Mount Paozu, as always, was picturesque with clear waters and beautiful scenery, like a secluded paradise cut off from the world.
Swish!
Suddenly, a figure appeared out of thin air in the yard in front of the mountain house. Looking at the familiar house and sensing the two figures inside, Rhode stepped towards the room.
Oh!
As he approached, the door opened automatically, and he saw the grandfather and grandson eating. Seeing this scene, Rhode suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu. Upon closer thought, he realized that this scene was exactly the same as when he visited Goku many years ago, after he had just arrived on Earth. The only difference was that at that time, Goku was still young, his understanding was naive, and his temper was very volatile, whereas now, Goku had grown into a teenager, becoming gentle, well-behaved, and sensible, like a completely different person. Only his height seemed to have not changed much compared to before.
"Oh, oh, you're here!" Seeing Rhode enter through the door, Gohan's expression was unusual, but he wasn't surprised. Since Aira hadn't been here for a year, he had guessed that Rhode should have returned to Earth. Therefore, he had visited earlier, but unfortunately, Rhode was cultivating in the Time Chamber at the time and wasn't seen. Now seeing Rhode after many years, Gohan wasn't too surprised, just a little emotional that after so many years, Rhode was still so young, as if time had left no trace on him.
"Have you eaten? Come eat with us!" As he spoke, Gohan brought a chair and warmly invited Rhode to join them for a meal. The meal was very rich; besides vegetables and rice, the most eye-catching dish was a large fish several meters long.
"Grandpa, who is this big brother?" Seeing that his grandpa was very familiar with Rhode, Goku couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Haha, he's Rhode, he's with Sister Aira!" Rhode had only met the little guy twice: when Goku first arrived on Earth and later when he borrowed the Four-Star Ball. After that, he never came back during the two and a half years he spent on Earth. After that, Rhode traveled to other parallel worlds, and when he returned again, it was five years later. After returning to Earth, he had been diligently studying the Recovery Technique and cultivating, and had never visited. Therefore, it was not surprising that Goku didn't have a deep impression of Rhode.
"With Sister Aira?" Hearing his grandpa's words, Goku's eyes immediately lit up, and he looked at Rhode with curiosity and anticipation: "Big brother, are you stronger than Sister Aira?"
During the more than five years Rhode was away, Aira frequently visited Mount Paozu and often gave Goku pointers, so they were very familiar with each other. However, Aira was always strict. Her guidance to Goku, or rather, it was more like beating him up than giving pointers. Aira's guidance was simple and crude; each time it was a direct fight, giving little Son Goku a good beating, and then letting Goku figure out his shortcomings during the battle and correct them. So, every time Aira finished her guidance, little Son Goku would be bruised and swollen. Of course, little Son Goku's bruised and swollen state wouldn't last too long; Aira would use the Recovery Technique to restore him to full health before leaving.
Because of Aira's occasional beatings—no, guidance—and Gohan's careful teaching as a martial artist, little Son Goku, though only about ten years old now, possessed far greater power than in the original timeline.
"Haha, about the same, maybe a little stronger!" At this moment, facing little Son Goku's question, Rhode responded with an ambiguous smile, looking at little Son Goku with amusement, and asked him, "What, do you want to challenge me?"
"Can I?" Facing Rhode's words, little Son Goku's face immediately showed joy. As he spoke, he jumped off his seat, looking eager to try.
"No rush, eat first, we'll talk after dinner!" Seeing the little guy so impatient, Rhode was somewhat amused, but also a little exasperated. However, he greatly admired Goku's pure fighting spirit, which showed no fear. Only with such a pure heart for martial arts could one become a true strong person.
"Oh!" Hearing Rhode say this, and looking at the feast on the table, little Son Goku immediately climbed back onto his seat and began to gobble down his food. However, compared to before, his eating speed was noticeably faster now. Clearly, he wanted to finish eating quickly so he could challenge Rhode sooner. Watching Goku wolf down his food, Gohan smiled, busily serving him dishes with an expression full of love.
Rhode, watching this scene from the side, also found it quite interesting. However, as his gaze fell upon Gohan, observing and sensing him closely, his expression couldn't help but change slightly.
Before long, after dinner, the three went outside. After little Son Goku warmed up, he came before Rhode, clasped his hands together, and seriously challenged him: "Please teach me!"
"You're not allowed to cry later, okay!" Facing little Son Goku's challenge, Rhode casually walked to stand opposite him and teased him with a smile.
Rhode's words were clearly a tease, but little Son Goku replied very seriously: "Don't worry, no matter how much it hurts, I won't cry!"
"Alright, I'll let you go first!" Hearing little Son Goku's words and seeing his serious expression, Rhode smiled helplessly and generously offered.
Little Son Goku didn't refuse Rhode's generosity. He thought that since the opponent was as strong as Sister Aira, even if he went all out, he probably wouldn't be a match, but precisely because of that, it was worth challenging.
"Ha!" As Rhode's words fell, little Son Goku let out a loud shout, rushed in front of him, and launched an attack. Little Son Goku's fists and feet moved with the wind, powerful and strong. He attacked Rhode with all his might, unleashing his full strength.
Facing little Son Goku's attack, Rhode did not retaliate but chose to dodge. He wanted to see how good the little guy's fundamentals were.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! As little Son Goku moved, he stirred the clear breeze and falling leaves. In his attacks, his fists, feet, limbs, joints, and every part of his body played a corresponding role. Clearly, under the guidance of Gohan, the martial artist, little Son Goku's foundation was very solid.
Bang! Just as little Son Goku attacked again, Rhode stopped merely dodging. He raised his hand to block his fist, then lifted his foot and kicked him away. However, after retreating and stopping his momentum, little Son Goku rushed at Rhode again.
Bang! This time, Rhode raised his hand and flicked little Son Goku's forehead, sending him flying again. But, the next moment, little Son Goku rushed up again. Thus, Rhode fought with little Son Goku for a while, while also pointing out some of his shortcomings.
"You really are strong!" After a series of battles, little Son Goku was repeatedly defeated and gained no advantage. Now that the fight had stopped, he sincerely told Rhode.
"You're very good too!" Facing little Son Goku's praise, Rhode smiled and responded sincerely.
"Goku, go summarize the lessons from this battle and reflect on your shortcomings." Seeing that their battle had ended, Gohan spoke, sending little Son Goku away, then looked at Rhode.