Part 34, Chapter 168.

PART THIRTY FOUR: QUARTER FINALS

Chapter 168

Translated by npberryhill, edited by Guilarai

“We're changing the ring one final time!” the Varga announcer exclaimed. “Gravity is back to normal. With that you can fight at full capacity!”

“Finally, it's our turn!” said Son Goku of Universe 18 with a big smile. “This is it! I'll wait for you on the ring, Uub!”

As the Saiyan was flying away to the fighting surface, Uub took a deep breath. He turned to Vegeta and asked:

“Master Vegeta, do you have any advice for me?”

“You're going to lose.”

Uub stared at him, stunned. He hadn't expected such bluntness, even if it suited the character of the former prince of all Saiyans.

“Goku has much more experience than you,” he continued. “Even though you've trained together from the beginning, he's never given his all against you. Using what he taught you won't be enough. And, if he wants, he'll just have to teleport into your blind spot at the right moment to neutralize you and end the fight.”

"I know he can use that technique, but I'm sure I can fight back!" protested Uub, upset at being underestimated.

"Well, he won't use it anyway. He prefers fair fights. You won't win, but you can set a goal that matches your abilities. Force him to use Instant Transmission, and you can consider you pushed him to the limit."

Uub took a moment to process Vegeta's words, and admitted that while he couldn't defeat his master, he could use his teachings to force him to give his all. Goku had taken him under his wing to train a fighter capable of standing up to him, and ten years later, this was the perfect opportunity to prove to him, in an official tournament, that he was able to.

He took his place opposite Goku, a few dozen meters away. In area 18, Goten, Trunks, and Pan were shouting their support for the two fighters. Gohan was simply smiling, while Vegeta and Piccolo were watching the fight, arms crossed, focused on the moment.

Standing tall and proud, Uub said to Goku:

“Master, this fight is the perfect opportunity for me to show you that you were right to place your trust in me by training me in martial arts. That's why I ask you: don't hold back against me. I want to give it my all against you.”

“Of course, it will be a pleasure!” replied Goku, jumping up and down. “That way, I can judge the quality of my teaching. And besides... I have no intention of sparing you.”

Wearing broad smiles, the two warriors eyed each other in silence. The audience, just as silent, was feeling the tension emanating from the fighting surface. Everyone knew that a grandiose clash was about to take place.

In the arena, Son Goku and Uub stared at each other with extreme concentration. In their minds, the last ten years flew by. From the day they met and fought at the Tenkaichi Budokai, beginning their relationship as master and apprentice, molding the young Earthling into an accomplished warrior, the future protector of the world... and a rival worthy of the Saiyan.

After defeating Majin Buu, the most formidable of his adversaries, thanks to the help of the inhabitants of Earth, his friends, and the Dragon Balls, Son Goku had promised himself that he would become strong enough to defeat the Djinn on his own, without anyone's help. Enma had granted his request by reincarnating the demon into a pure and righteous human, with the potential of his former enemy.

After ten years of relentless training, all that waiting would finally be rewarded. Goku was certain that his student was at the expected level, easily rivaling the Super Saiyan 3. Indeed, by standing up to Majin Buu of Universe 11, who had already given Son Goku many problems in the past, Uub had proven that he could give him the same sensations. Even though Vegeta was his ultimate challenge, and even though he didn't intend to lose to his student, the Saiyan intended to give it his all and deliver a daunting duel.

As for Uub, the young Earthling dreaded, as much as he anticipated, the clash of their fists, a sign of the next stage of their journey together. Under his supervision, he had learned many different moves and techniques. He had discovered his hidden potential after learning that he had been the reincarnation of an overpowered evil being. Of course, the truth had come as a shock to him. But coming from a flying alien whose hair turned blond at will, it hadn't seemed so absurd.

Subsequently, whether training on Earth or in the Room of Spirit and Time, occasionally having Goten and Trunks join them for group battles, Uub had become an accomplished fighter of the Turtle School, which Goku had taken to heart to represent. Beings such as Popo, Master Karine, and Kame Sennin had also been involved in his training.

Dende had healed them after multiple intense exercises that had often injured them. Mastering the Kaioken had been very difficult and required numerous interventions from Kami.

Today, Uub was ready. He knew his master's intentions, even the hidden ones. While Son Goku constantly said he wanted to make him his successor as protector of the Earth, Uub knew, and he adhered to this secret ambition, that Goku's real interest laid in delivering a titanic battle between master and student, to take the next step: becoming true rivals.

Thus, the two warriors faced each other, both nostalgic and excited. With clenched fists, the Saiyan and the Earthling watched for the slightest sign that would break the silence and unleash their first assault. In Universe 18, everyone was paying attention to their friends. Vegeta smiled, arms crossed. He wouldn't forgive Goku if he lost this fight just before their promised meeting, but he didn't want Uub to lose either.

As with Pan, he felt an affection for the young man, whom he had watched grow up and sometimes advised. Uub also considered him a teacher, and he admired him as much as he admired Goku.

In any case, Vegeta knew he was about to witness an exceptional fight. His only question was whether the Earthling would be able to force Goku to fight to his full potential.

In Universe 16, Vegito wondered the same thing. He lacked the experience of his alter-egos, and young Uub was a real mystery to him. Enma hadn’t granted him the wish to reincarnate Buu, and he wanted to see how far this fight could go.

Depending on what he would see, would he live with this constant regret, or wouldn't the full power of Majin Buu's reincarnation have been enough to thrill him anyway?

A crack was heard somewhere in the arena. In a second, the two fighters were charging at each other, right fists outstretched. A dull rumble echoed as the knuckles of the two warriors met, grinning at each other, their muscles and entire bodies vibrating in unison. They separated and threw themselves into close combat once again.

For about fifteen seconds, they exchanged light blows, in perfect communion, all smiles.

Taking a little distance, Uub decided to have a little fun.

The latter had been an excellent student at the Turtle School. Son Goku had done his best to teach him this spirit. But Uub hadn't been satisfied with that. Kame Sennin had confided in him the secret behind the first two Tenkaichi Budokai in which Son Goku had participated, and his Jackie Chun dual identity. He had taken the opportunity to tell him in detail about their first fight, and to teach him a few techniques…

He began staggering, as if dizzy, his eyes half-closed. Son Goku raised his eyebrows, surprised and even worried that his student might faint in the middle of a fight. They weren’t far apart, and he couldn't help but want to make sure he was okay. As he reached out, he suddenly caught Uub's fist in the face, making him step back a few steps.

Stunned, Son Goku watched his opponent continue to swing from side to side, back and forth. He tried to land a kick, but Uub easily parried it and, with an acrobatic move, landed one of his own, which landed on target, hitting the Saiyan in the abdomen and knocking the wind out of his lungs.

These haphazard movements echoed in Son Goku's memory. He had already faced an opponent who had done the same thing. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but it made him nostalgic. It was a fight from his early childhood.

But he wasn't a child anymore. He was an accomplished martial artist, and he wouldn't be fooled by other people's techniques. He had extensive experience, and he was going to show it.

He dropped to the ground, placing his hand against it, and kicked Uub's legs, who jumped to dodge. The Earthling thus fell into Son Goku's trap, who in turn launched himself into the air and spun around to deliver another powerful kick to his student's stomach, who couldn't dodge it. Uub spat out a stream of saliva and quickly moved aside, before launching himself into another fight with Goku.

After another short exchange, Son Goku decided it was time to make this fight more interesting, and transformed into a Super Saiyan. He and his student shared a smile, then the latter responded with a basic Kaioken, enough to match his master's level.

But he wasn't going to stop there.

"If you'll allow me, master, I'd like to show you what I can do," Uub said with a grin. "Not sure you'll appreciate it, though."

"Show me, Uub," Son Goku replied, putting himself on guard. "Don't hold back, use everything you know, I'll respond!"

Crossing his arms in front of him, Uub concentrated his energy and suddenly began to appear in several versions of himself. Goku and Piccolo recognized Tenshinhan's Four-Body Technique. Four clones surrounded by a red aura faced the Saiyan.

"It's useless, Uub!" Son Goku told him. "Your power is divided by four, it won't do you any good!"

"Maybe, but I'll try anyway!" the Uubs said, smiling.

Immediately, the clones surrounded the Saiyan and bombarded him with various blows, which Goku parried or avoided without much difficulty. Inwardly, he was surprised that his student could combine those two techniques.

However, Goku easily spotted the flaws in this strategy. If the Kaioken compensated for the division of the clones' power so that they were all at the correct level, it must have required intense concentration on Uub's part. Not to mention that, if the Earthling had decided to use it now, it would be because he would be unable to do so later, as it would be too difficult. This attack was therefore not a threat to the Saiyan, but rather an original and enjoyable exchange.

Using the transposition, Goku vanished into thin air and struck the four clones at high speed, catching them off guard, not giving them time to follow his movements. He propelled all four of them to the other side of the arena, and followed up with a wave of energy that exploded against the ring's shield.

In response, a powerful glowing aura emerged from the smoke. Uub had reunited as a single fighter, having suffered only minor damage. He still wore a confident smile.

He flew to Goku's side and attempted to strike him in the legs, but the Super Saiyan leaped into the air to avoid him. Uub then pointed his index finger in his direction and shouted:

"Turn into a carrot!"

As Goku's eyes widened in terror, he was struck full-on by the magic beam. Participants and spectators alike wore stunned expressions as they gazed at Goku, still made of flesh and blood... but wearing a carrot costume instead of his usual kimono. In Universe 18, Trunks, Goten, and Pan burst out laughing. Gohan and Videl tried to stifle a snort at the absurdity of the situation. Seemingly unmoved, Vegeta was torn between the desire to make fun of Kakarotto and the shame that overwhelmed him as prince of the Saiyans and rival of Son Goku.

In Universe 13, Vegeta, on the other hand, was racked with the pain in his stomach, as he was laughing loudly, accompanied by Nappa, who was even crying, under the devastated and enraged gaze of Kakarotto, who clenched his fists.

"You bastards, I'm going to beat you up one of these days, you're not ready for what I'm going to do to you!"

"Become a super carrot, and we'll... we'll... we'll see about that... BAHAHA!" Nappa laughed, collapsing to the ground.

In Universe 12:

"How about this?" Trunks said, bursting into laughter. "Would a carrot for Kakarotto be okay for you as an accomplishment?"

"If this is a joke, I'd give it a seven out of ten," #16 replied seriously. "But a carrot isn't Son Goku. So my answer is no."

"We'll work on your sense of humor, my friend," Trunks told him, smiling.

The most terrible feeling was probably found within Universe 16. Vegetto was struck head-on by the greatest contradiction, torn between absolute shame and immense laughter. The two personalities that had served at his birth suddenly resurfaced, and Vegeta and Kakarotto clashed in a war of nerves. Vegetto was both humiliated and filled with great satisfaction. But, due to the reaction of his relatives, embarrassment outweighed joy.

On the field, Son Goku displayed an embarrassed smile. Uub also didn't know where to stand. He had tried to turn his master into a vegetable, but his spell had failed, at least partially. He hadn't yet mastered his magical abilities. Maybe someone else would have less trouble turning their opponent into a carrot with the palm of their hand.

"Cancellation!" he cried, pointing again at his master, who regained his uniform.

"Phew!" Son Goku sighed, relieved.

He had felt a sharp fear at the thought of becoming a carrot, and at the prospect of the fight ending in such an abrupt and ridiculous fashion. He couldn't afford the luxury of underestimating Uub, whom he'd almost forgotten had now inherited Majin Buu's magical powers.

The Super Saiyan unleashed his golden aura and launched himself at Uub, beginning a new melee, more intense than the previous ones. The ground began to vibrate slightly under the impact of their assaults, and dust gradually rose as master and student landed blow after blow.

Taking advantage of his master's concentration as their fists met, Uub seized the opportunity to step back a few meters and then leap forward, ready to strike again. This time, he imbued his attack with Ki and shouted, "Rock!".

Immediately, Son Goku leaped back, anticipating the blow. A huge fist of energy hit the ground where he'd been. The attack had been fast and powerful enough to threaten him. The Saiyan sighed. If he wasn't careful, he could take a nasty hit.

Without wasting a moment, he launched a volley of energy, which Uub blocked with the palm of his hand, exclaiming, "Paper!".

He immediately followed up with a slash through the air, yelling, "Scissors!".

Like a slash, the air split and a straight line of fire exploded, forcing Goku to block the attack with both arms crossed. Shocked by the attack, he decided to avoid the damage at the risk of escalating the battle, and transformed into a Super Saiyan 2.

A drop of sweat trickled down Uub's face. At this level, Goku was extremely formidable. Fighting such an opponent was almost equivalent to his encounter with Majin Buu in the previous round. He had never before been able to defeat his master at this level. He felt he could resist him, even push him further, but the next transformation would be a whole different challenge.

“Not bad, Uub! Your sequence forced me to transform again. But from now on, I'll be the one to lead the way. Try to keep up!”