The next chapter begins with a peaceful scene. Mori sits beside Piccolo near a calm lake, the serenity of the moment reflecting the stillness in Mori's usually intense demeanor. They're engaged in a relaxed conversation, their words soft and light—perhaps about their recent training or the state of the world, but nothing too serious.
"I gotta admit, Piccolo, you've mellowed out," Mori remarks, looking out over the water. "Used to be, you'd train until your knuckles bled. Now, look at you, taking a break."
Piccolo closes his eyes, letting out a slight chuckle. "Times change, Mori. There's always a need to evolve, even in the way we train. You could stand to take a note."
Their conversation is interrupted by the sound of flapping fabric and a sudden gust of wind as Gohan touches down beside them, dressed in his hero outfit. Mori raises an eyebrow, his expression betraying his confusion at Gohan's attire.
"Uncle Mori! Mr. Piccolo!" Gohan greets with a big smile. "I've got a favor to ask."
Piccolo, always calm, immediately agrees. "You need me for something?"
Gohan nods. "I want both of you to enter the World Martial Arts Tournament. It'll be fun! Everyone's participating—Dad, Vegeta, even Krillin."
Piccolo smirks. "Count me in."
Mori, on the other hand, has been too focused on Gohan's outfit, blinking rapidly as he takes in the sight of the costume, complete with a flowing cape and visor.
"Umm... Gohan..." Mori finally speaks up, still eyeing the outfit. "What the heck are you wearing?"
Piccolo sweatdrops, scratching the back of his head. "I've been asking the same thing. No idea."
Gohan laughs nervously, not answering the question, instead focusing on Mori's response to his earlier request. "So… are you gonna join the tournament, Uncle Mori?"
Mori, still distracted by the strange outfit, waves his hand dismissively. "Nah, I'll pass on that one. I'll watch, though."
Gohan shrugs, a little disappointed but not pushing further. "Alright, see you both there!"
As Gohan takes off, Mori and Piccolo exchange bewildered looks, sharing a moment of silent understanding about Gohan's strange choice in fashion.
---
Cut to the skies above Earth. Elec, newly arrived, hovers among the clouds, staring down at the world below with a calm but focused expression. His eyes glow faintly as he scans the planet with his senses, trying to pinpoint the source of the familiar Ki.
"I can feel it," Elec murmurs to himself. "My creator… the one who birthed me from this Ki… they're near. But where exactly?"
He drifts through the air for a moment longer before lowering himself into the atmosphere, picking a direction at random and flying off with a flash of light.
---
Hours later, the scene shifts to the bustling entrance of the World Martial Arts Tournament. The Z-fighters have gathered, greeting each other warmly. Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, Krillin, and 18 stand at the forefront, while the non-participants like Chi-Chi, Bulma, and Mori hang back.
After everyone exchanges their greetings and light banter, the participants move toward the waiting area, preparing for their matches. Mori, keeping to his promise, heads to the stands to watch the tournament unfold, keeping a particular eye on Goten, who's eager to test his skills.
The tournament proceeds much like the original, with only a few deviations. When Goten and Trunks face off, the battle is fiercer than anticipated. Goten, thanks to his months of training under Mori, has grown considerably stronger, even learning some of the basics of Time-Skip.
During their fight, Trunks attempts to overpower Goten with sheer force, but Goten stays calm, watching for an opening. Suddenly, without warning, Goten's body flickers, disappearing for a split second before reappearing behind Trunks, landing a solid punch to his back that sends him tumbling out of bounds.
The audience is stunned—especially Goku, Gohan, and Vegeta. From their seats, they immediately recognize the technique Goten just used.
"No way…" Goku mutters, eyes wide. "That was Time-Skip!"
Vegeta scowls, crossing his arms. "That brat... he picked up one of Mori's techniques."
Gohan laughs, equally surprised but impressed. The three glance toward Mori in the stands, who's watching the fight with a grin on his face. Mori catches their looks and sticks his tongue out at them, laughing mischievously.
The tournament continues smoothly until Gohan steps into the arena, just as the mysterious tall red Kai approaches. As he walks into the ring, Gohan's excitement builds, unaware of the true danger that lies ahead. Mori watches from the stands, muttering to himself.
"Nephew finally getting some action. 'Bout time…"
The Kai, standing tall with a serious expression, speaks. "Show me your power, Gohan. Transform."
Without hesitation, Gohan powers up, skipping Super Saiyan 2 entirely and unleashing the full force of Super Saiyan 3. His golden hair extends, his aura explodes outward, and the very ground beneath him trembles under his immense power.
Mori's interest piques, but it quickly turns to concern as two men with "M"s on their foreheads—Spopovich and Yamu—rush at Gohan, who is momentarily caught off guard. One of them traps Gohan in place with a mysterious force, and the other plunges a device into his side, draining his energy with a machine marked by the same "M."
Mori leaps from his seat, his body moving faster than a bullet, only to be halted momentarily by the same force that trapped Gohan. But Mori, far too powerful to be held back, flares his Ki and breaks free, rushing down to the arena.
"Gohan!!"
With a single kick, Mori knocks both attackers away from Gohan, sending them flying across the arena floor. He catches Gohan as he starts to collapse, his energy rapidly fading.
"What the hell are you doing, Goku?! You just watched your son get attacked, and you didn't MOVE?!" Mori shouts, his voice filled with fury. "Damn it, Goku!"
Goku, caught off guard by the outburst, looks conflicted, but before he can respond, Mori directs his gaze to the tall Kai. His eyes blaze with anger, his protective Ki flowing around Gohan as he begins to slowly restore his nephew's energy.
The two Majin-marked men, realizing they've been discovered, flee into the distance, and Mori barely restrains himself from following immediately. But he stays, holding Gohan in his arms as he floats the boy's body over to Chi-Chi in the stands, who is in tears.
After ensuring Gohan is safe, Mori turns his attention to the Kai, who had baited Gohan into transforming. His rage ignites, and his Ki erupts like a volcano. The sheer pressure of his energy sends shockwaves through the arena, making even the most powerful fighters stagger.
"Kibito!" Mori growls, his voice deep with anger. "You lured him into this! You're responsible for what happened!"
Before he can attack, Vegeta and Goku suddenly appear, standing between Mori and Kibito.
"Mori, stop!" Goku pleads. "It was necessary! We needed Gohan to transform so we could draw out a threat—there's something much worse coming."
Mori's eyes narrow, his Ki flaring even higher. "You let your son be attacked for a PLAN?!"
In his rage, Mori's foot strikes out, sending both Goku and Vegeta flying back several feet. He surges forward toward Kibito, his anger unchecked, but Kibito quickly speaks.
"Wait! I can heal him! Let me restore Gohan's energy!"
Mori stops, his hand gripping the Kai's collar tightly. "You better hurry up, then."
With that, Mori floats Gohan back to the arena as Kibito works quickly to heal him, fully restoring Gohan's energy and bringing him back to his feet. Once Gohan is safe, Mori's fury finally ebbs.
As the Z-fighters rush off to find Babidi's ship, Mori joins them, but the anger in his heart hasn't fully subsided. He knows something dangerous is looming, and he won't let his guard down again.
The chapter ends with Mori, Goku, Vegeta, and the rest of the Z-fighters flying toward the next great threat—the mysterious Babidi and the resurrection of Majin Buu.