Tien Shinhan

Tien arrives at the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai as Master Shen's prized student, trained in assassination techniques and ruthless efficiency rather than Roshi's philosophical approach to martial arts. He is genuinely dangerous — his Tri-Beam technique generates energy output exceeding anything Goku's circle has encountered, his Multi-Form technique creates tactical complexity, and his Solar Flare blinds opponents completely. He defeats Goku in their tournament final through genuine superiority combined with a cheap shot he immediately regrets — showing the first crack in his mercenary exterior.

Breaking from Master Shen is not easy. Shen's school is built on obedience and the belief that power justifies everything. Tien's decision to refuse Shen's command to permanently injure Goku — standing against his master publicly in the tournament — is the bravest thing he does in Dragon Ball, and arguably more difficult than any physical battle.

By the King Piccolo arc, Tien has fully committed himself to opposing evil regardless of personal cost. He watches Chiaotzu die. He attempts a Tri-Beam barrage at King Piccolo while his body fails — pouring energy he doesn't have into a technique that won't work but trying anyway, because surrender isn't in him. In Dragon Ball Z, he holds Cell at bay with repeated Tri-Beams during the android's pursuit of androids, despite being so outclassed that each blast costs him months of his life. He doesn't stop until he collapses. It is DBZ's most purely heroic moment from a character who has no business surviving the encounter.