At the Ox-King's Home
"Why did you come back alone, Chi-Chi? Where's Goku?" Ox-King asked curiously.
"He went to visit Master Roshi. I didn't go with him."
"Oh? You should've gone with him. You two are going to be family someday, after all."
Chi-Chi pouted slightly.
"I missed you, Dad! Besides, Goku didn't want me to go to Kame House. He said Master Roshi likes mature women, and now that I've grown up, he was worried I'd get groped."
Ox-King frowned.
"Nonsense. Master Roshi's not that kind of person."
Chi-Chi sighed.
"You don't know, Dad. He has a bunch of... unhealthy books. And he even has this ridiculous philosophy—he says looking at pretty women keeps him in a good mood, and staying in a good mood helps him live longer."
Ox-King paused, thinking.
"…I mean, he's over 300 years old. Maybe he's got a point. If he hadn't lived this long, there wouldn't even be a Turtle School anymore. You wouldn't have learned any advanced martial arts."
Chi-Chi rolled her eyes.
"Dad, no. Turtle told us the real reason—Master Roshi drank the Water of Immortality. His weird perv habits are just… that. Weird."
Ox-King cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Right… anyway, eat up! While it's hot!"
"Thanks, Dad."
As they started eating, Ox-King asked,
"By the way… you're of age now. When are you and Goku going to get married?"
Chi-Chi sighed.
"Bulma said we should at least wait until Goku finishes growing up…"
Ox-King blinked, recalling the small boy from years ago.
"Yeah… he was tiny next to you."
He chuckled.
"Well, not every guy can be as tall and strong as your old man."
Chi-Chi shook her head.
"It's not about height. Bulma just said boys develop slower than girls. Goku will grow, I'm sure of it. She's very confident."
Ox-King nodded slowly.
"So… you like tall, handsome types, huh?"
Chi-Chi smiled.
"Even if Goku stays small, I'll still love him."
Ox-King's imagination spun up a bizarre image of a short Goku marrying a tall, grown Chi-Chi. The image disturbed him enough that he shoved another vegetable dish into her bowl.
"Eat more veggies…"
—
Days Later – The World Martial Arts Tournament Begins
Goku and Chi-Chi arrived on time and signed up. Master Roshi arrived in disguise, likely as "Jackie Chun," with Yamcha in tow. Naturally, the whole Turtle School crew gathered together.
"Krillin's still not here?" Goku looked around.
Bulma scanned the crowd.
"Not yet. Maybe he's stuck visiting his girlfriend… can't bear to part just yet."
"He'll make it," Goku said confidently.
Oolong glanced between Goku and Yamcha, feeling proud. Yamcha was taller and better looking. Compared to the still-small Goku, he looked like the clear favorite.
"Yamcha, you've got this in the bag after three years of training!" Oolong cheered.
Chi-Chi smirked.
"Don't get cocky. You'll regret it when you face me. Better hope you don't get me in the first round."
Oolong's confidence wavered when he looked at the now-taller, well-built Chi-Chi.
'She's grown… a lot…'
Yamcha looked confident, but deep down, his lingering fear of women made Chi-Chi an unpredictable matchup.
Bulma checked her watch, annoyed.
"Three minutes left till sign-ups close. Where's Krillin?"
Yamcha waved it off.
"It's Krillin. He's not winning anyway."
Just then—
"Bulma! Chi-Chi! Goku! I'm here!"
Krillin burst onto the scene, dragging along a red-haired girl—Snow.
Goku waved.
"Krillin! Hurry and sign up! Time's almost out!"
Krillin jogged past with a quick wave.
"Later! I'll catch up after I register!"
Snow stood before Bulma, Chi-Chi, and Goku and gave a shy smile.
"Nice to see you all again."
Bulma smirked.
"Well hello, Mrs. Krillin~"
Snow blushed and turned to Chi-Chi.
"You must be Chi-Chi. Wow… you've grown so much!"
Chi-Chi laughed softly.
"Everyone says that. Now I can finally wear all the cute clothes Bulma gives me!"
Snow looked to Goku.
"You haven't changed much, Goku. You and Krillin are still the same height."
Goku nodded.
"Yup. But you haven't grown much either! If you really want to get taller, you could always borrow Bulma's radar and gather the Dragon Balls."
Snow gave a flustered smile.
"Use the Dragon Balls… just to grow taller? Isn't that a bit… excessive?"
Goku shook his head.
"Not at all. You'd be surprised how many people dream of it."
—
Moments Later
Master Roshi returned.
"Whew! Old age… backs up everything, even the plumbing."
He blinked at the group.
"Oh? Everyone's here!"
His eyes paused on Chi-Chi.
Bulma looked the same, but Chi-Chi… had matured.
"Um… and who might you be, miss?"
Chi-Chi cleared her throat.
"Master Roshi, it's me—Chi-Chi."
Roshi did a double take.
"You're kidding! When did you grow up like that?!"
Before she could respond, a wave of pressure swept across the area.
Three men in green walked toward them.
"Well, well… if it isn't Master Roshi," came a smug voice.
Roshi blinked.
"Oh, you're still alive, Crane Hermit?"
Crane Hermit sneered.
"You're still ugly and sarcastic, I see."
"I heard your disciples made quite a splash at the last tournament," Crane said.
"This year, I brought my own students to show the world what real martial arts look like. You might as well forfeit now to avoid the embarrassment."
Roshi laughed.
"Hah! Same arrogance as ever."
"You bald fossil!"
"You shaggy buzzard!"
"Bald freak!"
"Birdbrain!"
The two old masters bickered like children.
Eventually, Crane huffed.
"Let's go, Tien. Chiaotzu. We're done here."
Tien paused as they walked past and gave the group a cocky smirk.
"See you on the ring. Don't chicken out."
Bulma snorted.
"Ugh. Crane Hermit sure teaches arrogance well."
Roshi grunted.
"He's always been that way."
Goku turned to Yamcha.
"You sure you still want to enter?"
Yamcha blinked.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"You might lose to that Tien guy. Wouldn't want you embarrassed again."
Yamcha scowled.
"As if I'd lose to him!"
Goku shrugged.
"Well, at least you've got Puar to nurse you back to health if you do."
Yamcha flashed back to the last time Goku beat him—bedridden for a month.
"…I won't lose!"
Chi-Chi sighed.
"Guys, save the drama for the ring…"
—
The Tournament Begins
After a few rounds of qualifiers, the final eight contestants were announced:
Jackie Chun (Master Roshi's disguise) vs. Man-WolfYamcha vs. TienKrillin vs. ChiaotzuChi-Chi vs. Goku
Krillin breathed a sigh of relief.
"Not fighting Goku? I'll take it."
Goku warned,
"Careful, Krillin. Don't use too much strength. We're so strong now, we might actually kill someone by accident."
Krillin nodded.
"Got it. But remember—if I make it to the finals, let me win."
"Why?"
Krillin smiled sheepishly.
"Snow said she'll marry me if I take first place."
Goku blinked.
"That's… weirdly specific."
Chi-Chi giggled.
"Fate sure works in funny ways. Looks like we're destined to fight again, huh?"
Goku looked at her—tall, graceful, confident.
Yeah. His single days were probably numbered.
"Chi-Chi… please… don't turn into some scary lady later, okay? Stay sweet. Forever."
Chi-Chi blushed, hiding her cheeks behind her hands.
"Goku, that's the first time you've ever called me sweet… I'm so happy… I promise."