The bright morning sun gleamed through the blinds of the hotel room's windows. Krillin had been up for only a couple of minutes before Goku awoke. They greeted each other silently, taking note that Gohan was still asleep and that they still had about an hour or so before they had to leave for the tournament.

"Good morning Krillin! I'm so excited, today is going to be the best day ever! I just hope we don't fight each other too early."

Krillin gulped, "I hope I don't make it far enough to fight you Goku, I'm not going to lie sometimes I feel like your too strong for your own good."

Goku puzzledly inquired, "Whadya' mean my own good?"

Krillin was slightly annoyed Goku took his playful jab at him seriously. "Nevermind Goku I didn't mean anything by it." His answer garnered only blank stares.

Trying to change the subject Krillin asked, "You said Jack is strong right? Do you think he's as strong as us?"

Goku grinned and nodded, "Yeah, definitely. I keep getting the feeling that he is something special. If I do have to fight him I'm sure it will be a challenge"

Although they kept their voices low, Gohan's gentle slumber was easily disturbed and he slowly awoke to the sound of their quiet conversation. Gohan rubbed the sleep from his eyes, sat up, and yawned. He felt truly happy in that brief moment, the brief moment in between reality and his dreams when he wasn't really sure where or who he was. Despite the feeling fading rather quickly, Gohan felt his spirits lift as he waited to greet the day. Something he hadn't felt in a long time.

"Morning guys. Did you sleep well? Because I slept great." Gohan said enthusiastically

Goku was the first to answer, "Yeah I know right? These beds are the comfiest ever! Back at my Grampa's hut, I didn't really have a bed. Hahaha."

"That's not funny Goku, that's actually kind of sad." Krillin said seriously.

Goku looked worriedly at Krillin "Why Krillin? is that bad?"

Both Gohan and Krillin went silent staring at Goku's innocently curious face until they heard Master Roshi enter the room.

"Silly kids, when I was a student under Master Mutaito the best we got were training mats to sleep on. I've been soft on you boys, letting you sleep in beds...but that's beside the point. I came to make sure you were all ready for the tournament today. It will be an exciting test of your abilities but more importantly, a great learning experience."

As Goku and Krillin changed into their iconic orange turtle hermit outfits with the distinctive blue sash belt and blue wristbands Master Roshi wrinkled his brow as he saw Gohan slip into his torn purple gi.

"Hey Go... Hey, Jack, I have a present for you. I had to get up quite early today and had it specially tailored to your exact size"

Master Roshi pulled from behind his back a deep rich mulberry colored gi similar to the one he had on then except for the distinctive turtle hermit symbol on the back. He also presented him with his own blue sash belt and set of blue wristbands.

"I do hope you like them. I wanted you to be distinctively unique but still show that turtle pride...despite not being an actual student of mine."

Master Roshi passed the gi to Gohan and as he held it in front of himself he said, "Master Roshi its...Perfect! It's more than perfect, thank you so much!"

Gohan hugged the old man tightly, maybe a little too tightly...

Master Roshi felt his back pop and an audible crack could be heard "OAH! Relax Jack! You don't have to squeeze me to death!"

When everyone had finished getting ready Master Roshi walked them over to the tournament preliminary grounds. He led them to the entrance and stopped. "Alright, boys! This is as far as I can take you. Tournament participants only past this point. But don't worry this old turtle will be with you in spirit and, if you make it through, in person when the finals begin." Everyone said their goodbyes to Master Roshi and quickly made their way into the temple.

"Wow! Look at all these people! It's the most I've ever seen!" Goku said while gawking at the different varieties of people and species that all herded together, ready and eager to compete for a place in the championship. He could feel his adrenaline pumping already.

Krillin worriedly exclaimed, "Yeah look at all these guys! Half of them have kneecaps taller than me!"

Everyone's attention turned to an elderly man that took to the main stage. Below his long grey beard, he held a microphone and after clearing his throat he spoke clearly and loudly for all to hear. "All right everybody, settle down, settle down. You will all be divided into 4 blocks and only two from each block will advance to the main tournament. Fights will be held all day today until two finalists are left in each block, no exceptions. If you leave before your designated fights you are disqualified. Now, would everyone please line up and get a number. Your number will determine which block you are placed in and after that, we will begin the fights. Good luck to you all and thank you for participating in the Twenty-First World Martial Arts Tournament!"

After the old man walked off the stage the three boys looked at each other and agreed to stay close so that they would find out their placements together. As they were in line to get their numbers, Goku saw Yamcha walking towards the back.

"Hey, Yamcha! Over here!"

Yamcha immediately picked out Goku's face from the crowd and ran over. "Hey, Goku! It's good to see you!"

Goku responded "It's good to see you too! You didn't get your number yet did you?"

"No, I've been looking around for you guys! I'm sure no one would mind if I slipped right in here." Yamcha said as he slid in between Krillin and Gohan without anyone taking any particular notice. They then waited in the line for a good forty minutes before finally getting their numbers. Krillin was the first to open his.

"Hm, ninety-three for me"

Goku opened his own card and tried to decipher the numbers "Huh, I've got a seven and a zero."

Yamcha explained, "Well, looks like you're both in block three, but you're on opposite ends so you won't have to fight each other."

Yamcha could feel Krillins sigh of relief.

"What did you get Yamcha?" Goku asked.

"I'm number thirty-five, that's in block two. Good thing too, I didn't want to be placed in your block. I've been looking forward to fighting you, and I think the championship stage is where we should do that so don't disappoint me by not making it to the REAL event."

Goku nodded "Don't worry I'll make it!"

He then turned over to Gohan. "How about you Jack? What's your number?"

Gohan flipped open his card. "I'm number one-hundred and twelve so I guess that leaves me in block four."

Goku was a little depressed from hearing that he would not be able to fight Gohan until the main tournament but remained enthusiastic, he grabbed Gohans hands and, while jumping, gave an excited, "That's great Jack! I cant wait to see you fight!"

As everyone got acquainted with who they would be up against they saw a young man step to the side of the stage and clear his voice. "Would fighters number sixty-nine and seventy please enter the ring"

Goku stopped his jumping and looked away from Gohan towards the stage. He thought back to his numbers and concentrated. "Uh, seven-dee. Oh! That's me!". He quickly let go of Gohan's hands and waved to him as he hopped up onto the stage.

Goku was met with an enormous muscle-man sporting a large handlebar mustache. The man, originally believing this to be a joke, began to laugh.

The young announcer who called them to the stage quickly explained the rules.

"Okay, now that you are familiar with the match structure..." He paused for dramatic effect. "You may begin!"

"Heh, I just need one second to crush this pest between my thumb and fore-" Before he could even finish his sentence Goku disappeared from his vision "WHAT? Where'd you go?"

Goku, now standing behind the giant, merely tapped the man's calf twice. "I'm right here mister..." The large man suddenly yelped in pain and collapsed with his legs on the arena floor and the rest of his body lying out of bounds.