Kakarot's Arc

Chapter 4 of 14

The dead champion's body was still being dragged from the sand when the next challenger stepped forward. He was tall and bald, with a black goatee and one white blind eye. Electricity crawled over his bare arms. He had watched Kakarot's golden transformation from the shadows. Now he smiled like a man who already knew the ending. "They call me Hindurock," he said. "I know your secret, boy. Your power comes from anger. So let us find your anger early." Hindurock raised one hand. From the far side of the arena, chains rattled. A huge black bear lumbered out, armored in bone, its keeper struggling to hold the leash. Hindurock pointed past Kakarot, toward the seats. "Attack the woman," he said. The bear turned its head and found Chi-Chi. Before Kakarot could move, Hindurock closed the distance. Lightning burst from his palms. It struck Kakarot's chest and locked his muscles. The monk seized him from behind and forced him to his knees. "Watch," Hindurock whispered. "Transform now. Burn yourself out before we even begin." The bear charged the stands. Chi-Chi shoved a screaming child aside. Raddits leaped down to help, but the crowd blocked him. The bear reared over Chi-Chi, claws wide. Kakarot screamed and fought the current, but Hindurock's grip held like iron. Rage flooded him. His hair lifted and turned gold. His eyes flashed green. But this time Kakarot did not let the fire swallow him. He remembered Roshi's drills. He breathed once, slow, even as the power roared. He held the rage in his fist instead of letting it burn wild. He was transformed, and for the first time, he was in control. Kakarot drove his elbow back into Hindurock's ribs. The monk flew off him. Kakarot rose, golden and steady, and struck with clean, measured blows. No wild swings. Every punch landed where he aimed. Hindurock caught each one and answered it, blow for blow, lightning against golden fists. They were matched. Across the arena, Chi-Chi did not wait to be saved. She rolled under the bear's claws, drew the knife from her boot, and drove it up through the beast's throat. The bear shuddered and collapsed. Chi-Chi stood over it, breathing hard, her sleeve torn and bloody but her eyes fierce. She had fought in tournaments before she ever married Kakarot. She had not forgotten how. Hindurock saw the bear fall. His trap was broken. Kakarot felt his own power holding steady, not draining away. "You wanted my rage," Kakarot said. "Now I own it." He slammed both fists into Hindurock's chest. The lightning scattered. The monk crashed into the wall and slid down, senseless. The golden light faded slowly. Kakarot stood, tired but not empty. He walked to Chi-Chi and gripped her hand. Roshi watched from the edge, and for the first time, the old man almost smiled. Kakarot had learned to hold the fire. But the throne still waited, and stronger rivals had seen him win.