Dragon Ball: Rise Without End

One month later.

Whoosh!

A gust of wind broke through the stillness of the air as Yamcha appeared at the training ground with a girl beside him.

Sensing someone arriving, Son Goku immediately turned around. "Yamcha! I'm surprised you found the time to visit!"

Yamcha gestured to the girl standing next to him.

"Goku, she's looking for Gohan."

Goku formed his hands into a megaphone shape and shouted loudly,

"Gohan! Someone's here for you!"

Hearing the call, everyone paused their aerial sparring and descended to the ground.

Son Gohan landed and looked at the girl in surprise.

"Videl? What brings you here?"

Videl smiled warmly. "The World's No. 1 Martial Arts Tournament is happening in two days. I came to ask if you'd like to sign up."

Rayden, watching nearby, raised an eyebrow in amusement. Despite Gohan never attending school, he'd still managed to meet Videl.

Broly tilted his head, looking confused. "Gohan, who is this girl?"

He scanned Videl's aura and frowned. "She seems like just a normal person."

Scratching his head, Gohan explained,

"After defeating Cell, a lot of people came to my house asking me to train them. I remembered what Uncle Rayden said and opened a martial arts school with Uncle Krillin and Uncle Yamcha. Videl is the co-founder of that school."

"Oh, so she's your student?" Piccolo asked, arms crossed.

"She's more like a partner," Gohan replied quickly, blushing a little.

Then he turned to his father. "Dad, will you participate in the martial arts tournament this time?"

Goku shook his head without hesitation. "Nah, there probably won't be any strong opponents there. I'd rather keep training here."

Rayden grinned and spoke up.

"Come on, Goku. Let's all go. It'll be fun!"

Vegeta raised an eyebrow. "Rayden, we're already the strongest on Earth. What's the point of participating in a tournament like that?"

Rayden crossed his arms and replied calmly,

"Vegeta, you never know what might happen. We might encounter something... interesting."

Goku's eyes lit up at that. "If you're going, then I'm in too!"

Gohan turned to Videl and smiled. "We'll be there in two days."

Videl nodded with a satisfied look.

"Great! See you all at the tournament!"

Rayden, seeing that things were wrapped up, turned to his companions.

"Let's go."

He placed his fingers on his forehead, and in an instant, he vanished along with Broly, Cell, and Paragus using Instant Transmission.

"Yamcha," Goku asked, "Did you inform Krillin and Tien Shinhan?"

"Yeah," Yamcha replied. "They'll meet us at the venue on the day of the tournament."

---

Two Days Later.

After a simple breakfast, Rayden and the others took to the sky and flew toward the tournament grounds.

Whoosh!

They soon arrived at the massive venue, where a crowd was already beginning to gather.

"Rayden! Over here!"

Goku's voice called out.

Rayden turned around to see the others already waiting at the entrance.

"Goku, didn't expect you to be early!" Rayden said with a smile.

"We just got here," Goku said, scratching the back of his head.

Rayden then looked down at Goten and Trunks, standing behind the group.

"You two planning to compete?"

Both boys nodded eagerly.

"Of course, Uncle Rayden! We want to try too!"

Just then, Goku spotted Krillin in the distance.

"Krillin! Over here!"

Krillin jogged over with a big smile.

"Goku! It's been a while!"

He gave Goku a quick hug, clearly excited.

Son Gohan looked over at the woman and child with Krillin.

"Uncle Krillin, is that… No. 18? And who's the little girl?"

Krillin scratched his bald head and grinned.

"Yeah! While you and Rayden were away, I married No. 18. This is our daughter, Marron."

Goku's jaw dropped. "Krillin, you got married?!"

Krillin chuckled. "Surprised, huh? Yamcha told me you all would be at the tournament, so I came too."

"Are you competing?" Goku asked hopefully.

Krillin shook his head.

"Nah. I just came to watch. I'll be sitting in the audience with Chi-Chi and the others."

"Oh... That's too bad," Goku replied, slightly disappointed.

The group chatted a bit before making their way inside the venue.

"Wow!" Yamcha exclaimed. "Look at all these people!"

The crowd of contestants and spectators was immense—far more than in previous tournaments.

Just then, a middle-aged man in a black suit and sunglasses approached.

At first, he looked stern, but upon seeing Goku and Yamcha, his face lit up with joy.

"I can't believe it! You're really here!" he said excitedly. "I've missed you guys. The tournament just hasn't been the same without you!"

Goku smiled in recognition. "It's good to see you again."

The host continued, "Honestly, without you, the matches were just like street fights. Nothing exciting or skillful. It was boring."

"But you're not going to destroy the stadium again… are you?"

Goku laughed, scratching his head. "Who knows?"

The host burst out laughing. "As long as you're competing, I don't even care! I'm just glad you're here!"

Realizing he still had work to do, the host waved goodbye and hurried off—only to look back and shout,

"I'll see you in the finals! I'm counting on you to bring some fireworks!"

---

Just then, Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu stepped out from the crowd.

"Everyone, long time no see!" Tien greeted.

Goku turned. "Tien! I thought you weren't coming. I didn't see you outside."

Tien nodded. "Chiaotzu and I arrived early, so we came in first."

Goku looked around. "And Krillin?"

"He's in the audience," Goku explained. "Didn't sign up this time."

---

Time passed quickly. Soon, the opening ceremony began.

A portly man stepped up to the stage with a microphone in hand.

All the contestants gathered around as he addressed the crowd.

"Welcome, everyone! This year, we have an incredible turnout—401 contestants! But only 41 of you will make it to the finals!"

The crowd murmured in surprise.

"We'll begin with the preliminary rounds, which follow an elimination format. Each of you will draw a number and be assigned to one of 20 groups. Each group will fight in a free-for-all battle. The last person standing in each group advances!"

He continued,

"Because of the odd number of participants, the person who draws number 401 will advance directly to the finals without competing."

"Now then, let the number drawing begin!"

---

"Uncle Rayden," Gohan said nervously. "There are so many of us this time. What if we end up in the same group?"

Rayden smiled calmly.

"Wouldn't that be interesting? Then we'd see who's stronger."

Tien stepped forward. "Don't worry. Chiaotzu can use his telekinesis to manipulate the draw. He'll make sure we're in different groups."

Yamcha pumped his fist. "Awesome! That means we can all make it to the finals!"

---

Suddenly, someone shouted,

"Gohan!"

Everyone turned to see a girl in casual clothes running toward them.

Goku tilted his head. "Hey, isn't that the girl who came to see Gohan the other day?"

Yamcha nodded. "Yeah, that's Videl."

Gohan stepped forward. "Videl! You actually came?"

Videl put her hands on her hips. "Of course! I've been training really hard. No one at our dojo can beat me now. I have to enter!"

Gohan looked worried. "I don't know… Maybe you should sit this one out."

"I'm not backing down!" Videl said firmly. "I'm going to show everyone what I can do!"

Gohan sighed, knowing he couldn't change her mind.

He glanced toward Rayden and the others. "I just hope Uncle Rayden and the rest go easy on her..."

Øóffer going on for diamond tier

pàtreøn (Gk31)