Dragon BAll- Hermit Shen[A Human Story]

The Power Pole [Nyoibou] is a mysterious weapon with magical properties that Gohan received from Master Roshi, who in turn had gotten it from the cat hermit, Korin.

Unaware of its origin, Gohan carries this pole around as a weapon... but it is actually not a weapon. This pole has another specific purpose... That is to reach Kami's Lookout.

Finally, today, after centuries, this same weapon is being used for its intended purpose.

The Power Pole has been attached to the tip of Korin Tower. "Extend, Nyoibou!" With a single command from Gohan, it magically extends to the sky in a burst of speed, taking Gohan, who was grabbing onto the top-end of the pole, along with it.

In contrast, Shen is more elegant. Since he can fly, he doesn't need to grab the pole to go up. Gliding in the sky, he rapidly cuts through the air.

The two men face plethora of weather challenges along the way, particularly lightning strikes.

Shen effortlessly dodges all the strikes. Gohan, on the other hand, isn't so fortunate...

As he has to tightly holds onto the Power Pole, he doesn't have the luxury to dodge the strikes, so he can only face the difficulties head-on. Still, somehow, the old man manages to hold on throughout the journey without falling off midway.

The pole starts to slow down as it approaches its destination. It attaches itself to a hole at the bottom of the Lookout, suggesting that it always belonged there.

Both men arrive below the Lookout... Shen directly flies to the surface of the Lookout, while Gohan needs to climb to the surface from the bottom using a ladder situated there for individuals like him, who can't fly.

Before he met Shen, Gohan was reluctant to learn flight because in Kame School there seems to be a unwritten rule; to not learn any flying techniques.. apparent by the fact of Master Roshi's refusal to learn it his whole life, most likely because of his rivalry with Shen who specialized in this very field.

Time will only tell if The old man's stubbornness will ever change.

.

.

.

The Lookout, suspended, midair in the open atmosphere; is nothing short of otherworldly in the eyes of anyone ignorant of the wider universe. Gohan is that anyone. He is visibly flabbergasted while gawking around the levitating platform; surface. Noticeably the air is a lot thinner at this altitude, the two were naturally having some difficulty breathing.. Nothing life threatening but nonetheless, a very unique challenge.

Suddenly their eyes catches something. a figure comes into view... Dark-skinned wearing something that resembles a turban, This balloon-like individual walks toward them slowly; yet, upon closer observation, one would notice that this person only gives the illusion of being slow... in fact, he is quite fast.

The man quickly approaches the two, completely surpassing their ability to follow his instantaneous speed.

Now that Gohan can clearly see the man for the first time, He finds this person otherworldly, This man is black! Not dark-skinned, but pure pitch black. he can confidently say the man is not human.... at least, that's the impression he gets.

Well, he is right; Mr. Popo is a genie, not a human.

"Welcome, guests. I am Mr. Popo. I was waiting for your arrival. You two came faster than expected. Good job." Mr. Popo speaks in his stony harsh voice, sounding exactly like a chain-smoker.

"Nice to meet you, I am Son Gohan, and this is Master Shen. You must be Kami-sama, right?" Gohan prematurely assumes the Genie's identity.

"Mr. Popo is Mr. Popo, not Kami... Kami is different."

"Ooh! Is that so!?"

"Yes! He lives back in that building," Popo points his thumb, back at the large palace on the other end of the Lookout.

"We came here after getting the approval of Korin-sama to meet Kami-sama and train under him." Gohan reveals.

"Mr. Popo knows why you are here. Nothing is hidden in the Lookout. God knows everything."

"Ohh if you know it, then please let us meet him."

"You don't need to meet him right now. Kami-sama has already instructed Mr. Popo to guide you."

Gohan shares a knowing look with Shen... he gets it, so the new training immediately starts. Gohan is the first one to try-out his strength.

As they battle, the genie skillfully dodges all of Gohan's attacks. The once enigmatic martial artist is nowhere to be seen, as the image has been completely shattered by the huffing and puffing man who is not even able to land a single punch on his opponent.

The old man is completely outmatched.

Gradually, just as the sky starts to turn orange, the fight ends for the exhausted Gohan.

Time waits for nobody and now the defeated Gohan has to leave the stage for Shen... at this rate the darkness will soon envelop them, but That's a given as it had already been pretty late in the afternoon when they had set foot on the Lookout.

this whole time, Shen hadn't intervened in the fight nor has he spoken a word. Only when Gohan was completely exhausted and it was his turn, does he finally speak...

"Careful now, you shouldn't take it easy. Reveal your full capabilities to me from the start, don't go complaining that you lost unfairly" He warns the so-called assistant of god.

As the fight begins, Gohan just watches from the sidelines. 'If Mr. Popo, who is just the assistant of God, is so strong, how powerful would Kami-sama himself be?'

The old man is completely oblivious to the truth... Mr. Popo is in-fact stronger than Kami by a long shot. His power level is canonically 1,030 during the Raditz arc.

Shen actually proves to be a challenge to Popo. The man gives a fair bit of difficulty to the genie. Unlike the previous battle, it doesn't go as smoothly or predictably.

By this time, the fight, or rather the light spar between the two, unfolds to a close. Darkness had already fallen.

Inside the palace, Kami, who was watching all the events live using a magical crystal ball, couldn't help but be perplexed by the revelation of such strength from Shen. He knew this Master Shen was strong, but not to such a degree.

'When did strength start being sold in wholesale?' He isn't able to make sense of it. His fragile ego as a Kami is shattered at this moment. He had fallen into the dark depths of despair—just kidding...

He actually has a proud smile on his lips, like a father would have when his child surpasses him, fulfilling his lifelong dream. It's bittersweet, as he himself was never able to accomplish it, but the taste of bitterness is instantly subdued by the sweetness.

He at-last decides to go outside and meet the two men.