"You're certainly going to have your work cut out for you," said Mirai.

Vegeta shared those same thoughts, but outwardly he let no sign of it show. "If you think I will lose to that thing, you are delusional, boy. And it looks like you're the one with the problem," he said, smirking.

Mirai blushed. Jennifer was still there, and she didn't seem too happy about being ignored.

"Um, sorry," he said. This didn't seem to cut much ice with her. He didn't have much experience with social situations and even less with girls, so he desperately fell back on the only thing he could think of.

"Uh...are you doing anything Saturday night?"

She seemed to soften a little. "No, I can't think of anything. Why?"

He exhausted his knowledge of relationships by saying, "I thought maybe we could go out to dinner or something."

To his relief, she shrugged. "Sure. What's your number?" Mirai rattled off the Capsule Corporation phone number.

"OK. I'll call you sometime tomorrow." She turned and walked away, but Mirai thought he saw a hint of a smile.

Leaving his son, Vegeta walked over to Kakarot. "Even a lower class like you should be able to defeat that human. And then, in the finals, I shall finally be able to savor your defeat."

Kakarot grinned. "I wouldn't be too sure of that. We don't even know that it will be us two in the finals."

"I will defeat that hideous pink monstrosity," growled Vegeta. "And I will do the same to you."

Kakarot merely shrugged.

***

Mr. Satan was a little nervous. Not TOO nervous, just a little.

He laid back in his private champion's quarters and thought. He knew that Mr. Buu was stronger than Vegeta; he'd seen it first-hand on that bizarre other world where the four current semi-finalists had triumphed over that evil version of Buu. He'd be fine in the finals, Buu would throw the match to him.

It was the semi-finals that was worrying him. With any luck, Goku would also throw. Now that Videl was married to Goku's son, hopefully he would decide that the best way to prevent tension in the new marriage would be to lose. That's what anyone else would choose.

Of course, Mr. Satan had gotten to know Goku over the last several years. And while he was many things, not the least of which was an exceptional fighter, he was not a relationship genius. He might not arrive at that conclusion at all.

Still, there was no sense worrying about it, Mr. Satan decided. He couldn't do anything about it.

***

"Looks like our dads might be in trouble," said Trunks. "Yours is up against the world champion."

"And yours is up against Buu," said Goten.

***

The Budokai Announcer wiped the sweat off his brow. That second round had included two of the best matches he'd seen in years. To tell the truth, he'd been a bit disappointed to see Juuhachigou lose; a rematch between her and Mr. Satan would have been interesting indeed.

As it was, he was currently pinning his hopes for seeing Mr. Satan defeated on Son Goku, who was one of the best fighters he had seen in his long career of announcing.

He glanced at his watch. Five minutes until the third round.

***

Bardock leaned out and over to Yamcha. "You know the most about these other two. Who do you think will win?"

"I think Mr. Buu is going to take it all. Your son can take Mr. Satan quite easily, but I highly doubt that Vegeta can defeat Buu without going Super Saiyan. And the same holds true for your son against Buu in the finals."

Nappa snorted. "Just you watch, human. One way or another, a Saiyan will stand triumphant at the end."

Yamcha gritted his teeth, but said nothing.

***

The Announcer looked at his watch again. There was only a minute left. Close enough, he decided; besides, he was anxious to see the next two matches.

"OK! Let's begin the third round of the Tenka'ichi Budokai!"

***

Gohan and Videl once again came up from under the sheets. They looked at the bedside clock, then simultaneously yelled angrily at the TV.

"That wasn't ten minutes!"