Deeds Done by the Full Moon

The Transformation

Under a brilliant full moon, Gohan sleeps atop his mountain perch while Piccolo meditates cross-legged in midair nearby. Gohan wakes up needing to relieve himself and wonders when he will ever find a way down. Noticing the unusual brightness, he turns around and gazes directly at the full moon for the first time in his life. The same wild look that once filled Goku's eyes appears in Gohan's, and his body begins to change. The Great Ape form is far too large for the mountaintop, and Gohan crashes to the ground below.

Piccolo watches in alarm as the giant ape smashes everything in reach, firing a devastating mouth blast into the distance. Piccolo fears the Earth will be destroyed before the Saiyans arrive. He recalls Raditz mentioning that Saiyans transform under the full moon, and decides to eliminate the problem at its source. He fires a blast that destroys the moon entirely.

Preparations for Training

With the moon gone, Gohan reverts to his normal form and collapses naked on the ground, fast asleep. Piccolo stands over the boy, reflecting on the terrifying strength of the Saiyan race. He realizes that the tail is the key to the transformation and pulls it off to prevent any future incidents.

Piccolo then creates a sword for Gohan, along with a new outfit modeled after Goku's training uniform. The only difference is the kanji on the chest: "ma," meaning demon, replaces the turtle symbol Goku wore. In six months, Piccolo plans to put Gohan through rigorous combat training and forge him into a warrior of the Demon Tribe. He flies off, leaving the boy sleeping peacefully. Far away on Serpent Road, Goku also sleeps soundly.