The Preliminaries Begin

Reunion at the Tournament Grounds

As the group walks toward the preliminary area, Goku notices that Krillin has grown out his hair. Trunks sizes up Goten, comparing their fathers, and Goten insists that Gohan told him their dad is the strongest in the universe. Goku is surprised to learn that Android 18 now lives with Krillin at Kame House and that the pair have a daughter together.

An interviewer and her cameraman approach as they near the arena. She tries to question Vegeta and Piccolo, but both walk past without a word. Goku cheerfully explains that he traveled from Other World and that his halo is a genuine marker of the deceased. Before he reveals anything else, Piccolo uses telekinesis to destroy the camera.

Old Friends and New Rules

Inside the venue, the group bumps into the World Tournament Announcer, who is thrilled to see Goku and Krillin. He privately admits he knows Mr. Satan did not defeat Cell and expresses excitement that the tournament will have real competition. He also asks Piccolo to please avoid demolishing the ring this time. The announcer notices the halo and Goku casually explains he died during the Cell Games. The announcer accepts this with little surprise.

The Punch Machine Qualifier

The qualifying format has changed. Instead of preliminary bouts, 194 entrants must use a Punch Machine, and only the fifteen highest scores advance. Mr. Satan demonstrates first, scoring 137 before retreating backstage in exhaustion. Piccolo destroys every camera in the area for Gohan's sake, keeping his Great Saiyaman identity hidden.

Android 18 steps up and registers 774, far beyond what anyone thought possible. Officials assume the machine is broken and reset it. Her second attempt reads a more modest 203. Krillin follows with 192, Goku with 186, and Piccolo with 210. Just as attendants decide the device must be malfunctioning, Vegeta punches it so hard the machine explodes, leaving every onlooker speechless.