章 27: chapter 22
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As the Going Merry sailed through the ocean the crew found themselves in a winter wonderland. Luffy excitedly piled snow together and shaped it into a lopsided figure. "Look, it's Mr. Snow!" he declared, admiring his work.
Usopp, not to be outdone, scoffed. "You call that a snowman? Behold the Snow Queen!" He stepped aside to reveal his carefully crafted snow figure, complete with a twig tiara.
Luffy grinned mischievously. "Can your Snow Queen do this?" He hurled a snowball at Usopp's creation, knocking its head clean off.
Goku, meanwhile, was forming a snowball of his own and inspecting it curiously. "Hey, look! I made a snow feast!" Without warning, he took a bite. "Tastes like... snow."
Luffy's eyes lit up. "Oh, let me try that!" But before he could grab a snowball, Usopp retaliated by throwing one straight at Luffy's head.
"HEY!" Luffy shouted, rubbing his face.
Before anyone could blink, a full-on snowball fight broke out. Goku, Luffy, and Usopp darted around the deck, pelting each other with snow.
Nami crossed her arms and watched them hurl snowballs at each other, laughing and rolling around like kids. She sighed heavily. "Can they ever be serious for once? And where did this snow even come from? It was sunny just a second ago!"
Miss Wednesday, gave a casual shrug. "That's the Grand Line for you. The weather changes in a heartbeat. But more importantly, do you even know where we're going?"
"Of course I do!" Nami snapped, glancing down at her log pose. Her expression shifted in an instant, eyes widening in panic. "Oh no! No, no, no!"
Goku, Luffy, and Usopp paused mid-snowball fight as Nami bolted across the deck, her voice echoing over the ship. "Everyone, turn the ship around! Do a 180! Now!"
"Usopp! Take care of the lateen sail!" she shouted.
"On it!" Usopp yelled, rushing to adjust the ropes.
"Sanji, take the helm!"
"Of course, Nami-swan~!" Sanji said dashing to the wheel.
"Miss Wednesday, Mr. 9! Get to the main sail and help stabilize it!" Nami ordered.
The two nodded nervously and ran to their posts, fumbling with the ropes.
Meanwhile, Zoro lay slumped in the snow, completely unfazed by the chaos.
"Zoro, wake your ass up, snowman!" Usopp bellowed, but Zoro simply turned over and mumbled something unintelligible.
Suddenly, the snow stopped entirely, and the clouds began to part.
"The weather's changed!" Usopp said, looking around in awe.
Nami's eyes widened. "Change the sails! The wind's picking up fast—too fast!"
Sanji fought with the helm, gritting his teeth. "This wind's no joke!"
Luffy pointed out to the horizon. "Uh, Nami… there's a storm coming!"
Nami spun around to see a massive dark cloud barreling toward them. The wind howled louder, and the sea began to swell violently beneath the Going Merry.
"The wind is too much!" Nami yelled, clutching the railing as the ship rocked. "Everyone, hold on tight! This is going to be rough!"
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After what seemed like an eternity, Zoro stretched and stood up, letting out a satisfied yawn. "Man, that was a good nap," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. He glanced around to see the rest of the crew sprawled on the deck, groaning and exhausted from their battle with the storm.
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with all of you? The weather's calm now, no reason to be lazy," he muttered, completely oblivious to their efforts.
His gaze fell on Miss Wednesday and Mr. 9, who were slumped against the mast, catching their breath. Zoro squatted in front of them, staring intently. "Now… what were your names again?"
They exchanged nervous glances before stammering, "M-Miss Wednesday… and Mr. 9…"
Zoro scratched his chin, a smirk forming on his face. "Right, right. I've heard names like those before. The more I think about it, the more certain I am that you're—"
Before he could finish, Nami appeared behind him, fuming with rage.
WHACK!
"YOU BASTARD!" Nami yelled, smacking him on the head with all her might. "You think you can just sleep while everyone else is working their asses off?! We should just throw you overboard for that!"
Zoro winced and rubbed his head, trying to dodge as she continued hitting him. "Ow, ow! Calm down, Nami! I didn't know there was a storm!"
"THAT'S NO EXCUSE!" Nami shouted, her fury unabated.
Meanwhile, Luffy, Goku, and the others watched the spectacle unfold. Luffy turned to Tien, his usual wide grin on his face. "Hey, Tien, how'd you meet Goku? And are you sure you don't want to join our crew? It'd be awesome!"
Tien chuckled, crossing his arms. "I appreciate the offer, Luffy, but no. As for how I met Goku… well, it's a bit of a story."
[One year ago]
One year earlier, on the shore of a quiet island, Master Roshi stood with Krillin, the latter wiping sweat from his brow after a rigorous training session.
"Goku should be here soon," Krillin said, shrugging off the heavy turtle shell he wore during training. "He said he had something to take care of first."
Master Roshi adjusted his sunglasses, leaning on his staff. "That boy's always running off somewhere. He better not be late! The News Coo is supposed to deliver my… special magazines soon. I paid Morgan a lot of money to get those delivered!"
Krillin sighed and shook his head. "Master, sometimes you're hopeless."
As time passed, a boat appeared on the horizon, steadily approaching the shore. Roshi glanced up, a rare seriousness crossing his face as the boat docked. A man stepped off, an old rival with a smirk plastered across his face.
He wore a green and black gi, his posture exuding confidence. "Long time no see, Roshi," the man said, his tone taunting.
Roshi's expression hardened. "It's you, Shen."
Shen, the Crane Hermit and Roshi's longtime rival, let out a low laugh. "I see you're still wasting your time teaching children. I'm here to show you, once and for all, how the Crane School is superior!"
With that, Shen turned and called out to his students. "Tien! Chiaotzu! Come out!"
From the boat stepped two figures: a tall, muscular young man with a serious expression and an unsettling presence, and a smaller, pale companion with an eerie air. Tien's third eye remained closed, but a sense of darkness seemed to emanate from him, his energy heavy with a restrained intensity.
Roshi narrowed his eyes, gripping his staff tightly. "So, you're bringing your students to challenge me again, Shen?"
"That's right," Shen replied smugly. "Tien here is the perfect warrior, forged through the Crane School's teachings. And Chiaotzu is unmatched in precision and psychic ability. Your Turtle School has nothing on us!"
Krillin stepped forward, fists clenched. "We'll see about that!"
"Quiet, boy," Shen said dismissively. "You're not even worth Tien's time."
Roshi remained calm. "Shen, you've always been about power and domination. But you never understood what true strength is."
Shen sneered. "We'll see about that soon enough. Let's see how your students fare against mine."
Shen crossed his arms, a smug expression on his face as he addressed Chiaotzu. "Chiaotzu, deal with the little bald one. Show them the Crane School's superiority."
Chiaotzu stepped forward, his blank expression eerily calm, as Krillin readied himself, sliding into his fighting stance.
Master Roshi closed his eyes, sighing deeply as he stepped back. "Shen, you never learn. This is pointless."
Shen scoffed, throwing his hand forward dramatically. "Begin!"
The air crackled with tension as Chiaotzu hovered above the ground, his small frame pulsating with an eerie energy. His eyes glowed as he manipulated the environment with his psychic powers, rocks and debris levitating around him. Krillin, ever the skilled fighter, darted around, narrowly avoiding the floating objects while keeping his focus on Chiaotzu.
Every time he thought he had an opening, Chiaotzu's telekinetic force would shove him off balance, sending him skidding across the ground
Krillin's mind raced as he tried to close the distance, knowing that Chiaotzu's psychic abilities made a direct assault nearly impossible.
He dodged another barrage of floating boulders, using his speed and agility to his advantage, but Chiaotzu's mind seemed to be everywhere at once. Krillin gritted his teeth, understanding that he would need to bring out more than just his reflexes.
"Alright, I need to get serious," Krillin muttered under his breath, adopting a more defensive stance as he blocked another psychic strike.
Chiaotzu grinned, his voice high-pitched but full of confidence. "You can't run forever, My powers are limitless!"
But Krillin wasn't about to let his pride get the better of him. "You might have telekinesis, but I've got something just as powerful—my determination!"
With a swift movement, Krillin blurred into motion, utilizing a series of rapid, erratic movements to confuse Chiaotzu. As Krillin feigned an attack from one angle, Chiaotzu's psychic aura flared, attempting to stop him in his tracks. But it was exactly what Krillin had hoped for.
With Chiaotzu focused on the wrong threat, Krillin seized the moment. He crouched low and, in a single fluid motion, launched himself into the air with a well-timed jump. Surprising Chiaotzu, he closed the distance in a flash, delivering a powerful roundhouse kick that sent the psychic flying backward.
Chiaotzu struggled to regain his focus, but Krillin was already charging up his Kamehameha. The energy built rapidly in his hands as his resolve hardened. "This ends now!"
With a determined yell, Krillin unleashed the Kamehameha wave, the blast cutting through the air like a lightning bolt. Chiaotzu's eyes widened in shock as the energy wave engulfed him, sending him crashing into the ground, defeated but not broken.
Krillin landed softly, his breathing heavy but steady. "I didn't want to hurt you too bad, Chiaotzu. But I can't hold back anymore."
Shen sneered, his face twisting in anger. "Tien! Finish him!"
Tien stepped forward with a cold, serious expression. Without hesitation, he flash-stepped behind Krillin, moving so fast that Krillin barely had time to react.
"What?!" Krillin gasped, shocked by Tien's speed.
Before Krillin could defend himself, Tien unleashed a brutal assault. His strikes were precise and devastating, each hit landing with overwhelming power. Krillin tried to block and counter, but Tien's skill was far superior.
Tien finished by grabbing Krillin and hurling him into a nearby rock, leaving him slumped and battered.
"Kill him, Tien!" Shen yelled, his voice filled with malice.
Tien, his face unreadable, formed a glowing ki blast in his hand. He aimed it at the helpless Krillin, ready to fire.
"No!" Roshi shouted, stepping forward.
Tien released the blast, a figure darted in out of nowhere. Goku appeared, wielding his Power Pole. With a single swift strike, he deflected the ki blast harmlessly into the sky.
"Hey! Sorry I'm late!" Goku said, grinning as he landed beside Krillin, who was struggling to get up. "Krillin, you okay, buddy?"
Krillin gave a weak thumbs-up. "Yeah… just a little sore."
Roshi exhaled in relief, while Shen's anger boiled over.
Tien, however, fixed his sharp gaze on Goku, his third eye narrowing slightly. "So… you're the main event," he said, his tone cold and focused.
Goku turned to Tien, his grin widening. "You must be pretty strong. Let's see what you've got!"
Tien took his stance, his three eyes focused solely on Goku, while Goku grinned, spinning his Power Pole in one hand.
"You got three eyes?" Goku said. "This'll be fun!"
Tien didn't respond. He darted forward with incredible speed, aiming a straight punch at Goku. Goku parried with the Power Pole, spinning it to deflect Tien's strikes. Tien pressed the attack, launching a flurry of punches and kicks that forced Goku to backpedal.
The Power Pole swung low, aiming for Tien's legs, but Tien leaped over it, twisting in mid-air to deliver a powerful kick. Goku blocked it with the pole, the impact reverberating through the clearing.
"Not bad!" Goku said, pushing Tien back and countering with a swift jab from the Power Pole. Tien ducked under the strike and launched a sharp elbow toward Goku's chest. Goku twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the blow, and retaliated with a kick.
The two exchanged rapid blows, the sound of their strikes echoing through the clearing. Goku used the Power Pole to keep Tien at a distance, extending it to sweep at Tien's feet or jab at his torso. Tien countered by using his incredible agility to sidestep and close the distance, landing precise hits that forced Goku to stay on his toes.
As the fight continued, their movements grew faster, almost a blur. Tien grabbed the Power Pole mid-strike, wrenching it from Goku's grip and tossing it aside.
"Let's see how you do without your toy," Tien said, his tone cold.
Goku smirked. "Alright then!"
He darted forward, their fists meeting in mid-air with a resounding crack. They traded blows in a flurry of punches and kicks, each testing the other's limits. Goku landed a solid punch to Tien's jaw, but Tien retaliated with a spinning back kick that sent Goku skidding across the ground.
Goku flipped to his feet and grinned. "You're really good. Let's kick it up a notch!"
Both fighters leaped into the air, exchanging strikes mid-flight before landing on opposite sides of the clearing. Without a word, they powered up, their auras flaring to life. Tien's was a golden-yellow glow, sharp and fierce, while Goku's was a soft blue, steady and strong.
The ground shook as the two warriors clashed again, this time with bursts of ki energy accompanying each strike. Goku dodged a powerful energy wave from Tien, countering with a Kamehameha blast that Tien deflected into the forest.
Their battle carried them into the dense woods, their movements uprooting trees and scattering wildlife. Tien used his Crane School techniques to fly into the air, launching a barrage of ki blasts.
"You can fly!?" Goku yelled surprised
As he darted through the forest, dodging the blasts and firing back with quick, precise energy waves.
The forest became a battlefield of exploding ki and flying debris as the two pushed each other to their limits. Eventually, they landed back in a clearing, both huffing and covered in sweat and dirt.
Goku smiled, his breathing heavy. "You're an amazing fighter. One of the best I've ever faced."
Tien wiped a trickle of blood from his lip. "You're not too bad yourself. But why do you keep holding back?"
Goku's expression turned serious. "Because I sense something in you. You're strong, but there's this… darkness around you. I don't know you well, but I think you're going down the wrong path."
Tien's third eye narrowed as he clenched his fists. "What do you know about my path? Strength is all that matters. I don't need your judgment!"
Goku shook his head. "Maybe not, but I think there's more to you than just power. You don't have to let your master decide who you are."
The words struck a chord in Tien, but he pushed the thought aside. "Enough talk. Let's finish this!"
veins bulge across his muscular frame, the energy around him crackled with intensity. His three eyes glared at Goku, hyper-focused, his power surging.
"Now, Goku," Tien said, his voice steady but charged with power. "My senses are heightened. There's nothing you can do that I can't see."
Goku grinned, tightening his stance. "We'll see about that!"
The two launched themselves at each other in a blur of speed. Their fists collided mid-air, creating a shockwave that shook the ground. Tien's strikes were precise and relentless, his movements almost impossible to predict. Goku countered with fluid agility, weaving between Tien's blows and landing quick hits of his own.
The battle was fierce, both fighters pushing their limits. Tien's new power made him faster and stronger, but Goku's adaptability and sheer will kept him in the fight. The forest around them bore the brunt of their battle, trees splintering and the ground cracking under the force of their attacks.
As their exchange continued, the scene shifted to Roshi and Shen, standing on the shore, watching the distant battle. Shen smirked, arms crossed as he glanced at his old rival.
"So," Shen began, his tone filled with disdain, "that brat with the tail—he has your old student Gohan's pole, doesn't he?"
Roshi nodded slowly, his eyes fixed on the forest. "Yes, he does. Gohan entrusted it to him before he passed."
Shen scoffed, his gaze darkening. "I have no doubt Tien will win. He reminds me of him,
It's like déjà vu."
Roshi's eyes narrowed, sensing the weight of Shen's words. "Him?"
Shen smirked, his expression bitter. "Yes. The reason the Crane School was destroyed, and the reason so many young, talented fighters died. He nearly killed me, too."
Roshi's face turned somber as the name lingered in the air. "Rocks D. Xebec…"
Shen's eyes gleamed with a mixture of pride and anger. "My greatest student. The strongest pirate to ever live."
Roshi shook his head, his voice heavy. "Xebec was a menace—a pirate who spread destruction and evil everywhere he went. He was no Crane disciple. He followed no code."
Shen's fists clenched. "He followed the Crane way! Strength above all else! That's what I taught him!"
Roshi frowned, turning his gaze back to the forest. "And yet, he met his end by the hands of my student, student… and that pirate king."
The mention of the Pirate King made Shen flinch slightly, but he recovered quickly. "Xebec's ambitions were beyond any of those fools. He sought power greater than anyone could imagine. That's why he went to that island—God Valley."
Roshi's expression hardened. "He wasn't there for power alone. He sought a legendary orb said to grant any wish. But something happened there—something… bizarre."
Shen cut him off, his voice sharp. "I don't want to hear how your precious Turtle Hermit students had the upper hand against me!"
Roshi sighed, sensing the bitterness and unresolved anger in Shen's voice. "Xebec's path led him to ruin. You know that as well as I do."
Shen turned away, his gaze cold. "Tien won't make the same mistakes. He'll prove the Crane School's superiority."
Their conversation ended as another shockwave echoed from the forest, signaling the ongoing battle between Tien and Goku. Both masters turned their attention back to the fight, the air tense with anticipation.
Goku and Tien squared off again, their battered bodies already pushed to the brink. Dust and debris filled the battlefield as the remnants of their previous clashes lingered in the air. Both fighters were bruised, bleeding, and panting, but neither showed any sign of backing down.
"Not bad," Goku said, His eyes glimmered with excitement despite the pain wracking his body. "But I'm not done yet!"
Tien smirked, his third eye glowing faintly. "Neither am I."
Goku lunged forward, extending his fist aiming for Tien's midsection. Tien sidestepped the strike with incredible speed, countering with a spinning kick aimed at Goku's head. Goku ducked just in time, sweeping his legs upward to force Tien into the air.
Tien flipped midair, launching a barrage of ki blasts down at Goku. Goku swiped his hands deflecting most of the blasts, but one managed to graze his shoulder, sending him stumbling back.
Using the opening, Tien dove down, delivering a rapid series of punches and kicks. Goku blocked as many as he could, the sound of their strikes echoing like thunderclaps. But Tien's speed and precision overwhelmed him, and a well-placed elbow sent Goku skidding across the ground.
Goku quickly recovered, planting his foot into the ground to stop his momentum. He shot Tien a grin, his Saiyan determination shining through. "Okay, now it's my turn!"
He leaped high into the air, twisting his body mid-flight as he brought his fist down with incredible force toward Tien. Tien met the attack head-on, thrusting both hands upward to block the strike. The sheer collision of their power created a shockwave that cracked the ground beneath Tien, sending cracks spidering outward in all directions.
"Not bad," Tien said, his veins bulging as he pushed his fist. He retaliated with a sharp knee to Goku's gut, followed by a ki-infused uppercut that sent Goku flying backward.
As Goku hit the ground, he planted his hands and flipped back to his feet. "You're strong, Tien. But I think it's time to take this up a notch And end this!"
Both fighters powered up, their auras flaring wildly. The ground trembled beneath their feet as their energy clashed. Goku cupped his hands together, drawing them back as blue energy began to swirl between them.
"Kamehameha!" he shouted, his voice filled with power.
Tien floated into the air, his hands forming a triangular shape in front of him. Energy surged through his body, radiating from his third eye as he prepared his strongest attack.
"Tri-Beam!" Tien yelled, unleashing a blinding beam of energy.
Before Goku could launch his Kamehameha, his body froze mid-motion. His eyes widened in shock as he struggled to move. "What's... happening?"
Chiaotzu stood on the sidelines, his hands glowing as he concentrated. "Sorry, Goku," Chiaotzu said softly, his voice filled with regret. "But I have to stop you."
Shen cackled with glee. "Good, Chiaotzu! Hold him right there!"
Tien hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering with doubt as he saw Goku immobilized. But Shen's voice rang in his ears. "Finish him, Tien!"
With a reluctant breath, Tien released the Tri-Beam. The attack struck the ground where Goku stood, creating an explosion that obliterated the battlefield. Dust and debris filled the air as the sound of destruction echoed across the island.
Roshi and Krillin shouted in despair, running toward the blast zone. "Goku!" they cried.
Shen laughed maniacally. "Excellent work, Tien! And Chiaotzu, well done. This is the true power of the Crane School!"
Tien floated back to the ground, his body trembling from exhaustion. He looked at the smoking crater, his chest heaving. "It's over," he muttered.
But as the dust began to settle, a figure emerged. Goku's battered form trembled as he stood, his body refusing to fall despite the blood dripping from his mouth. His muscles ached from the devastating force of Tien's Tri-Beam, which had left the battlefield a cratered wasteland. Smoke and dust filled the air, masking the sun as Roshi and Krillin called out desperately from the sidelines.
Tien, breathing heavily his expression unreadable. His three eyes locked on Goku's defiant figure. The silence was broken only by Shen's triumphant laughter.
"Excellent work, Tien!" Shen sneered, turning toward Chiaotzu, who stood motionless with his hands raised. "And you, Chiaotzu—well done. Holding that brat still so Tien could finish him off. Perfect teamwork!"
Tien looked at Chiaotzu, his expression flickering with unease. His master's praise felt hollow as his gaze returned to Goku.
"Kill him, Tien," Shen barked. "End him now!"
Tien hesitated, his fists clenching. His breathing was labored, but the command echoed in his mind. This was the moment he had trained for—to prove the superiority of the Crane School. Yet, as he stared at Goku, who refused to back down even in defeat, something stirred in him.
"No," Tien said, his voice steady but filled with conviction.
Shen froze, his smirk replaced by a twisted snarl. "What did you just say?"
"I said no," Tien repeated, louder this time. He turned to face Shen, his expression one of defiance. "I won't kill him."
Shen's face contorted in rage. "You ungrateful little wretch! If it weren't for me, you'd have been sold to the government as a child! I gave you power, purpose—everything!"
Tien didn't flinch. "You gave me nothing but hate and pain," he said, his voice firm. "And I'm done listening to you."
Shen's fury reached its peak as he raised his hand, forming a glowing Dodon Ray. "You dare defy me?! I'll end you myself!"
Before Shen could fire, Roshi stepped forward, placing himself between Shen and Tien. His calm, unwavering gaze met Shen's burning anger.
"Enough, Shen," Roshi said. His voice was steady, but the weight of decades of rivalry and regret hung heavy in his words. "Leave this island. Now."
Shen hesitated, his hand trembling with the energy of his attack. For a moment, the air was thick with tension as the two old rivals stared each other down.
"Damn you, Roshi," Shen spat, lowering his hand. He turned to Chiaotzu, who had dropped his arms and stood silently. "Chiaotzu, let's go!"
Chiaotzu didn't move. He looked at Tien, his face filled with uncertainty.
"Chiaotzu!" Shen roared.
"I'm staying with Tien," Chiaotzu finally said, his voice quiet but resolute.
Shen's eyes widened in disbelief. His face twisted in betrayal as he pointed a trembling finger at both of them. "You'll regret this day. Both of you. After everything I've done for you, this is how you repay me?!"
Without another word, Shen stormed off to his boat, his steps heavy with anger. He climbed aboard, casting one last furious glance at the group on the shore. "You'll regret this," he snarled before the sails caught the wind, and his boat disappeared into the horizon.
As the sound of the waves swallowed Shen's departure, Tien turned back to Goku. His three eyes softened, and for the first time in years, the darkness around him began to lift.
"You're incredible, Goku," Tien said, his voice filled with a newfound respect. "You fought me with everything you had, and still, you stood up."
Goku grinned through his bruised face, giving a thumbs-up. "You're not so bad yourself, Tien. But I know you're not evil. You just need a new path."
Tien nodded, his resolve strengthened. "I think I've found it."
Roshi and Krillin approached, relief washing over their faces as the tense moment passed. The sun began to break through the clouds, illuminating the battered battlefield and the new bonds formed there.
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