Goku goes back in time

The last bell rang, echoing through the halls of Orange Star High like a long-awaited sigh. Students spilled out of classrooms, eager to escape into the comfort of the afternoon. Among them, four students moved at a more relaxed pace, their expressions calm—but not without the buzz of anticipation.

In Classroom 2-B, Gohan, Videl, Erasa, and Sharpner gathered their things quietly. The tension from the day's earlier events—specifically their heavily censored history report presentation—still hung faintly in the air. Though they had delivered it smoothly, each of them was acutely aware of how much they'd held back to protect Gohan's secret.

"Can you believe we had to rewrite half the report just so it didn't sound like something out of a fantasy novel?" Erasa groaned as she slung her bag over her shoulder.

"Yeah," Sharpner muttered. "We skipped over, like, a third of what actually happened. How do you not mention a ten-year-old beating a monster that nuked a city?"

Videl shot both of them a look, though it lacked real sharpness. "We agreed—no giving Gohan's secret away. Even if half the school thinks we lost our minds, it's better this way."

Gohan offered a grateful smile, soft but sincere. "Thanks, guys. Really. I know it's not easy."

"Please," Erasa waved him off with a grin. "If it means we still get to hang out with you, your adorable little brother, and the guy who literally destroyed the red ribbon army and defeated King Piccolo, I'll censor an entire textbook."

That earned a laugh from everyone, even Gohan.

They walked together to the parking area where Videl's sleek capsule hovercraft awaited, glinting in the late afternoon sun. She opened the hatch with a beep, and they all piled in.

As the craft lifted off, Sharpner leaned back into his seat, arms crossed. "Trunks really bailed on us, huh?"

"He didn't bail," Gohan replied. "He promised Vegeta he'd train. And when Vegeta gets serious… you don't skip."

"Yeesh," Sharpner muttered. "Hardcore."

"That man's... intense," Videl admitted from the pilot seat, smoothly steering them toward the eastern mountains. "But fair, in his own terrifying way."

"Sounds like every coach I've ever had," Sharpner said dryly.

Erasa leaned forward between the front seats. "So! I'm dying to know—what's the plan when we get there? Are we doing warmups? Sparring? Does Goku just throw you into the river and yell 'SURVIVE!' or something?"

Gohan laughed. "Actually, that's not too far off from how Piccolo used to train me."

"Oh my God, I was kidding," Erasa said, horrified.

Videl smirked. "You'll be fine. Just don't challenge Goten to an eating contest again."

Sharpner groaned. "Once. I lost once. The kid is like a garbage disposal with legs."

As they flew over the forest canopy, the warm hues of the sun cast golden streaks across the landscape. The scenery shifted from city to wilderness—dense trees, winding rivers, and towering peaks. Mount Paozu sprawled out beneath them, untouched and serene.

And then, nestled between the trees like a secret, they saw it: the Son family home.

It wasn't their first time visiting. They knew the quiet charm of the place—the scent of herbs from Chichi's garden, the faint echo of laughter from Goten practicing in the field, and the occasional distant boom that meant Goku or Piccolo had decided to "take things up a notch."

The hovercraft settled onto a familiar flat clearing near the house. The hatch opened, and warm air scented with earth and cooking wafted in.

Gohan stepped out first, stretching. "Home sweet home."

Videl followed, pulling her bag over her shoulder. "Feels like it's been longer than just a few days."

"I know, right?" Erasa looked around. "I swear the air here's different. Like it's... cleaner?"

"It is," Gohan said. "We're far from the cities, and Mom's always planting herbs and trees."

From the house, Goten came sprinting toward them with a wide grin. "You're here!!"

"Hey, squirt!" Sharpner called, only for Goten to immediately jump into a hug with Gohan.

"Mom made snacks!" Goten announced, then turned to everyone. "Dad says he'll train us after we eat!"

Gohan blinked. "Train us?"

Goten grinned mischievously. "Yeah, I'm joining too. But, he said he wants to test your friends this time."

Sharpner paled. "What does that mean?"

"Don't worry," Gohan said with a small chuckle. "Dad won't go all out… probably."

Videl smirked. "Well, if he does, at least we'll get stronger."

They laughed again, and together, they headed for the house.

Unseen by them, deep in the mountains, a pair of curious animals looked up from their hiding spot, sensing the subtle shift in the air.

Another adventure was quietly unfolding.

The sun hung high above Mount Paozu, casting long shadows from the trees as a soft breeze danced through the mountain air. Videl, Erasa, and Sharpner stood in a line in front of Goku, each of them trying to suppress the excitement—or nervousness—buzzing in their chests.

"This training's going to be a little different," Goku said cheerfully, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish grin. "You're not just learning how to fight—first, we gotta get your bodies ready to handle real training. Just like how Master Roshi trained me and Krillin when we were your age."

Videl looked focused, bouncing lightly on the balls of her feet. "I'm ready."

Sharpner cracked his knuckles, putting on his usual bravado. "How hard can it be?"

Erasa raised her hand timidly. "Uh… I've never actually punched anyone before…"

Goku chuckled, scratching his cheek. "That's fine! We all start somewhere."

He turned and pulled out a box from behind a nearby rock. Inside were three gleaming metal turtle shells. He casually tossed one to each of them.

Videl caught hers with a grunt. "Whoa! This thing's heavy!"

"Each one weighs 20 kilograms," Goku said, smiling. "When I started with Master Roshi, ours were heavier—but I think you guys can handle this much."

Sharpner tried to lift his but ended up teetering and landing flat on his butt. "Okay… That's not fair. This isn't normal training!"

"It's not supposed to be," Goku replied with a wink.

He pointed to a trail that wound around the mountain. "Alright, first, ten laps around the house. If you can manage that, we'll move on to carrying milk crates across the field."

Videl nodded. "Got it."

Erasa groaned but followed, with Sharpner lagging behind them. Their footsteps echoed through the forest path, metal shells clanking and their groans growing louder with every step.

As they disappeared around the bend, Goku looked toward the cliffside where Gohan, Goten, and Piccolo sat cross-legged in meditation. The three radiated a gentle energy as they focused on their breathing, eyes closed and minds calm.

Chichi, not far from them, was on the porch preparing a small basket of snacks and thermos of tea. She glanced over her shoulder at Goku. "You better not be going too hard on those kids already. They just started."

"They'll be fine," Goku replied, floating over to her and sitting on the railing. "Videl's tough, Sharpner's got heart, and Erasa's got the right attitude. That's more important than talent."

Chichi smirked. "And here I thought you were just gonna throw them into a Kamehameha lesson right away."

Goku laughed. "Nah, they'll have to earn that part."

Meanwhile, on the trail, Videl wiped sweat from her brow and powered forward. "This is insane… and awesome."

"I feel like I'm carrying a fridge," Erasa huffed, struggling but determined not to fall behind.

Sharpner tripped over a root and nearly tumbled down the hill. "How did Gohan get so strong doing this?!"

Videl grinned, breath ragged. "That's what we're here to find out."

Despite the challenge, there was something freeing about it. No rules. No uniforms. No people watching. Just raw training, nature, and themselves.

As they completed their first lap, they were greeted by Goten who was bored of meditation, running beside them not with a Metal Shell but with a giant boulder on his shoulder. Barefoot with effortless speed.

"You guys are doing great!" Goten shouted cheerfully. "Need water?"

"Are you not even sweating?!" Sharpner barked, gasping for breath.

"Nope!" Goten replied innocently. "I run this every morning before breakfast."

The trio groaned in unison, but Videl couldn't help but smile. "Alright, let's keep going."

Back at the cliff, Gohan opened one eye and glanced at the training trio circling below. "Looks like they're holding up."

Piccolo didn't budge from his pose. "They'll break… and then rebuild. That's the point."

Chichi called over, "You two want tea or rice balls?"

"Yes, please!" Gohan replied immediately, breaking meditation.

Piccolo grunted but stayed seated.

"Goten come here!" called out Chichi.

"Coming!" Goten shouted from the trail, throwing the giant boulder and zooming back in a blur to help his mom set up the picnic blanket.

As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, Goku met the three trainees near the finish of their tenth lap. All three of them were red-faced and drenched in sweat. Erasa nearly collapsed onto the grass, gasping like a fish out of water.

"You all did great," Goku said, beaming with pride. "Tomorrow we'll move on to milk delivery."

"Milk what?" Sharpner groaned.

"It builds legs, balance, and endurance," Goku said seriously. "You'll thank me later."

Videl looked up, tired but inspired. "That's fine. I want to be strong. Not just in fighting, but like Gohan and Chichi—calm, smart, and powerful."

Goku gave her a thumbs up. "You'll get there."

As the sky turned orange and pink, the mountain buzzed with energy, laughter, and the slow-burning fire of determination.

Tomorrow's training would be harder, but none of them would give up.

Not when they had this kind of support.

Not when they were finally walking the same path as warriors.