The afternoon sun hangs low over the bustling crowd, everyone eager to see the next fight, especially Bulma.

"Mark's fight is next! He wasted a lot of time training for this so he better win!"

Dr. Briefs looks on as the fighters take to the arena.

"I have to admit it, Mark is certainly something else, he recovered from the prototype gravity chamber in record time! I swear he might actually be invulnerable and he doesn't even know it..."

Gero raises a brow at this as his interest is piqued.

"That big headed fool of yours has undergone some unique training regimen?"

Dr. Briefs nods with a smile and sparkle in hid eye. An expression the two scientists once shared in their youths when it came to their passion.

"I've never been one for martial arts but Mark's eccentricity has grown on me. One day he came up with this crazy idea of making an isolated area with heavier gravity. Of course, this has never been achieved before, but with Tights and Bulma helping we managed to create a prototype. However..."

Tights interrupts abruptly.

"He got hurt real bad cause he put the gravity too high! He honestly should still be in a bed after that."

Bulma shoves Tights away as she speaks proudly.

"But as it turns out not even a few weeks later, he was back at it again, going in and out of the chamber for months! His current record is five times Earth's gravity!"

Gero leans forward in astonishment unable to hide even his shock.

"F-Five times...!? Three times gravity alone should make it difficult to walk around! If what you say is true then...!"

Panchy giggles with a hand on her cheek.

"I'm not sure what it really matters, but ever since Marky started his work outs he's been helping out the good officers of our town fighting crime! He's like a super hero right out of a comic book! Not even the Red Ribbon Army bothers West City anymore thanks to him!"

Ox King looks on, having faced and lost against Jackie Chun himself, a bead of sweat trickles down his brow.

"Gravity training, huh? That sounds intense... But it probably won't help against Jackie Chun. That man has done similar training... I wonder who'll win now...?"

The Announcer brings his hand up and swings it down with a loud cry.

"BEGIN!"

Jackie leans back dodging a blurred jab. He then ducks slightly from a chop before weaving around a fast hook. In the eyes of most spectators, Mark's arms practically vanish from time to time, a pop in the air similar to gunshot sounds, and soon a loud crack echoes as Mark lands a solid hit on Jackie's shoulder.

Gero stammers seeing this display.

"H-He's punching like a machine! Those sounds too...! How is he doing that?!"

Dr. Briefs explains with a hint of pride.

"That's his Machine Gun Punch©. Mark has honed more than strength when using the gravity chamber. Speed, endurance, and even durability were all tested to their limits! I daresay Mark Hercule here is the first Super Human the world has ever seen!"

The Ox King and Starswirl disagree. The larger man narrows his eyes towards the fight.

"He is fast, no doubt about it, but his movements are too predictable. He's like an open book."

The wizard nods with his former student.

"Not to mention that he's trying to end the fight too quickly by going all out all at once. The boy will tire himself out and lose."

Launch pounds Starswirl's head snarling.

"As if! I got good money on that damn chump so he better not lose! If he does, I'll be right back where I started!

"Agh! Then don't gamble your winnings away like an idiot, you foul mouthed harpy!"

While the two bicker, Bikini, Goku, and Krillin all watch with Gebo and Yamcha. Goku's eyes lock onto the two fighters as Jackie begins to exchange blows with Mark, matching the young martial artist's speed.

"That old man is something else..."

Bikini looks between them with her hand to her chest as her heart becomes tight with suspense.

"I can't tell who'll win... They're both so fast too but nothing is landing!"

Krillin rubs his head just sweating from watching.

"If they're doing this well then fighting either of them is going to be a pain..."

Yamcha nudges Gebo with a smirk.

"They're putting on a pretty good show out there. Hope you can keep up with me when it's our turn."

The redheaded giant simply stares ahead speaking stoically.

"I am not an entertainer. Jackie Chun will win. I have no doubts of that."

All of the fighters look at him surprised but he continues.

"It's clear that the first blow landed on his shoulder was from him underestimating his opponent. Now that he knows Mark Hercule is putting forth effort at an above human level, so too will Jackie Chun. Mark leaves himself far too open to capitalize on any himself. Watch."

Mark sends a devastating blow right for Jackie's face, but the old man effortlessly dodges with a simple lean of his head, himself advancing forwards to close the gap between them. Before Mark can even pull back, a palm meets his chin sending him off his feet and onto his butt, where Jackie would wait with his hands behind his back.

"A fiercer opponent would kick you or continue to juggle you in the air with a barrage of blows."

"This a match or a lecture!? In case you forgot! We both landed a hit on each other! I'd say this fight is pretty even!"

Mark hops to his feet only to be struck in the chest with what feels like a cannonball. In the eyes of everyone else, Jackie merely jabbed him in the chest, but Goku understands when he sees Mark stumble back looking grim as he grips his chest.

"He's... He's stronger! The old man is way stronger than Mark!"

Bikini looks to Goku in stunned shock.

"What!? But he barely touched him...!"

It dawns on her then. Goku nods as he holds up his own fist.

"Just like us in our fights. We had to hold back a lot or else we'd really hurt someone!"

Krillin looks down at his own hands.

"Hey, that's true... T-Then are you saying Jackie Chun is holding back!?"

Gebo speaks up nodding as well.

"It is precisely as Son Goku says. I could tell from the very beginning that Jackie Chun has held back his true power. Even now... He still has yet to truly try."

Yamcha couldn't believe that his opponent would be so sharp. Goku, he expected as much from what he heard of Son Gohan from the Ox King, but this man caught on before even Goku. His confidence his match soon began to wane...

Mark stumbles back from another counter from Jackie and nears the edge of the arena. Jackie enters a new stand as he holds a cupped hand.

"You're tough, but the stiff oak breaks before the mighty breeze."

With a swing of his hand, a powerful gale blows forth, sending quite a few in the audience back. Even those behind and around the area could feel the strong wind. However, as it died down, Mark remains in the ring. He is leaning back, almost bent halfway out the ring, but his feet remain firm in the ground.

There's a gasp of disbelief shared with everyone in the crowd, even Jackie is stunned beyond words, and this allows Mark to headbutt him before he can recover. The Announcer shouts the first words as Jackie stumbles back holding his bruised nose.

"You wouldn't believe if I told you, folks! Jackie Chun summoned a powerful wind that could flip over a car, but Mark managed to stay in by his toes alone! He dug them right into the arena floor and anchored himself! That wind may have been strong enough for a car but not enough this freighter of a man!"

Mark thumbs to himself with his signature laughter.

"It'll take more than a breeze to blow me over! You'd better get a hurricane ready if you even want a chance at knocking me out!"

Bulma cheers with the now ecstatic crowd.

"That's it, Mark! You got this! That's our champion there!"

Launch cheers along with her.

"Send that old fossil back t' th' Stone Age, Big Head!"

Jackie gives his opponent a slight smile as he enters a new stance.

"I must admit I am impressed. You fight with a rugged and rough style, easy to exploit yet devastating when effective, I wonder... You're not actually self-taught are you?"

Mark's face changes from surprise to serious.

"I had a master... A great guy who taught me the basics when no one else would. He was killed by an assassin so I had to figure the rest out on my own. One day I'll find that murderer and beat him! If I can't make it here then there's no way I'll be good enough to face Tao Pai Pai!"

Bulma blinks at that unaware of such a burden on her boyfriend's shoulders.

"How come he never told me that? Oh, Mark..."

Tights frowns upon learning this.

"No wonder he pushed himself so hard..."

Dr. Briefs and Gero watch on silent, the latter having met the infamous mercenary before and understood Mark's feelings, even Jackie hadn't expected such a troublesome tale from someone otherwise so comical.

"That why did you join the tournament? To test or to prove something to yourself? To prepare yourself for revenge?"

Mark shakes his head now flustered with the questions.

"Well yeah but... N-Nah... Not really. I just owe Capsule Corporation for taking care of me these past few months! It ain't a lot of money compared to what they have, but it should settle the debt, I think... After that, I'm no gonna seek Tao's death, but bring him in for the police to handle!"

Jackie sighs at that with his heart at ease. Mark comes across as an attention seeking clown, and he mostly is, yet there's an undeniable nobleness inside that's finding it's way out.

"That's not a bad goal... You can try again next year. I'll take after the young man from the previous match. If I can't defeat you in this last blow then I shall forfeit."

Mark gulps at that. Something became different about this wizened fighter. As if the very air around him is filled with a foreign energy. Mark ignores his instincts and enters his own stance.

"Then get ready to lose, old timer!"

The Ox King shakes his head.

"That boy has already lost."

Starswirl nods as he pats Launch's arm sympathetic for her future.

"Indeed. If he were going up against your boy or Nam, then he would have won, talk about luck."

Launch says nothing and only slaps his hand away. Dr. Briefs looks between the two confused whereas Bulma fumes.

"You both seem so sure of his defeat...?"

"Mark won't lose to that geezer! Watch! I bet he'll pull through like that monk kid did!"

Gero however silently agrees with the two adults. From his own experience, when an expert makes a declaration on something they've studied or even mastered, rarely are they wrong.

Mark watches Jackie with his eyes narrowing on him eager to see any twitch, any nudge, the slightest-

"IT'S OVER! Ring Out!"

Mark blinks as he lays on the grass outside before finding himself unable to breathe. He clutches his stomach in a sudden pain finally registering before gasping desperate for air. The Announcer runs over to Mark with sweat beading down his face.

"I-It would appear that... Without touching him... J-Jackie Chun has knocked Mark out of the ring!"

Bulma leans back utterly dumbfounded with Oolong, who had secretly bet his money on Mark along with Launch, all three of them were stunned silent. Then, Gero cackles.

"I see! So that's what he did! Such a simple solution to an already simple problem!"

Dr. Briefs rubs his neck still unaware of what transpired.

"What? You actually saw what happened?"

Gero nods with his laughter finally dying down.

"That man, Jackie Chun, simply attacked him with a momentary strike of his full-power. However, that is not the reason for my joviality! I can now say without a doubt that Gebo will win!"

Starswirl raises a brow at him while keeping Launch back from lunging at the paraplegic pessimist.

"H-How can you be so sure?"

Gero merely scoffs.

"A few years ago, we visited a man of the name Son Gohan in search of the Dragon Balls. When we met him, he showed the utmost hospitality and utter kindness, but he also showed interest in Gebo. We would learn then of the power of ki and Gebo learned how to harness that power in a near instant. I could hardly believe it!"

The Ox King gasps learning this along with Bulma.

"Y-You met Old Gohan...?!"

"That's Goku's grandpa, isn't it? How come Goku never mentioned you or your son?"

Gero narrows his eyes as he watches Goku leaning out with the other fighters watching Jackie pose for victory before helping Mark to his feet.

"We only knew Son Gohan for a day. He would teach Gebo the secrets to harnessing ki, and what should have taken a lifetime took my son meager hours to learn, and thus he unlocked strength I have yet to see even in today's very match. However, night soon approached..."

Starswirl's eyes then widened as he realizes the terrible truth.

"Gero... It was a full moon that night, wasn't it."

Those that knew all grew silent. Tights and Panchy look at each other lost as the Ox King and Chi-Chi wait for the story to continue. Gero nods as his fists tighten.

"We had not met him all day until the Sun had set. It was my wife that found him first... Her screams led us to him in the middle of a clearing. His body was in the middle of transforming into a horrible monster far larger than any dinosaur recorded on land. Were it not for Son Gohan then neither me nor my son would be alive today."

Dr. Briefs cautiously asks the question lingering on everyone's mind.

"What about your wife?"

Gero doesn't answer. His brows furrow as the rest understand. Puar then calls out as he see Yamcha stepping out onto tge arena with Gebo.

"Huh? Shouldn't we be taking a break first?"

Starswirl shakes his head as Oolong and Launch go to make their bets in the back.

"The last fight wasn't as long as the first one so they're moving on. The crowd is also anxious to see more after two displays of advance martial arts. Even those that lost are pretty impressive."

Chi-Chi shouts over the crowd.

"Yamcha! You have to win!"

The Ox King shouts just as loud.

"I taught you all I know and more! Do us proud, Yamcha!"

He gives them a confident smile and thumbs up before facing his larger foe.

"Seems I can't exactly hold back after the last two shows. Sorry bud, I'm gonna come at you with all I got!"

Gebo remains silent and gestures for Yamcha to make the first move. With a growl at such impudence, Yamcha glides across the arena closing the gap at once, and sends a volley of attacks.

Goku gasps before bouncing in place watching the display.

"Whoa!~ Is that his Wolf Fang Fist?! That's way faster than before! I can barely see his hands move!"

Bikiki squints her eyes trying to catch up herself.

"They're open too... Is he trying to claw at him?"

Krillin is pale as he points ahead at Gebo.

"Y-Yeah that Yamcha guy is impressive but... None of those attacks are landing...!"

Gebo stands statue still save for his right arm. With one arm alone, Gebo repels the assault. Jackie speaks up then with a nervous bead of sweat.

"Indeed, young man. Yamcha there is simply throwing blow after blow. Against an average fighter this overwhelming assault could work. Unfortunately, that man is a seasoned fighter, and an incredibly gifted one at that. I don't think the Ox King's boy will be moving on sadly."

Mark huffs out rubbing his still aching stomach.

"H-Hey it's still the start of the match...! It ain't like the gap in power between them can be that wide, right?"

Goku grows serious as he reminds the party of just who Gebo is.

"That guy tried to kill me... He beat me bad and only messed up because he didn't know bullets don't break my skin. That amd Grandpa's treasure saved me too. Even if he got stronger, I could beat Yamcha before, so I don't really know who will win... But I'm pretty sure Gebo is holding back right now."

Everyone watches on tensely as the furious exchange between the two fighters. Yamcha finds himself stepping back despite being the one attacking, his opponent being a near impenetrable wall, Yamcha sneers as his plan comes to fruition!

"There!"

A small spurt of blood flies in the air... Gebo's eyes widen as his brow is grazed by Yamcha's hand. The Announcer shouts in absolute awestruck by the turnaround.

"F-First Blood! Yamcha is the one to draw first blood! No one saw this coming folks!"

The Ox King lets out a hearty chortle.

"That's my boy! He led that man around with all those fake attacks for one good shot!"

Gero rolls his eyes.

"A simple cut like that is nothing. That wouldn't even hurt me!"

Chi-Chi sticks her tongue out blowing a raspberry at the old pessimist.

"It isn't meant to, sir! You! Just! Watch!"

Yamch steps back and strafes to Gebo's side before landing another shot in his side with a fist. Gebo buckles stumbling away as he wipes his eyes. The Announcer notices first what has transpired.

"I see! Yamcha's true intentions were to blind Gebo using the redhead's own blood! It isn't a direct attack to the eyes so it's good! Is this the end of the match already?!"

Chi-Chi and Puar cheer on gleefully.

"Yamcha!~ Finish the fight quick!"

"Hurry, Master Yamcha! Don't miss your chance!"

Yamcha doesn't waste a moment. He unleashes the true Wolf Fang Fist, focused blows meant not just to beat on Gebo, but push him to the edge of the arena. Step by step he forces the giant closer to the edge. The crowd goes wild as Yamcha readies his final push.

"I was certain you'd put up more a fight than this! Hyah!"

Yamcha sends both hands out to launch Gebo out of the arena. Instead of hitting him though, Yamcha only strikes the air before everything goes dark, his unconscious body falls face first into the grass. Gebo stands over him with his eyes closed.

"Please don't get mad at me when you wake up. You defeated yourself. Thank you for the match."

The Announcer stumbles and stammers over himself before finding the right words as Gebo gently picks up Yamcha's body. He withdraws into the waiting room with the other fighters as the Announcer shouts out.

"Unbelievable! At the last moment, Gebo moved as if he could see without using his eyes, and smoothly maneuvered behind Yamcha at that last second before giving him a chop to the neck! An instant loss through and through!"

Gero nods in approval of the results.

"No need to waste energy on such an opponent."

Jackie could see it as well and looks to both Goku and Bikini.

"Whoever of you two wins... Be careful of that man. He isn't showing off his power, he's trying to hide as much of it as he can, and I daresay he may hold more power than anyone on the island right now..."

Goku abruptly shouts over Jackie.

"Wait a minute! What about Master Roshi?!"

The old martial artist only remains silent. Krillin then interrupts this with a cry.

"Ah! That's right! G-Goku, Bikini, I don't know who to root for...!"

Goku and Bikini look at each other then nod before looking to Krillin with a shared smiled.

"Cheer for us both then, Krillin!"

"Even if you do pick a side, we'll all still be friends, won't we?"

Leaving a stunned Krillin behind as they make way for the arena together, the monk huffs out in a mix of annoyance and relief.

"T-Those two always just say stuff and move on like it's nothing...! Still, I wonder who's gonna win...?"

Bulma and Oolong both shout in surprise.

"What!? G-Goku is fighting Bikini!? She'll just blast him away!"

"How is this a fair fight?! He's gonna mop the floor with her!"

They both give each other a vicious leer before they start to verbally butt heads. Bulma shoving a finger in the pig's face.

"Want to run that by me again, porkchop? My sister isn't a weakling, remember?!"

Oolong shoves one right back at her.

"Hey, I was her victim, but did you get hit with amnesia or something?! You AND your all powerful sis there hid behind Goku when it came to action! There's no way the runt will lose!"

The two bicker in the back while Tights and Panchy go to Dr. Briefs worried.

"Dad, her horn isn't glowing... It looks like she's going to fight for real...!"

"Dear, I really am worried about Bikini's safety..."

Dr. Briefs laughs at their worries which catches them off-guard. He brings a hand up and gestures to the adopted daughter.

"Look at her, ladies. She's showing more confidence here than I've ever seen in my life! She isn't the least bit afraid, and Bikini is the most cautious of us all. I am certain about it, win or lose, she'll be fine."

Chi-Chi looks at her father from his shoulder with Puar.

"A girl fighting? Isn't that wrong?"

"Oho! Not at all, Princess! There are some very strong women out there and one of them was your mother. Although, I thought Unicorns couldn't fight physically..."

The Ox King looks to Starswirl who is ready to give his own explanation.

"Bikini is something special. It is true, we Unicorns aren't as tough as normal people, or beastmen. Bikini however has shown a unique ability however to go beyond that in physical strength alone without the aid of magic... Perhaps because of how easy it is for her to learn magic, the ability to manipulate her ki comes just as easy, which would put Goku at a disadvantage."

"W-Would, sir?"

All eyes and ears of the party are on Starswirl now. He nods and looks to Goku.

"Bikini's ki manipulation is remarkable for her age, yes. Her speed as well far exceeds that of Goku's as well. Goku however, is still the superior fighter in skill and strength, as well as his cunning. This is easily the most even fight of the tournament we'll be seeing from here on... I... I truly have no idea who will win..."

Launch then shouts with all her might at the two.

"Yo Bikini! Don't y'dare lose t' that twerp! Goku, give that brat what for! C'mon y'two, I wanna see a real good fight, y'hear me!?"

She grins seeing the children enter their stances facing each other with pure determination. Launch could feel the confuses gazes on her and doesn't even look back, opting to just hold her head high instead.

"What're y'starin' at you lot? I helped trained those three boogers myself, I'll have you know!"

Starswirl's eyes widen as he remembers near the last few months of training.

"That's right...! You nearly killed those poor kids!"

She shoves a hand in his face to keep him from talking.

"Y'see that brimming confidence just blazing from our horned beaut there? That's my doing along with her own effort! 'N Goku there is already tough enough to be hit with a volley of bullets but not get a scratch! In fact he 'n Bikini can dodge 'em now! I can't help but cheer for 'em both now so that's what I'll do!"

Annoyed at her antics, Starswirl himself found it worth celebrating silently over Launch's personal growth. The fondness she had for crime and money is finally rivaled but another, her fondness for the students of the Turtle Hermit School.

Gero says nothing. He watches Goku with seething rage. He only glances to Gebo who watches the fight just outside of the waiting room, both nodding to each other. Either way this fight goes they will be receiving valuable data.

At last, Goku and Bikini settle in their stances, the Announcer having his hand raised speaks the rules, but neither hear him. The pair far too focused on each other to even care.

"Don't go crying when you lose, Bikini."

"I saw you eat plenty before this moment, so no excuses about you being hungry either, okay?"

They share a giggle and wait until they hear the magic word.

"BEGIN!"