Mister Popo looked down at the tournament on Kami's lookout. Normally, he would be watering the plants at this hour. However, his concern for his best friend has overridden his senses. He watched as Kami repeated his surveillance of his nephews in an almost obsessive matter.
Kami would argue that he is a horrible guardian of earth. He believes that if he was not so selfish and power hungry, the world would be a better place. After all, without Kami expelling his evil, King Piccolo would not exist. The wars and bloodshed that his other half has inflicted would not exist. He, himself, would not exist.
Mister Popo disagrees though. Kami truly felt remorse as soon as Piccolo was expelled from within him. He understood in that moment it was a mistake and he has tried to rectify it every day. He works overtime to help the people of earth live a better life, while also not helping so much to cause overpopulation. Kami truly cares, more than anyone will ever give him credit for.
Once, Kami grew to live with what he had done. Once Master Mutaito sealed up the demon king, Kami began to forgive himself. He began to smile more, sleep more, and even train less vigorously. It made Mister Popo so very happy. At least, until that dreadful gremlin released Piccolo three years ago.
Once again, Mister Popo's heart is heavy as he watches Kami tear himself up since King Piccolo's return. It feels like a complete regression from the joy he was finally experiencing again.
Goku has been the only bright light in the last few years. He is friendly, strong, willing to learn, and has consistently protected his friends. Kami believes that he will be a great guardian of earth. Mister Popo has his doubts that Goku would want the title though. He fears that could damper Kami's spirits further.
All of this is to say, procrastination is a very bad habit. It is a habit that he promised Kami he will never have. He does his duties on time every day and has done so for 100's of years. However, he may just need Kami to forgive him this once.
Kami surveyed the crowd for the umpteenth time. All 12 of his relatives are still in the same spots, minus Piccolo himself. He cannot be sure, but it seems likely that he has narrowed down who the three biggest threats are.
Piccolo is obviously a major threat. He has likely surpassed his original by a large amount. In fact, he could even be relative to Goku. If his cruelty matches his namesake, he can spin the world into hell.
Piano is not powerful. In a fight, he would likely lose to every member of the dragon team. However, his magical abilities have grown significantly over the past several years. Scarily, his intellect is an even greater threat than his magic. If they are not careful, he could turn the tides.
The third threat is an anomaly. He is perceptive enough to catch Kami watching, unlike the other 9 demon clan members in the audience. However, what truly worries Kami is his intense aura. Even with his body mostly covered under a hood, his resemblance to King Piccolo is astounding. In fact, he almost resembles King Piccolo more than Piccolo himself does. It is like pure malice was born just a short time ago, only to wreck havoc on this world.
Kami glances over at the dragon team. They are still celebrating the good fight between Yamcha and Krillin. He smiles a bit, before his smile drops once more. He can only hope they have what it takes to save the world.
A short while later, the dragon team splintered off into two groups. The first group included the members who were no longer in the tournament, like Yamcha, Yajirobe, Chichi, and Chiaotzu. Their primary goal (per Bulma's strategy) was to keep an eye on the demon clan members that were scattered throughout the stands. Individuals like Turtle, Turtle Jr., Bulma, Tights, Puar, and even Hercule Satan would not be able to defend themselves against even the weakest nephew of Kami. Unfortunately, most of the crowd cannot either. In fact, even most of the other fighters who were eliminated would not be able to protect themselves. Only Mercenary Tao could, but there is not a guarantee that he would even try to help.
The other members of the dragon team were joined by the other participants of the tournament. Goku, a Launch-possessed Kami, Krillin, Master Roshi, Master Shen, Piccolo, Tien, and Yurin all studied one another.
Goku was excited, yet carefree as he studied his opponents. Besides Piccolo, he probably would not have much of a challenge here. Though, it could still be fun to fight them. The spiky-haired man glanced into the stands at the demonic spawn that worried Kami. 'He could be fun!'
Kami noticed the look on Goku's face and struggled against a chuckle. This was serious. His plan needed to work perfectly to avoid as much bloodshed as possible. It is time he told them.
'It's Kami. Do not be alarmed.' Kami telepathically stated.
All of the dragon team, including those in the stands, were surprised at hearing his voice in their heads. Telepathically speaking to god was not on their 23rd Budokai bingo card.
'I have a plan.' He continued, while keeping Launch's body in a neutral stance. 'From what I know, Bulma already made a good decision for those in the stands. However, us fighters need to hold off from giving our all.'
Goku immediately recoiled, as if he ate something nasty. 'But Kami, I want to fight Piccolo!'
'You'll be able to. However, the other 11 demons need to be taken out as well, and we cannot do it if the rest of us are tired.' Kami took a solemn glance around at the rest of the fighters. 'If you're paired up against Goku or Piccolo, forfeit or fake a loss.'
Krillin awkwardly nodded, while Tien, Yurin, and Roshi all seemed unenthused with this plan. However, they cannot deny that the god has a point. The demon clan were there to reclaim the world. Jumping the fighters when they are weak is a very possible chance.
'This surely complicates things.' Roshi mused, as he mulled over how he is supposed to handle his rival now. He looked over and saw Shen subtly, but anxiously, glancing back and forth from the stands to "Majunior." He knew.
'Kami, is this thing on?' Roshi mentally asked.
Krillin snorted as Goku burst out laughing. 'So much for subtlety. They are like children.' Kami thought to himself. Nevertheless, he answered, 'Yes.'
'Shen knows something is wrong. I believe we can get him as an ally.'
Tien, Krillin, and Yurin's eyes shot up in surprise. Yurin's eyes were full of hope. 'Are you sure?!'
'Nope.' Roshi calmly nonchalantly responded, causing irritation to arise within the Crane students. Roshi shrugged. 'I think it is possible though. We do need all the help we can get.'
The Turtle and Crane students subtly looked at Kami to see his response. Kami solemnly thought it over. More allies would equal a higher chance of success. He let out a small sigh and nodded. 'So be it.'
'Do not be alarmed Shen, it is Kami.' Kami telepathically called out to him.
Shen almost lost his balance due to how startled he was. "What the hell?!"
Yurin and Krillin had the decency to stifle their laugh, but Goku fell out laughing. Kami sighed, but decided to ignore them.
'I am telepathically speaking to you. We need to discuss the demons in the crowd.'
Shen looked around as he tried to figure out who could be speaking to him. He turned around until he noticed every participant is looking directly at him.
'Okay, by process of elimination, it cannot be that old fool Roshi. Piccolo himself would be more likely to be god than that moron.' Shen thought to himself, before looking back at Piccolo. 'Speaking of, I need to eliminate him as well.'
Shen glanced between his students and his rival's students. 'These kids are obviously not "god" if Roshi and I can train them. Which means….' Shen's eyes fell on Launch and the color lost on his face.
'God is a woman?'
Kami sighed as even Tien had to stifle a chuckle. 'No, I am merely possessing her body right now. Can we please discuss the demons now?'
Shen nodded, as if that makes this all understandable now. 'What about it?'
'They are lying in wai-' Roshi interjected, before being cut off by Shen's hand.
'I know that. I am not an idiot. AND I do not have anything to say to you. ' Shen thought angrily, before turning back to Kami. 'What do you want?'
'If we go all out in the tournament, we will lose our power. Goku needs to be able to fight Piccolo while the rest of us fight the other fighters.' Kami answered calmly.
Shen let out a quick breath of air from his nose. 'Are you all literally asking me to hold back?'
'Do you want to die by Piccolo? Again?' Roshi retorted, bemused.
Shen glared daggers at his rival. 'No, do you?'
Roshi glared back. 'No, which is why I am willing to fight alongside you again.'
Shen's eyes widened behind his shades. Roshi being willing to put aside their differences was very surprising. Shen began to think it over. On one hand, working with Roshi is about as tasteful as the trashiest of his dirty magazines. On the other hand, Piccolo and his army are a danger to every aspect of his life. Besides, what the otherworld ogre told him about hell was not very pleasant.
'Fine.' Shen almost shouted in his mind. 'Chiaotzu, flip the matchups around so Goku and Piccolo fight first.'
Up in the stands, Chiaotzu eyes widened in surprise. He did not realize his old master knew he was part of the telepathic link. Likewise, Bulma was surprised.
"You can do that?" Bulma asked Chiaotzu, startling the small guy even further. She sheepishly grinned, 'Sorry.'
Chiaotzu nodded. He just needed to wait until the randomizer takes into effect.
Piccolo meditated as he took note of how often the Dragon Team blew their cover. He is not an idiot. He is the only one here who is not in their little "telepathic link." It does not matter though. Goku is the only threat here, and he will crush him.
Piccolo reached out with his senses to feel the other eleven demon clan members. It was Piano's idea to make this army. Piccolo scowled slightly as his senses fell upon a certain individual. It was his idea to make a backup plan for him.
They did not need to wish for him. He did not need them. Piccolo could have done this himself. Reliance on others is what made Kami stronger than his predecessor in the first place.
'Whatever.' Piccolo thought as he relaxed his mind. He will show them just how powerful he truly is.
The tournament announcer quickly got on stage and pulled out his microphone. "SORRY ABOUT THAT FOLKS, IT IS TIME TO SET UP THE MATCHED TO DECIDE THE FACE OFFS!"
Beside him was a machine that had each of their names on there. It was very similar to a slot machine. Once the announcer pulls the handle, it will revolve until it ends on a certain name.
"OUR FIRST MATCH WILL BE…." The announcer pulls the handle.
'Now's my chance!' Chiaotzu thought urgently.
Chiaotzu used his telekinetic powers to gradually slow down the momentum of the machine until it landed on "Majunior." He smiled when it landed.
"MAJUNIOR VERSUS…." The announcer pulls the handle again.
Once again, Chiaotzu slowed down the momentum of the machine until it landed on "Son Goku." He beamed at his success.
"SON GOKU!" The Announcer shouts.
In the stands, Piano sat bemused. He zoned out as the announcer shouted out the rest of the matchups. It did not matter at this point. He was too angry.
They meddled! They have altered the plan! HIS plan. The humans were supposed to fight each other and grow weaker. This way, even if Goku defeats Piccolo, the others would be able to finish him off. This way, they could kill all of the earthlings with little difficulty!
He glanced at Kami and saw Kami smile up at him. His rage grew. Did he think he won!?
Piano closed his eyes and took a deep sigh. It is a relaxing thing he learned about in the last few years. Therapeutic breathing techniques. Another was cognitive restructuring. It is only a minor setback, and it is not like Kami knows they do not even need Piccolo to take over this world.
Once Piano opened his eyes, he smiled back at Kami. In response, Kami's confident smile dipped into a solemn frown.
Author's Note:
It has been a very long time since I last updated. My only excuses are life events and grad school. Here's to updating quicker than I have before.
AstroZ: Bulma will give Yamcha more scars if he keeps this up, lol.
Awareness Bringer: I feel bad that I have not updated for so long. You have consistently been a very kind reviewer.
2hills: I am glad you like how I am writing Bulma and Yamcha. My plans for Garlic Junior will hopefully be entertaining for you.
Please review to help motivate me to update more consistently. I am very close to 50 reviews! Also, I would love to know about any grammatical errors.