"So, besides push-ups, do you do any other training?"
"I also do sit-ups."
"…"
Piccolo fell silent.
These were all completely ordinary exercises.
Still, as long as Gohan's strength grew enough to deal with the Saiyans arriving in half a year, Piccolo didn't care how it happened. Even if Gohan ended up stronger than him, so be it.
"Then, Uncle Piccolo, can you teach me the Special Beam Cannon?"
Although his strength had increased rapidly, Gohan still lacked techniques.
"Of course."
Piccolo agreed, then paused briefly.
He hadn't expected Gohan to ask for that move.
The Special Beam Cannon was his strongest technique, but it required time to charge.
"Then, Uncle Piccolo, what other techniques do you know? Why don't you teach me those too?"
"All right—but if I teach you, you must train seriously."
"Mhm!"
Gohan nodded firmly.
Seeing this, Piccolo raised two fingers to his forehead. A golden aura gathered at his fingertips.
After charging for a moment, he pointed toward a small mountain in the distance.
"Special Beam Cannon!"
A sharp, piercing sound rang out as a spiraling golden beam shot forward.
Boom!
The small mountain shattered instantly, exploding into countless fragments. Rocks rained down around them from the shockwave.
"Well?" Piccolo asked.
"Not bad."
"What do you mean not bad?! I killed Raditz with that move!"
His strongest ultimate technique had been rated as merely not bad.
"Then… it's very powerful?"
Gohan's casual response only made Piccolo more irritated.
"Forget it! This technique isn't very practical anyway. I'll teach you something else!"
"Something else?"
"Mhm."
Piccolo nodded.
"The next technique is called Masenko."
"Masenko…"
The morning passed quickly, and before they realized it, noon had arrived.
Gohan caught a wandering wild boar nearby and roasted it for lunch.
After eating, he took a nap on the mountain peak.
In the afternoon, Piccolo brought Gohan to Kami's Lookout.
"Pi… Piccolo?!"
Tien, Yamcha, and the others froze the moment they saw Piccolo.
With Goku gone, if Piccolo attacked them, no one there could stop him.
Seeing their fear, Piccolo sneered.
"Relax. I won't touch you until after the Saiyans are dealt with."
"T-That's good…"
Krillin finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Uncle Krillin!"
Gohan suddenly called out.
"Yo—Gohan?!"
"Mhm!"
Gohan nodded.
"These are Uncle Tien, Uncle Yamcha, and Uncle Chiaotzu."
"Uncle Tien, Uncle Yamcha, Uncle Chiaotzu!"
Gohan greeted them politely.
The three nodded back.
"Um… Gohan, Piccolo took you away to train. How's your training going?"
"Not bad."
"Not bad?"
Piccolo's mouth twitched.
Gohan's current strength already surpassed his. If that was "not bad," then what was he—barely passable?
"What's wrong, Piccolo?"
Krillin asked, noticing his expression.
"N-Nothing."
"Is that so? Gohan, you came here to train today, right?"
"No, I just wanted to see everyone—and ask for some toiletries."
"Toiletries? Like toothbrushes?"
"Mhm."
"I'll go ask Mr. Popo."
"Mr. Popo?"
"He's Kami's attendant. Didn't your father tell you?"
"He did. I just forgot for a moment."
"I see."
At that moment, Piccolo curled his lips slightly.
"Don't you guys want to know how strong this kid is now?"
"Gohan's strength?"
"That's right."
"Good! I want to see how strong Goku's son really is!"
Yamcha stepped forward confidently.
"How about it, Gohan? Don't worry—I'll go easy on you."
"…"
Gohan fell silent.
He didn't know whether Yamcha was brave or simply arrogant.
"Go easy?"
Piccolo suddenly laughed.
"You… what are you laughing at?"
Yamcha felt a chill run down his spine.
"I'm laughing at your foolishness. To be honest—even I can't beat him right now."
"You… you can't beat him?!"
Yamcha was stunned.
Tien and Chiaotzu were equally shocked.
In just half a year, Gohan had already surpassed Piccolo.
"That's right."
At that moment, Krillin returned with Mr. Popo.
"What's going on? Why does everyone look like that?"
"Piccolo just said Gohan's strength has already surpassed his."
"What?!"
Krillin was stunned.
He had just heard Gohan say his strength was "not bad" and thought he was still weaker than them.
He never imagined Gohan had already reached this level.
But that was good news.
With Gohan here, Piccolo was no longer a threat—and they stood a much better chance against the Saiyans.
"That's amazing, Gohan!"
Piccolo snorted, clearly displeased.
"Mhm."
Gohan nodded.
Most of the people present were happy.
Except Yamcha.
Gohan was already stronger than Piccolo, yet he had just bragged about going easy on him.
"Then… Uncle Yamcha, how about we don't fight?"
"Don't fight?"
Krillin looked surprised.
"That's right. Even if I'm weaker than you, I still want to see how strong you really are!"
Yamcha insisted, unwilling to back down.
"All right."
"Mhm."
They both stepped back, creating distance.
Piccolo and the others moved aside to avoid interfering.
"Then, Uncle Yamcha—let's begin."
"All right!"
Yamcha nodded, then rushed toward Gohan like a gust of wind.