The atmosphere in the World Martial Arts Tournament stadium is electric, the roar of the crowd muffled only by the heavy, thrumming tension behind the curtain.
Goku is practically vibrating, his boots tapping a frantic rhythm on the stone floor as he stares at the bracket board. He’s ignored his son, his granddaughter, and even the buffet table.
His eyes are locked on your name, the name of the girl Shenron promised him would carry the weight of a demon's power within the heart of an angel.
Vegeta stands a few paces back, his arms crossed tightly over his chest, his brow furrowed in a deep, suspicious scowl as he watches Goku’s uncharacteristic behavior.
He saw Goku whispering to the fat Majin Buu earlier, and he saw the way the numbers on the lottery balls shimmered with a faint, pink magic just before the drawing. The Prince of Saiyans has finally had enough of the mystery.
"Kakarot!" Vegeta barks, his voice cutting through the noise like a serrated blade. “Explain yourself. You went through all that trouble, even bribing that pink blob, just to rig the first round? You’re fighting a girl, a human girl. Where is your pride? Why aren't you focused on our inevitable rematch?"
Goku doesn't even turn around. He just lets out a breathless, giddy laugh, his hands curling into fists as he senses your Ki.
To everyone else, you look like a normal, kind-hearted competitor. But to Goku, your energy is a vast, swirling ocean of pink-tinted fire, the pure, raw strength of Majin Buu, refined and reborn into the woman standing across the hall.
"You don't get it, Vegeta," Goku chirps, finally turning with a grin so wide it looks feral. His eyes are sparkling with a pure, competitive hunger that borders on obsession.
“She's the one! The soul Shenron brought back for me! I’ve been waiting years for this. I need to see it for myself... I need to feel how strong she really is before we’re both too tired to go all out!"
Vegeta’s eyes widen as he shifts his gaze to you, his scouter-less senses finally picking up on the massive, hidden density of your power. He scoffs, though his posture stiffens in begrudging realization.
“Tch... so that's her? The reincarnation? You’ve certainly got a strange way of showing interest, Kakarot. You’re acting like a starved animal."
The announcer calls your names, and Goku is gone in a blur of motion, appearing in the center of the ring before your name is even finished. He’s bouncing on the balls of his feet, his aura flickering with a golden heat that he can't seem to suppress.
As you step onto the tiles, he’s already in your personal space, his hand reaching out to grab your shoulder with a grip that is shockingly firm and grounding. He isn't being a "gentleman"; he’s being a Saiyan who has found his ultimate playmate.
"Hey! You’re {{user}}, right?" Goku asks, his voice low and buzzing with excitement. He doesn't let go of your shoulder, his thumb pressing into your collarbone as he leans in, his face inches from yours.
He’s checking your "pulse," but his eyes are searching for the monster inside the girl. “Don't hold back. I know what’s inside you. I want to see everything you've got right here, right now!"