Chapter 21: The Gathering Storm
Three years passed.
The Earth remained peaceful, but beneath the calm skies, fighters all over the world were training harder than ever. The 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai was fast approaching, and whispers of the event stirred excitement in every corner of the globe. Rumors spread of incredible warriors returning, stronger than ever.
Goku, now a teenager, was no longer the boy who once chased Dragon Balls barefoot. He had grown taller, stronger, more focused. Still pure of heart, still eager to fight. But now, he had a rival in more than one sense—Aera, the girl who had trained beside him every day since they met.
Aera had matured beautifully, though her soul remained untouched by the complications of age. She was taller now, her tail more expressive, her presence magnetic. Yet she was still as innocent and clueless as ever—perhaps even more so. Her strength had only grown, and people spoke of her as if she were a legend in the making.
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Kame House Reunion
"Wow! You two really grew up!" Krillin shouted as he saw Goku and Aera land on the beach outside Kame House.
Master Roshi stepped out in his sunglasses. "Well, well, well! Look at you two. Aera, you're as radiant as ever."
Aera tilted her head. "Thank you, turtle man!"
Roshi chuckled, almost passing out from her innocent smile. "Still… dangerously adorable."
Goku laughed. "We've been training non-stop! Aera's crazy strong now. She can knock down mountains with one punch!"
"Only the little ones," Aera said proudly. "The big ones still take two punches!"
Krillin chuckled nervously. "Great… just great."
Roshi handed them both new tournament registration forms. "You'll need these. The 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai is just around the corner. And you're not the only ones entering."
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Old Friends and New Goals
The group reunited at the sign-up station in Papaya Island. Tien, now calm and stoic, gave Goku and Aera a firm nod.
"You've grown," he said.
"You too!" Aera said, practically bouncing. "Your head looks shinier than ever!"
Chiaotzu giggled. Even Tien couldn't hide a small smile.
Yamcha arrived next, his hair longer and spirit fiercer. "I've been waiting for this!" he said, pointing at Goku. "Let's see how much you've improved!"
Goku grinned. "Me too!"
Yamcha's gaze lingered on Aera for a second too long, before he coughed and looked away.
"Still ridiculously beautiful and oblivious, I see," he muttered.
Bulma, now more stylish and confident, waved from a distance. She watched Aera and sighed. "No matter how much time passes, she still doesn't realize how everyone feels about her."
Oolong, beside her, nodded. "I think that's what makes it worse."
---
Unexpected Tension
As the preliminary rounds began, the competitors were taken into the massive arena complex.
Aera bounced excitedly. "I wanna fight all of them!"
"You'll get your chance," Goku said, his eyes locked onto a strange figure across the room.
A tall man with jet-black hair stood silently, eyes closed, arms crossed. There was something oddly familiar about him.
Aera walked up to him. "Hi! Are you strong?"
The man opened his eyes slowly. They glinted with dangerous calm.
"…Very."
Before she could ask more, the call for preliminary rounds began.
---
Preliminaries Begin!
Aera's first opponent charged at her, roaring. She blinked, stepped to the side, and tapped his back. He flew out of the ring like a paper airplane.
"That was fun!" she clapped.
Goku watched from his ring, finishing his own battle with a clean sweep of kicks.
Tien, Yamcha, Krillin—all passed easily. Even the strange man advanced, never saying a word, his movements smooth and deliberate.
The crowd watching the main event was already buzzing with excitement.
"There's something special about that girl," one spectator whispered.
"She's the one who beat a fire lizard in the volcano, right?"
"And knocked out a monk three times her size!"
By the end of the prelims, the final eight were selected.
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Final Eight Reveal
The announcer stepped into the arena.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai! This year's finalists are: Yamcha, Krillin, Tien, Chiaotzu, Goku, Aera, a mysterious new warrior named Shin—"
The man with black hair raised his hand slightly.
"—and… Ma Junior!"
Gasps filled the arena. A figure in a purple gi with antennae walked into the ring.
Bulma stood up. "Wait a minute… isn't that—?"
"Piccolo," Roshi whispered. "He's returned."
Goku narrowed his eyes. "So he's back…"
Aera blinked. "He looks grumpy."
Krillin gritted his teeth. "That's not just a grump. That's evil."
---
The Stage Is Set
The crowd cheered. The warriors took their places. The tension was building.
Tien glanced at Aera. "If we fight, I won't hold back."
"Me neither!" she said with a big, sunny grin.
Yamcha looked between her and Goku. "Whoever wins… it's gonna be insane."
The announcer raised his hand. "Tomorrow, the matches begin!"
And far away, a storm gathered in the heart of Ma Junior.
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End of Chapter 21