Disclaimer: I don't own anything. See Chapter 1 for details.
Author's note: Hey everybody! How are you guys doing? Hope everyone had a good week! Mine was okay. Still a lot of packaging and trying to figure out what to bring with me since I am only trying to bring two pieces of big luggage. I want to try to fit in everything but sadly I won't be able to since a third piece of luggage costs extra. Just only two more weeks till I leave for Japan! Yay! Very excited.
I want to thank the reviewer The Dude for reviewing every chapter. Thanks dude! I wish everyone could follow this guy's example and review every chapter. So everyone, please keep sending reviews! I really enjoy reading them.
I want to thank naioka1992 for beta-reading this chapter and all the other chapters as well. She has been awesome! And so have you guys too! So as a reward, let me present to you Chapter 21 of Saiyan in Mahora! Enjoy!
Period 21: Son Goku and Friends Return Once Again! The Suspicious Martian!
Mahora Academy is a prestigious school for young people that houses many students. Currently, they were all preparing for MahoFest, a three-day festival that was said to be legen – wait for it – dary! Clubs were still building their stands for the festival and the gate was still being constructed. Amongst the crowd of people, there stood six figures, walking along the district. Six prominent figures that history should definitely know about, considering all of them have helped save the world many times over.
"This is ridiculous. Why did you bring me here Kakarotto?"
"Because, Gohan invited us to come. Plus there I heard there is going to be a Budokai!"
"Yay, yay, we get to see Onii-chan!"
"Papa, can we get to fight as well?"
"Tsk. Do whatever you want."
"Yatta! Goten, this is going to be awesome."
"Mmmm."
"I hope you guys don't. Fighting Goku, Gohan, Vegeta and Piccolo is already enough for me."
"Come on Kuririn, the more the better! Besides, one of us could win."
"That would be me Kakarotto. I am going to win this Budokai easily without breaking a sweat."
"I wouldn't be too sure of that Vegeta. Gohan has gotten stronger since the last time you saw him."
"Quiet Namekian! I don't need you to tell me that."
"Hahaha. Come on you guys, Gohan is probably waiting for us. Let's go!"
"Right!"
Meanwhile…
At Mahora Academy, every classroom was about to finish their projects for the festival. Well, mostly every class. "That's it! We're doomed!" shouted Yuna. Yup, that was class 3-A. They still hadn't finished their haunted house and with the festival a few days away, the girls were going to have to work overtime to get it done.
Everyone was panicking left and right in the classroom. Well, most of the panicking was coming Ayaka, who kept giving orders to every girl. She then got into an argument with Haruna who was calm and collected. Their argument mostly dealt with Haruna's experience at meeting (or not meeting) deadlines for her manga. Gohan and Negi were walking in the hallways and had heard the entire ruckus going on from their room. Gohan and Negi sighed and inhaled some air. They put a smile on their faces as they opened the door. "Hello, all!" said a happy-faced Negi.
Gohan followed suit. "How're we doing?" he asked.
"We're up to our ears, Gohan-kun!" cried Yuna as she continued to hammer something.
"You'll help us, won't you Negi-kun?" asked Makie. Negi and Gohan had both sweat-dropped at all the commotion going on. It was pretty bad.
"We can't ask Negi-sensei for help!" screamed Ayaka. "It's unheard of!" She then grabbed Negi's hand and spoke to him tenderly, with sparkles around her being. "This is your first year teaching here, Negi-sensei and you too Gohan-sensei. Take it easy, enjoy yourselves!"
Gohan and Negi both nodded. "Hai!"
"So, Negi-kun, Gohan-kun!" Shiina said while pulling on Gohan's shirt. "We're doing a live concert during the festival! And we…"
But before Shiina could finish, she was pushed off by Misa who grabbed the same spot that Shiina had gotten before. "And we'd like you two to come. Will you?"
Negi wasn't sure what to say, but Gohan let out a smile. "Sure, why not? It will be fun."
Misa and Shiina beamed in extreme happiness. They were going to have practice extra hard to impress the object of their affections. However, as a result of their actions, Makie and Ayaka got an idea to ask Negi out during the Festival. But they were beaten to the punch by Ku Fei.
"Right, my disciple, I want to let the new members see your moves so you must perform at the Chinese Martial Art performance-aru!" order Ku Fei.
Negi nodded. "Yes Master Ku Fei!" Ku Fei was going to mention something else, particularly to Gohan but before she could say anything, she was brushed away by Makie.
"Ku Fei! Take a hike," Makie said as she went up to the boy teacher. "You'll come to the Rhythmic Gymnastics exhibition, won't you, Negi-kun?"
Negi was about to respond, but he was interrupted when Ayaka appeared before him. "Negi-sensei wants to come to the Equestrian Exhibition, don't you Negi-sensei!"
Negi was unsure on how to respond as he got invitations from everyone. And he wasn't the only one. Gohan was getting in the same predicament as Negi was. Before all chaos (and hilarity) would ensue, Kazumi stepped in front of everyone and took a notebook. "All right, girls! You wanna book time with Negi-kun or Gohan-kun, you gotta go through their acting manager – namely, me!" Actually it was Chamo who was Negi's manager, but as for Gohan's, no one was really sure.
Everyone in the girls was a bit dumbfounded by Kazumi's claim. Then all hell broke loose, with many complaints towards Kazumi being the manager while others were complaining that they needed to get the haunted house fixed.
After classes were done…
Negi, Asuna, Kauzmi and Gohan were all in front of the water fountain that was in the Mahora Campus. Chamo was just finished explaining how Negi's schedule was going to look like. "I tried to leave you some room in your schedule, but it's pretty tight. I'm sure you'll wanna break it down even further," explained the ermine. "You may not be able to get to them all, aniki."
"Hey, you've got three days, right? Plenty of time!" Kazumi stated as she noticed Gohan looking over his own schedule. It was packed as well but not so much as Negi was. A few of the girls had asked him on some dates, mainly Yuna, Misa, Shiina, Konoka, and Kazumi. Yuna asked Gohan to visit her exhibition game during the festival. Misa wanted to see a movie that the film club was showing during the festival. Shiina, meanwhile, gave backstage passes for the concert and offers to hang out beforehand as well. Konoka asked Gohan to help out with the Divination club and see some of the booths during one of the nights of the festival. And Kazumi asked for a date around the campus as compensation of being his manager. Gohan let out a sigh. How did it come to this? He wondered. "Are you looking forward to our date Gohan-kun?" asked Kazumi in a semi-seductive tone.
Gohan smiled nervously. "Yeah I guess," he replied while scratching the back of his neck. Asuna immediately glared at Kazumi, an ominous aura surrounding her causing Gohan to nervously sweat a bit.
"What's this about a date?" Asuna asked, eye twitching.
"Oh," Kazumi said with a grin, ignoring Asuna's menacing aura, "Gohan-kun agreed to go on a date with me as compensation for being his manager."
"Is that so," Asuna said. "Well I want one too!"
"Huh?" Everyone gaped a bit which caused Asuna to blush red, immediately regretting the words that she just spoke.
"Asuna, are you saying that you want to go on a date with Gohan-kun?" Kazumi asked with a snicker.
"N-N-No," stuttered Asuna with a heavy blush. "I just want to make sure that Gohan doesn't do something stupid or goes overboard like he always does."
"I see," Kazumi said as she and Asuna glared at each other, sparks flying between the two and fearsome animals behind them as well. Negi and Gohan held each other, trembling in fear.
"G-Go-Gohan-san, shouldn't we ask why they are glaring like that?" the boy asked nervously.
"I don't think so, Negi-san," replied the demi-saiyan with a nervous sweat running down his face. "In my experience, you best avoid these kinds of situations." Suddenly the tension was eased when Gohan felt a familiar ki signature. Well, make that, familiar ki signatures. Gohan let out smile, drawing a curious look from Negi.
"Gohan-san, why are you smiling?" Negi asked. Asuna and Kazumi stopped their glaring contest and turned their attention to Gohan's smile. Gohan turned his head towards a certain direction and his smile grew bigger.
Before Asuna, Kazumi, Chamo and Negi got the chance to ask why Gohan was smiling, they saw six figures in the distance. Asuna, Kazumi, Chamo and Negi squinted their eyes to try to figure out who the figures where. As the figures approached, they noticed something familiar about them. One was a tall man with the spikiest hair ever seen and was wearing an orange and blue dogi. Another one was taller than the spiky-haired man and was wearing a turban and cape. Another one was shorter than the spiky-haired man, had a prominent widow's peak and was wearing a weird outfit. He had a blue jumpsuit and was wearing an armor that was white with a yellow section and two little yellow straps that went along the shoulder.
The other three figures were much smaller than the other three. The tallest of the small ones had black hair and was wearing shorts with a white buttoned shirt with a black vest. The second tallest had light purple hair and was wearing a dark green dogi. And last but not least, the smallest one had similar hair to that of the spike-haired man but was wearing a Chinese Kung Fu shirt with red sleeves and blue center.
Asuna, Kazumi, Chamo and Negi all blinked a few times until they realized who the figures were. It was Son Goku and his friends! Vegeta, Piccolo, Kuririn, Trunks and Goten were walking alongside the Saiyan. Most of them had big grins on their faces. Gohan immediately waved at them. "Oi! Dad, Goten, Trunks, Piccolo-san, Kuririn-san, Vegeta-san! Over here!"
Goku and his friends turned their attention to Gohan's screaming. Goten's smile widened once he saw Gohan. "Onii-chan!" He yelled as he rushed quickly and hugged the prepared demi-saiyan.
"Hey Goten!" hugged Gohan. "How are you doing?"
Goten didn't say anything. Instead though, he snuggled in Gohan's chest, drawing a few wishful thinking from Kazumi, Haruna (who was behind the bushes with Nodoka and Yue) and…Asuna. I wish I was where Goten-chan is and…wait what! What I am saying? Asuna said to herself, shaking her head in order to take out those inappropriate thoughts. She then proceeded to repeat to herself her mantra of 'Takahata-sensei'. "Hey Gohan!" waved Goku as he and his friends approached to Gohan's position. "Hey Negi!"
"Hey Dad!" said Gohan.
"Good afternoon Goku-san," bowed Negi. "What are you doing here?"
"Gohan invited us to see the festival," replied the Saiyan. "I never been in one so I thought it would be fun for everyone else."
"Tsk," muttered Vegeta as he looked the other way. "I'm only here for the Budokai that Kakarotto has been raving about."
"The Budokai?" asked Kazumi, Asuna and Negi.
"Don't worry about Vegeta," Kuririn said waving his hand around nonchalantly. "He always gets like this. So what you guys doing?"
"We are looking over Negi-kun and Gohan-kun's schedules," Kazumi replied with a grin.
"Schedules?" Goku, Goten, Trunks, and Kuririn asked all together.
"Schedules for what?" Trunks asked. "What are you going to need a schedule for Gohan-san? Or even you Negi?"
"For the festival!" shouted Chamo which caused Kuririn to shriek a bit.
"Did that ferret just talk?" Kuririn asked.
"I'm not a ferret! I'm an ermine, get it right!" Chamo exclaimed.
"Wow, now I have seen everything," Kuririn muttered.
"Let me see, let me see," Goten and Trunks said in unison as Negi showed him the schedule.
"Oi Negi-kun, can we go with you to some of these places?" Goten asked with a wide grin on his face.
Negi smiled and nodded. "Sure."
Goten and Trunks looked at each other with big grins on their faces. Both Asuna and Gohan let out a smile, happy in seeing Negi interacting with kids that were around his age and making friends.
"I'm glad that Trunks and Goten are having fun. By the way, what's your schedule like Gohan?" asked Kuririn. Gohan proceeded to give the notebook that Kazumi had written down his schedule. Kuririn inspected it quickly using his eyes and as he read it, a sly smile kept on growing and growing. He gave back the notebook and gave a soft pad with his elbow to Gohan's gut. "Very slick my friend. I never knew you were such a ladies man Gohan."
"Kuririn-san!" Gohan yelled with a blush. "I'm just visiting the students and hanging out with them!"
"Sure you are," Kuririn said playfully, causing Goku and his friends to laugh a bit. Well, except for Vegeta and Piccolo. Vegeta didn't really care and Piccolo was confused on what it meant to be a ladies man. He didn't understand the concept love was and had tried not to understand it. It was too complicated for him.
"Um, excuse me," said a voice which drew everyone's attention. Everyone turned their heads around towards the direction of the voice to Nodoka, Haruna and Yue before them. All of them were wearing aprons. "Negi-sensei! Hi, there."
"H-Hi, there," responded the boy.
"H-Hello," Nodoka said, blushing. A few seconds of silence occurred, drawing curious looks from everyone.
"Nodoka-san? What is it," asked Negi.
Nodoka flinched, her blush darkening. "Oh! I…that is…um, I…Th-Th-The Library club is h-having…won't you please come to our scavenger hunt?" stuttered the blushing girl. Haruna and Yue both sweat-dropped a bit as they walked up to Negi and Gohan with their requests.
"R-Ri-i-ight! And the Manga Club will be doing caricatures," Haruna mentioned to Negi. She then looked at Gohan, a slight blush on her face. "And Gohan-kun, would you be interested in helping out?"
Before Gohan could answer, Yue spoke up. "At the Children's Literature Club, we'll be doing a group reading while at the Philosopher's club we'll be hosting a discussion circle on Heidegger and Aristotle. May we expect you two?" Gohan and Negi were unsure at first but nodded anyways. Haruna then gave a soft nudge to Nodoka, telling her that this was the right time to ask.
"I…um…uh…I," stuttered Nodoka as her blush started to get even redder. She then recollected herself and put out a smile. "Negi-sensei, w-would you maybe…c-come to the festival with me?" she asked with a bright smile on her face, catching Negi a bit off guard and with a blush on his face. Gohan was surprised as well but smiled at Nodoka's courage. Way to go Nodoka-san, he said to himself. Gohan turned his head to see Negi a bit shell-shocked and unable to find his words. Nodoka, too scared to hear Negi's response, dashed away with a heavy blush on her face.
"Honestly," sighed Haruna. "She didn't even wait for the answer! You'll do it, though right? Right, Negi-kun?"
"Um…S-Sure," stuttered the shocked boy.
"And you G-Go-Gohan-kun," Haruan said as she stuttered the last part with a blush on her face.
Gohan smiled. "Sure, why not? After all, I wish to learn more about Manga," the demi-saiyan said.
Haruna nodded and proceeded to chase after Nodoka, saying that Negi will go with her to see the festival with a bright smile on her face, especially when Gohan had agreed to go with her on a date. Yue turned around and noticed Asuna had a curious look on her face. "Something wrong, Asuna-san?" she asked.
"No, it's just…Honya-chan is really," Asuna collected her breath, "She's really brave, isn't she."
Yue smiled in response. "Can't argue with you there." She then went chase after Haruna and Nodoka.
As soon as they left and were out of sight, the air around them got quiet all of sudden. Asuna and Kazumi looked back at Negi, who seemed to be a ladies man without him even realizing it. Goten and Trunks looked from where Nodoka was last seen to Negi, Negi to Nodoka, then back to Negi. "Negi-kun, are you marrying that girl?" Goten asked with a dumbfounded face.
"Huh?" exclaimed everyone.
"Where did you get that idea?" Asuna asked.
"Because they like each other," Goten deadpanned, causing everyone to facefault. "That's what Mom always says."
Gohan let out a cough and patted Goten on the head as he ducked down to get to Goten's level. "Goten, there is a lot more things that have to happen before people get married," explained Gohan.
Goten stood dumbfounded for a second, then a grin appeared on his face as he nodded. "Right, Nii-chan!"
"That's good," Gohan said. As he stood up, another person appeared before them. This time it was Chachamaru and she was wearing a very pretty yukata.
"Excuse me," said Chachamaru, "Sorry to interrupt, Negi-sensei."
"Chachamaru-san!" exclaimed Negi and Gohan as they greeted the friendly robot girl.
"Hey it's robot girl!" Goku said as he waved hello to Chachamaru.
"Robot girl?" Kuririn, Goten and Trunks asked.
"Yeah, Chachamaru-san is a robot made by one of our classmates, Hakase," explained Kazumi.
"Really?" exclaimed Goten and Trunks with big grins on their faces and sparkles around their heads. "That is so cool!"
"I want to meet up with this Hakase-san!" exclaimed Trunks.
Goten nodded in agreement. "Mmmm…me too!"
"Negi-sensei," said the robot girl as she approached Negi, "a flyer for the Master's 'Go' tournament."
"Th-Thanks," responded Negi as he took the flyer from Chachamaru's hand.
"And here's an invitation to the 'Nodate' being held by our club," continued Chachamaru.
"Hey! Thanks so much!" Negi said happily. "I've always wanted to watch you perform."
"Me too," added Gohan. "Sounds like a lot of fun."
"You have, Negi-sensei?" asked Chachamaru. She started to get all fidgety as she tried to muster her courage to say something else. "F-Further, if you could…th-that is to say, if we…i-it needn't be at any particular time, but, if you…i-if…if…we…" Negi and Gohan looked at her with confused looks on their faces, curious as to what Chachamaru was trying to ask. However, before she could say anything else, she ran away. Well, she dashed away with her rocket feet, shouting some parting words to Negi, "Pretend I said nothing! Though I will still perform the ceremony for you."
"Ah Chachamaru-san!" yelled Negi, wondering why Chachamaru left in such a hurry.
"What's up with her?" Kuririn asked.
"I'm not sure," Gohan replied.
"An actual, authentic 'Nodate'," said Negi as he looked at the flyer. "I can't wait!"
"Negi!" screamed a voice. Everyone turned their heads around to see Kotarou coming running towards them. Goku was about to ask who that person was but Gohan stopped him before he could say anything. He only mentioned that he was a friend that Negi made. He didn't want to go into much detail than that. "Hey!"
"Kotarou-kun!" Negi waved back, curious though as to what Kotarou had in his hand and he wasn't the only one. Vegeta and Piccolo's interests were peaked when they saw a glimpse of the sheet of paper that he carried. "What are you doing here?" asked Negi.
"For the Budokai idiot!" Kotarou said. "Sign-ups for the martial arts tournament are almost closed. Come on!" Goku and his friends's ears perked up, more specifically to Goten and Trunks.
"A Budokai?" Both Goten and Trunks asked in unison.
"Yeah," answered Kotarou. "Apparently there are going to be strong fighters there."
"Cool!" Trunks and Goten said together.
"Goten, we should definitely participate," Trunks said.
"Mmmm, I can't wait," nodded Goten.
"Heh, I would like to see that," Vegeta mused with a grin on his face. This will be good opportunity to fight against Kakarotto though, Vegeta said to himself. Perfect!
"Who are these guys?" Kotarou asked as he finally took notice of Goten and Trunks standing right before him.
"This is Son Goten, Gohan-san's little brother," mentioned Negi. "And this is Trunks Brief. These are two friends of mine that I made when I went to Metro West. Trunks-kun, Goten-kun, this is Kotarou-kun."
"Yo!" Kotarou greeted the two demi-saiyans. "Anyways, we should hurry up Negi!"
"But Kotarou-kun, I never said that I'd agree to it," complained Negi.
"Of course you are," Kotarou responded to the complaint. "It's our chance to finally face off! As rivals!"
"I've got no chance in a pure martial arts match, you know that!" Negi said. "Besides, I've got this schedule I'm supposed to…"
"Schedule, schmedule!" interrupted Chamo, with money signs in his eyes. "You leave that part to me! You wanna see how far you've come, right?"
"What he said!" continued Kotarou. "Or, so I'd say, but there is kind of a problem."
"Huh?" Goten, Trunks, Chamo and Negi said.
"What problem?" Trunks asked.
"Ages 12 and under get stuck in the children's division," Kotarou sighed. "It'd be fish in a barrel, don'tcha think?"
"That sucks!" Trunks said. "Man, I hoped that I would be able to fight with the grown-ups."
"Awww, I wanted to get the chance to fight Nii-chan," Goten pouted.
"It's going to be no fun at all, like the last time at the Tenkaichi Budokai," Trunks said.
"What happened?" Kazumi asked curiously.
"Me and Goten met at the finals," Trunks said. "I wanted to have some decent competition but the tournament was a shoe-in for me."
"Naw-huh, Trunks-kun you cheated during that match!" Goten said.
"Whatever Goten, at least we fought some adult matches though remember?"
Goten blinked a few times, pondering on what Trunks was talking about. Then, after a few seconds, he finally remembered. "Oh yeah! I forgot about that hehehe!" Goten said with a Son grin.
"But it doesn't solve our problem," Kotarou mentioned. "How can we get into the adult division?" Negi, Goten and Trunks all pondered, putting all of their minds together to try to find a solution. However, within seconds, Goten left the group as he saw a magical butterfly fly before. He went ahead to try to catch it with his hands.
"Ah-ha-HAH!" Chamo said with a glint in his eye.
"What is it Chamo-kun?" Negi asked.
"I know ju-u-ust the way to do it," Chamo said with a sly smile.
"Really? You do?" Kotarou, Goten and Trunks all asked together.
"Come on, follow me!" Chamo said. Goten, Trunks and Kotarou all followed the ermine towards behind the stairs while Negi was chasing after them, telling them not to do what he thought they were going to do.
Gohan and everyone else (except for Vegeta and Piccolo) laughed at the scene. "Everyone wants a piece of Negi-kun, boys and girls!" Kazumi stated.
"You can say that again," Gohan said.
"Hey, is that kid very popular with the ladies?" Kuririn asked Asuna.
"Are you an idiot! Baka! Of course not," Asuna said angrily.
"Okay, okay," Kuririn said with his hands up in the air. Man, no wonder Gohan likes this girl, Kuririn said to himself. She is just like Chichi-san. Everyone was about to go to their separate ways, with Gohan going to show Goku and his friends around the campus. Kazumi was going to come along as well to take pictures of the festival preparations but more specifically, she wanted to spend more time with Gohan.
As they started to walk away from the fountain, the group heard a voice call to them. "Oi Asuna! Hey!" Asuna and everyone else turned their heads to see Ako and Madoka coming towards them.
"Hey, guys," greeted Asuna. "What's up?"
"Well, um," Ako said, scrambling her words a bit. "Th-There's something we'd like to…"
"Asuna," continued Madoka, noticing that Ako was getting a bit flustered. Ako mentally thanked Madoka for the save. "That cute guy from the other day – is he a friend or what?"
"Wh-What other day?" Asuna asked. Gohan immediately knew what day the two girls were talking about. He gave a soft nudge, trying to indicate the day that Negi and Asuna had that practice date for Takahata. Asuna then finally remembered. "That other day?" Ako and Madoka both nodded. "He's, um, kind of a…"
"He's not your boyfriend?" asked Ako, hopeful that he wasn't.
"No way!" Asuna said, waving her hands. Ako let out a sigh of relief. "I-I mean he's more like…um…a cousin! That's it! Negi's cousin!"
"Negi-kun has a cousin?" asked a curious Ako.
"Sure he does," Gohan intervened. "He was visiting Japan. Asuna-san was giving him a tour since I nor Negi-san could be there to show him around." Asuna smiled. Thanks Gohan.
"I see," Ako said. "He probably went back home then, huh?"
"I guess so," Gohan answered. "But I'll let him know that…"
Before Gohan continue any further, he was interrupted by a familiar voice. "Geez, you guys never let up, do you." Everyone turned their attention to see four figures before them. It was Negi, Trunks, Goten and Kotarou but they looked different. They seemed all grown up. Goten looked like an exact duplicate Goku except he was wearing normal street clothes. Trunks had the appearance of that of Mirai Trunks and wore similar clothes to Goten. Negi and Kotarou were in same boat as well but Negi wasn't wearing his usual glasses.
"Come on, you got to admit this is pretty amazing stuff," said Kotarou.
"Somehow this feels like cheating," Goten said with a pout.
"You said it Goten," Trunks said. "I think we should enter as Gotenks though. I think that would be more fun."
"You're right Trunks-kun!" Goten nodded. "Let's do that!"
"Gotenks?" asked a curious Kotarou. "Who's that?"
Negi was about to explain what the two demi-saiyans meant by Gotenks when he saw everyone staring at them. Both Gohan and Asuna face palmed themselves, believing that Negi wouldn't come out like that. "Ah, Ako-san, Kugimiya-san!" greeted the adult Negi. "How's it going?"
"Ummm, d-do we know you?" asked Madoka.
"Sure, I'm…" But before Negi could say anything else, he was stopped by Asuna and pulled him closer using his ear.
"Baka!" she whispered. "What if they find out?" Negi turned a bit wide-eyed as he realized what Asuna meant. "Just follow my lead." She then proceeded to tell Negi what she had just told Ako and Madoka.
Goku, meanwhile, was a bit confused on what was going on. He saw that Negi, Kotarou, Goten and Trunks were all grown up. But how could that be? he wondered. And he wasn't the only one. Piccolo and Kuririn were both intrigued by this situation. So before they could say anything, Gohan motioned to them that he was going to explain to them later.
After explaining the situation by Asuna, Negi collected his breath and put on a different face. One that was very mature and adult like. "H-How do you do? Asuna-san and Gohan-san has told me so much about you both. My name is Na…Nagi Springfield!"
"Uh, um…oh!" Ako blushed as she tried to collect her courage to speak the adult Negi. "I, um…th-that is…I-I know it's lame, but please come if you can!" She said as she presented tickets to the concert to Negi. Negi took the tickets with a bit curious look on his face. But before he could say anything, Ako had already dashed away, wailing around her arms. "G-Gotta run!"
And with that, Madoka and Ako left but not without Trunks getting a ticket from Madoka since he was invited as well. "What was that about?" Negi asked.
"'Love at first sight,' you think?" Kazumi smiled.
"I say," Kuririn joined in. "But anyways, how did you grow up so quickly? What did you do?" Goku was curious as well. Gohan proceeded to explain how the process worked and what it entailed. As he explained to Kuririn and Goku with Negi, Kotarou, Goten and Trunks on the side, they heard a scream behind them. It was coming from Eva, who had a blush on her face as well as a surprised look too.
"Na-Nagi! Why're you…?"
"Oh! Evangeline-san!" Negi greeted. As soon as Eva heard Negi, her blush subsided but now had a curious look on her face as she realized that it was the boy grown up. She was curious though on how he was able to do it so Negi proceeded to explain what Gohan had stated earlier about the magic pills and that he, Kotarou, Goten and Trunks took them in order to participate in the Budokai.
"…to participate in the martial arts tournament, huh?" Eva asked, repeating what Negi had said earlier. Negi nodded in response while scratching the back of his neck. Eva took a few glances at Negi's body, before making her decision. "Right, then! I'll enter the tournament myself."
"Huh?" exclaimed Negi, Kotarou, Gohan, Asuna and Chamo.
"But why?" Gohan asked. He knew that Eva had something planned if she was going into the tournament especially considering the competition that she was going to face. Goku meanwhile, smirked. Another powerful opponent was going to participate in the tournament. This tournament was getting better and better by the minute.
"I wanna see how my disciple's improving," answered Eva with an evil grin on her face. "Just remember though boya, if you're unable to best me in this, my weakened state, you have to spend the entire last day of the festival with me – in your current form. Up to and including dinner – and anything after."
Negi flinched as his mouth opened wide, gasping at what Eva had just said. "Since when?" he exclaimed.
"Since I said so," Eva replied nonchantly. "Master's orders. Be looking forward to it." With that, she walked away from the group but not before she looked at Gohan. "As for you assistant…" Gohan gulped, hoping it wasn't something bad. "You need to accompany me sometime during the festival. This is compensation for using my villa. Also, what I said to the boya goes double for you. See ya!" And with that, she left, leaving behind a shocked Negi as he looked at his schedule to try to figure out on how to work the details if he were to be defeated by Eva. Gohan sighed. Why does it always have to come down to dates? Gohan wondered to himself.
"Nii-chan, are you two dating?" Goten asked.
"Yeah Gohan," Asuna said menacingly with Kazumi behind her as well with a snicker on their faces. Gohan started to sweat bullets as he noticed the tick marks on their faces. "Are you?" asked Asuna and Kazumi in unison.
"What?" exclaimed Gohan. I'm going to have to reprimand Goten later for this. "No, of course not! It is like Evangeline-san said earlier; compensation for using her villa. Remember that I spent a very long time there, so I should at least repay the favor, don't you agree?"
The girls put their hand on their chins to ponder on what Gohan had just said. Kuririn, meanwhile, couldn't stop chuckling. He started to feel some pity for his friend. Thankfully he was not in Gohan's position, with him being married to Artificial Human No.18. Piccolo, in the meantime, kept mumbling to himself, saying that he didn't understand this dating thing or what love was. He rather avoid the whole situation. Trunks frowned at the girls reaction. First Videl took Gohan away from playing with him and now it was these girls. What else could go wrong?
The next day…
Gohan let out a yawn. He was exhausted. Because of the time they took in deciding what to do for the festival, class 3-A was not ready for presentation for "preview night" of the MahoFest and so they had to pull an all-nighter to finish. It would have taken more time if it hadn't been for Goku, Goten, Trunks and Kuririn in helping out. Apparently, when they were looking for the Dragon Balls, Kuririn had accidentally gone into a haunted house in an amusement park, thus giving some ideas for the class's own haunted house. Thankfully, they were able to finish it in time and the girls went to their separate clubs to help out with their booths and get ready for the festival which was the next day.
Meanwhile, Goku and his friends had found a place to stay near the campus thanks to Bulma's connections and so they were relaxing there for a bit. Well, except for Vegeta and Piccolo, who were honing their skills for the upcoming Budokai. Trunks and Goten went with Goku and Kuririn in seeing more of the Mahora campus. Now, Gohan was running along with Negi, Konoka, Setsuna and Asuna. They saw all final preparations go up as the sun went down. "The closer the festival, the weirder it seems to get," commented Setsuna. Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Oh that's right!" Negi said. "So, Asuna-san, how'd it go with Takamichi?" Gohan was curious as well. After all, she did that practice date with Negi in order to practice with Takahata. After a few seconds, Asuna gave the 'okay' signal causing everyone to congratulate her. Asuna smiled at her friends though deep down, she wanted to have Gohan to be a little jealous of the fact that she…Wait what? She screamed to herself. Why does keep happening to me? Just think of Takahata-sensei! But once she did, she got all nervous about the date.
As they continued to run along, the group heard a voice greet them. "Negi-sensei! Gohan-sensei! Hello!" It was Shizuna.
"Shizuna-sensei, hello," greeted the demi-saiyan with his Son grin. Negi did the same greeting as well.
"Glad I ran into you two," Shizuna said. "The headmaster would like to see you two."
"H-He would?" Negi asked.
"Guess we better head back to the main building then," Gohan said.
"Actually, he is not in his office," responded Shizuna. "He'd rather you two come to him at World Tree Plaza. He'd like Sakurazaki-san to come, as well."
"Okay…" Gohan wavered as he, Negi and Setsuna looked at each other with curious looks on their faces. The three of them went ahead to the plaza, wondering what the headmaster would want with them. Gohan frowned his eyes a bit as he had sensed the area for the ki signatures. What he found out was that there were multiple ki signatures, similar to that of Takahata and Negi. They must be mages, Gohan said to himself. As he scanned the area for the signatures, one came up that was familiar to him. It was Takane! Gohan started to sweat nervously a bit. If the headmaster was calling up a large group of people, Gohan would definitely have to don his Great Saiyaman outfit. He had hoped that Takane wouldn't know his identity.
As they turned the corner, Negi, Setsuna and Gohan saw a group of people standing before the World Tree. "So Negi-kun, Gohan-kun," said the headmaster as he stroked his long white beard, "we've been waiting for you." Gohan and Negi gaped at the amount of people. There was Takahata and Kotarou as well as Takane among the other faces that Negi and Gohan didn't know.
"Who are all these people?" asked Negi. Gohan was about to say the same thing but he got the idea that all of these people were either mages or extremely skilled people that worked with the headmaster.
"I suppose I've yet to introduce them, Negi-kun," the headmaster said. "These people here before you – elementary, junior high, high school, university – they are all from Mahora City and they all teach magic. Students of magic are here as well, but not all, of course."
Negi blinked a few times and yelled, "Really?" The headmaster chuckled as some of the teachers began to introduce themselves to Negi. Meanwhile, Takane kept on looking at Gohan who was being introduced as well. Why does Gohan-sensei's aura feel so familiar to that of the Great Saiyaman? Takane said to herself. Either way, why is Gohan-sensei here? I'm very curious.
But before Takane could do any inquiries, the headmaster Konoemon spoke up. "Well, seeing as we are all here I might as well start with the meeting," Konoemon said. "I had gather all of us here today for a very special reason. Something problematic has come up. Ladies and gentlemen, we must decide on how to use our strength to defeat it."
"Another enemy?" Gohan asked sternly.
"A-again? Is it someone strong?" Negi asked.
"It's not like the one you faced on the field trip, but it is serious all the same," the old man said. "You know the World Tree Legend of unrequited love right?"
"Um not really..." Gohan answered.
"You really don't know Gohan-nii-san?" Kotarou asked. Gohan shook his head. "All the kids in class can't stop talking about it. Something about, make a wish there on the last day of the festival, blah, blah, blah…"
"That legend?" Negi asked. "They use it to get a lover?"
"Can't people just go themselves and ask a person to date them on any other day?" Gohan asked. "I mean, how hard could it be?" Behind him a few of the students and teachers looked away in embarrassment seeing as they couldn't do that themselves, including Setsuna.
"Ah that may apply to you, but does it apply to everyone else?" Konoemon quizzed Gohan. "Not everyone can be as courageous and straightforward as you Gohan-kun. That is why they go and do things like this, to see if they really can get their wish. That is why I called you here because the legend is true."
"Hweh?" gaped everyone.
"You mean..." Gohan said.
"Correct," Konoemon said. "Wishes do come true, even if only once every twenty-two years. And so, what I everyone to do – on the last of the festival, in particular, is to prevent any and all students from attempting to put the world-legend to the test especially as it relates to matters of the heart."
"You mean you won't let their wish be granted!" Negi, Kotarou, Gohan and Chamo shouted in unison.
"Isn't that just a superstition?" Setsuna asked.
"Ho ho ho, let me explain this briefly. The students call this the World Tree and take care of it, but it's not an ordinary tree," the headmaster started. "What students here call the 'World Tree' is, in reality, the Shinboku or 'Sacred Tree' Banto deep inside which a most powerful magic is hidden. It is, in effect a magic tree. Once, every twenty-two years, the magical energy accumulates to such a point that it begins to flow outward from the tree. From deep in its center, there are six main loci from which the magic emanates. This plaza is one of those locations. This magic is extremely susceptible to human emotion – lust for global domination, vast wealth or women's underwear (Oolong sneezed) – none of these affect it."
The old man took a stop to get a breather before continuing. "However, when it comes to confessions of love, it's more likely to occur by 120 percent! A spell that powerful should be used correctly." Most of the people around couldn't see it, but Gohan saw what old man was envisioning, his and Konoka's wedding at that very moment. They were all dressed up, with the rest of 3-A there as well as others.
"You're not serious are you?" Gohan sweatdropped.
"I'm dead serious. Changing weather patterns, the environment…who knows why, but what should happen next year is happening now. And that, friends, is the reason for this sudden convocation."
"No no no, I didn't mean the whole world tree thing. I got that," Gohan said waving his arms. "I was asking about the picture in your head. I don't think I needed the visual." The rest of the group sweat dropped at what Gohan said and were very confused.
"Um Gohan-sensei? What are you talking about?" Setsuna asked.
"You mean you guys didn't see the thing he imagined?" Everyone shook their heads.
"Ho ho ho, can you read minds now Gohan-kun?" the headmaster asked. Gohan shook his head. "Well that was odd, but getting back onto topic…"
"But Headmaster," interrupted Negi, "what's so wrong with falling in love?"
"But it is wrong!" the old man answered. "The permanent binding of affections through magic goes against the most strongly held beliefs of any magus. Would you want to fall in love against your will?"
"I guess," answered Gohan. He turned his head to see Negi trembling a bit, murmuring something like 'I am a criminal.' Gohan got curious and asked, "What's wrong with Negi-san?"
"N-Nothing is wrong!" Chamo exclaimed, waving his hands.
"Moving along," Konoemon said. "I imagine the rumor has spread to every student on campus by now."
"And how," continued one of the females teachers in the meeting. "The 'Seven wonders' Club, the Academy Historical Society, the Occult Researchers Club, even the 'World Tree Lovers' – all have conducted their own investigations into the World Tree's glow and some have come perilously close to the truth. Combined with articles published in 'Mahora Sports' and opinions posted online, the total depth of rumor penetration is 79% among women and 34% among men…although I'd say the number who actually believe the rumor is far less."
"And yet," continued a male teacher, "even if we were only talking those who believe in fortune-telling, or in urban myths, we'll have no shortage of girls putting the rumor to the test, I should think."
The headmaster let out a sigh. "Such is how things stand," Konoemon said. "Although the day of most danger will no doubt be the final day of the festival, already activity has been noticed. Badly as I feel for the students, I must ask that you guard all six areas from confession."
"Right!" Everyone nodded.
"Someone is watching us," a girl with reddish brown hair stated. She was in the school uniform and had a broom. A man with wearing a suit and had slicked back hair and a beard, clicked something. Then he waved his hand, sending a wave of air that sliced a flying machine. No chanting at all and that was pretty impressive too, Gohan thought.
"Seems like there are students who don't like mages huh?" Gohan asked.
"I sensed no magical power…must be mechanical," the man in black said. "A student perhaps? If so, not bad – getting past the barrier. We must never underestimate the students, but I'll find them."
"You mustn't think of it as mere youthful ardor. Our students stand to lose their very youth. Please use the utmost caution in your use of magic…or ki for Gohan-kun and Kotarou-kun." Takane's ears perked up. Ki? She asked herself. Doesn't Saiyaman-san use… Before she could finish her thought, the old man said, "I'll be counting on you all. Please begin your scheduled shifts immediately." Everyone nodded. Most of the people left, leaving only Setsuna, Negi, Kotarou and Gohan.
"You know, I think we should get paid for this," Kotarou said aloud.
"Do you think you will be able to handle all the confessions Negi-kun?"
"Hah?"
"Hmm? Do you have in mind some success?" the old man asked rubbing his beard.
"No! Not really! Hahahaha." Negi forced a laugh and scratched the back of his head.
"How about you Gohan-kun?" the old man turned to the dark haired man.
"You don't need to worry Konoemon-san," Gohan said with a Son grin on his face. "I'll make sure that nothing bad happens."
"Good," smiled the headmaster. "You guys are dismissed." The quartet nodded and began to walk the streets of Mahora. They never saw a ghost or a red head leaving the area.
A few minutes later…
"That was amazing that the legend of the world tree is true," Negi spoke, breaking the comfortable silence the group had while walking. "And I also didn't know the extent of magic teachers that work here." Gohan nodded. Kotarou was busy eating an apple.
"Though I have to disagree with fighting the whole romantic stuff, it's not really a big deal," Kotarou replied finishing his apple. "What I really want is to fight those teachers. Like I say, those Western mages are all no damn…"
"Kotarou!" Negi said. "Does it always have to come down to that for you?"
"What? You disagree?" Kotarou glared at Negi as sparks flew between the two of them.
Gohan chuckled at the scene of Kotarou and Negi arguing between themselves. "So Negi-san how are you going to handle all your dates?" he asked to the boy, breaking the tension between Negi and Kotarou.
"OH NO! I forgot all about them!" Negi shouted. He took out his schedule and looked it over. "How am I supposed to go on all these dates?" Anime tears streamed from the red head's face as he did, causing the rest of them to sweat drop. "How did this happen to me?"
"Well..." Gohan began to speak.
"Gohan-sensei I don't think it is the right time to be teasing Negi-sensei," Setsuna said.
"Okay Setsuna-san. By the way, do you want to do something during the festival?" Gohan asked the girl. Setsuna's eyes widened at the request.
"W-what do you mean by that G-Gohan-sensei?" she stuttered her face sporting a faint blush.
"I want to hang out with you Setsuna-san. I mean, after all that we have been through, I wanted to take you out somewhere as compensation for helping us out. I haven't forgotten our promise that you gave me before, remember?"
"N-no, I haven't forgotten the promise but I don't know what we should do..." Setsuna replied.
"We can always just walk around the festival if you want, we'll find something interesting hopefully," Gohan said as he walked ahead. Setsuna had a small smile and nodded.
"Okay Gohan-sensei, we'll hang out."
"That's good to hear." As their conversation ended someone had crashed into the fruit stand next to them.
"Are you alright?" Negi asked. He and the rest of the group rushed to the person's side and found that it was none other than Chao from their class.
"Ne-Negi-bozu. Can you help me out? Suspicious people are chasing me!" she asked. The group heard another crash behind them. Turning around they stood face to face with six black figures with cloaks and white masks. They reminded Gohan about the jesters he read about in some books. The figures didn't speak but just attacked them.
"We have to get out of here now!" Gohan shouted. The group nodded in agreement. Running up to the girl on the floor, Gohan placed his hands on Chao's back and behind her knees. "Sorry about this Chao-san," Gohan apologized before jumping up into the sky and onto the roofs, followed by Negi, Setsuna and Kotarou. As they were roof hopping more of those shadow things began chasing them.
"Why can't we just fight them?" Kotarou asked.
"If we do, more than enough people will begin to suspect something," Gohan replied from the front of the group. "And innocent people might get hurt in the cross-fires."
"Chao-san what is happening?" Negi asked.
"The truth is I am being chased by an evil magician. I was hoping Negi-sensei and Gohan-sensei can help me," Chao replied from within Gohan's arms.
"Ev-Evil magician?" More of the thing appeared in front of them.
"Setsuna-san!" Gohan shouted.
"On it!" She went in front of Gohan, before swatting away the beings with her still sheathed sword. Gohan took evasive actions against these things as he dodged each one but they managed to take off the jacket Chao was wearing, revealing her to be in a pink Chinese dress, thigh high black stockings and gave him a good panty shot.
"Chao-san you okay?" Gohan asked the girl as he put her down on the roof.
"I'm alright Gohan-kun," the Chinese girl replied.
"Should we fight back?" Setsuna asked.
"They are similar to my dog spirits, so killing them will be alright!" Kotarou said.
"Let's do it then," Gohan told the group. Just as he finished speaking, the beings appeared before them again.
"Ke! I've been waiting for some action!' Kotarou threw a Ki infused punch, destroying one of them. He then followed up by going into a flurry of kicks and punches dispelling more of them. Setsuna drew her sword and cut them some of them in half. Gohan, while holding onto Chao with one arm, sent out small blue ki balls at the shadow things. He coincidentally hit them as the fireworks went off. He tried to be the least flashy as possible as to not draw attention, especially if Goku and his friends had felt his ki rising.
"SEPTENDECUM SAGITTA MAGICA, SERIES LUCIS!" Negi shouted before seventeen arrows made of light flew from orbs that appeared around him and destroyed more of the beings coming towards them. There was a deafening boom that resounded throughout the entire plaza, catching the attention of most of the people around them.
"A little too flashy aren't we Negi-san?" Gohan said with a frown.
"Hehe sorry about that Gohan-san..." Negi replied. The ten year old teacher then saw more people drop around the two. The demi-saiyan and red head looked at each other before nodding. The two spun around and punched the things around them, Negi using lightning magic to increase his strength, while Gohan used his kicks. Safe to say that none of the opponents were left standing after that.
Meanwhile…
"Sagita Magica?"the girl with the broom from the meeting thought. "The opponent has a mage among them."
"Seventeen of my shadow henchmen were taken out in an instant," spoke Takane telepathically. "I thought we were here for a single student of magic." Please let it not be the Great Saiyaman helping her out, Takane said to herself.
"The genius Chao Lingshen has a mage as her companion? Or is it that she is blessed with some luck?" asked the black man.
Meanwhile…
The group of five was standing in another alleyway and was discussing what had just occurred. Gohan was leaning against the wall of a building his arms crossed, and his eyes closed, trying to get a read on the ki signatures. Kotarou was looking away uninterested, leaving only Setsuna and Negi talking to Chao. "Ah thank you for saving me," Chao said.
"We can't let our guards down just yet. The person controlling those puppets should still be nearby," Setsuna said.
"True," Gohan said as he opened his eyes.
"But I'm so surprised that everyone is so strong!" Chao had said a little too loudly. "I'm surprised that in this era there are still so many people who can fight without guns. Then to perform magic as if to release fireworks. That was smart Negi-sensei!"
"Ah, I still require practice," Negi replied sheepishly. "By the way you know about magic Chao-san?"
"As much as Hakase, sure," responded the Chinese girl.
"But who was chasing you? If there are really evil mages inside the school..."
"Oh ha ha ha... This..." Gohan's eyes flew open at the forced laugh and stared intently at the girl in front of them.
"Maybe we should wait awhile. It seems like those following us know where we are," Gohan informed them. "Their ki signatures are heading this way."
"Yeah. It seems like there are three of them nearby," Kotarou continued.
"Ahh this isn't good. If they catch me they will erase my memory," Chao said worriedly.
"They've already got the area surrounded. Starting from the right, there is one a couple feet away from us on the roof," Gohan stated.
"We'll win by attacking first. We will go out this direction, finish them within the crowd, and Setsuna-san will handle the one on the roof," Negi laid out the plan. Gohan smiled, seeing as Negi came up with it within seconds of finding out what just happened.
"I'll stay here with Chao-san. I'll transform into the Great Saiyaman and if they get past you guys, I'll just simply fly away," Gohan said. The rest of the group nodded before springing the trap. When the group was gone, Gohan transformed into the Great Saiyaman. When the transformation was finished, he turned his attention to Chao, his eyes narrowed behind his sunglasses. "So what type of game are you playing Chao-san?" Gohan asked as he saw Chao looking at him with an innocent look.
"Whatever do you mean by that Gohan-sensei?" the girl replied. She gasped as Gohan crossed the distance between them in a second, and forced her to put her back on the wall, his hands on either side of her head.
"Those people following you, they are the ones from the meeting I was at not too long ago."
"Oh?" she said still playing the innocent card.
Gohan growled. "What are you planning?"
"I'm not planning anything~" she said with a sing song voice, not at all threatened by his presence. "Though what are you planning?" Gohan raised an eyebrow at this. "If someone were to look down this alley and saw how we are standing, it would seem like you were forcing yourself onto me, especially considering that you are super hero. The people wouldn't like their hero do something immoral now, would they?" Chao smirked as he growled again and got off of her. He threw a glare at her before his eyes softened making her adopt a confused look.
"I shouldn't be treating my students like that," Gohan muttered. He let out a sigh. "I'll believe you for now Chao-san."
"Really?"
"Really. Even though you are acting suspicious right now, you are still my student. I will protect you from whoever it is chasing you." Though they may seem to have come to terms, their thoughts were a bit different.
You are up to something Chao-san. I wonder what though, Gohan said to himself.
Kufufufu seems like Gohan-sensei caught on rather fast. The stories from great-grandmother were right, he is good, Chao thought. Just then a group of the shadow creatures that they were facing earlier dropped down. Gohan got into a defensive stance in front of Chao. As the creatures approached, Gohan wasted no time and grabbed Chao once again and flew into the air. The shadow creatures followed.
Gohan tried to put some distance between him and the creatures but couldn't. It seems the only course of action is to fight them, Gohan said to himself as he let Chao down on one of the roofs and phased out quickly. Chao awed at Gohan's speed as he appeared behind the creatures. With a quick engulfment of an aura, Gohan quickly dispatched the creatures with ki enhanced punches and kicks. Once he finished the creatures off, he suddenly felt a tug in the air. It was a powerful presence. He turned around, a small ki ball formed his hand just in case, to see Takane in front of him holding a wand at his face. "T-Takane-san?"
"I knew it," Takane said. "I knew you were trouble from the moment I first saw you."
"Now wait a minute Takane-san, I can explain."
"I trusted you Saiyaman-san," Takane cried softly. "Now, it's time to end this!" Takane lifted up her hand, chanting a powerful incantation. She brought down her arm, ready to send out her attack. Gohan was too entranced to block or dodge the incoming attack. Luckily he didn't have to do anything as Takane's wrist was grabbed by a black man in a white suit.
"Sensei!" Takane said.
Before Gohan could say anything else, they heard a voice coming from behind him. "Gohan-san!" Takane and Gohan turned their attention to the voices to Negi and the group along with a girl with a broom.
Takane turned wide-eyed. "G-Gohan-san? You mean that the Great Saiyaman is…"
"I think it is time we move to a better location to speak," the man in the suit interrupted. Gohan nodded.
"I agree. We'll meet in the park near the world tree," Gohan said.
A few minutes later…
Gohan and the group all met at a nearby park. Takane still had a furious look on her face but with a hint of a blush as well, especially when Gohan took off his disguise to talk to the black man in the white suit. "Gohan-sensei, Negi-sensei, why in the world would you two protect problem-student Chao Lingshen?" Gohan's eyes frowned a bit once he heard the words 'problem-student.'
"Because we're her teacher, that's why!" Negi said.
"Surely you'd do the same for one of your students?" Gohan added. The black man, Takane and the girl with the broom all flinched at the news.
"What's that?" Takane said.
The black man grinned. "Now I see. So that's why you protected her like that. I must admit, you had me worried – 'What sort of rogue mages have they let in here?,' I thought. I also couldn't believe that Gohan-sensei had possessed that kind of strength to easily defeat Takane-san's shadow warriors."
Takane let out a grunt. "Whatever," she muttered. "Like that matters. They should receive punishment for defying us." Especially Gohan-sensei for deceiving me, Takane said to herself.
"Negi-sensei, Gohan-sensei, I must ask that you defer to us," the black man said. "Chao Lingshen? Come with us." Then with a snap of Takane's fingers, two shadow warriors appeared behind Chao and apprehended her.
"Negi-bozu!" Chao cried as she was carried by the two shadow warriors with Takane at their side.
"What do you mean to do with Chao-san?" asked Gohan. Takane continued to walk, ignoring Gohan's question. "Takane-san, answer me."
Takane stopped walking. "Why should I talk to a traitor?" She replied. "Answer me that Gohan-sensei!"
Gohan flinched. She is still mad about the whole Great Saiyaman thing, Gohan said to himself. I don't blame her though. Somehow this situation feels like déjà vu. "Takane-san, I am sorry about not telling who I really was. I had to keep my identity a secret from the people. You must know how that feels especially since you are a mage and cannot show your powers to anyone except to other mages."
Takane's head looked down. Gohan was right. He had every reason to hide his true persona from everyone, especially when he had a great sense of justice like she did. But that wasn't the reason why she was mad. She was mad because she felt betrayed that Gohan didn't trust her enough to tell her about his secret identity. He had told to Negi and to that other girl who was with the young boy. Why couldn't he tell her? Maybe it was because she was in lo–No! Takane shook her head, I am definitely not in that mood. He is a teacher. Who would fall in love with him?
Gohan got a bit worried and asked once again, "Takane-san? What is going to happen to Chao-san?"
Takane breathed in and turned around to face Gohan. A blush was across her face as she stared at the dark haired demi-saiyan. "No one's quite sure, but one thing, though, is certain – all memory of mages must be wiped from her mind."
"Wiped? You mean as in erase?" Negi asked. Gohan clenched his fists. "B-But it's so sudden! Can't you give her…"
"Actually Negi-sensei," interrupted the black man, "Chao-kun's already on her third warning."
"So," Gohan growled, "It doesn't mean that you should wipe her memories away. That is not justice." Takane blushed at Gohan's statement. Her feelings of forgiving the demi-saiyan were surfacing in her mind but she kept them at bay. She needed to keep a cool head right now.
The black man stared at the scowling demi-saiyan, who didn't like this sense of justice. Just because Chao knew about mages doesn't mean that they should wipe her memory. "Gohan-sensei, in order for mages to peacefully co-exist in this modern world, our existence must be kept secret. It's best that mundanes never know of us. For own reasons, we've allowed Chao-kun somewhat in on the situation, but it's not as though we can tell her all of it. Now, we find she's deployed a mechanical device to eavesdrop on an area where normal people would never be allowed. Disruption of school rules by any other student would result in punishment. This is the third time you've chosen to defy us, am I right?"
Chao resigned herself. "Y-Yes…"
The black man continued. "You must know, then, that having ignored all our warnings, you must be reprimanded. Am I right?"
"I-I guess so…"
Gohan still didn't like this. "Still, should you really be erasing people's memories against their will?" He asked.
"Gohan-san," Negi awed at Gohan's courage.
"She's called a 'problem-student' for a reason," stated the black man. "She's even been known to aid the criminal Evangeline upon occasion. She's not to be taken lightly."
"But I…" Gohan said but clenched his fists in frustration. This is wrong! He said to himself. Kuso! What would Dad do here?
"No," said a stern Negi as he clenched his fists. "You have no authority over the students of 3-A. Like Gohan-san, I'm not about to stand by and allow you to pass judgment on them as criminals! Chao-san is our student and in this, you will defer to me and Gohan-san!" Gohan opened his mouth gasping but soon enough it turned into a smile. He couldn't have said it any better himself.
"Hmnn," pondered the black man for a few seconds. "Then I suppose today I shall to trust you two, Negi-kun and Gohan-kun. I leave the field to you." And with that, the black man, Takane and the girl with the broom went off walking ahead. "What a strange bunch they are, especially Gohan-kun," muttered the black man with a smile.
"Thank you Negi-bozu, Gohan-kun!" Chao said happily. "I owe you two my life!"
"It's no problem," Gohan replied with a Son grin on his face. "You don't have to worry about it."
"But Chao-san," Negi said, "for them to call you a 'problem student', what is it that you have done?"
"That's a secret!" Chao said, drawing a suspicious look from Gohan. Although he defended her from being taken away, Gohan knew that Chao was hiding something. That was one of the reasons why he defended her; to see what Chao was up to. However, Gohan would let the questioning slide…for now.
Soon day became night as the 'preview night' of Mahorafest started. Gohan had brought along Goku and the gang to meet up with Negi and Class 3-A to watch the World Tree light up. Goten and Trunks played with Fumika and Fuka while Ku Fei and Goku did a light practice spar. Vegeta leaned against the wall, drawing some of the girls towards because of his 'cool' attitude. However, once he brushed them off, they thought differently. Piccolo meanwhile, was getting hammered by everyone, asking him where did he get that 'green' costume. Gohan chuckled at the scene and chatted with Negi, talking about the strange looking watch that Chao had given him. They were curious though. Soon the fireworks set off, causing everyone in the streets to scream out, "The Mahorafest has finally started!"
Meanwhile, on a flying blimp, three people were talking amongst themselves as they watched the festivities begin up in the skies. "Negi-sensei and Gohan-sensei and the others – how were they?" asked Hakase.
"Great!" replied Chao. "I'd scanned Chachamaru's data and heard your stories, Hakase. I was completely surprised by Gohan-kun's strength even though it wasn't his full power. Negi-bozu was a better person than I thought as well. I like both of them. If we can manage to get him onboard, I think he might prove quite useful to us. Don't you agree mister?" Chao asked, looking behind Chachamaru and Hakase to another figure who was wearing a cloak over his head.
The figure grinned underneath the cloak. "Of course." He stood up and joined the group to watch the festivities with a monkey tail wagging behind him.
Author's note: Hey everybody! Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and the re-introduction of the Z senshi as well as the mysterious character revealed at the end! I won't say anything on who it is so you can fire away on who you think it is. Anyways, in this chapter, I wanted to make the chase scene a little more action and trauma. As we see here, Takane was a little shell-shocked on finding out on the identity of the Great Saiyaman. Don't worry. We will see more of her later on as well. Expect for a twist in the next chapter.
Also, there is a tv reference in this chapter. Find it and a neat little treat will be given to you. First off, it is not from an animated show so it is live-action. And its from a well-known character that likes to wear suits. Hope that helps.
READ AND REVIEW! I really enjoy reading your reviews. Some of them have been quite entertaining. As I mentioned before, the more reviews there are, the more it wants to make me write more chapters. So keep them coming! See you guys next week! Peace!