The moment the announcer's voice rang through the tournament grounds, the entire stadium buzzed with anticipation. The crowd's cheers roared like waves crashing on the shore, but for Mori, everything had gone quiet.
His blue-white aura flared around him, pulsing in tune with his breath. But now, tinged within that brilliance, a distinct pink hue flickered—unfamiliar and raw, like fire licking through the edges of his control.
Across the ring, Tien Shinhan stood tall, his three eyes sharp with confidence and mockery. "What, glowing already?" he scoffed. "Try not to burn out before we get started."
Mori didn't reply. His narrowed eyes stayed fixed on Tien. That word—bimbo—echoed in his head, mixed with Bulma's startled cry and the image of her hitting the ground.
Then came the primal yell.
"RAAAHHHH!!"
Mori launched forward like a cannonball, his fists leading the charge. The ring cracked under his first step.
Tien barely had time to bring his arms up before Mori's punch connected—slamming into his cheek and skidding him back like a rock over water.
From the stands, Bulma gasped.
"Woah," Krillin muttered. "He's pissed."
Blow after blow rained down. Mori didn't give Tien room to breathe. Every strike came with brutal precision—straight punches, elbow jabs, rising knees. Tien deflected what he could, but even that took everything he had.
"This isn't normal speed…!" Tien thought, parrying a wide kick before getting hammered by a rising uppercut. "He's fighting wild—no, furious—and yet... there's rhythm to it."
In the stands, Goku leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "He's better than he was back then. Way better."
Bulma, still brushing dust off her skirt, watched with wide eyes. "Mori…"
Mori spun, leg extended in a roundhouse that caught Tien across the temple. The Crane student flipped back with a grunt, planting into the tiles hard enough to shake dust from the rafters.
"Still think I'm not a threat?" Mori asked coldly.
Tien stood, wiping blood from his lip. "You're quick, I'll give you that. But you're all emotion—no discipline."
Mori's eyes narrowed. "Funny. You sound like someone who hasn't been hit hard enough."
As he lunged again, Bulma cupped her hands around her mouth. "MORI! I'm fine, okay?! The fall wasn't even that bad! Stop being so angry and CALM THE HELL DOWN!"
Mid-swing, Mori heard her.
He stopped. His fist hung inches from Tien's jaw, trembling.
Then, a laugh escaped his lips. "You're right."
The pink hue around his aura flickered, then vanished.
He stepped back, letting out a slow breath. "Sorry," Mori muttered to Tien. "I let my anger get the best of me."
The audience murmured. Some clapped. Others just watched, confused but impressed.
Tien narrowed his eyes. "You think pulling back will help you now?"
"No."
Mori smiled. "But this will."
He vanished.
Tien blinked—then arched backward as a kick swept past his face. The next blow caught him in the gut, then another in the back, followed by a barrage of rapid jabs to the ribs.
"I can't keep up!" Tien realized. "He's—"
Crack!
A kick to the back launched him into the sky. As he ascended, Mori shot up after him.
Bulma gripped Dr. Briefs' arm tightly. "He's moving like the dancers…"
"He's incorporating what he sees into his fighting," Dr. Briefs murmured. "Remarkable learning speed."
Tien coughed as Mori appeared above him. "You're not Crane material," Mori said calmly. "You're not even close."
Mori twisted midair, flipping and bringing his heel down into Tien's chest, sending him rocketing back to earth.
But Mori was faster.
He landed first, crouched with a grin, then looked over at Goku. "Hope you're watching, Goku. 'Cause this is gonna be you next."
Goku grinned. "Wouldn't miss it."
Then came the body.
Tien's form crashed downward, and Mori met it with a flurry of kicks—each one launching him higher and higher again before Mori snatched him mid-air, spun like a cyclone, and hurled him down like a comet.
BOOM.
The impact cracked the ring's foundation. Dust exploded upward in a cloud of debris. When it cleared, Tien was out cold.
Silence.
Then, the crowd erupted.
"THAT WAS INSANE!!"
"What kind of style was that?!"
"Is he even human?!"
The announcer, stunned, finally found his voice. "A-AND TIEN SHINHAN IS UNABLE TO CONTINUE! MORI WINS AND ADVANCES TO THE FINALS!"
Mori took a slow breath and turned, walking back toward the entrance tunnel. The cheers faded into the background as he entered the shadowy corridor, letting the adrenaline fade.
His thoughts swirled.
I almost lost control again… That pink energy—what was that? It's not mine, not really. I felt it once… with Goku. That fight three years ago. It only shows up when—
He stopped, staring down at his hands.
No. I'll master it. I have to.
In the stands, Goku stood silently. His fists clenched with excitement.
Mori's changed. Stronger. Smarter. But I've grown too. This time… we'll see who really wins.
Down below, the arena crew scrambled to repair the tiles. Dr. Briefs adjusted his glasses. "His control is developing. That last sequence wasn't rage—it was instinct, applied like a martial artist. He's… evolving."
Bulma smirked. "You know, for a little brother, he's kinda awesome."
Krillin blinked. "Kinda? He just threw Tien like a rag doll!"
Meanwhile, inside the locker area, Mori sat on a bench, towel draped over his neck, sipping water. The quiet let him reflect.
His mind flashed back to a midnight session in the Capsule Corp simulator. The Flow of Life style. Combining dancers' grace, Goku's adaptability, and his own instincts.
You're not just fighting bodies. You're flowing through motion—no wasted energy. That's what I felt during the play… and now it's mine.
"Nice match."
Mori looked up. Goku stood in the doorway, smiling.
"You made that look easy," Goku continued. "Tien's no pushover."
"You're next," Mori said, standing.
Goku chuckled. "Yeah. I figured. That look you gave me said it all."
They stood in silence for a second.
Then Mori grinned. "Don't hold back."
Goku returned it. "Wouldn't dream of it."
As they walked side by side toward the ring, the sun overhead cast long shadows behind them. The crowd quieted again as the announcer's voice echoed:
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! AFTER THAT INCREDIBLE MATCH… OUR FINAL ROUND BEGINS SHORTLY!"
The two fighters stopped at the edge of the ring, facing each other.
Mori's blue-white aura flared again, steady and calm.
Goku cracked his knuckles and took a stance.
The entire arena held its breath.
The rematch was about to begin.
"Moving on to the real..."