Fight the Supreme Kai?
8: Chapter 8: Piccolo: Me?
Fight the Supreme Kai?
Piccolo’s eyes narrowed as he warned, “Vegeta, those two from earlier aren’t ordinary.
Judging by their appearance, they’re not from Earth either.
We’d better not underestimate them.” “Hmph!” Vegeta snorted coldly, completely ignoring Piccolo.
In his eyes, there had only ever been one rival.
Kakarot.
The tournament proceeded as planned.
Soon, it was time for the drawing ceremony.
Goku and the others arrived at the stage where the brackets were being announced.
The moment Piccolo stepped onto the platform, his eyes immediately fell upon Shin, who was standing quietly in one corner.
Sensing Piccolo’s gaze, Shin turned his head and gave him a faint smile.
Piccolo instantly stiffened.
Cold sweat broke out across his forehead as he hurriedly lowered his head.
The tournament announcer, an old acquaintance of Goku’s, exchanged a few pleasantries before officially beginning the draw.
Without any interference from Shin, the matchups were exactly the same as in the original timeline.
* Gohan vs.
Kibito * Piccolo vs.
Shin * Goku vs.
Vegeta The remaining matches weren’t important.
The opening match saw Krillin defeat an overweight opponent with ease.
Then came the second match.
Piccolo vs.
Shin.
Piccolo: … ⸻ Backstage Shin smiled at Piccolo before calmly walking toward the arena.
Watching Shin’s departing figure… Cold sweat continuously dripped from Piccolo’s forehead.
“Piccolo, what’s wrong?” Goku called out.
Piccolo snapped back to reality.
Only then did he realize that his entire body was trembling uncontrollably.
Forcing out a smile, he slowly walked toward the ring.
Goku and the others watched with curiosity.
Including Vegeta.
Although he had openly dismissed Shin and Kibito earlier… Deep down, he had already taken them seriously.
Because… Even he could sense an indescribable pressure coming from Shin.
A powerful opponent.
That was the first thought that crossed Vegeta’s mind.
It was simply that his overwhelming pride refused to let him admit it aloud.
Vegeta stared intently at Shin.
Let’s see… Just how strong are you?
⸻ “Both contestants are in position!” “The second match…” “Begins!” The announcer’s voice echoed across the arena.
Yet neither fighter moved.
Piccolo stood frozen, staring nervously at Shin.
Meanwhile, Shin merely stood with his hands behind his back, wearing the same faint smile as he quietly watched him.
Piccolo’s brain: Move!
Hurry!
Attack him!
Piccolo’s body: No.
Absolutely not.
Piccolo clenched his fists.
His mind desperately tried to force his body into action.
But no matter how hard he tried… His body refused to obey.
“Why…?!” Piccolo gritted his teeth.
Cold sweat poured down his face.
His skin was beginning to turn green from the strain, yet he still couldn’t summon even a fraction of his strength.
“Why can’t I use my power?” “Where did my strength go?” He panted heavily.
At this moment… His mind and body were at war.
His brain screamed at him to attack.
His body had already surrendered.
Not only did it refuse to cooperate… It practically sneered back at him.
If you’re so brave… Then you do it.
⸻ Backstage, everyone noticed something was wrong.
Gohan asked worriedly, “Mr.
Piccolo… what’s happening?” Goku scratched his head.
“Maybe he’s not feeling well.” “I noticed he didn’t look too good earlier.” Vegeta’s expression grew increasingly serious as he continued staring at Shin.
⸻ On the arena… Piccolo hadn’t thrown a single punch.
Yet he already felt completely exhausted.
Not a trace of strength remained in his body.
Even his cape had been soaked through with sweat.
Who… Who in the world is this guy?
Piccolo thought in horror.
Through telepathy, Shin heard every one of Piccolo’s thoughts.
Smiling slightly, he replied, “You’ll find out soon enough.” Piccolo’s pupils contracted violently.
His remaining mental defenses instantly collapsed.
The moment he abandoned all thoughts of fighting… The body that had refused to move suddenly relaxed.
“Um…” The announcer looked at him with concern.
“Contestant, are you alright?
You don’t look very well.” Piccolo breathed heavily, as though he had just finished an intense battle.
In a weak voice, he said, “Sorry…” “I forfeit.” Shin smiled.
“A wise decision.” With that, he calmly stepped off the stage.
⸻ Backstage Shin smiled politely at Goku and the others before returning to Kibito’s side.
Moments later… Piccolo also returned.
Everyone immediately gathered around him.
“Mr.
Piccolo, are you okay?” “Piccolo, was he really that strong?” Sweat still covered Piccolo’s forehead.
He secretly glanced toward Shin out of the corner of his eye before quietly saying, “Yes.” “Very strong.” “The gap between our realms is simply too great.” His words stunned everyone present.
Even Vegeta.
Although Vegeta looked down on Piccolo… He still acknowledged Piccolo’s strength.
If even Piccolo admitted such an overwhelming gap… Then Shin’s power was beyond imagination.
The one most terrified, however, was Krillin.
“Pi… Piccolo…” “You’re kidding, right?” “My next opponent is that guy…” His voice trembled.
Piccolo didn’t answer.
But the tension written across his face spoke louder than words.
Krillin immediately lost all confidence.
It looked like… His tournament run would end in the next round.
⸻ While everyone else was nervous… Goku simply looked at Shin with sparkling eyes.
“So he’s really that amazing…” “I really want to fight him.” Piccolo’s expression immediately changed.
“Goku!” “Don’t do anything reckless!” Vegeta also frowned.
“Kakarot.” “The only opponent you should be thinking about right now…” “…is me.” “Until we’re finished…” “Don’t even think about anyone else.” Goku laughed awkwardly.
“Yeah, yeah.
I know.” Even so… His eyes kept drifting toward Shin.
At the same time… Shin also looked toward Goku.
The faint smile on his face never disappeared.
⸻ The announcer raised his microphone once more.
“The tournament continues!” “Our third match…” “Videl versus Spopovich!” The crowd instantly erupted.
“VIDEL!” “VIDEL!” “VIDEL!” The deafening cheers shook the entire stadium.
Gohan looked at the roaring audience in amazement.
“She’s really popular.” Videl proudly lifted her chin, looking thoroughly pleased with herself.
Turning to Gohan, she flashed him a confident thumbs-up.
“Just watch.” “I’ll beat this guy in two or three moves.” “Gohan…” “I’ll be waiting for you in the next round.” Gohan smiled and nodded.
“Yeah.” Then Videl and Spopovich walked toward the ring.
The moment Videl stepped onto the stage… The audience’s cheers grew even louder.
“VIDEL!!” “VIDEL!!” “VIDEL!!” (End of Chapter 8)