New Three-Eyed Star
King Tenmoku, the Grand Elder, a host of ministers, plus Gohan and Tien Shinhan settled back into the throne room.
"King Tenmoku," Gohan said, voice flat, "do you have any objections to what happened to the Left Minister?"
Tenmoku's fist clenched, then relaxed a heartbeat later. "None."
The tone said otherwise.
"Hmph. Objections or not, hear this: might makes right. If you're unhappy, come challenge me anytime. Until you beat me, don't you dare play games in the shadows. I don't do schemes and you're not qualified to make me." Gohan didn't need ki-sense to read the king's choking resentment.
"Master Gohan, we understand," the Grand Elder cut in quickly, seeing the king hold his tongue.
"Tien, come back to Earth with me. If you don't, Launch is going to dismantle my house."
"Launch ? No, no, no. Then I'm not going anywhere. New Three-Eyed Star is lovely," Tien said, panic flashing like he'd seen a flood beast.
"Seriously? You're a grown man. Afraid of a woman?" Gohan scoffed.
"A woman? Have you ever seen a woman firing a bazooka? Or emptying a Gatling at your head? Don't joke, Gohan!"
"Idiot. She just wants to 'test your mettle.' You test hers right back. Conquer her so she listens from the heart. Think about it: blonde and blue-haired, gentle and hot-blooded two temperaments, double the fun. Here's what you do…"Gohan's voice dipped low; he leaned to Tien's ear and whispered.
Tien's face went redder and redder, bashful as a maiden out of a storybook.
"Got it?" Gohan clapped his shoulder.
"Mm! You're sure… this actually works?" Tien still sounded doubtful.
"Please. Men and women only have so many moves. Do what I said you'll be fine." Gohan brimmed with confidence.
"But, Gohan… you're ten. How do you know all this? No wonder Bulma teased you back then wait, you and she didn't "
"Shut it, Tien. None of your business. Worry about yourself. We're leaving." Gohan grabbed Tien and Chiaotzu; Instant Transmission took all three.
They left King Tenmoku and his court gaping.
"G-Grand Elder… is it really all right to let the Young Lord… do that?" the king asked, dazed.
"Perhaps… it is. Who knows next visit we might be greeting a little Young Lord," the Grand Elder muttered, equally flustered.
Their ears weren't Namekian, but that third eye saw far and from Gohan's mouth shapes, they'd more or less read his… instruction.
"Well now. The legendary Thirty-Six Yin–Yang Syllables who knew. I'll try it." King Tenmoku strode off toward the harem.
"Grand Elder, I'll take my leave as well. My thirty-sixth concubine's in good spirits I should… study." The Right Minister all but ran.
"Farewell!"
"Grand Elder, we'll withdraw too!"
"My grandson's wedding must dash…"
"My sister-in-law just arrived; I should extend proper hospitality "
In moments the bustling hall stood empty.
"Ahem… 'When young, one knows not when old, one longs…'" the Grand Elder sighed to himself, hands clasped behind his back as he departed.
Mount Paozu, Earth
Ssst!Two figures appeared.
"Tien!" Blonde Launch sprinted in, clamped onto his arm with both hands as if he might vanish again the second she blinked.
"I brought him. Please stop turning Mount Paozu into a war zone," Gohan said helplessly.
"Hmph! I only want Tien." Launch snorted.
"That's enough. Woman quiet. Without my say-so, no more rampages," Tien barked, remembering Gohan's coaching.
"Tien…! I I understand." Launch froze, then flushed to her ears and answered sweetly like she enjoyed that tone from him.
Tien blinked. So did Goku.
Gohan just winked at Tien: Told you so.
Tien nodded back. "We'll get out of your hair. Gohan, Goku see you. Call me if you need anything; I'll be around."
"Right. See you, Tien!" Goku waved.
Gohan stepped forward. "Next time, you and I should really spar. Now that your seal's gone, you're not simple."
"Deal. I've wanted a taste of Super Saiyan myself." The seal wasn't all Tien had devoured the Three-Eyed Clan's archives like a man starved.
"Don't forget what I said. Heh." Gohan grinned.
Tien flushed again. "Got it."
He lifted off with Launch; Chiaotzu followed until Gohan snagged him by the collar.
"Chiaotzu, do me a favor."
"What is it, Gohan?" Chiaotzu wanted to stick with Tien, but a request from Gohan was hard to refuse.
"Go to the Lookout and hang with Dende a few days. He's bored to tears. Listen Dende's…" Gohan explained as the two of them vanished.
If Tien was going to conquer Launch, Gohan would clear every obstacle and a 30-million-watt lightbulb named Chiaotzu had to go.
With Chiaotzu parked at the Lookout, Gohan finally breathed easy.
"Whew. Harder than a boss fight. Four years until my appointment with Beerus. A few days left before school starts… why not drop by the God of Destruction's world first? Vegeta and the others are nowhere near Beerus's bar. I should pick Whis's brain on breaking into the divine tier."
He vanished.
Beerus's Planet
"Oh? You're early. Lord Beerus isn't awake yet," Whis said, brows lifting.
"Nothing pressing on Earth. I'd like to study a few days with your guidance, if I may." Gohan bowed slightly.
"Ohohoho… and without snacks, I'm afraid I simply can't agree."
"Snacks, I've got."Gohan flicked out a capsule.
Pop!Crates appeared instant noodles, cup noodles seafood, braised, spicy, extra-spicy, bone broth… a whole pantry of guilty pleasures.
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