Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball.
Betaed by: Zim'smostloyalservant & my best friend.
Previously on Dragon Ball IJ:
The great Tournament is in full swing!
For starters Yamcha was put on the back-foot by Ranfan' sexy style of fighting. But the former bandit managed to snatch victory from the laws of defeat. But despite his win this wolf still seems to be in doghouse with his girlfriend!
Then against Giran, Lunch tagged out to let Launch take center stage. Despite some tricky fighting on the tiny kaijuu's part, Launch tasted sweet victory; while he won a trip to medics!
Then it was a battle of generations between our ambitious young Rookie Krillin and he mysterious old Master Jackie Chun. The fight was so edgy it went downright out of sight for the audience. But alas, in the end the power of youth fell to the cunning of old age!
But we're far from done yet folks! The action continues today on Dragon Ball Intended journey!
Chapter 9
"Well folks, I dare say this tournament is well on its way to being historic in the grand history of the Budokai."
"Oww, did I win?" Krillin asked, pushing himself up just as a pair of monks with a stretcher came up next to him.
"And Krillin is up! Sorry, the match is over and you lost, but let's give him a round of applause for an excellent match." The crowd roared its approval. Ox King held up twin V signs, smiling in support of the member of his old school, Bulma applauded some, and Chichi waved to him, shouting encouragement.
"I lost, but no one thought I would get this far. Even me," he said with a smile, getting shakily to his feet.
"Krillin, before you go for a medical examination, would you mind answering a few questions alongside contestants Launch and Goku?" the announcer asked.
"Uh, sure? Come down you two, he wants to interview us or something!" Krillin called to his fellow students on the wall. Goku quickly leapt down, taking a place besides Krillin. Launch hesitated a moment then leapt clear over to land between the announcer and Krillin. The announcer took a step and a half back in surprise at her suddenly entering his space, but gathered himself in an instant.
"You three have all made a splash here. And no one could overlook your matching uniforms. Which bear the Turtle symbol. Three fighters in the same uniform."
"Four, actually; Chichi may have lost to Nam there," Launch said, pointing over her shoulder at the other fighter with her thumb, "but she's another fighter here wearing the colors."
"He-hello?" Chichi waved slowly as Launch pointed her out to the announcer and crowd.
"Thank you for the clarification, and I daresay that raises Nam's stock in the eyes of the fans as well. But the real question is this. You clearly have trained together in the same school. And Krillin, you said during the match you have been trained by 'the Invincible One'. By any chance, have you four trained under the Kame Senin, also known as the Turtle Sage, the Turtle Hermit, and Lord Muten Roshi?"
"Yeah, the Turtle Guy taught us a lot. He sure does have lot of names, is it because he's old?" Goku answered. A hush fell over the crowd as the answer carried over the mic.
"Uh, Miss Launch?" the announcer asked after a moment. She grabbed the mic from his hands to glare at the crowd.
"What, you think this kid is lying or stupid? We trained under the freakin' legend, and anyone who doesn't believe us and wants to make something of it, say it to my face and I'll break yours for ya," Launch declared.
X X X
Roshi grimaced as the flattering narration of his reputation by the announcer ended with a declaration of it being shocking that he was still alive. Of all the things to end on! Live a century or two past the normal expiration date and people start acting like you're the two-headed pig at the fair.
Still, it was nice to see the students singled out for some attention. Krillin was taking his defeat fairly well it seemed, even telling a joke.
But his job as a teacher was only half done. As Jackie Chun, he had to ensure they would not let their new power go to their heads. Whether they went off arrogantly thinking they were invincible, or slacked off their training thinking they were the hottest thing around, it would be a disaster for their potential, and possibly morality. Reaching the top of this tournament could become a summit they ended their path to power on, rather than the plateau it should be, revealing still greater heights to aspire towards.
It was possible though, like with Chichi, he would not have to do it himself. Yamcha was a strong fighter, more disciplined than Launch, and more aggressive and confident in hard situations than Lunch. And Nam had beaten Chichi, even if it had been a time clock affair.
Speaking of Nam, he noted how tense the young man was. Of course, Roshi had noticed him watching the tournament like a hawk watches the only mouse to run through the meadow all day. Talk about intense. That angry Giran guy had nothing on this focus.
'This is just a tournament, after all. And he doesn't strike me as the type to get worked up over fortune, glory or fame. Something's up. Let's see what,' Roshi decided, taking a step closer to Nam.
Most psychic types were born that way. But it turned out, with a long enough life, you could get a few of those powers through training. Roshi wasn't that keen on them for the most part, they easily lent themselves to dishonest, unrespectable lifestyles. But they were tools that could be used for good purpose, so he kept them sharp for occasions just like this.
He read Nam's mind, visualizing an arc of energy between his brow and the back of the man's head. Roshi got the feeling it wouldn't usually be this easy; Nam's mind had a calm ordered feel to it, normally ideal for noticing a rat in the pantry. But it was in unaccustomed turmoil now.
Roshi didn't have to look for answers so much as open the door to the theater and watch the production play out on the big screen.
An arid land, hard but livable. Villages dotted the region, simple but hearty with an earthy beauty born from the humble generosity of the people. Not an easy place to live, but communities could thrive here, and with that came the greater joys of life, even with little in the way of luxury or modest amenities.
Yes, Roshi had traveled there a few times in long gone days. Odd to see how little it had changed.
But there was change recently. A foul one. The rains had gone from scarce to entirely absent, the stubborn little streams drying up and even the narrow river retreating out of sight. Even the heartiest crop had begun to wither, and the vanishing well after heralded greater disaster. The elders spoke of a wandering lake that had in their own elders' time appeared amidst such desolation to bring salvation. But none could say it was more than a tale.
And Nam, a student of the temple, an exemplar of its disciplines, he was there. His father had died, leaving his mother to raise a brother so much younger alone. Nam would not have it. Enlightenment could wait, as far as he was concerned; his family needed aid, so he would answer. And now his people needed help, and more than a legend. He had spoken to the elders, with his mother and brother attending him in the shade the square could offer.
"The rainy season is not far. If we can make it to that day, we will survive. The year will be leaner than any of my lifetime, but we will endure and regain our strength."
"But Nam, we are at the end of our ropes. A man like you may well weather what remains, but too many will not," one of the bearded elders answered.
"The drought does not afflict the whole world, there are still places water can be bought, and the dynocap technology means one man can easily haul water enough to quench a village's thirst," Nam pointed out.
"Nam, we have no such wonders. And even if we did, we could sell the village itself and not be able to afford so much water."
"There is a way. This year is the Strongest Under the Heavens tournament. Before I left the temple, the priests wished me to attend when the time came as part of my physical training. If I leave now with money for travel, I can arrive to the temple of tournament on time. If I win, a fortune is the prize. I will acquire a capsule and an abundance of water to fill it with."
The elders muttered among themselves. Even as he remained stoic, they grew animated at an actual plan. His little brother looked up at him in awe. But his mother spoke.
"Nam, it is more of a plan than anything we have. But everyone knows that tournament draws the greatest fighters from across the world. What if even you can't win?"
"We cannot consider that. This is our hope, there is nothing else," Nam told her. He didn't meet her eyes, staring forward with tense focus.
Just like now, Roshi thought, breaking the connection.
'You're a fine man, Nam. But your mother had a point, this place is all about skill and draws the best. Rightfully or wrongfully, backstory doesn't count for much in that ring. Still, I think I can help you out,' Roshi thought. He noticed the interview seemed to be over, Launch heading back and Krillin being carried off.
Roshi needed a pick-me-up after that, so as he went out to join Goku he got an idea.
"Ah, Jackie Chun. Pardon, but the match against Nam will start soon," the announcer said.
"I'm ready to fight!" Goku cheered.
"Hold on now, you interviewed them, don't I get some spotlight?" Roshi asked.
"Uh, well, I guess this intermission has already been irregular-" the announcer began, before Jackie grabbed the mic.
"Hey everyone. My name's Jackie, welcome to the show!"
He gave them a classic tale of love, bean bun festivals, and tractors. Complete with a dance to go with the song. People forgot he'd once held the title Scourge of Karaoke Night! Even Goku got in on it, not singing but being a passable backup dancer.
Ah, as much as he loved martial arts, he could have melted a lot of hearts if he'd pursued the performing arts instead!
But all things must end, and as this one did, he struck a bow and shook hands with Goku.
"We did it," Jackie said. Goku just laughed, smiling.
"…" the announcer went. The crowd was also stunned.
"What did I just witness?" Nam asked, his stoicism replaced by mild disgust.
"A horror straight out of open mic night," Ranfan cringed.
"And I thought I was a bad singer," Launch whistled, "That almost crosses over back into being impressive! Almost."
"Get off the stage! I didn't come here for amateur night at the theater!" Bulma bellowed.
"Amateur!? I was singing before your parents were born!" Jackie shook a fist at the bluenette.
"All the more reason you should be ashamed!" Bulma retorted.
The announcer proceeded to push a fuming Jackie backstage while Goku loitered.
"Uh, Nam, would you mind getting out there? This is getting out of hand," the announcer asked, passing the backstage spectators, still pushing Chun. Composed, Nam made his way into the ring, while Goku took his own spot. The announcer went to Nam.
"So Nam, it seems the fighters are all getting words in, except for you. Anything you want to say before we begin?"
"No. May we continue?" Nam asked.
"Alright then, folks! This first round has been quite the event, and we're not done yet! The final match of the first round, Nam vs Goku! Begin!" the announcer declared.
Nam assumed a low stance, fist pulled back and hand raised before him. Goku took his own, smiling.
"I'm going to start with that move Jackie used," Goku said. And then just stood there, smiling. Nam closed his eyes and sprung into the air, dodging the kick aimed at his back.
"HYOH!" Nam said, landing for only a moment before turning with a kick of his own that Goku barely dodged, flipping backward.
"Ah man, I was sure I did it right," Goku griped, as Nam glared at him.
At the sideline, Jackie shook his head, "How foolish to use an unmastered technique like that in a match like this."
"But did he seriously just pick it up from seeing it once?" Ranfan asked.
"Sounds like something Goku would do. The kid's as much a genius at fighting as he's a chowder head at anything else," Launch said from her perch on the wall.
"Genius perhaps, but he lacks the basic sense to not experiment in a serious match. Nam is fighting to win; however strong Goku is, if he doesn't take this seriously, Nam will find a way to turn the tables. Goku didn't even consider Nam's senses might be sharp enough to see through an Afterimage technique. Mistakes aren't something he can afford," Jackie shook his head.
The fight continued.
With a cry of "haoi hoi", Nam pressed against Goku with a series of kicks. Goku blocked the blows and retaliated with a flurry of punches. Fast though they were, they couldn't pierce Nam's defenses.
So it went, until Goku's foot slipped, an opening Nam seized upon, with a swing kick taking Goku on the chin. The boy went down, but as Nam closed in, Goku pivoted on the ground, spinning out to knock the man's feet out from under him. Goku made his move before Nam could regain his feet, a powerful two-handed blow that sent him into the air, toward the ornamental stonework forming the doorway.
Goku and the audience both had a moment to be surprised as Nam somehow twisted in the air and landed on the wall. For a moment, he was perpendicular to the vertical surface, as if gravity had decided to get funky. Then he launched toward Goku.
Goku had no time to react, it all happening so quickly and unexpectedly. Nam tore through the meager defense and landed a chop to Goku's head before hitting the arena floor in a roll and coming to his feet smoothly. He did not waste time boasting.
"I'll kick you out of the arena right away. I have no intention of letting a student of a living legend show me all his tricks," Nam said, advancing on Goku, and chambering a kick as he got in range. The injured boy rolled just enough aside to make Nam miss, and his tail wrapped around Nam's wrist.
At first, Nam blinked in confusion at the spot where Goku had just been. Then he noticed the weight on his right arm.
The enemy was literally hanging off of him.
"What?! Get off!"
"Okay!" Goku said cheerfully, swinging his entire body weight before hopping off. The weight and the angle made Nam stumble. He caught himself from a fall, but was left wide open for Goku's kick, sending him staggering back.
"That tail," Nam uttered.
"Bet you wish you had one," Goku grinned.
The crowd was loving the match, chanting the names of both fighters. Nam had no attention to spare for support, though.
'I failed to consider that tail as anything more than an oddity, like the fur on animal people. But he can use it as a weapon like any limb. I cannot afford such foolish oversights. I must not think of him as a child at all. I must compel myself to view him as my archenemy who must be defeated at all cost. There's too much at stake to hold anything back; forgive me, lad,' Nam thought.
"Hmm, what else can I try?" Goku pondered, as Nam watched him with increased focus.
"Goku, pay attention!" A newly arrived Krillin yelled at the doorway.
Nam was bearing down on him.
"He got faster!?" Goku shouted. He blocked the first kick, but the second connected, sending him into the air toward the audience.
"Done," Nam declared softly.
"With a burst of speed, Nam takes advantage of Goku's moment of distraction to send him high into the air and out of bounds! Looks like this is the end of Goku's role in the tournament!"
"No, Goku!" Krillin and Chichi yelled.
"Idiot!" Bulma yelled. Who exactly she was insulting wasn't clear.
"Dummy," Launch sighed.
Jackie gave a small smile, "Like I said, a match like this is not the place to experiment. This defeat might sting, but it will be a chance for Goku to grow and learn to temper his excitement with some maturity in fights like this."
No one expected Goku to stop falling before hitting the grass.
"Huhhhh!?" went everyone.
"Heheheh! Like I said, bet you wish you had one," Goku giggled, as his tail spun in a brown blur, holding him aloft. He turned like a tiny helicopter and flew back over the arena.
"No. No, that can't be. Am I dreaming the night before the tournament? Ouch. No. But how?" Nam sputtered, pinching himself while utterly flabbergasted.
"Since when can the squirt do that?" Launch asked, stunned.
"Since now, I guess?" Krillin said.
"Is he from a video game or something?" Ranfan asked.
"Ohhh, can I do that?" Chichi wondered, eyes sparkling.
"I'm back!" Goku declared.
"The match continues!" the announcer yelled.
Nam tried to gather himself from this turn of events, as Goku grinned at him.
"That was a good move. Thanks, it also gave me an idea for a new attack. Here it goes!" Goku declared, wrapping his tail around his waist and spinning with his arms outstretched, fists clenched.
"Ridiculous! It's exactly the sort of thing a child would come up with," Nam blurted at the immature display. But the spinning got faster, Goku becoming like a blur, one moving toward him.
"He can't possibly see well enough to react to an attack, it will be like jamming a gear up by shoving a rock in it."
His jab entered the blur and was knocked back with such force he almost lost his balance.
"What?!"
"It's a mini-tornado? Gokunado?!" the announcer exclaimed.
"Of all the- How's he going to learn humility if his dumb ideas keep working?" Jackie griped.
"If it's dumb and it worked, it probably wasn't dumb, now was it?" Launch talked down to Jackie from the wall.
The next connection sent Nam onto his back, forcing him to crawl backward to regain his feet.
'Curses, he's so powerful he can make even something stupid not only work but be deadly. I can't touch him, but he can touch me. It doesn't matter if he can't react, I can't find his openings. And he's already hemmed me in. I can just try leaping over him. But if he can track me, he can hit me before I hit the ground and I'll be helpless in the air. Only the Heavenly Cross might be able to break through that. But he's still mobile, if he dodges it, he need only let me break myself against the ground.'
His thoughts were cut off as Goku came out of the spin, stumbling with whirling eyes.
"Too dizzy," Goku mumbled. Then he vomited a bit, and fell onto his back, groaning.
"See! That's why you don't experiment in a match!" Jackie insisted.
"This is my chance!" Nam said, leaping into the air. And higher and higher.
"Goku might fly, but Nam is soaring!"
"Get up Goku, he's up to something!" Bulma yelled.
Nam reached the peak of his leap, nearly four stories into the air.
'The Heavenly Cross is not a fighting move, it's a move to end a fight. And it can all too easily end the life of its victim or maim its user. My teachers warned me to never use it idly. Such a thing shouldn't be used in a tournament like this. But the stakes are too high. I cannot underestimate you, Son Goku! I must now hit you with everything I can muster and hope you will live, along with my people!'
Nam turned in the air before he began to descend, face tilted toward the ground, crossing arms before his neck, fingers extended.
"That's the Heavenly Cross! Goku, get up, you could die if that connects from so high!" Jackie yelled.
"It's a finishing move!" Ranfan cried.
"Goku!" Krillin, Chichi and Bulma yelled.
"Hey, stupid!" Launch bellowed. Goku opened his eyes, sitting up slightly.
"Wha?" he went.
"In the name of Buddha!" Nam called out as he struck down into Goku.
The whole audience flinched as Goku was driven into the ring floor, tiles cracking.
Nam closed his eyes as he directed the force to swing away and land on his feet.
"A truly brutal blow!" the announcer said, rushing to Goku's side. Nam bowed his head, and raised his hands in prayer.
"…He's alive," the announcer gave a sigh of relief after a long moment.
"The match is mine, then?" Nam said flatly.
"Well, there's still the count."
"If you must. That would have killed a lesser fighter, I doubt he will awaken within the week," Nam said, looking up to the sky now.
"That was crazy!" Krillin gulped.
"That guy's playing for keeps. Better watch out, old man," Launch said to Jackie.
"At least Goku is alive. A good man pushed into a corner is in many ways more dangerous than a villain," Jackie said, to their confusion.
"8… 9…"
"Ugh! Owowow!" Goku cried out, hopping to his feet, clutching his chest.
"No," Nam whispered, jaw dropping.
"You're up!?" the announcer said.
"That really hurt!"
"How did you do that!" Nam demanded.
"Oh, right, this. That was a good hit! You're strong, Nam," Goku smiled, despite grimacing a bit.
'Did I miss? No, my focus has never been sharper. I know I executed the Tenku-jiken with proper form, and it connected. This boy, he has surpassed the boundaries of mortality, as his master has. What my teachers at the temple told me is true.'
"Alright, let's go!" Goku said. Nam smiled sadly.
"Indeed," Nam said, as he assumed his stance.
Goku was clearly feeling the blow from Nam's attacks, but Nam flinched more than before as his arms deflected blows.
"Nam did some damage to Goku with that aerial attack, but it looks like it injured Nam as well! Have these fighters run out of tricks? Will it be a war of attrition?"
'I can't give up! Even if it's hopeless, too many are counting on me!' Nam thought as he tried to force an opening in Goku's defenses.
"There!" Nam said, lashing out with a kick.
He came away hitting air; his eyes spotted Goku running under him in a crawl. And he felt the tail wrap around the ankle holding his weight.
"Gotcha!" Goku cheered, his momentum pulling Nam off his feet.
Nam caught himself with the skill of his training, but there was no time for anything to counter Goku's twin-fisted blow hitting him in the side.
With a pained cry, Nam was lifted off the ground to hit the ring and roll out of control, off the edge of the ring and land on the soft grass, staring up at the sky.
Goku cheered as he was declared the winner. Nam blinked. The sky was darkening. He could swear he heard the rumble of thunder in the distance.
'An omen of hope in my defeat? Or do the heavens simply mock me for trying to avert the fate of my village?' Nam wondered. He got to his feet, ignoring the pain of the blows that had been dealt to him to step back into the ring. His eyes fixed on the celebrating child that had ended his quest in failure.
"Nam's back in the ring! And he doesn't look happy!" the announcer said. Nam reached Goku, who looked up at him curiously.
Nam formed the sign of reconciliation with his hands, and gave a small smile.
"Well done, Son Goku, that was a splendid match," he said.
"Thanks! You're strong. I'd like to fight you again! Hey guys, I won!" Goku said, running back to the other contestants.
'Grudges are pointless. I don't know if you fight for anything but sport, but you have won fairly. My people and I will do what we must to survive, that is just the way it is,' Nam thought, following behind.
"Alright everyone, we will be taking a full thirty minutes break so the ring can be repaired before the next round begins! Be sure to check out our vendors for refreshments and official Tenkaichi Budokai merchandise!" the announcer said.
X X X
Nam stepped onto the temple grounds, his simple travel sack on his shoulders. The sky was growing overcast; it occurred to him that without the prize money, he'd need to earn some money just to be able to travel back to the village quickly.
'My family, my people, I have failed you, now I must return with empty hands, I have done nothing but squandered what little money we had,' Nam thought.
"Nam, leaving already? You have every right to see the rest of the tournament from a great seat," Jackie Chun said, appearing behind him.
"I wish I could. But my time is not my own to spend on such things."
"In a hurry to get back to your village, eh?"
"What?"
"Here," Chun said, tossing something to Nam. Nam caught it reflexively. It was a capsule, and if his memorization of the coding was right, it was a liquid storage variety.
"Why would you give me a dynacap?" Nam asked.
"I bought it to upgrade my island's water storage with, but you need it more, young man."
"But how did you know?"
"The Kame Senin has a few more skills than they mention in the stories," Chun said with a smile.
"What, you-?" Nam sputtered, before awkwardly bowing before the great master. He looked up to see the old man waving a hand and rolling his eyes.
"Enough of that nonsense, Nam, I'm not some king or something to be demanding such displays. Anyway, I could tell you were troubled, so I took the liberty of peeking into your mind. It wasn't hard to find out your woes, it was the mental equivalent of hearing the neighbors' music through thin walls."
"Oh, apologies. But I must ask, why the deception?"
"For my students' sakes, of course. I may have refined my training methods too much over the ages. When I was a student of Master Mutaito, I wasn't nearly so strong so young. Too many of my students over time have started strong, only to grow negligent. Chichi's father the Ox King was one of them; he stagnated and only ended up using his power for banditry. In the last hundred years, only Son Gohan was willing to truly commit himself to the excellence of self my school aspires to instill in its disciples. But he's dead, and I'm not getting any younger; this generation is probably the last chance for me to pass on my teachings. And so, I decided to give them a worthy opponent, even if I had to do it myself. So that they would have reason to train and grow stronger until the next tournament. Maybe then the lessons will really stick. Your defeating Chichi already lit a fire in her. I'm grateful for that. The others too, to a degree."
"And you seem to have gotten what you wanted with the boy Krillin. But this generous gift is wasted on me. I have little use for an empty vessel," Nam pointed out.
"Oh boy, you really are green on the wider world, aren't ya? Follow me," Roshi demanded, walking off around the temple. Nam was confused, but scrambled to follow. They soon reached a simple covered well on the temple grounds.
"Notice anything?" Roshi asked. Nam stepped forward to the lid of the well, and didn't see a lock on the handle or anywhere. Sure enough, it opened easily, letting him take a breath of the smell of well water. Looking around, he saw no one else in sight. Finally, he spoke.
"It is unlocked, unguarded. Is it a holiday tradition for the tournament for the temple to give free water?"
"No. You're not appreciating how far you have traveled. In your land, each drop of water is precious outside the rainy season. But in this land, water is so plentiful, people only pay for the service of it being brought into their homes or bottled."
"Are you saying, IT'S FREE!?" Nam shouted.
"Pretty much. The amount you need might be a tad excessive, but if you ask the monks and others, I'm sure you'll find plenty willing to provide you with what you need, with about a day of hoofing it around these parts," Roshi told him.
Nam smacked his own face.
"I am a fool. This whole tournament was just a waste of time," Nam moaned.
"No, I think you and the others benefitted from you being here. And you would have still needed money for a capsule, now all you need is traveling money after you gather your water,"
Nam didn't stop the tears forming.
"I thought all was lost. How can I ever repay you?"
"It's a gift, you don't need to repay a gift. But you seem the type who will be bothered if you don't do something. So, two things. After this tournament, I'm going to cut my students loose, time for them to take charge of their own training and travel the world to learn how big and small it really is, and thus themselves. Goku could give you a lift home, and it might do him well to see how harsh the world can be, so as to gain some perspective. Second, if you can, keep training and come back for the next tournament. Tomorrow at dawn, meet Goku at the temple's gates. That should be time enough for you to gather your water. Now, I need to get ready for the next round," Roshi said, turning and walking away, raising a hand in farewell.
"Thank you, sir! I will never forget this!" Nam cried, with tears of relief and joy.
X X X
Roshi returned to the waiting area. Launch was talking with Ranfan, while Krillin and Goku were sitting on the bench, chatting.
'Two down, two to go. Lunch, I don't think would continue on her own, but she'll help Launch if she asks. But what Launch needs more than that is embracing discipline to better use her power than just getting more. Yamcha is a good opponent for that. She may surpass him in raw power, but he has far more experience and skill at this point, it seems. And unless I miss my guess, he's been training to face Goku. So, he will not underestimate another Turtle student. As for Goku, you need to lose if you're going to win at life, m'boy,' Roshi thought, before doing some stretches.
Author's Note:
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Long days and pleasant nights to you all.