"Hey, guys. Now that we are standing here. Did you notice how huge this preliminary building became? And the number of people that partake in this tournament also became way higher than 3 years ago.", mentioned Krillin now after looking around themselves.
"You are right. It really has become popular. But I am confident enough that we will be in the eliminations", said Yamcha back to him.
"Oh, by the way, Yamcha. I saw Bulma with some child. Do you know anything about that? We were called so hastily that I didn't get to ask about it.", asked Krillin him.
"Why are you asking me? I have been training those 3 years as well." Yamcha was a little bit annoyed that he came to ask him that.
"Well, I thought since you were living under the same roof you would know? Don't be so butthurt. Or is it that my question hit a sore spot because you still didn't find a woman that doesn't run away?", shrugged Krillin.
"What did you say, you shrimp!?", shouted Yamcha now in anger. "You are one to talk. With your height and bald head, no woman will even come close to you."
Krillin also got ticked off by that. "Oh yeah? I am just waiting for the right one and don't run after every pussy I see!"
They both glared at each other and sparks shot from their eyes.
"Hey, you two should calm down. You can settle this in the ring, no?", said Tien now with an amused smile.
"Now even three eye here mixes in? You are good cause you got Launch. Aint it nice to have a good-natured woman like her follow you?", barked Yamcha out and Krillin nodded to that in agreement.
Tien only sighed and stayed calm. "What are you talking about. Even if I was with Launch together I don't think it would work out."
Both Yamcha and Krillin looked at him dumbstruck. Why is it that both Goku and Tien had a woman running after them but these two guys just don't get it?
"Tien is right. Oh and that kid you mentioned is Darc his child. He is called Trunks.", interrupted Goku now with a smile.
"Darc? So they ended up together. Well, nothing to be surprised about there.", said Yamcha and scratched his head.
"Hey you, Number 2. Your match is up.", said a referee monk.
"Oh, alright", answered Goku and went to his arena. He performed a flawless victory in his first round with K.0.ing King Chappa.
"Damn, Goku really became strong. I can sense that he still hides his power.", said Yamcha.
"Yeah, this is going to be interesting. By the feel of it, we can still keep up with him even after he did that Kami training.", smiled Tien. "Looks like I need to thank Darc later."
"Oh, so you also got some pointers from him? I even visited his teacher's dojo at some point to get some training there and believe me or not. That place has some really strong people in it.", said Krillin and remembered how he got beat up by Lite when he still was an instructor there.
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"You probably mean Lite. Yeah, I fought him as well. He is a master already at his age.", nodded Tien back.
"So we four got something in common. Let's just thank Darc and Lite together later on.", added Yamcha to this conversation.
A little bit later everyone got their turn in the tournament and they aced it in flying colors without even breathing hard. The most interesting change in it was that Chiaotzu actually nearly won against Taopaipai and got him hurt really well.
"Chiaotzu, are you alright?", asked Tien after he saw his bruised friend.
"I am fine. Just hurt is all. But Tien, look who it is.", answered Chiaotzu.
Tien looked up and saw a roughed up Taopaipai.
"You are alive!? Grrr, just you wait. When I meet you in the preliminaries I will fight for me and Chiaotzu.", said Tien with some anger.
"Damn, it has been a while but you damn brats actually became this strong. But don't think I will let you win so easily.", huffed Taopaipai and departed his way.
After that nothing special happened and the final elimination rounds were close to happening.
The pairing was just the same as canon. Taiopaipai would fight Tien. Chi-Chi would fight Goku. Krillin would tackle Piccolo and Yamcha would fight against Kami. There were also 4 more fights but the people that fought in them were not really notable.
----
Further away from the preliminaries was the main stage of the tournament that now had a huge crowd awaiting the fights. Darc and the others sat on the second floor of the building where the fighters came out from and could look through the window. They basically got the best seats possible.
Before the finals started, the group could still exchange some of their opinions on the fighters.
"Well, what a shame that Chiaotzu was beaten. But that it is Taopaipai of all people. Looks like they still have the same plan as last time.", said Roshi with a sigh.
"This time I will take care of them and besides. Taopaipai isn't such danger this time around.", said Tien and looked to Goku. What he meant was probably Piccolo and Goku nodded "That's right"
"I know who you mean. Don't worry. If anything happens I will interfere so nothing happens.", said Darc now and looked over to Piccolo who was standing in a corner.
Piccolo noticed his gaze and now looked somewhat nervous. He probably remembered Darc. And that he was together with Goku didn't tell him anything good. Piccolo also very likely heard what he said.
"Darc, can you stay out of it this time? I really want to fight him.", said Goku now and made that request.
Bulma frowned. "Goku, if something bad happens you can't just go and say that Darc doesn't act. Don't be so stupid. There are a lot of people here.", she said. She was probably thinking about him going great ape again
"Don't worry, Bulma" he smiled at her to calm her.", Goku, I will let you fight it out with Piccolo. I created a transparent barrier right in front of the spectating areas that would reflect incoming blasts. So knock yourselves out. But remember if really something bad were to happen I will act.", said Darc.
"What? You did? Thanks", said Goku back.
"What!? Piccolo? What do you mean with Piccolo?", panicked Krillin now.
"Well to be exact its Piccolo Jr. Its the guy you will fight first, Krillin. But don't get so afraid. I make sure you won't die or anything. And you are plenty strong to give him a hard time.", said Darc to him wit smile
"You got to be kidding...Well make sure to save me if something happens.", said Krillin a little bit downcast.
"Just have confidence.", said Darc again.
#Would the finalists please prepare themselves? The finals are beginning now#
"Looks like you guys are up. Good Luck to you all.", he added.
Everyone went to the stage downstairs. The first fight of Tien against Taopaipai was over much faster than last time. Taopaipai still used his dirty tricks to attack Tien but this time around nothing happened to Tien and when Taopaipai shot his super Dodompa, Tien just caught it with his hand and neutralized it with that. Then just like in the canon, he knocked him out with one hit to throw him to his old despicable master in the spectating area.
The next fight was just Goku and Chi-Chi.
"So you are still as pissed as before? What's the promise I made with you?", asked Goku her.
"Hmpf, I will tell you if you beat me.", said Chi-Chi.
"Oh, if that´s so, alright." Goku prepared and pushed Chi-chi out of the ring with a simple Kiai.