Reviews answers :
AdrienVictus : Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feedback on the story. I appreciate your understanding of the characters and their abilities. Your concern about Mirio's potential to stand on equal footing with Gohan's Super Saiyan form is valid. The idea was to highlight Mirio's growth and potential, not necessarily to suggest he could reach Gohan's level of power, especially given the vast difference in their abilities stemming from their respective universes.
Regarding Gohan's saiyan tail, it's a notable point. In the original "Dragon Ball" series, the tail was indeed a weakness for Saiyans until they learned to overcome it. In this crossover story, we could explore how Gohan might have addressed this vulnerability, possibly training to mitigate this weakness, but for now he can't overcome this weakness.
As for the concerns about Gohan's portrayal moving forward, rest assured that the intention is not to diminish his character or abilities. Gohan's strategic mindset and strength will be crucial elements of the story. The challenges he faces will test him, but they won't undermine his inherent power or intelligence. As you'll see in this chapter and the next one, he is stronger than the Gohan in Dragon Ball at 16.
Civen434 : Thank you for your feedback! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter and I appreciate your interest in seeing more of the dynamic between Nejire and Gohan. Exploring their relationship will indeed add depth to the story, and I already written them a dedicated chapter to delve into their interactions and the nuances of their bond. It''ll be in a few chapter, two or three if I remember correctly haha.
Regarding your suggestion about the Super Saiyan transformations, it's a great point. However, as you'll see in this chapter, hiding super saiyan will become... well, hard to say the least.
I understand your concern about making Gohan vulnerable without it coming off as an idiotic scenario. Vulnerability can be a powerful storytelling tool when used effectively, as it allows character growth and makes the character more relatable. Rest assured, any portrayal of Gohan's vulnerability will be handled with care to stay true to his character and to serve the story's overall progression.
Again, thank you for your kind words and for sharing your thoughts. I hope you'll like this chapter !
X3Runner : Thank you for your feedback! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed Nejire's portrayal and the teamwork aspect. Incorporating teamwork into future fights and rescue missions is a fantastic idea, as it also adds another layer of strategy and depth to the battles. About the "Double Sunday" move I didn't realise I did it until you said it haha, but yes indeed, Gohan has use the Double Sunday without realising it !
Regarding your point about Gohan and the All Might fighting Nomu scenario, you've raised an interesting consideration. However I can say more, you'll have to read the chapter to see what happens. I'm thrilled that you loved the chapter and found the fight enjoyable. Your support and ideas are greatly appreciated, and I hope the future chapters will continue to deliver the excitement and enjoyment you're looking for!
Crescentation : Thank you for your feedback and enthusiasm about the fight scenes! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter and found the combat engaging.
You bring up a great point about the power scaling between MHA and Gohan's capabilities. It's indeed a challenge to balance these worlds, as characters from "Dragon Ball," especially someone as powerful as Gohan, operate on a different level of strength compared to all of characters in MHA.
Regarding Gohan's power suppression, you're correct in noting that it's within his character to hold back, especially when sparring with friends or in situations where he doesn't want to cause unnecessary harm. This restraint allows for more interesting interactions and challenges within the MHA world, where the power levels are generally lower. But yes, sometimes it can look a little farfetched, however if I do not force Gohan to hold back when facing his teamates, he would likely destroys them and it'll not bring anything to the story.
Incorporating strategic challenges like Kurugiri's warping ability or illusion techniques to counter Gohan's strength is an excellent suggestion for adding tension and complexity to the story. This approach can help bridge the power gap and create scenarios where Gohan's overwhelming strength isn't the sole factor in determining the outcome of a conflict.
As for the villains, your anticipation is spot-on. When Gohan does unleash his full power, especially if provoked, it will indeed be a sight to behold and a significant turning point in the story. Thank you again for your support, and I hope the future chapters continue to entertain and surprise you!
RedburnDragon : Yes, indeed. Dragon Ball's caracters were not indestructible, and specials capabilities can harm them. Mirio power, as I explain in the last chapter can make damage even against powerfull foes. Thanks for reading and I hope you'll like this chapter !
Wilhes : Thank you for your feedback and engagement with the story. I understand your concerns regarding the sparring match between Gohan and Mirio Togata and appreciate the opportunity to clarify. In the story, Gohan didn't lose to Mirio; their match ended in a draw. It's crucial to highlight that Gohan was holding back during their sparring session. The purpose of this friendly match wasn't to defeat Mirio but to engage in a fair and balanced battle, allowing both of them to learn and grow from the experience. Gohan has the capability to transform and escalate his power, but doing so would defeat the purpose of a friendly spar and could potentially cause harm to his surroundings and the people within it.
Regarding the comparison between Mirio's Quirk and Obito's Kamui, it's an interesting point. While Mirio's permeation isn't identical to Kamui, it poses a unique challenge that requires strategic thinking to counter, which is what Gohan was focusing on during their match. In terms of speed and power, Gohan is indeed far beyond what Mirio could achieve. When Mirio grabs Gohan's tail it's a demonstration of Gohan's willingness to engage on equal terms, not a literal measure of their power levels.
I hope this clarification addresses your concerns and sheds light on Gohan's intentions and actions during the sparring match.
Chapter 9 - the return of the nightmare
The shadow moved slowly in the half-light, silently savoring its macabre intentions. The entity watched with festive amusement the massive building in front of it. Years of waiting, of experiments, and of humiliating concealment... It was time, at last, to act!
"So this is UA... This peace you cherish and protect so fervently... I will sweep it away! Enjoy it while you can, for in two days, you will know the most ignominious of deaths! Son Gohan!"
Next morning :
Gohan woke up with a slight headache, which had persisted since the day before. Aizawa had tried to give him medicine, but they were far too weak to have an effect on a Saiyan's body.
Last night, all his friends had come over to "study the third fight of the All Might exercise," as Shota had put it. The fight was extremely short, a true display of power, which very much reminded everyone how intimidating Tamaki could be. He had eliminated Shoto Todoroki, who had gone on the offensive alone, in less than a minute, and then Amajiki had defeated the other students in record time.
It was the fastest match of the entire lesson…
Afterward, Gohan went to bed and recovered from his minor injuries, then went to school with his friends.
"I would really like us to do another exercise like that one," declared Mirio as they turned the corner, heading leisurely towards the hero academy.
"That was so much fun! I'm sure it will be harder next time! What do you think, Gohan?" asked Nejire, clapping her hands joyfully.
The boy remained silent for a few seconds, thoughtful. "I think that if there's another exercise like this, it will be totally different. Now that they know your powers... and they will have improved as well, so if there is a rematch, it will definitely be closer."
Tamaki yawned and then joined the conversation, stepping slightly out of Mirio's shadow. "Well, I think you're right. The one with the ice power was pretty strong... if he had worked with the others, I might have had a bit of trouble defeating them."
Hado seized the opportunity and began to ask questions. Gohan, as well as the others, immediately sensed it when she raised her eyebrows, a clear sign she had questions. "You have some fiery classmates, Gohan! Bakugo was always on the offensive; it was a great fight! But you know, I never got to ask him how he charges his grenades... How does he do it? And also, this guy Todoroki, can he freeze himself? That must be super useful during the summer!"
The mention of Bakugo created a certain discomfort for Gohan; he didn't like his explosive classmate at all because he was too violent and emitted an oddly dark, heavy, and oppressive energy signature. Just one look at this individual was enough to understand that there was something in him contrary to the values of a hero, yet paradoxically, there was a part of him that seemed not bad at all.
Gohan remained wary and attentive regarding him, as he didn't know whether he was a good person or not, but his instinct told him to stay very vigilant.
"You could say some have strong personalities; I don't know them well enough, but I know it's going to be an exceptional year! You can ask Bakugo about his grenades next time, but if I ever find out how he does it, I'll tell you. And as for Todoroki, I suppose he can produce ice cubes and stay cool constantly."
Togata laughed softly and quickened his pace; they were not far from UA. "Anyway, I'm looking forward to facing them! I'm sure it will be a fun fight!"
"Yes, that's for sure," Son simply said, turning the corner to the gate. The sight that met them shocked everyone, and Gohan grimaced ostentatiously; he felt it was going to be a terrible day!
"Journalists..." Tamaki murmured weakly, pointing at the cluster of disreputable individuals in front of the school. He was terrified of journalists, as his shyness made being bombarded with questions by strangers extremely uncomfortable for him.
Gohan glanced at his brown-haired friend, and they understood each other in just a second. The Saiyan didn't like journalists at all, as ever since he had started his 'work' as a vigilante, journalists had constantly spread lies about him, if they weren't attacking him directly, calling him a pseudo-villain, or the like.
Nejire and Mirio, on the other hand, seemed to get along quite well with the presence of journalists, probably because they were always jovial and ready to answer questions. Nejire enjoyed posing and answering questions, so for her, it was a fun event, and for Mirio, he thought it was important to get used to their presence because when he becomes a world-famous hero, he will inevitably have to deal with them.
The group then ventured towards the entrance and, as expected, faced a real interrogation… "What is All Might like as a teacher?!" blurted out one particular question, to which Hado hurried to respond.
"He's super fun! His exercises are the most motivating I've ever had! I wonder why he wears his old costume? Do you think he's nostalgic? Anyway, he prefers practice over theory!"
Mirio suddenly drew everyone's attention with his contagious laughter. "Yes, that's for sure! He's an excellent teacher, and he teaches a lot to everyone! However, we must go if we don't want to be late! Goodbye!"
The whole group began to joyfully head towards the gate, which was only a few meters away, but a more zealous journalist than the others quickly caught up with them to ask another question.
Gohan sighed and sent a stern look at the woman, who instinctively stepped back under the pressure. Quickly, the young man realized he had let negative emotions get the better of him, and a small sense of shame rose within him. However, this person did not need to insist after his two friends had already given an answer.
"Well, there were a lot of them! All Might really excites everyone... Maybe they want to see All Might?" Hado asked rather calmly as they all entered the main building of UA.
"Who wouldn't want to see All Might?!" Mirio retorted, smiling as usual.
"That's true, but I hope they don't do anything stupid," Gohan whispered, earning a nod of agreement from Tamaki, still a bit overwhelmed by the crowd of journalists.
The journey to the classrooms was brief, and the group of friends separated, planning to meet again at the lunch break. Gohan opened the door to his classroom and glanced at the clock... the class was about to start; he needed to quickly take his seat.
No sooner had he set foot in the room than all eyes were on him, the atmosphere suddenly became stifling, and enduring the gaze of his classmates looking at him with strange expressions was not easy.
Kirishima jumped from his seat and raised his fist as high as was humanly possible. "That was manly! So manly! Your fight against Togata! Oh man, that was awesome!"
Quickly, other students, like Ashido, abruptly rose from their seats and began to share their thoughts on the fight against Mirio.
"It was dazzling, almost as much as me, what a beautiful golden light..." Aoyama exclaimed with his usual magnificence.
Gohan, feeling somewhat uncomfortable, scratched his neck and chuckled. "Thank you..."
Iida, seated in the front row, stared intently at his friend, a gleaming light in his eyes. "Well, Son, I must admit I was shocked by your match with our senior. I knew you were powerful, but that was truly impressive," he began, respect in each word, then he stood up, slamming his hands on his desk. "I want you to know that I will do my utmost to match you!"
Midoriya, sitting at the back of the class, returned an intensity equal to Tenya's, if not more... The green-haired boy seemed thoughtful, but the determination he radiated was unmistakable.
The other students all reacted in their own ways, some showing a bit of fear towards Gohan, like Koda or Mineta, who must still have been overwhelmed by the pressure from the previous day's matches. The half-Saiyan was concerned; he didn't want to terrify his classmates, he wanted to be a pillar they could rely on. If they continued to fear him, he resolved to talk to them, he swore it to himself.
At the back of the class, Bakugo was unusually calm, his wild red eyes, usually gleaming with brutality, seemed extinguished, void of their usual intensity. The explosive young man simply sent a cold glance at Gohan before turning his head back to his notebooks.
His defeat had struck him harshly... and the young blond seemed to be questioning himself. Gohan could feel it without even needing to scan his energy.
Todoroki did not look directly at Son, but the young man felt his classmate's watchful eye; it was undeniable. He was burning with a frosty determination!
Finally, Gohan sat down, and slowly, most people shifted their attention away, but no doubt they kept the fight in mind. Now that they had a sense of Son's true power, they would inevitably give their best to reach his level, if not surpass it.
Gohan just hoped that his new friends wouldn't become afraid of him and would continue to treat him as a normal person.
As the students chatted happily, the door burst open, and Professor Aizawa entered the class, a tired look on his face. He had certainly been working for several hours during the night...
Shota never took care of his health, and he worked until he collapsed from sleep. It was an admirable quality, but sometimes, it worried Gohan, and convincing the taciturn hero to take a rest was a real chore...
"Good morning everyone, I hope you've had time to reflect on yesterday's exercise and regain your strength. I've analyzed your matches... Bakugo, stop acting like a child. You have talent, but you won't become a great hero if you continue with this behavior," declared Aizawa, placing a huge stack of papers on his table.
Katsuki stiffened suddenly when he was called out by the teacher, trembled, and then finally, sighed heavily. "I... know."
"Good. Midoriya, do you plan to injure yourself in every exercise? Listen carefully, you need to make an effort and stop getting hurt; once you manage that, you can become a much better hero."
Izuku lowered his head, haunted by his thoughts, but then he lifted his head and stood up straight, intense determination shining in his eyes. "Yes! I will do better!"
Aizawa smiled faintly and massaged his forehead before looking at Gohan with as much impartiality as he could muster, which was relatively little. "As for you, Son, good job. Keep it up."
The Saiyan smiled and lifted his head, a wave of pride washing over him; he wanted his mentor to be proud of him, of the efforts he was making to become a worthy hero.
"Now that we've settled that, let's move on to class matters... I don't particularly enjoy making you do this, but..." he began as he grabbed a piece of chalk and wrote on the board.
The class held its breath, and everyone looked at each other in anticipation, fearing they would have to participate in a grueling test so soon after yesterday's exercise. Gohan sighed and chuckled lightly upon seeing his classmates' faces because knowing the man, it could only be something of little significance.
Aizawa finished writing and turned around slowly, so slowly that all the students felt a chill... but what was he going to announce?! The suspense was unbearable!
"We need a class representative!" he declared with breathtaking seriousness, his face betraying no joke.
"Finally something normal..." muttered Kaminari before raising his hand. "I want to be it!"
"I want to do it!"
"I want to be the representative, choose me!"
"Me too..."
"Hey... if I'm elected, I'll shorten the skirt lengths!" exclaimed a repugnant little being, as he hopped to grab everyone's attention.
Son watched Mineta do his lecherous act with disdain; that guy really had a problem, he thought, as he was tempted to force him to sit down and be quiet. The Saiyan turned his head to look at the other candidates for the position... even Midoriya was applying despite his excessive shyness, as was Koda.
The only one who had not raised his hand and declared his intentions... was Son Gohan. Goku's son did not want the position for several reasons, but the foremost was that he lacked time, both for training and for fighting villains.
The second, equally important, reason was that he felt other people were more suited to inherit such a position than he was. Gohan had been raised to hold a position of power; he was the grandson of Gyumao and the direct heir to his ancestor's kingdom.
The third reason, which he was a bit more ashamed to admit, was that he did not want to draw more attention to himself than was already the case. It wasn't that he was shy, or that he wanted to become a nocturnal hero, but for now, he did not want to be the representative. Maybe next year, but he had far too many other things on his mind.
Iida sighed, clearly displeased to see so many hands raised. "This is a most complicated task; just because you want to do it doesn't mean you have the capabilities! You need everyone's trust, and to designate a leader who will suit everyone, we must vote!" he exclaimed before raising his hand, a drop of sweat beading on his forehead, his glasses gleaming, reflecting the splendid ray of sunlight coming to rest in front of him.
A debate among the students ensued, but Tenya's proposal was accepted by all. Gohan fixed his gaze on his friend, knowing whom he would vote for.
Iida stood up, distributed pieces of paper to each of his classmates, and waited five minutes for everyone to cast their vote, then he collected the votes. Once done, he walked to the board, picked up a piece of chalk, and began to tally the scores.
"Well, here are those who received the most votes."
Son Gohan: 4 votes
Yaoyorozu Momo: 3 votes
Izuku Midoriya: 3 votes
Bakugo Katsuki: 2 votes
Iida Tenya: 1 vote
Gohan remained nailed to his seat... he hadn't participated, so why had he received so many recommendations?! The Saiyan frantically scratched his neck as he hesitated, should he take the post, as his classmates wanted, or should he decline?
He didn't want to do it, yet... the numbers didn't lie. The Saiyan was convinced that Iida, or even Midoriya, would make a better class representative.
What he wouldn't give to hear one of Mirio's jokes right now. He would have accepted the post without any hesitation and would have gone forward, doing his best. Even Tamaki would have accepted and done his best.
Gohan rubbed his temple and winced. So if he had been chosen, it was his duty to take the post, even if he didn't want to.
Unbeknownst to him, it's often those who don't want power who make the best use of it.
Gohan walked to the board, closely followed by a trembling Midoriya, visibly shocked and unable to grasp how he had landed in such a position.
"Midoriya, are you okay?"
The green-haired boy looked into his friend's eyes, seeking even the slightest bit of comfort. "I… can't believe it. I didn't think…"
Gohan truly empathized with Izuku and understood what he was feeling. "Well, here we are. I didn't want the position, but they elected me, just as they elected you. We must do our best because they trust us! Are you with me?" Gohan declared, trying to dispel any doubts by raising his fist.
Midoriya's face brightened slightly, and though he was overwhelmed with pressure, the young man stood firm. Drawing on his strength, he raised his fist and bumped it against Gohan's, agreeing to embark on this journey at his side.
Aizawa smiled at his adoptive son and commended his bravery. "So, Son will be the representative, while Midoriya will be the deputy. If we're good, let's move on to the lesson..."
Gohan and Midoriya exchanged one last look and returned to their respective seats.
Four hours later, lunch break.
"... So I've been elected class representative," Gohan said between two gigantic bites of rice, joyously consuming unreasonable amounts of food. There were perks to studying at UA...
"I'm happy for you, Gohan. I'm sure you'll be able to handle it," Tamaki declared as he finished his plate.
Nejire suddenly burst into laughter, drawing everyone's attention. "I wish I was in your class! It sounds absolutely awesome, even more so if you're the representative! Are you going to wear glasses to look more serious? I'm sure they would look great on you!"
The question caught the young man off guard, almost causing him to spit out his food. "I don't know if it's awesome... and no, I won't wear glasses just to look more serious."
Seeing her idea rejected, Nejire pouted, experiencing one of her five-second microdepressions, during which Gohan felt overwhelmed with regret. "Actually... yes! I will do it!"
Mirio winked at Tamaki and started laughing as well. He was probably planning his first move to bring the two closer... Amajiki sighed and continued to eat peacefully, enjoying the pleasant atmosphere at the table.
"Now that I think about it..." Nejire started as she finished her plate. "The new game 'Heroes Fighting V' is coming out this weekend, we should all play it together! I even saw that Miruko is going to be in this edition! Do you think she'll be strong?"
Togata, while chewing, comically widened his eyes, certainly a spark flying in his sharp mind. "Of course! We could all gather at Gohan's place to play! What do you think?"
Everyone seemed to agree with the idea, but Nejire and Gohan didn't know it was a trap set by Mirio! He planned to cancel, and force Tamaki to do the same, so the two sweethearts would end up spending the whole day together! What a genius that Mirio was!
As the topics of conversation flowed joyfully, the alarm began to ring throughout the cafeteria, causing panic among all the students.
Gohan looked around him, as calm as he could be, and the sight of all these frightened students stirred a certain concern within him. "What does this alarm mean?"
Tamaki turned to him, looking worried but trying to contain his emotions. "It's level 3... it means someone has managed to infiltrate the academy!"
The whole group headed towards the exit under Togata's lead, who wanted to calm the situation down. The four friends hurried to reassure the worried students and began to guide them towards the exit as quickly as possible.
"But who could do this?! No one has managed to penetrate UA's grounds for years," Nejire exclaimed as they left the cafeteria.
Gohan, due to the multitude of energies in such a small room, couldn't read the nearby energy signals. However, there was no reason to worry since he hadn't felt any powerful evil energy in the vicinity. But then who could have penetrated the building?
This mystery infuriated the young Saiyan, who felt somewhat ashamed of not being able to pinpoint the threat. But perhaps it was just a false alarm?
Improbable. Aizawa had always been very clear about the hero academy's security instructions; anyone entering this place would be instantly noticed.
Suddenly, for a thousandth of a second, Gohan felt an extremely bad energy, shining in the darkness by its blackness. But hardly had he felt this energy when it disappeared, giving the impression that it was just his imagination, but he knew very well what it meant.
"Whoever it is, we need to stay on our guard and lead everyone to the evacuation zone," Mirio declared before smiling at the students, his smile's radiance bringing some calm, reassuring those most frightened by his mere presence.
Among this mass of frightened students were Son's classmates, who were also concerned about the turn of events. However, the comforting appearance of UA's Big Three had alleviated their fears.
It had barely been thirty seconds since the alarm sounded, but the students, in line, were using the corridor leading to the exit. However, heading there, the students could get a clear view of the courtyard through the windows.
"It's just the media..." Gohan breathed out, initially relieved by the surprising news. He then felt a silent anger towards those people ready to invade a school and scare students, just to sell their pitiful newspapers. Yet, something was off...
"It's incredible. They managed to infiltrate the building? The security is supposed to be too tight for them to get through... well, I thought so," said Tamaki as behind him, the students, now fully reassured, were heading to their classrooms.
Togata squinted his eyes; there was something false in this whole story. He turned to Gohan, who nodded.
The whole group was seized by a terrible presentiment; there was a deeper meaning than just the media, they were sure of it, but for now, it was up to the teachers to find out who was behind this intrusion.
"Simple journalists couldn't have destroyed the door. Could it be villains? Or maybe there was a villain among the journalists?" Nejire questioned as the four friends headed towards the classroom.
Gohan sighed and gave Mirio a concise look. "I don't know. But I have a bad feeling, I think we should all be on our guard."
They nodded and shared one last look before splitting up to return to their classes.
The half-day that followed was strangely ordinary, as if everything was fine, and the teachers managed to maintain a rather effective facade, to the point that most students thought everything was alright.
However, for anyone with a minimum of experience in reading facial expressions, it wasn't hard to spot moments of wandering, doubt, and even fleeting fears among the teachers. This increasingly confirmed Gohan's theory; it was something more than just journalists; his instinct was screaming at him to be cautious.
Once classes ended, the Saiyan went home, accompanied by his friends. The discussions were relatively pleasant, but all kept in mind that there was an issue. They all said goodbye, and Son pushed open the front door of his house.
Aizawa wasn't there, which wasn't unusual, and he was likely to return even later than usual. The half-blood Saiyan went up to his room and put down his belongings. A book caught his attention, but he wasn't in the mood to read.
Son sat on his mattress, and after a few minutes of thinking, decided to change and go out to investigate as a vigilante. He opened his closet, searched the back, and pulled out a small secret box containing some discreet clothes.
His vigilante outfit was entirely black. His whole body was covered, and for his face, he wore a scarf up to his nose, which gave him an unintentional ninja-like appearance, but this way, he was hardly noticeable at night.
The boy stored the box at the bottom of the closet. He then went down to the living room, took a piece of paper, and left a note for his tutor.
"I'm out of supplies, so I'm going hunting. If I don't come back before dinner or your return, there's a pizza in the fridge.
See you tonight,
Gohan."
Gohan went out through the garden and disappeared instantly, his speed was so great. A long night awaited him, and he wouldn't return unless he got an answer to his questions.
Over the next hour, he moved throughout the city, watching for any appearance of evil energy. None showed up in an hour, just small fry that were defeated in less than a second.
It was far too strange... normally, there was massive activity from villains, especially at night. Currently, there was almost none, and this worried Gohan.
It should reassure him, yet this sudden absence of villains was concerning.
He continued to patrol and watch over the city for another three hours. It was 11 PM, and he had only stopped three villains, all extremely weak.
Deciding he needed to eat before continuing his search, the Saiyan headed to the north of the country to hunt a bit. He quickly found prey, which he consumed without delay; he didn't have time to savor if he wanted to continue his investigation.
Once his meal was concluded, he returned to the city and waited patiently for any sign until midnight. In three more hours of work, he only stopped two additional villains. The city was much too calm, something was brewing; he could feel it growing stronger with every passing second, yet he couldn't make any progress in his investigation.
But what was that demonic energy that had tried to attack UA? This energy was powerful, enough for him to feel it through the mass of students in which he was submerged at that moment.
No doubt, this individual was hiding their power or strongly repressing it, because Gohan didn't have time to learn more.
Gohan, then at the top of a building admiring the stars, clenched his teeth and fists. He desperately wanted to know, but he had no leads.
Two more hours passed, and he stopped another low-level villain. Seeing that he was making no progress, the young man finally decided to return home, disheartened and worried by the lack of clues gathered.
During his evening of work, he had made a round towards UA and had observed the gate reduced to rubble, surely the act of this malevolent energy. That was the only valuable information he could find.
Regardless, tomorrow he would return to hunting for information and find this terrible force that had dared to attack his school. He couldn't let such energy roam free, for the safety of the people he loved...
Once home, Gohan changed into more casual clothes. He wasn't really sleepy, and the knot in his throat didn't help him close his eyes, so he decided to check if Aizawa had returned, which he had.
His tutor was sleeping, but Son could sense fluctuations in his energy; it wasn't a restful sleep. It was unsurprising that Shota couldn't sleep well, and it must have been the case for all the academy's teachers.
Half an hour passed, and finally, Gohan collapsed from fatigue. His sleep was dreamless, and he woke up only five hours later, ready for another day of classes.
He went down to the living room and headed to the kitchen to serve himself some bowls of cereal. Aizawa was waiting on the couch, his dark circles quite visible. As he was serving his breakfast, his tutor got up and headed to the kitchen.
"You said in your note that you were going out hunting, didn't you?" He suddenly asked. "There's no new supply of food. Where did you go last night?"
Gohan immediately stopped eating and turned to his tutor. He could lie, or he could tell a half-truth. "I just couldn't sleep, I have a bad feeling. I went outside to walk around and clear my head, and I lost track of time."
Shota knew Gohan well, and he could see through his lies with unsettling ease, but it was true that Son was a poor liar. The man placed a hand on the boy's shoulder and offered his tired smile.
"If the alarm is what's worrying you, you don't need to be afraid, it's nothing. It's not reasonable for you to worry about that. It was a false alarm," he declared simply, sitting down next to him. He poured two glasses of orange juice and handed one to Gohan.
Gohan knew his tutor was also lying to protect him, but the Saiyan was aware it was a real alert. The young man took the glass of orange juice and drank it in one go before staring at his tutor in the eyes.
"Okay... I need to eat quickly and go!" he declared, seeking a burst of energy; the day was going to be long, and he didn't want to be hungry. "I think we're going somewhere for training today, right?"
Indeed, Aizawa had informed his students the day before that an outing would take place the next day, normally it should have taken place that very afternoon, but after the alarm, it was decided to postpone it by a day.
Shota sighed and drank his glass. "Yes, to the USJ. You can tell your classmates or not, it's not a secret."
"Oh, the USJ..." Gohan repeated, briefly recalling the information his tutor and friends had given him about this rescue training center.
The Saiyan finished his breakfast, grabbed his things without delay, and headed to Mirio's house. There he met his best friend, then they went to pick up Tamaki, and later met Nejire at the train station.
Hado joined the group, bringing her boundless joy. "Hi! Oh Gohan, you look like you slept badly, your dark circles are as impressive as Mr. Aizawa's! Are you guys having a contest to see who sleeps the worst? Can I join?"
Gohan burst into hearty laughter, and everyone else joined in joyfully. "A dark circles contest?! I could never win. I just didn't sleep very well last night, that's all."
Mirio gave his friend a meaningful look. "Are you okay?"
Honestly, Gohan didn't feel very well at all. Between the morning conversation with Aizawa and his fruitless nighttime searches, he hadn't had the best time of his life. However, he held onto the hope that his day would get better.
"A good night's sleep, and I'll be in top form!"
Nejire seemed reassured and smiled even wider. "Great! You need to be in shape this weekend for our video game day!"
Gohan smiled, and the conversation resumed its usual course, with Mirio's jokes and Hado's incessant questions. Gohan cherished this moment, like all those he spent with his friends, everything seemed so... peaceful, so serene. He felt so good with them; they were like a second family to him.
They parted ways to go to their classes, and it would be the last time they saw each other before the tragedy.
Unbeknownst to them, nothing would be the same at UA after what was about to happen...
The morning classes passed quietly and in good spirits. It was then time for lunch, but Mirio, Tamaki, and Nejire had a test, so they couldn't eat together.
Gohan sat at the table with Midoriya, Iida, and Uraraka. The atmosphere was pleasant, and everyone ate while chatting jovially. During the conversation, the young man learned that Iida was the younger brother of Ingenium.
Once the meal was over, everyone returned to the classroom.
Aizawa was waiting for them and explained that they would be conducting a rescue exercise at the USJ, as announced the day before.
"Awesome, that's a real hero's job!" Kirishima exclaimed, joined by many others.
"Settle down, calm down," the teacher began before making the lockers emerge from the walls with his remote control. "You're free to wear your costume or not, as some might hinder you during this exercise. Since the USJ is quite far on the campus, we'll go there by bus. Now, get ready, and we'll meet in 10 minutes at the building's exit."
Gohan headed towards the lockers but noticed that his outfit was in a... let's say somewhat damaged state. The fight against Mirio had left some tears on the upper part of the outfit, but fortunately, the rest was in good condition.
He still had his t-shirt for the top, and since the rest of the outfit was still okay, the support department had let him keep his outfit while they made a new one.
He quickly put on his outfit and joined the others outside where he found Midoriya and Uraraka deep in conversation. Midoriya's hero costume also had some minor tears but was still fully functional, which was true for most of the students in the class.
Uraraka, on the other hand, had no worries about her perfectly intact costume. "Wow, your outfits got pretty beaten up during All Might's exercise!"
Izuku nodded, very determined for today's exercise. "Yes, but it's still completely usable. The support department will probably repair it after today's exercise."
"I think so too," Gohan added as they all headed towards the bus. "Are you ready for the exercise?"
Uraraka and Deku both nodded, their expressions clearly showing their motivation.
Gohan smiled at his friends' enthusiasm, and his mood improved slightly. For now, nothing seemed to disrupt the day's smooth progress. However, Gohan remained vigilant; yesterday's alarm still echoed in his mind, and until he had the answer, he would not let it go.
The whole class boarded the bus heading to the USJ, and the discussions began, each talking about their powers until the conversation shifted to the world of professional heroes.
Aoyama spoke up. "Ah, my friends, you should know that the pro world is like a huge popularity contest. Just look at my magnificent and dazzling belly button laser! It's spectacular and powerful enough to match a professional."
"I think the popularity contest will be between Bakugo, Todoroki, and Son," Tsuyu declared before turning to Katsuki. "But Bakugo is too hot-tempered; he won't be popular..."
Katsuki shot a hateful look at the frog girl. "Shut up, I'll be very popular," he said with force and determination, but without shouting.
Kaminari chuckled a bit and joined the debate. "That's clear, but Todoroki is too solitary. I think it will be Son who's the most popular of the three."
"I think so too," said Tsuyu, and the others agreed with her viewpoint.
Gohan, who was quietly drawing, turned towards them, embarrassed. He closed his notebook and scratched his neck. "I don't know, but thanks..."
He had never placed much importance on popularity; all that mattered was preserving peace; everything else was just a bonus. The young Saiyan wanted people to see him as a role model, if possible, and he knew that in a profession like his, popularity unfortunately played a major role.
He would have to be ready to embrace popularity one day if he truly wanted to become the next protector of Earth.
The bus stopped and parked not far from the rescue training area, named USJ. The students got off with enthusiasm, eager to start the exercise, and then headed towards the entrance.
The building was enormous, far beyond what one could imagine, and Gohan really wondered where UA got its funding. The complex was divided into several key areas simulating natural disasters, such as fires, landslides, or floods, among others.
It was realistic and very impressive; the students of class 1-A were greatly surprised by the diversity of disasters, which motivated them even more to do their best.
The professional hero No. 13, who was waiting for them at the end of the immense corridor, began to speak. "This place I've created simulates all kinds of natural disasters, and I've named it USJ."
Uraraka and Midoriya, to Gohan's right, began to geek out over the hero, which wasn't surprising for Midoriya but much more so for Ochaco. The half-blood Saiyan held back a laugh and watched them share their joy.
No. 13's reputation as a rescue hero was quite incredible, and the number of feats to their credit could make many other professional heroes pale in comparison. Gohan found the hero admirable for saving so many lives, but he remembered very well the few fiascos No. 13 had faced in combat against villains.
But he decided to focus again on the lesson in front of him and take mental notes. He still had a lot to learn, and no doubt an accomplished professional could help him perfect his skills.
While the students chatted happily, brimming with impatience, Aizawa took the opportunity to speak to his colleague. "Where is All Might? He should be here..."
No. 13 sighed and looked directly into the grumpy man's eyes. "From what I understand, he ended up working all morning until he exhausted himself. He only has about twenty minutes left, and he should be here at the end of the class."
Shota nodded, absorbing the information. It was inconvenient, but they would make do for now. "What an irrational man... Never mind, we'll do without him until the end of the class."
His colleague smiled behind her helmet and stepped forward towards the students, drawing their attention. "Alright everyone, before we begin, I have a thing to say, or two... no, three... or four," she declared, counting on her fingers, which only served to unsettle the young people listening.
"I know you're already aware, but my Quirk is called 'Black Hole.' I fear that anything absorbed into the black hole is reduced to dust," she began in a more serious tone than before, but it went unnoticed by many students.
Midoriya, ecstatic, couldn't help but speak up following the brief silence from the teacher. "It's an incredibly effective power when it comes to pulling people out of rubble!"
Uraraka nodded, declaring it was "so cool."
No. 13 paused again and sighed. "Indeed, however, this power, just like yours, can just as easily be used to kill someone, and that without the slightest difficulty."
No one dared to speak after hearing such words. Gohan simply watched the woman, understanding; he knew firsthand what it was like to have an immensely powerful ability. He was aware that with even a minor slip, he could eliminate his opponent, and if he lost complete control of the situation, he could destroy the planet, if not the solar system.
In this, he found No. 13's speech meaningful and important for young heroes in training to absorb.
"Understand that although our society is built on superpowers, and there are laws and regulations in place to maintain control, if you lose control of your power, even just a simple misstep, you could end human lives... During the test with Aizawa, you've seen the true potential of your powers, and during All Might's exercise, you've become aware, among other things, of the danger of using your power against another person."
The students nodded, and those who had not yet fully grasped this understood their teacher's message completely.
"Good! This class will serve as a new beginning. We're going to see how your abilities can save lives! Your powers are not meant to harm but to help those in need," the heroine finished, in a much more jovial tone.
Gohan greatly admired this teacher; she was a very kind and respectable person. These were the kind of heroes the young man appreciated the most, those who simply wanted to save lives, not seeking profit or notoriety.
Izuku, as well as the majority of his classmates, nodded their heads with great enthusiasm, all fired up, brimming with passion!
Suddenly, just when everything seemed to be going perfectly, Gohan felt his entire being shudder, a terrible chill running through his body. A multitude of energies imbued with violence and bloodlust made their appearance, appearing in the middle of the vast central hall of the USJ.
The Saiyan immediately turned towards the source of the problem, his ki rising instinctively. What he saw confirmed his worst fears... A black rift, similar to a portal of darkness, allowed the forces of evil to infiltrate without fear or difficulty into the USJ, and who knows... into UA?
The energies were weak but numerous... so numerous that Gohan lost count quickly, as the influx seemed to never stop. Until an energy made its appearance.
An evil energy all too familiar, chilling his blood and making his eyes widen.
"No... it can't be!" he screamed in despair as the demonic force approached, while all eyes turned towards him, unaware of what was coming.
Aizawa noticed the shock and terror in his son's eyes and followed the direction of his gaze. The man was shocked for a brief moment but regained his composure; an attack of this magnitude on UA... it hadn't been attempted in decades...
"Don't move!" shouted Shota to his students, the thrill of adrenaline fully coursing through his veins. His priority was to protect his students and his son.
Gohan didn't move. Didn't breathe. Didn't even blink, totally shocked as he stared in awe at the monstrous form emerging from the portal.
This energy, so painfully familiar, was the symbol of his worst nightmares, the misfortune that had destroyed his life and his family...
He was like he was five years ago, his grotesque body reminding him of his father's death and the suffering he had inflicted on all his close friends...
The son of Son Goku then witnessed what was the prelude to the opening of the gates of hell...
Despite the distance, their eyes met, and the young man could see all the macabre amusement in the violet eyes of the perfect android. Gohan trembled and couldn't control his fear mixed with his incomprehension, but a much more dangerous feeling surfaced.
Hatred. The rage that had been boiling in the depths of his heart and body for years towards the terrible monster resurfaced. It didn't matter how he had arrived in this world... all that mattered to Son Gohan was to put an end to the planetary threat that was Cell.
Never again would he see his friends being beaten to death under his helpless gaze while the monster chuckled softly.
Gohan remembered it perfectly, that hatred, that abominable rage that had grown in him as Cell's offspring slaughtered the people he loved and cherished. He remembered perfectly the death of his brave friend A16...
The monster crushing his head with a sigh of irritation...
Aizawa turned to his colleague and assessed the situation during the brief time he had. All the students were grouped together and could quickly flee towards the exit, but to do that, he needed to buy as much time as possible to ensure their safety...
"Number 13, protect the students!" Aizawa yelled with as much force as possible before putting on his combat glasses.
"I don't think that will be possible."
Moving at a speed greater than that of light, Cell appeared right in front of the main teacher, arms crossed and a small satisfied smile etched on his lips, savoring the present moment delicately.
He was there, right in front of his eyes... yet, Gohan's legs refused to move, paralyzed by a primal fear. He was so fast... how could he be so rapid, it was incredible, he barely saw him move towards them.
Cell's aura of death made all the students of the academy, as well as the two teachers, fall to the ground, only Gohan managed to remain standing, the pressure threatening to make him fall miserably.
Cell had become so powerful that his mere presence generated an overwhelming pressure... even when trying to sense his ki, the young man could only glimpse the true capabilities of his sworn enemy.
"So, Son Gohan... what do you think of my new power? Do you like it?"
Gohan found nothing to say, he just stared at his nemesis vehemently, forcing his body to transform into a Super Saiyan 1. It was unbelievable how the pressure had paralyzed him and his senses for many seconds.
Even a god-level ki, if it existed, could never produce such effects... But how had Cell become even more monstrous than he was five years ago?!
"How?" Gohan asked in a violent tone, as Cell uncrossed his arms.
"Ah! How have I become even more perfect? Or how am I still alive and here?" the abomination exclaimed, glaring hard at the Saiyan.
Son did not take his eyes off his enemy, ready to act as soon as necessary, this conversation would never last long...
"Gohan..." whispered the weak voice of Shota, his guardian, as he tried in vain to get up, forcing his legs to resist the intense energy pressure. The teacher's gaze turned towards the threat, and despite the man's weakness, he dared to look Cell in the eye, threatening him with his gaze.
Aizawa didn't know exactly who this villain was, but just looking at this kind of mutant grasshopper was enough to understand that he was a villain who had traumatized the child he had been protecting for years.
Gohan would never again experience that kind of suffering, he had promised to protect him at the risk of his life when he decided to adopt him. Aizawa would fight and win, no matter the power of the opponent.
"Silence, Shota Aizawa!" exclaimed Cell, causing Gohan to tremble with fear at the implications behind this declaration.
"Cell! How?!"
The android chuckled softly. "Oh come on, I thought you were smarter. You see, when that beam brought us to this world, I was on the verge of dying, by your hand. However, I miraculously survived due to this teleportation... I appeared at the top of a frozen mountain, and the rest of my body was frozen for several months."
Gohan couldn't believe his ears; all this time, Cell had still been alive, and he had never sensed him. He suddenly felt overwhelmed with regret, thinking that if he had been smarter, he could have found Cell and eliminated him quickly, before he became a danger again...
"A masked, injured man and his mad doctor found me paralyzed in the ice, and they offered me a pact. They would make me stronger, more perfect, to kill you, the 'greatest hero' on the planet. I accepted, and here I am, dozens of times more powerful than in our last fight! I have prepared my revenge for three years, and today, Son Gohan, you will die by my hand! Don't worry, I'll take care of everyone you love too... as I planned."
The young Saiyan's entire body shivered with fear, not at the thought of dying, but if he couldn't surpass his limits and once and for all eliminate Cell, he would die, and everyone he loved would also die...
The monster then looked at Aizawa, whose shining eyes had no effect on him. The monster extended his hand and then shouted, projecting a powerful kiai towards Gohan's guardian.
The battle was finally beginning.
Gohan threw himself at his guardian and knocked him to the ground, dodging the brutal technique. He was at a complete disadvantage... he would never be able to fight properly while having to protect his classmates.
They had certainly heard the entire conversation, and they watched Gohan, transformed into a Super Saiyan, in shock. That was a problem for later.
Despite the overwhelming power of his opponent, Gohan would find the necessary resources to confront him; he was convinced he would not lose. Not again.
"I see you managed to save him in time. My congratulations," Cell mockingly said before turning to the other villains, who were waiting below. "Shigaraki! The students are all yours..."
The villain with blue hair and a mad gaze approached Cell and growled, "I'm the group leader, you don't have to give me orders; you're just the team's offensive character." He said in a tone clearly displeased, but he had no choice but to obey and follow the plan.
Suddenly, a black portal, similar to the one that had transported the villains to the training area, surrounded the paralyzed students, leaving Aizawa and No. 13 free. Gohan turned to them, fearing for their lives, and tried to erect a ki barrier around them, but the black mist seeped through the protection.
"Damn it!" he yelled as he saw all his friends disappear before his eyes, feeling their energy disappear momentarily before reappearing, scattered throughout the area. At least they were alive, which somewhat comforted the young man, but if he didn't hurry, they could be murdered!
Cell spread his arms wide and fixed his gaze on Gohan. "I declare the opening of the second Cell Games!" he announced with a wide demonic smile, while his golden electric aura surrounded him like an incandescent blaze. "Let's begin."
Cell growled and decided to start the warm-up. Without another word, the monster lunged at Gohan with a powerful hand-chop attack, which the young man managed to dodge by leaping backward.
Cell's power was immense, and his speed was astonishing. The monster rushed towards Gohan, looking malevolent, and thrust his right fist towards his face. It was too late to dodge, so he blocked the attack by catching it in his hand, squeezing as hard as he could.
Then Cell swung his long leg towards Gohan's stomach, and the half-blood Saiyan jumped into the air to dodge it, then he brought his knee down on Cell's face, who stood tall and proud as if he was untouchable, leaving huge gaps in his defense.
The attack made contact with the monster's cheek, which didn't even move an inch from its position. Cell's eyes shifted towards him, and in them, Goku's son read disappointment... That was the last thing he expected from the monster.
"I'm letting you hit me, and I feel nothing? How pathetic! Why don't you transform into Super Saiyan 2? If you think you can test my power with this limited form, you'll achieve nothing. Or is it because you fear hurting your precious guardian due to the pressure? Don't worry, I'll relieve you of this burden!"
Cell roared, extended his hand, and released a yellow energy sphere powerful enough to blow up the entire entrance of the building, as well as the next few meters. Gohan lunged forward, using his back as a shield, and took the full brunt of the attack.
The young man screamed in pain as the burn took hold, but he had successfully intercepted the incoming attack, thus saving Shota's life... Gohan immediately got up, grabbed his guardian by the collar, and did the same for No. 13. He had to move them! He couldn't protect them with his current power, and if he transformed into Super Saiyan 2, the power he would emit would deal the final blow to Aizawa and No. 13, who were already struggling to stay conscious.
"Gohan... don't worry about me and fight him with all your might!" Aizawa gasped as Gohan grabbed him.
"No! You won't withstand the power our energies will emit! You'd die!"
Cell watched the scene with boredom; he had waited five years to make this little monkey suffer, and he wanted to crush him when he was at the peak of his power. He wanted to dominate him in every aspect of the fight and then kill everyone he loved in front of his eyes, without the slightest ounce of mercy... but he was starting to get impatient!
The boy was still focused on protecting others and not on his own survival; it was time to bring him back to reality. Increasing his power considerably, Cell moved incredibly fast and appeared right in front of his enemy.
"I'm starting to get bored; allow me to solve the problem!"
With those words, the android bypassed Gohan's defense and smashed his fist into his face, sending him flying to the next wall, embedding him in it. Cell extended his hand forward and created ki handcuffs, imprisoning his enemy, rendering him powerless.
Just like when he watched his friends get tortured. Just like when he watched A16 die, he was going to watch with his own eyes the death of the man who had taken him in and loved him.
Finally, this problem was going to be fun to eliminate, Cell thought. He knew this would enrage Gohan, and once his chains were broken, he would have no trouble fighting him with all his might.
"Watch how your stupidity leads this man to his death. You could have transformed into Super Saiyan 2, the pressure would have certainly killed him since he's just a pathetic human, but perhaps he would have survived. Now, I sentence him to death, right before your eyes..."
Cell prolonged the moment, charging an energy sphere in his palm, while Gohan struggled to break the ki handcuffs and rush to his adoptive father's aid.
Gohan was enraged, having naively thought he could safeguard his mentor and teacher before fighting. He didn't want to take the risk. Cell's power was immense, but if he could transform into Super Saiyan 2, he'd stand a chance...
As Cell charged the deadly energy in his hand, Gohan watched, struggling fiercely. How had things come to this? Until yesterday, everyone was living their lives peacefully... while Cell prepared to destroy the world for his selfish pleasure.
He couldn't tolerate it any longer! He didn't want the people he loved to die before his eyes! Not Aizawa, who had been nothing but kind and caring towards him. He had been Gohan's first and true hero, a man who had accepted, healed, loved, and was proud of him. Gohan loved Aizawa deeply and could never let him die before his eyes.
A tremendous anger rose in Gohan, who, mastering the control of his power perfectly, managed to break the ki handcuffs, forcing and screaming like a madman. The power he released caused an earthquake across the area, and the ground cracked for hundreds of meters, tearing through the USJ as if it were nothing.
Gohan had maximized the power of his Super Saiyan 1, and the environmental damage was already significant, the earth still trembling, the effect increasing with each step that brought him closer to Cell.
The monster raised an eyebrow. "I'm impressed, you're not transformed, yet your power is equivalent to your Super Saiyan 2 level from five years ago. However, compared to my power, you are just a pitiful ant trying to confront a lion."
Gohan walked slowly, his blue eyes deadly cold. "Stop talking! I'll make you pay!" he yelled before disappearing suddenly, the entire building shaking from top to bottom.
The young man reappeared right in front of Cell and grabbed the hand charging the ki sphere, then with a swift movement, he pulled Cell towards him and drove his knee into the monster's chest. The impact was so powerful that the monster's eyes widened, and he spat a mixture of blood and saliva onto Gohan's hero costume.
Deciding they needed to leave the battleground to avoid injuring his friends, Gohan flung Cell into the sky and followed him, leaving behind a trail of golden energy.
Aizawa, lying on the ground, was finally free from Cell's intense pressure and managed to stand up. He watched in slight shock as his son fought for his life to protect him and all the students. He didn't know how the boy had managed to free himself and reach the villain without generating a deadly pressure for him, but he had done it!
Seizing the opportunity, Aizawa helped No. 13 to stand and decided to go rescue his students, then evacuate the area. The only other person he knew capable of fighting in this hellish scenario was All Might, the mightiest of heroes.
High in the sky, a fierce battle ensued, with the warriors' blows making the heavens scream in agony, the shockwaves causing the earth to tremble for miles, and the ocean churned dangerously. Threatening and roaring, a true storm formed above the two warriors, whose power was such that the sky bent to their will.
Aizawa was momentarily speechless at the power of the battle, as was No. 13, who struggled to walk alone. What was happening here was legendary; it wasn't just a simple fight between good and evil, as there were continuously, but a fight to the death between the two.
Shota was seized by abject terror, knowing that only his son was capable of defeating Cell... "Stay strong, Gohan..."
To be continued...