The crisp mountain air pressed against Vegeta's face as he stood with his arms crossed, a sentinel amidst the wild expanse of nature. The jagged peaks framed the clearing below, where Pan stood ready, her stance set low against the uneven rocky ground. The distant roar of a waterfall cascaded down from the cliffs, splashing into a serene pond, its steady rush blending with the stillness of the surrounding trees. The landscape was unforgiving, with large boulders scattered across the area, offering natural arenas for training. This was the perfect setting for Pan's next lesson—a place where the environment itself would push her to her limits.
Vegeta's tail swayed slowly, its movements betraying the irritation he felt at the man beside him. "Are you here to offer some kind of wisdom, Kakarot, or are you just going to stand there grinning like an idiot?"
Goku chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "I'm just here to see how she does. Relax, Vegeta."
Vegeta shot him a glare but chose not to waste more words on him. His attention turned back to Pan, who stood a few meters away, her small figure illuminated by the afternoon sun. She had just turned nine, and despite her youth, there was a steel-like determination in her gaze that reminded him of himself in his early years.
Today was the day. She would prove her ability to wield the Big Bang Attack—not just to unleash it, but to control it. Vegeta had made it clear: raw power meant nothing without precision. If she was to master this technique, every movement had to carry intent.
"Begin," Vegeta commanded, his tone sharp as the mountain air.
Pan nodded, her brow furrowed in concentration. Her arm extended, palm upward, as she called forth her energy. The faint hum of ki filled the clearing, and a flicker of blue light began to form just above her hand.
Vegeta's gaze narrowed. She's doing it, he thought, watching as the energy coalesced into a small, unstable orb.
"Steady," he barked, his voice cutting through the faint roar of the waterfall. "Don't force it. Let the energy shape itself naturally. If you push, it'll collapse."
Pan didn't respond, her focus unshaken. The orb grew brighter, its surface rippling with raw power as she adjusted her stance. Vegeta could see the effort in every muscle of her body, the tension in her jaw as she fought to maintain control.
Goku, standing beside Vegeta, tilted his head with a smile. "She's got the hang of it, huh?"
Vegeta grunted in response. "She's barely holding it together. Watch closely. She's wasting energy."
The orb began to stabilize, its glow intensifying as Pan's aura flared to life. Golden light surrounded her, flickering in rhythm with the pulsating energy in her palm. Vegeta's sharp eyes tracked every movement, noting the subtle shifts in her stance as she adjusted to the weight of the ki.
"Now," Vegeta said, his tone commanding. "Release it. But aim with intent. Don't just throw it blindly."
Pan took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling as she steadied herself. With a fierce shout, she thrust her hands forward.
"Big Bang Attack!"
The orb surged ahead, a blazing sphere of energy tearing through the air. Rocks and loose dirt scattered as the sheer force of the attack ripped across the clearing, heading straight for the boulder Vegeta had marked as her target.
The explosion was immediate and violent, lighting up the mountainside in a burst of blue and white. The ground shook beneath their feet, and the sound echoed through the surrounding peaks. When the dust settled, the boulder was gone, reduced to nothing but scattered rubble.
Pan lowered her arms, her breath coming in heavy gasps as she turned toward Vegeta, her face alight with triumph. "Well?" she asked, her voice carrying a mix of pride and challenge.
Vegeta stepped forward, his arms still crossed as he surveyed the aftermath. His eyes flicked between the rubble, the faint traces of energy in the air, and Pan's stance.
"It's acceptable," he said finally, his tone even.
Pan blinked, her grin faltering. "Acceptable?"
Vegeta smirked faintly, though his gaze remained sharp. "Don't get cocky, girl. You hit the target, but your execution was sloppy. You wasted far more energy than necessary, and your trajectory wavered at the last second. If this were a real battle, you'd already be dead."
Pan frowned, her small fists clenching at her sides. "But I still did it!"
"Barely," Vegeta retorted, his tail flicking sharply behind him. "A true warrior doesn't rely on luck. If you want to master this technique, you'll need more than brute strength. You'll need discipline."
From behind, Goku's laugh broke the tension. "Aw, come on, Vegeta. That was awesome! Pan, you've got real talent."
Vegeta shot him a scathing look. "She doesn't need your meaningless praise, Kakarot. If you want her to grow, she needs to hear the truth."
Goku raised his hands in mock surrender, his grin undeterred. "Alright, alright. You're the teacher here."
Pan crossed her arms, her expression defiant as she looked up at Vegeta. "What do I need to fix?"
Vegeta studied her for a moment, his gaze calculating. "Your stance, for starters," he said bluntly. "You're still too rigid. Flexibility is key when redirecting energy or adjusting mid-attack. And control your ki flow. Don't dump everything into the attack—reserve enough to maintain balance."
Pan nodded, her expression thoughtful as she absorbed his critique. Despite the faint trace of frustration in her eyes, her determination didn't waver.
"Again," Vegeta commanded, stepping back to give her space. "This time, focus on precision."
As Pan reset her stance, Vegeta allowed himself a brief moment of introspection. She had come far—further than he'd expected in such a short time. Her progress was undeniable, but there was still much work to be done.
"Don't hold back," Vegeta added, his voice softer but no less firm. "If you want to surpass me, you'll have to earn it."
Pan's eyes lit up at the challenge, her golden aura flaring once more as she prepared for another attempt. Vegeta's sharp gaze remained locked on her, his mind steady despite the chaos of the mountain clearing.
She's improving, he thought, his faint smirk returning. But she still has a long way to go.
Beside him, Goku folded his arms, his grin softening as he watched Pan. "She's got your drive, Vegeta. And your stubbornness."
"Hmph," Vegeta muttered, his tone carrying a hint of pride. "Let's see if she has what it takes to make it count."
As the mountain air settled once more, Pan's energy rose like a beacon, her relentless determination shining through. For Vegeta, it was a reminder of the Saiyan spirit—unyielding, unbreakable, and always reaching for more.