As expected of Goku.
This kind of combat talent was top-tier even among warriors across the universe.
After seeing a technique only once, he was able to perfectly reproduce it and formulate a counter in actual battle.
If he had been facing an opponent of equal strength, that elbow strike would have been enough to completely reverse the situation.
Unfortunately…
“The gap between us cannot be overcome by talent alone.” At the critical moment when the knife-hand strike and elbow were about to collide, Sun Wuxiu changed his move.
He forcefully altered his point of exertion in midair.
The knife-hand strike that had been descending instantly retracted and transformed into an uppercut launched from below.
This change completely defied ordinary combat mechanics.
It was so fast that even an afterimage failed to appear.
Goku’s pupils contracted violently.
He saw it.
But he could not react.
His body was still carrying out the defensive movement from the previous moment.
There was simply no time to withdraw and adjust.
This was the crushing effect of overwhelming strength.
Against absolute speed and power, prediction alone meant nothing.
Bang!!!
The heavy sound of impact echoed throughout the entire arena.
Sun Wuxiu’s fist landed squarely on Son Goku’s abdomen.
The tremendous force did not send Goku flying.
Instead, it penetrated directly into his body.
“Cough…” Son Goku’s eyes immediately lost focus.
A mouthful of bitter fluid escaped his lips.
He remained frozen in his defensive posture for a brief moment before collapsing like a puppet whose strings had been cut.
Thud.
Son Goku fell to the arena floor, completely unconscious.
The entire stadium once again descended into silence.
Everyone had been stunned by that final exchange.
The impossible change of attack.
The terrifying speed.
The overwhelming dominance.
For several seconds, nobody could find the words to speak.
“The ten-second count is complete!
Contestant Son Goku is unable to continue!” The referee took a deep breath before raising Sun Wuxiu’s arm.
His voice trembled with excitement.
“The champion of the Twenty-First World Martial Arts Tournament is…” “Sun Wuxiu!!!” “OHHHHHHHH!!!” Thunderous cheers erupted throughout the stadium.
Colorful ribbons floated down from above.
Bathed in golden sunlight and countless admiring gazes, Sun Wuxiu stood at the center of the arena.
Yet he did not feel much excitement.
Instead, he bent down and picked up his unconscious younger brother.
Looking at Goku’s face, he noticed that even while unconscious, traces of unwillingness remained.
“Well done, Goku.” “But if you want to catch up to me…” “You still have a long road ahead.” …
The lively excitement of the World Martial Arts Tournament finally came to an end.
Inside a luxury restaurant on Papaya Island, a disaster was currently unfolding.
A disaster that filled the owner with both joy and despair.
“Fifty more bowls of fried rice!
And three whole roasted pigs!” “We need one hundred steamed buns over here!
And one of every dessert on the menu!” At the dining table, the Sun brothers, who had fought fiercely against each other only hours ago, had transformed into relentless eating machines.
Plates were stacked into small mountains.
Waiters rushed back and forth without pause.
The chefs in the kitchen were working so hard that smoke nearly poured from their woks.
“Wuuuuu…” “My prize money…” “My retirement savings…” Master Roshi sat in a corner with tears in his eyes.
His heart was bleeding.
Although he had entered the tournament intending to guide his disciples, he never expected to lose to Sun Wuxiu and then watch his wallet suffer such devastating damage.
“Alright, alright, old master.” Bulma laughed and produced a black-and-gold bank card.
“This meal is on me.” She handed the card to a waiter.
“Capsule Corporation won’t even notice this expense.
Let’s treat it as a celebration for Wuxiu winning the championship and everyone reuniting.” “R-Really?!” Master Roshi instantly revived.
Heart-shaped sparkles practically appeared behind his sunglasses.
“Bulma, you’re truly a wonderful girl!” Krillin, Yamcha, Puar, Oolong, and the others sat together nearby.
The atmosphere was warm and lively.
After everyone had finally eaten their fill, the group gathered outside the restaurant.
The setting sun stretched their shadows across the street.
“Well then, I guess this is goodbye.” Son Goku patted his round stomach and grinned happily.
His Power Pole rested across his back.
“I’m completely full!
I feel like all my strength has come back!” “Goku, what are you planning to do next?” Krillin asked reluctantly.
Goku jumped onto the Flying Nimbus.
His eyes shone with determination.
“After this tournament, I realized just how big the world really is.” “There are so many strong people.” “I want to travel everywhere and train, just like Big Brother.” “I want to become stronger!” “I’m going back to Kame House too,” Krillin declared while clenching his fists.
“The next time we meet, I definitely won’t lose to you!” “Hehe!
I’ll be waiting!” Goku waved enthusiastically.
“Take care, everyone!” “Goodbye, Big Brother!” “Goodbye, Bulma!” Whoosh!
The Flying Nimbus shot into the sky.
The golden cloud carried the fearless young Saiyan toward the distant horizon.
Watching Goku disappear into the distance, Master Roshi prepared to leave with Krillin.
“Wuxiu.” The old master looked deeply at his eldest disciple.
“Your path has already gone beyond what I can teach.” “But your state of mind remains steady.” “Continue walking your path.” “And never lose yourself to power.” Sun Wuxiu bowed respectfully.
“I will remember your teachings, Master.” Soon afterward, the street became quiet.
Only Sun Wuxiu and Bulma remained.
The sea breeze gently stirred Bulma’s blue-purple hair.
She turned toward the tall young man beside her.
As intelligent as she was, she had already sensed the answer.
“You’re leaving too, aren’t you?” Her voice carried a faint tremor.
Sun Wuxiu was silent for a moment.
Then he nodded.
“Yes.” He gently touched her cheek.
His eyes were gentle but firm.
“Bulma, this past year in West City has been one of the happiest periods of my life.” “But I have to become stronger.” “Stronger than Jackie Chun?” Bulma asked.
Sun Wuxiu shook his head.
“Stronger than the heavens.” He pointed upward.
“The place I’m going lies above the clouds.” “A realm mortals cannot easily reach.” “A realm connected to the gods.” “A realm of gods…” Bulma smiled bitterly.
“I knew it.” “How could a man like you spend his entire life accompanying me while shopping?” She inhaled deeply before forcing a brighter smile.
“Go.” “You’re destined to stand at the peak of the world.” “A man chosen by Bulma should never hide inside a comfort zone.” Then she suddenly stood on her tiptoes.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him firmly.
“However…” “No matter how high you fly, West City will always be your home.” “And if I find out you’ve been flirting with other women…” “I’ll invent a bomb powerful enough to destroy the Earth and blow you up.” “Understood?” Sun Wuxiu smiled.
Pulling her gently into his embrace, he replied, “As you wish, my queen.” …
After saying goodbye to Bulma, Sun Wuxiu did not wander the world aimlessly like Goku.
His destination was clear.
He headed west.
Toward Karin Tower.
During this period, the world was far from peaceful.
The Red Ribbon Army was searching everywhere for Dragon Balls in its attempt to dominate the world.
Countless civilians suffered because of their actions.
However, Sun Wuxiu paid them little attention.
Those enemies belonged to Goku.
They were the whetstone that would sharpen his younger brother.
In the original course of events, Son Goku grew tremendously through his battles against the Red Ribbon Army.
Eventually, he destroyed the entire organization by himself.
Sun Wuxiu had no intention of stealing that experience from him.
“Besides…” “That kid is tough.” “He doesn’t need me worrying about him all the time.” Flying at an altitude of nearly ten thousand meters, Sun Wuxiu gazed calmly at the world below.
Occasionally, flashes of conflict could be seen on the ground.
But none of them were worthy of his attention.
Several days later, a vast primeval forest entered his field of view.
At the center of that forest stood an enormous white tower that stretched high into the clouds.
It appeared as though it connected heaven and earth.
Karin Tower.
The sacred land where the legendary Karin the Hermit resided.
And the next step on Sun Wuxiu’s path toward true martial mastery.