As expected of Goku.
This kind of combat talent was top tier even across the entire universe.
Having only seen it once, he was able to flawlessly replicate and counter it in actual combat.
If the opponent had been of the same level, this elbow strike would have been enough to turn the tide of the battle.
Unfortunately.
‘The gap between us can’t be closed by talent alone.’ Just as the knife hand was about to collide with the elbow strike, in that split second decision.
Son Gokai changed his technique.
He forcibly twisted the point of force mid air, and the knife hand that had originally been chopping down instantly retracted, transforming into an uppercut coming from below.
This shift in technique, which completely defied the principles of mechanics, was so fast that not even an afterimage could be seen.
Goku’s pupils dilated sharply.
He saw it.
But he couldn’t react.
Because his body was still carrying out the blocking motion from a second ago, with no time at all to change course.
This was the crushing weight of absolute strength.
So called anticipation, in the face of absolute speed and power, was nothing but a joke.
“Bang!!!” A muffled impact echoed through the entire venue.
Son Gokai’s fist landed solidly on Son Goku’s stomach.
The tremendous force didn’t even send Goku flying, instead sinking entirely into his body.
“Kuh…
agh…” Son Goku’s eyes instantly lost focus, and a mouthful of sour liquid sprayed from his mouth.
He remained frozen in that blocking stance, but his body collapsed slowly like a puppet with its strings cut.
“Thud.” Son Goku hit the ground, completely unconscious.
The entire venue once again fell into a deathly silence.
Everyone had been left speechless, stunned by that final clash.
That kind of peak level technique switch, that kind of despair inducing dominance.
“The ten second countdown has ended!
Competitor Son Goku is unconscious!” The referee took a deep breath and raised Son Gokai’s arm, his voice trembling.
“The champion of the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament is.” “Son.
Gokai!!!” “Ohhhhh!!!” The cheers exploded like thunder, and streamers rained down from the sky.
Son Gokai stood at the center of the platform, bathed in golden sunlight and countless adoring gazes.
He did not show much excitement.
He simply bent down and picked up his unconscious brother, looking at that young face, which even unconscious still carried an expression of frustration.
“Well done, Goku.” ‘But if you want to catch up to my back.’ ‘You still have a long way to go.’ The commotion of the World Martial Arts Tournament had finally come to an end.
Inside a luxury restaurant on Papaya Island, a “disaster” was currently unfolding, one that left the owner both pained and delighted at the same time.
“Fifty more bowls of fried rice!
And three whole roast pigs!!” “A hundred soup dumplings over here!
And one of every dessert on this menu, please!” At the table, the two Son brothers, who had just fought each other with everything they had on the platform, had now transformed into two tireless food destroying machines.
The plates were piled up like small mountains, the waiters’ feet barely touched the ground as they rushed dishes back and forth, and the chef’s wok was practically smoking from overuse.
“Waaah…
my prize money…
my retirement fund…” Master Roshi sat in the corner, watching this scene, his heart bleeding.
Although he had entered the tournament this time to teach his students a lesson, he never expected that not only would he lose the match (even if it was to Gokai), but now his wallet was also about to be emptied by these two bottomless pits.
“Alright, alright, you old pervert, this one’s on me.” Bulma smiled and handed a black gold card to the waiter.
“This amount of money is nothing to Capsule Corporation, let’s just call it a celebration for Gokai winning the championship and everyone reuniting!” “Really…
really?!” Master Roshi instantly sprang back to life, the eyes behind his sunglasses turning into heart shapes.
“Bulma chan, you really are a wonderful person!” Krillin, Yamcha, Puar, Oolong, and the others all sat together around the table, the atmosphere lively and warm.
After eating and drinking their fill.
Everyone stood at the entrance of the restaurant, the setting sun stretching their shadows long.
“Well then, let’s say our goodbyes here.” Son Goku shouldered his Power Pole and patted his round belly, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
“I’m so full!
I can feel my strength coming back already!” “Goku, where are you planning to go next?” Krillin asked, sounding a bit reluctant to part.
Goku hopped onto his Flying Nimbus, his eyes filled with determination.
“After this tournament, I’ve realized the world is huge, and there are so many amazing people out there.
I want to be like big brother too, traveling all over the world to train and get even stronger!” “I’m going to head back to Master Roshi’s house to keep training too.” Krillin clenched his fist.
“Next time we meet, I definitely won’t lose to you, Goku!” “Heh heh, I’ll be waiting then!” Goku waved to everyone.
“Take care, everybody!
Big brother, Bulma, see you all later!” “Whoosh!” The golden Flying Nimbus carried the young boy, fearless of the world’s dangers, transforming into a streak of light shooting toward the horizon.
Watching Goku disappear into the distance, Master Roshi also prepared to leave together with Krillin.
“Gokai,” before leaving, Master Roshi took one deep, lingering look at his eldest disciple.
“Your path has already gone beyond what I can guide you through.
But I can sense that your heart is very steady.
Keep it that way, and don’t lose yourself in power.” “I will keep your teaching close to heart, teacher.” Son Gokai bowed respectfully.
Soon, on the once bustling street, only Son Gokai and Bulma remained.
The sea breeze gently brushed through Bulma’s long purple hair, and she turned around, looking at the tall, handsome man beside her.
Clever as she was, she seemed to have already sensed what was coming.
“You’re…
leaving too, aren’t you?” Bulma asked softly, a faint, barely noticeable tremor in her voice.
Son Gokai was silent for a moment, then nodded.
“Yes.” He reached out and gently caressed Bulma’s cheek, his eyes tender yet resolute.
“Bulma, this past year living in West City has been the happiest time of my entire life.
But I have to become stronger.” “Stronger than that old man Jackie Chun?” “No, stronger than heaven itself.” Son Gokai pointed up at the sky above.
“Where I’m going is beyond the clouds, into the realm of gods, a place mortals cannot reach.” “The realm of gods.” Bulma froze for a moment, then let out a bitter laugh.
“I should have known, a man like you could never be satisfied just staying by my side going shopping for clothes forever.” She took a deep breath, trying hard to make her smile look as bright as possible.
“Go then!
You’re a man destined to stand at the top of the world, and the man that I, Bulma, fell for, how could he ever be some spineless coward content to stay cooped up in comfort?” “But.” She suddenly rose onto her tiptoes, wrapping both arms around Son Gokai’s neck, and pressed a firm kiss onto his lips.
“You’d better remember, no matter how high you fly, West City will always be your home.
And if you dare go flirting around out there, I’ll build a bomb powerful enough to destroy the whole planet and blow you up with it!
Did you hear me!” Son Gokai smiled and pulled her waist tightly against him.
“As you command, my queen.” After saying goodbye to Bulma, Son Gokai did not wander aimlessly the way Goku did.
His goal was clear.
Heading west, toward Karin Tower.
Throughout this journey, the world was far from peaceful.
The Red Ribbon Army, which sought to conquer the world, was searching everywhere for the Dragon Balls, causing suffering for the common people.
However, Son Gokai had no particular intention of concerning himself with these small fry.
That was Son Goku’s whetstone to sharpen himself on.
In the original story, it was precisely through his battles against the Red Ribbon Army that Goku grew step by step, eventually even single handedly destroying the army’s entire headquarters.
Son Gokai had no wish to rob his younger brother of this experience.
‘Besides, that kid’s got a ridiculously strong constitution, no need for me to worry about him.’ Son Gokai flew ten thousand meters above the ground, calmly looking down at the occasional flashes of battle breaking out below.
Several days later.
A vast, primeval forest came into view.
At the center of this forest stood a towering white tower that reached into the clouds, as though connecting heaven and earth.
Karin Tower.
The legendary sacred site said to be home to an immortal sage.
I found this one intresting