Hard Work Pays!!

Into the Preliminaries

Master Roshi escorts Goku and Krillin as far as the preliminary hall and then has to turn back, since only registered fighters may step inside. Before they part ways he hands each boy a fresh fighting uniform bearing the Turtle School crest on the left chest, a quiet mark of confidence in what they are about to show the world. Inside, Krillin starts to fidget as he realizes just how many hardened fighters are crammed into the room around him, sizing up the competition from every direction without a friendly face in sight.

Drawing the Brackets

The announcer calls the crowd to attention and reveals that a staggering one hundred thirty seven contestants have entered this year. He lays out the rules for the opening round and has each fighter draw a numbered slip from a box to land in one of four divisions. Goku's number is called alongside a huge Russian wrestler, and their bout begins immediately. Goku simply slips between the giant's legs and vanishes. Confused, the big man stumbles looking for his opponent and tips right over the edge of the ring, handing the match to the tiny Turtle School student without a single punch thrown.

Krillin Gets His Shot

Goku hops out and warns Krillin not to show off his real strength until he faces a genuine threat. As he speaks, a group of Orin Temple monks close in and start bullying the smaller boy, one of them boasting that Krillin will be his next opponent. When that bout begins, the bully lunges in swinging. Krillin hops over the charge, plants a brutal kick into the monk's stomach, and punches him clean through the arena wall, advancing to the next round just as cleanly as Goku did.