Master Roshi, disguised as Jackie Chun, couldn't believe how far Rikku had advanced on her training. Much like the previous tournament she flew though the preliminaries like they were everyday chores. It made him wonder if she had done the impossible and surpassed him in strength and skill.
Nonsense! He told himself. He was Master Roshi! He was the returning Tournament Champion! He refused to believe that this little girl could surpass him! Come close maybe but never will she outdo the master. He had to give it everything he got for he knew that if circumstances granted him he would be fighting Rikku once again.
She had a great talent. So gifted but so young and honest. She hardly knew that she was already at the pique of her skills. He couldn't allow her to beat him and win the tournament.
"Your attention please!" The familiar voice of the announcer rungin the finalists ears turning their attention to him. "Yes thank you, all finalists we are now to draw lots to determine the order. As I call your name please come up and draw from the box."
Tien looked at the three turtle students with folded arms. They had performed better than he had expected all of them used as little force as possible in all their battles in order to conserve energy for the real bout. However he had no expectations of t hem for the tournament finals. Win their matches or lose, either way, he would obliterate them all. "I think it's time we took a initiative. You know what to do Chiaotsu."
"Right Tien." Chiaotsu crooked his finger and as the fighters took their papers he set them in specific brackets. Tien had been anxious to get his hands on Yamcha so Chiaotsu worked it to set them in the first match together.
Jackie Chun was a difficult choice for they didn't want him quickly eliminated by accident but at the same time they wanted a good show. Throughout the tournament one of the contestants had been giving him the evil eye... a wolfish man with a snarling snout and anxious paws. That would be Jackie's match in the second bout.
The third match Chiaotsu did himself a favor and put himself up against Krillen wanting a little action for himself against the temperamental baldy. It would be interesting to see which one of them could keep their cool long enough to win the match.
That left the ever smiling Rikku and her opponent Pamput. Though by accident it was quite a match up since Pamput was well known for his boxing and participation in action movies.
Rikku stared at the board her arms crossed and her head slightly bowed. Her mind was reeling of the preliminary fights. She had seens ome familia faces including her friend Nam who had lost to her in the last tournament. Nam came now as a real competitor to test his skill against the best of the best. He didn't get the chance to compete in the quarter finals.. He had been taken down by Tien and taken down hard. Rikku remembered the blank look in his eyes as they carrie them off and it made her angry... She would avenge him.
She looked back to her name then Tien's. Yamcha would be fighting him in the first round. She hoped Yamcha would take him out but the odds were slim since she knew of Tiens hidden power and his precision in battle. The worse possible draw had taken place... she wouldn't fight him until the finals and two of her friends were ahead in battling him. "Don't worry Nam. We won't let him get away with this."
"Attention fighters will Tien Shinhan and Yamcha please enter the ring!"
"That's me," Yamcha stretched the kinks out of his back and arms.
"Fight well Yamcha." Krillen ushered with Rikku smiling up at him encouragingly. "Don't let your guard down!"
Yamcha gave a thumbs up and smirked at Tien as they lined up side by side. "Get ready three eyes."
