On the last exciting chapter of Dragon Ball: HPA! Gohan had finally been accepted to Hope's Peak Academy and now faces the looming issue of Vegeta now being his new teacher in the art of fighting. Will Gohan be able to rise to the occasion, or is the prince going to put him in the dirt? And what about the World Martial Arts tournament coming up? What sort of new twists will Hope's Peak's wish on the Dragon Balls create for the tournament? Those questions answered on this exciting chapter of Dragon Ball: HPA!
Episode 3: The Long Awaited Fifth Year!
With Vegeta's departure from the lunchroom, Akane went back to finishing her meal before belching. "Hell yeah! Training under that Vegeta guy's gonna be intense! I can't wait! You're gonna be there, right Gohan?"
"Huh? Oh uh…maybe?"
"What? Come on! Vegeta practically called you out. What kind of hero doesn't train?" Akane asked.
"That's…uh…" How to convey to Akane that Gohan was afraid to get broken bones?
"If you won't do it for yourself, would you do it for a friend? We're friends now, right?" Akane asked.
"Huh?" Now Gohan was even more confused.
"I mean, we just had a big battle and then ate together, so clearly that makes us friends now, right?" Akane asked.
"Er, I mean—" Gohan stuttered.
Videl chose to speak up. "You need a little bit more than that," she said. "You can't just make that kind of connection by fighting someone once. You have to have something else in common." She smiled. "Though...I guess you two are alright."
Akane looked at Videl oddly. "What are you saying? Master told me Goku made friends all the time by fighting people. Besides, we're all martial artist's so that's some common ground."
Gohan reflected on Akane's words. Yup. That sounded like his dad all right. "Yeah, let's be friends, Akane," Gohan said, giving her his hand to shake.
"Heck yeah! I knew you'd see it my way!" Akane exclaimed, and clenched Gohan's hand firmly. Finally, both of them had a friend their age.
Videl relented. "Oh, fine. If you're both gonna be like that, I'd like to be your friend to," she said, offering up her hand. Gohan shook her hand first, followed by Akane.
"Awesome! Now I have two friends," Akane grinned. "And both of you look too strong to die on me."
Gohan smiled. Now he had not one, but two friends.
Of course, the happy moment didn't last…
As an instructor, Vegeta was completely ruthless. If this was a serious fight, Gohan could easily take him down by going Super Saiyan 2. However, Vegeta's years of experience over the boy coupled with the fact that he'd been training far more consistently in the last 5 years, put Vegeta over the edge to teach Gohan a thing or two at the training grounds.
Gohan rose up on one knee in his old orange gi, panting. He was not the only one to be given a serious thrashing by Vegeta. He was joined not only by Videl and Akane, but also other members of his class and Akane's.
Vegeta's new list of punching bags…er students, consisted of:
Kotomi Ikuta, Class 77-A: Ultimate Cheerleader.
Day 1 power level: 315
Isshiki Madarai, Class 77-A: Ultimate Bodyguard
Day 1 power level: 6,400
Gundham Tanaka, Class 77-B: Ultimate Animal Breeder.
Day 1 power level: 500
Sonia Nevermind, Class 77-B: Ultimate Princess.
Day 1 power level: 400
Peko Pekoyama: Class 77-B: Ultimate Swordswoman
Day 1 power level: 750
Akane and Gohan were the only two students to currently be above and beyond the norm, barring Madarai's unique situation. Even Videl only capped out at a power level of 600 without Vegeta's grueling training.
Nekomaru Nidai had originally been part of the romp, but his heart condition meant he couldn't stand the strain for long and had been excused early. Vegeta, for his part, knew how to pull his punches among the individual students and had already been informed of Nekomaru's weakened heart, so didn't raise a fuss with the muscular teen left.
"Interesting styles you all have there," The Saiyan Prince said to those that remained, "But you've got a lot of work if you want to make it to the World Martial Arts Tournament next month," Vegeta told them. "Well, at least some of you have that goal. I'm more than willing to beat into the ground anyone willing to get stronger. Regardless of what you use your power for, the point is that you have it, that you can bare your fangs at anyone stupid enough to get in your way."
Vegeta's changed a little, Gohan thought, but he's still the same ruthless guy as ever.
"Gohan. Let's show these fools what Saiyans are capable of. Follow me into the adjoining room."
And there it is, Gohan thought. He followed Vegeta into the next room as the automatic door closed behind them. Instantly he felt an intense pressure on his body.
"What's the matter?" Vegeta smirked condescendingly. "It's only 500 times Earth's normal gravity in here. Can't stand up?"
Gohan very strenuously stood up straight, fists clenched. Okay, they were really doing this right now.
"Ultimate Hero? How utterly pompous. If Kakarot were here, he'd already be in a fighting stance. And here you are buckling under the strain. What garbage! Buck up, boy! Or I'll crush you before you can even go Super Saiyan!"
"You...really think taking out your frustration at not being able to fight my dad again is gonna make you happy?" Gohan managed to get out.
Vegeta folded his arms. "For once this isn't about your father. This is about you. If you want to crawl back home to your mother because you couldn't compete in Vegeta's Hall of Endless Life Lessons, then by all means do so. Show me the power that defeated Cell, boy! Are you an Ultimate Hero or an Ultimate Coward!"
It was only now that Gohan realized Vegeta was…taking his job seriously and was using his personal history with Gohan to antagonize him. Now Gohan understood why Vegeta brought them into a separate chamber: so the others wouldn't get hurt in the ensuing clash.
Gohan stood up and placed his fists at his waist, ki flowing all around him. "All right, I think I get your point, Vegeta. Fine, let's get down to business. Just make sure you don't regret this." Gohan then screamed and unleashed the power of Super Saiyan. His classmates could feel the energy on the other side of the door and were watching the scene unfold through a TV screen that had dropped down once Gohan and Vegeta had been sealed inside.
Vegeta chuckled. "That's it. That's what I wanted to see," Vegeta then screamed himself and also unleashed the power of Super Saiyan, causing a shockwave to push the students on the other side of the door away from the door.
Gohan and Vegeta clashed using only their limbs. Energy blasts were too risky under this intensity of gravity and close to such low power levels.
As Gohan threw a punch, Vegeta caught it and then brought his knee up in retaliation, but Gohan blocked with his leg and then brought his free fists into Vegeta's cheek. It was the first blow anyone had landed against Vegeta all afternoon.
Vegeta didn't take a moment to congratulate Gohan. Instead, he rolled with the punch and punched the boy in the stomach. "Shouldn't have had lunch so recently," Vegeta taunted.
Gohan didn't take the insult lying down though and threw himself back into the fray.
Under 500 times normal gravity, with a super high speed camera tracking their every move, Gohan and Vegeta were able to able to have their every movement seen by their classmates outside.
"Man, can you guys feel that? They're so strong!" Akane exclaimed.
"Feel what?" Videl asked.
Gundham was aghast. "It is like two demon lords battling for control. Such power…it's inhuman."
"So…this is ki at its highest potential," Peko commented. "I've never felt anything like it." She sat down, legs crossed and meditated.
"What are you doing?" Kotomi asked.
Peko opened only one eye. "I believe Master Vegeta was intending to teach us ki control by letting us feel the energies he and Gohan are emitting. Take a seat and concentrate."
The yellow-eyed red head did as Peko suggested and also took a seat, letting her mind roam, but keeping her thoughts controlled. Her eyes suddenly shot open. "Ah! Whoa! What is that?"
"Heh heh, yeah it's always pretty overwhelming the first time you sense energy," Akane laughed.
"Sensing…energy?" Videl was still confused.
Unfortunately, no one nearby was wise enough to able to explain the concept on a fundamental level to the daughter of Satan Castle.
"Hey! Come on, someone say something!" Videl exclaimed.
"Just meditate," Peko told her. "You don't have to understand it completely in order to feel it."
"Yeah, Videl," Akane said. "Don't use your brain so much. Fighting's fighting, not a test on a piece of paper."
Videl took her peers' criticisms to heart and sat down on the ground, meditating. However, unlike the others, it wasn't just coming to her. She opened her eyes and clenched her fists in frustration. "I don't understand…why can't I feel anything?"
It was Sonia that took hold of Videl's tensed fist.
"Calm yourself," she said politely. "You won't get anywhere by tensing up and freaking out. Just take calm, deep breaths." She smiled. "I'm new to all of this myself, but to me it's just like trying to be a magical girl, you know? It's like having a sixth sense."
"A sixth sense?" Videl asked.
Sonia sat down next to her and nodded. "You don't feel it with your hands, hear it with your ears, see it with your eyes, or smell it with your nose. You sense it with your mind."
"Sense it with my mind," Videl said and closed her eyes again, this time meditating much more calmly.
Sonia did the same. "Ah! Oh! Wow! The unbridled girth of that massive energy…I've never sensed anything like it."
Videl still couldn't sense anything, but she wasn't let that going to stop her. Getting upset wouldn't solve the problem. She wondered why she couldn't sense the energy that her classmates and peers were talking about. It was almost like they were mocking her, sensing things she couldn't. It was like some kind of elaborate trick.
Wait…a trick?
Videl remembered what her dad used to say about the flashing beams and the high speed movement at the Cell Games. That it was "All a bunch of hocus pocus smoke and mirrors." Videl understood the concept of ki from martial arts theory, but this was something else. Surely you couldn't use ki to shoot beams of energy, she figured. That sure sounded like a trick to her.
But as she now took a look around the room, everyone seemed to be sensing the energy except her. They were all focused on the TV Screen and the door behind it. She watched Vegeta and Gohan clash with kicks and punches flying in midair, grunts emitting from both men, sweat flying in fifty billion different directions.
Their left fists smashed into each other, ripping another shockwave through the air. Videl felt the shockwave like some kind of pressurized force, but that was it. She couldn't sense it as "energy".
Why can't I do it? She thought.
"Huh? The Cell Games? That was all just a bunch of hodge podge smoke and mirrors! Just remember what daddy taught you, Videl!"
"Flying? Heh, they were using wires!"
"Blonde hair? It's just a trick of the camera, sweetie. You missed the best part of the action where I—"
"Come on!" Vegeta shouted. "This isn't your limit. Show me the power that—"
"Killed Cell!"
"Killed Cell!"
Vegeta's scream and her father's words echoed at the same time. Killed Cell? Videl thought.
Vegeta punched Gohan in the chest and sent him hurtling back. "I don't care if I can't beat you in that form! I can't train you if you hold back on me, you coward!"
Gohan thought to protest, but that moment's hesitation caused him to get decked in the face by Vegeta.
Gohan's reluctance suddenly found himself on the back foot and on the receiving end of a beatdown by Vegeta. Punches slammed into his abdomen, face and chest. Videl, one of the few students with her eyes open, snarled.
"Hey…what the hell is that? He calls you a coward and you just wimp out?" She growled, watching Gohan getting pummeled.
Inside the chamber, Gohan blocked Vegeta's next strike, but was decimated by a knee blow from behind, knocking him to the ground.
"Hey! Gohan!" Videl shouted. "What the hell are you doing? Get up and fight you idiot! What kind of hero lets himself get pushed around?"
However, it didn't seem that her words were reaching the inside of the chamber. Gohan threw a punch, but Vegeta easily caught it and decked the boy in the stomach, doing so repeatedly until Gohan fell to his knees.
"You…idiot," Videl growled. Flashes of her childhood started to playback like a video reel.
Before martial arts, Videl wasn't an aggressive young woman. As a child, she was a sweet girl that only wanted to build sandcastles and go down the slide on the playground while flailing her arms.
Her innocent demeanor led other kids to bully her, pushing her down, calling her names. And when she didn't throw a punch back and just sat down or ran away and cried, "Coward" became their go to taunt.
When she was seven, her dad stepped in, not by threatening the bullies, but by teaching his baby girl to stand up for herself. He taught her how to defend herself. He taught her how to throw punches and kicks with precision and gusto.
"That's it, Videl! One-two! One-two!"
"KIYAH!" Videl exclaimed, cleaving a solid brick in two with her leg at age 8.
Hercule tossed her into the air. "That's my baby girl! You got the Satan blood in you!" Videl laughed and laughed.
And when the time finally came and her initiation was complete, the next time she was called a coward, she didn't just throw a punch, she ended the fight right then and there.
Her first blow sent the bully hurtling back and banging his head on the grass. Videl stared at the others with strength and fire in her eyes. She was no one's punching bag, not anymore. Not ever again.
Her offenders, quite understandably, grabbed their friend and ran.
And from that day on, Videl swore to always do the right thing, to fight to defend not only her honor, but for those who couldn't protect themselves. No matter how old she got, no matter how unfeminine it made her look, martial arts and justice became two core components of Videl's soul.
So why? She thought, staring and growling at Gohan. Why doesn't he do the same?
She could hear her father's words about the Cell games now echoing all around her, despite what Vegeta said that it was Gohan that had defeated Cell. It then dawned on Videl. She hadn't asked Gohan why he was the Ultimate Hero. During homeroom, Gohan had been pretty modest about his talent, saying that he didn't think he deserved it. However, no one doubted his capabilities when he said that his father had previously won the World Martial Arts Tournament and attended this school as well.
"It's all a bunch of tricks!" Hercule's words rudely echoed in Videl's head.
That's when Videl remembered she had felt something just hours prior when Gohan and Akane were fighting, but…no, that was just the shockwaves she was feeling now, not this "energy"
Her father's denial and claim to be the best continued to weigh down on her as Videl looked at her hands. She clenched them. No…dad's wrong! It's not a bunch of tricks! It can't be. I…have to believe. I…want to believe… Videl tensed her entire body before shouting, "GOHAN! FIGHT BACK!"
The sound echoed into the chamber.
It caught Vegeta off guard long enough for Gohan to throw a half-decent punch and smacked Vegeta in the face. Gohan not only heard Videl's words, he felt what was outside the door.
Of course, his peers could see it. Immediately after that outburst, a white aura emanated around Videl. If not for the special way the room was constructed, she would've blown the roof off and cratered the ground.
"Whoa! Not bad, Videl!" Akane exclaimed. "I didn't know you were that strong!"
Videl's adrenaline petered out quickly at Akane's claim. "That…" She didn't finish her sentence. She could sense it now, all around her "energy". She could feel her peers. She could feel Gohan's battle with Vegeta. And as she turned her attention back to the screen, it seemed her screaming had gotten through to Gohan.
As Vegeta recoiled from Gohan's next attack, Gohan shouted as loud as he could and his aura flared to life. Lightning sparked around his entire body, his hair spiking more rigidly than before.
"You wanted my full power Vegeta?" Gohan asked. "You've got it!"
The cameras failed to pick Gohan's next move. The only thing the class saw was Gohan decking Vegeta in the face and Vegeta flying back into the wall, slamming into it and a loud metallic sound echoing through the microphone.
Vegeta lifted his head from off the wall and smirked at Gohan. "Never forget that feeling boy. You can't go around calling yourself the Ultimate Hero, if you're not willing to throw a punch." Vegeta powered down from Super Saiyan. "Now go shower. We're done here." He turned his body perpendicular to Gohan. "By now the others outside finally figured out how to sense energy. That should be enough of a lesson for today."
Gohan was astonished. "Hold on. You…used me to teach them a lesson?" Gohan asked.
"Don't whine, boy!" Vegeta shouted. "You're the strongest one I've got to work with. Expect to be "used" more often." Vegeta's tone of voice implied the air quotes. "And when the tournament happens in a month, make sure you don't hold back. I'll be furious if you and I aren't in the finals competing for the title, do you hear me?"
"Y-yes, sir!" Gohan exclaimed.
"Good. Now get out of here!"
Gohan scurried away from Vegeta and when he walked out to his peers, now down to regular Super Saiyan, some of them were surrounding him.
"That was so cool!" Kotomi exclaimed.
"You are like a magnificent prince in a white mask saving a maiden from suffering!" Sonia complimented, eyes sparkling.
"PAHAHAHAHA! Who would've thought the Ultimate Hero was an archangel in disguise? Well done, Son Gohan!" Gundham praised.
"Man, watching that makes me want to fight you all over again," Akane said. "I can't believe you were still holding back that kind of power, Gohan! I've got a lot of catching up to do."
Peko and Madarai's reactions were more subdued, but Gohan could see expressed approval on their faces.
Videl, for her part, walked up to him and kicked his shin lightly with her foot. "That's for being stupid earlier," she said. She then pat his shoulder. "And that's for being cool."
"Oh uh…thanks?" Gohan said, embarrassed.
"I'd be more than happy to learn from you when Vegeta's not around," Videl said.
"As would I," Gundham stated. "Though the powers of heaven and hell are not meant to mix, this bearer of the evil eye stands in awe before your might."
"Don't forget me!" Akane exclaimed.
"Me too!" Sonia added.
Gohan felt a bit overwhelmed.
"Well, look at that," Vegeta said, walking up behind Gohan. "The Ultimate Hero has a fan club."
"V-Vegeta," Gohan stuttered blushing.
The Saiyan Prince walked away, laughing.
Gohan stood there trying to get used to the praise. It seemed life at Hope's Peak Academy was far from what he had originally expected, even after Vegeta had shown up.
Two weeks had passed and Gohan was more than used to the change in his status quo. He was getting stronger, not just thanks to Vegeta, but Akane and Videl as well. While the former was a half-decent challenge given her abilities kept accelerating, the latter was good for reminding himself of the basics. With only a month before the tournament, Videl was impatient to get to Akane and Gohan's level, constantly dragging the Ultimate Hero out in the middle of the night to sneak in training, even when Gohan needed to sleep.
But, he kept up with it, "A hero helps those in need" that was a motto he had started to give himself. So, even when Videl would force him to train with her, or Akane's classmate Ibuki would demand Gohan give her a joy ride across the planet, he let his good nature get the better of him and did what was asked of him.
Of course, Gohan also made sure to concentrate on self-growth without Akane or Videl or Vegeta participating. This led him to get a new outfit to separate him from his father. Black spandex with a green leotard thrown over it. He thought about getting a helmet, but since he was representing Hope's Peak, he didn't need to hide his identity. He also thought about a cape, but Bulma said it would only weigh him down needlessly, especially if he was going to wear it for the World Martial Arts Tournament.
"I am…The Ultimate Hero!" Gohan shouted, posing while in Super Saiyan.
"What the hell kind of ballet dancing nonsense are you doing, boy?!"
Vegeta's sudden outburst caused Gohan to fall over. "W-well, Vegeta I'm just the Ultimate Hero and you know I watch TV and lots of heroes—"
"Don't give me that garbage! You're a warrior, not a ballerina! You look about as idiotic as the damn Ginyu Force!"
"Well…um…"
A ringtone echoed through the air. It seemed to be coming from Vegeta's pants pocket. Gohan never thought he would see the day when Vegeta had a business issued cell phone. Also…that ringtone. "Vegeta is that the Silver Sam—?"
"I've got to take this. We're not done with this conversation!" Vegeta snapped, storming off. He pulled the phone out and pressed the answer button. "What? Who is this? What do you want?"
"Still don't check your caller ID before you answer, I see," The female voice on the other end replied. "Eh, Sensei?"
Vegeta broke out into a wide smile. "Well, well, well, I never thought you'd be calling me. What do you want, woman?"
"There's something I could use your help on. I figured you were the man for the job."
"That's a nice offer, but I'm not exactly someone you just summon to do your bidding," Vegeta stated.
"Oh I know, that's why I have something to sweeten the deal."
"I'm listening," Vegeta said, pushing the phone closer to his ear.
"You do what I need you to, and I'll see you at the World Martial Arts tournament."
Vegeta's smile grew into one of pride. "You have my attention."
It was the day before the tournament, Gohan was in the midst of having a three way brawl with his most enthusiastic training partners. Akane and Videl were doubling up on Gohan, both trying to break through the boy's guard with a flurry of punches and kicks over the open air of the Hope's Peak Quad.
Gohan ended the little charade by grabbing both of their fists with this own and shoving them back with a show of power. Akane and Videl both smirked and powered up, their clothes billowing under the power of their own ki.
"That's very impressive you two. Let's call it a day for now. You're doing great."
"What? Already! Come on! I've barely gotten started!" Akane exclaimed.
"If we go all out now, there will be nothing left for the tournament," Gohan told her. "Take today to relax and prepare."
"Your dad's coming back tomorrow, right? How does that…work, exactly?" Videl asked.
"Uh, so we know this fortune teller than can bring people back from the day, if just for a day."
Fortune tellers that could revive the dead? Sure, why not? Videl's face said it all. It sounded like something Gundham would come up with on the spot.
"Is he stronger than you, Gohan?" Akane asked.
"I don't know. Maybe by now. Guess we'll find out in the tournament. I don't know who's more excited to fight him, you or Vegeta," Gohan said, laughing.
"Man, the World Martial Arts Tournament! I've been waiting five whole years for this! I can't wait!"
"Me too!" Videl exclaimed, sounding equally fired up.
"You know, it's a real shame that it's a 1 on 1 tournament," Gohan said.
"Why's that?" Videl asked him.
"You and Akane are pretty good at fighting alongside each other. You make good partners."
Akane laughed. "Oh come on," she said, putting her arm around Videl's neck. "Videl and I are completely different fighters."
"You can say that again," Videl said, getting out from underneath Akane's grip. To say nothing of the differences in our centers of gravity.
"Well, I'm gonna spend the rest of the day at home with my mom and Goten. You two try to relax, okay?"
"Yeah, sure," Videl said, watching as Gohan took off into the air.
"Bye, Gohan!" Akane exclaimed, waving goodbye to him.
When Gohan was long gone, Videl said to the tanned martial artist, "So, what do you want to do now that doesn't involve fighting? Even Vegeta's taking the day off to prepare."
"I dunno, but I'm starving."
Videl palmed her face. "Food. Of course."
The day of the World Martial Arts tournament was a grandstanding sight to behold. Not only were no less than 8 students from Hope's Peak Academy showing up to fight, two staff members and two former students had also shown up to trade blows in the ring.
The time had come for the Steering Committee to see the fruits of their labor.
Among those intending to get involved in the tournament was one Hajime Hinata. Although not an Ultimate, the boy had been applying himself…with staggering results. Because Koichi's wish hadn't been specific, the wish also extended to members of the Reserve Course and while no one in the course was applying themselves that effectively, Hajime had been. He was still hopeful, hopeful he could win the World Martial Arts tournament and gain entry into the Main Course.
Of course, while many were grabbing seats or getting last minute practice in, the Z Fighters were looking around for Goku. While Videl had opted to stick around with her father, Akane wanted to see Goku the second he arrived, both as the new representative to Turtle School, but also so a man, in her eyes, even stronger than Gohan and Vegeta, could size her up.
Bulma, for her part, still hadn't told a soul about Koichi's wish sans Vegeta. Those around her just simply accepted things were now the way they were.
When Goku showed up, it was abrupt and with virtually no warning. His old friends, and the son he never got to meet, were all happy to see him. That was when he spotted Akane, smirking and cracking her knuckles.
"Oh hey, you're wearing the turtle hermit outfit too. Are you a student of Master Roshi's by chance."
"Yup, you're looking at the new face of Turtle School!" Akane exclaimed. "My name's Akane Owari!"
Roshi stepped forward. "I taught her everything I could after Cell, Goku. The girl needed guidance. But Gohan and Vegeta elevated her abilities beyond what I could've hoped to achieve on my own."
"Hey, what about me? I taught her how to fly!" Krillin interjected.
"And I'm sure you did a great job," Goku said to his friend sincerely. He looked to Akane and sized her up. Akane's heart was pounding on the inside. Was Goku about to be her next mountain? Or was this going to be a case of "Never meet your heroes". Goku stopped staring at her seriously, smiled and then spoke. "Yeah, you guys did an excellent job. I can tell how powerful you are Akane. I can't wait to take you on myself."
"Heck yeah! I'm getting pumped up just thinking about it! All right! World Martial Arts Tournament, here I come!"
"Boy you sure are fired up," Goku said, laughing. "But yeah, I know exactly how you feel. I can't wait."
Akane broke out into a huge, happy grin. Yup. Goku was definitely the bar she now set for how powerful she wanted to get.
After a meal shared amongst friends, Goku and the others went to go stand in line to register for the tournament, when Chichi pulled him by the ear.
"And where do you think you're going?" Chi-Chi asked him.
"I…uh…I'm going to go register for the tournament," Goku said.
"Oh, so were you planning on not telling me about Hope's Peak Academy again?" Chi-Chi asked.
"Oh…right, King Kai told me you found out about that," Goku said and then laughed nervously.
"This isn't funny, Goku!" Chi-Chi shouted. "Do you have any idea how much better off our family could've been if you had once, even once told me you attended Hope's Peak! Just how unmemorable was it for you to attend the most prestigious academy in the entire world?! And don't act like you weren't having fun, I saw the photos! I practically got your entire student record!" There was a pause before Chi-Chi corrected, "I did get your entire student record!"
She collapsed against Goku in his arms, lightly pounding her fists on his chest, crying a little. "Why, Goku? Why did that have to be something I found out after you were gone?"
"I'm sorry, Chi-Chi," Goku said, hugging her. "I guess—"
"Don't say you didn't realize," Chi-Chi sobbed. "It's the most prestigious academy in the world Goku. Think about what the could've meant for Gohan." She looked up at him with tear stained eyes. "The son of a former Ultimate? I could've gotten him into any school of my choosing! Gotten him the best tutors money didn't need to buy! Our food bill wouldn't have been a problem! We, as a family, could have been set for life!" Chi-Chi stared at the ground, "Or was it just another footnote in the life of Son Goku?"
"Oh come on, Chi-Chi, don't say it like that. I mean, honestly, being there wasn't very memorable. I mean…sure I remember it when I think about it, but it was three years away from all my friends. I couldn't spend any time with Krillin, Tien, Yamcha, Bulma. I mean, I was busy training super hard for the next tournament, but still…"
Chi-Chi still didn't look happy.
Goku pat her on the head. "But…you're right, I should've thought about it for Gohan. I guess, maybe part of me wanted Gohan to pick his own path. But man, could you imagine if I had and they heard he was fighting aliens and killer androids?" Goku asked, chuckling.
"From now on, you tell me everything about you, okay? No more secrets, Goku." Chi-Chi sniffed. "My heart can't take it."
Goku gave Chi-Chi a tender hug. "Okay, Chi-Chi," Goku said, pulling her in tighter, "Okay."
The junior division of the World Martial Arts tournament brought with it the fanfare of Goten and Trunks duking it out in the finals. Given the PR for Hope's Peak—realizing these were the children of two former Ultimates—the crowd was much more abuzz and into the match than would have been otherwise.
Unfortunately, Trunks being older and with more training under his belt, proved to be too much for the younger Goten, taking the title.
And, as was deigned by the rules, the winner of the junior division got to take on the previous adult martial arts champion.
Akane started laughing.
"What's so funny, Akane?" Krillin asked him.
"Well, Goku won the 23rd tournament and Videl was the junior division winner of the 24th tournament. I'm just picturing tiny Videl trying to fight Goku five years ago."
Goku chuckled nervously. "Well, uh, that would've been…interesting."
"Man, it's too bad we were too busy training to fight the Androids," Krillin said. "I'd be surprised if anyone here even remembers your victory, Goku."
"That's probably why he didn't get invited back rather than just being expected to show up," Piccolo said.
"With how his wife is about fighting, who's to say she didn't just shred and burn the invitation?" 18 questioned, cheeks in her hands.
"Oh come on," Goku laughed. "Chi-Chi wouldn't do that…right?"
In the stands, Chi-Chi sneezed.
"Bless you," Bulma said, handing her a tissue.
Trunks' exhibition match went as predicted…for the Z-Fighters anyway. That said, the awe of Hercule getting catapult punched out of the ring was less shocking than it normally would have been. After all, Trunks was the son of an Ultimate after all.
"Let's hear it for the Little Ultimate in the making, Trunks Briefs!" the announcer declared.
Trunks waved his arms around, soaking in the praise.
"Don't get a big head, Trunks!" Bulma shouted from the stands.
Trunks winced and rubbed the back of his head and then left the stands, seeing the satisfied smirk on his father's face. He smiled back at his father.
With the proceedings for the junior division tournament out of the way, the time had come to announce the participants of the 25th World Martial Arts Tournament.
"All right, I made the top cut!" Videl exclaimed, standing next to Gohan pumping her fist, looking at the leaderboard.
"You deserve it," Gohan told her. "You put in a lot of hard work, Videl."
Videl then noticed something and frowned. Her strike was placed below Akane's.
"Don't let that get to you," Gohan said, placing a friendly hand on her shoulder. "We all had to hold back to avoid doing what Vegeta did. That just means you held back more than Akane did. That's a good thing. It means you have more control."
Videl knocked his hand away and turned to face him. "Gohan, be honest with me. If Akane and I faced off, who do you think would actually win?"
"Well…I…" Gohan had no idea when Videl started competing with Akane and now he was fumbling to give a good answer.
Thankfully commotion broke the awkwardness. "What do you mean I'm out of the tournament? I'm the champ!"
"I'm sorry Mr. Satan," the organizer apologized. "But there are only sixteen slots and your score ranked 18th."
"What do you mean 18th? I should be number one, well, uh maybe at least the top 10, you know. Cause uh…cause of those Hope's Peak guys."
"I'm very sorry, sir. Ah, but your daughter is in the tournament still," the organizer flinched, worried he might get decked.
"Videl?"
Hercule looked at the scoreboard. Indeed, Videl had managed a top 10 placement on the punch machine. "Well I'll be."
Hercule immediately found the nearest platform to stand on and began to showboat. "You see it here, ladies and gentlemen! My baby girl has gone and left her old man in the dust! The new generation of fighters is here!"
His onlooking fanbase ate this up like tacos on Cinco de Mayo.
Videl groaned at the cringe PR stunt her father was currently pulling.
Hercule pretended to cry, dabbing his eyes with a handkerchief, "It's only been five years, but my daughter has grown into an amazing fighter all on her own." He stopped the fake waterworks. "But let me tell you something! The world championship belongs in Satan hands and my baby girl is gonna show that it doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman, you can still be the world champ!"
More cheering echoed through the area.
"Gimme a break," 18 said tucking hair behind her ear.
"Hey, at least this means we don't have to put up with the guy. And Videl doesn't seem that bad," Krillin commented.
"Hmph," 18 remarked.
"Sorry about your dad, Videl," Gohan said.
"Nah, let him bow out. Your dad deserved to keep his title. It's only because of this past month that I know my dad let his ego get the better of him with all the sponsorship deals and money. If your dad had been here five years ago, he never would've stood a chance."
"Yeah, probably," Gohan said, only to pat Videl on the shoulder. "But if he had, we might not have met, you know?"
Videl smiled. "Yeah. I guess it's not so bad after all."
"Will all tournament finalists please follow the tournament organizers to begin the process to filling out the brackets?" Some guy on a megaphone hollered.
"Guess that's our cue," Gohan said, walking with Videl.
Among those still in the tournament, Gohan was happy to see the classmates he'd trained with make it here.
"When your name is called, please come pick a number out of the box!" The tournament organizer exclaimed. "The number you pick will determine your placement in the tournament. Let us begin." The organizer looked at his list and began calling names at random.
"Is there an Akane Owari here?"
"All right! I'm up first!" Akane sped towards the box with the number balls in them and brazenly dug her hand in there like she was looking for loose chains in between couch cushions. She grabbed a ball and held it up to the staff.
"Akane is number 6," the organizer said, writing Akane's name on the bracket board behind him.
Akane then hurried over to where Gohan and Videl were. "Hey, you guys! Where have you been? We've all been having a good time without you."
"Thank Vegeta," Gohan said sarcastically. "Because of that stunt he pulled, we—"
"Son Gohan. Son Gohan, where are you?"
"Oh. I guess that's me," Gohan said. He walked up to the box and dug his hand in and held it up to the staff.
"Gohan is number 16," The staff member said, scrawling Gohan's name on the board.
"16, huh? Guess that means I'm last," Gohan said, smiling at the ball. "Oh well, I can be patient." He then walked back towards his friends.
"Videl Satan! It's your turn!"
"Nice, all three of us got to pick our numbers first," Akane said with a smile.
Videl walked up to the box and dug her hand in. Come on, number five. Number five! She pulled out a ball. No dice.
"Videl is number 9," the organizer said, writing her name on the board.
"Tch." Great. That meant if she wanted to duke it out with Akane, she'd have to win her way to the finals, probably past Gohan…or his dad…maybe both.
"Vegeta. Is there a Vegeta here?" The organizer called.
Vegeta, who had been sitting down, meditating, got up and approached the ball box. He didn't particularly care what number he got. After all, Goku hadn't even been called yet. He pulled the ball out and showed it off.
"Vegeta is number 7."
Akane started quaking in her boots briefly.
"Relax, Akane," Gohan told her. "The way the brackets are set up, you won't be facing off against Vegeta first. Look."
Gohan pointed at the board. Akane would only be fighting Vegeta in the quarter finals if she won.
"Good, then I can get my blood pumping," Akane said, ki flaring up. "Hear that, Vegeta? After I win my first match, you're next!"
Vegeta only smirked at Akane's bravado. "I'll be surprised if you can even get me to flinch."
"Son Goku. Son Goku, it's your turn!"
Vegeta and Gohan's attention was immediately placed on Goku who walked up to the ball box and dug around in there. When his hand finally landed on a ball he considered a "real winner", he revealed it to everyone. Lucky 13.
"Son Goku is number 13."
Oh no, Videl thought. Welp, there went her chances of making it to the finals. At least, she hoped, she could make it to the semi-finals. That would be enough, hopefully.
"Ma Junior! You're turn!"
"Ma Junior?" Gohan blinked.
"He's talking about me," Piccolo suddenly answered. He smirked. "Call it a throwback to the last time I was here."
Piccolo's mere presence intimidated the organization staff, understandably so given his resemblance to King Piccolo. He paid the humans no mind and pulled out his ball.
"Ma Junior is number 4," The staff member said, writing his name on the board.
"Kotomi Ikuta! May we please have Kotomi Ikuta?"
"YAAAAAHOOOOOOOO!" The redhead shouted. She was dressed in her cheerleader best. Skirt, cropped top, sneakers, and hairpins, all with Hope's Peak Academy's logo.
"That skirt is way too short to be practical," 18 said.
"Aww, come on, 18," Krillin remarked. "Let the kid have her fun."
18 glared judgmentally, hands on her hips.
"What? Come on, babe. You're the only one for me. Do I look like Master Roshi to you?"
18 looked away from Krillin, folded her arms and simply said, "No."
Kotomi jumped for joy shouting, "Yes! Yes! YEEEEEES!" She showed the ball off to everyone. "Read it and weep!"
"Kotomi Ikuta is number 1," the staff scribbled onto the board.
"Kotomi's as energized as always," Gohan chuckled.
"We've got a musician in my class that's just as energized," Akane chuckled.
"Uh, no. Kotomi and Ibuki might be similar, but they're different kinds of loud and over the top," Videl remarked.
"Juzo Sakakura. Please come up and pick your number."
A very large man approached the ball box.
"Hey, isn't that guy a security guard at our school?" Gohan inquired.
"Yeah, he is," Videl nodded. "I think he's the former Ultimate Boxer too."
Juzo casually stuck his hand in the box and pulled out a number. He showed it to the staff without looking at it.
"Juzo Sakakura is number 8."
Vegeta stood nearby with his arms folded, smirking like an asshole as always. Juzo merely gave a cool glance back at him and walked over towards one of the nearby trees.
"That was weird. He's not scared of Vegeta. But I can sense that guy's energy. He's not a pushover, but still…"
"Juzo, right?" Piccolo asked. "If he's that strong, it's entirely possible he actually attended your school. Vegeta probably trained him."
"Aw, man! I could've been fighting him this whole time?" Akane inquired disappointed.
I'm not going to unpack everything wrong with that outburst, Videl thought.
"Do we have a…" the organizer checked the spelling for a moment, "Femme Fury here?"
A young woman with red hair and green eyes tied back into a loose ponytail approached the ball box. She was dressed in a dark purple battle skirt over a pair of form fitting, purple shorts. She wore a dark purple halter top where a hole was naturally cut out in the center of the chest to sport a bit of cleavage. She wore arm-length gloves, also dark purple, and completed her look with purple boots with laces that went all the way up to her knees. To further hide her identity, she wore a Great Purple Emperor Butterfly mask over her face.
Is that who I think it is? Juzo thought.
Vegeta smirked. Well, I can't say approve of hiding her identity, but at least she's here.
Femme Fury reached in and pulled out a ball. She showed it off to the crowd and to the staff.
"Femme Fury will be number 3," The staff stated, writing the alias on the board.
Femme Fury then marched straight up to Gohan. "So, Ultimate Hero I hear, huh?"
"Uh…y-yeah," Gohan said.
Femme Fury winked and there was something off about her smile. "I'll be the judge of that."
Something about the way she said that sent a chill up Gohan's spine.
"That…what is she?" Piccolo stammered.
"You okay, Piccolo?" Gohan asked him.
Piccolo grit his teeth.
"Yo, what's the matter, big guy?" Akane asked, concerned.
"It was for a brief moment, but I sensed her power. It was like falling through a void. How could a mere human have that much power? I thought I was staring at Cell for a second there," Piccolo said.
"Easy, Piccolo," Gohan said. "Cell is dead. Try to relax. There's no way someone other than us is that strong."
Piccolo took a deep breath. He did his best to smile, arms folded. "Yeah, you're probably right about that." He watched Femme Fury walk away off by herself. Still…
With Femme Fury added to the roster, the next combatant was called. "Can we have a uh…" the organizer checked the names again. "A miss 18?"
"that's you, hun," Krillin said with a smile.
18 walked up to the ball box.
"Is that really your name? 18?" the organizer asked her.
"My father was kind of dull," 18 remarked and pulled out a ball and then lobbed it into the hands of the staff.
"18 is number 14."
18 hadn't been paying attention to the number so she doubled back when she heard that. If she was 14, then that meant…
"Oh, wow! I've always wanted to fight you 18!" Goku exclaimed, excited. "Oh boy, this is going to be fun." He laughed. "Don't worry, I'll make it fair. I'm not gonna use Super Saiyan. I wouldn't want to destroy the ring." He laughed.
18 smirked. "Don't come to regret that decision. You might come to regret it."
Goku just laughed with his hands behind his head like a giddy five-year-old.
"Tch," Vegeta was irritated by Goku's lackadaisical attitude. Oh if Goku managed to best 18 without turning Super Saiyan, Vegeta was going to be screaming internally for days.
"May I have a Mister Shin?"
A small purple man walked up to the ball box and pulled out the first number he could get his hands on. All of the Z fighters watched him. Something about this Shin character seemed…strange.
"Well, it would appear I'm number 5," Shin said.
"So I gotta fight some short, purple guy? That doesn't seem like it'll be that hard," Akane remarked.
"I don't know, Akane," Gohan said. "I'm having a hard time sensing that guy's energy. You'd best be careful."
"Huh? Really? He doesn't seem that strong to me," Akane said.
Videl tried her best to sense Shin's energy. "No, Gohan's right. That Shin guy's hiding his power just like Femme Fury is. Both of them seem really dangerous."
"Well then, guess I'll just have to see how powerful he is firsthand."
Gohan sighed. It seemed telling Videl to be cautious would be like telling a wolf to stay away from fresh meat.
"Do we have a Mister Kibito?"
A tall red man walked up and plucked a number out of the box. He showed it to the staff.
"Kibito is number 15," the staff member said, writing down his name.
"So that's the guy I gotta fight, huh?" Gohan asked.
"You can take him," Akane smiled brightly. "You're super strong, Gohan."
"Thanks, Akane," Gohan said with a smile.
"Krillin?" The staff called.
"All right, finally," Krillin said and went to go get a ball from the box. "Oh hey, I'm up first." He showed the ball off to everyone.
"Krillin is number 2, facing Kotomi Ikuta in the first match."
"Try not to embarrass yourself in the ring," Vegeta said, smirking.
"Hah, like I'd lose in the first round," Krillin said, glaring at Vegeta, fists clenched.
"I've whipped my students into rather harsh shape," Vegeta said. "If you underestimate them, you're as good as already beaten."
Kotomi cracked her knuckles, grinning.
"Don't get too cocky, Kotomi," Akane told her. "Krillin's a tough chestnut to crack."
Videl groaned. That pun was terrible.
"Princess Sonia?"
Sonia, the only other Ultimate competing in the tournament was pepped up and headed towards the ball box. Only three balls were left and she still had a 66% chance of not having to face off against Videl, the only fighter currently on the board without an opponent.
Sonia, for her part, had decided to done an ordinary gi. This was a martial arts tournament after all. However, as she did not belong to any school of note, she didn't have hers personalized the way Akane loved her Turtle School gi. However, rather than look plain and ordinary compared to the other fighters, Sonia had had a gi imported over from Novoselic. It was dark blue with a pink belt…far removed from any recognizable martial arts rank or affiliation, but at least it helped her stand out, especially with the Hope's Peak Academy patch she'd sewn on the left side of the chest area.
Sonia was in luck when she picked her ball: Number 12. She'd just barely avoided a match with Videl.
That meant that, of the two fighters remaining, one would fight Sonia, the other would fight Videl.
The next name called was the last by default, as the remaining fighter would simply take the spot not picked.
"For the last pick of choice, may I please have Hajime Hinata?"
"Oh, uh, that's me," A nervous young man in a white karate gi said, approaching the box. He had a head of brown hair with a single stubborn cowlick sticking up.
Vegeta frowned. Who's this kid? I've never seen him before, yet his power is as strong as Bulma's when she broke the refrigerator?
Hajime dug into the box and pulled out one of the last two numbers.
"Hajime Hinata is number 11."
"Oh, well at least I'll be starting off with someone my own age," Sonia said and approached Hajime with a smile. "Generous greetings, Hajime. I look forward to our fight."
"Uh, y-yeah," Hajime stuttered, sweating.
Vegeta scoffed. That match was over before it even got started. Sonia was far stronger than him when he first arrived on Earth. If she so much as struggled against Hajime, that would be ridiculous.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have our bouts!" The tournament announcer declared. "Match 1: Kotomi Vs Krillin! Match 2: Femme Fury Vs Ma Junior! Match 3: Shin Vs Akane! Match 4: Vegeta Vs Juzo! Match 5: Videl Vs Yamu! Match 6: Hajime Vs Sonia! Match 7: Goku Vs 18! And Match 8: Gohan Vs Kibito! Let's have a wonderful 25th World Martial Arts Tournament! Let the competition begin! Kotomi and Krillin, please head to the arena when you're ready!"
"Kotomi! You can do it!" Hope's Peak's Student Council President, Soshun Murasame, cheered for her.
"Please do your best, Kotomi!" shouted another one of her classmates, the gentle, pink-haired Kiriko Nishizawa.
"We're all rooting for you!" Karen Kisaragi, the Ultimate Ornithologist, called out.
"Lights! Camera! Action!" Aiko Umesawa, the Ultimate Movie Director, and famous for her yellow hoodie, called out, video camera at the ready.
Kotomi took a martial arts stance any of the Z Fighters would recognize. It was a perfect recreation of her one and only master, Vegeta.
"I'll try not to leave lasting visible marks," Kotomi said with a smirk.
"Yeah, you've definitely been studying under Vegeta all right," Krillin remarked, taking a left lead stance. "This isn't personal, but I'm aiming to win."
"I'd be insulted if you held back," Kotomi said to proud father of one. "Bring it on!"
The 25th World Martial Arts Tournament is about to begin. Kotomi Ikuta, one of Vegeta's prized students, is set to face off Z Fighter veteran Krillin. Has Vegeta properly prepared this pom-pom powerhouse to take on one of Goku's oldest friends? Is Krillin prepared to face off against one of Hope's Peak's very own? Fine out next time on Dragon Ball H! P! A!
