The full-moon glow radiating from the Moonlight rod's tip entered Son Goku's pupils, transforming into bioelectric signals that continuously stimulated the unique cells in his tail.
The cells in his tail began to mutate!
Acting as the trigger for this mutation, the tail cells essentially became the commander of Goku's transformation, overriding his brain and taking control. They directed his entire body — organs and tissues included — to reconstruct into the form of a Great Ape. Surges of immense energy burst forth from every cell in Goku's body, filling his muscles and bones as his form rapidly expanded!
Fortunately, thanks to the wristwatch he had activated, his body simultaneously began to shrink.
Thump, thump, thump!
A strong, clear heartbeat echoed from Goku's chest.
The surrounding noise faded away, like an ebbing tide, as the process of his transformation into a Great Ape continued.
Goku's expression was slightly dazed as he observed the continuous changes to his body. It swayed between shrinking and expanding, balancing his uncontrolled swelling muscles, the dense brown fur spreading over him, his protruding snout, overlapping fangs, and the red tint that coated his vision. He wasn't sure how much time had passed when, through his haze, he noticed Tighst and Bulma watching him anxiously. Dr. Omori had hidden behind Master Roshi, who stood alert, sweating profusely.
Gradually, the sounds of the world returned.
"… Ah! Oh my! Just as we were about to call Tien Shinhan and Fourteenth Monk to the stage, contestant Son Goku, who rushed to the edge of the ring alone, is undergoing an incredible transformation! Much like the werewolf contestant from the fourth match of the quarterfinals, Goku seems to possess an astonishing ability to transform! Is this a Ape? Could contestant Goku actually be some kind of ape-man? Judging from the reactions of those in the audience who seem to know him, they appear familiar with this transformation!"
The blonde commentator, ever observant, didn't miss a moment of Goku's shocking transformation under the watchful eyes of the crowd, his words firing rapidly into the microphone.
"Grr…" Ape Goku growled deeply.
"G-Goku, are you okay?" Dr. Omori asked nervously. He recalled Tighst mentioning that Yamiru had used the Dragon Balls to wish away Goku's uncontrollable rampages in his Great Ape form, but having never seen Shenron himself, he still doubted it. "Do you still recognize us, Goku?"
Ape Goku panted heavily, his crimson eyes blinking. Tighst waved at him. "Hey! How's it going? Can you speak?"
"This feels… strange…"
Ape Goku finally spoke. Though his deep voice differed greatly from his usual tone, it was enough to ease everyone's fears.
Master Roshi let out a long sigh of relief, wiping the sweat from his palms.
Ape Goku moved awkwardly, unfamiliar with his new Great Ape body. His steps were heavy, each one creating a loud thud on the ring's edge. "My body feels weird! I'm not used to it..."
"It's probably because, while ape and monkey anatomy are similar to humans, their proportions are still different," Bulma explained. "Plus, your weight, muscle mass, and bone density must be drastically different from what you're used to."
"Yeah," Ape Goku said, clenching his rough, fur-covered hands. "The power in my body feels so strong... but so unfamiliar."
"You're absolutely right," Master Roshi agreed. "Blindly enlarging your body and filling it with power isn't ideal. Such transformations are only suitable as an emergency measure." He thought of his own "Max Power" form and nodded in agreement with himself.
Ape Goku seemed contemplative for a moment but quickly snapped out of it. Dragging his heavy ape body, he clumsily climbed onto the Flying Nimbus and said urgently, "Forget it! I need to help Yamiru stop that guy! Let's go, Nimbus — after him!"
Whoosh! The Flying Nimbus carried Ape Goku above the audience, who ducked instinctively. When they looked up, all they saw was the faint golden trail left by the cloud as it disappeared into the distance.
Bulma watched the Flying Nimbus fade from view. "I never thought he'd still be able to ride it in this form."
Tighst smiled. "Maybe the Nimbus knows that as long as Son Goku stays true to himself, whether he's a wolf or an ape, he's still Son Goku! It doesn't matter what he looks like."
Master Roshi nodded. "That's right. Keeping a pure heart is what's most important."
"But," Dr. Omori said indignantly, "where on Earth is Jaco? At a time like this, when we need the Galactic Patrolman, he's nowhere to be found!"
Behind the Martial Arts Tournament's emblematic signboard, the venue's host, a monk resembling a pug, watched as Ape Goku disappeared into the sky. Speaking to himself, he murmured, "The Flying Nimbus, huh… That ape-like child has become extraordinarily strong. Perhaps only someone like him could match that Ultraman-like fellow… I wonder where he's gone off to?"
Nearby, a werewolf contestant, who had rushed out of the waiting room due to the commotion, stared up at the sky in disbelief. "A-A freak like that exists…" he murmured.
"You're not much better yourself!" Chiaotzu quipped sharply from the side.
Tien Shinhan remained silent, his focus unwavering.
In the restroom of the World Martial Arts Tournament venue, an elite Galactic Patrolman was suffering from severe discomfort due to Earth's food. His pale complexion — naturally white — had worsened as he knelt before the toilet. Jaco groaned, "Why is it so noisy outside? My head hurts even more!"
Another wave of nausea hit him.
"Urghhh…"
Feeling utterly defeated, Jaco silently swore, "Cilantro is terrifying! Who would have thought Earthlings were dumb enough to turn such poison into food? I let my guard down! Ughhh…" He plunged his head back into the toilet, retching loudly.
Outside, chaos reigned as a series of bizarre events left the tournament in disarray. Fortunately, the experienced referee and announcer managed to bring the situation under control, gradually restoring order.
The announcer raised his microphone and proclaimed, "Now, we can only hope contestant Son Goku, in his ape form, will return before his match in the third round! Similarly, if contestant Yamiru makes it back before the next round begins, his qualification will remain intact! For now, let us welcome the contestants for the second match — Tien Shinhan and Fourteenth Monk! Fourteenth Monk is a revered monk from the famous Orin Temple. Let's give them a warm welcome!"
The resilient audience erupted into cheers as the two contestants entered the ring.
Eight-year-old Tien Shinhan and sixty-nine-year-old Monk Fourteen walked slowly toward the stage.
Monk Fourteen pressed his palms together and said solemnly, "I heard you're a disciple of Master Shen. What a shame… you've strayed from the true path."
Tien scoffed disdainfully, assuming the Crane School stance. "Enough preaching. Let's fight!
---
Elsewhere, Ape Goku flew on the Flying Nimbus, pursuing Master Shen. Searching the skies, he finally spotted Shen heading toward the coastline on foot.
Sensing an overwhelming presence from above, Master Shen abruptly stopped.
"W-What!?"
Shen's expression turned incredulous as he looked up. "How could such an intense aura exist? Impossible!!"
The Flying Nimbus dipped low, letting Ape Goku leap off before it soared back into the sky.
Boom!
Goku's heavy landing created a small crater.
"You're not allowed to interfere with Yamiru!" he declared. "I'll stop you!"
"Stop me?" Shen, drenched in sweat, removed his dark green robe bearing the Crane emblem, revealing his wiry frame. Tossing aside his sunglasses, he assumed a serious demeanor. "Looks like you're here to kill me…"
---
Meanwhile, Yamiru focused entirely on following Tao Pai Pai's flight path, rushing to the seashore.
But when he arrived, the area was empty.
Crash! The waves lapped against the rocks.
As he caught his breath, Yamiru looked up to see Tao Pai Pai hovering in the sky using Flight Technique. Tao pointed a finger downward, aiming directly at Yamiru.
"Die, you bastard!" Tao roared. "Dodon Ray!"
Boom!
The Dodon Ray's greatest strength was its speed — so fast it was unbelievable!
Even Son Goku, the runner-up of the 21st Martial Arts Tournament, couldn't evade it in the manga. If not for the Four-Star Dragon Ball blocking it, Goku would have been killed.
Boom!
A ray of light descended from the sky like divine punishment, leaving an indelible image in Yamiru's golden eyes.
Much like years ago when he narrowly evaded bullets while severely ill, Yamiru's crazed focus allowed him to sidestep the Dodon Ray. The beam grazed his cheek, leaving a scorched wound and a smoking hole at his feet.
Crash!
The waves shattered against the rocks, scattering glittering droplets. In the nearby waters, shark fins darted uneasily.
"..." Tao Pai Pai's expression soured at his failed attack. With a cold snort, he tore off his "Kill" symbol robe and let the wind carry it away.
Yamiru responded by ripping off his own torn shirt, revealing scars of varying depths from his earlier battle with Tao in the tournament. His gaze never wavered as he stared up at his opponent. Stretching his limbs, he exhaled.
The sea breeze swept past them as both men understood — only one of them would survive this battle.