Turning Point
The tournament grounds were already bustling with excitement as the final day of the competition began. The arena floor, previously looking like a bomb had been dropped on it, had been fully rebuilt, in record time, the tired workers still all resting nearby.
Kakarot strolled through the tournament island, he had some time before the matches resumed. He had slept well, better than most might expect, given the events of the previous night, but his body was still hurting from the fight, his arms still spotting burn marks all over, that didn't stop his excitement for the matches, however.
A deep, familiar voice broke through the morning noise.
"Oi, kid!"
Kakarot glanced over his shoulder. The Ox-King was walking toward him, his heavy boots thudding against the ground, he had ditched the gi, for a more casual look, almost making him look normal, if it weren't for the bandages wrapped around his broad arms and torso, evidence of their battle the day before. Despite the injuries, the giant's expression was warm, and there was a twinkle of pride in his eyes.
"You really gave me a beating back there," the Ox-King admitted, rolling his shoulders with a slight wince. "Guess I shouldn't be too surprised, you always were a tough little gremlin, but now? Feels like you're fighting on a whole different level."
Kakarot chuckled, crossing his arms. "Heh, What? You realized you will never match me again old man?"
The Ox-King let out a booming laugh. "Ha! Maybe I won't. But don't go thinking you're some unstoppable force just yet, kid."
"Oh? Didn't seem like you had much to say when I was tossing you around yesterday." Kakarot's grin widened as he tilted his head mockingly. "Guess you're just lucky I was in a good mood, huh?"
The Ox-King shook his head, though he was still smiling. "You sure do like runnin' that mouth. But that's alright, a real martial artist doesn't just care about winning, it's about how and what you use that power for and-"
Kakarot cut him off. "I don't want to hear it, I feel like I know where this is going, Roshi probably drills that into all his students, and I don't care for the old bastard's teachings."
The giant looked at Kakarot for a long moment, something unreadable in his expression. Then he gave a hearty pat on the boy's shoulder, a pat that, for anyone else, might've felt like a hammer slamming down. "Alright then, I'm sure you know what you're doing kid, go and win this tournament, I wouldn't want to go out losing to another loser."
Kakarot smirked, rolling his shoulder where the Ox-King had patted him. "Heh, I can assure you nobody here can beat me, you're real generous for a guy who got smacked around the ring, it almost looks like you enjoy being a loser."
"What did you just say!?"
Chi-Chi stormed over, eyes blazing with fury, she had caught just enough of Kakarot's words to hear him mocking her father. The image of him toying with the Ox-King in the ring flashed in her mind, reigniting her anger.
"You think you can just run your mouth after everything you did yesterday!?" she snapped, fists clenched. "You're lucky I have a match coming up, or I'd show you not to berate my daddy like that again!" Chi-Chi's fists trembled at her sides, her rage boiling over. But before she could get another word out, Kakarot tilted his head, smirking
"And who are you even supposed to be?" he asked, arms crossed.
"You arrogant! You know who I am!" she seethed. "You beat up my daddy and you're now here bullying him again."
Kakarot let out a short laugh. "You're still mad about that?" He waved a hand dismissively. "Relax, princess, your old man's fine, he can take a hit. If anything, he should be thanking me-"
That was the last straw.
With a sharp breath, Chi-Chi lunged at him, throwing a punch straight at his face, but before it could land, Kakarot effortlessly leaned to the side, dodging it with infuriating ease.
"Whoa there, princess, you might want to save that for your match, if you want to beat me you have to win first." He smirked. "And judging by that punch, I'm not sure I'm looking at a winner."
She clenched her teeth, her whole body tense. "I will win," she hissed.
The Ox-King let out a heavy sigh, placing a hand on her shoulder to guide her away. "Alright, alright, that's enough, sweetheart. Save it for the ring." He shot Kakarot an apologetic glance as the two walked off.
Leaving Kakarot alone, at least for a moment.
"That was so unnecessary."
He turned to see Bulma leaning against a nearby post, arms crossed, one brow raised.
Kakarot grinned. "What? You gonna scold me too?"
Bulma rolled her eyes. "Like that would do anything." She stepped closer, tilting her head. "You really love pissing people off, don't you?"
"Only when it's fun." He smirked. "And that was definitely fun."
Bulma sighed, shaking her head. "You're impossible." But there was a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
Then, after a moment of silence, her expression shifted, just slightly, she was studying him, and not in the usual amused way, her eyes flicked over his clothes, taking in the way they already looked too worn despite being changed just last night.
Her frown deepened as she recalled what she had seen that morning. When she first woke up, there had been faint blood marks near her door, subtle, like someone had tried to wipe them away. And on her way to the tournament grounds, she had spotted strange scorch marks in the grass nearby, they weren't from any normal accident, they were the kind Kakarot left behind when he trained.
"Did you notice that we have one less fighter?" Bulma finally asked, her tone casual, but her gaze sharp.
Kakarot's expression remained neutral, but she caught the faintest flicker of something in his eyes. "Huh?"
Bulma crossed her arms. "I saw the old man and the bandit talking earlier. We just ran into the Ox-King and his brat. The short baldie was in the stands last time I checked, and that woman already left the tournament." She tilted her head. "But there's one missing."
Kakarot didn't say anything, but she saw the muscles in his shoulders tighten slightly, he was listening now, even if he pretended not to care.
"Nam, right?" Bulma mused. "That was his name."
Kakarot finally looked at her directly, his smirk subdued. "So what?"
Bulma gave a small shrug. "I don't know. Just seems weird that he disappeared, you'd think a guy that got this far wouldn't just up and leave, he was your opponent, right?"
Kakarot scoffed. "Tch, maybe he got scared off and left."
"Maybe," Bulma allowed, then smiled faintly. "Did you sleep well?"
That made Kakarot pause. It wasn't the question itself, but the way she asked it, soft, careful, but undeniably pointed. And that was when he knew.
She wasn't just making small talk.
She knew.
Bulma let out a breath through her nose, she should've been more horrified by this, but she wasn't. And that troubled her.
She had seen Kakarot kill before. She had killed before. This wasn't new, but somehow, this still felt different.
He had killed someone here, in a tournament, in a place where the two of them had been staying together. In a moment where, for once, she thought they were just resting, just existing in a rare moment of peace, after not seeing each other for so long. She had fallen asleep, believing the night to be ordinary, meanwhile, he had gone out and ended a life.
And that fact…
It only annoyed her.
Bulma wasn't scared, she wasn't disgusted, not in the way a normal person should be, she was more so annoyed, and annoyed at the breach of trust from Kakarot, annoyed that he did it now and then, and not that he did it.
Bulma exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "You killed him, didn't you." It wasn't a question.
He shrugged. "Yeah, I had to, it's not like he mattered..."
"In the middle of the damn tournament?!" Her voice lowered to a harsh whisper, as she dragged him to a more secluded area, her frustration bubbling up. "Right near where we were sleeping?! What the hell, Kakarot?"
He tilted his head, frowning slightly. "You've seen me kill before. You've killed before."
"Don't remind me of that! And that's not the point!" she snapped. "This isn't out in the wild or in some battlefield. This is a tournament, and Nam wasn't some bastard trying to kill you, he was just… some guy. And you… you just-" She cut herself off, exhaling sharply.
"I'm sorry, I guess. Tao would only let me come here if I took the hit." Kakarot answered, looking away from her with a frown. "And I didn't want you to just see me covered in blood, so I tried to hide it."
Bulma studied him for a long moment, then scoffed. "Unbelievable, like I haven't seen worse." She turned away, running a hand through her hair. "I'm not gonna lecture you. I just…" She shook her head. "You should've told me.
Kakarot blinked, frowning. "Why?"
"Because I thought we were both just… sleeping," she muttered. "And instead, you were out killing someone like it was nothing."
"So… you don't like that I… didn't tell you?" Kakarot asked, his face full of confusion.
"Well I don't exactly like that you kill, but if you are going to do it, then tell me." She stared at him for a moment longer before a dry laugh escaped her lips. "My God, this is absurd."
Kakarot paused, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. "You're weird," he said, then his expression softened a little. "But... Tch, fine. Next time I'll tell you, alright?"
Bulma crouched down to his level, her tone more serious now. "Thank you, it's about communication and trust, you know? You've got to learn that stuff, especially if you want to be with a girl someday."
Kakarot tilted his head, his brow furrowing. "Why would I want that?"
Bulma blinked, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks as she shrugged, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "You never know."
Kakarot stood there, puzzled, trying to wrap his mind around what Bulma had said. He didn't quite get it, but before he could think on it more, the sound of the announcer's voice echoed in the distance, snapping him back to reality. she gave him a small, knowing look before turning to walk off, Kakarot followed, still lost in thought, the crowd's energy growing louder with each step.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, martial arts fans from all over, welcome back to the semifinals of the World Martial Arts Tournament!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, the sheer energy of the stadium shaking the very air, the announcer, ever the showman, spread his arms wide, his voice booming through the microphone.
"Today, on one corner, we have a young and hot-tempered fighter, she left a trail of fury in her last match, Chi-Chi!"
Chi-Chi stepped forward, her breaths short and sharp, fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her stance was solid, but beneath it was a storm of anger, frustration and a need to prove herself.
"Facing her, is the veteran who already proved how skill and experience can overcome the power of youth, Jackie Chun!"
Jackie walked in calmly, his posture relaxed, eyes fixed on his student, seems like something, or someone angered her, as he looks over to Kakarot on the stands, he had a good guess of who.
"Will wisdom prevail once more? Or will youthful fury prove too strong to contain?! Fighters, take your stances! And let the match, Begin!" He gestured to the gong at the edge of the arena. The sound once again rang out.
The moment the gong rang, Chi-Chi exploded forward.
There was no hesitation, no testing the waters, just a direct, aggressive charge. Her frustration from earlier still burned hot, and she channeled it all into a furious lunge, aiming a high kick straight for Jackie Chun's head.
But he wasn't there.
With a simple, fluid motion, Jackie sidestepped, hands still behind his back. "Too direct," he noted, almost casually. "You're fast, but anger makes you predictable."
Chi-Chi gritted her teeth, pivoting sharply and launching a flurry of strikes. Jackie weaved through them with effortless grace, dodging each one by the narrowest of margins.
"Focus it," he advised, his voice even. "Your anger is great, use it as your fuel, not as your guide."
Chi-Chi scowled. "I am focused!"
She rushed in, focusing all her strength in a punch, aiming to end the match with it, but Jackie hopped over the attack with ease, positioning himself behind her. Before she could reset, his palm shot forward, not an attack, but a push, a single soft shove sent her stumbling forward.
She barely caught herself before falling, her fists clenched, breath heavy, but she didn't rush in blindly again.
Jackie smiled. "Better."
Chi-Chi's knuckles tightened, but this time, her stance stayed firm. The fire inside her still burning hot, but she wasn't letting it burn wild.
She inhaled sharply, holding onto that heat, and then, she moved.
Her next strike wasn't reckless, but sharp, focused, Jackie's eyes flickered with approval as he met her charge, her palm struck forward, and for the first time, he had to block properly, his stance shifting, his palm tingling from the impact.
But just as quickly as she found her rhythm, Jackie ended it.
With a twist of his wrist, he deflected her blow, using her own momentum against her. A single sweep of his leg disrupted her footing, and before she could react, he kicked her straight out of the ring.
The crowd gasped as Chi-Chi tumbled out of the ring. For a second, there was stunned silence, then, a roar of applause erupted
The announcer's voice boomed. "Ring out! Jackie Chun wins!"
Chi-Chi landed on her feet, breathing hard, fists clenched at her sides, she was frustrated.
Jackie looked down at her, a small smile on his face. "You learned something today."
Chi-Chi huffed. "I almost had you!"
Jackie chuckled. "You made real progress, but remember this, there will always be people stronger than you, and when that happens, anger alone won't carry you through."
Chi-Chi exhaled sharply, absorbing his words, her fists slowly relaxed, and for the first time in the match, she smiled.
She'd lost, but she was getting better.
From the stands, Kakarot's gaze stayed locked onto the ring, his eyes narrowed, arms crossed tightly over his chest. Jackie Chun stood victorious, the crowd roaring in approval, but all Kakarot could feel was the heat rising in his chest.
Tao smirked, eyes flicking toward his student. "You already took out the trash." he said smoothly. "So now go on, give the old man what he deserves."
Kakarot didn't respond, his fists tightening slightly at his sides. There was no need to say anything, he already knew, he was going to crush him.
Bulma, standing beside him, shifted uncomfortably. She recognized that look, silent, simmering rage. Kakarot was worked up, but it wasn't his usual excitement for battle, this was the murderous intent she saw only against the ones he despised the most.
She forced a nervous chuckle. "Hey, you can beat the old fart, no problem," she said, trying to keep her voice light. "Just don't… y'know, get too carried away."
Tao chuckled. "No, no. Let him get carried away, a real killer doesn't hold back, they deliver the most pain and suffering in their killing blows."
Kakarot's tail twitched in irritation. Bulma's glare shot to Tao, her voice cutting through the air like a whip. "Kakarot, I know you always talked about killing him, and I know you hate him, but kill him here, and you're not coming back to the city with me."
Kakarot's gaze flicked to her, his expression unreadable.
Bulma put her hands on Kakarot's shoulder, her grip tight. "Do you get what'll happen if you do that in front of everyone? You won't just be banned from the tournament, you'll be a murderer to them! You won't be able to live at Capsule Corp, or visit me, or anything!"
Tao smirked, shaking his head. "So what? What's the point of holding back?" He gestured to the ring. "Think about it. Killing him here, in front of his own people, his own students, can you imagine a better way to destroy him?"
Bulma's eyes blazed. "This isn't just about proving something! It's about his life outside of fighting, Tao!"
Tao scoffed. "And what do you think is Kakarot's life if not fighting? If not a killer, then what is he? Do you think society will ever accept what he actually is?" His smirk deepened. "This world will always fear him, and they should, we use that fear to take our spots as the strongest in the world, to dominate it."
Kakarot finally moved, his hands clenched, his shoulders tense, and when he turned, his gaze was like a blade cutting through the air between them.
"I am going to kill him." His voice was quiet, but the weight behind it made Bulma's breath hitch and Tao's smirk widen.
Then, Kakarot's eyes met Tao's directly, the menace in them would make anyone else crumble in fear, and his tail lashed once, sharp and deliberate.
"But you're weak."
Tao's smirk vanished.
Kakarot tilted his head, looking up at him, not with the fire of rage, but with something colder. "You think you're strong?" He scoffed, eyes narrowing. "You kill because it's easy, you need a contract, a plan, a reason. You talk about power, but you are no warrior, you are a coward."
Tao's expression twisted, his fingers twitching as if resisting the urge to strike.
Kakarot barely spared him another look. "I don't need a reason to fight, other than that I like it, I don't need a contract to kill, I just need my anger, I was sent here to conquer this planet, and I will do so by dominating them through my strength."
Bulma felt her heart sink, a chill settling in her chest. For a second, just a second, she saw the Kakarot she first met, that wild, untamed force of destruction, the boy who barely saw people as people, had he not changed after all?
Down below, the announcer's voice rang through the arena.
"Well, ladies and gentlemen, what an exciting match! With this, Jackie Chun moves on to the finals!" The crowd erupted in cheers. "Next up, we have the second semifinal! Who will get to face off-"
The announcer barely finished his sentence before a blur shot from the stands. Kakarot landed on the ring with a heavy thud, eyes locked straight ahead.
The announcer blinked in surprise. "Oh! Well, Kakarot is already here, eager to begin!"
Kakarot's glare cut into him, dark and impatient. "Call him out."
The announcer swallowed hard, that look was not a request, he adjusted his collar and quickly turned back to the crowd.
"A-Alright then! Let's welcome his opponent, Nam!"
Silence.
The crowd murmured in confusion. Kakarot stood, expression unreadable, as the tension in the arena thickened.
The announcer hesitated. "Uh… Nam?"
Still nothing.
And Kakarot remained completely, eerily still.
The match had already been decided.
Yamcha leaned against the wall near the arena, arms crossed as he glanced around. "So… where is this Nam guy?" He raised a brow. "Think he just chickened out?"
Jackie Chun stood beside him, silent, his gaze fixed on Kakarot standing alone in the ring. The announcer nervously shuffled his papers, waiting, but no one else stepped forward.
Yamcha shrugged. "I didn't really know him, but it is weird that he's not here."
Jackie inhaled deeply through his nose, his jaw tightening. "I did know him." His voice was quieter than usual, lacking its usual carefree tone. "And I hope to the heavens that what I'm thinking isn't true."
Yamcha blinked. "Huh? What are you talking about, master?"
Jackie didn't answer immediately, his gaze remained locked on Kakarot, on the way the boy stood, calm, still, utterly unbothered, but emanating an aura, one of a killer, a wild animal just waiting eagerly to kill.
That made his stomach churn.
Jackie exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "Nam wouldn't run, he was here for a reason, a noble one." His eyes darkened. "Which means something happened to him."
Yamcha's arms uncrossed, his easygoing stance shifting slightly. "You think Kakarot-?"
Jackie's silence spoke louder than words.
The younger fighter tensed, his fingers curled into fists at his sides. "Damn…" He looked at Kakarot again, watching the way he stood in the ring, eyes half-lidded, his tail flicking lazily behind him. "We have to tell them master! I knew he was a monster, but killing here? We can't let him fight!"
Jackie closed his eyes for a moment, then, with a deep breath, he stepped forward.
"What? Where are you going?" Yamcha asked.
Jackie didn't answer immediately, he simply walked forward, stepping into the ring without being called.
"But… but master! You can't fight a killer like him! What if he-" Yamcha tried to protest against his master, but was cut short
Jackie paused for a moment, glancing back at Yamcha with a small, knowing smile. "Listen, boy," he said, his voice steady but light. "There's no point in worrying yourself sick. Kakarot's already made it clear who his next opponent, his next victim, is." His eyes sharpened, but the warmth in his tone remained. "Running from this fight won't change that."
Yamcha clenched his fists. "But Master, what if he-"
Jackie chuckled softly, cutting him off with a wave of his hand. "Now, now, don't go writing my will just yet. I may be an old man, but I'm not one to roll over so easily." He turned back toward the ring, his steps deliberate, filled with purpose.
But then, he hesitated, just for a moment. Then, without looking back, he spoke again, quieter this time.
"Yamcha, listen to me." There was something in his tone, sounding like another of his lessons. "You've always had heart, boy, more than you know." He exhaled softly. "A fighter's strength isn't just in his fists, but in the will to keep standing, even when he doesn't have all the answers."
Yamcha's eyes widened slightly. "Master…"
Jackie paused again. "No matter what happens today, remember this, sometimes, the strongest thing a man can do… is choose what kind of warrior he wants to be. You might not understand Kakarot now, but don't just look at what is in front of you. He will make a choice today, and soon, you might have to make one too."
And with that, he walked forward, stepping into the ring.
"Just trust me, Yamcha, go back, Mai is probably missing you already."
Yamcha hesitated, watching his master's back as he stepped forward, the only thing he could really do now, was believe in him.
The moment Jackie's foot touched the stone of the arena floor, Kakarot's eyes snapped to him, sharp and burning, the air between them grew suffocatingly heavy. The murmuring of the crowd faded, as if the world itself held its breath.
Jackie walked forward with calm steps, his hands tucked behind his back, his posture relaxed, but his eyes, those calm eyes held a weight that even Kakarot could feel, an unbreakable determination in them.
He stopped just a few feet away, standing firm before his opponent, and then, quietly, he asked.
"Did you do it?"
Kakarot's answer came with just a simple nod, his gaze fixed on his opponent.
Jackie inhaled slowly, his expression unreadable. "I see." His gaze lingered on Kakarot for a moment longer, searching, though he already knew what answer he would find. Then, just briefly, his eyes flickered toward the stands.
Bulma. Her face was tight with worry, her hands clenched as if she could hold Kakarot back from there. And beside her, Tao, that smirk, that glint of anger veiled behind cold amusement.
Jackie didn't claim to understand Kakarot. Not yet, but he had seen enough, the brutality, the rage, the sheer, unchecked power that made him dangerous. But also, something else, fleeting moments, where something else stirred beneath it all.
He knew who it was that was driving Kakarot further into this path, but he also knew who could reach Kakarot despite it all, Bulma, despite everything, she was always able to hold him, calm him down, it was evident the two cared deeply about each other, she saw something worth fighting for in the brat.
Jackie couldn't yet tell if she was right. But he knew one thing for certain, if Kakarot was going to change, if there was any chance of steering him away from this path, it wouldn't be through words. It had to be here, in the only language Kakarot truly understood.
And he was going to speak it.
He turned back to Kakarot. "Then I suppose I have no choice."
Kakarot's fingers twitched. His tail lashed once behind him, from the outside, he stood still, but within, his fury raged, simmering just beneath the surface. Every muscle in his body screamed for action, for destruction, but he waited.
Jackie's stance did not shift, he simply spoke.
"Nam won't come," he said, his voice calm yet resolute, it carried through the speakers, cutting through the stunned silence of the crowd.
The announcer blinked, taken aback. "W-What?"
Jackie's gaze remained locked onto Kakarot. "I'm the opponent he was actually waiting for."
The announcer hesitated, looking between them, then at his list. "But we still need to-"
Jackie didn't move, didn't press further, he didn't need to, the weight in his stance, the certainty in his eyes, it said everything, there would be no waiting.
The finals had already begun.
The announcer cleared his throat, glancing nervously between the two fighters. "A-Alright then! It seems that we have an unexpected turn of events, but the show must go on! Our final match will be between-"
"Just start it" Kakarot interrupted, his voice firm and low. His tail lashed again, his fingers tightening into fists at his sides, his patience, already strained, had worn thin.
The crowd murmured, unsettled by his tone, even those who had cheered for him before now found themselves wary, sensing the simmering violence beneath his words.
The world around the two fighters faded, the crowd's murmurs distant, the space between them charged with unspoken intent, each readied their stances. Jackie's movements deliberate and slow as he shifted, arms raised, feet grounded, his stance balanced. Opposite to him, Kakarot sinked lower, tighter, every muscle coiled like a predator ready to strike, but there was grace behind it all.
The announcer swallowed hard, tugging at his collar as he raised the microphone. "L-Ladies and gentlemen, let the f-finals… b-begin-"
But the word barely left his lips before the air itself split apart.
Kakarot and Jackie lunged, their bodies blurring into motion, the clash of flesh and force erupting in a shockwave that rattled the arena. The gong never rang, the moment never came, as the two warriors met in an explosion of raw speed and precision. Kakarot's fist streaked forward, a bullet of rage, only to be deflected in a blink by Jackie's palm, who countered with a lightning-fast kick. Kakarot twisted mid-air, and whipped his tail, forcing Jackie to weave beneath it, his counterattack seamlessly flowing into a flurry of strikes that crashed against Kakarot's guard.
Fists met forearms, knees collided mid-swing, every blow landing with a force that rippled the air around them, their movements barely visible, their attacks so rapid the untrained eye could only see bursts of impact, shockwaves rippling from their clashing limbs, dust kicking up beneath their feet.
Kakarot snarled, slipping under Jackie's next strike, twisting into a vicious uppercut, Jackie barely managed to tilt his head, the force of the near miss sending a gust of wind past his cheek. Without missing a beat, he retaliated, his palm striking Kakarot's ribs with pinpoint precision, a strike meant to cripple, but Kakarot grinned, taking the blow as if relishing the challenge, before launching a brutal knee at Jackie's midsection.
His bones rattled. The force sent him hurtling backward, his boots scraping against tile as he struggled to keep his footing. But Kakarot was already there. He closed the distance in an instant, snapping a vicious kick toward Jackie's ribs.
Jackie barely twisted in time, the air hissing as Kakarot's foot missed by inches, but before he could counter, Kakarot used the motion to twist his body, allowing his other leg to quickly move and hit Jackie straight in the face.
A blast of pain tore through him, he could only feel ringing in his ears and the metallic taste of blood in his mouth, as he was sent flying. However, his experience saved him, he rolled with the force, twisting mid-air and managing to plant his hands on the floor, springing backward to gain distance. He landed, but his footing wavered for just a moment.
Kakarot grinned, malice and excitement mixed in it.
Jackie narrowed his eyes, he could already feel the strain creeping into his muscles, every exchange, every blow, was taking its toll. And yet, Kakarot… he barely seemed winded, his skin bore the marks of their fight, faint bruises forming where Jackie had landed clean hits, but there was no hesitation in his movements, no drop in his speed. Jackie had fought countless warriors, had pushed his body beyond its limits time and time again, but now, he could feel it, he couldn't keep this up.
He was fast, he was skilled, but Kakarot was relentless, stronger, more durable, and worst of all, he enjoyed it. Every hit Jackie landed, Kakarot took with a grin, every counter, he responded to with something even stronger, he took the pain and dished it back twofold. There was a gap between them, it wasn't vast, but it was there and grew with every exchange. If Jackie didn't change the pace soon, he would fall behind completely.
Kakarot didn't wait for him to adjust. He came again, closing the distance in an instant, and Jackie barely had time to brace before their fight erupted once more. Kakarot's fists came in a flurry, one, two, three, four, Jackie parried as best he could, redirecting the blows with perfect precision, but each impact sent shockwaves up his arms. He spun into a counter, striking with the heel of his palm toward Kakarot's chin, a decisive strike, sending Kakarot hurtling backwards.
Kakarot skidded back before he righted himself. Jackie had barely reset his stance when Kakarot was already upon him again, a blur of motion that left no room for hesitation. Jackie reacted on instinct, his hand lashing out in a spear-like strike aimed at Kakarot's collarbone, the blow landed clean, sinking deep into muscle, forcing Kakarot's body to jolt from the impact.
This is it. Jackie thought, a clear strike like this should create the opportunity he needs, but Kakarot didn't stop.
His own fist was already swinging forward, crashing into Jackie's gut with the force of a battering ram. Pain exploded through Jackie's core, his breath driven from his lungs in a sharp, choking grunt, the moment of impact stretched, both warriors locked together, each having landed their strike, but the difference was clear.
Kakarot took Jackie's blow and grinned through it. Jackie took Kakarot's and felt the shock ripple through his entire frame.
And then Kakarot twisted.
With his fist still buried in Jackie's stomach, he wrenched his arm upward, sending Jackie reeling backward. The older warrior barely managed to keep his balance, feet dragging against the tile as he fought to stay upright, his breath coming short, his ribs aching, Kakarot simply rolled his shoulders, shaking out the residual sting of Jackie's strike like it was nothing.
Jackie steadied himself, swallowing down the pain, Kakarot had won that exchange, and if he wasn't careful, he'd win everything.
He exhaled slowly, his gaze steady even as his body ached from the relentless assault. He could feel the bruises forming beneath his skin, reminders of just how much punishment Kakarot had already dished out, but now, it was time to change the pace.
With a swift motion, he reached up and stripped off his jacket, tossing it aside, his bare chest was a canvas of fresh bruises, purple splotches decorating his ribs and shoulders, but Jackie stood tall, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the pain. He settled into a new stance, shifting his weight ever so slightly.
Then, he multiplied.
A dozen clones of himself surrounded Kakarot, all moving in a blur, flickering in and out, this was a refined version of the afterimage technique. "I call this one the afterimage strike." Jackie spoke amidst the circle of movement around Kakarot.
Kakarot's grin twitched, eyes flickering from one image to the next. He had seen this technique before, he even knew it himself. But never like this, there were too many. He had to try and figure out who was the real one, he lashed out blow after blow against each clone, but all disappeared.
He was starting to see through the old man's plan. One of these images, just one, kept creeping closer. It moved subtly, as if trying to remain unnoticed, but Kakarot wasn't fooled. He turned on his heel, twisting with unnatural speed, his fingers already glowing with golden energy.
With a wild grin, he thrust his hand forward, firing a surprise Dodon Ray straight through the encroaching figure.
The beam struck dead-on, Jackie's body contorted from the impact, with that, Kakarot had won.
And then it vanished.
Kakarot's grin faltered, his eyes widened, his confidence shaken and replaced by worry.
The arena fell deathly silent. The illusions were gone, all of them, his eyes darted around, his stance shifting, the confusion evident on his face, and then, it came from above.
Jackie descended like a meteor, his fist crashing down into Kakarot's skull with devastating force. The impact was like an explosion, a shockwave rippling outward, sending cracks sprawling across the arena floor. Kakarot's body slammed into the stone, the force carving a crater beneath him, dust erupting into the air.
And this time, he didn't just bounce right back.
Jackie landed with practiced ease, his bare chest rising and falling with deep, measured breaths. This was his chance, Kakarot was down, truly down for the first time, and he had to press the advantage before the boy's body caught up with his spirit.
Kakarot stirred, shaking his head, his body instinctively moving to rise, his vision is blurred, he can't think straight, but he is trying to recollect himself, only to be met with a brutal strike to his ribs, a sharp cough escaped his lips as he staggered, barely raising an arm in defense before Jackie struck again, he barely blocked the hit, but was still sent skidding backwards, his feet dragging across the arena floor.
But still, the boy's instincts refused to let him falter.
With a growl, Kakarot snapped forward, swinging a wild punch. It was fast, faster than most could react to, but Jackie was already moving before Kakarot even delivered it, closing in the gap, and dodging with ease.
He caught Kakarot's wrist, then the other, and before the boy could react, Jackie had him locked tight, his body now wide open, bracing himself, Jackie drove a kick straight at Kakarot's chin, it connected squarely, sending Kakarot flying up.
Kakarot's body came crashing down, landing hard against the stone tiles. Dust kicked up around him, lingering in the air as the crowd held its breath.
For the first time in the fight, there was silence.
Jackie remained still, his muscles tense, ready to act at a moment's notice, his sharp gaze stayed fixed on the fallen boy.
Then, movement, as Kakarot pushed himself up with a sudden burst of energy, he shot to his feet, his tail lashing violently behind him.
His eyes locked onto Jackie's, and in them was a storm, rage, deep and seething, but not alone. No, something else burned just as fiercely beside it.
Excitement.
It was as if the pain, the challenge, the struggle, it all only made him stronger, happier.
Jackie exhaled through his nose. This boy… he was something else.
A long second stretched between them, the tension thick enough to smother the entire arena. Then, at last, Jackie broke the silence.
"Why?" His voice was firm, steady, cutting through the weight of the moment like a blade. "Why do you want to kill me so much?"
Kakarot's fingers twitched. His breath came heavy, but his grin, wild, almost manic, had returned. He tilted his head slightly, as if the question had surprised him. Then, slowly, that grin widened.
He stepped forward, leisurely, but every movement dripped with predatory intent. His eyes, dark pools of hunger, locked onto Jackie's, and for a moment, there was nothing there but anger.
"You disgust me."
The words were spat, sharp and dripping with venom.
Jackie didn't react, didn't flinch. He merely watched as Kakarot continued.
"You humiliated me, I always wanted to kill you, prove I was the strongest, but you refused to even fight back then, you mocked me, and held back." Kakarot's fingers curled into a fist, his grin twitching at the edges, as if holding back something more vicious. "You hide behind your words, behind lessons and 'wisdom' and all this pathetic nonsense about holding back, being kind, controlling myself."
His teeth clenched, his heart pounded, his Saiyan blood screamed in his veins.
"I should've killed you the moment I stepped into this ring."
And then, he moved, Kakarot vanished from sight. The crowd barely had time to gasp before the arena floor cracked apart.
A sharp gust of wind cut across his cheek as Kakarot's fist missed by a breath. The older fighter twisted, dodging by the smallest of margins, but Kakarot was already there. His knee slammed forward, aimed straight for Jackie's ribs, and this time, it connected.
The force was monstrous. Jackie felt his bones strain under the impact, the world blurred around him, but Kakarot wasn't done.
Before Jackie could recover, Kakarot was above him, flipping mid-air, his body twisting in an arc, as he delivered a hammering axe kick down like a guillotine. Jackie barely got his arms up in time, but the kick broke through, the impact was enough to send him crashing down into the stone floor, shattering the tiles beneath him.
The stadium shook.
Kakarot landed lightly, his breathing calm, controlled. He rolled his neck, his tail flicking once behind him before settling.
Jackie groaned, dust swirling around his frame as he shifted, planting a hand against the ruined floor. Pain throbbed in his ribs, a sharp reminder of just how much raw power Kakarot wielded.
"You're holding back." Kakarot's voice was cold, almost disappointed. "You're still trying to 'teach' me something." He spat the word like it was filth on his tongue. "You really don't get it, do you?"
Jackie lifted his gaze, his lips pressing into a thin line. "And what is it that I don't get?"
Kakarot grinned, then he blurred forward.
Jackie barely had time to shift before Kakarot's hand was at his throat. The older fighter felt the air leave his lungs in a sharp gasp as Kakarot's grip tightened.
The grin on Kakarot's face didn't waver.
"I don't need to learn anything."
His fingers clenched.
Jackie could feel the pressure, the raw, unfiltered power in the boy's grip. Kakarot could crush his windpipe in an instant. No hesitation. No remorse.
The crowd was dead silent.
And then, something flickered, it was brief, a split second, but Jackie saw it.
A hesitation, a shadow of something uncertain behind Kakarot's eyes, his fingers trembled, just for an instant. Internally, Kakarot could only think of someone else. Could I ever see her again if I do this?
Jackie inhaled, despite the strain, he forced his voice to remain even.
"You're hesitating."
Kakarot's grin twitched.
His fingers flexed against Jackie's throat, his tail flicking sharply.
"No, I'm not."
Jackie's lips curled into the smallest of smiles. "Then do it."
Kakarot's eye twitched.
His fingers clenched tighter, tighter, then… stopped.
Jackie could hear the boy's breathing, heavier now. See the way his muscles coiled, tight with tension, with something deeper than just rage.
Doubt.
Just a sliver.
Jackie exhaled slowly. "You're strong, Kakarot. More than strong." He met the boy's burning gaze, unwavering. "But if you really were just a killer, I'd already be dead."
Kakarot's expression twitched, his strength just slightly wavering. Why am I not finishing it? What's wrong with me?
That moment, just that moment, was all Jackie needed.
With a sharp burst of energy, Jackie twisted, breaking free from Kakarot's grip. A flash of movement, and his palm crashed into Kakarot's chest, sending the boy skidding backwards.
Jackie landed lightly, rubbing his throat, his breathing steady despite the ache.
Kakarot was already back on his feet, but that flicker of hesitation hadn't left his eyes.
Jackie smiled, just slightly.
"There's more to you than just a killer, isn't there?"
Kakarot snarled, but his grin was gone.
For the first time since the fight began… his hands were shaking.
A heavy sense of confusion and worry had settled over the crowd, the weight of Kakarot's hesitation hanging thick in the air.
Mai's breath hitched in her throat, her hands gripping the walls so tight her knuckles had gone white. "He's going to do it," she whispered, horror creeping into her voice. "He's actually going to kill him."
Beside her, Krillin's face was twisted with barely restrained fury. "Someone has to stop this!" he shouted, his fists clenched at his sides. "This isn't a fight anymore, he's going to murder him!"
Chi-Chi's reaction was even more volatile. She trembled with anger, her body practically vibrating with urgency. "Why isn't anyone interfering?!" Her voice cracked with frustration as she turned, looking desperately for someone to act. "Where's master Roshi?! Yamcha, we need to do something! We can stop him if we all fight!"
Then, almost in unison, both she and Krillin turned to Yamcha.
He stood arms crossed, eyes locked onto the fight. His jaw was tense, his expression unreadable, he didn't share their panic, he wasn't yelling or demanding that someone stop Kakarot.
He was watching, studying, and remembering.
He remembered Roshi's lessons, the look on his master before he stepped on the ring, his words to trust him, there was something here that his master saw and he didn't.
Yamcha exhaled slowly through his nose. He had a guess, he'd seen it before, back when he followed Kakarot and Bulma during their journey, his actions to save her, how he was so protective and even hesitant around her.
And now… this moment.
His hands were clenched. Come on, old man. You have a plan, don't you? What is it that you see in him?
Chi-Chi's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Yamcha!"
Krillin glared at him. "Say something!"
But Yamcha didn't turn to them. His gaze never left the fight.
Instead, he exhaled and, with a small, almost knowing smirk, said, "Relax."
Both Krillin and Chi-Chi recoiled.
"Relax?!" Chi-Chi practically shrieked. "Are you crazy?!"
Yamcha's smirk widened slightly, but his eyes remained sharp. "Jackie Chun's got this, just trust him."
On the opposite side of the stands, Bulma's reaction was a far cry from Yamcha's calm.
Her hands were clenched into fists at her sides, her entire body filled with tension. She wasn't breathing properly, instead she let out short, sharp and unsteady gasps.
Kakarot's hands were shaking. Bulma's stomach twisted.
What's he going to do?
The thought gnawed at her, louder than anything else in the arena. She had seen Kakarot at his worst, seen the monster lurking beneath that grin, the bloodlust that came so naturally to him. But she knew he could be something more.
She wanted to scream, to jump in and take him out of there, but for now, she could only watch.
Beside her, standing firm and still as stone, Tao's presence was an entirely different force.
He wasn't afraid, he wasn't nervous, he was angry.
His sharp eyes burned with frustration as they locked onto Kakarot. His lips were pressed into a thin line, his jaw tight with barely contained fury.
"What is he waiting for?" Tao muttered, voice low, sharp. "Why hasn't he finished that old fool off yet?" This wasn't supposed to go like this, he trained Kakarot to be the greatest killer, not this.
Bulma barely acknowledged him, her attention solely on Kakarot.
The entire stadium was holding its breath.
Kakarot snarled, shaking hands curling into fists, his whole body trembling, whether from rage, hesitation, or something in between, even he couldn't tell. His blood screamed at him to act, to attack, to kill, but something held him back.
And that hesitation sickened him, a warrior shouldn't hesitate.
With a roar, he lunged, fists flying like a hurricane, each strike carrying the force to shatter stone. But Jackie Chun was gone before the blows could land, his movements fluid. He sidestepped one punch, ducked beneath another, weaving between Kakarot's fury like a leaf in a storm.
"Sloppy," Jackie remarked casually, slipping just out of reach. "You were sharper before, maybe you're getting tired?"
Kakarot gritted his teeth and threw a vicious kick, Jackie pivoted, dodging by inches.
"Oh? No, that's not it," Jackie mused, his voice light, almost amused. "It's your head that's slowing you down, isn't it?"
Kakarot's pupils shrank, his next strike was wilder.
"Something's wrong, huh?" Jackie continued, ducking under another swing, keeping just outside Kakarot's reach. "Your hands are shaking, that ever happened to you before?"
Kakarot growled, his movements becoming even fiercer, faster, but even more reckless.
Jackie Chun leaned just enough to avoid a savage elbow strike. "What's the matter? You were so sure before. So certain you wanted to kill me. But now?" He tilted his head, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips. "You don't look so sure."
Kakarot let out a guttural snarl, twisting into a feral backhand, Jackie ducked beneath it effortlessly.
"You're hesitating, boy."
The words hit harder than any strike could have.
"Isn't this what you wanted?" Jackie's voice remained steady, calm, even as Kakarot's attacks grew more erratic. "To kill me?"
Kakarot's knee shot forward, Jackie twisted to the side.
"To prove you're stronger?"
A fist flew toward Jackie's face, he stepped back, letting it barely graze his nose.
"To punish me for 'humiliating' you?"
Kakarot's heart pounded, his breath was ragged.
Jackie smiled.
"I think I see it now," he murmured, more to himself than to Kakarot. "There's more to you than you think, Gohan must've instilled that into you."
Kakarot's fist hovered just inches from Jackie Chun's face, trembling violently. His breath hitched.
Gohan…?
His vision flickered, and for a moment, it wasn't Roshi before him, it was Gohan, for a moment, it wasn't his arms that he saw, but instead the arms of a giant beast, one that he lost control to, his first great defeat in life, which led to the death of the first person that he cared about, even if he refused to admit it to himself.
Jackie Chun saw it, the flicker of shock, the brief fracture in the boy's otherwise unshakable, murderous focus. He pressed forward. "Gohan must've instilled something in you. A path… a choice."
Kakarot's pupils dilated, his arm, still locked in place, quivered.
"Shut up," he growled, but his voice lacked the usual fire.
Jackie didn't stop.
"But it wasn't enough, was it? Because you lost control. Because you…" Jackie's eyes darkened. "killed him."
Kakarot gritted his teeth, his anger rising as memories of that day flashed in his mind.
Jackie exhaled slowly, he had him.
"And now?" Jackie continued, stepping forward, pressing on the wound he had just torn open. "Bulma. She saw something in you too, didn't she? Something that maybe Gohan had seen first, and now, maybe she's reigniting what he started, but, will you be careful not to kill her too?"
Jackie Chun's words hit like a dagger to the heart, sending a violent tremor through Kakarot's body, but it wasn't just rage that burned beneath his skin, it was something deeper, rawer.
Will you be careful not to kill her too?
The words echoed, and suddenly, he wasn't in the ring anymore.
He was back in the mountains.
The night was burning, the air thick with the scent of crushed earth and shattered wood. Gohan's voice, strained, desperate, then cut off. His own monstrous roar drowning out everything else.
Then, another night.
The moon, full and radiant, the walls of a castle crumbling beneath his fists. Bulma's scream. A moment of control, almost, before the beast swallowed him whole again.
Kakarot's head jerked up, his pupils shrinking. His body trembled violently.
"Shut up," he growled, but the fury in his voice was no longer just directed at Jackie Chun.
A gust of wind whipped through the arena as Kakarot's hair flickered upwards for a brief second, standing on end before settling again. His eyes flickered sharp, piercing yellow before snapping back to black. His breathing turned ragged, guttural.
A fire burned beneath his skin, his muscles twitching uncontrollably. His body felt heavy, as if something massive within him was trying to break free. A deep, guttural roar echoed in his mind.
Jackie's brows furrowed. He could feel it now. The atmosphere around Kakarot shifted, thick with something primal, something untamed. He had struck a nerve. What was this?
Kakarot clutched his fists, his teeth bared in frustration. "You… don't know what you're talking about! You will never understand what the Oozaru is!" His voice cracked, but it was deeper, almost distorted. His fingers twitched violently, his nails digging into his hands, so hard it made them bleed. "You have no right… to talk about that!"
Jackie instinctively took a step back, his mind racing. This is dangerous. He had prepared for Kakarot's savagery, but this… this was something else entirely.
"What… are you?" Jackie muttered under his breath, watching as the boy's form trembled with unrestrained fury. Oozaru? The word stuck in his head, but he had no time to process it.
Because Kakarot moved.
In an instant, Jackie's world exploded.
A fist crashed into his gut with earth-shattering force, the wind rushing out of his lungs. Before he could even process the pain, another strike slammed into his ribs, then his shoulder, each blow delivered with the energy and power capable of destroying a moon.
Kakarot wasn't just faster. He wasn't just stronger. This was something else.
His hair flickered again. His pupils flared yellow. His breath came in snarls, more beast than boy.
Jackie barely had a second to recover before Kakarot's knee rocketed into his sternum, launching him skyward. The old master's body twisted midair, but the moment he regained control.
A thin, piercing beam of light shot toward him.
The Dodon Ray?!
Jackie barely had time to react. He shifted his torso midair, but the beam came too quickly, faster than anything he had ever seen, it pierced straight through him, he managed only to avoid it damaging his vital organs.
A sharp, raw agony lanced through his torso. He clutched his side, his fingers coming away slick with blood.
Kakarot landed in front of him, hunched forward, his chest heaving. His lips curled over his teeth in a snarl, his eyes flickering yellow once more.
Jackie wiped the blood from his mouth, his expression grim, he could see it now, this wasn't just rage, this was something ancient, something bestial, Kakarot unleashed a power greater than anything Jackie had ever seen in his life, and it was about to consume Kakarot whole.
Murmurs of unease rippled through the stands. The air felt thicker, heavier, a mother clutched her child closer, while a fighter in the crowd swallowed nervously, what they were seeing wasn't normal, it wasn't human.
Bulma's breath hitched. The hairs on her arms stood on end, and for a moment, she was back in Pilaf's ruined castle, the monstrous roar of the beast rattling her bones. She saw it again, felt it again, Kakarot's massive hands swinging wildly, destroying everything, nearly crushing her beneath them.
Her fingers curled into fists, nails biting into her palms. No. Not again. Not again.
Yamcha's body went rigid. His breath came out in short, shallow gasps, this presence, he had felt it before.
The massive shape towering above him, blocking out the moonlight, a roar that split the heavens, shaking the very earth. The ape's blast came so close to him, his life flashing before him.
He had been ready to die that night. He should have died that night.
And then, the moon shattered.
His heart pounded in his chest, he unconsciously pulled Mai closer, his legs almost moving on instinct, ready to run, this was the same monster he saw that night.
Kakarot moved his hand forward in a blur, grabbing Jackie by the hair, with his free hand he delivered a blow to Jackie's stomach, Kakarot's grip was ironclad, his fingers tangled in Jackie Chun's white locks as he lifted him up. His free hand trembled, pointer finger extended, energy crackling at his fingertip. His breath came in ragged bursts, his body quivering, his hair and eyes flickering between normal and something primal.
Jackie saw the killing intent in Kakarot's gaze. This was it, the moment, he believed he might have failed.
And yet…
Kakarot's body still hesitated.
The energy at his fingertips wavered, unstable, his nails digging into Jackie's wig, but… he never launched the blast.
Because past the haze of bloodlust, beyond the screaming of his instincts, his eyes found her.
Bulma.
She was standing, her arms stiff at her sides, her eyes locked onto him, wide and, fearful, she was afraid of him, Kakarot's breath caught in his throat. His chest ached in a way he didn't understand.
Why… why do I care?
His grip loosened, and with it, Jackie moved.
He hated what he had to do. Truly. But he had no choice. Kakarot's hesitation gave him a window, small, but enough, he was now regretting adding so much glue.
He yanked himself down with all the force he could muster. The glue fought back, clinging to his scalp, but he gritted his teeth and ripped.
A sharp sting shot through his head as his wig tore free, pain evident in his face, and the crowd all gasped, the announcer almost dropped his mic, because standing there, bare-headed and bruised, wasn't Jackie Chun, it was… "Master Roshi?! The… the turtle hermit was here all along?!" The announcer exclaimed loudly, the crowd bursting full of surprise and amusement.
"What! How did we not notice that?" Krillin shouted at the edge of the stands, almost falling off in shock.
Tao could only sigh in disappointment, how is it that no one else noticed this?
Roshi's breathing was labored, there was still a chance, but Kakarot was different. His hair flickered wildly, his eyes still flashing between black and yellow. His muscles tensed, his body trembling, a mix of power, fear, hesitation, anger, the boy was a mess. Something was clawing at his mind, gripping him from within, Roshi could feel it, but he still couldn't grasp what it was.
He could only understand that he had no choice, Kakarot was uncontrollable, he had to stop him somehow.
Roshi moved, fast, he darted backward, creating distance, his feet skidding across the arena floor. Kakarot lunged after him, but Roshi was already forming a plan, the boy's attack landed, but it went straight past him. An afterimage
A hum filled the air, as behind Kakarot, Roshi clapped his hands together, fingers pressing tight as a golden light crackled between them. Lightning.
Kakarot twisted just in time to see the crackling storm in Roshi's hands.
Roshi's muscles bulked in an instant, veins bulging, his frame swelling as he pushed his body to its absolute limit, growing in size, and his power increasing even further.
"I've only used this move once before," Roshi murmured, his voice firm, but, his lips curled into a smile. "It was against Gohan."
Kakarot froze, a sharp inhale, his fingers twitched.
Roshi's expression didn't waver, his hands burned with golden energy, the arcs of lightning growing wilder, he had to do this now.
"You, however…" Roshi's gaze hardened. "You're even stronger than he was."
Kakarot's breath hitched. His instincts screamed to attack, but those words, they struck deep. He suspected that he already had, but hearing it, a confirmation that he had indeed surpassed the man who raised him? It made him hesitate even in this state.
Roshi's fists clenched tighter. "I didn't use it in this form back then." His body tensed, more lightning crackling up his arms. "But I will not hold back anything."
Kakarot snarled, losing control of his senses once again
"I will do as you always wanted, boy."
The golden light reached its peak.
"This is for your own good."
The moment Kakarot closed the distance, Roshi unleashed hell.
"THUNDERSHOCK SURPRISE ATTACK!"
A blinding explosion of yellow lightning erupted from his palms, the energy striking Kakarot dead-on.
Kakarot screamed as the energy engulfed him entirely, golden arcs wrapping around his limbs, crackling through his body as his muscles seized. His feet lifted off the ground, his entire form suspended in the air, completely immobilized.
His arms twitched, his fingers strained to move. But the more he fought, the more the lightning tightened, his hair still flickered, his eyes still flashing gold, but no matter how much power roared inside him, his body would not obey, he had so much power, but he couldn't focus.
Roshi exhaled sharply, his body rigid as he poured everything he had into the technique. His arms shook from the sheer strain. He had him, but for how long?
Roshi's arms trembled, his body straining as he kept the surge of lightning flowing. His breath came in sharp, labored gasps, his muscles burning under the sheer pressure of the technique, his mind raced.
Kakarot… I don't know what's happening to you, but this… this is beyond reckless.
His jaw tightened, he didn't want to do this, the boy was strong, fierce, a warrior unlike any he had ever seen, but this? This wasn't just power, it wasn't just his usual brutality, it was something raw, untamed, something bestial clawing its way out, consuming him whole. He had no control, only rage, and if he didn't stop now.
"Kakarot!" Roshi's voice cut through the crackling storm of energy. "You need to get ahold of yourself! Right now!"
The boy thrashed violently midair, teeth clenched in a feral snarl, his golden eyes flashing brighter before dulling again, flickering between the beast and himself, his body twitched against the hold of the Thundershock Surprise, every muscle in his frame flexing with raw power, but no matter how hard he fought, he couldn't break free.
Roshi's expression darkened. He's slipping further. He can't rein it in. He gritted his teeth, his fingers twitching. "If you can't control yourself, then I have no choice! This has to end! Now!"
Kakarot let out a guttural growl, his nails clawing at the air, his breath ragged and filled with fury. His mind was a storm, torn between the Oozaru and himself, he couldn't lose this fight again, but as he tried to control it, he heard a voice.
Not Roshi's.
Not the crowd's.
Hers.
"Kakarot!"
Bulma's voice shattered through the storm, desperate, raw, and commanding all at once.
Kakarot's body jerked as if struck, his muscles locking up, his head twisted sharply toward her, his eyes wild but flashing with recognition.
She was standing at the very edge of the ring, her arms stiff at her sides, her fists clenched so tightly they shook. Her face was pale, her lips parted as she sucked in quick, frantic breaths, but her eyes, those piercing blue eyes, were locked on him. And they were filled with terror.
"Stop this!" Bulma's voice rang out, raw and desperate, but unwavering. She was trembling, but she didn't step back, she stepped forward, towards the danger, towards him.
"You're losing yourself, Kakarot!" she shouted, her voice teetering between fear and sheer force of will. "Stop being an idiot and get a grip!"
Kakarot's breath hitched, her voice was managing to cut through the Oozaru.
His head throbbed, his body jerked violently, and for the first time in this chaotic frenzy, he felt something else.
Control.
"You can do this!" Bulma snapped, her voice firm, daring him to prove her right. "You're the strongest person I know! Act like it!"
His body trembled, his muscles spasming under the strain of Roshi's technique, his hair flickered wildly up and down. His pupils shrank, flickering between black and yellow.
His nails twitched, his fists clenched, his muscles locked up, the thrashing slowing, his instincts raging against something stronger.
Bulma's breath hitched, a spark of hope igniting in her chest. "You're fighting it…" she whispered, then louder. "Keep fighting!"
A guttural yell came from Kakarot's throat, The flickering stopped. His pupils locked in place, a piercing yellow color. His black hair almost defied gravity as it stood up.
A raw, untamed force, beyond anything this planet had ever experienced, exploded from his body, shaking the arena, cracking the tiles beneath him. Roshi's hands trembled, his jaw slack.
This power…
Kakarot broke free.
Roshi gasped as the Thundershock Surprise snapped apart, its golden tendrils dissolving into nothing. Kakarot dropped, landing on his feet, his body still crackling with sheer, overwhelming power, his head was low, his breath sharp, his fists still clenched.
Then, just as fast as it came, all that power vanished, his hair fell back into place, his pupils turned black once again, his shoulders slumped, his knees buckled, he was back in control.
Bulma nearly collapsed, exhaling sharply, her heart hammering, then her face lit up. "You did it!" she cried, breathless, ecstatic.
Roshi let out a long, weary sigh, deflating like a balloon, he wiped the sweat from his brow, shaking his head in disbelief, but his lips curled into the smallest, proudest smile. He then promptly collapsed into his knees exhausted.
A heavy silence hung over the arena, the air, once crackling with untamed energy, now felt almost hollow in comparison, both fighters stood still, bodies heaving, sweat dripping from their brows.
Roshi, still on his knees, forced himself to breathe evenly, his limbs felt like lead, his muscles screaming from overuse, but his eyes never left the boy standing before him.
Kakarot, breath ragged, lifted his head. His body still trembled from the aftershocks of that power, but something else burned in his gaze now, something pure, not mixed in with rage or bloodlust.
Pure excitement.
He grinned. "I guess… you were at least half-right in the end," Kakarot muttered, his voice low, rough, but lacking its usual venom. He reached for his chest, gripping the torn, tattered remains of his gi, the one Tao had given him. He looked at it for a moment, his fingers curled around the fabric, feeling its weight.
It felt strange in his grip. Heavy, but not in the way it used to. This was the gi he'd worn as Tao's student, as his weapon, he never quite liked it, but it was a symbol of strength and his brutality, but, it also symbolized a killer, and he wasn't killing anyone else today.
His grip tightened. Then, with a sharp tug, he ripped it away. The remains of the gi fluttered uselessly to the ground. He stood there, now clad only in his black undershirt and pants, his breathing slow, steady.
No words were needed.
Roshi's tired eyes flickered to the discarded gi. His chest rose and fell, his expression unreadable. Then, ever so slightly, he smiled. He understood what that meant.
Kakarot rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck, his stance loosening just a bit. "I still don't buy all that crap about restraint," he said, flexing his fingers, the thrill of the fight still buzzing in his veins. "But I'll admit… this was fun." His smirk widened. "Hmph, more fun than I thought you'd be, old man."
Roshi let out a breathless chuckle, shaking his head. "Heh… You've got a funny way of showing gratitude, kid." His voice was hoarse but steady. His lips twitched up in something between exhaustion and amusement. "Not sure if I should feel proud… or just lucky to be alive."
Kakarot huffed. "Tch. I don't do gratitude." He took a step forward, planting his feet firmly, fists clenching. His entire body was battered, his reserves nearly empty, but his warrior spirit burned hotter than ever.
His eyes locked onto Roshi's, fierce and wild.
"One last clash." His tone wasn't a request, it was a demand. "No tricks, no holding back. Just you and me, one to finish this and prove who is the strongest in the world."
Roshi exhaled sharply. Every fiber of his being told him he should stop, that his body couldn't take much more.
But then he looked at Kakarot. The boy wasn't just some violent brute. He wasn't just a monster waiting to be put down.
He lived for this.
And in that moment, Roshi understood.
A tired, almost knowing smile crossed the old man's face. He pushed himself up, legs shaking, breath uneven, but his stance was solid.
"Heh. Alright, then." Roshi rolled his shoulders, raising his fists. His body protested, his lungs burned, but his spirit was as steady as ever. "I'll give you what you want, kid. One last go." His expression hardened, his stance tightening. "But don't think for a second that I'm going easy on you."
Kakarot's grin stretched wider.
"Wouldn't want it any other way."
And then, with a final burst of energy, they charged.
Kakarot and Roshi launched forward, bodies rushing through the air with all the remaining energy each fighter had. The earth beneath them cracked apart from the sheer force of their final push.
Fists clenched. Feet braced. The moment stretched for what felt like an eternity, both fighter mimicking each other, aiming a kick.
Roshi saw the opening first, a fraction of a second where Kakarot had committed to his attack. He struck, his kick rocketing forward, aimed to end it then and there.
But Kakarot saw it too.
A glimpse into the old man's movements. At the last possible moment, he twisted, dodging by mere inches. And in that instant, his leg pushed forward with all the force he could muster.
His kick landed.
Roshi was sent flying.
The old master's body twisted, his back hit the ground hard, dust billowed around him, his breath caught in his throat.
For a moment, silence.
The crowd, thousands strong, watched in stunned silence as the dust settled.
Kakarot, meanwhile, flipped midair, twisting his body and slamming down, feet hitting the ground in a firm, steady stance.
He didn't fall.
He stood.
Roshi's vision swam, his limbs numb. He forced himself to move, to rise. His arms trembled as he pushed against the ground.
But his body wouldn't listen.
He was down.
Kakarot was up.
And the match…
"…Is over! Roshi is down!" The announcer loudly declared, throwing his arms up. "T-The winner is… KAKAROT!"
The arena erupted. Cheers. Shock. Disbelief.
Kakarot barely heard the roar of the crowd.
His body trembled, his breath came slow and deep, his heart still hammering from the fight. But the rush was fading now, and in its place, something else took root, something unfamiliar. He had won, proven himself the stronger fighter. But where was the thrill of dominance? The satisfaction of crushing an opponent beneath his strength? The hunger, the raw, violent need to kill still lingered in the back of his mind, coiling in his gut like an untamed beast, but it felt... muted. Like it had been drowned out by something else.
His eyes flicked to Roshi's unmoving form. He had come into this battle ready to kill the old man, to tear him apart and leave nothing behind. But now, standing over him, that certainty wavered. His grip flexed, fingers curling into a fist, as if trying to reclaim the feeling that had always been so natural to him, and yet, all he felt was a hollow space where his pride should have been.
Something had changed, he didn't know what, and that made his scowl deepen.
Roshi let out a weak, breathless chuckle. His eyes, barely open, gazed up at the sky above, his consciousness teetering on the edge. He had nothing left, his body refused to move, his strength spent, but a small, satisfied smile crept onto his lips. He had lost the battle, but Kakarot had changed, the fight had started as a death match, but in the end, it had become something else, a true test between two proud warriors, and that meant everything.
"You did good, kid," Roshi murmured, voice hoarse, almost lost beneath the cheers.
Kakarot scoffed, rolling his shoulders, though there was no real bite to it. "Tch. Of course I did."
He spoke with his usual arrogance, but the words felt different. They felt...empty.
Before he could dwell on it, movement caught his eye.
Bulma ran to him without hesitation. The moment the match was called, the moment she saw him still standing, still breathing, still himself, she moved before she even realized it. The roar of the crowd, the stunned silence of the other fighters, none of it mattered.
Because he was here, and he was alive.
"Kakarot!"
He barely had time to blink before she crashed into him, arms wrapping fiercely around his torso, clutching him tightly. Her body trembled against his, but she didn't care, she just held on.
Kakarot stiffened, completely caught off guard. "H-Hey!"
But she didn't let go.
For a long moment, she just clung to him, gripping the fabric of his torn shirt like if she loosened her hold for even a second, he might disappear, her face was buried in his chest, breath shaky.
"You idiot," she mumbled, voice raw, full of relief. "You absolute moron."
Kakarot blinked, still stunned. He could feel the rapid beat of her heart against him, the way she shook, how tightly she held on. It was… weird. Warm. A strange feeling settled in his chest, one he had felt before around her. His arms twitched at his sides, hesitant, unsure. He wasn't even thinking about it, but before he could stop himself, he lifted a hand and awkwardly placed it on her back, holding her just as tightly.
Bulma felt it, and for some reason, she smiled.
"You're such a dumbass," she muttered again.
Kakarot scoffed, shaking off whatever strange feeling was creeping up on him, his usual grin returned, cocky as ever. "Tch. You were the one screaming your lungs out."
Bulma pulled back just enough to glare up at him, eyes still red, still shining. "Like you didn't just scream like a maniac too! You were being an even bigger dumbass than usual!"
Kakarot chuckled. "Heh. Guess I was."
But the light moment didn't last.
Beyond them, the reaction from the rest was far less warm.
The Turtle School students rushed to their master's side, eyes wide with shock, disbelief, and even anger. Krillin's expression twisted, his usual admiration for strong fighters replaced with something closer to horror as he looked at Kakarot. He had always respected power, but what he had just seen was something else entirely.
Chi-Chi's hands were clenched into fists, trembling, her nails digging into her palms. Anger burned in her eyes, sharp and unrelenting. "You!" her voice caught, raw with emotion. "You could've killed him!"
Kakarot barely spared her a glance. "But I didn't."
"That's not the point!" she snapped, taking a furious step forward. "You were going to! We all saw it! That wasn't just a fight, you-" she choked on her own words, rage making her shake. "You're a monster."
Kakarot grinned, as just for a second, he felt his usual cockiness and confidence surge, but just as quickly, it vanished, replaced by that same empty feeling, he couldn't say anything back, his grin faltered.
Yamcha, however, was silent.
His eyes were locked onto Roshi's fallen form, the rise and fall of his chest the only sign that he was still alive. Relief flooded through him, but so did uncertainty. Had Roshi gotten through to Kakarot in the end? Or was this just another step toward something worse? He didn't know. And that scared him more than anything.
He readied himself for anything, Kakarot had won, but what kind of Kakarot had emerged from that victory?
Kakarot exhaled sharply, glancing at the stands. He expected to see Tao, expected to meet the man's gaze, to hear his voice or feel his presence looming over him.
But there was nothing.
His eyes darted across the arena, scanning, searching. Still nothing.
But he felt something.
A strange, suffocating presence, lingering at the edge of his senses. Tao was gone, but he was still here.
And that sent an unfamiliar shiver down Kakarot's spine.
Where was he?
What would he do?
Uncertainty curled in Kakarot's gut, a quiet, insidious thing that he could not shake. For the first time in his life, victory did not feel like the end of a battle.
AN: I believe this is the longest fight I've written, and I hope it didn't get too tiring or boring to read it, I took a risk with making Roshi and Kakarot atone here, this isn't a shift to Kakarot joining them or becoming fully good, but it is a move towards cordiality. Just to clarify, this form Kakarot tapped into, was not super saiyan.