the offensive, aiming a kick at his opponent's head, which the other man managed to dodge just in time.

"Pretty damn agile for your size, I see. But you can't dodge--THIS!"

In a flash, he had gotten to the backside of Kasabaru. He reached up and squeezed an area of his neck. Suddenly Kasabaru seemed to be paralyzed.

"That," said Hokorashii, "is my secret technique. Don't worry, it'll wear off in a few minutes. But it won't make a difference! I will win!"

Now the man began to engage in a bout of full-fledged maniacal laughter, during the course of which, he failed to notice a very important thing.

Kasabaru had begun to fall. Right on top of him.

His laughter stopped as they slammed into the ring floor, Kasabaru's great bulk pinning Hokorashii.

***

Now it was Soumei's turn to laugh.

***

"NINE...TEN! Hokorashii is out....winner, KASABARU!"

The Budokai Announcer hopped into the ring, rolling the larger man off of the other. A very mad looking Hokorashii leapt to his feet and stormed out of the stadium. Meanwhile, the Announcer helped the recovering Kasabaru to his feet.

"Congratulations on your win! Do you attribute your victory to your opponent's overconfidence?"

Kasabaru smiled. "That, and the large plate of cookies I had on the way here."