"We should use the Dragon Balls first and revive everyone Cell killed," Piccolo suggested.
Just then, Mr. Popo stepped forward carrying the Dragon Balls and laid them out on the ground.
"Come forth, Shenron! Grant our wish!"
Yamcha shouted toward the seven Dragon Balls.
The sky instantly turned pitch black.
A pillar of golden light shot upward, then twisted and reshaped itself into a giant green dragon winding across the night sky.
"You who have gathered the seven Dragon Balls," Shenron's majestic voice boomed. "State your wish. I shall do my utmost to grant you any two wishes."
Android 21 had just started descending from the Lookout, but when she saw what was happening, she immediately stopped in midair and looked back up.
It didn't take long for her to spot the giant green dragon floating in the sky.
"What is that thing?" Android 21 stared in astonishment. Unable to suppress her curiosity, she flew back up to the Lookout and hid behind one of the pillars to watch.
"Please revive everyone Cell killed!" Yamcha said.
"That can be done," Shenron replied. "However, those who have already died once before cannot be revived again."
"Got it," Yamcha said. "Then please revive everyone who can be revived."
Hummm…
Red light flashed in Shenron's eyes.
Only a few seconds passed.
"Your wish has been granted," Shenron announced. "State your second wish."
"Shenron, one question first," Krillin said, looking up. "Was Android 17 revived too?"
"Yes," Shenron replied. "Android 17 was revived by that wish."
"Then… what about Android 16?" Krillin asked.
"I'm sorry," Shenron said, shaking his head. "Android 16 is a machine. I cannot revive him."
The moment she heard that, Android 21's face went pale.
Android 16… is dead?
"16…" Her eyes trembled, and tears began to spill down her face.
"State another wish," Shenron said again.
"How about this—can I get my new girlfriend a high-end necklace?" Yamcha asked the others.
Goku: "…"
Krillin looked up again. "Shenron, can you turn Android 17, 18, and 21 back into normal humans?"
The second Android 21 heard that, she nearly burst from behind the pillar just to grind Krillin's face into the floor.
What is wrong with you?
I worked incredibly hard to turn myself into an android.
If you turned me back into a normal person, I'd never forgive you.
"No," Shenron replied. "The energy within those three androids far exceeds my power. I cannot do it."
Android 21 let out a small breath of relief.
Good.
There's no way I'm going back to being an ordinary human.
This body has a lifespan of at least a thousand years. I could live for centuries without aging.
If I turned normal again, I'd start becoming an old woman in just a few years.
That noseless little shrimp is infuriating.
"So that won't work either…" Krillin said, disappointed.
"Hang in there, Krillin-san!" Gohan said from the side, clearly enjoying the chaos.
"Then what about this?" Krillin looked up again. "Can you remove the bombs inside their bodies?"
Hearing that, Android 21 felt something inside her icy heart soften just a little.
Actually… this little bald guy is kind of cute.
He'd treat me better than Dr. Gero ever did.
But 16…
I still couldn't keep you with me in this life either.
Can you forgive me, my child?
"The bombs in their bodies disappeared a long time ago," Shenron replied, shaking his head.
"They disappeared? How?" Krillin blinked, startled.
"Is that your wish?" Shenron asked.
Krillin: "…"
"No, no, it isn't!" Krillin said, hurriedly shaking his head.
"Hurry up and make a wish already," Yamcha said, getting impatient. "At this rate we really should just ask for that necklace for my girlfriend."
Krillin shot him a look.
Do you really need Shenron for something like that?
"Shenron," Krillin said, taking out the chip, "I have Android 16's core chip here. Can you recreate an android body identical to his?"
"If you have Android 16's chip," Shenron replied, "then I can restore the body that was destroyed in the explosion and implant the chip into it, recreating the exact same construction as before."
Android 21's heart skipped. Her eyes flickered with surprise and joy.
"Then please grant that wish," Krillin said, lifting the chip high into the air.
Hummm!
Red light flared again in Shenron's eyes and immediately streaked toward the old Cell Games arena.
At the same instant, the chip in Krillin's hand vanished.
"Your wish has been granted. Farewell."
Shenron split into seven golden streaks and scattered to different parts of the world.
The sky brightened again.
Android 21 looked up, delight spreading across her face.
From the sound of it… does that mean 16 has been restored?
From behind the pillar, she stared at Krillin's back from afar, her emotions in complete disarray.
"Sorry, Yamcha," Krillin said apologetically. "I didn't get that necklace for your girlfriend."
"Huh? Oh, come on, I was joking," Yamcha said awkwardly with a laugh. "There's no way I'd waste Shenron on something that dumb."
"Krillin," Tien said curiously, "why were you so determined to revive Android 16?"
"Weren't you there when it happened?" Krillin asked with a sigh.
"What do you mean?" Tien blinked.
"Android 16 was modeled after Android 21's son," Krillin answered.
That stunned everyone present.
They had heard before that Android 16's original model had something to do with Android 21's son.
But Goku and the others had never been especially interested in that sort of thing.
Now that Krillin clearly had feelings for Android 21, though, the whole situation suddenly became a lot more awkward.
"Krillin," Yamcha said helplessly, "are you serious? Android 21 already has a son."
"I… I am serious," Krillin said, gritting his teeth and nodding hard.
"Krillin, I'm just saying…" Yamcha sighed. "There are so many beautiful girls out there who've never even been married. Why do you have to go after a woman who already has a son?"
"Huh?" Goku asked from the side, genuinely curious. "Does that matter?"
Yamcha: "…"
"Goku, don't say anything right now," Yamcha said at once. He knew exactly the kind of thing Goku was about to say.
After all, Goku really didn't understand this sort of topic.
"Alright," Goku said with a laugh. "If you don't want me to say it, I won't."
"Krillin, think it through," Yamcha said with a deep sigh. "You really don't have to pick a woman who already has a son."
Krillin's face went red as he spoke. "This is the first time in my life a woman ever kissed me." He started smiling as the memory came back to him. "I know she likes me. Otherwise why would she kiss me? She was just too embarrassed to admit it in front of everyone."
Android 21: "…"
She couldn't take it anymore.
In a flash, she shot out from behind the pillar and glared at Krillin.
The instant Krillin saw her, his smile froze solid.
"You idiot! Who said I like you?" Android 21 snapped. "The only reason I kissed you was because Android 18 didn't get to kiss Ken, so I just picked someone at random!" She glared straight at him. "You brought 16 back, but I'm not grateful. You noseless little shrimp!"
Krillin felt like his heart had split open.
"Maybe we'll meet again," Android 21 said, glancing back at him one last time before turning and leaving the Lookout.
"Hey, Krillin, did you hear that?" Yamcha said excitedly. "She said maybe you'll meet again. You still have a chance. Your spring has finally come."
Krillin's face filled with dreamy hope.
Piccolo: "…"
I do not understand this.
At all.
"I should get going," Tien announced. "Chiaotzu's waiting for me at home. He's probably worried sick." He paused, then added honestly, "The gap between me and all of you keeps getting wider. I probably won't be seeing everyone much from now on. Good luck."
"Good luck to you too," Yamcha said with a nod.
"See you," Goku said, waving. "Tell Chiaotzu I said hi."
Tien rose into the air and waved goodbye before flying off.
"Trunks, when are you going back to the future?" Gohan asked.
"I'll get a good night's sleep tonight and leave tomorrow," Trunks replied.
"I'll see you off tomorrow," Krillin said with a smile.
Trunks nodded, then immediately looked at Goku.
Goku blinked, not understanding why Trunks was staring at him.
"Goku-san, did you forget something?" Trunks asked with a smile.
"What thing?" Goku scratched his head, then smacked his forehead as it came back to him. "Right! You mean reviving the future me?"
"Is there a way?" Trunks asked.
"The future you?" Krillin looked puzzled. "Goku, didn't you say the Dende in Trunks's timeline can bring back people who died once? And Vegeta and the others already came back, didn't they?"
"The future me died of a heart virus," Goku explained. "Shenron can't revive someone who died of natural causes."
"Oh… I see." Krillin frowned. "Then there's probably no way, right? Could Ken do it?"
"I already asked him," Goku said with a nod. "Ken said he can revive people who died naturally, but because of the rules, he can't travel through time to Trunks's future world."
"He can't travel through time? Why not?" Krillin asked.
"According to Ken, if an Angel travels through time, it causes a temporal collapse," Goku explained. "And that can erase the entire timeline."
Krillin broke out in a cold sweat. "What does 'erase the entire timeline' even mean?"
"It probably means our universe, several other universes, and every connected timeline would disappear," Piccolo said from the side. "Anyone tied to this point in space-time would be gone."
"Exactly," Goku said, nodding.
"That's even worse than one universe disappearing," Krillin muttered, shivering.
"Then is there really no other way?" Trunks asked.
"There is one possibility," Goku said after a pause. "The Super Dragon Balls."
"Super Dragon Balls?" Trunks blinked. "What are those?"
"Ken told me they're scattered between Universe 6 and Universe 7," Goku explained. "Each one is as big as Earth. There are seven in total, and if you gather them, you can summon the Divine Dragon. That dragon can grant absolutely any wish."
Trunks went silent.
He stayed silent for six or seven seconds.
"Even if I found them," he finally said, wiping sweat, "how am I supposed to move Dragon Balls that huge?"
"That is a problem," Goku admitted. "But you could ask a Supreme Kai for help." Then he pulled out a communicator and handed it to Trunks. "Fuwa-sama gave this to me before he left."
"Thank you so much, Goku," Trunks said quickly, taking it and storing it away.
"I want the future me to come back too," Goku said with a laugh.
"Piccolo-san, are you planning to stay here?" Gohan asked.
"Yeah," Piccolo said with a smile. "That's the plan."
"Can I come visit a lot?"
"Of course."
"Me too!" Kale immediately blurted out, clearly afraid Gohan might leave her behind.
"Then both of you can come," Piccolo said with a faint smile.
After that, Goku, Gohan, and Kale said goodbye to Piccolo and Dende and headed home.
When Chi-Chi saw Kale walking in with Gohan, she fixed her with a dark expression and didn't know what to say.
I saw that whole scene on TV.
That affectionate mess.
And now this little girl has followed Gohan all the way home?
"Gohan-nii, let's go do homework," Kale said quickly, suddenly feeling like a nervous bride meeting her in-laws under Chi-Chi's stare.
"Yeah!" Gohan nodded, weirdly excited.
…
At the old Cell Games arena, Android 16 was fully restored. He looked down at his own body, completely baffled.
Didn't Cell crush my head and kill me?
Then why am I back?
What happened?
Just as he was still trying to process it, someone flew in at high speed from far away.
Thump.
Android 21 landed in front of him.
"Android 21!" Android 16's eyes lit up.
Android 21 smiled.
This time, I'm never leaving you again.
A few seconds passed.
"Mom…" Android 16 said quietly.
Android 21's body trembled hard, and tears streamed down her face.
…
South City.
"What is this? Did everybody forget about me?" Android 18 muttered, brushing back her blonde hair with a helpless sigh.
She wandered aimlessly into a dead-end alley.
"Well, well. Pretty girl, how about you come have some fun with us?"
Four knife-wielding punks stepped forward and blocked her path.
Fifteen seconds later, all four of them were airborne, screaming, before slamming back down flat on their backs.
"Hmph. Pathetic," Android 18 said, dusting off her hands in irritation.
"Well, if it isn't Android 18. Who's got you this worked up?"
A voice called out from the distance.
Android 18 turned—and the moment she saw who it was, her face lit up.
"Android 17? You're alive?" She blinked in surprise. "Didn't Cell absorb you?"
"No idea," Android 17 said with a shrug. "I just came back for some reason."
The siblings chatted for a bit.
"So what are you going to do now?" Android 18 asked.
"What else?" Android 17 said with a smile. "Find a job and live a normal life."
"What kind of job?"
"Haven't decided."
Just then, a flyer drifted past on the wind.
Android 17 caught it and gave it a quick look.
"This isn't bad," he said, lifting it slightly. "Actually seems pretty suitable for me."
Android 18 leaned over to read it. "Wildlife island hiring park ranger?"
"You want to go with me?" Android 17 asked with a smile.
"Sure," Android 18 said, tapping her forehead lightly. "I'm bored anyway."
"Let's go."
Android 17 rose into the air.
The two of them quickly left South City behind and headed north toward the wildlife island.
…
In the World of Void, Fuwa used Kai Kai and appeared in the central region instantly.
"Thanks a lot, Fuwa-sama," Ken said.
"Don't mention it. This was nothing," Fuwa said with a laugh. He looked around. "Ken, you said there was going to be a battle here. I don't see anything."
"Soon," Ken said with a smile.
The Left Guard stood there with a dark face and said nothing.
You really are something.
You actually had a Supreme Kai teleport you here.
Meanwhile, poor Right Guard is still flying as hard as he can.
No matter how fast he is, he still can't beat teleportation.
"I wonder who's going to fight here. I'm actually looking forward to it," Fuwa said, scanning the area with anticipation.
As he spoke, he suddenly noticed someone riding a pink little pony toward them.
Fuwa rubbed his eyes—then saw clearly who was sitting on top.
Zeno-sama.
He nearly jumped out of his skin and immediately dropped to his knees.
"Universe 6's Supreme Kai, huh? So you came too?" Zeno-sama said casually from atop Majin Buu.
"Y-Yes… Zeno-sama," Fuwa answered, cold sweat pouring down his face.
Why is Zeno-sama here?
I feel like I'm going to die of stress.
"Little Left, where's Little Right?" Zeno-sama asked the Left Guard.
Left Guard: "…"
"Reporting to Zeno-sama," the Left Guard said, quickly stepping forward to bow, "Right Guard is still flying here."
"He's slow," Zeno-sama said, frowning. "Tell him to hurry up."
"Yes…" the Left Guard answered at once, startled.
But there was no real way to make Right Guard go any faster.
That was probably already his top speed.
"How much longer until he gets here?" Zeno-sama asked.
"At least another eight minutes," Ken replied after checking with his staff.
"Eight minutes?" Zeno-sama looked displeased. "I hate waiting."
"Zeno-sama," Ken said with a smile, "why not have a cup of coffee first to wake up a little?"
As he spoke, he raised his right hand, and a packet of 3-in-1 instant coffee appeared in it.
Zeno-sama stared at the packet blankly.
"Have you ever had coffee while you were on Earth, Zeno-sama?" Ken asked.
Zeno-sama shook his head.
He'd spent a long time staying at Mr. Satan's place, sure, but that didn't mean he had eaten and drunk everything there was.
"Then give it a try," Ken said.
He produced several cups and several packets of coffee mix, handed them out to Merus and the others, and showed them how to make it.
Zeno-sama and the others poured hot water into their cups.
At once, the rich aroma of coffee spread through the air, making everyone pause.
Zeno-sama took a small sip and immediately found it fascinating.
It was delicious.
But then he noticed Ken wasn't drinking any and asked curiously, "Hey, Ken. Aren't you having any?"
Without hurrying, Ken took out a small handful of coffee beans, dropped them into a hand grinder, and slowly started turning the handle.
[End of chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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