The Doctored Lottery

A Telepath in the Shadows

While Goku balances on his hands backstage, the three-eyed fighter strolls over again and mocks the Turtle School gathered around him. A small companion with a bird-like air tags along, trading insults with Krillin until the little fighter yanks off his hat to reveal a single hair on his otherwise bald head. The three-eyed man pulls his partner away, calling him Chiaotzu, and the two share a knowing look that tells the Turtle School students something strange is about to happen. The tournament announcer then arrives, recognizes Goku with visible dread, and begs him not to demolish the ring the way he did three years ago.

Every Draw Falls Into Place

The announcer explains that a lottery will decide the bracket. Jackie Chun is called up first and pulls number four, placing him in the second match. Tien points out an angry wolf-like fighter with a grudge against the disguised Roshi and tells Chiaotzu to arrange a meeting. Yamcha is next, and Tien expresses a clear interest in fighting him, so Chiaotzu uses quiet telekinesis to guide the draw into position one. Pamput is placed at seven, Tien himself ends up at two to match Yamcha, and Krillin is slotted at six. Man-Wolf is fed into position three to land opposite Jackie Chun, and Chiaotzu corrects the announcer on his own name before taking position five to face Krillin. Finally Goku is told the only remaining spot is number eight, and he is amused when his own draw confirms the prediction before he even reaches in.

A Doctored Bracket and a Grudge Match

The rules are repeated for the crowd. Outside the ring area, Oolong wonders where Roshi has vanished to, while Launch and the others take their seats. The gongs then ring out and the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament officially begins, with the announcer declaring the first match between Yamcha and Tien Shinhan. Both fighters grin at each other, eager for a showdown between the students of two lifelong rival masters.