Kami: That Luo Tian Isn't Simple

"Huh? Can I really do it? I've never fought anyone before." Son Gohan asked, looking stunned and somewhat terrified.

"You aren't even aware of the immense energy hidden within you yet," Piccolo said. "That is why you need to train—to learn how to unleash that power effectively."

"You're lying! There isn't any powerful energy inside me." Son Gohan wore a look of grievance.

"Then let me show you the proof." With a sinister grin, Piccolo grabbed Son Gohan by the head and hoisted him into the air.

"What are you doing? Let me go! It hurts!" Son Gohan shouted, struggling desperately.

"Whoosh!"

Piccolo swung his arm violently.

In an instant, Son Gohan was sent hurtling toward a massive mountain in the distance.

Piccolo's face was filled with anticipation.

Let me see your power!

I want to see if you can actually shatter that rocky mountain!

If you can't, don't blame me if you die.

At worst, I'll just find the Dragon Balls to bring you back to life.

"Waaah!"

Watching himself careen toward the mountain, Son Gohan's expression turned solemn.

Suddenly, a golden aura flared up around Son Gohan's body.

"Boom!"

The golden aura slammed into the mountain.

Accompanied by a deafening roar, the entire mountain was pulverized into dust.

A long, deep trench was carved into the earth below.

Piccolo was stunned.

This kid is way too powerful.

He's even more formidable than I imagined.

Son Gohan: "..."

Did I do that?

I didn't realize I was this strong.

But, I'm so scared.

Piccolo looked at Son Gohan in silence, unable to find words.

My feelings are so complicated. I might be raising a terrifying enemy for the future.

"Did... did I really do that?" Son Gohan asked.

"Now you finally understand," Piccolo replied. "You can only tap into your latent power when your emotions are stirred. But that only happens in a split second; that won't be enough to win. I am going to teach you how to fight and turn you into the greatest warrior."

"But I... I don't want to be a martial artist. I want to be a great scientist." Son Gohan shook his head.

"That's fine, but only after you defeat the two Saiyans coming here in a year. Once that's done, what you want to be is no concern of mine," Piccolo said. "Their goal is to exterminate humanity. If they succeed, forget about being a scientist—whether the Earth itself will even exist is a question."

"But... I'm still so scared." Son Gohan trembled all over.

"Don't be so pathetic. Do you want me to kill you?" Piccolo barked. "We're out of time. Let's start—take off your shirt."

Terrified, Son Gohan hurriedly took off his shirt, muttering as he did so, "I wanted my dad to teach me how to train."

"Hmph, unfortunately, he could never be a good teacher. He isn't strict enough. Seeing how spoiled you've become, I can tell exactly how he's been raising you," Piccolo chuckled. "Besides, your father is the one who agreed to leave you in my care."

Son Gohan felt like crying.

Dad, are you just throwing me away?

"So, are we starting now?" Son Gohan asked, aggrieved.

"Indeed, we start now! For starters, you don't have to do anything—just survive." Piccolo smiled faintly.

"Survive?" Son Gohan blinked.

"That's right. Just survive here on your own," Piccolo said, a smile spreading across his face. "If you can make it for six months, I will teach you how to fight."

"What? Six months? Alone?" Son Gohan was shocked. "I... I'll die of boredom."

"Don't worry, you won't be lonely. This area is crawling with man-eating monsters." Piccolo grinned.

"What? You're leaving me all by myself in a place like this? You're truly cruel!" Son Gohan was terrified, his young face turning pale.

"Enough. I don't have time to waste on your nonsense. If you can survive for six months, it will prove you are an excellent warrior—both in spirit and in body," Piccolo said coldly. "Don't forget, the fate of the Earth rests in your hands. You must believe in your own abilities and learn how to use them."

"But... but I..." Son Gohan looked utterly helpless.

"I'm telling you, don't even think about trying to escape from here. This area is nothing but desert. You know about quicksand, right? If you accidentally fall into that, even I wouldn't be able to pull you out," Piccolo said with a smirk.

"Wait a second... where is the food? Where are the bathtub and the bed?" Son Gohan asked again.

"My little young master, do you really think I would prepare such things for you?" Piccolo chuckled softly.

Son Gohan: "..."

How cruel!

"If you want to hate someone, hate that your fate is the same as mine." After saying this, Piccolo shot into the sky and quickly vanished from the scene.

Back in the day, I also grew up all alone in this very place.

Son of Son Goku, you had better survive on your own.

"Wait for me, don't leave me behind, I'm scared!" Son Gohan scrambled to give chase.

However, Piccolo had long since flown out of sight.

Son Gohan burst into loud tears.

No one paid him any mind.

The Lookout.

Kami: "..."

"Kami, what is wrong?" Mr. Popo asked, "Has something happened?"

"That fellow Piccolo seems vastly different from before," Kami said. "Although he hasn't shed his wicked habits, he has lost his former cunning and brutality."

"I have felt it too. The Demon King of the past would never have allowed the son of Son Goku to become stronger," Mr. Popo nodded.

"Piccolo's change might be because he knows the soul of the Raditz he killed has successfully reached another world..." Kami sighed. "Up until now, those killed by the Demon Clan could not be reincarnated and were forced to drift in the air in agony, yet Raditz has gone to another world."

Mr. Popo did not speak, maintaining his silence.

"Furthermore, perhaps he already knows that we will die in one year," Kami said.

"One year?" Mr. Popo was slightly startled.

"Yes, in one year, Piccolo will be killed by those two Saiyans," Kami nodded and said. "You know that Piccolo and I were once the same person; if he dies, I will vanish along with him. Even though I am Kami, knowing the date of my own death is still a heavy burden to bear... Piccolo must have foreseen something as well, which is why he wants to leave behind some kind of legacy, such as training the son of Son Goku."

"Kami, that person named Luo Tian, he actually possesses healing arts. Do you know his origins?" Mr. Popo asked.