Desperation Move

The Tri-Beam Gamble

Unable to break Goku with ordinary attacks, Tien Shinhan decides to sacrifice his remaining stamina on one devastating blow. He steadies himself above the arena while Goku refuses to dodge, bracing to meet whatever comes. Master Roshi voices disapproval and Chiaotzu begs his partner not to push past his limits, yet Tien is committed. He forms the triangular frame with his fingers and begins focusing every trace of ki inside his body, his palms glowing fiercely. Roshi explains to Krillin that the three-eyed warrior is pooling all of his energy into a single concentrated release.

Erasing the Ring

Announcing that his target is the platform itself, Tien unleashes Kikoho. A blinding flash swallows the tournament floor, and when the smoke clears the stage has been reduced to a gaping crater. The stunned announcer cannot process what he witnessed, stammering into his microphone that the ring has been completely vaporized. Krillin panics over Goku's fate while Roshi insists the boy would not fall to such an attack. A moment later Tien spots movement overhead and realizes Goku leapt clear at the exact instant of detonation.

A Desperate Counter

With the arena gone, gravity alone threatens to end the match, since touching the cratered ground now counts as a ring-out. Tien has the obvious advantage because he can fly, and he expects Goku to simply drop and lose. Instead Goku notes that his opponent must be drained from firing such a massive technique, then begins charging a Kamehameha of his own. Tien laughs, assuming Goku is aiming at him. At the last moment Goku pivots, firing the blast downward and behind himself so the recoil rockets him upward through the air toward a visibly alarmed Tien Shinhan.