"By the way, who will be replaced now?" A stillness hung in the air as Krillin asked the question. Everyone fell silent.
"Hah... I guess I will stop participating now," Master Roshi said suddenly, without anyone prompting him.
"But Master, you’re the most experienced one here," Krillin insisted, concerned.
Master Roshi shook his head. "If we look at our team honestly, I’m the weakest here... followed by you, Krillin."
Krillin looked down, feeling the weight of those words, and simply nodded.
Tien folded his arms. "So if Broly’s joining... someone has to go."
Android 17 looked calm, but curious. "Well, if strength and endurance are the criteria, he’s definitely above a few of us."
"Hey!" Krillin raised an eyebrow. "Don’t throw us under the bus just yet."
Master Roshi chuckled. "He’s not wrong. We need the strongest team possible... and I’m not blind to my own limits. I had my time in the sun."
"You sure about that, Master?" Gohan asked quietly.
Roshi nodded. "Yes. This universe won’t be saved by experience alone—it needs power, endurance, and adaptability. I’ve taught you all well. Now let the next generation fight."
Krillin sighed. "If he’s going, then I will too. I’m not going to let Master Roshi walk away while I cling to a spot I might not deserve."
Tien looked between the two, then gave a small nod. "Then we step back... and let Broly step in."
Android 18 narrowed her eyes. "Is that the smart move? We barely even know him."
"Well," Master Roshi said, stroking his beard, "if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Saiyans over the years, it’s that they really only care about two things."
He pointed toward the trio—Goku, Vegeta, and Dave (Broly)—who were absolutely demolishing piles of food like ravenous beasts, laughing and occasionally challenging each other between bites.
"Food... and battle."
Android 18 crossed her arms, unconvinced. "Gohan isn’t like that."
Android 17 glanced over and nodded. "Exactly. He’s more thoughtful. More... grounded."
Roshi gave a sly grin. "Gohan’s a bit different. Remember, he’s only half Saiyan. That human blood gave him restraint. The full-blooded ones? They’re walking stomachs with fists."
Piccolo, sitting nearby, added quietly, "And ticking time bombs... if we’re not careful."
Everyone looked toward Dave again—his power had calmed, but even in his relaxed state, his energy radiated a quiet, terrifying potential. A beast barely leashed.
Sensing someone staring at him, Dave leaned back and found himself locking eyes with Gohan.
He saw the flicker of doubt in Gohan’s expression. The energy around him was calm, but it had depth—potential.
Goku and Vegeta looked over, sensing the tension.
"Hey, what’s up?" Goku asked, looking between Dave and Gohan.
Dave didn’t take his eyes off Gohan. "I can sense it... his potential. His power is even above mine when I’m calm... so why is he so weak?"
Gohan blinked. "Huh?"
Dave stood up, his voice low but firm. "What a waste of talent. His power surpasses even mine and Vegeta’s, and yet he’s letting it rot. If I had that kind of power naturally, I’d never stop pushing."
Goku scratched the back of his head, laughing awkwardly. "Well... Gohan hasn’t trained as much lately."
Gohan laughed lightly, trying to deflect. "I’m a scholar. Fighting’s not my life anymore."
Dave stepped forward. "Will you still say that if we lose the Tournament of Power because you weren’t ready? If your wasted potential costs us everything—our universe—who will you blame then?"
Gohan’s smile faded, the weight of the words hitting him hard.
Silence hung between them as the others looked on.
He saw the flicker of doubt in Gohan’s expression. The energy around him was calm, but it had depth—untapped potential waiting to ignite.
And then, in a blur of motion, Dave vanished.
He reappeared instantly, right in front of Gohan. The sudden burst of pressure cracked the ground beneath his feet.
Gohan instinctively jumped back, his eyes wide in surprise. Around them, others reacted—Vegeta tensed, Goku stepped forward, and Piccolo narrowed his eyes.
Dave said nothing, just stared directly into Gohan’s eyes. His gaze was sharp, not of hostility—but of challenge.
Without a word, Gohan dropped into a fighting stance. His body moved before his mind caught up, pure instinct kicking in. Beside him, Android 17 and 18 mirrored the tension, ready for anything.
"What are you doing?" Gohan asked cautiously.
Dave’s aura shimmered faintly around him. "Testing something."
Vegeta frowned. "He’s not going to hurt him..."
"No," Goku said with a grin. "He’s trying to provoke him."
Dave cracked his knuckles. "Show me you’re not just a shadow of what you could’ve been. Or run away again, and prove me right."
The silence was thick—until Gohan’s expression hardened.
"Fine," he said, energy beginning to gather. "Then I’ll remind you—and myself—what I’m capable of."
The wind swirled violently as Gohan’s aura flared—bright tinged with flickers of gold. He grit his teeth, pushing away the doubt that clung to him like chains.
Dave smirked. "There it is."
With a thunderous boom, Gohan lunged forward, his fist arcing straight toward Dave’s face. Dave tilted his head, narrowly dodging, the shockwave from the missed punch cracking a nearby boulder into dust.
In a flash, Dave retaliated—his own punch grazing Gohan’s side. Gohan twisted mid-air, landing on his feet and firing a flurry of precise strikes. Dave blocked with fluid ease, letting Gohan push forward.
Around them, the others watched in tense silence.
"He’s fast," Piccolo murmured, arms crossed.
"No," Goku corrected, eyes gleaming. "He’s fighting like he used to—back when he faced Cell."
The battle escalated—every strike releasing bursts of pressure that flattened the grass around them. Gohan leapt into the air, charging a ki blast in his right hand. "Masenko... HA!" he shouted, releasing it.
Dave raised one hand, letting the beam hit his palm. The explosion lit up the clearing in a golden flash. When the dust cleared, Dave stood unfazed—his expression unreadable.
"You’re strong, Gohan," he said calmly. "But you’re holding back again."
Gohan panted, sweat beading on his forehead. "No... I’m not."
Dave suddenly appeared behind him, whispering coldly, "Yes, you are."
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