On the second day after Videl told Mr. Satan she would be going out to train, she took Gohan straight to their usual training spot right after school. The isolated mountain forest meant no one would disturb them, and any stray ki blasts wouldn't harm innocent people.
Gohan stood to the side, giving Videl pointers on how to sense and use her ki. She studied diligently and made rapid progress.
Several ki blasts smashed into the mountainside. Each subsequent attack was more powerful than the last, and her energy usage became increasingly efficient. Videl focused on controlling the ki inside her body, transitioning from clumsy bursts to more skillful manipulations. However, continuously releasing ki blasts was still incredibly draining for her.
Not long after, Videl was panting, fine beads of sweat dripping down her fair face.
"Slow down the pace. Don't be so anxious, you can take your time," Gohan said. Seeing how eager she was to succeed, causing her to overexert herself and break a sweat, he walked over and offered her a tissue.
"Thank you," Videl replied, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. She took the tissue, a flush rising on her face—whether from fatigue or something else, she couldn't say.
The two of them sat on the ground. The soft green grass was bathed in the warm, setting sun, making them feel cozy. A sudden gust of wind blew Videl's braids around her face. Her damp cheeks, stained with sweat, looked like wet jade.
Gohan looked at Videl and inadvertently forgot to look away.
"Whew... Whew... Gohan, was it like this for you when you trained?" Videl suddenly looked over. Gohan snapped his head away in shock. Neither of them acknowledged the moment, but Videl had pronounced the name "Gohan" very naturally.
"Uh, more or less."
"It seems your family is very powerful. I just had a thought—there's a martial artist whose name is very similar to yours," Videl said, taking a deep breath and fixing Gohan with a sharp, piercing stare. "Son Goku! What is your relationship with him?"
Gohan was stunned. He hadn't expected Videl to make the connection so quickly, though his father's fame was enormous. Even as a hero who stayed out of the public eye, Son Goku was known to people because of his participation in the World Martial Arts Tournaments. Those who researched deeply enough had passed the data on to the media, including his battles with Krillin, Tien Shinhan, and Piccolo.
The mysterious Son Goku had become the eternal dream for martial arts enthusiasts, Videl included.
She watched Gohan like a wolf watching its prey, desperate to hear the answer.
"You're Son Goku's son! No wonder! Then..." Videl's eyes widened in excitement. She grabbed Gohan's sleeve, practically pressing her body against him. "Then you also know those people who wore the tights! And what about the boy who defeated Cell?" Videl suddenly froze, her mind buzzing, and then she shouted again, "You were the kid back then! You defeated Cell!"
Gohan simply nodded in confirmation.
Videl's heart felt completely overwhelmed, a powerful explosion of surprise, joy, and admiration all at once.
She looked Gohan over repeatedly, confirming it again and again. She was so thrilled that her idol was right in front of her; she almost wanted to pounce on him.
"Take me to your house! I have to meet Mr. Son Goku!"
Gohan was about to answer when a thunderous voice suddenly interrupted their conversation. It was Mr. Satan!
"Let go of my daughter!" Satan roared, rushing towards Videl. He had struggled to follow Videl all the way to this remote place, and sure enough, he found his daughter with some strange man.
Gohan, to Satan's eye, didn't look strong at all—he had the weak temperament of a scholar, which Satan didn't appreciate.
"Dad, why are you here?"
"I don't trust you! And you're really dating a guy like this? Didn't I tell you that anyone you date must be able to beat me? He's clearly not qualified!" Satan sneered, giving Gohan an arrogant glance. His face darkened. "Look here, kid, don't you dare try to trick my daughter."
Videl blushed and rushed to explain to Satan, but Satan just kept rambling on. "I am the World Martial Arts Champion, and the number of medals I've won is countless. You'd have to train for decades to beat me, and it would still be useless. My daughter is about as strong as I am, you know?"
"Ah... well..." Gohan was taken aback by the sudden interrogation.
Satan thought Gohan was intimidated by his powerful presence and felt very proud of himself.
"Dad, Son Gohan is teaching me how to use ki."
"Don't speak for him! What can he teach you? Son..." Halfway through his sentence, Satan's throat suddenly constricted as if he were being choked by an invisible force. The name sounded too familiar: Son Gohan? S-O-N G-O... HAN!
Suddenly, Satan toppled backward and sat down hard on the ground. His nose began to run, and his face was a mask of shock and panic. "Y-Y-You are Son Gohan?" He remembered the boy who defeated Cell and saved him at the Cell Games arena! He distinctly recalled the name the boy had said: "Son Gohan." It was him, no doubt!
"Dad, are you...?" Videl saw the dramatic change in Satan's expression, thought back to the Cell Games, and guessed the reason in her heart.
Meanwhile, at Goku's house, Raditz was sparring with his brother outside. Inside, Zangya and Android 18 were chatting with Chi-Chi and watching television. Rukon and Broly had gone to play with Goten in the mountains. The two families visited each other frequently and had a very close relationship.
Raditz and Goku fought for a long time, not stopping until the sun was close to setting.
"Haha! That was great! It's so much fun fighting my brother!" Goku wiped his sweat, feeling refreshed.
"You're improving so fast. It actually feels like you're about to surpass me," Raditz admitted.
"I know I still have a long way to go," Goku said with a smile. "My brother's strength is still on a whole other level than mine."
"Enough with the flattery, you two. Come inside and eat! Gohan will be back soon!" Chi-Chi walked out of the house and called to them.
Raditz laughed and asked curiously, "Gohan is still so late coming home after school?"
"Gohan said he's been doing extra exercise before coming home lately. Honestly, when is he not practicing?" Chi-Chi complained with a hint of annoyance, shooting a pointed look at Goku. "You never talk to him about it."
It was unusual for Goku to interfere with training, so he just offered Chi-Chi some comfort while mentally supporting Gohan's commitment.
With the sunset, figures appeared in the distance. A total of three people were flying towards the house. Raditz watched them and a smile spread across his face. "There's always a reason for coming home late. Looks like he's brought you a daughter-in-law."
"A daughter-in-law, what?" Chi-Chi looked surprised.
Just then, Gohan, Videl, and Satan landed. Zangya and Android 18 also came out of the house, and the two groups met face-to-face.
Besides Son Goku, Videl saw the others! These were the legendary strong fighters she had dreamed of meeting!
"Gohan, are these your friends?" Goku asked in greeting. "Hello, everyone."
"Ah..." Satan was completely speechless, his face ghost-white.
The long-haired Raditz, the beautiful female warrior Zangya, and the legendary martial artist Son Goku—all those faces brought back the horrors of the past. Immediately, his legs buckled, and he collapsed, fainting dead away.