The tournament went off with surprising gusto as each combatant fought their best, with four of them coming out on top. Among them was Ayote, who showed surprising - at least to the average human - durability at surviving Nam's Super Cross Arm Dive. The match afterwards turned against him as she woke up and got serious, defeating him with sheer speed to overcome his heightened ki sensing. In the end, Ayote moved on to the semi-finals with Goku as her next opponent…

An intermission was announced by the Tournament Announcer as the staff members had to repair the arena after the exciting battles that took place in the quarter-finals. During this intermission, Goku and Krillin find Ayote staring at Jackie Chun from a distance, curious about him.

Goku: "Hey, Ayote!"

Ayote: "Yo, you two. Your fights went pretty well, huh?"

Krillin: "Yeah, thanks to Goku here helping me out. Can't believe I forgot I don't even have a nose."

Ayote: "That… just raises too many questions to bother asking…"

Goku looks over to where Jackie stood, equally curious about him but for different reasons.

Goku: "Are you excited to fight him, Ayote?"

Ayote: "Excited, sure. But there's something weird about him… There wasn't much to gauge with his fight with Yamcha, since it ended so fast, but… There's something familiar about his aura."

The three stare at him, causing him to notice and turn away nervously, hoping they hadn't caught on to his real identity.

Goku: "Hmm… I don't really see it."

Ayote: "...Goku, you truly are a numbskull…"

Krillin: "Anyway, so you dragged us to save Nam's village, huh?"

Ayote's demeanor turned to bashful as she realized she… did just speak for her friends by accident. As she twiddles her fingers a bit, Krillin just smiles.

Krillin: "Let's do our best then! Just so you know, I'm aiming for the top!"

Goku: "So am I, but most importantly, I aim to beat you, Ayote!"

Ayote: "Pfft. Gook luck with that, Son Goku."

The trio did a triple fist bump, vowing to take the crown for Nam's village, reinvigorating their resolve. Jackie looked back at them, still pondering in his mind. If he allowed himself to lose, there was a risk that they could get a swell head and not learn that there will always be stronger foes ahead. But first things first, the next battle was between him and Krillin; he'll test his resolve there.

The announcement for the next match sounded as everyone gathered back to the tournament grounds, excited to see the semi-finals. Krillin and Jackie stood on opposite sides of the arena, staring each other down.

Krillin: "Are you ready to do this?"

Jackie: "I wouldn't look so confident, kid. With age comes wisdom."

Krillin gave a stern look as he and Jackie got into a battle stance. The gong sounded as Krillin went on the offensive. The first half of the fight went about as one would expect, with Krillin's offensive flurry of blows not landing, but Jackie impressed that he had to dodge, before he countered. This went on until the announcer asked for a slowed down performance as the combatants were going too fast. It is at this point that Krillin suspected that he may lose a fair fight. Unfortunately for him, unlike with the original story, Ranfan never used her stripper move in front of Jackie, so Krillin didn't know if the old geezer had any perverted interests like his master. Jackie did smirk to himself, knowing his disguise did well and truly fool the young lad.

Jackie: "Give up, kiddo. You can't win this fight. If you walk off this arena, you'll at least have your dignity."

Krillin… considered the idea. He got his way back with the Orin Bullies earlier so he could leave knowing that. But the thought of a dying village and Ayote's - no, their promise to help Nam rang in his mind. He wasn't going to just give up like a coward. Not this time.

Krillin: "No way! If I'm going out… I'm going out fighting for what I believe in!"

Jackie was… legit stunned by Krillin's response. But he got his mind back in the task at hand as Krillin charged at him. The small boy jumped to punch the old man, but the latter retaliated with a half-opened palm. But to the old martial artist's surprise, this attack was a feint, as Krillin opened his fist and bounced on Jackie's palm to flip over the attack and slam a downward kick on Jackie's face. Not only did this strike true, but it left him stunned long enough for Krillin to continue his assault. Once Krillin landed, he went for an upwards jump kick to Jackie's chest, then a follow up backwards roundhouse to the same place. Once he turned fully around, he slammed his fists down at the old man, sending to the out of bounds. The announcer and crowd looked on with baited breath; was Krillin going to win the match? But to his chagrin, the old timer had a trick up his sleeve as he unleashed a Kamehameha to boost him back onto the ring, but not as gracefully as he hoped. Krillin lands, a bit frustrated that his Orin Combo didn't quite get the job done.

Jackie: "An impressive display, lad. You've got true grit determination behind those eyes. But this fight is over."

Krillin: "Not while I'm still in the ring."

Krillin rushes at the old man to keep up his offensive, but as he punched at Jackie, he finds he punched an afterimage. The real Jackie appeared behind him, kicking him hard out of the ring and onto the grass. Jackie was declared the winner.

Jackie's Thoughts: "Rather than rely on some cheap trick, Krillin let his passion to help others burn brighter in response to my taunt. He's made this old man proud, but… The next match will determine my next move."

Krillin: "Aw, man… Well, there's still Ayote and Goku…"

Jackie: "Chin up, kid. You did excellently. But remember that there will always be tougher battles ahead. So do train diligently."

Krillin: "Huh? …Uh, okay."

Jackie leaves to recover; the next match will be the toughest yet, but the most exciting.

The last match for the semi-final round was one that Bulma was the most curious about. And even a little excited, since it was two of her traveling companions facing off against each other.

Yamcha: "Bulma. You're looking a bit tense. You okay?"

Bulma: "Huh? O-Oh yeah. Just… This isn't the first time I've seen Ayote and Goku fight each other. But… The last time Goku was just beaten in a single hit."

Yamcha: "Wh…!?"

Puar: "A-Are you serious? Is Ayote that strong?"

Bulma: "She's otherworldly. I can tell from here that she's been holding back the entire tournament, if she's as strong as she claims. Which makes me wonder if Goku even stands a chance against someone this strong…"

The two combatants are soon called onto the stage, entering their respective side of the arena before turning to face each other. Neither Ayote or Goku spoke a word; there was a slight gust that blew over their hair, but they otherwise were unmoved. The announcer, looking a bit awkward at this tension, simply called out for the battle to begin. With the gong sounding, Ayote and Goku got into a fighting stance. Everyone was leaning in as they waited for the first move. Once there was a slight drip from some patron's drink, Goku and Ayote lunged at each other. The movement was so sudden and so fast, the crowd was met with a heavy clash as both Saiyans' kicks met in the center. What followed was a fierce back and forth between them, Goku dodging, Ayote blocking, both of them attacking with neither giving an inch. An attack connected; Ayote was hit by a kick from Goku who then headbutt her in the gut, sending her skidding back from the force of the attack, but not enough to get her off the arena. Ayote stood up, rubbing some blood off her bottom lip before smiling, getting back into a fighting stance.

Bulma: "Whoa… Goku… Goku's really improved. It's not as one-sided as it looked."

Yamcha: "Yeah. They seem to be enjoying themselves too."

Goku and Ayote sized each other up, waiting to see who would make the first move. Jackie watched from the sidelines, analyzing Ayote's movements compared to Goku's.

Jackie's Thoughts: "I've known Ayote for years now and I've never seen her fight this seriously. Is this a case of her Saiyan nature coursing through her? Of course, having sensed how strong she is, Goku may not stand a chance."

Goku runs at Ayote, going into another tussle before Ayote caught Goku's fist during one attack and pulled him forward. She then elbowed him in the ribs, the impact causing his eyes to whiten as he was sent bouncing back until he landed on his feet, rubbing the spot with a pained expression. Yeah, that woke him up; in terms of raw power, Ayote still outclassed him by a large margin, but the gap was far smaller than last time. In fact, he did have one trick up his sleeve as he sees Ayote's waving tail. The younger Saiyan got back onto his feet before cupping his hands back.

Goku: "Ka… Me…"

Ayote: "Huh!?"

Jackie and Ayote looked on in shock as Goku charged up energy into his hands, adding more as he continued.

Goku: "Ha… Me…!"

Ayote's Thoughts: "Tch! Idiot! That level of power's going to cause some serious harm!"

Goku continued to charge, Ayote bracing herself for what's to come. The younger Saiyan then smiled before…

Goku: "HA!"

…firing the blast to the arena, causing an explosion that completely covered the field in a dust cloud. Ayote had to cover her eyes from the dust blowing into her, but when she could see again, she saw Goku jump to her tail and grab it. This caused her to gasp before she drops to the ground.

Goku: "Got your tail!"

Ayote: "Gh…! K-Kakarot… Y-You…!"

Goku starts to swing Ayote around and around, going faster and faster before finally letting go, causing Ayote to fly. As she was about to hit the out of bounds, she quickly turned and did what Jackie did, charging up a ki blast - not a Kamehameha - and launch herself back into the ring and right into Goku's face with a drop kick, knocking him off his feet.

Goku: "Ah… That smarts…"

Goku is then slammed into the ground by Ayote…'s tail as she angrily slammed it on his back.

Ayote: "Do that again. I dare you, Kakarot. You know my tail is a very sensitive spot and if I lose that, then I will just end you on the spot, consequences be damned."

Goku: "U-Ugh… Okay… Okay… S-Sorry…"

Ayote lifted her tail off of Goku before slapping him off the arena, now in huff at almost losing her tail, never mind almost losing the battle. She didn't exactly wait to be declared the winner as she just stormed off to cool off. Bulma looked on, a little worried about Ayote as she's never seen her look that furious before.

Bulma: "Hey, Yamcha. Mind if I go talk to her?"

Yamcha: "Uh. Sure, babe. Maybe get her mind back in the game before the finals start."

Just outside the tournament grounds, Jackie, who was feeling equal concern for Ayote, wandered out to find Bulma had beaten him to her. He decides to hide behind the corner, listening in.

Bulma: "Ayote. Are you okay? And… um… Your tail too?"

Ayote: "My tail's fine. Stretched out, but fine. As for me…"

Ayote punched the wall, causing it to crack by quite a distance. Yeah, she was mad.

Ayote: "I was actually getting into the fight. Goku had not only improved, but he actually surprised me. I dunno when or how, but he learned the Kamehameha… I honestly thought he was going to hurt someone with that amount of force, but… instead he used it to grab my tail… He may not understand, but my tail is the only thing I have of my mom. The only thing I have to remember her by. If I lose that… I don't know what I'd do. And all for what… Just to win!? He'd throw away a good fight for a cheap and easy win!?"

Jackie: "I certainly understand where the boy is coming from."

The girls looked at the corner as Jackie approached, hands behind his back.

Jackie: "Forgive me. I didn't mean to startle you. I just figured you'd need someone to talk to."

Ayote: "Um… Thanks, I guess…"

Jackie: "That young boy. He reminds me of a younger lad who sought only one thing: Glory. Glory of the fight, sometimes using underhanded tactics in order to get what he wants. What he did is not befitting of the Turtle School name and I'll be sure to let Roshi know."

Bulma: "Oh, do you know Master Roshi?"

Jackie: "Hm. Now… Ayote. I must ask you something before our match. What do you intend to get from winning?"

Ayote: "Hmm? What do you mean?"

Jackie: "I mentioned that young lad who wanted glory, remember? I am curious if you are the same… or someone different."

Ayote pondered this before placing her hands behind her head.

Ayote: "I don't fight for cheap thrills, Jackie Chun. That five seconds of fame mean nothing to the feeling of a good fight. To me, a fight is something that should be enjoyed between both combatants and a way to grow from one another. Mom…"

She paused before taking a deep breath.

Ayote: "Mom did teach me how to fight. And through her, I did learn to enjoy the idea of sparring. But then… Grandpa Roshi helped nurture that fighting spirit in me. To change my outlook on fighting. You don't need to fight to kill; you can just fight to have fun. And to learn. And I… thank him for that."

Jackie looked at Ayote before closing his eyes, not noticing a tear run down his cheek.

Bulma: "Huh? Hey. Are you okay, Mr. Chun?"

Jackie: "Hm? Oh, yes, of course, lass. I just thought that speech was very beautiful. Anyway, are you feeling better, Ayote?"

Ayote: "...Yeah. My head's feeling… clearer. I should apologize to Goku for getting so heated… Maybe explain my perspective better to him."

Jackie: "That can wait until after the fight."

Ayote then notices the time of day before quickly pulling out a pair of goggles, then a pair of sunglasses that Jackie notes… looks oddly familiar. Even Bulma notices this.

Ayote: "Bulma, do you mind getting Goku to wear these sunglasses when you see him? He's aware why now after he and I had a little chat."

Bulma: "O-Oh. Okay, right. Don't want him going ape on us…"

Bulma takes the sunglasses and quickly runs to go find Goku. This left Ayote with Jackie as the two stared. Nothing was stated, but Jackie knew based on the girl's look; he had been found out by her after all. But rather than bring it up now, they had to return to the tournament grounds.

Jackie: "Let's go. Our match starts. Just know that I aim to win, kiddo."

Ayote: "Same. For Nam's village."

The two exchanged a hand shake, keeping things cordial before returning to the tournament.