Dragon Ball Roshi-Chapter 290: A Dazed Fist

Meanwhile, in another place—the 20th World Martial Arts Tournament, West City Division, Preliminaries Hall.

Zone Five, Arena A.

"You're out of stamina!"

A well-built man was gasping for breath as he faced off against a young boy who had already fought over a dozen matches on the same arena. It was terrifying—his opponent had just gone through match after match, and even now, battling him, the boy was still proving to be a challenge. This kid named Goku... was truly unbelievable.

He possessed a tenacity that defied imagination. From the very first match to this fourteenth bout, the burning fighting spirit in his eyes had never dimmed! In fact, with each opponent that passed, with every bit of energy he expended, that fighting spirit only seemed to burn brighter!

So young, and yet already so fearless and unyielding!

Out of admiration and pity for this talented young fighter, many of the self-confident martial artists in the crowd had refrained from stepping onto the stage. They didn't want to take advantage of his fatigue. They hoped the boy would come to his senses and bow out voluntarily once his energy was completely spent—then, after some rest, he could return to fight again.

But this match... it seemed like he wouldn't make it through.

Many spectators shook their heads—such a pity... Tenacity was admirable, but too much rigidity could snap the strongest tree. Everything needed a balance. Some turned their eyes toward the two people beneath the arena, who appeared to be Son Gohan and Master Taro. Seeing that neither of them looked the least bit concerned, many onlookers were baffled.

"Heh heh... See? I can still stand!" Goku mumbled tiredly, his eyelids drooping, yet a smile still tugging at his lips—that same pure, radiant smile as always. "My grandpa used to say, until you give up, you haven't lost! I'm not giving up, so I can still fight!"

"Sigh..."

His opponent shook his head repeatedly, but his expression remained resolute. Once someone stepped onto this stage, nobody wanted to lose. No matter how much respect he had for his opponent, he wasn't going to hold back or go easy. Giving it everything he had—that was the greatest respect he could show this indomitable boy.

"Let's go, Goku!"

"Don't give up!"

"Hang in there—win this one and you can rest!"

Spectators from other arena zones had also rushed over after hearing about an exceptionally powerful young contestant here. Word had spread that he was not only strong but also the descendant of the legendary martial artist Master Son Gohan!

After watching a few matches, the crowd couldn't help but be swept up in Goku's genuine fighting spirit and unwavering determination. They began cheering him on.

"Come on!"

With a shout, Goku's opponent charged at him again.

Though Goku was young, his Saiyan physiology gave him a body far stronger than any Earthling his age—strong enough to match even an adult. But after so many consecutive battles, his energy was nearly depleted. He couldn't afford a head-on clash anymore, so he relied on his small stature to weave and dodge, dancing around his opponent.

He was secretly storing up power, conserving his strength, and observing every detail of his opponent's movements amidst their feints and blows!

"Heh... Gohan, not a bad job training him," said Taro, who had been watching silently from below the arena. He finally gave a nod of approval.

Behind him, the middle-aged man with the small mustache—Kami—also nodded in agreement.

Even Kami had to admit that Taro's eye for talent was impressive. To bring back such a prodigiously gifted martial artist from the vastness of the universe—if this boy, Goku, were given time to grow, he would undoubtedly become one of Earth's greatest protectors.

Gohan smiled. He looked up at the arena, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes as he whispered, "Goku's won."

The very next moment, Hathaway heard Gohan's calm declaration, and gasps erupted around them. Up on the stage, Goku had suddenly used his long, slender tail to distract his opponent's line of sight at the perfect moment! That split second of distraction opened up a once-in-a-lifetime opening!

Goku gathered all the remaining strength in his body into his right fist, and with a clear cry that rang across the arena, he struck. His opponent could only stare in shock as Goku's small but fierce fist shot toward his chin from an impossibly sharp angle!

And in that moment—he was completely unable to block or dodge!

Defeat!

His opponent cried out inwardly in despair.

Goku put everything he had into that punch. As his fighting spirit surged, the Saiyan blood coursing through his veins seemed to boil, and his stamina appeared to fully recover in an instant. This punch roared with power—no weaker than one he would throw in his best condition!

"Kill him!"

At that critical moment, Goku's fist, aimed straight at his opponent's chin, suddenly trembled!

If time had slowed down at that moment, it would have revealed the subtle change in his trajectory: the fist that had been targeting the chin now subtly shifted, angling toward the opponent's throat. And in that instant, a flash of wild, murderous intent suddenly flared within Goku's otherwise pure and innocent eyes!

"Kill him!!"

"Master!"

From below the ring, Gohan sensed the shift immediately and lost his composure.

Taro, however, placed a firm hand on Gohan's shoulder, his eyes locked on Goku's punch. At the same time, a vast spiritual pressure surged forth from Roshi like a tidal wave, instantly enveloping Goku's mind in a swirling vortex—calm, cold, and absolute, like a god observing from above with distant judgment.

"Oh?"

Behind him, Kami narrowed his eyes, noticing something as his expression turned thoughtful.

Hathaway, still unaware of all the twists and turns, simply watched the scene with worry written all over her face, concerned only for Goku's well-being.

"Damn it..."

Time resumed its normal flow! frёewebηovel.cѳm

The murderous glint in Goku's eyes vanished in a blink, as if it had never existed. His fist, which had been heading for the throat, subtly adjusted its path—then slammed upward with full force in a fierce uppercut straight to the chin!

"Puh!!"

His opponent was launched on the spot by the fully charged punch. The two had been fighting near the edge of the ring, so with that one blow, Goku's opponent was sent flying out of bounds!

Goku remained standing with his fist extended, his whole body soaked in sweat, gasping for breath. He looked down at his fist in confusion, then his eyelids fluttered and he fell backward in exhaustion—only to be caught by Gohan, who had leapt into the ring just in time.

The arena went completely silent. People looked at each other in shock. No one had expected this child to actually win! At only eight years old, he had just won fourteen consecutive ring battles in the World Martial Arts Tournament preliminaries! Unbelievable. This was going to be a record!

"Rest for a bit, then continue," Gohan said gently to his grandson.

Goku smiled brightly in his grandfather's arms. "Grandpa, I won!" he said happily—then finally passed out, completely drained. Gohan held him and carried him down from the stage.

The referee hesitated for just a moment, then declared Goku the winner, as his opponent had clearly fallen out of bounds.