Monster Smash

A Sleeping Champion

The announcer steps to center ring and calls the tournament's fourth bout: Giran versus Goku. The towering reptilian marches out and lets loose a thundering roar, but the other half of the pairing is nowhere in sight. Krillin, Nam, Yamcha, and Jackie Chun exchange uneasy glances, worrying that Goku is about to forfeit his shot at the title. Giran laughs and demands an automatic victory as the restless crowd begins to grumble. Ranfan, recovered from her earlier beating, happens to find Goku fast asleep against a wall nearby. Krillin hauls him toward the stage, and the boy rubs his eyes as he is dragged into the fight he almost missed.

First Exchanges

The match is signaled and Giran wastes no time. He dangles a childish distraction in front of Goku, and the moment the boy's attention wanders he lands a heavy kick that launches him into the arena wall. Every spectator in the stands believes the fight is already decided, but Goku peels himself out of the rubble without so much as a scratch, leaving Giran visibly rattled. Seizing the momentum, Goku charges in, drives a fist into the monster's stomach, and catches Giran's own tail to hurl him bodily across the ring.

A Sticky Surprise

Giran sails cleanly past the boundary line, yet before he can touch the grass his Hikou wings unfold from his shoulders and carry him right back onto the platform. Undaunted by Goku's opening flurry, the reptilian takes a wide new stance and fires off his signature Merry-Go-Round Gum, a thick gluey projectile that sprays across his opponent and wraps him tightly in place. Goku's friends in the stands stare in mute horror as the boy is cocooned from head to toe, completely unable to move. The chapter ends with Giran looming over his helpless prey, ready to deliver whatever finishing blow he likes, while Goku strains uselessly against the gum that has already swallowed his arms and legs.