Part 1, Chapter 4.

PART ONE: A VERY STRANGE TOURNAMENT!

Chapter 4

Translated by MikeysBoner(certified god) and Kakarotto Ka Power Level Kya Hai?

The memories of the events in the Room of Spirit and Time hung a smile on the face of Vegeta.

"There is only one way to see if you stayed the strongest of us, Gohan!"

"No chance, Vegeta." Replied Gohan. "I'm not like my father, I don't get carried away with words. I'll be a spectator."

"I hope I'll be up to Goku-sensei's expectations," said Uub, "and I hope to get to impress Gohan and Vegeta-san."

Probably out of apprehension, Goku put a reassuring hand on the shoulder of his pupil. "Don't worry, Uub. I believe you'll pull through just fine."

Uub felt blood rush to his cheeks. "I'll do my best."

"And Grandpa Satan?" asked Pan. "He didn't come..."

"You could always go see him and ask him directly," offered Goku.

Pan stood up enthusiastically. "Are you coming with me ?"

"Sorry, Pan," replied Goku, "You have to go alone this time. I want to go see someone before leaving for the tournament."

"Okay, well, I'm going!"

"Pan wait!" Videl was too late. Pan knew to act very quickly at her age (to avoid being scolded). She spun at full speed toward Satan City. Normally, Pan would have been annoyed that her grandfather didn't want to accompany her, but this time she was full of joy because she got to see her other grandfather.

Gohan wrapped his arms around Videl's shoulders with a warm and reassuring gesture. "Don't worry, she’ll be back in a few hours. Besides, at that speed I don't see what will be able to catch her! She risks nothing..."

Videl smiled. "I know, but she should still ask for a permission... She's still a little girl."

"See you in the morning." Said Goku. "Don't leave without me!"

Goku disappeared at such a quick rate that Uub didn't even have time to react. "Oh! Goku-sen... sei..."

It was obvious where Pan inherited her habits from. Her grandfather had taken off without notice to a destination known only to himself. How often had Chichi seen him disappear from the house for days or weeks at a time? Or even years? Since their marriage Chichi had finally grown tired of ranting about it. After all, he always returned... Even from the dead.

Bulma suddenly broke the silence that Goku imposed by his abrupt departure. "Well, I don't want to come with you, but I can still do something useful. I imagine that this tournament won't be a cakewalk... I'm going to make clothes that can absorb more shock..."

"Like back when the Cell Games began?" asked Vegeta.

"Absolutely." Replied Bulma. "It will probably take me all night, but I prefer to know that you guys are well equipped."

Chichi frowned. "I don't need you taking care of my husband! He has everything he needs at home... Gohan! Bring your father some clothes."

"I’ll go do it." Replied Gohan.

"Wait, I'll come, too," said Videl.

"Goten," said Trunks, "we should find a deserted place to stay the night!"

"Good idea!" replied his best friend with a nod.

With that, Gohan, Videl, Trunks, and Goten flew off into two different directions, leaving only Vegeta.

"You find yourself alone," said Piccolo.

Vegeta looked him in the eye. "So what? Do you think that will prevent me from flattening all of them?"

Bulma hung herself on Vegeta’s shoulders. "Will you bring me back home, dear?"

"If you insist..." sighed Vegeta. "And you, Bra?"

"I'm going to take a capsule and fly to Satan City." Replied his daughter.

"As you wish." Vegeta growled.

After leaving a capsule plane for her daughter, Bulma was carried away in the arms of her husband. "You know..." Said Bulma, tightening her grip and snuggling closer to Vegeta. "I intend to enjoy our last night together before you leave..."

"Idiot!" Replied Vegeta, blushing. "Say it in front of everyone, why don't you...!"

Kame House. For many, including Bra, it is isolated and empty of interest. For others, however, it is a warm paradise convenient to meet. For some, finally, it is the house that they call home.

Living on this small island for a century or two, Muten Roshi usually spent his time fishing on the back of his turtle, Umigame, or (especially) watching pretty women on the television doing gymnastics when he wasn't nose dived into his dirty, suggestive magazines. His behavior had not changed since he first met Goku and Kulilin, or when the latter had settled in permanently with his wife, #18, twenty-five years ago.

When Goku had arrived on the island via teleportation, he immediately heard Kulilin and Roshi vying about the same recurring theme they had for decades.

"No, it's not!" said the best friend of Goku.

"You have no orders to give me, rascal!" Retorted the old Turtle Hermit. "I am your master and you owe me some respect!"

"I've long since exceeded your power."

"It doesn't matter! I remain by far the oldest and just for that you owe me respect."

The old man sat up suddenly when he saw the Saiyan warrior. "Oh! Goku!"

Kulilin turned, surprised. "Goku?"

The Saiyan passed through the doorway of Kame House, showing a wide smile as usual.

"Hey guys!" greeted Goku with a wave of his hand.

Muten Roshi had felt him arrive. Matter of habit. Kulilin, on the other hand, sometimes lacked liveliness. Since his marriage, and especially the birth of his daughter, he maintained a constant vigilant attitude to allow himself a better understanding of his environment in order to detect possible danger.

Muten Roshi was happy and did not hesitate to tease his former pupil. "What brings you here? Stopping by to see if I'm still alive?"

A broad smile lit up Goku's face. "I've got big news! In a nutshell, I'm participating in a tournament between different universes. Since it reminded me of the old days, I came to see you're interested, Kulilin."

His old friend looked at him with interest. "Wait, wait, I want more details first. What is this tournament?"

"I wanna know, too." said Roshi.

Not having much choice, Goku explained as best he could what little he knew about the adventure to come.

Kulilin crossed his arms and thought for a moment.

"This tournament idea is really interesting!" said Muten Roshi. "However, the level could be very high..."

Kulilin became more serious. "This is way out of my league! It's been a long time since I've trained... But I can still come and support you!"

A female voice came out of nowhere. "Out of the question."

Marron had just arrived with her mother. Both were really beautiful and dressed with style, though maybe a little too rebellious in #18's case. Her age never seemed to betray her beauty. Being a cyborg had its advantages.

"Dad," said Marron, "you promised we would go shopping. You can't leave now!"

"Ah, I completely forgot."

Kulilin seemed sorry watching Goku. "I wish I could come... But..."

Goku laid a compassionate hand on the shoulder of his disappointed friend. "Don't worry, Kulilin. I'll tell you everything when I return."

"It should be at least as impressive as the Cell Games, right?"

"There's a good chance!" replied Goku with a smile. "I'm really looking forward to it."

Goku looked at his hand and made a balled fist gesture of strength before looking Kulilin in the eye. "It reminds me of our first tournament. Remember?"

Kulilin's face lit up. "Of course... How could I forget that? Good times..."

For hours the two friends happily reflected on their past. Over time, Goku was invited to eat and then sleep over at Kame House. Muten Roshi came to join in on the nostalgic conversation that lasted late into the night...

Miles away from Kame House: Satan City

Satan City was a big contrast to the small island where Kame House was located, with many high towers overlooking the typical hustle and bustle of city life. Satan City was named twenty-seven years ago after Earth's greatest hero's pseudo victory against the evil Cell. Obviously, only a privileged few knew the real truth, a handful of people that included Buu.

But now the hero of Earth has retired. He was indeed getting older. In fact, he often complained about back pains. Today was no exception. When Pan arrived at his villa in the heart of the city, he asked to Buu to use one of his tricks to help him.

The little girl threw her arms around her grandfather's neck. She couldn't stop talking. She gave all of the tournament details, raving about participating in such an event. Satan didn't completely understand the story, and it seemed pretty farfetched. But after all, the stories about the Saiyans seemed equally farfetched, so who was he to judge? Nevertheless, the smile of Pan, as she spoke, was indicative of his feelings. This beautiful enthusiasm was refreshing to see and hung a big smile under the champion's mustache... A smile that died quickly when she arrived at the true purpose of her visit. A silence settled for a few seconds before her grandfather came to respond. "Aaaarggghh, my back! It's my back again! It's getting worse! Aaaahh... It's impossible... I don't think I can go... What a shame!"

Pan was taken aback. "But grandpa..."

Buu put out a hand toward the old man, holding in the other a huge lollipop. "It's okay... I'll take care of you..."

"You're not gonna come either?" Asked Pan.

Another pause. Buu imagined himself as the winner of the tournament. If he were to win he could have an entire galaxy of candy all to himself. A huge smile filled his face before a voice ended his daydream. "Your delivery has arrived, sir."

A servant, dressed in all white, entered the room and bowed slightly. "My candy?" Asked Buu.

"Yes sir." Confirmed the servant. "Three truckloads of candy."

Buu's face lit up. "YAY! Yahoo hooo!"

It seemed evident to Pan that Buu would not enter the tournament. While Buu was going to begin devouring his candy, Pan asked her grandfather if they had not been visited by a small robot.

"Hmm." Satan reflected. "So that's what that was. We thought it was a new type of camera or spies who wanted to film us. Buu turned it into chocolate and ate it..."

Certainly Buu has not ceased to amaze the young girl...

The next morning, Goku was ready to leave. He was thoughtfully staring into the vastness of the ocean when Kulilin, along with #18, joined him to encourage him one last time before he left.

"So there's a reward?" asked #18.

"Yeah. I think it's a wish through the Namekian Dragon Balls..." Replied the Saiyan.

Kulilin threw a surprised look to his wife. "Would you be interested?"

Smiling, she turned away closing her eyes. "I have everything I need, right here."

She gently dropped a kiss on the cheek of her husband before returning home, leaving behind a small man whose modesty had scarlett red cheeks ablaze.

With a big smile, Goku placed two fingers on his forehead, looking at his friend. "See ya..."

Kulilin smiled, raising a thumbs-up to his friend. "I trust you... You'll win!"

The image of Goku's wide smile of confidence warmed the heart of Kulilin as his friend disappeared in an instant.

It was about ten o'clock in the morning when the serenity of the sanctuary of Dende, Kami-sama of the Earth, was broken. Gohan and Videl had arrived a few minutes earlier, flying slowly. The semi-scientific Saiyan was carrying a suitcase containing clothes for him, his brother Goten, and their father.

Dende welcomed them and they talked quietly, walking a bit while waiting.

The arrival of Vegeta and Bulma was surprising... The Prince of Saiyans had been driven by wife to the palace. Vegeta almost never travelled by airplane.

Vegeta was the first to exit the aircraft with his wealth of bad days and idle. Bulma appeared immediately after, cursing him... A small silver suitcase in hand.

"Vegeta! Should I remind you that YOU have to take it? I will not be your luggage-carrier!"

"We don't need it!" Growled the Prince of Saiyans.

"Vegeta!" Barked the blue-haired woman.

Vegeta gave a grunt with an annoyed facial expression. "Give me that!"

This dispute publicly embarrassed him, and he knew Bulma was stubborn... He grabbed the suitcase containing the capsules that Bulma had prepared with a sudden gesture that startled Bulma. Vegeta moved at a brisk pace toward the son of his greatest rival.

"Gohan," said Vegeta, "I have a mission for you."

Gohan was a little surprised. "What is it?"

"Take care of this." Ordered Vegeta, handing the suitcase over to Gohan.

"Vegeta!" Yelled Bulma further behind. "What do you think you're doing?"

"This kid isn't even participating," replied Vegeta turning to his wife, calmer than before, "he might as well make himself useful."

"VE - GE - TA!"

Gohan ran his hand through the handle of the suitcase to take it. "It's okay, Bulma. I don't mind..."

Bulma was annoyed. "But Gohan..."

"You were always too kind." Summed Piccolo behind his former pupil.

Gohan replied simply with a smile and a raised eyebrow in acceptance. Desiring to change the subject, Vegeta muttered aloud. "Trunks has no interest in being punctual!"

Piccolo answered almost ironically with a deep voice. "He's long gone with Goten! They went to take a shower..."

"Oh?" Said Bulma surprised. "For once he's up before his father?"

"He certainly didn't have a night to-"

Vegeta suddenly stopped himself, realizing that the explanation for his late awakening was likely to be embarrassing... He quickly concluded after a light groan. "Nevermind."

"The Vargas are here..." Informed Piccolo, raising eyes as his short antennae quivered.

All of the warriors heads rose together to watch as the ship of Vargas and Namekians came in for a landing...