Gohan stood at the forefront of the Z-Fighters. With a subtle nod, the group dispersed, slipping into the crowds unnoticed.
Bulma and Yamcha headed for the stands. Chi-Chi took Trunks' hand, heading for the registration table as Vegeta followed them. Krillin and Eighteen headed for the main path leading around the large stadium. Piccolo and Seventeen disappeared shortly before taking off into the sky, only to find a suitable place to float out of view over the massive crowds.
Papaya Island was packed with tourists, martial artists and fans alike. Gohan headed straight for the competitor's area to find Videl and Mr. Satan. He would keep an eye on them while the others scoped out their designated areas. Whoever or whatever that planned to make a violent appearance here may be attracted to Mr. Satan's fabled strength, and he was the only Z-Fighter willing to act as the man's bodyguard.
Rolling his shoulders in a feeble attempt to relax, Gohan soon found himself walking past security, unnoticed. Following Videl's energy signature, he soon rounded a corner inside the contestant area, only to have his path blocked by a large, red-skinned man.
Looking up, Gohan's eyes narrowed at the stranger before him. He could sense some faint energy coming from the tall man, but it was unlike anything he had ever felt before.
"Excuse me," the teen said cooly.
"Hello, Gohan," another voice said. Stepping out from behind the large man, a smaller man made himself known. Of a similar race to his friend, the shorter being had the same pointed ears, white hair colour, and unfamiliar ceremonial garb. Yet his skin was purple, and his hair was much shorter.
"I'm sorry. You know my name, but I don't believe I know yours." Gohan said, trying to play it cool. With a dark chuckle, the purple man said, "My name is Shin, and this is my assistant Kibito. We are not your enemies, Gohan. We are here to help."
"Help with what exactly?"
With a tight-lipped smile, Shin's eyes travelled up and down Gohan's form for a second. "You have incredible power. Please- keep an eye out."
"I don't like the fact that you clearly know something," the teen said in a low voice, stepping into Shin's personal space.
"That is no way to talk to the Supreme Kai!" Kibito hissed, stepping forward.
"Supreme Kai?" Gohan asked. Not a moment later, Piccolo connected to him telepathically to confirm Shin's outrageous statement.
"They're here to help," the Namekian said, less composed than Gohan had ever heard him. "The Supreme Kai watches over the universe. If he's personally involved, we're about to be in major trouble. He just advised me to stay out of the way, as my lifeforce is connected to the dragon balls."
The connection ended and Gohan felt his breath catch. "This must be serious if Piccolo is taking orders," Gohan thought grimly. "Especially if they both think we'll need to use the dragon balls afterwards."
"Yes, the situation is indeed that severe," Shin said. "And yes, I can read minds."
The two Kais moved to either side of the narrow hallway, allowing Gohan to finally pass.
It was no surprise that Trunks had won the Junior Division by a landslide. After the award ceremony had concluded, the adult competitors began to file on stage to get their match assignments.
Chi-Chi watched closely as Trunks went backstage again, on patrol with his father in the contestant area for the remaining tournament matches. Everyone was on high alert for suspicious activity, spread out across the tournament grounds to maximize their search for anything unusual. So far the only suspicious person was Vegeta, who had vehemently threatened the tournament monks into letting him backstage. Needless to say, they relented, as planned.
The older woman grimaced, feeling a sudden influx of foul energy behind her. She quickly sidestepped the beast of a man as he passed her, and she paled at the sight of him. She pulsed her energy twice in quick succession, letting the others know she had found something of interest.
"And Spopovich is #4!" The announcer yelled, gesturing to the large man swirling with dark energy. "He will be fighting in the second match."
The Saiyan prince collected his son and stood at the stage entrance. As another man by the name of Yamu was called forward, Chi-Chi once again pulsed her energy.
Eyes narrowed, Vegeta stared at the m-shaped tattoo on his forehead.
Krillin paced through the outer pathways of the tournament grounds. He had quickly lost sight of his android wife in the crowds, both due to his short stature and her lack of an energy signal. Every few minutes, the tall woman had come to find him, checking in with him about their lack of progress thus far.
However, it'd been nearly fifteen minutes since he last saw her.
"Excuse me, ma'am," Krillin said, to a portly young woman. The girl turned to look at him, weary.
"Yes?"
"I seem to have lost sight of my wife," the former monk explained, trying to stay calm. "Would you mind checking for her in the bathroom for me? She's about your height, shoulder length blonde hair, and blue eyes. Her name is Eighteen."
"Oh," the girl said, relieved that she wasn't being hit on. "Yeah, sure. What was she wearing?"
"She had a black with long, white sleeves, with a jean skirt and black leggings. And the red boots I got her for her birthday last year," Krillin gushed. "Thank you, thank you- I really appreciate it!"
Waiting outside the restrooms, Krillin gnawed on his fingernails.
Almost a hundred feet away, Mr. Satan appraised his daughter as the last match was announced. Walking off stage, the strong young woman passed through the corridor where she had instructed security to let her friend wait.
"Good luck, Videl!" Gohan told her. "I just know you're gonna do great."
"Thanks," she beamed, turning to look at her father over one shoulder. The two walked side by side until they reached a second security checkpoint.
"Alright, I'm going to go find a seat," Gohan said. "Are you going to be okay?"
She laughed. "I don't know why, but I have a good feeling about today."
Gohan's smile faltered.