When Dragon Balls Descend Upon Marvel

As the spotlights dimmed, the final contestant's portrait lit up the giant screen.

"Today's last competitor—Thena. A warrior of the Eternals, often mistaken in ancient times for the goddess Athena herself. The city of Athens was said to be built in her honor. Known as a master of weapons and strategy, she is also the only female participant in this year's tournament."

Hearing Eddie Brock's introduction, Thena's eyes narrowed slightly. She hadn't expected Smith Dole to know that detail—that mortals once confused her with Athena.

Tony Stark exhaled in relief. At least she wasn't the real goddess, just mistaken for one. Even so, the implication was staggering—Athens, founded nearly 3,000 years ago, tied to the woman now walking into this tournament. Another immortal, just like Xu Wenwu.

Pepper Potts gasped softly.

"My god… Athens was built in the 8th century B.C. That means she's lived for over four thousand years."

Happy muttered, stunned.

"This world keeps getting crazier…"

The Wakandan royal family traded uneasy looks. Was this still Earth? With gods, sorcerers, and ancient immortals gathering here, T'Challa felt suddenly small. If not for the organizer's promise to protect every participant's life, he would have walked away already. No noble cause was worth dying against beings like this.

Even Xu Shangqi and Xu Xialing stared wide-eyed at their father. This lineup was beyond legendary. If gods and immortals were here today… would aliens arrive for the next tournament?

Wenwu's face hardened. One rival had become two. If he wanted to claim victory, he would need to fight with every ounce of his strength.

Thor, too, froze when Thena appeared—then recognition struck. He remembered centuries ago, when he and Odin battled the Frost Giants on Earth, the Eternals had joined them.

"They're still here? I thought they had long departed… or perished."

Jane blinked in shock.

"You know them?"

Thor nodded.

"Yes. They fought alongside us against the Frost Giants. I even recall Father teaching Gilgamesh how to brew ale."

When Eddie Brock finished introducing the six contestants, he spread his arms.

"All competitors have now been revealed. Next, we will randomly determine the 1v1 matches of the first round."

On the giant screen, six portrait frames appeared, paired into three sets with "VS" between them. The portraits spun rapidly like a slot machine until Eddie called:

"Stop!"

The portraits froze. The matchups appeared in bold letters:

Tony Stark vs. Xu Wenwu

Thena vs. T'Challa

Thor Odinson vs. Karl Mordo

Eddie raised his voice.

"The first round has been decided! A reminder of the rules: leaving the ring counts as a loss, surrender counts as a loss, losing the ability to fight counts as a loss, and lying unconscious for ten seconds counts as a loss. To ensure fairness, Smith Dole himself will serve as referee. Should a fighter's life truly be in danger, he will intervene—though doing so will count as defeat."

The crowd buzzed. Could even Smith guarantee safety among opponents this strong? Doubts filled many eyes, but none dared to voice them.

"Now, would the fighters for Match One please take the stage!"

Tony Stark's faceplate sealed shut. His repulsors flared, carrying him smoothly onto the ring. Across from him, Wenwu raised his arms, the Ten Rings swirling with energy, lifting him gracefully into the air before landing opposite Stark.

The audience fell silent. Shangqi and Xialing's unimpressive showing in the last tournament had tarnished the Ten Rings' reputation—but Wenwu's entrance reminded everyone this was no ordinary man.

Smith Dole floated between them, raising his voice:

"The second Dragon Ball Tournament begins now. First match—commence!"

He drifted out of the ring, hovering nearby, ready to step in if death loomed.

On the stage, Stark and Wenwu stood still, appraising one another.

Tony's voice rang cold from within the helmet.

"So… you're the leader of the Ten Rings?"

Wenwu spread his hands.

"Is that a problem?"

Tony's tone hardened.

"Your men once kidnapped me. I thought I'd destroyed you. Looks like you were just hiding behind underlings."

Wenwu's brows lifted as memory stirred. Yes… years ago, one of his lieutenants had boasted of capturing a foreign weapons-maker and some strange prototype. At the time, Wenwu had been too consumed with chasing ways to revive his wife to care, dismissing the matter. Later, that lieutenant, Zara, had been killed. By whom, he had never learned.

Now, face-to-face with Stark, the pieces fell into place.

Enemies had met on the battlefield.

······

(End of Chapter)

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