Saro Reads Manga: DB Edition

Discussion in 'Fan Town' started by Saro, Feb 28, 2018.

  1. Erica

    Erica occasionally vaguely like a person

    was it bc of vidalia (Steven universe vidalia)? bc I did that association
     
    • Agree x 2
  2. Saro

    Saro Where is wizard hut

    Probably a combo of that and seeing them in the grocery store! I looked them up and I had no idea they had to be grown in Georgia, USA.
     
    • Informative x 1
  3. Saro

    Saro Where is wizard hut

    Ch 423 translation continues to be kind of clunky so it's back to en version! be prepared for a lot of discrepancy between "hercule" in caps and "mr. satan" in text (A Hero is Born!)

    upload_2018-6-18_18-19-59.png
    D: no bulma please don't smoke

    But she has a solution for Gohan's problem: a costume. In something like a capsule. Gohan seems jazzed about the prospect, especially because Bulma can have it ready in two hours. Gohan doesn't want to just sit around and asks where Trunks might be. Training with Vegeta, Bulma thinks, in the gravity room; she thinks that Vegeta wants Trunks to be stronger than Gohan. Sound very probable to me!

    Wandering around, searching for the gravity room, he runs into Trunks... and his dad. Is dad less angery? Hard to say! His face is just be Like That, after all. Trunks at least manages to look happy despite being cursed with similar eyebrows. Maybe Vegeta could pull that off as a kid too?

    upload_2018-6-18_18-26-34.png
    see! cute!

    upload_2018-6-18_18-28-40.png
    thanks vegeta it's great to see you too glad we had this chance to catch up

    Jump ahead a couple of hours, and Bulma's got Gohan's new suit all ready for him. It's in a watch. Convenient. Trunks wants one too,

    upload_2018-6-18_18-36-33.png
    well... until he sees the results, anyway. ... .... as long as gohan's happy with it, i guess that's what matters (it's so weird it draws on like three different aesthetics and doesn't combine them particularly well and that's very distressing to me D:)

    upload_2018-6-18_18-39-19.png
    but he's so happy about it it's hard to hold any real dislike for it

    The urge to play around with his new fun toy is just too much to resist, and on his way to school the next morning, Gohan has the bright idea of flying in costume (and racing Kinto'un, which is apparently more sentient than I thought?) Gohan is faster than Kinto'un, and I feel kind of bad for the cloud. It's just been outclassed and now is the aerial equivalent of the '88 Volvo station wagon that the family gives the kid to drive to and from school.

    Gohan spots a chance to intervene in an in-progress crime: people speeding. In a car with "69" on the top and sides. He intervenes by landing in front of them and forcing the driver to brake suddenly in order to not plow into the sudden roadblock. Two shady guys get out of the car and ask Gohan who the hell he thinks he is. Gohan hasn't prepared for this and takes a few beats to come up with a new identity for this masked/caped/booted/gloved champion of public safety.

    upload_2018-6-18_18-49-56.png
    it makes sense to us because we know about the whole saiyan thing but to everyone else... to everyone else it just sounds weird

    The ne'er-do-wells laugh at Gohan, his new pseudonym, and his outfit. This upsets Gohan.

    upload_2018-6-18_18-55-45.png
    they may be a public menace but look what you did to the road!!!! D:<

    Thus intimidated, the former speedsters depart and Gohan is proud of his first act as... *sigh * Great Saiyaman. Although his second act should absolutely be to repair the road. How often do potholes get fixed in Satan City? If anywhere I've lived is an indicator, not nearly often enough. Presumably Gohan manages to shed his disguise and get to school, having started a bunch of rumors about "Great Saiyaman".
     
    • Like x 6
  4. Codeless

    Codeless Cheshire Cat

    Sooo Toriama wanted to draw a superhero manga now?
     
  5. Saro

    Saro Where is wizard hut

    Ch 424 what even is this manga anyway. there have been so many tone shifts and genre warps that i don't even know anymore (Videl's Emergency!!)

    Ahh, it's a lovely day. (Although, sidenote, I never realized just how close their house is to a stream/river? Like, if flooding happens, they are screwed. No amount of sandbags could protect their place from rising water. I guess it's worth it to be able to fish from the window?) Gohan's off to school and

    upload_2018-6-18_19-27-38.png
    uuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhh excuse me?? manga? is there something that maybe you should have told me?

    The little Goku-lookalike tells Gohan he looks cool. Gohan agrees, and takes off.

    upload_2018-6-18_19-45-58.png
    a) gohan you goddamn nerd; b) HOW FUCKING DARE YOU TORIYAMA. DO YOU KNOW HOW OFTEN I TYPE "GOKU" WHEN I MEAN "GOHAN" AND THE OPPOSITE??? DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I WORRY ABOUT SAYING THE WRONG ONE? NO YOU DO NOT. I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVE ANOTHER FUCKING GO- NAME TO CONTEND WITH.

    That's enough yelling, though. Hey there, Goten! You are... extraordinarily reminiscent of Goku. Like, people can have absolutely 0 doubt about your paternity. Must have been some stuff besides dragon ball hunting going on in the time before the Cell Game while Gohan was off hanging out with Dende. I see now what the real motivation was.

    Gohan's happy because he can get to school faster flying on his own. Once at school, he gets to hear some of the rumors about his alter-ego.

    upload_2018-6-18_19-58-41.png
    Gohan: (#`Д´) (taiya [can = tire] and saiya are similar in japanese, is my assumption about this particular translation)

    Later, in the middle of class, Videl gets a call on her smartwatch wrist communication device. Something about robbery. Videl races out, telling the teacher she has to leave. What's... going on? Eresa (one of Videl's friends, the girl Gohan sits next to, named after of course an eraser to match with Shapner, who is named after -- what else? -- a sharpener) explains. Videl has a hobby of being a champion of justice. She's also tough, so she gets asked for help by the cops. Shapner steps in when Gohan shows surprise that she gets asked: no need to worry about her, she's almost a match for her old man! Which, of course, comforts Gohan not one bit, because he's aware that Mr. Satan isn't quite the hero he makes himself out to be (or is made out to be). But it would be suspicious if he rushed out after her!

    upload_2018-6-18_20-12-45.png
    oh gohan. you are a sweet and good young man, but you are hopeless at not being suspicious

    He leaves the school in his Great Saiyaman gear, but is hampered by his lack of geographical/local infrastructure knowledge; he doesn't know the location Videl was summoned to. Time to use her ki to find her!

    Meanwhile, at the car chase, one of the criminals has a rocket launcher that he fires at the police. Jesus Christ. They come screeching to a halt, though, because Videl has blocked the road with a very impressive flying machine and is standing before them with two sets of handcuffs. If everyone plays nice and they give themselves up, no one has to get hurt. The big robber laughs; she's just a tiny slip of a thing! The smaller one recognizes her and warns his compatriot to not underestimate her, but he is bound and determined to do so, and tries to grab her. She leaps up, avoid his clumsy grasp, and kicks him mightily, using enough ki in the process that Gohan's able to track her, finally.

    The big guy admits that Videl might not be so bad, and Videl punches him right in the chin, laying him out. Gohan, watching from above, admires her strength; she's really something.

    upload_2018-6-18_21-39-12.png
    lady fighter lady fighter lady fighter!!!

    She's more than a match for these guys... but the other one pulls a gun on her. As strong as she may be, she's probably not equipped to just bounce bullets off like the saiyans do. Gohan steps in and crushes the gun in his mighty fist. "Who the hell are you?!" the robber demands.

    upload_2018-6-18_21-42-50.png
    * hides face * gohan, i.... i cannot deal with your great saiyaman persona

    Ch 425 (Revealed!!!)

    Gohan has apparently decided the best way to make an impression is to have a very long string of poses he has to strike before he reveals his superhero name. A string of poses ending in this:

    upload_2018-6-18_21-47-43.png
    * quiet muffled "aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah" of anguish *

    Certainly everyone should probably go watch the animated version on Youtube for the full experience. The stills don't necessarily do it justice.

    Videl is underwhelmed by the Great Saiyaman's performance and in fact calls him a loser. Gohan, stupidly, calls her by name as he tells her to handcuff the dude. Which does not necessarily mean much; she is the daughter of Mr. Satan, and a very well-known public figure in Satan City, but Videl takes it as a clue to the Great Saiyaman's identity.

    The remaining robber throws a smokebomb and zooms off in his vehicle. Gohan gives chase, via flight, and Videl is amazed. Actual flight! Not just some trick, like her dad would claim!

    Gohan nabs the robber with no trouble and brings him back to Videl. They have a bit of a chat about how the Great Saiyaman's true identity is a secret.

    upload_2018-6-18_21-57-44.png
    oh you dummy. you're a smart dude but you're so guileless. you're just not cut out for the secret superhero life

    And with that, all Videl's suspicions have been proven right! Whoops. What gave it away? His disguise was flawless! Well, his voice wasn't different enough from his usual one. And he still acts like Gohan. And he knew Videl's name (but that doesn't really count, I think).

    Videl flies him back to town so they can have a bit of further chat.

    upload_2018-6-18_22-2-35.png
    poor kid (/young adult). you really didn't get to have much of a normal childhood and now it's hard to feel like you belong in society as a whole, i would imagine

    Videl asks if he's the person with the golden hair who's been running around doing stuff like apprehending bank robbers and so forth; Gohan denies that one vehemently. The topic is dropped, much to Gohan's relief, and he begs Videl not to reveal his alter ego to anyone.

    upload_2018-6-18_22-7-35.png
    ... ... ... ... OH GODDAMNIT

    Yep, that's right! It's back, baby! The one, the only, the world-famous Tenkaichi Budoukai. Everyone's favorite tournament to crown the world's strongest fighter. Videl's dad won the previous one, but she knows before that, a man named Son Goku was the victor. Funny, huh, that he and Gohan have the same surname? When most people don't have surnames these days (???????????????????????? wtfffffff)? She thinks that maybe, just possibly, this "Son Goku" character might be Gohan's dad! (Bing bing bing, right on the money!) This isn't... really relevant to much of anything but the fact that she thinks it would be cool if the children of two previous victors fought. She wants Gohan to enter, and she's not above a little light blackmail to get what she wants: if he doesn't, she'll reveal everything to everyone.

    Gohan reluctantly agrees, and Videl is excited. What the heck has Gohan gotten himself into??

    To top everything off, the rest of the class laughs at him for taking so long in the "bathroom". Guy cannot catch a break today.
     
    • Like x 2
    • Witnessed x 2
    • Agree x 1
  6. aetherGeologist

    aetherGeologist Well-Known Member

    Obviously the Ginyu Force made a bigger impression on Gohan than we thought
     
    • Agree x 3
    • Like x 2
    • Winner x 1
  7. Saro

    Saro Where is wizard hut

    Ch 426 y'know i knew what i signed up for in the beginning so i shouldn't really complain about toriyama subjecting me to the hell that is describing tournaments, altho to be fair there are a lot more in non-z db and that was a mystery to me (Strongest in the Heavens!/Tenkaichi Budoukai)

    Gohan is at Capsule Corp. talking to Bulma again, this time about the upcoming tournament.

    upload_2018-6-19_20-37-32.png
    trunks has exactly the same fashion sense as my husband circa 2002

    Gohan's here this time for an update to his costume -- just the head bits, unfortunately, because you can't wear armor or helmets during the tournament, but he still needs some sort of disguise. Bulma says she'll see what she can figure out to solve that particular dilemma.

    upload_2018-6-19_20-42-18.png
    B)

    Bulma wonders if it's boring for Gohan, knowing that no one in the tournament is any kind of match for him. Right on cue, Vegeta engages his creeper mode to approach unnoticed and announce that if Gohan is going to compete then he, Vegeta, will go too. Maybe at some point Gohan was stronger, but has that changed? Vegeta thinks it might have; he's been keeping up his training all this time. How about you, Gohan? Can you say as much? (Bulma comments that he does nothing but work out, trying to dash all my hopes of a Vegeta who bakes, but nothing can take that particular headcanon from me now. Not even Toriyama descending upon my home and personally telling me that it's wrong.)

    Trunks is all about this Gohan v. Vegeta fight.

    Someone else is excited too.

    upload_2018-6-19_21-5-9.png
    disembodied voice out of nowhere? hmmm i just wonder who it might be

    hmmm. hmm. what a mystery.

    upload_2018-6-19_21-9-35.png

    you don't fucking say (also JFC, vegeta, you have such a wasp waist)

    How've you been, Goku?

    upload_2018-6-19_21-11-43.png
    what kind of fucking expression is that kaiou

    But that's no issue, because Goku can return to Earth for a day, much like his Grandpa did many, many chapters and years ago. It's totally worth it to use that single day to join in a tournament that both Gohan and Vegeta are participating in. That's just too good to pass up. Gohan is ecstatic about this; Trunks has just no idea what's going on or who this weird voice from nowhere belongs to; and Vegeta's looking forward to it. So is Goku. He'll be seeing them all later, on the day of the tournament. Bye!

    upload_2018-6-19_21-32-50.png
    oh please oh please please please

    Gohan's off to go tell everyone the good news.

    upload_2018-6-19_21-34-18.png
    thanks gohan (awww.... cute kid)

    Krillin contemplates entering, but worries about the competition (Gohan, Vegeta, Goku, ...). Gohan says he should do it; the top five contestants get paid. Eighteen, who seems to be involved with Krillin somehow, based on proximity and the very Krillin-esque child with the blonde hair, asks how much, and after Gohan tells her, she orders Krillin to enter and says she's going to compete herself. Maybe she doesn't want to be living at Kame House anymore? If that's the case, I uuhhhh completely understand.

    upload_2018-6-19_21-40-15.png
    * hears piccolo's name, is summoned * did someone mention my favorite green man???

    Yes! And in fact, it's time to go tell Piccolo the good news.

    upload_2018-6-19_21-42-27.png
    * crying * my son is so big and responsible-looking now and i missed it all

    Gohan's told everyone he's going to tell, and wonders how his mom will react. Specifically to the part about where he wants to enter. It'll mean missing school to prepare, which, based on past experience, is not Chichi's favorite thing.

    Luckily, Chichi's very happy to hear that Goku's going to be back, even if only for a day; Goten can meet his dad for the first time! (Goten seems mostly confused about the idea.) Gohan asks if he can enter, and the fact that the winners get some significant dosh is more than enough to convince Chichi. He can, will, and must enter the tournament! School? Oh, no problem, he can catch up later.

    upload_2018-6-19_21-52-9.png
    .... cute
     
    • Agree x 3
  8. Exohedron

    Exohedron Doesn't like words

    Look, college tuition doesn't grow on trees. If Gohan needs to punch a few dudes to get into a good college, then well maybe his loving mother will let him go punch a few dudes.
     
    • Agree x 5
  9. Codeless

    Codeless Cheshire Cat

    Punch to learn.

    This tournament totally wont go pear shaped on anyone.
     
    • Agree x 2
  10. Exohedron

    Exohedron Doesn't like words

    Chi-chi would probably rather him fighting than many other means of getting a lot of money really quickly. For instance, stripping.
     
    • Agree x 1
    • Witnessed x 1
  11. Saro

    Saro Where is wizard hut

    Ch 427 time to prep for punching dudes for college tuition (Let the Training Begin!)

    Training starts with a super saiyan transformation and rock collecting. Goten's gonna chuck them at Gohan (sidenote: at least when it was just "Goku" and "Gohan", there's a pretty big visual difference between the two because of the number of letters, but "Gohan" and "Goten" are pretty similar at a glance and I'm so worried I'm gonna use the wrong name at some point and make a fool of myself) so that he can improve his reaction time. Goten looks like quite the mini Goku, with a very similar gi and everything.

    Gohan draws a line and tells Goten to throw from here. Goten worries it's a little close (uh oh), but Gohan insists that it's fine, and to throw as hard as he can (uh oh). As instructed, Goten hurls the first rock at Gohan.

    upload_2018-6-19_22-21-15.png
    saiyan kids are frightening. maybe it's best if goten's kept away from other kids until he's presumably more able to be aware of the fact that he needs to be real careful not to hurt people accidentally

    Hey, apropos of "saiyan kids"... did Goten have a tail? He doesn't seem to be in possession of one at the moment, and it makes me wonder if he ever had one or not. It's rather unclear if Trunks did or didn't, so out of the pool of three saiyan-human hybrids, we only have hard data on one of them. I want to know more about these genetics oooohhhhhh boy do I want to know. Given that Kami apparently did something to make Goku's tail-removal permanent.... if Goten did have a tail, did Dende have to remove it? Although, then again, Gohan didn't seem to regrow his after Vegeta (?? is that really what happened? I'm suddenly doubting myself) cut it off. Maybe hybrids have less ability to regrow them.

    Well, that was a detour alright. Back to training. Goten's really impressed that Gohan actually dodged it; Gohan is regretting all of his choices of the past few minutes. Before Goten can keep on throwing, Gohan has him move back about ten feet. This seems to be a much safer distance to start practicing at, and once Gohan gets warmed up Goten can move closer.

    upload_2018-6-19_22-31-45.png
    sure, why not. everyone else is

    Gohan laughs. Someday it'll happen, but not now! There's training and rage involved. Goten is way too young for training and rage!

    Goten responds by turning super saiyan.

    upload_2018-6-19_22-35-51.png
    why did you ask if you already KNEW you could???

    Apparently Chichi has been training him. (She's still not a fan of the whole super saiyan thing though, despite the fact the appearance change is temporary.) But anyway, this is great because now Gohan has a sparring partner! Goten attacks and seems to be holding his own, until Gohan flies up. That's not fair, Goten protests; he can't fly yet, so Gohan should stay on the ground when they're fighting.

    While processing this information, Gohan sees Videl's vehicle go past -- apparently heading for his house. He tells Goten he can't reveal how strong he is, or how he can turn super saiyan. Because it makes him look like a punk? Sure, that's close enough. On the way back, Goten gets complimented on his fighting prowess, and he reveals that Trunks is even better than he is -- they play "showdown" all the time! Well, I'm real glad that they can be friends, at least; they probably won't maim each other too badly.

    Videl found Gohan's address in the student roster. He has to teach her how to fly! Chichi thinks that Videl is planning on using this to ask Gohan out and I guess has kind of taken a disliking to her? Because she tells her she had better not. Videl is understandably pissed about that because seriously, Chichi??? That shit is the worst. Just knock it off and let them figure it out, if they even want to. I hate it so much.

    Ch 428 (Videl Learns to Fly)

    So now Flight Instructor Gohan has two pupils: Goten and Videl. Luckily, flight's pretty easy; you just have to learn to control your ki properly. You know, ki? That latent power in your body? Everybody knows ki, right?

    Videl has no idea what Gohan is talking about. Goten demonstrates ki by making a small blast and destroying something nearby. Yeah, that! That's the stuff he's talking about. Videl is shocked by what she has just witnessed. This could be an issue, for sure. It's not that she doesn't have any; everyone has ki. Controlling it, though, could be tricky. Gohan has to teach Videl how to get in touch with her ki first.

    upload_2018-6-19_23-12-2.png
    found a beetle <3

    During lunch break, Chichi finds out that Videl's family is rich, and now she's all encouraging and supportive of them getting married basically whenever. Pppppplease for the love of god drop it, Chichi, I can't handle this aspect of you at all.

    Back at it, and Videl's learned how to access her ki! Is it time to fly?? Not quite; she still needs to be better able to control it. Awww.

    Goku is training with weights on all ankles and wrists while Kaiou observes. Someone approaches him. Oh good fuck, it's another Kaiou. Damnit. That means I have to start differentiating them somehow. Our Kaiou is the Northern Kaiou, so that's what he'll be when there's a need to tell a couple of them apart somehow. This new visitor is the Southern Kaiou, and he has similar antennae but no barbels, and his glasses are much more stylish, but overall I absolutely prefer the one that we're familiar with. He says there's a fighter in the south who would "eat this guy [Goku] for breakfast!!" Big and bold claims. Northern Kaiou asks Goku if he wants to increase his weights -- maybe 10 tons each limb, and Goku can go super saiyan? Sure, sounds good. The Southern Kaiou goes "wait, what?"

    The weights get changed from 2 tons each to 10 each, and Goku goes super saiyan and shows off. The Southern Kaiou is stunned. Northern Kaiou tells him there's a tournament Goku'll be fighting in 28 days from now; care to bring along this hotshot warrior from the south? Naaahhhh, it's really just not worth his time. Southern Kaiou departs in a hurry and Northern Kaiou displays a peace sign in victory ("My warrior is stronger than your warrior, nyaaah!")

    Back on Earth, Videl has learned to float! Unfortunately, Goten is zooming around all over the place and generally making Videl feel inadequate.

    upload_2018-6-19_23-32-39.png
    i believe in you videl!!

    She'll be back tomorrow to learn more about flying and goes to get in her vehicle. Gohan stops her -- he thinks she should cut her hair short. This startles Videl a little.

    upload_2018-6-19_23-35-32.png
    uhhh this is... sudden. sudden is probably the nicest term for this. man, if it was gonna be like this i wish we'd gotten a bit more of a lead-up because this feels a bit like it came outta nowhere (unless you count her reaction to chichi as "the lady doth protest too much", which i read more as "oh my god could you not")

    upload_2018-6-19_23-38-17.png
    what's wrong with girls with short hair huh???

    Videl gets pissed at him and says she'll do what she damn well pleases with her own hair, and takes off in a huff. However, next morning....

    upload_2018-6-19_23-39-43.png
    even if gohan's not a fan of the short hair, i am! you rock it, girl!
     
    • Agree x 2
  12. Exohedron

    Exohedron Doesn't like words

    Look, college tuition doesn't grow on trees. If Gohan needs to marry a rich girl to get into a good college, then well maybe his loving mother will let him go marry a rich girl.
     
    • Winner x 2
  13. Everett

    Everett local rats so small, so tiny

    What a Look, i think i bought those pants today (hoping the i.mg displays properly, im on mobile)
     
    • Agree x 1
  14. Saro

    Saro Where is wizard hut

    Ch 429 that's enough of the son family, time to see what the vegeta line is up to (Fathers/The Tenkaichi Budoukai Draws Near)

    Vegeta's in the gravity room. So is Trunks.

    upload_2018-6-20_16-25-29.png
    bonding!.... sort of

    Vegeta tells him to get out; 150 G's is too much for him, but Trunks wants to be prepared for the tournament. Goten's going, so he wants to go too!

    upload_2018-6-20_16-30-50.png
    oh! a smile

    Trunks gets fed up with trying to struggle on in normal form at 150 G's and shocks his dad by turning super saiyan. Now it's easy to move around! He goes zooming in circles around Vegeta, who wonders why the hell it's so easy for all these kids to turn super saiyan when it was such a challenge for him in particular. (I'm citing hybrid vigor/heterosis as a preliminary hypothesis personally.)

    upload_2018-6-20_16-35-19.png
    after hearing from trunks that goten can do it too. you got experience with bargain sales, vegeta?

    Vegeta tells Trunks to try to hit him. Trunks demurs, and Vegeta offers a trip to the amusement park as a reward if Trunks manages to hit his face. Not just any trip: Vegeta will take him. To me, it sounds like a recipe for disaster, but Trunks thinks that sounds pretty darn swell. He agrees. Vegeta tells him not to hold back.

    Trunks does not, and Vegeta is taken by surprise.

    upload_2018-6-20_16-42-5.png
    DEAL IS SEALED YOU GOTTA TAKE HIM TO THE AMUSEMENT PARK!!! BETTER DO IT VEGETA!!!!

    Vegeta reacts in a... not-great way and hits Trunks right in the face in retaliation. Vegeta says "whoops" and Trunks starts crying, to which Vegeta hastily reaffirms his intent to take Trunks to the amusement park to get him to stop, and distracts him with a question about who's stronger, Trunks or Goten? Well, Trunks, but only by a bit; Goten's younger and can't fly (Trunks is working on old data). Vegeta has to take a moment to process all of this.

    While he's having his moment, let's check back in on Gohan, Goten, and Videl. Videl's real good at floating now! But she wants to be as adept as Goten, and she's going to keep stopping by the Son household until she is, which prompts Gohan to take Goten aside and order him not to show off any more around Videl.

    Breaktime! And conversation about Mr. Satan (or "Dad", to Videl). When Gohan asks if she's trained with him, she says no, of course not! He's just too strong. She's completely self-taught. Would she be upset if her dad were to lose? Apparently not at all, because he's too full of himself! Talk turns to who trained Gohan (dead dad), who was strong, right (yes, very). The dead dad who's going to be coming back for the tournament, Goten happily informs Videl, who interprets this as "a dad who actually just left" and not "a spirit dad who's going to be returning to earth for a single day via magic". "Dads are weird!" is her final conclusion on that front.

    In ten days, she's flying like a pro, and so Gohan and Goten can finally get serious with their training.

    Ch 430 (The Dragon Team Returns!)

    There's a bit of a training montage, and everyone is punching/kicking the shit out of things... except my main man Piccolo, who is meditating in midair, as he is wont to do. <3

    Aaaaand with that, it's time. Time for Saro to put on her srs business typing gloves (those are not a thing that exist in any reality but I wish I had some now). Time for everyone to group up and get prepared for a big ol' reunion (and I guess a fight as well, for the participants, but who cares about that? The important thing is the reunion!) Speaking of being gathered up, most of the main group + spouses/family are in Bulma's big ol' multi-person transport ship (with Vegeta riding shotgun).

    Speaking of, Gohan has an important request for Vegeta (and Trunks and Goten). Basically those that might cause upset and consternation by suddenly turning blond and fiery. Can y'all chill with the super saiyan stuff for the tournament, please? Especially Vegeta, who looks exactly the same as he did seven years ago and might be recognized from his time on TV. Does Vegeta want the paparazzi after him? What would they do if the media started following them around?

    upload_2018-6-20_18-45-32.png
    vegeta no

    But all of the potential troublemakers agree to not go super saiyan. Glad that's been settled!

    upload_2018-6-20_18-52-6.png
    finally here!

    Mr. Satan is being lauded as a hero and Savior of the World, and doing interviews while surrounded by adoring and cheering fans. He has a 120% chance of winning, according to himself. You heard it here, folks, this tournament is already decided. Better just skip to the end.

    Goten spots Piccolo, who, true to form, is hanging out by himself with his arms folded.

    upload_2018-6-20_18-58-45.png
    piccolo Does Not Approve

    There's some minor worry because no one has seen Goku anywhere, but there's no need to fret. He just hadn't arrived until right this second.

    upload_2018-6-20_19-0-49.png
    guys i don't think piccolo enjoys being startled, he looks so angry

    upload_2018-6-20_19-5-2.png
    i'm touched and i don't want to be because you shouldn't have to be so happy to see him. he shoulda been brought back before. fuck all that nonsense. >:'(

    Goten is kind of shy.

    upload_2018-6-20_19-7-53.png
    yeah man i would have no fucking idea how to be if a dead parent i had never met suddenly turned up one day and people expected certain reactions and shit. like affection or love or whatever, are you kidding me, this person is a complete stranger that you may or may not actually like and there's all these weird assumptions being made about how you'll feel solely because of the genetic relatedness aspect and... yeah. yeah it's just quite a Thing to have to deal with

    But there's not too much time to spend on being sentimental and touchy-feely, because those that are competing need to get registered before registration closes. Trunks and Goten (but mostly Trunks) are disappointed to find out they can't fight with the adults (rather, people over 15 years of age) and instead have to compete in the youth division.

    And now it's time for the contestants to separate from the spectators. Bye, guys, see you later in the ring! Contestants in the adult division from the group are Goku, Gohan, Piccolo, Vegeta, Krillin, and Eighteen; Trunks and Goten make up the child component. Good luck, y'all, and let's get settled in for a nice long uneventful tournament that will certainly be fought to the very end by all contestants.
     
    • Like x 4
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  15. Saro

    Saro Where is wizard hut

    vegeta is continually serving Looks but the problem is his Looks are either "variations on the battlesuit + chest armor" or "shit that bulma [presumably] set out for him"

    ETA forgot one and that is "shirtless" because he consistently takes off his shirt more than anyone else in this gotdamn manga
     
    Last edited: Jun 21, 2018
    • Winner x 2
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  16. YggiDee

    YggiDee Well-Known Member

    I think Bulma has accepted that her boyfriend is a ridiculous man and that no power on heaven and earth will get him in fancy clothes, so she has chosen to dress him solely for her own amusement.
     
    • Agree x 4
    • Winner x 2
  17. Saro

    Saro Where is wizard hut

    Ch 431 super familiar image incoming (The Preliminaries Begin)

    upload_2018-6-21_20-1-6.png
    yep.

    I forgot that prelims were a thing. This isn't Cell's nonsense where just anyone could waltz in and try their hand at beating him. This is an organized event that's not supposed to end in all life on Earth being extinguished, but rather someone being crowned the world's strongest and getting a bunch of money. It's a televised extravaganza! Only the best can earn their places in the ranks.

    upload_2018-6-21_20-4-7.png
    trunks should be glad he escaped the fate of being a mini-vegeta

    Trunks doubts that Goku is as awesome as people say. He doesn't look anywhere near as cool as Trunks' dad. Sweet kid. I'm sorry your dad is the way he is.

    Goku finally notices Eighteen, and Krillin reveals that they live together and have a kid.

    upload_2018-6-21_21-26-11.png
    sorry for literally the past like... 8 pages of posts. i was so torn! do i go with the technical term or the one that most people are probably familiar with?? and i went with familiarity because i do that with lots of things anyway but it was hard

    Vegeta is approached by one of the reporters and completely ignores her, as does Piccolo. She asks the cameraperson who's working with her if those two were familiar. Whoops. Looks like people still haven't quite forgotten the whole Piccolo Sr. thing, or the Vegeta thing. Although... this just cements my thoughts on what Vegeta does, and what he does not do (go out in public much). Having failed to get any soundbites out of the guy with the very pointy hair or the green man with pointy ears, they approach the guy with the halo.

    upload_2018-6-21_21-40-20.png
    uhoh

    Goku: From the afterlife.
    Reporter: Haha, funny guy. Anyway, what's up with the angel cosplay?
    Goku: No, no, it's just... you get it when you die.

    upload_2018-6-21_21-55-22.png
    piccolo is done with all this shit. tired of an interview? explode camera. problem solved

    upload_2018-6-21_21-56-23.png
    I'M SORRY BUT THIS IS POSSIBLY THE BEST PICCOLO REACTION EVER. WHY THE THIRD PERSON? "AWAY FROM ME, MAN." NO VERB WHATSOEVER. WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON, WHY ARE YOU TALKING THIS WAY?? i'm dying. i'm fucking dead. put a halo on me because i'm liveblogging from the afterlife now

    upload_2018-6-21_23-54-58.png
    * points * it's him!!! mr. announcer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Who is excited to see them, because the tournament's been boring without them. Well, I imagine a lot less of the arena and its surroundings got destroyed, but ehhhh, it's the price you pay for a little excitement.

    upload_2018-6-21_23-57-6.png
    what did i just say

    Thankfully, the year's tournament contestants aren't going to be decided by preliminary matches, but by who can punch a machine the hardest. Mr. Satan's an automatic contestant because he won last time, so only the 15 strongest punchers will be able to compete. Of course, there are people with cameras documenting the event, and so, of course,

    upload_2018-6-22_0-10-27.png
    piccolo takes care of business.

    It's for Gohan, of course; if there aren't any recording devices around, he doesn't have to worry so much about potential issues of being recognized and the like. Thanks, Piccolo! Happy, Gohan goes off to look for Videl among the potential contestants. Mr. Satan punches the machine and gets a 137. There're cheers and oohs and aahs from the crowd. Everyone lines up to take a shot at the machine. (Trunks and Goten get ushered off to join the other younger kids in the youths' division.) People hit the machine... get scores... No one is particularly exciting, except perhaps the person who gets 112 points, until Eighteen makes her way to the front of the queue.

    She gets 774 points by giving the machine a light bop. The judges have a fit and try to "fix" the "malfunctioning" machine, and Eighteen gives it a gentler tap. 203 points. Krillin gets 192, Goku 186, Piccolo 210, and then it's Vegeta's turn.

    upload_2018-6-22_0-29-7.png
    there was literally no other way for this to turn out

    Luckily the judges were already thinking they needed to get a new punch machine because this one's obviously having technical issues, so Vegeta destroying it isn't.... the absolute worst thing he could have done. No, there's still plenty of worse things left for Vegeta to do.
     
    • Winner x 2
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  18. chthonicfatigue

    chthonicfatigue Bitten by a radioactive trickster god

    Oh fuck no, now i can never unheard Piccolo speaking with a Geordie accent
     
    • Winner x 2
    • Witnessed x 1
  19. Saro

    Saro Where is wizard hut

    Ch 432 i really need to track down a japanese version of that chapter so i can see what the translator/s was/were working with (The Two Little Warriors/The Two Small Super Warriors)

    I'm so fucking curious. I showed the panel to my husband and we laughed about it for like a minute. (He asked me who my favorite character was and I said that at the moment, it was Piccolo, because he said something ridiculous in the chapter I just read.)

    Vegeta has shocked everyone with his little stunt, except those in the know. Gohan pretends (extremely unconvincingly) to be surprised for Videl's benefit.

    upload_2018-6-22_22-19-18.png
    so incredibly begrudging, but i guess it's an improvement

    The ones who have already qualified head off as a group to see the kids' tournament, and run into Gohan and Videl (who has just finished saying "Who the heck are those people?") Well, one of them is Gohan's dad! The one in... "yellow". * squints * Does Toriyama just not know the difference between orange and yellow, or was it supposed to be more on the yellow side of the spectrum this whole time??? If so I'm sorry for making fun of various colored pages for that. But wait, didn't Gohan say he was dead?! Yep. Gohan did say that, and he meant it. Didn't you see the halo, Videl?

    upload_2018-6-22_22-27-28.png
    hang out a bit more and you'll probably find out more than you ever bargained for

    Mr. Satan goes out on the ring to introduce the kids' tournament. He manages to slip and fall flat on his back, but gets a big cheer when he jumps back up with a "JK, lol, just a little joke to warm up the crowd!"

    Trunks' opponent makes fun of him for being young, I guess, and Trunks goes for the kill by insulting his mullet. Oof. The mullet kid is apparently 15 years old, while Trunks is 8, which in general I would say shouldn't happen, but given that Trunks is Trunks should be no issue whatsoever. Thankfully, we don't have to see the matches where neither of our kids are involved, and first up is Trunks v. Mullet, I mean Laem. Laem's mom just so happens to be sitting right next to Bulma and Chichi and them, and makes a fuss about not being able to get any pictures of her precious son destroying his competition (oh no, Piccolo, look what you've done). Bulma gets pissed and tells Trunks to just go nuts with that kid.

    Laem, very confident of victory, tells Trunks to c'mon and hit him already, so Trunks does. He sweeps Laem's feet out from under him and lands a KO with a single kick. Good job, Trunks! Not that there was any doubt you'd win against any of the competition except Goten. Feel like it could be a tossup there.

    upload_2018-6-22_22-40-34.png
    sorry that the kids punching each other is going to be boring

    Ch 433 (Trunks vs. Goten)

    Hoo boy, here we go. But first, Goten's non-Trunks match against a kid who's apparently Laem's younger brother. Goten's not quite so direct as Trunks; he lets Ikose, the brother, try to do some damage before getting bored and laying him out with a simple shot to the chin. The mother, in the audience, gets real upset when Bulma laughs mockingly out her, and Chichi follows her son's example and knocks out the mom with a single hit.

    Of course, both of them progress easily until they're the last two contestants. Videl and Gohan have managed to qualify, I guess, although it's not 100% clear, but they do say that the prelims are over. Good timing! They can watch Trunks and Goten's match, which should be exciting. Neither plans on going easy on the other, and both have been training for today....

    upload_2018-6-22_22-53-5.png
    match start! they have some good visual contrast going on, with the dark gi/light gi and light hair/dark hair thing....

    They move apart, to opposite sides of the ring, then meet in the middle with a flurry of blows. Trunks seems to get the first actually damaging hit which leaves a mark on Goten's cheek, but Goten returns the favor almost immediately. Goten tries again, but his punch passes through -- it's an afterimage, and Trunks is above, aiming down with an elbow drop. Goten disappears; it was his own afterimage.

    upload_2018-6-22_23-3-21.png
    now this is what i call getting your money's worth out of the price of admission

    There's a slight break in the fighting. Trunks and Goten seem satisfied with their fight so far. Certainly compared to their previous fights in this competition, it must be nice to actually have a challenge! Reactions range from stunned (Mr. Satan, Videl) to proud (Goku and Gohan) to "heck yeah this is awesome" (Krillin and the crowd once it's had a chance to sit and process what they just saw).

    Ch 434 (Trunks vs. Goten, Part 2)

    upload_2018-6-22_23-13-51.png
    cuuursed! by a demon snail alien (snalien)

    upload_2018-6-22_23-14-53.png
    i knew i liked this dude (tho i could do w/out the mustache)

    Trunks says Goten's gotten a lot better, very quickly. Yep, it's all thanks to Gohan! That's great and all, but has Gohan taught him how to do... this?

    upload_2018-6-22_23-19-36.png
    this seems like it could be... ill-advised

    upload_2018-6-22_23-20-23.png
    a good point. however, let me offer this rebuttal: he is eight years old and eight-year-olds are not classically known for their abilities to make good decisions, ever. eight. years. old.

    Trunks fires and Goten dodges, but Goku turns out to be right after all; Trunks does some deft ki manipulation and sends the blast flying over the heads of the crowd, instead of through them. Good going, kid, you totally exceeded my pessimistic expectations. * thumbs up *

    Goten can do that too, he just learned it!

    upload_2018-6-22_23-26-59.png
    now this really seems ill-advised

    Despite the slight flub with the phrasing, Goten's kamehameha is the real deal.
     
    • Winner x 2
    • Like x 1
  20. Saro

    Saro Where is wizard hut

    (continued)

    upload_2018-6-22_23-30-39.png
    must be super nostalgic for the announcer

    upload_2018-6-22_23-32-36.png
    first building casualty

    Trunks declares ki attacks forbidden, because Goten's not good enough with them yet. The only choice? Close combat. Both spring into action. Trunks throws Goten way up in the air, and Goten loses sight of him. Trunks uses the opportunity to grab Goten and try to force him to say he gives up.

    upload_2018-6-22_23-37-7.png
    now this seems like a prime opportunity for a headbutt, like piccolo with imperfect cell

    upload_2018-6-22_23-39-28.png
    * staggers * i... i can't believe it

    Goten decides he's had enough of this.

    upload_2018-6-22_23-43-4.png
    you little shit!!

    upload_2018-6-22_23-43-49.png

    pay the least bit of attention to your family goku

    upload_2018-6-22_23-44-54.png
    pppfffffffffffffffft. vegeta's thought process: something didn't go the way i wanted it --> must be kakarrot's fault. somehow

    upload_2018-6-22_23-45-56.png
    well i hate to tell you this but they just seem to keep on multiplying
     
    • Agree x 4
    • Like x 1
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