Cosmic Beings

"Of course there is, it's just that the ki within your body is quite faint. Remember, ki can be strengthened through training," Son Gohan explained.

"It seems similar to the methods used by the Androids," Videl remarked.

Son Gohan said, "The Androids are technological creations, whereas ki is an energy present within every one of our bodies. While the paths differ, they cannot be conflated."

"If you want to learn how to use ki, the first step is to sense the energy within your own body and then guide it outward."

"What should I do?" Videl asked.

Son Gohan looked at her, explained it earnestly, and then demonstrated it once.

"First, relax, keep your mind peaceful, and focus your spirit. Imagine guiding your ki to the palms of your hands, just like this."

As he spoke, Son Gohan held his hands in front of him as if embracing a void.

Slowly, he guided a wisp of energy outward.

In an instant, a vortex of ki formed between his palms, quickly transforming into a glowing, shimmering ball of energy.

How amazing, Videl marveled to herself. She then closed her eyes, mimicked Son Gohan's stance, and began to sense her own energy.

Son Gohan observed her movements and offered verbal guidance.

"Keep your mind peaceful, focus your spirit, and empty yourself—don't use force..."

Hearing Son Gohan's words, the furrow in Videl's brow gradually smoothed out.

It was evident that Videl had an excellent foundation in martial arts, and she quickly entered a meditative state.

However, sensing one's own ki was not such an easy task.

Seeing Videl in deep meditation, Son Gohan began to practice a set of boxing forms to the side.

The movements of this boxing style were a balance of hardness and softness, natural and fluid, capable of deflecting a thousand pounds with four ounces of force; it was none other than the Tai Chi he had learned in his previous life.

Naturally, Tai Chi could not produce earth-shattering effects, but practicing it during his leisure time left him feeling refreshed and invigorated.

Two hours passed quickly.

Videl slowly opened her eyes.

She looked at Son Gohan, who was sitting nearby, and said, "It's so difficult. I still haven't sensed my own ki."

Son Gohan replied, "You don't need to be so anxious. Everything is difficult at the start, but as long as you persist, you will definitely succeed."

"Mm, I hope so. But we have to stop here for today; I need to rush back to the police station to handle some matters," Videl said.

"Mm, alright," Son Gohan nodded.

Videl continued, "Can I come back tomorrow?"

Son Gohan said, "You can."

"Sorry to trouble you, Gohan-kun."

Videl stood up and bowed to Son Gohan.

Son Gohan accepted it calmly.

The grace of teaching is akin to a rebirth; what was a mere bow in comparison?

Just then, Videl's phone rang.

Videl answered the call.

"Hello? What? Mm, I understand. Alright, I'm heading back now."

After hanging up, Videl's expression turned anxious, and her brows furrowed deeply.

Son Gohan noticed her unease and asked, "What happened?"

Videl said, "A violent incident just occurred in East City. The perpetrators have already slaughtered dozens of people, and the death toll is still rising."

"My team has already rushed to the front lines."

"At the speed of a jet, it will take me at least an hour to get back. That's too long; I don't know how many more people will die because of this."

"I have to leave immediately."

As she spoke, Videl took out a capsule and threw it onto the ground. With a BOOM, it transformed into her jet.

"Oh?" Son Gohan frowned, looking toward the direction of East City.

Then, he spoke, "Forgive my bluntness, but I fear this is not a case you can handle."

From the direction of East City, countless powerful auras were emanating.

The strength of these auras was such that they were simply beyond anything Videl could contend with.

Could these auras belong to extraterrestrials?

In any case, such powerful beings could not possibly exist on Earth, so they must be visitors from space.

He just didn't know when these extraterrestrials had appeared; he hadn't noticed them at all.

After all, it was impossible for Son Gohan to monitor the entire planet with his ki sensing 24 hours a day.

Videl looked at him in surprise and asked, "Why do you say I can't handle it?"

Son Gohan replied, "Because I can sense the ki of those bandits. They aren't opponents you can deal with."

"You can sense the bandits' ki from this far away?" Videl felt it was incredible.

"Yes. You'll understand once you learn how to use ki later on," Son Gohan said.

Videl pondered for a moment, then said firmly, "Regardless, I have to go back. My team members have all rushed to the front lines; how could I hide in the back? How would I be able to face everyone after this?"

"Gohan-kun, I'm not going to argue with you. I have to go."

"..."

Watching Videl hurriedly climb into her plane, Son Gohan sighed and said, "The plane is too slow. Get down; I'll take you there."

Counting on Earth's forces to resolve these aliens was impossible, so Son Gohan decided to intervene.

The peace he currently enjoyed was something he had fought hard to wrest from the Androids, and he would absolutely not allow anyone to destroy it again.

Videl, who was preparing to close the cabin door, paused and asked, "Are you saying you're faster than a jet plane?"

Son Gohan nodded. "Yes, a bit faster."

"Ah, that's great!" Videl immediately ran off the plane and turned it back into a capsule to tuck away.

She ran to Son Gohan's side and asked anxiously, "What do we do now?"

Son Gohan crouched down in front of her and said, "Hurry up and get on."

"Ah! You're... you're going to carry me on your back?" Videl's face turned beet red with embarrassment.

Although she was shy, this wasn't the time to worry about such trifles. She jumped onto Son Gohan's back, wrapped her arms around his neck, and locked her legs around his waist.

Son Gohan felt the warm, soft body press against him. Without overthinking it, he cautioned, "Hold on tight."

"Yes, I've got a good grip," Videl replied.

Following that, Son Gohan hooked his arms under her legs, and a silver wave of ki erupted from his body.

Immediately after, the two figures shot into the sky, turning into a meteor as they streaked toward East City.

"Ahhhhh~!"

Videl felt as if her courage were being shattered.

This... this was just a "bit" faster than a jet plane?

It was creating sonic booms; it had long since broken the sound barrier!

Terrifying, absolutely terrifying.

That a human could do such a thing was something Videl would never have believed before.

Their flight speed was as fast as lightning!

Fortunately, the aura surrounding Son Gohan enveloped her, forming a protective barrier; otherwise, with Videl's ordinary human body, the blade-like wind pressure would have left her covered in cuts and bruises.

Listening to the howling wind and the popping sound of sonic booms in her ears, Videl's small heart took a massive shock.

Under such tension, she had long forgotten her shyness, pressing her entire body against Son Gohan's back, wishing she could merge into one with him.

At the same time, she couldn't stop speculating about Son Gohan's identity, wondering what kind of person he really was. Her curiosity about him had reached its peak.

Traveling at lightning speed, the two soon arrived at East Capital.

Stopping abruptly, Son Gohan hovered high in the air with Videl on his back, looking down at the city below.

At this very moment, several aliens wearing strange combat suits were emitting energy from their palms, ruthlessly slaughtering one Earthling after another.

Thick smoke rose throughout the city, police cars darted about, and officers were everywhere, directing the evacuation of civilians.

Just then, "BOOM!"

Another explosion rang out.

As smoke and heat waves erupted, a building disintegrated in the blast, and countless Earthlings perished.

Son Gohan looked down at the ground and said to Videl, "Do you see? This is not a battle you can participate in."

Videl looked at the carnage on the streets, her face turning pale, yet she was filled with fury.

Gritting her teeth, she said, "Where on earth did these thugs come from? Their methods are exactly like the Androids from before. These bastards, they are unforgivable!"

Son Gohan narrowed his eyes as he studied the aliens. "They aren't from Earth. They must be aliens."

"Al... aliens? Extraterrestrials?" Videl stammered.

"Yes, that's right." Son Gohan nodded, then pointed a finger.

A beam of energy erupted from his fingertip and shot toward an alien on the ground who was preparing to trigger another massive explosion.

The alien was laughing heartily when the energy beam struck him head-on, and with a loud bang, he was reduced to dust.

Son Gohan pointed his finger a few more times, and several more aliens exploded, instantly vanishing into nothingness.

Videl stared at all of this, dumbfounded. Her world felt like it was collapsing, and it all felt completely unreal.

"S-so you're actually this powerful," Videl said, shocked.

She then recalled something and continued, "Those two devilish Androids were also defeated by you, weren't they?"

She should have realized it sooner.

The news of the Androids' destruction had been leaked to the kingdom by Capsule Corp.

Son Gohan lived at Capsule Corp.

Furthermore, his identity was extremely mysterious, and he possessed the ability to fly.

All signs pointed to Son Gohan.

If not him, then who else could it be?

Son Gohan did not deny it, stating directly, "It was me."

He then added, "Find a place to hide for now; I'm going to go take care of the remaining aliens."

As he spoke, Son Gohan brought Videl to a relatively safe spot nearby to hide, then returned to the battlefield, punching the alien bandits one by one and blowing them away.

He pressed his finger against the forehead of the last alien, a cold glint flashing between his two fingers as he asked coldly, "Speak, where did you come from?"