Chapter 105 – Reminiscence, The 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament
"Why are they taking so long again? It's been ages—aren't they ever on time? Would it kill them to leave earlier?" Under her umbrella, Bulma grumbled softly with a touch of coquettish annoyance.
Bulma was still young at this point, and the soft complexion under her umbrella, along with her blue-purple hair, made her all the more striking.
"Usually it's men waiting for women—how come it's the other way around with me?!" Bulma grew increasingly irritated and snapped, "You martial meatheads!"
In the distance, a sharp-dressed man in a suit and sunglasses was walking toward her... Pfft. Yamcha.
"Why are you yelling at me? That kind of thing applies to couples, all right? You and Goku aren't even like that!" Yamcha shrugged helplessly and lifted the bag in his hand. "I've been with you the whole time—I'm the one who went to get your drinks, remember?"
"Hmph, like you're any better…" Bulma kept complaining but suddenly glanced over at Lin Qi, who had appeared out of nowhere not far away.
"Huh… that guy's amazing. He's not even using an umbrella, but the rain isn't touching him!"
Yamcha also noticed Lin Qi and scoffed at him disdainfully before pushing Bulma to walk away. "Don't look at him. Guys like that only know how to show off!"
"Just look at him—trying to act cool like Goku with that fake tail!"
"Maybe his tail's real, just like Goku's?" Bulma asked curiously as they walked off.
"Heh…" Lin Qi cast a cold glance at Yamcha. And who's really showing off here?
Lin Qi casually flicked a small pebble he'd picked up. Up ahead, Yamcha suddenly felt his footing give way and fell face-first into a rain puddle.
"Bulma, how's Mr. Briefs doing lately?" Lin Qi didn't even glance down as he stepped right over Yamcha's back.
Bulma turned around, surprised, and looked at Lin Qi. "You know my dad?"
"Of course…" Lin Qi lied without a change in expression. "I worked with him on a few projects when I was younger."
"When I was about ten, we even developed the Junior Robot together!"
Bulma, who had been a little suspicious at first, instantly believed him. "That's amazing! I really admired that robot back then!"
"Damn it… don't just stand there chatting on top of me!!" Yamcha gritted his teeth, furious. This guy was clearly trying to steal his girl!
"Sorry…" Lin Qi lifted his foot nonchalantly, the apology completely devoid of sincerity.
"It's okay… He probably just got too excited seeing me. After all, my dad always says I'm a genius scientist!" Bulma helped Yamcha to his feet.
With Bulma giving him such a convenient excuse, Lin Qi saw no reason not to roll with it. "Exactly. Your dad said you were a once-in-a-millennium scientific prodigy!"
"Right?!" Bulma nodded proudly, full of herself.
Just then, a taxi pulled up in front of the group. Master Roshi, dressed in a proper suit, stepped out, followed by the old sea turtle.
The old turtle was also sporting a red bowtie just like Roshi's.
"Yo! Long time no see, everyone!" Roshi greeted them enthusiastically, already reaching out to try and grope Bulma—
"Pervert!" Bulma slugged him without hesitation. "Who even wants to see you?!"
After getting smacked in the head, Roshi finally noticed his surroundings. "Huh? Those guys aren't here yet?"
That made Lin Qi think of how, after defeating King Piccolo, Goku had gone to train under Kami and Mr. Popo at the Lookout.
"Nope. Knowing them, they'll probably show up right at the registration deadline."
Yamcha glared daggers at Lin Qi as he took a white handkerchief from Puar and wiped his soaked suit. "Who the hell are you?"
"Didn't I just say?" Lin Qi shot a contemptuous look at Yamcha. "I'm Lin Qi."
If he weren't completely suppressing his aura, even a sliver of pressure would be enough to crush Yamcha. And this guy thought he could throw weight around in front of him?
"Nice to meet you… I'm Muten Roshi, but you can call me Master Roshi." Roshi was much more tactful, shaking Lin Qi's hand with genuine friendliness.
Guess after living long enough, you pick up on the little details.
"Seems like you've done some serious training at your age. Not letting a single drop of rain touch you—impressive."
Lin Qi tended to mirror how others treated him. With Roshi being respectful, it didn't take long before he was chatting easily with the whole group.
The rain stopped, and the registration deadline approached.
Lin Qi didn't sign up. First, because of his overwhelming strength, and second, because he was only here for Goku and Chi-Chi's wedding banquet.
He wasn't here to cause trouble, nor to barge in for no reason.
As time ticked by, Puar and Oolong were growing visibly anxious.
"Aren't you guys even a little worried?" Oolong interrupted the martial arts conversation between Roshi and Lin Qi.
"Worried about what?" Roshi blinked, puzzled.
"Goku and the others!" Oolong paced nervously. "Registration's almost over!!"
"No need to worry. The Goku you're talking about should arrive in a minute or two. His energy's approaching fast."
Lin Qi spoke calmly to soothe the piglet. Pity he was too old to eat—would've probably been tough and flavorless anyway!
Just as Lin Qi finished speaking, within a minute, a figure shot toward the registration booth in the distance.
Whoosh—
A gust of wind swept past the group. Looking up, who else could it be but Son Goku?
"Master Roshi, I'll need to borrow the entry fee…" Following the tournament staff, Goku scratched his head and laughed sheepishly.
"I don't have any money!" he added without a care in the world.
Compared to his childhood, his height was now like heaven and earth—he was nearly 1.75 meters tall!
"Heh…" Lin Qi chuckled at the scene before him. This was so much more entertaining than watching the anime or manga.
The nuances! The realism!
Who'd have thought Goku would still be as broke as ever?
Unlike previous tournaments, this one didn't begin right after registration. Signing up alone took the whole day.
The deadline was 4 PM. Afterward, participants had to find somewhere to rest. Temporary lodging was provided, but food was up to the individual.
So, Bulma waved her hand generously and booked an entire hotel. Despite its size, it was far from peaceful.
That damn fatso Yajirobe was even there. Dinner ended in total chaos.
Later, blonde Launch showed up at the hotel with Tien and Chiaotzu—Tien's chest wrapped in bandages and looking pale and worn out.
"What happened?" Krillin asked in shock. "Weren't you just going back to visit your master?"
"How'd you end up getting hurt?"
Everyone turned to look at Tien. He didn't explain, instead forcing a smile and saying lightly, "It's nothing… just a small injury. Won't affect tomorrow."
"Oh right, and this is—"
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