Exiting the Chamber had been such a weird experience for Gohan, spending just shy of a year in a room where the air is pressurised, the gravity amplified, and sound being distorted to simply walking over the threshold of the doorway to feel the strain on his body disappear, the breeze gently kissing his skin and ruffling his air and the fresh air filling his lungs. The clear blue sky with the sun high up in the air was a stark contrast to the never ending white void of the chamber.
The only similar experience he could recall was the trip in the spaceship to Namek, taking a deep breath in of the fresh air he followed behind his father.
"Hmmm, I Knew sensed Trunks and Vegeta nearby. Cell's power has increased as well, by staggering amounts" Goku said as they both walked out of the covered walkway into the open-air section of the Lookout. Seeing Their friends turn and look at them both their looks of confusion and shock plastered across all their faces.
"So, can someone fill us in onto whats happening? Also, do you have anything good to eat Mr. Popo?" Taking further steps to be a few feet from the others.
"Yeah, sure." Tien answers "Good to see some things never change with you Goku" Tien chuckled
After the two Son's had demolished the homecooked feast from the Lookouts caretaker, they both leant back with smiles on their faces.
"Thanks for that Mr. Popo, Me and Gohan can't cook all too well so it been a long while since we've had a good homecooked meal" Goku thanked whilst smiling. "Seriously though, this one time I asked Gohan to fire me up a Roast Beef, and he set my hair alight after it combusted into flames" The group laughed at this antic.
"That would explain why you wanted food the moment you step foot out of the Chamber" The gruff tones of the tall Namekian floated over the laughter.
The Sayian Prince watching this exchange between the group, questioning how they seemed so normal in their Super Sayian state.
"Kakarot! EXPLAIN! NOW!" Vegeta bellowed, receiving just a confused "Huh?" from the fellow Sayian he continued "How are doing that? You're a Super Sayian, and yet you seem so natural!"
"Hehehe, Oh yeah that! You see, Me and Gohan didn't like how the Super Sayian transformations impact our mood and thoughts so much so we stayed as a Super Sayian for as long as possible, so our bodies got used to the change. So now, we can stay Super Sayian without any problems" Goku explained.
Before the Prince could question them any further it was his son that beat him to it,
"So that means you can transform to a higher power in a fight!" Trunks exclaimed
"You're missing the point!"
"What?" the lavender haired Sayian grunted
"It means, that they don't have to transform in a fight. All their energy can be used for fighting not transforming. Damnit, why didn't I think of that" The Prince reluctantly admitted
"Vegeta's partially right" Goku supplied, earning a glare from the napoleon Sayian "It isn't only about not transforming, it's about training our bodies to be accustomed to the power flow meaning that our energy control is more refined. Which means that our attacks don't use as much energy as what they once would, without sacrificing a lost in power"
This explanation just earned Goku looks of pure confusion from most of the group bar Gohan. Minutes passed in an uncomfortable silence before finally someone broke the tension.
"When did you get so smart Goku?" The tri-clops asked causing the Sayian to chuckle
"Chi-Chi has had me doing studies alongside Gohan for years now! Hehehe, kinda came as a sort of punishment for something" Goku answered cryptically
"Hmmpf, what would cause your wife to even attempt that?" Piccolo gruffly asked looking down on the still lounging Super Sayian
"Yūtō shōkan. Grandpa told me that's why you were doing studies alongside me, that Mum wasn't happy with you for telling her sooner." The younger Super Sayian answered in his father's stead.
"Yūtō shōkan? Gohan, you know?" Tien asked with a look of confusion and mixed fear at the young man, sitting beside his father 'He knows? For how long has Gohan been aware of this? I must speak with Goku, If Gohan knows then we can start having them get acquainted with each other'
Gohan, now looking at the fighter. He nods with a smile on his face, at the man he knows one day will call Father in-law. "Yeah, Dad told me inside the chamber. I knew of the term previously as I came across it in my studies, also that it was how Grandpa Ox met Grandma. Then Dad told me about what happened because of Shen."
"Well, Okay then. It seems we now have much to talk about, but onto more immediate matters. Cell has managed to absorb Android 18 and has decided that he will hold a tournament called the 'Cell Games' to decide the fate of the planet. We have 9 days before the day of the tournament. Goku? Do you think you can beat him?" Tien spoke with calm and yet pleading tone.
The patriarch of the Son's looked at him, then at the others faces. They all had that look at expectation, besides Vegeta who just scowled, scoffed at Goku then looked away muttering about Sayian elites and Third-class clowns.
"Well." He started, everyone subconsciously leaning forward for his answer "I don't know yet, I haven't seen him in his new form. So maybe I should go and check him out. Mr. Popo? Do you have my clothes that I left here?" Goku explained as he and Gohan stood up.
"Yes, Of course. I even washed them for you." The genie responded before walking away to fetch the requested items. Goku looking over at Gohan noticed he had walked over to Piccolo, he smiled with understanding. Turning back to take the bundle of clothes offered to him from the mysterious genie.
"Hey Piccolo? Can I have an outfit just like yours? You were my first teacher and all." Gohan asked looking up at the head of the Demon King school.
"Sure kid, it'll make you look real sharp" Piccolo replied, smirking whilst stretching out his arm to perform the technique.
"Thanks Piccolo!" Gohan exclaimed, looking down at his body seeing the blue Gi and the broad white shoulder pads that extended into a long white cape.
Hearing the tell-tale sounds of the instant transmission technique. Gohan turned around to see his father standing there, fingers still to his forehead which had been creased into a serious scowl, one that would make the prince proud.
"So Goku, what do you think? Can you beat him?!" Trunks shouted at the Super Sayian. Goku glancing up to look at Trunks then to the others, then settling on Gohan he finally answered the lavender Sayian. "He sure seems tough, without a doubt. But it doesn't matter how strong Cell has gotten, He won't be winning this tournament." Goku replied cryptically, whilst still looking Gohan in the eyes.
Gohan getting the subtle message his father was telling him 'Dad's right. If he seems this confident then it's obvious one of us is now as strong as or maybe even stronger than Cell' breaking from his thoughts as Goku approached Gohan. Settling his hand on his son's shoulder, smiling down at him "Ready to go Son? We've got nine days till the tournament, so let's spend them wisely."
"Right!"
"Goku! Wait!" Tien shouted
"What's up Tien?" Goku turned to look at the Triclops
"I think it's time we introduce them, don't you?" Tien proposed, earning confused looks from the remainders of the group. Goku understanding what he meant, smiled in appreciation.
"You're right let me talk to Chi-Chi and maybe see if we can't have you all round for dinner before the tournament?" Simply receiving a nod in return, Goku turns back to look at his son raises his fingers to his forehead. "Later guys see ya later!" and with that the Super Sayian pair disappeared.
Reappearing on a small lush island, sand under their boots and the waves crashing behind them. Before them stood alone pink house on this tiny island, with a few palm trees projecting the smallest amount of shade. Taking the few steps to enter the house, pushing open the door and shouting out as they entered "Hey guys"
"Go…Goku! Is that you?" the turtle hermit shouted upon recognizing his new guest.
"If that's Goku, then that means this is Gohan! You've buffed up!" Oolong guesstimated
"Ahh, you think?" Gohan blushed, seeing Oolong simply nod in agreement with Puar chirping in her agreement too.
"Goku. Has anyone filled you in on whats been happening?" the former bandit questioned
"Uh-huh, Trunks filled us in once we got out of the chamber. I've been to check out his new bod, and I've got to admit he seems really strong. We actually came by to grab Chi-Chi to head home." Goku explained.
"I think I heard her upstairs" Krillin weighed in on the conversation
"Hey! Hey Chichi!" Goku yelled
"Goku? Goku is that you? I was so worried about you! I…" Chichi drawled off as she stepped off the bottom step that led to the upstairs bedrooms.
"Hi Hunnie" "Hi Mom" The two Super saiyans spoke at the same time.
"Go…. Gohan? Is that you? What happened to your beautiful black hair? Who said you could dye it!" Chichi raged as she started tugging on Gohan's now blonde hair. Gohan biting back a wince from his hair being pulled so rough, he reached up and gently removed his mothers hands and took a step back.
"Chichi, it isn't dye. Neither of our hairs are dyed. It's a transformation, like what you've seen Master Roshi do when he expands his body mass." Goku placated his furious wife
"Well…. Okay then. I thought you had both turned into punkers! If you had I would've refused to cook for the pair of you!" Chichi shouted
The two Saiyans shuddered at the thought of being deprived from the Michigan level cooking the women could plate up. Goku taking the first action. Steps towards his wife, leans down and engulfs her into a loving embrace "You worry too much babe. Love you" Goku whispered into his wife's ear.
Chichi melting into his embrace whispers back with the same sentiment. Taking a step back out of his embrace, looking up at her husband. Smiling as she slips past him and suddenly swoops up Gohan into her motherly grip.
"You've grown up so much Gohan. I hope you've been listening to your father's instructions" Chichi asked. Receiving back the trademark Son grin and a "Thanks Mom" from the young boy- no man before her. She turned back to her husband "so Goku, what happens now? Will you be training further before the Cell Games?"
"Well first, I was thinking we could all head back home and have a nice family meal together. Ive been thinking that Me and Gohan will have three days of rest, then train for three days and then another three days rest before the tournament, and also that with Gohan's birthday coming up.." Goku winked at his son "that we could have a little celebration and introduce Gohan to a certain special lady that we've both been looking forward to meeting" Goku explained his thoughts.
Chichi taking a moment to process what she had just been told. Then realising that Goku was subtly telling her that her two boys had had the discussion she had been dreading. Opening her mouth to get confirmation of her thoughts, but beaten to the punch
"Goku, are you telling me that you've told Gohan about his predicament?" The old turtle hermit questioned
"Uh-huh, I told him whilst he had been training in the chamber. It had come up completely by accident but after telling him, he pushed himself further in his training. He's come so far since we first started training for the androids, he's now as strong as me. Hell, I'd wager that he's even stronger than me now" Goku explained. Everyone's attention suddenly switched from the two elders of the Turtle school, to that of the young Son boy standing there warily of how his mother was going to react to this sudden knowledge.
"Goku? Are you serious right now?" Krillin asked
"Yep, Gohan has learnt everything he can from me. Except the spirit bomb, but that's a hard one to teach when theres no other life energy but my own to draw upon. Master Roshi, during the time in the chamber I taught Gohan the ways of the turtle school, he excelled at them. He's like a sponge, he takes in any information be it his educational studying or that of fighting. I wouldn't be too surprised if one day, he'll be working alongside Bulma" Goku chuckled
The surprised looks at the mans declaration was nothing short of spectacular, Krillin' s mouth was wide open staring at Gohan. Oolong had stumbled backwards onto his rear, Puar had fallen out of her flight and landed on the table in the middle of room. Yamcha' s head was that of a newtons cradle, constantly looking at Goku to then Gohan and back again. Chichi rushed forward to crush Gohan in another large hug. Lastly Master Roshi's glasses had slid off his nose and onto his fall, allowing all to his wide eyes. Collecting himself, he approached Gohan.
"Young man is this true, that you've been trained in the ways of the Turtle school?" The founder of the Kame style asked. Gohan just nodded, still wrapped up in his mother's arms. Roshi, looking to be thought for a few moments continued "If that's the case my boy, I need you to come outside with me, Krillin you too"
"Huh, whats going on old man?" Yamcha asked
"If Gohan has been trained in the ways of my school, by a student that had graduated himself. Then it is my duty and honour as the founder, to give Gohan his final examination to see if he qualifies to wear the Kame style emblem on his Martial Arts Gi" The elder martial artist explained, digging back into his original training when he first founded his school.
Seeing the looks of understanding and large smiles forming on both Goku's and Krillin's faces, as two students that had fully graduated from his school they knew what the Old Master was about to put the young Sayian through. Chichi frowning at the thought of her young boy fighting and falling into this crowd, about to protest at the examination then she caught a look at Gohan's face. A look of determination, pride and glee mixed into one, she knew that she couldn't stop her son from partaking in something that he had worked so hard for, it was like making him study and revise for a doctorate to just simply refuse him from sitting the final exam to be awarded the credentials.
As the house hold, filed out of the house on to the sand that surrounded the tiny estate the group lined up just alongside the house. Whereas Roshi had led Gohan further away from the house, closer to the crashing waves that clashed upon the shore.
"Now, Son Gohan. This is your official examination following your training into that of the Turtle school, that uses the Kame style of fighting. As the fonder of the school, I will be your opponent for this exam. The rules are simple, 5-minute timer will be set and, in that time, you must fight me using the skills that have been taught to you from this school. Meaning that you cannot use anything taught to you by Piccolo and his school of teaching. There will be no use of Ki manipulation, no flight and no strikes that would otherwise kill your opponent. Afterwards, we will then look at your basic stances and the signature Kata of my school. Since I know you have already learnt the Kamehameha wave, we will skip that part of the examination. As mandatory, your graduation will be observed by your instructor and another member that has graduated the same school. Any questions so far Gohan?" Master Roshi instructed, followed by his question.
Receiving a simple "No Master" from Gohan, it was obvious that Goku had actually prepared the boy for his graduation from his use of correct etiquette in this situation. "Okay then, Puar if you would be so kind as to set a timer for 5-minutes and inform as when to start?" Roshi asked, hearing her poof into a stopwatch, that Krillin retrieved. Then Krillin announced "Fighters ready?!" Seeing the two nod, as Gohan removed his shoulder plating and the pair slipping into the signature horse stance of the Kame style "3…2…1…..Begin" Krillin started the timer with that as Gohan, sprang towards the old hermit, aiming a forward punch at the man's solar plex, receiving a swift block and countering the kick that was aimed at his chest by leaning backwards and letting it fly harmlessly by to then block the spin kick that was aimed at his upper torso. Ducking underneath, Gohan launched an uppercut that connected with Roshi's chin. Launching him upwards, as Roshi took flight he flicked his legs upwards hoping to clip Gohan's chin himself, only for Gohan to dodge the kick, grab hold of his leg and spin to throw him away.
"2 minutes remain!" Krillin announced from the side-lines. The rest of the group watching the fight with baited breath, the fight was still as fast paced as normal, beyond that of the normal human eye. Without much force behind either of their attacks, you could tell this was a fight of precision and technique not that of an aggressive fight.
Roshi allowing the momentum to move him away, flipping to land of his feet and taking two steps back once his feet connected with the ground. Slipping back into stance, anticipating the next attack. The two fighters, remaining stoically quite throughout. Focusing solely on their opponent.
Gohan cautiously sidestepping around Roshi, slowly closing the diameter of the circle he had been pacing. Roshi following his every step, with his guard fully up. 'Goku has trained his Son well. Let's see him handle my offensive' Roshi launch from his position catching the boy by slight surprise, allowing two punches slip by his defences and connecting with his right shoulder and caught in his left. Gohan's counter, was a sucker punch to the elder mans gut. Winding him, he staggered backwards 'Such power. Maybe his Super Sayian state is too much in my regular form, but this fight isn't about power or strength' Quickly gaining a second wind, in time to block the round house kick aimed for his head. The blow making his arm shudder from the force, the recoil of Gohan's kick allowed him to bring up his left, crossing over his body to connect with Roshi's still blocking arm, blocking the guard. Gohan landing on his right leg, whilst swinging his left leg backwards forcing him into a front flip bring his heel downwards on the founder of the Turtle school, sending him to his knees.
"TIME!" Came from the side-lines
Roshi, on his knees in the sand hands supporting his weight in front of him as he pushes his body upwards. Keeping his facial expressions neutral besides the occasional wince when the odd joint cracked from their little spar. Looking at Gohan standing rigidly in front of him with a hopeful expression plastered on his face.
Roshi bent forward and bowed to the young Sayian, waiting for him to do the same. Upon completing the respectful act between two warriors Roshi finally spoke "Well Gohan, your farther has trained you exceedingly well. You have excellent reflexes, as well as a keen eye to spot weaknesses in any guard. Yes, those gaps were on purpose. I needed to see if you could notice them." Roshi explained seeing the confused look on Gohan's face. Chuckling slightly, he folded his hands behind his back as he continued "Your stance, was near perfect but you looked uncomfortable. Care to explain why?"
"Yes Master, you see during my training in the chamber after Dad taught me the Kame style. I merged your style and that of Piccolo's into my own fighting stance and style. Whilst I can fight using only one style, I had using the merged style during the more… intensive of fights with Dad." Gohan explained
"Ah, I see. None the less, you fought exceptionally in that of the way of the Kame style. Now I spoke of having you perform the kata of the school, but that won't be necessary any longer" seeing the confusion spread onto Gohan's face Roshi explained "The kata to my school as you may know is very stance based and following that of flow of energy around us. You followed that flow in our battle, performing enough of the stances that would be in the kata itself. Krillin, would you agree with this assessment?" Turning to look at the smaller bald monk.
"You're right Master. Gohan performed some of the kata in your battle and I agree with your observations" Krillin answered. Roshi hmm'ed and nodded.
"Do you have anything to add about Gohan's form? Or any reason why you feel Gohan doesn't deserve to graduate?" Roshi inquired.
"None Master. Gohan fought brilliantly, despite it not being at full strength, you can truly see the skill he now wields. I can see what you mean Goku, if he can fight that fluidly with Master Roshi, hell I bet he could give Cell some serious problems" Krillin agreed with Goku's early praise of his son.
"If that's the case, Son Gohan, please step forward. It is with great pleasure and pride to announce your final examination has now concluded, and to award you with full graduation privileges of that in The Kame style from the Turtle school. From this day forward, you may wear the symbol of this school on your Gi, be it in the Kame style colours or on that of your own colouration, take up students of your own and train them in the teachings of the school and have your name inscribed upon the walls of history. Your Great Grandfather, the man you were named after would be incredibly proud of how you've fought today, just are your parents as well myself. Congratulations Gohan." Master Roshi concluded.
"Thank you, Master Roshi. I won't let you down." Gohan bowed in respect, receiving a bow in response. Turning back to the others, the smiles of adoration present on everyone's faces, a 'poof' followed with Puar returning to normal. Goku and Chichi, stepped forward handing Gohan the white shoulder pads back. Slapping his son on the shoulder "I knew you had it in you Son, Master Roshi's right Grandpa would be so proud of you!" Goku grinned down at his son, whilst Chichi lowered herself to be eye level with her boy
"Gohan, I know I'm hard on you with fighting like your father, but I am so very proud of Son. I too went through something similar as to what you just went through. I guess it runs in our little family. Now, when we get home I'll cook a large feast for us and maybe I'll make some of that Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake you love so much" Chichi praised with a warm smile.
"Oh boy, really Mom. Thanks." Gohan cheered, smiling as he put the pads back on.
"Well done, little man you were excellent" "Yeah, what he said!" Yamcha and Oolong complimented
"Gohan, well done kiddo. Welcome to the Turtle school graduates" Krillin added in throwing an arm round Gohan's shoulders. Gohan just smiling constantly.
"I think it's time to head home, it's getting late" Goku weighed in, looking at the setting sun over the ocean. Chichi and Gohan nodded in agreement.
"See you all soon, take it easy" Goku exclaimed, as Gohan and Chichi placed there hands on the elder Sayian and with that they vanished from view, back to their adored home in the countryside.