Chapter 34: Clash of Power (EDITED)

Author's Note:

Well, folks, I went ahead and pulled a full 180 on this chapter! Consider it a plot twist you didn't see coming. I'd say "surprise!" but honestly, even I was surprised. A huge shoutout to Hasan_Shopnil for the encouragement and insights that helped shape this new direction. Your support is like caffeine for my writing brain! Hope you enjoy this shiny new version—like a fresh pair of socks, it's cozy and definitely more entertaining!

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Goku and Gohan squared off in the center of the arena, their gazes steady and focused. The crowd held its collective breath, fully captivated by the unusual sight of a young warrior facing his grandfather. Even the most seasoned fighters in the audience, including Master Roshi, King Chappa, and Nam, were on edge, their eyes trained on the two warriors who were about to unleash an array of techniques that few had ever seen.

As the announcer signaled the start of the fight, Goku grinned, taking the first move. In an instant, he vanished, only to reappear a second later beside Gohan, his fists blazing. Gohan reacted just as quickly, blocking Goku's punches with ease. They exchanged a rapid series of blows, each more powerful than the last, until they both blurred into afterimages, their true forms barely visible.

"Whoa… are they even real?" Krillin mumbled in awe. "I can't tell which one's the real Goku!"

"They're both real… sort of," Bulma whispered, eyes wide as she tried to follow the fight.

With a flash of light, Goku and Gohan reappeared, facing each other at opposite ends of the ring, each barely out of breath.

"Not bad, Goku," Gohan said, smiling warmly. "You've come a long way."

Goku chuckled, wiping a bit of dust from his face. "Thanks, Grandpa! But I'm just getting started!"

With that, Goku shot a powerful Kamehameha wave at Gohan. Gohan grinned and countered with his own Kamehameha, the two beams colliding in a blinding flash of energy. The crowd gasped as the explosion left a smoky haze over the ring, obscuring both fighters for a moment.

When the smoke cleared, Goku stood with his hands outstretched, ready for another attack. But before he could make his next move, Gohan appeared beside him in an instant, using the Afterimage Technique to confuse him, and landed a clean hit.

"Whoa, Grandpa! You got me!" Goku laughed, rubbing his side. "Guess I should've seen that coming."

"Never let your guard down, even if you think you have the upper hand," Gohan advised, his voice filled with a mix of amusement and pride.

The fight escalated as Goku began using techniques he'd learned from Kami and Mr. Popo. He extended his arm, and with a thought, used Telekinesis to create a wave of force that pushed Gohan back. Gohan stumbled slightly but quickly countered by firing an Eye Laser that Goku barely dodged.

"Did he just shoot lasers from his eyes?" Bulma exclaimed, clutching Krillin's arm. "How much has Goku learned?"

But before Krillin could respond, Goku appeared right in front of Gohan again, this time using Instantaneous Movement, or teleportation, to catch him off guard. The sudden movement threw Gohan off for a split second, but he managed to dodge Goku's punch just in time.

"Fast, but not fast enough," Gohan teased.

The two exchanged a series of intense moves, using Explosive Waves to send shockwaves through the arena and create powerful barriers to deflect each other's attacks. The power of their fight was so overwhelming that even the seasoned martial artists in the crowd, like Master Roshi and King Chappa, could barely keep up.

Roshi shook his head in disbelief. "I've seen many fighters in my time, but this… This is on a whole other level. They're like moving storms of energy."

King Chappa nodded, watching the match intently. "It's an honor just to witness a fight like this. I don't think anyone here expected to see such power today."

Goku's Telekinesis held Gohan at bay for a moment, but Gohan broke free with a mighty yell, his energy pushing against the invisible hold. The two of them shot up into the air, their afterimages flickering in and out as they exchanged lightning-fast punches and kicks.

As the crowd watched in awe, Goku noticed the sky beginning to darken. The sun was setting, and night would soon fall over the arena. He paused, glancing up, and his heart skipped a beat. The full moon was about to rise. A surge of excitement shot through him as he remembered his Oozaru transformation—the transformation into a Great Ape. But He could not only control it fully but even retain all his techniques in Great Ape.

"Uh-oh," Goku muttered, an eager grin spreading across his face. "Things are about to get interesting."

Gohan, noticing Goku's expression, raised an eyebrow. "What's got you so excited, Goku?"

"Oh, you'll see, Grandpa," Goku replied with a mischievous glint in his eye.