"Eh? You don't have anything to teach me?"
Branch puffed up his cheeks, clearly unhappy. His brows furrowed as he stared at Piccolo.
"You just said watching Gohan grow is training… and now you say you can't teach me anything?"
His voice carried a hint of grievance.
That pure disappointment made Piccolo feel a rare sense of guilt.
This kid… was genuinely trying to learn.
"I mean…" Piccolo quickly corrected himself, raising a hand.
"I can't teach you how to increase your power…"
"But I can teach you how to control it."
Piccolo's tone steadied as he found his footing.
"Yes… that's it."
"A true warrior," he continued, "can release power freely—and control it just as easily."
"When you unleashed your energy just now, a lot of it was wasted."
"It didn't become attack or defense—it just spilled out and damaged the environment."
Branch blinked.
Listening carefully.
"If you use your energy properly," Piccolo went on, "you can fight longer and more efficiently… especially against someone near your level."
"…Though finding such an opponent might be difficult."
"Wasn't I controlling it already?" Branch asked, tilting his head.
"You stopped it, yes. You released it, yes," Piccolo replied.
"But the process wasn't precise."
"True control means every bit of energy obeys you."
"It goes where you want. Does what you want."
Piccolo raised his hand.
A small green energy sphere formed in his palm.
It didn't explode.
It flowed.
The energy twisted, compressed, expanded—perfectly controlled.
"This," Piccolo said, "is control."
Branch's eyes lit up.
He leaned closer.
The power was tiny compared to his own—
But the technique?
Interesting.
"Your father might not have more energy than you," Piccolo added.
"He might just control it better."
"…Go on," Branch said eagerly.
Piccolo nodded.
Then continued more seriously:
"I've noticed something."
"You and your father… don't restrain your energy—you suppress it."
"There's a difference."
"Suppression is like putting a lid on boiling water."
"The pressure is still there."
"It's just being held down."
"Restraint," he said, "is turning boiling water into a calm lake."
Branch listened carefully.
"If suppression goes too far…" Piccolo narrowed his eyes.
"One day—it will explode."
"What kind of explosion?" Branch asked.
"You'll lose control."
"Your energy will control you."
"You'll become a beast that only destroys."
He paused.
Then added:
"Like a compressed spring snapping loose."
Branch thought for a moment.
"…But my dad never had that problem."
Piccolo nodded slowly.
"These are just my guesses."
"Maybe Saiyan bodies can handle it."
"Or maybe your father found balance."
He shrugged.
"But learning control instead of suppression is always better."
Then—
He changed the topic.
"…Do you also get stronger every day like your father?"
Branch shook his head.
"No."
"I was born with this much energy."
Piccolo:
"…What?"
His brain froze.
Born… with it?
He stared at Branch.
Speechless.
So this kid… didn't train for this power…
He was born like this?!
His mind spiraled.
"Piccolo, I want to try your method," Branch said.
"…Alright."
Piccolo took a breath.
Then began teaching seriously.
Step by step.
Slowly.
Clearly.
How to guide energy.
How to calm it.
How to circulate it.
Branch closed his eyes.
This time—
He didn't suppress.
He guided.
The wild energy inside him—
Like untamed horses—
Slowly—
Began to settle.
Flowing smoothly.
Not weaker.
But calmer.
He opened his eyes.
Excited.
"This actually works!"
"It's easier to control now!"
Piccolo felt… complicated.
Proud.
But also—
A little defeated.
This kid learns too fast…
At this rate…
I can't even beat the son… let alone the father…
But still—
He clenched his fists.
Even so… I'll keep getting stronger.
That was his way.
Night Falls
Darkness swallowed the land.
The temperature dropped sharply.
Cold winds howled.
Far below—
Gohan trembled on the cliff.
"…I'm so hungry…"
"…so cold…"
"…I think I'm going to die…"
"…Mom… Dad…"
"…I want to go home…"
His voice was faint.
Almost lost in the wind.
Branch heard it.
And it pierced his heart.
"…I'll get him some food."
Before Piccolo could respond—
Branch vanished.
Soon—
He returned.
With a bag of apples.
"Only found apples nearby."
He tossed two down.
Gohan froze.
Then—
Pounced.
CRUNCH!
He devoured it.
Then—
Stopped.
"…Why is it so sour…?"
His face twisted.
"…I want steamed buns…"
"…Mom's cooking…"
Tears fell again.
Piccolo crossed his arms.
"This kid is too spoiled."
"If he can't handle this, send him home."
But Branch shook his head.
"I believe in him."
Piccolo said nothing more.
Late Night Training
Both sat cross-legged midair.
Meditating.
Hours passed.
Moonlight covered the land.
Suddenly—
"Achoo!"
Both opened their eyes.
Gohan shivered violently below.
Branch almost sneezed too—
But held it back.
"You must NEVER come out right now…"
he muttered.
Piccolo frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Branch turned serious.
"If I sneeze…"
"Run."
"…Run far."
"No—leave the planet."
Piccolo: "…?"
"…You better not ask."
Piccolo didn't.
But he remembered.
The Moon Rises
Gohan stood near the cliff.
Looking down.
"…How do I get down…?"
Then—
He paused.
"…Why is it so bright…?"
He looked up.
A full moon.
Huge.
Brilliant.
Moonlight poured down.
His pupils shrank.
A red glow appeared.
Above—
Branch looked up too.
"…Full moon."
Piccolo suddenly froze.
A memory flashed.
Saiyans… transform under the full moon.
His eyes widened.
He turned sharply.
"Branch… can you turn into a Great Ape?"
"No," Branch said calmly.
"I can't."
Piccolo exhaled.
Relieved.
"…Good."
If it were Branch—
Even one-tenth power was already catastrophic.
Ten times that?
The Earth would be gone.
Piccolo didn't dare imagine it.
Below—
Gohan's transformation had already begun.
(To be continued…)
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