The night had finally settled after the chaos of Gohan's Oozaru transformation. The moon was gone, shattered into nothing by Piccolo's devastating attack, and silence had returned to the land. Yet, the aftermath lingered heavily in everyone's hearts.
Krillin, Tien, Yamcha, and Chiaotzu had struggled with everything they had, but none of their efforts were enough to restrain the monstrous form of Goku's young son. Only Piccolo's decisive action had saved them.
Now, the others had departed to recover, leaving Piccolo alone with the small boy who slept soundly on the grass, unaware of the destruction he had caused.
Piccolo stood over him, his cape fluttering in the night wind. His eyes were sharp, but his expression unreadable.
"That power… to think a child could harbor such monstrous energy. If Raditz was just the beginning, then what's coming next will tear this planet apart. The boy is dangerous… but also our only hope."
He closed his eyes briefly, recalling Raditz's dying words: "They'll come… and they're far stronger than me…"
Piccolo clenched his fists. He didn't like the idea, but there was no denying it—if Earth was to stand a chance, this boy needed to be molded into a warrior.
Piccolo extended his hand, removing Gohan's little hat and tail with a flick of ki.
"Wake up, kid," Piccolo growled.
Gohan stirred, rubbing his eyes, still groggy. "M-Mr. Piccolo…?"
"From now on, you're going to train under me," Piccolo declared flatly. "You'll learn to fight. You'll learn to survive. And if you don't… you'll die, just like the rest of this planet."
Gohan blinked in confusion. "T-Train? Fight? But… I'm just a kid… I want to go home…" His voice trembled.
Piccolo narrowed his eyes. "Listen carefully, brat. You saw what you turned into, didn't you? That monster that nearly crushed your own friends. If you can't control that power, it'll destroy you—and everyone else. I don't care what you want. You don't have a choice."
Gohan's small body shook. Tears welled in his eyes. "I… I didn't mean to… I didn't want to hurt anyone…"
Piccolo crossed his arms, his tone cutting like steel. "Intentions mean nothing on the battlefield. Power without control is just destruction. And you… you're overflowing with it. If you don't harden up, you'll be nothing but a liability when the real enemies arrive."
The boy sniffled, clutching his little fists. He wanted to scream, to run, to be back in his mother's arms. Yet, deep down, something in Piccolo's words struck a chord. He remembered his father, Goku, fighting Raditz. He remembered how helpless he himself had been.
Gohan lowered his head. "…Okay… I'll try."
Piccolo studied him for a long moment, then finally gave a short nod. "Good. Then your training starts now."
---
The First Trial
Without warning, Piccolo lifted Gohan into the air with a burst of ki and dropped him atop a jagged mountain peak.
Gohan flailed, barely catching his balance as he landed. "W-Wait! Don't leave me here!"
Piccolo's voice thundered from below. "The first lesson—survival. Out here, no one will hold your hand. Wild beasts, hunger, fear—you'll face them all. Survive this land, and you might survive what's coming."
Gohan's eyes widened in horror. "But… I can't! I don't know how!"
Piccolo smirked cruelly. "Then learn. A Saiyan's blood runs in your veins. You'll adapt… or you'll perish."
And with that, he soared away, his cape whipping behind him.
"W-Wait!! Mr. Piccolo!!" Gohan cried, his voice echoing into the night. But the Namekian was already gone.
---
Days of Struggle
The next few days were grueling for the young boy. Gohan stumbled through forests and cliffs, crying, starving, and desperate. Wild dinosaurs roamed the land, their roars shaking the skies. More than once, Gohan nearly became their prey, only escaping thanks to sudden bursts of hidden power he didn't even understand.
At night, under the cold stars, he huddled into himself, whispering, "Mom… Dad…" as tears slid down his cheeks.
But slowly, very slowly, something inside him began to change. His fear didn't vanish, but each day he lasted was a victory. Each time he escaped danger, he grew tougher.
And from the shadows, Piccolo watched, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
"He's struggling… but he's not breaking. Good. He's stronger than I thought. That Saiyan blood will awaken sooner or later…"
---
The Harsh Mentor
On the fifth day, Piccolo returned.
He landed near Gohan, who was exhausted and covered in dirt, but still alive. The boy's eyes widened as he saw his stern teacher.
"M-Mr. Piccolo! You came back!"
Piccolo tossed a few fruits at him. "Eat. You'll need the energy. Starting tomorrow, we begin real training."
Gohan brightened, clutching the food eagerly. "Thank you! I thought… you left me forever…"
Piccolo gave a sharp snort. "Don't mistake me for a babysitter. I'm not here because I care. I'm here because if you die, the Earth dies with you. That's the only reason."
But as he turned away, Gohan's soft voice made him pause.
"…I don't think that's true."
Piccolo glanced back, frowning. "What was that?"
Gohan looked up at him, his big eyes shining with an innocence that disarmed even the cold Namekian. "Everyone says you're scary. Krillin, Yamcha, even Mom… they said I should be afraid of you. And… yeah, you do yell a lot. But… I don't think you're mean. I think… you're actually kind."
The words hit Piccolo harder than any punch. He froze, staring at the boy who smiled at him despite everything.
For the first time in years, Piccolo felt something stir in his chest. Confusion. Conflict. Perhaps even… warmth?
He quickly turned away, masking his emotions behind his usual scowl. "…Hmph. Foolish brat. You don't know anything about me."
But even as he said it, his resolve hardened. This child wasn't just a weapon. He was more. And maybe, just maybe, Piccolo would be the one to shape him into something greater.
"Get some rest," Piccolo muttered. "Tomorrow, the real training begins. And you'd better not hold back."
"Yes, sir!" Gohan said, determination lighting up his face.
And under the cold night sky, a strange bond began to take root—a bond that would change both master and student forever.