Piccolo's Probing

"Another fulfilling day!"

Son Gohan looked at the darkening sky and let out a sigh of deep satisfaction.

With that, Son Gohan began humming a little tune as he went off to hunt for his dinner.

"Hum-hum-ha-hey, quick, use the nunchucks, hum-hum-ha-hey..."

Halfway through his tune, Son Gohan suddenly sensed someone watching him from behind and came to a halt.

Was... was I discovered?

Piccolo, hiding behind a small hill, was secretly startled.

He had come over today just to sneak a peek at Son Gohan.

Though Piccolo appeared cold on the surface, he was actually quite concerned about Son Gohan.

He had secretly come to check on Son Gohan several times before this as well.

As for why he had to be so secretive? First, he wanted Son Gohan to develop self-reliance; second, because he was the Great Demon King—if Krillin and the others found out he was looking after Son Gohan like a mother hen, they would laugh him to death.

Son Gohan smiled, then resumed his stride and continued forward.

"Phew..."

Seeing this, Piccolo immediately let out a sigh of relief.

It seems he didn't notice me after all!

The next morning.

Son Gohan had just woken from his sleep when he saw Piccolo sitting to the side.

Beside Piccolo lay a freshly killed large fish.

"Un... Uncle Piccolo!"

Son Gohan was startled by Piccolo's sudden appearance.

Although he quite liked the character of Piccolo, his green skin and face looked rather terrifying.

Especially when seen right after waking up.

Besides, he had only transmigrated here a few days ago and still wasn't used to Piccolo's appearance.

"You're awake."

Piccolo glanced at Son Gohan indifferently.

"Yeah!"

Son Gohan nodded.

"Uncle Piccolo, why did you come over so early today?"

"I came to see how your martial arts training is coming along!"

"My martial arts?"

"That's right! Once you finish breakfast, we are going to spar."

"S-spar!"

"Yes. Don't worry, I won't use my full strength!"

Son Gohan gave a dry laugh.

Even if you used your full strength, you wouldn't be able to beat me!

"Alright then, Uncle Piccolo, let me go wash my face first, then I'll roast this fish!"

"Fine."

Piccolo nodded.

A long while later, Son Gohan finished roasting the fish and devoured the entire thing.

"Gohan, are you ready?"

"Don't be so impatient, Uncle Piccolo. I just finished eating, I need to sit for a bit and digest!"

"..."

Piccolo was speechless.

As a Namekian who only needed water to survive, it was hard for him to grasp the concept of humans needing time to digest after a meal.

A moment later, Son Gohan stood up from the ground.

"Ready?"

Son Gohan nodded.

"In that case, come at me!"

"Alright!"

Son Gohan smiled, revealing his white teeth.

Piccolo let out a cold snort, his face showing complete indifference.

In his eyes, no matter how much Son Gohan's strength had improved, he could never be his match.

"Whoosh..."

Just at that moment, Piccolo felt a gust of wind rush past him.

Piccolo was instantly drenched in a cold sweat; he spun around rapidly, only to see the smiling face of Son Gohan.

"Uncle Piccolo!"

"You... when did you get behind me?"

"Just now, what's wrong, Uncle Piccolo?"

"N-nothing!"

Piccolo said, his expression immediately turning serious.

He had not expected that in the few days since he last saw Son Gohan, his speed would have become so fast.

"Oh! Then Uncle Piccolo, I'm going to start fighting for real now, okay?"

"Fighting for real?"

"Yeah! I was worried you weren't ready earlier, so I just moved behind you!"

"Go ahead and try. If you can defeat me, I'll allow you to go home for a day!"

"Go home?"

"That's right! Didn't you want to go home before?"

Living at home was certainly more comfortable, but if he went back, Chi-Chi would definitely force him to study.

"Um... Uncle Piccolo, I actually don't want to go back that much anymore!"

"You don't want to go back?"

Son Gohan nodded.

"Uncle Piccolo, if I defeat you, how about you take me to see Uncle Krillin?"

"What's the point of seeing that little bald guy!"

Piccolo let out a cold snort.

A few seconds later, he agreed anyway.

"Fine, as long as you defeat me, I'll take you to see them!"

Son Gohan nodded with a smile.

"Then can we continue our fight now?"

"We can!"

Son Gohan replied.

"Whoosh..."

At that moment, Piccolo's fists moved like the wind, launching an attack toward Son Gohan.

Son Gohan shifted his body slightly, dodging Piccolo's attack with ease.

"Damn it!"

Piccolo growled in anger and kicked forward with all his might.

Son Gohan sidestepped, once again evading Piccolo's attack.

"This... how is this possible!"

Piccolo's face was filled with disbelief.

His initial attacks hadn't used his full strength, but that last kick had definitely been delivered with everything he had.

Just then, Son Gohan's figure suddenly appeared in front of him, his right leg raised as he kicked toward his body.

Piccolo let out a cry of pain as his body was kicked off the mountain peak, crashing heavily into the ground.

A moment later, Piccolo clutched his chest with his right hand and slowly climbed up from the ground.

"Hah... hah..."

Piccolo gasped for air, his expression looking rather grim.

Son Gohan had only kicked him once, but he felt as if his internal organs had been shifted out of place.

"When... when did this brat's power become so strong!"

"Whoosh..."

"Thud..."

Just then, Son Gohan flew down from the small mountain peak and landed in front of Piccolo.

"Uncle Piccolo, do we still have to keep fighting?"

Son Gohan asked Piccolo with his hands tucked into his pockets.

Upon hearing this, Piccolo gritted his teeth tightly and spoke.

"Gohan, when did you become this strong?"

"Just these past few days!"

Piccolo had been secretly observing Son Gohan throughout the half-year he spent training.

Therefore, if he were lying, it would be very easy for Piccolo to see through it.

Piccolo stared at him intently after hearing his reply.

He began to harbor some doubts about Son Gohan's identity in his heart.

Although Son Gohan was no longer as timid as he had been at the start of his half-year of training.

But the current Son Gohan was far too composed; he was simply like a different person compared to the Son Gohan from before.

However... Son Gohan still treated him with the same respect as before.

Could it be that he bumped his head?

Piccolo thought to himself secretly.

"Um... Gohan, during your training these past few days, did you injure your head?"

"My head?"

"Yes!"

"No!"

Son Gohan shook his head.

"What's wrong, Uncle Piccolo?"

"N-nothing! Then Gohan, how did your strength suddenly become so great?"

"Push-ups!"

"Push-ups?"

"Yeah! I did tens of thousands of push-ups yesterday!"

A bead of cold sweat broke out on Piccolo's forehead.

He did push-ups regularly himself, and if he did them without wearing his weighted clothing, he could easily knock out tens of thousands as well.

However, that kind of training didn't seem to increase one's strength by very much.