The fight with Kakarot had been amazing. Like Peparia, he was a martial artist first and anything else second. And while his style had incorporated elements of the Turtle School, North Kaio, Pybara and Whis, Kakarot's style was based on old Gohan's teachings.
And Kakarot was creative too! He took things he learned from one teacher and combined them with others, like his Instant Transmission Kamehameha, or the Final Kamehameha and Big Bang Kamehameha when he fused with Vegeta.
"That was a lot of fun!" Kakarot said when their fight was over. "Shame your strongest form doesn't match mine, though."
"To be fair, it's not like anyone was expecting any mortal would achieve Ultra Instinct. And with you having fully mastered it, no mortal can match you," Peparia responded.
"Yeah, but even my mastery over Ultra Instinct is still WAY below Whis'," Kakarot said.
"I'd try to access it myself since it bypasses the need for God Ki to achieve, but I'm too analytical to let go like that," Peparia said. "I rely heavily on reading opponents and techniques to win. Something that's become easier now that I have access to trainers across both time and space."
"Just like Vegeta," Kakarot said smiling, not knowing Peparia's distaste of the man, even now.
Peparia merely ignored the comment. "As much as I'd like to continue this, I have other obligations."
"Of course!" Kakarot said, still smiling. "If you ever want to train with me, I'll be here!"
Yes, you will, Peparia thought as she took to the air. It was finally time to make good on her promise.
She landed beside Trunks as he was talking to a group of new recruits. He looked over at Peparia and smiled. "Time Patrol cadets! Let's have a little spar!"
The cadets, one Human girl, one Majin girl, a Saiyan male and a Namekian, all rushed them, and Peparia disposed of them quickly. "That's lesson number 1 of the Time Patrol; never underestimate your opponent. Now go find a tutor to get you trained up. Any of the heroes of the multiverse will do but try to find someone on your current level."
The cadets, all holding a part of their bodies due to the pain, either limped off or flew off, and Trunks glared at Peparia. "That was overdoing it!" he yelled.
"I didn't come here for them. I came here for you. It's time I make good on my promise," she said, glaring at her descendant.
"You're…you're ready to train me?" Trunks said, taken aback. He had completely forgotten about this.
"I said I would when this time breaker threat was dealt with, and I keep my promises," Peparia said, crossing her arms in front of her.
"Time breaker?" Trunks asked.
"You know, Towa, Mira, Demigra, anyone they employ or control," Peparia said. "Just popped into my head. But that's beside the point. I promised that I'd help you tighten up your style."
"Right, sorry. So, when do we start?" Trunks asked.
"Right now. I've got the gravity chamber ready," Peparia said, taking to the air. "Come on, we've got a lot of work to do."
The work was brutal. Peparia set the gravity chamber at 400 times Sadala's gravity, which was 10 times higher than the outside. This forced more pressure upon Trunks, forcing him to either not waste any movement, or exhaust himself.
This was Peparia's plan as she watched Trunks' movements. Every punch, every kick, every combo, Peparia watched and analyzed. And every time he made a mistake, she forced him to do it again and again until he did so correctly.
It took hours. Everything that Trunks did had to be readjusted, movements tightened up, forcing him to finally learn how to conserve his energy. And eventually, it was time for Peparia's next series of lessons.
"It's time to tighten up your sword technique," Peparia said, walking over to the corner. She picked up a sword and drew it from its sheath.
"You use a sword?" Trunks said.
"I know how to use one," Peparia said, dropping into a guard stance. "All Sadalan nobles are given weapons training."
"I'm sorry, I just wasn't expecting this," Trunks said, drawing his own sword.
"I told you I'd tighten up your style. That means everything," Peparia said. "Now come at me."
Trunks rushed in with his sword, and Peparia blocked it easily. "Your angle was poor. Straighten it up."
Trunks attacked again and again, receiving the same criticism; his angles were poor. He was wasting energy. He couldn't keep up with Peparia's efficient style.
Eventually, it was Peparia's turn to attack, testing Trunks defenses. And Trunks defense was wasting movements too. He blocked at the wrong angles, his footwork kept him on the back foot, and even when they took to the air, Trunks was still wasting energy. And when Peparia attempted a parry, it was far too easy.
"You never had an instructor in this, did you?" Peparia said, heading over to the control panel.
"No," Trunks said. "I learned from some videos I found on what was left of the internet," Trunks said. "I took up the blade because it gave me an advantage against opponents who were unprepared for it."
Peparia smirked. "Well, when I'm done with you, you will be ready for a sword master." She pressed a few buttons on the control panel, and a training dummy came up from the floor.
Peparia went on to explain the basics; the 8 cuts plus the thrust, and the 5 stances of defense. When used properly, when all the angles and blocks were perfected, Trunks found that yes, things were much less draining.
Once Trunks' sword technique was at a basic level, Peparia started using different weapon configurations into their training. She came after Trunks with a staff, a set of nunchaku, a war hammer, and even a twin sword assault, all to test Trunks defenses and ability to find openings.
"I think that's enough," Peparia said, setting down her weapons.
"What do you mean? There's still so much else to learn!" Trunks said, disappointed that things weren't going to continue.
"And you can only learn so much from one master. That's why we have so many trainers around here," Peparia said. "I've given you the basics, so it's time for you to find your own path."
"But who should I look for?" Trunks said, returning his sword to its sheath.
"That's up to you," Peparia said, putting her hand on Trunks' shoulder. "But at this point, I know you'll make me proud."
Trunks smiled and nodded. "Thank you. I won't make you regret your confidence."
"See that you don't," Peparia said. "But for now, I'm hungry, and I'm sure you are too. Let's get something to eat."