In the mountain forests, the sky stretched high with wispy clouds as grass swayed gently in the breeze.
Fish, insects, and birds combined with rustling leaves to create nature's peaceful symphony. "BOOM—" A sudden explosion shattered the tranquil scene as sand scattered into the distance, smoke filling the air while thick gray clouds enveloped the area.
"Your ki is already quite strong, but when using ki blasts, it's best to concentrate everything at a single point before releasing—that's how you maximize power," Gohan explained patiently to Videl.
Videl extended one finger, pointing toward the crater she'd just created in the ground. Moments ago, she'd used the Dodon Ray to obliterate a stubborn boulder while accidentally frightening away a nearby dinosaur.
The Dodon Ray was a signature technique of the Crane School. Both Tao Pai Pai and Chiaotzu had mastered it expertly, concentrating energy at their fingertips before releasing devastatingly powerful beams. However, this technique required lengthy charging time and proved slightly less efficient than equivalent-level Kamehameha waves.
Videl had already achieved some success with the Dodon Ray. With Gohan's assistance and strict guidance over time, significantly improving her combat effectiveness wouldn't be problematic.
"You're being too vague—how exactly do I 'concentrate and explode at one point'? I feel like I'm already gathering all my energy when I attack," Videl said, pondering his words with a puzzled frown.
"Think of it like muscle contraction and relaxation. Your energy is concentrated, but it's in an extended state rather than operating at full potential."
"Well... I still don't understand when you put it that way."
Gohan placed his hands on his hips with an embarrassed expression. "Then let me demonstrate." He raised his hand casually, extending a single finger in the same Dodon Ray stance!
"Ah! You know it too!" Videl gasped in shock.
She'd assumed only Master Tien's disciples knew this technique, yet Gohan could perform it much faster than herself. Energy instantly gathered at his fingertip—even Videl could clearly sense its tremendous strength.
Brilliant radiance enveloped his finger as power flowed through before launching with his gesture!
A massive explosion erupted on the ground. Using identical energy levels, Gohan had achieved nearly twice the destructive effect. Layers of scorched earth and ash smoke billowed as shockwaves spread in all directions.
Videl stood speechless. "This... how is that possible?"
"Did you sense my ki just now? When the same technique is focused properly, efficiency increases dramatically. Try again based on what you felt."
Videl pouted, obviously still reluctant. After all, ki could only be understood through experience, not mere explanation. Those who grasped energy concepts understood immediately upon instruction, while others could only perceive it as magic. Though Videl was a beginner, her comprehension certainly didn't match Gohan's depth, leaving her no choice but to attempt it again.
She recalled Chiaotzu's teachings combined with the sensation she'd experienced from Gohan's demonstration. Her finger began glowing once more! "I can feel the energy flow within my body."
"Excellent, continue," Gohan praised sincerely. He could see Videl possessed exceptional talent—perfect martial arts material.
"Don't distract me!" Videl frowned with a low complaint as the feeling she'd just discovered suddenly vanished.
The result matched her previous attempt—unsuccessful.
Frustrated by her failure, Videl looked directly at Gohan. "Let's stop here for today. I need to get home, but we'll continue after school tomorrow until I master this. Then I want to spar with you!"
Gohan stood stunned. She expected to continue training until she learned everything, then actually fight him?
"Videl, I think with your talent you should be able to practice and master this independently, and—"
"Do you hate me?"
"Ah, no, no, no! I definitely didn't mean that!" Gohan scratched his face as both their cheeks reddened.
"Then it's settled! Goodbye, Son Gohan."
Videl smiled brilliantly, boarding her aircraft and taking off without giving Gohan a chance to explain further. She watched him through the hatch window, unable to suppress a bright smile.
After more than ten minutes of flight, Videl finally returned home. Mr. Satan had purchased a house in Orange Star City for her school convenience, though it typically took about two hours for her return journey.
Walking through the hallway, Videl pocketed her capsule and smoothed her hair.
"Dad, I'm back."
"Why so late today?" Mr. Satan asked from the dining table where he sat reading a magazine.
He wasn't overly concerned about Videl's safety. In his opinion, few people on Earth could surpass their father-daughter team. This was merely curious inquiry.
But Videl felt inexplicably guilty, pausing mid-response.
"I... I encountered some robbers today and helped resolve the situation."
"Really? They definitely stood no chance against you! Hahahaha, how unfortunate for them—running into Satan's daughter!" Mr. Satan laughed proudly, thoroughly excited.
Behind him hung championship medals from various competitions along with portrait photographs. Every memento represented part of Satan's collection. Such items filled the entire house, creating a somewhat peculiar decorative style.
This demonstrated that while Mr. Satan had changed considerably, his narcissism remained unaltered.
"By the way, Dad, I want to practice outside after school. I might be coming home late every day—I'm not sure for how long."
"Practice outside? Isn't there space at home?"
"I just want to train outdoors for better results."
Mr. Satan studied Videl curiously, his scrutiny intensifying. Suddenly, his eyes lit up as he jumped to his feet as if discovering some secret.
"Could it be... you're going on dates!"
"Absolutely not!" Videl shouted before fleeing to her room. She felt inexplicably flustered, somehow sensing her father shouldn't know about training with Gohan.
Watching Videl's retreating figure, Mr. Satan grew more convinced of his suspicions. She'd never acted this way before—he'd caught that flash of panic in her eyes. As a father, he could never be wrong about such things!
Mr. Satan treasured his daughter above all else, never wanting her to suffer the slightest harm. While maintaining strict training standards, he was caring in every other aspect. Especially regarding boyfriends, his standards were extremely high. He believed only men capable of defeating him deserved to marry Videl.
He didn't want to interfere with her romantic feelings, but feared she might be deceived by some ordinary delinquent.
"No, I have to see what's happening. If its boy..." Mr. Satan clenched his fists tightly, secretly deciding to investigate whoever Videl was dating.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Writing takes time, coffee, and a lot of love.If you'd like to support my work, join me at [email protected]/GoldenGaruda
You'll get early access to over 50 chapters, selection on new series, and the satisfaction of knowing your support directly fuels more stories.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~