The referee watched Son Goku collapse and was just about to begin the countdown—
But before he could take more than two steps, Goku slapped the ground and sprang to his feet, taking his stance again.
His footing was steady, his energy burning bright.
The referee's eyes lit up.
"He's up! Contestant Son is back on his feet!"
"It looks like although Goku was briefly on the back foot, he's still young and bursting with stamina. He's far from finished!
Meanwhile, Contestant Jackie Chun seems to be tiring.
At this rate, young Goku may soon take the lead!
Let's wait and see what happens next!"
Jackie Chun heard the commentary and muttered under his breath,
"What nonsense! Tired, my foot!"
As he spoke, he suddenly flipped to offense.
His fists blurred into a flurry of afterimages, each strike swift and sharp, closing in on Goku.
In a flash, Goku found himself pushed into full defense again.
The two fighters flashed and clashed across the ring.
The crowd erupted in cheers at the spectacle.
And in this alternating rhythm of attack and counter, Goku began to feel it.
The joy of battle.
The thrill of trying to find an opening.
Of dodging an opponent's strike.
Of trying to land his own blow.
As the duel continued, Goku could feel the pressure gradually easing.
It wasn't just that Jackie Chun was slowing down—
He was improving.
He was beginning to adapt to Chun's rhythm. His patterns. His habits.
Until now, Goku had only fought weaker opponents—dominating them with ease.
But Master Roshi was no pushover.
Even giving everything he had, Goku hadn't won.
And that pressure—that challenge—was sharpening him.
His stamina still held strong.
If the fight continued like this, victory was within reach.
This fight had taught Goku so much.
He realized: Only by giving himself fully to the battle,
without worrying about winning or losing,
could he truly break through.
He decided to stop fighting.
He'd gained more than enough.
But then—
Jackie Chun's expression turned serious.
"I'm afraid this match is over for you.
In the past, only one person ever forced me to use this technique. Now… you'll be the second."
Goku's eyes narrowed.
Oh no… don't tell me—Thunder Shock Surprise?
Suddenly, he glanced upward.
The setting sun painted the sky orange, and a full moon now hung high above.
Thankfully, his tail hadn't regrown yet.
He exhaled in relief.
He avoided looking at the moon and instead refocused on Jackie Chun.
But with a cry of "Thunder Shock Surprise,"
a golden electrical current wrapped around Goku's body.
In an instant, pain exploded through him.
His arms, legs, and even his breath froze under the weight of the technique.
He was paralyzed—his energy locked down.
Jackie Chun, still maintaining the attack, explained:
"Though I can't move either while using the Thunder Shock Surprise,
you'll be wracked with agony while it's active.
If it lasts too long… it could even kill you!
Give up, Goku. Surrender, before it's too late!"
Goku had already planned to surrender.
But to do so the moment he was caught in this technique?
That would make him look weak-willed.
No… better to endure it a bit longer before giving in.
And then—
He felt it.
A sudden tightening sensation from behind.
His pants tore slightly.
His tail had regrown.
Goku's heart dropped.
He was trapped—completely paralyzed by the golden current.
He couldn't suppress himself.
"I su—"
Before he could even finish the word "surrender"—
A fierce pulse surged through his body.
And he lost consciousness.
Right there, before everyone's eyes…
Son Goku transformed into a Great Ape.
The entire crowd gasped.
Even the referee stumbled back in shock.
"Wh-whoa!"
"A transformation technique?! That's insane!"
Sweat beaded on the referee's forehead.
"I-I don't know what just happened!
Contestant Son suddenly grew a tail, and now he's become a massive ape!"
Jackie Chun's face darkened with alarm.
"Damn… his power after transforming is too great—my technique doesn't work on him anymore!"
Freed from the World Shaking Palm, Goku rampaged across the arena in his Great Ape form.
Krillin and Chi-Chi rushed to the front of the ring.
"Goku! Stop! It's too dangerous!"
"Yeah! Goku, don't transform anymore!"
But Bulma stepped forward calmly and revealed the truth.
"This isn't a technique.
It's a side effect—whenever he looks at the full moon, he loses control and transforms into a giant ape."
The referee panicked.
"In that case, I'm out of here! I have no choice but to flee my post!"
Jackie Chun's eyes widened in realization.
He looked up—sure enough, the full moon still hung above the horizon.
Watching the berserk ape, he made a decision.
"Then there's only one way to stop this."
Jackie Chun shrugged off his shirt.
His energy flared. His muscles surged.
Bulma, already knowing what would happen, simply raised her head and glanced at the moon.
Almost like saying goodbye.
"Moonlight… you really shouldn't have come out tonight."
The next moment, a brilliant light formed between Jackie Chun's hands.
"Kame… hame… HAAAA!!"
A full-powered Kamehameha exploded forward.
The force of the blast forced everyone nearby to shield their eyes from the blinding wind.
BOOM!!!
When the dust settled—
The Great Ape was gone.
Even the shabby hut behind the arena had been blown away.
Krillin and Chi-Chi came running.
"Goku!"
"Goku—where are you?!"
Krillin looked around frantically.
There was no trace of Goku.
His heart dropped.
"D-did he die?"
Chi-Chi couldn't see him either. She was stunned.
Her body shook.
Tears welled in her eyes.
She pointed at Jackie Chun and screamed,
"You… you killed him!
You killed Goku—I'll make you pay!"