Age 745, May 7th.

The day of the 20th World Martial Arts Tournament finally was here. It took some years of waiting but it was about time that he showed his parents how powerful he became.

It would, later on, become a bargaining chip for his other travels and such. Basically more freedom even though he already took a lot of liberties.

Closing in on the entrance to the Tournament gave Darc a smile on his lips. He would turn 11 this year and if he won this tournament he also would probably become the youngest champion of the tournament for a long time to come until Pan would conquer it.

That's at least what he thought she would do. At that point, he would probably have far surpassed his current him anyways and wouldn't need to participate here much. Even less so because the tournament would become a yearly event later on.

And he simply probably wouldn't have time to appear every time. Also, he liked to win the round number so he chose to appear this time.

Arriving at the entrance Darc looked at two temple servants who wrote the participant's names on a paper. Since the tournament was held in an old temple ground it was to be expected to see those.

"Hello, I would like to take part in the tournament.", he said with a grin.

The officials looked at him in surprise because he looked really young but there was no kid division yet so they didn't bother saying anything. "Alright, the name please?" was asked from them in return.

"It's Darc. D A R and C", he said and told them how it was written as well.

"Hey, don't forget me!", came from the side. Looking to the person one could immediately recognize Lite. "The name is Lite. Please write me in too.", he added after coming over as well.

"Are you really sure about this? You would end up fighting against each other in the finals if you come through", said a rough voice. It was Darc´s father Truff. He actually took some time to come here and watch the tournament. His mother Kibini was also here with him. She stood right beside Truff.

"Sure we are. It's not like Lite will be certain to come to the finals." , answered Darc and smirked to Lite.

Lite, on the other hand, got a little agitated about that sentence. "What do you mean by that, huh? You think I won't make it? I will show you how it's done.", he rebuked proudly.

Darc chuckled "And in the end, you would still lose to me."

"That's another story. Just coming to the finals is enough for me. Beating you is pretty much impossible for now.", nodded Lite and agreed on that. But at the same time, he didn't give up hope for improvement.

"Oh, you still think you can surpass me? Well, you got a good spirit."

"Just don't overdo it, you two", interrupted Kibini.

"Yes, mom." "Yes, Ms. Soya" Both agreed.

"We will still support both of you no matter who wins.", came another female voice.

"Oh, hey there Luffa. You guys also made it. And thanks.", noticed Darc looking to Luffa, Otamo, and Glew who were here to watch the tournament.

"Nah, I am pretty sure Luffa is more supportive of Darc but thanks anyways. Hey Glew, how about you cheer for me", said LIte and pointed with a finger at himself.

Glew snorted "Who would support you. Are you a beggar or something?"

"Ouch, that hurt.", laughed Lite softly off.

Darc looked at the time and it was about time that it started. "Let's go in, Lite. From here participants in the fights and visitors are separated. So, see you guys later."

Lite nodded and came inside with Darc. Darc actually trained Lite in this last year pretty hard. He refrained him from weight training because he was too young and Darc didn't want him to end up like Krillin who didn't grow really much after training with Roshi.

And the kind of training Roshi did was probably a major factor in that. But otherwise, he didn't hold back and judging him now he would be already on the level of Roshi. That made him a great contender for finals with about a power level of 200 when put into numbers.

Obviously, no one but Darc would win this tournament. That is if nothing unexpected happened but what should actually happen?

Being inside they were led to the compartment further in the back where the preliminaries were held indoors. There were a few square stages for every group of participants to fight on. Who falls out of it or goes K.O. or gives up, loses the fight. Killing someone was also strictly forbidden and only armor that could be worn was for genital areas only.

Looking around further one could notice a camera team in a corner recording some participants and probably the later stages of the tournament. If one counted the people inside there were about 80 to 90 fighters. And only 8 of these people would come to be remembered as being able to go forward to the actual Tournament.

Dar drew the Number 35 so he wasn't on his turn yet but Lite actually drew the number 3 and he had to go right at the beginning.

He fought against some gib hulky guy with at first intimidated Lite but after he punched him easily K.O, he regained his confidence again.

His later stages of fighting also were pretty easy. Lite actually kinda complained why it was so easy until his last fight was actually a little bit problematic against someone who leads a martial school. He had to use tactics and more of his prowess at that fight.

Darc himself never really came into a sweat and pretty much punched every single one of his opponent K.O. The people seeing that all became pretty scared of him. He was still a kid after all and was so strong at that.

After some time the 8 last people were finalized. And looked at them Darc and Lit had the luck to make it into the last 8 and they even were on different paths and only at the final they would actually meet. The other contestants were really noteworthy for Darc.

He only maybe was kinda curious about King Chappa that was in Lite´s group and wondered who would win. He rooted for Lite so that Chappa knew his place but then again Chappa didn't seem as arrogant as he was later.

His fights were pretty boring, to say the least, and he only could learn little from all the fighters. Some had some interesting techniques and others showed off too much. The minimum standard was just way too low right now. It would have been interesting if he was still him before visiting Namek but even then he would probably have gotten stronger and the same result would end up.

So, in the end, he easily came up to the finals without doing much at all.

Chappa and Lite´s fight was actually quite interesting. Lite struggle to avoid the fast punches of Chappa at the beginning and had to go on to defending most of the time and waiting for an opportunity to strike back. But sadly when he tried to exploit an opening he made himself pretty open himself and Chappa used that to send him out.

"Damn it!", came Lite with a grunt to the backstage.

"Hey, don't get so discouraged. You did pretty well. Just learn from your mistake and the next time you will become even better. Next title is yours for sure.", he said to encourage him.

Lite smiled. "Thanks, now go and beat that guy's ass."

"Hehe I would love to but its a 30 mins break before the finals. Let's eat something first.", he said with a chuckle.

King Chappa actually glared at them when he heard him talk about food. Why was his opponent so carefree before the final.

After eating up the rest was over and the finalists were called to fight.

So Darc went up unto the stage and looked at Chappa. He placed his hand behind his head and smiled.

"You know, if you want to give up you can still do it because I won't hold back. You may go back with broken ribs.", said Darc to taunt him and it actually worked.

"You little brat. Don't be so sure about that. Who would give up in the finals? I will make sure to pummel you hard enough that your parents will straighten you up to be polite to adults.", rebuked Chappa.

Darc narrowed his eyes. This guy was something else and he actually got a bit angry. Maybe sending him to the hospital would be an option but that would be a little bit too cruel. This guy does come from a poor village after all.

After the commentator announced the match to begin. It was by the way, not the same blonde commentator that would appear later. Darc charged right up in an instant. Chappa couldn't even react and got his fist right into the ribcage were a nasty sound could be heard.

"That's three ribs...Now go and take a nap.", he said with a solemn face and punched him into the face sending him out of the ring and effectively K.Oing him.

The spectators were flabbergasted how quick this match ended. They did saw him advance the previous matches pretty easily but didn't think he also would win so fast this time.

"Hey, Referee. How about declaring my win already?", said Darc with an impatient voice.

The commentator came back to his senses. "Ladies and gentlemen. This year's world martial arts tournament winner is Darc! And that with only 10 years of age! What a talented winner!", shouted the commentator.

Then the commentator came over to Darc and whispered "The prize money will be given to you indoors. Please inform your parents to pick it up", he said and assumed already that he was with his parents here.

Darc nodded, let the commentator pick his arm and raise it to indicate him as the winner again and then he left the stage, going back to Lite.

"Was that revenge enough?", he asked him with a smirk.

"Damn, that was a little bit too cruel, mate", answered Lite back. Even for his standard that was hard. "But congratulations, Darc! Champion!!", he added laughingly.

"Yeah, and I got some money with that as well.", added Darc with a grin. "Alright let's get back to the others."

-----

Meeting up with his family and friend his father immediately laughed out. "You make me really proud, son! You really flew by all those fights like a champ. You did well too, Lite.", he said and didn't forget to praise Lite for his effort in the tournament.

"That's actually not so surprising anymore, Darc. Winning so fluently like that. Damn, I won't get anywhere near your or Lite´s level.", said Otamo.

"You don't need to. You after all just started to go to the dojo for fun. Or did we spark some flame?", said Darc with a smirk back to him.

Otamo only smiled to that. Luffa also came over "Congratulations, Darc! You fought amazingly."

Darc scratched his head. "It was actually pretty easy."

"Yeah, but for a certain someone it looked much more of a hard struggle.", said Glew and looked to Lite.

"Give me a break! I nearly got that dude...Well, there is still the next time after all.", rebuked Lite after Glew teased him.

Then Darc interrupted them. "Alright, let's go get something to eat with the prize money here.", he said and showed the suitcase.

"Again? Damn, you are a glutton.", remarked Lite.

"Without energy in your body, you can't muster any energy in fights. Remember that as well, Lite.", said Darc to him.

Everyone chatted with each other and after visiting the restaurant and hotel for staying a night, they returned back home the following day.

Later Zarid met them and laughed the most because he was proud of his two students. He followed the tournament on his Television and besides that he also got more people joining his dojo since both Darc and Lite wore a black and white gi with a black-golden Hu(Tiger) symbol on their backs.

Darc didn't even mind since he actually did like the color scheme and gladly did some advertisement for Zarid.