Kai Goten shook his head to clear it. Next up was him against Olibu. He knew instinctively that this would not be an easy battle, like his last one had been. Walking up the steps, he smiled and bowed to his competitor. "I can't wait to see what you can do," he said to the tall Earth warrior.

Olibu smiled down at his competitor, inclining his head. "And you," he said, and got into battle stance.

Goten did the same.

The moment the gong was hit, Olibu came at Goten with a powerful kick, which Goten blocked, grinning. The two were a flurry of punches and kicks, much faster than the average eye could see. Goten felt more challenged than he had in a long while. And Olibu was just getting warmed up.

White light came from the ancient Earth warrior's hands, and shot towards Goten. Goten blocked the powerful beam with his hands, having to call upon all of his strength to do so.

And then it got stronger.

Give up, a voice said in his head, and he could tell it was Olibu, firing the beam at him, hoping against hope that Goten would forfeit, as he did not wish to do the boy harm. He could feel the sentiment, not only from Olibu, but also from King Kai, from the announcer… from Kibito. But Goten wasn't ready to give up yet. He gritted his teeth, digging his feet into his spot on the arena, and replied.

"I…"

Time slowed down.

"won't…"

Caterpy was tickling Goku.

"give…"

A small pod hurtled from space station to space station, a desperate father protecting the people of each place he came to, in search of his son…

"up!" Goten cried out.

The audience seemed to hush for some reason that Goten could not comprehend, but they weren't important. He had the power to defeat Olibu, he knew he did. "It's over, Olibu. All or nothing!" he yelled, and sent an energy blast back at the Earth warrior. Olibu tried in vain to block it, but it quickly pushed him out of the ring, before changing direction to shoot harmlessly into the sky.

Goku had been watching Kai Goten's fights closely. He had a feeling about that boy, and not just because he was brave enough to go up against fighters who were already dead. Not just because King Kai's boss's boss had picked him out specifically from the living world to train him to be a Kai. And not just because he was one of the last survivors from Earth.

Kai Goten was important, for those reasons, sure, but… there was something else, something just on the edge of his mind, trying to get his attention, but he just couldn't name it…

And then the boy changed. His hair turned gold, his eyes turned teal, his power level shot up, and suddenly Goku's hand gripped North Kai's arm.

"He's Saiyan," Goku gasped, and King Kai's eyes became as large as dinner plates.

It wasn't long ago that Goku had discovered he had the ability to transform like this. King Kai had told him that, long ago, his people, the Saiyans, had a legend that told of a great warrior who was able to transform, to save his people. They had called him the Super Saiyan.

That boy, his transformation, it was exactly the same as what Goku saw in the mirror when he transformed. And his energy…

Olibu landed outside of the ring, and the announcer declared Goten the winner. The moment Goten relaxed, his hair and eyes returned to normal, but Goku knew what he saw. The boy bowed and left the arena, and Olibu went to stand beside Goku. "He beat me, fair and square. I have no idea how he transformed like that!" he said, smiling.

A grin slowly took over Goku's face. "I think I have an idea," he said, turning his eyes to Olibu. "I hope I get a chance to face him in the ring!"

Olibu inclined his head. "You will do well. But take care. That boy is not to be underestimated," he warned.

"I'm counting on it," Goku replied, determined, and turned his attention to the battle between Mariakoh and Froug.

Neither of them noticed North Kai had left their side, and was heading straight for Kai Kibito.

Kai Goten exited the ring, uncertain why people looked at him funny, or why Kai Kibito seemed to be staring at him. He smiled. "I can't believe I beat Olibu!" he said, excitedly. "There was a moment there, I thought I was gone for sure."

Kai Kibito gazed down at his student, uncertain of what to say, when North Kai came storming over.

"Kai Kibito," the North Kai said, doing his best to conceal his anger, but he had to know. "I think we need to talk," he said, crossing his arms across his fat body.

Kibito gazed at him for a moment, then turned to Kai Goten, who was busy watching the match. "Kai Goten," he said, nudging the boy's shoulder. Goten looked up at him innocently. "Perhaps you should thank Olibu for the match, since you found it such a challenge."

Goten's face lit up. "Yes, Master!" he said eagerly, and sprinted around the arena toward the Earth fighters.

Kibito turned his attention to the North Kai. "You have discovered the identity of Kai Goten," he said simply, gazing at the other Kai.

North Kai scowled. "I've started putting two and two together. Tell me, Kai Kibito," he said, uncrossing his arms to step closer to the Supreme Kai's emissary. "Is this boy Goku's son?"

Kibito nodded. "He is," he admitted.

"The same one Goku lost to his brother Raditz?" North Kai asked, frowning.

"No," Kai Kibito said, watching the boy, who was shaking hands with Olibu. "This is the son that was born shortly after Goku died," he explained.

North Kai's eyes widened. "He had another son? Why didn't I know?" he demanded.

Kai Kibito's gaze turned back to North Kai. "You didn't need to," he informed him, causing North Kai to sputter indignantly. "North Kai, you are becoming too attached to your subjects," Kibito chided him. "You must learn to take a step back, so that you may see your quadrant more clearly."

North Kai's blue face started to turn purple, but he merely turned to look away. "Goku needs to know," he said instead, feeling pity for the man who was unknowingly talking to his own son.

Kai Kibito regarded the older warrior. "I see much of Goten in him," he mused, and then turned back to North Kai. "You will say nothing. But, if he's anything like his son… he will find out soon enough," Kibito said, and watched North Kai stomp off angrily. He knew the North Kai would not disobey orders.

He also knew that soon, it wouldn't matter. Goten was very close to epiphany, and the moment it happened, they would leave this place, whether the Tournament was over or not. The power Goten had displayed…

Kibito only hoped it would be enough.