Krillin lay on the ground, dazed.
He looked up at Jackie Chun.
"Y-your fist was so fast… I didn't even see it."
Backstage, Goku and Chi-Chi were stunned too.
That strike was insanely fast.
Even Goku calculated that he might not be able to dodge it,
even if he could see it clearly.
And yet Jackie Chun had held back.
He could've finished Krillin right there—
but he stopped at a light tap.
Clearly he was letting Krillin off easy.
The three kids looked strong now,
but there was still a gap to Master Roshi.
Just then, Chi-Chi shouted from backstage:
"Krillin, keep going! Don't forget our goal!"
Jackie Chun paused.
What goal did those three have?
Then he understood.
In the semifinals, three of the four were his students.
Did they plan to have Krillin drain his stamina,
then Chi-Chi surrender to Goku,
so Goku could fight him at full strength?
Jackie Chun smiled faintly.
"So they're thinking ahead and cooperating already.
Cute. But that kind of trick doesn't work on a truly overwhelming opponent.
And it goes against a martial artist's principles.
Good. I'll use this to teach them later."
He walked toward Krillin.
"Give up now.
If you keep going, I won't be this gentle anymore."
Krillin jumped up and raised his stance.
"Bring it on!"
Jackie Chun's eyes sharpened.
"Then watch closely!"
He formed a snake-fist and blasted forward.
Krillin stared hard.
At the very moment Jackie Chun moved, Krillin finally saw the technique.
"I saw it!"
He blocked in time.
They clashed once and separated.
Jackie Chun looked surprised.
"Very good. You can actually see my attacks.
It's been a long time since anyone kept up with my speed."
Krillin lifted his stance again, voice firm.
"Today you found one.
I'm Master Roshi's disciple—don't think I'm weak!"
Krillin charged. Jackie Chun charged too.
Their bodies blurred together, then split apart.
They'd swapped places, backs to each other.
Goku shouted, "Krillin!"
Thud.
Krillin collapsed.
Jackie Chun still stood steady.
The referee rushed over.
"Ah! Krillin is down!"
Jackie Chun urged, "Start the count!"
The referee began. "One… two… three…"
At "eight," Krillin sprang up again.
"Ow… that hurt!"
The count stopped. The referee cried out,
"He's up!
Krillin is back on his feet!
But… what just happened?!"
Jackie Chun sighed.
"Fine. I'll show you."
He and Krillin reenacted the exchange at a speed the referee and audience could follow,
then explained how Krillin had been taken down.
The referee was stunned.
"Amazing! Honestly, I've never seen martial arts this miraculous before.
Your skills are unfathomable!"
The crowd went wild.
"Awesome!!!"
"So cool!"
"Incredible!"
The referee called, "Alright, thanks for that explanation. The match continues!"
They resumed—
but Jackie Chun suddenly spotted Goku and Chi-Chi peeking from backstage and felt uneasy.
He decided to end it quickly.
He used more of his strength.
Krillin could see him now,
but seeing didn't mean he could dodge—
and those were only Master Roshi's basic attacks.
He could chain them endlessly.
Soon Krillin took a direct hit and blacked out.
The referee counted again.
"…Ten! Nine! Eight… One!
Krillin can't stand! Jackie Chun wins!"
Staff carried Krillin backstage. He woke up slowly.
Goku and Chi-Chi praised him for fighting well and draining Jackie Chun's stamina.
Krillin, who'd been downcast, brightened immediately.
Just then, the referee announced:
"Match Six begins!
Son Goku versus Chi-Chi! Please step up!"
Chi-Chi hurried to Goku.
"Goku, it's our turn!
I'll surrender the moment I get on stage.
That way you'll keep full stamina to fight Jackie Chun."
Goku looked at her and shook his head.
"I thought about it, and that wouldn't be right.
Chi-Chi, when you fight me,
go all out.
Use everything you've learned!"
Chi-Chi blinked.
"Why? Are we changing the plan?"
"Because Jackie Chun fought Krillin and used a lot of stamina.
If I win without fighting you, then face him,
I'd be taking advantage of his fatigue.
Even if I win, it wouldn't be honorable.
So I decided—
I want to beat him fair and square."