-''Bro, here's the progidy i've told you about'' Shen introduces Tien to his brother.
-''It's a huge honor sir'' Tenshinhan gives his hand to his idol.
Tao doesn't give his own hand
-''Why do you have three eyes boy?'' he asks. ''Aren't two enough for you? Har, har...''
-''It's a long story...'' the triclops answers in sorrow.
-''Tell me. I'm curious'' Taopaipai insists.
Tien feels honored that the great Taopai is interested in his past. He starts telling everything with every detail. Tao gets shocked. He remembers that story. To make sure, he asks Tien where he's from, his mother's name etc Everything fits perfectly. Tao sweatdrops. He almost loses his footing.
-''Are you okay sir?'' a worried Tien asks.
-''What's wrong bro?'' Shen asks as well.
-''NOTHING. SHUT UP'' the assassin screams.
Silence...Tao talks again.
-''Enough babbling. Let's start your training sessions boy''.
-''Yes sir'' an excited Tien cries, trying to sound serious.
Tao and Tien go together to the mountains so that they can train without any distractions. They stay there isolated for about one year. Until that afternoon comes...
It's a seemingly ordinary afternoon. Tien is sitting on a cliff. Tao goes close to him. For once in his life, the ruthless assassin feels some sympathy, some remorse about his deeds.
-''Are you thinking about your father again?'' he asks his student.
Tao immediately wonders why he just asked that. Why he cares. It's the first (and probably the last) time he catches himself being soft. Of course, having an offspring is something he's never even considered as a possibility. It's totally new to him. Maybe that's what caused this short lived change of his heart.
-''What if i am?'' Tenshinhan abruptly asks.
-''You have to get over it, boy'' Tao tries. ''Life is tough. Sensitivity is for weaklings''.
-''Yeah'' the muscled man sighs, ''maybe you're right...DADDY!''
Tao steps back, almost losing his senses.
-''You...knew?'' he whispers. ''Since when?''
-''Well, i suspected it the first time we met'' Tien explains. ''The way you had reacted when i told you my story was weird. Also, the way you have behaved last year. So, i set that trap to confirm it and you fell for it''.
Tien gets up. Tao steps back.
-''Son, you have to understand...'' he tries to explain in shock.
-''To understand what?'' his son yells. ''That you wanted me dead? That, because of you, my childhood was a hell? You're getting what you deserve, now!''
Tao regains his composure. He throws away his coat, as a sign of being ready to be serious in a fight.
-''So you want to settle it this way?'' he says in a serious expression. ''Fine, but don't think i'll show mercy just because you're my son. If you lose this fight, you die. Got it?''
-''I'm aware, let's go'' an unfazed Tien replies.
They rush to each other. A blinding flash follows. After that, the two foes stand far from each other, with their backs turned and their knees bent. Both attacks have hit home. They stay immobile for about a few seconds, until blood starts running from some parts of their bodies. They stand up, turn to each other again and jump very high in the air starting an aerial, invisibly fast trade of blows, while slowly falling on the ground. As soon as they touch the ground, they leap away from each other and extend their respective indexes.
-''DODONPA'' they simultaneously yell.
After the smokes clear, both are fallen with their backs on the ground. Tao gets up first.
-''Hmm, it's risky to just go close and confirm my victory, for maybe he's just playing dead'' he says in his head. ''I know!''
Tao jumps high, intending to attack and finish off Tien from the air. With his fall multiplying his force, he knees Tien's neck. Then, to his surprise, he only hits ground! The unconscious Tien was only a shadow illusion. Before he can further react, he hears a voice from behind.
-''DODONPA''.
The beam breaks Tao's back. He falls down. Tien goes and stands above him. Tao is now trembling.
-''Do not fear. I won't kill you. It's not worth it'' the lad says, now calmer than before.
Tien takes Tao on his back and starts flying back to Shen's temple to treat his father's wounds. While flying, he talks:
-''You know, i still admire you. This will never change. But i refuse to regard you as my father. Let's never tell anyone our secret''.
-''I agree'' Tao responds. ''It's better this way''.
-''I'll never call you dad again'' Tien continues. ''As far as i'm concrened, i do not have a father''.
During DB and DBZ, Tien occassionally visited his mother, but, since it was irrelevant to the plot, it was never shown.
