Tien Shinhan is a very notable character within the history of the Dragon World. He is seen as the first true rival of Goku, someone who would help push the young boy into becoming more powerful and in turn become more powerful himself. However, as a minion of Shen, he is also ruthless and terrifying. Can he still change though?

The next part of the tournament was ready to begin as the crowd gathered for the day's final set of matches and for someone to take the crown as champion. With Roshi in the stands was Chi-Chi, Ox-King, Oolong, and a returning Bulma, who had seen Yamcha at the hospital. Roshi greets her softly.

Roshi: "Welcome back, Bulma. How's Yamcha?"

Bulma: "He's okay… Doctor's said his leg injury may keep him out of any fighting for a while. When he came to, he told me to go enjoy the tournament."

Roshi: "Hmm. I see. He's a tough lad, that one."

Bulma: "I tried to push back, but he was insistent. Puar said they'd stay behind and watch over Yamcha. Loyal to the end… I really respect that."

Chi-Chi then spoke up.

Chi-Chi: "Hey, don't worry. If Yamcha's as tough as he is, he'll be out of the hospital by sundown. I guarantee it!"

Bulma took a moment to register Ox-King and Chi-Chi's presence, only now realizing she'd miss a bunch. Roshi then briefly explains the match between Ayote and Chi-Chi and the latter's reason for being here.

Bulma: "Oh I see. So you were here for Goku?"

Chi-Chi: "Yeah. And maybe I'll still try to get him. But for now, that's no longer my priority. I aim to live for myself and see where life takes me."

Bulma looks at Chi-Chi before smiling for her. But it wasn't long before the next match was announced. The first semi-final match between Tien Shinhan and Ayote. The two entered and walked onto the arena before Ayote bowed in respect, though Tien did not.

Tien: "You expect me to respect someone like you? Your show earlier only proved to me just how pathetic you are."

Ayote raised her head, but said nothing. The mood was set as Ayote got into a fighting stance. Once the gong sounds, Ayote and Tien immediately got to work. Strong strikes were exchanged as neither could get a good hit in. That is until Ayote, expecting a left jab, got hit by an elbow to her face instead, causing her to backflip away to gain some distance. Her nose bled from the impact, but she rubbed the blood away. Tien takes a moment to breathe as he glares at his opponent.

Tien's Thoughts: "No doubt about it, this girl is strong. Leagues above the other guy. So I can't be reckless."

Ayote remained stoic as she waited for Tien's next move. And she didn't have to wait long as Tien lunged at her, swinging a kick at her, which she ducks under. As she retaliates, Tien smirks as he flips over her and immediately grabs her tail, much to the shock of her friends.

Roshi: "Oh no! How'd he know!?"

Tien: "Oh this? I remember Son Goku grabbing her tail in the last tournament. That little detail stuck out to me."

Shen: "Yes! Now toss her off the arena, Tien! Do it now!"

As Tien smirked and got ready to throw, he suddenly reels back in pain as he pain shot through his body. Ayote had landed a devastating gut punch to the tri-clops, much to everyone's shock now. Tien's expression was a mix of shock, confusion, and anger.

Shen: "What!? But that trick…! Was my intel wrong…?"

Bulma: "No way! Did… Did Ayote train away her tail weakness!?"

Roshi: "She must have. By training her tail enough to no longer feel drained when grabbed must have taken some time. But with this, she has the advantage!"

Tien glared at Ayote, who remained quiet and stoic as she looks back at the tri-clops. Now he was very rattled by the revelation of his plan not working anymore. But if he couldn't win that way, he still had an ace up his sleeve. Ayote sees her opponent smirk before placing his hands to the sides of his face.

Tien: "Solar Flare!"

Ayote is caught by the attack, causing her to go momentarily blind. But as her vision attempts to recover, she is struck on the back of the head by a knee-dive by Tien, causing her to drop to the ground. But as Tien thinks he has won, Ayote suddenly hops to her feet, her vision recovered.

Tien: "Wait what!? But my hit was right on! That should've at least knocked you out for longer!"

Ayote continued her silent treatment, only continuing to piss off the tri-clops as it seemed like she was taunting him now with her constant silence.

Bulma: "Roshi… Ayote's been very silent throughout this entire match. Is something the matter with her?"

Chi-Chi: "Yeah, I've been curious too. Is she trying to scare him?"

Roshi stared intently at Ayote, having a better understanding of her tactic.

Roshi's Thoughts: "I see what you're doing, Ayote… You are testing your foe, trying to gauge him… And judging by your expression, you don't look too pleased…"

Tien, meanwhile, had veins popping out of his head from sheer frustration at the audacity of the girl. He then smirked as he glared at Ayote.

Tien: "Okay… No more mister nice guy… If that's how you want to play…"

Tien then cupped his hands in a familiar pose, shocking Ayote, Roshi, and the other two Turtle Students as they saw what he was doing.

Tien: "Ka… Me…"

Bulma: "N-No way! Since when did he learn that!?"

Roshi: "He must've learned by watching Yamcha!"

Tien: "Ha… Me…"

The tri-clops' energy focused into his palms, making Ayote brace herself as she sensed the amount of energy being produced. But to her horror, Tien immediately aimed the attack at the audience instead - namely at her friends.

Tien: "HAAAAAA!"

Bulma, Chi-Chi, Oolong, Ox-King, and Roshi freaked out as they saw the beam come at them. But Ayote managed to jump in the way just in time, blocking the blast with her palms before kicking the blast into the sky, where it wouldn't harm anyone. Tien is shocked by this, unsure of what to do now. But then the next thing to happen shocked everyone.

Ayote: "...I forfeit."

Tien: "HUH!?"

Ayote's Friends: "WHAT!?"

Saying nothing further, Ayote jumps off the arena. Just as the announcer - after chastising Tien for putting the audience in danger - was about to claim Tien the winner, the tri-clops ran towards Ayote, shouting at her.

Tien: "Stop right there! Why did you quit!?"

Ayote did stop, but she gave Tien a very deep glare.

Ayote: "You aren't worth my time. You called me pathetic earlier, right? Petty insults like that to goad me into making mistakes, followed by grabbing my tail to try and throw me out of the ring, and lastly endangering other people… All just to stroke your fragile ego. To me, all that cemented the fact that you are far more pathetic than me. That you will do anything for a cheap victory. And all for what? A master who's only using you as some kind of puppet for himself? If you were a real warrior, you'd abandon Shen and follow your own path to power. And maybe realize that this current path will only showcase your weakness more. What will you do? If you want a rematch, then come up with an answer. Otherwise, stay out of my way… Or else endangering my friends again will leave you a few pounds lighter."

Tien was angry… Not at Ayote's words… At least directly that. But more that what Ayote said was true. He stood there, silent. No come back, no retort. Just his resolve broken as every word struck him harder than that gut punch earlier. He then turned away, leaving the arena to think on what his opponent said in silence. Meanwhile, Goku saw this forfeit as a means to not give in. He still wanted to avenge his friend, Yamcha, but now he was curious how the next match would go, not just against Krillin… But against Tien.

Ayote walked over to the stands to greet her friends, smiling as she saw them.

Ayote: "Yo."

Bulma: "Ayote! That was such an incredible match! …But why did you forfeit like that?"

Ayote: "Tien's strong and talented, but he chooses to betray his strength by dishonorable means. I chose to lose in order to teach him a lesson on humility and show how a real warrior should fight. Not for a cheap win, but to earn that win through a fair fight. It's not the glory that matters to me, but the idea of having a fun fight."

Roshi approached Ayote and placed a hand on her shoulder, smiling with pride.

Roshi: "I'm proud of you, kiddo. If I was in your shoes, I'd have done the same thing. You truly gave something for that boy to think about before the next match. In truth, I contemplated joining this tournament too in order to help him… But I'm glad it was you who gave him that lesson. I think the lesson hit far harder thanks to you."

Ayote: "I hope so, Master Roshi… Does this mean Jackie's official retired?"

Roshi: "Yes, lass… He is retired…"

Bulma, Chi-Chi, and Oolong look at Roshi with confusion in their eyes. But then Ox-King tries to explain that Roshi and Jackie Chun are good friends, laughing as he did.

The rest of the tournament goes as one would expect. The fight between Goku and Krillin was a spectacular event as the two clashed with such a fierce display. Ayote looked at this match, admitting that she is sad that she won't get to fight Goku this time, but hopes he'll be willing to grant her a match after the tournament. But in the end, Goku emerges the victor thanks to his superior skill, but does compliment Krillin for his abilities as well. The two shake hands as Goku proceeds to the finals. The finals were certainly a sight to behold. Tien, rather than using his strength and training to get a quick win, was actually fighting Goku fairly. His time alone to stew in Ayote's words had effectively changed him; even if he won, he didn't earn his win. So he intends to earn it now, by beating Goku in a fair fight. Even as Shen ordered him to kill Goku, he refused; when the old Crane Hermit tried to threaten Chiaotzu's life to get Tien to obey, Ayote immediately stepped into action. By casually walking by, Ayote uses her tail to trip up Shen before then knocking him out with a chop to the neck. Once Tien saw this act of kindness in saving his friend, he swore to himself that he would change his ways and earn his victories from now on. This led into a brilliant battle as both combatants showed their prowess; Ayote could see it now as well. Had things been different with her fight with Tien, he could have beaten her. But as the fight comes to a close with Tien's Tri-Beam, Goku dodging it and propelling himself to tackle the tri-clops, Ayote was satisfied with this fight, smiling happily. Ultimately, Tien wins the tournament by being the last to hit the dirt before Goku. As Tien is crowned champion of the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament, he looks over to Ayote, who was still standing beside Chiaotzu to protect him, as she smiled at him.

Later, as the heroes were leaving, Ayote is stopped by Tien and Chiaotzu, who approach her with a… more friendly aura about them.

Ayote: "Oh. Hey. What's up?"

Tien: "Ayote. I… I want to thank you. For not only saving Chiaotzu, but… Also saving me. Everything you said back after our fight… You were right. That fight with Goku made me realize just what I was doing and what I could do to change."

Ayote: "And I'm happy for you. You certainly earned your win, both with your skill… And a little luck on your side."

Tien gives a light chuckle, looking over to Goku and silently admitting that to be the case.

Tien: "You asked me what I will do earlier, right?"

Ayote: "Hm? I did, yes."

Tien: "I finally have an answer. I aim to do better than my former master. To train my own Crane School that will take these lessons to heart. That it isn't power alone to brings your life success, but those willing to stand beside you and support you."

Tien rubs Chiaotzu's head, causing him to smile at his much taller friend. Ayote was quite stunned at this before chuckling a bit.

Ayote: "That's an amazing dream, Tien. And I hope you make it a reality. Who knows? Maybe instead of rivals, our schools can co-exist under the love of Martial Arts."

Tien: "'Our'?"

Ayote: "I gave it some thought. Maybe I should open my own dojo to teach a new generation of Turtle Students. It's not going too extravagant; after all, have you seen Grandpa Roshi's place? But… Maybe that's a goal I should shoot for in the future. And if I do, I could use an occasional guest instructor to help."

Tien blushed, turning away as he couldn't quite answer right now.

Chiaotzu: "Hehe! That means he's interested!"

Tien: "Uh! Does not! I-I mean, I am, but not now! Just… Chiaotzuuuu!"

Ayote just started laughing as they all left to celebrate the end of the tournament. But unknown to them, good times were not meant to last…

During the celebration, Krillin had left to find Goku's missing Power Pole and the Four-Star Dragon Ball. Ayote enjoys her meal, but notices Goku getting a bit restless as he doesn't eat much of his meal.

Ayote: "Yo, Goku. Something the matter? You're not eating a lot and that's not very usual to a Saiyan."

Goku: "Krillin's been gone a while. I don't know why… But I have this strange feeling…"

Ayote: "Hmm? Oh come on. Krillin probably had sneak back in; place is locked down for the-"

A feeling shoots through Ayote and Roshi as the female Saiyan drops her fork. Goku leaves in a hurry, as does Ayote, heading to the tournament grounds. As they enter, the duo find a harrowing sight… Krillin on the floor, now dead. And near him, unseen by the duo, was the sign of… the Demon King, Piccolo…