"Today was another fulfilling day!"
Gohan looked at the gradually darkening sky and sighed with satisfaction.
Humming a little tune, he headed off to look for prey for the night.
"Heng heng ha hei, quickly use the nunchaku, heng heng ha hei—"
Midway through the song, Gohan suddenly felt a faint gaze locking onto his back. He stopped walking.
"Was I… discovered?"
Behind a nearby mountain peak, Piccolo stiffened.
He had come today specifically to secretly observe Gohan.
Although Piccolo always appeared cold and indifferent, he actually cared deeply about the boy. Over the past few months, he had secretly checked on Gohan several times.
As for why he remained hidden—first, he wanted Gohan to develop self-sufficiency.
Second, as the former Demon King, if Krillin and the others found out he was secretly caring for Gohan like this, they'd laugh him to death.
Gohan smiled faintly, lifted his foot, and continued walking forward as if nothing had happened.
"Phew…"
Piccolo let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"It seems he didn't notice me."
The Next Morning
Gohan had just opened his eyes when he saw Piccolo sitting nearby.
Beside him lay a large, freshly caught fish.
"U-Uncle Piccolo?!"
Gohan jumped slightly in shock.
Even though he liked Piccolo as a character, the green skin and stern face were still intimidating—especially right after waking up.
And since he had only transmigrated a few days ago, he still hadn't fully gotten used to Piccolo's appearance.
"You're awake."
Piccolo glanced at him indifferently.
"Mm!"
Gohan nodded.
"Uncle Piccolo, why are you here so early today?"
"I came to check on your martial arts training."
"My martial arts?"
"Yes. After breakfast, I'm going to fight you."
"F-Fight?!"
"That's right. Don't worry—I won't use my full power."
Gohan forced a dry smile.
Even if you did, you still couldn't beat me.
"Well then, Uncle Piccolo, I'll wash up first and roast the fish!"
"Good."
Piccolo nodded.
A while later, Gohan finished roasting the fish and ate it all.
"Are you ready now, Gohan?"
"Don't rush, Uncle Piccolo. I just ate—I need a bit of time to digest."
"…"
Piccolo was speechless.
As a Namekian who only needed water, it was hard for him to understand human digestion.
Moments later, Gohan stood up.
"Ready now?"
Gohan nodded.
"Then come and attack me."
"Okay!"
Gohan grinned, showing his teeth.
Piccolo snorted coldly, looking completely unconcerned.
In his eyes, no matter how much Gohan had improved, he couldn't possibly pose a threat.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a sharp gust of wind brushed past Piccolo.
His pupils shrank, and cold sweat instantly broke out.
He spun around sharply and saw Gohan standing behind him, smiling brightly.
"Uncle Piccolo!"
"W-When did you get behind me?!"
"Just now. What's wrong, Uncle Piccolo?"
"N-Nothing!"
Piccolo's expression immediately turned serious.
He hadn't expected Gohan's speed to improve so drastically in just a few days.
"Oh! In that case, Uncle Piccolo, should I really start fighting now?"
"Really start fighting?"
"Yes! I was worried you weren't ready, so I just circled behind you first."
"Hmph. Go ahead. If you can defeat me, I'll let you go home for a day."
"Go home?"
"Yes. Didn't you always want to go home before?"
Home was comfortable—but if he went back, Chi-Chi would definitely force him to study.
"Um… Uncle Piccolo, I don't really want to go back right now."
"You don't?"
Gohan nodded.
"If I win, how about you take me to see Uncle Krillin instead?"
"What's so special about that little bald guy?!"
Piccolo snorted.
A few seconds later, he relented.
"Fine. If you defeat me, I'll take you to see them."
Gohan smiled.
"Then can we continue now?"
"Yes."
Whoosh!
Piccolo suddenly attacked, his fists moving like a storm.
Gohan shifted his body slightly, easily dodging the blow.
"Damn it!"
Piccolo roared and launched a powerful kick.
Gohan sidestepped again, avoiding it effortlessly.
"T-This is impossible!"
Piccolo stared in disbelief.
His earlier attacks had been restrained, but that kick had used his full strength.
Suddenly, Gohan appeared right in front of him.
He lifted his right leg and kicked Piccolo square in the torso.
"Ugh!"
Piccolo was sent flying off the mountain peak, crashing heavily into the ground below.
Moments later, he slowly climbed back up, clutching his chest.
"Huff… huff…"
His expression was awkward.
Gohan had only kicked him once, yet it felt like his internal organs had shifted.
"When did this kid become this strong?!"
Whoosh!
Thud!
Gohan landed in front of him, hands in his pockets.
"Uncle Piccolo, should we keep fighting?"
Piccolo clenched his teeth.
"Gohan… when did you become so strong?"
"Just over the past few days, I guess."
Piccolo stared at him.
He had secretly observed Gohan for six months—lying wouldn't fool him.
The current Gohan was far too calm, far too composed.
He was completely different from before.
And yet… his respect toward Piccolo hadn't changed at all.
"…Did he hit his head?"
Piccolo wondered silently.
"Gohan, did you injure your head during training?"
"My head?"
"Yes."
"No."
Gohan shook his head.
"Then how did your strength increase so much?"
"Push-ups."
"Push-ups?"
"Yeah. I did tens of thousands yesterday."
Cold sweat trickled down Piccolo's forehead.
He himself could do tens of thousands of push-ups without weighted clothing.
But that kind of training… shouldn't result in this.