When Vegeta's golden hair faded back to black and the strange glow vanished, Android 17 couldn't help but stare.
"Huh… so when Vegeta passes out, his hair turns back to its original color, and that weird light disappears too. What an unbelievable phenomenon."
Android 18 glanced at Goku, eyes narrowing with interest.
"The data says you and Vegeta are both Saiyans. So you can do that weird transformation too, right?"
Goku nodded calmly. "Yeah. But it's not 'weird.' It's called a Super Saiyan transformation. Once a Saiyan transforms, their strength skyrockets. It's a real power-up."
"Is that so?" Android 18 brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, then shrugged. "Whatever. It doesn't matter."
She looked straight at him—burning, eager, like she'd been waiting for this.
"You're next, Son Goku. Dr. Gero's files say you're strong. Don't disappoint me."
Goku's lips curled into a confident smile. Golden aura rippled around him as he settled into a stance, but his gaze held a teasing spark.
He crooked a finger at her. "Come on. Ladies first."
Behind them, Nappa hurriedly hauled Vegeta back and forced a Senzu Bean into his mouth. With Vegeta out of the way, the battlefield finally cleared—no interruptions, no arguments.
The moment Android 18 moved, the fight exploded.
She vanished.
In the next instant, she appeared right in front of Goku, hand slicing down like a blade.
But Goku only leaned slightly to the side—clean, effortless—then casually tapped her wrist.
Smack!
A terrifying force surged through her arm. Her entire limb went numb, and she stumbled back several steps before she could catch herself.
Her pupils shrank. What…?
"This guy… his speed and strength are way beyond Vegeta."
Goku didn't even chase. He stood there and winked at her like he was watching a sparring match.
"What's wrong? Can't stand steady after one exchange?"
Android 18 grit her teeth, a flash of embarrassment crossing her face. "Don't get cocky. I just wasn't ready."
She stomped forward and launched again.
This time, she went all-out—fists and kicks like a storm, relentless and sharp, hammering toward Goku.
But Goku's body blurred like an illusion. He drifted through her barrage as if he already knew every angle, every rhythm… and somehow, he still had time to casually brush his fingertips across her cheek.
"You—!"
Android 18's face heated instantly. Her movements stuttered for a fraction of a second.
That was all Goku needed.
He slipped behind her and gave her back a light push—barely a tap.
Yet Android 18 lost her balance and lurched forward, almost falling.
She steadied herself at the last moment, spun around, and glared at him—only to find Goku standing there with his arms crossed, watching her with a maddeningly playful look.
"Your movements are stiff," Goku said with a grin. "If you keep fighting like that, you won't beat me."
Android 18's chest rose and fell sharply. Shame and anger tangled in her eyes.
"What did you say?"
In that instant, she suddenly understood why Vegeta had been so furious earlier.
He hadn't been "beaten."
He'd been played with.
Android 18 inhaled hard, trying to steady herself—but before she could, Goku suddenly stepped closer.
Too close.
So close their noses were almost touching.
"So… you still want to continue?" he asked softly.
Those green Super Saiyan eyes were smiling.
Android 18's breath caught.
Her heartbeat jumped—fast and loud in her ears—so fast she couldn't even speak for a second.
Just then, Android 17's voice cut in from the side.
"18. Haven't you noticed?" he said flatly. "He's holding back. You can't win. Let me handle it."
Android 18's eyes flickered with unwillingness.
She snapped her head, forcing herself to shake off that momentary confusion.
"Don't look down on me!"
Her energy surged.
She became a streak—faster than before—launching at Goku like a blade.
But Goku simply tilted his body aside with perfect timing and avoided her punch by a hair's breadth.
Then his right hand shot out and clamped around her wrist.
Android 18's eyes widened. She tried to yank free—
—and in the same motion, Goku pulled her in and wrapped his other arm around her waist, locking her tightly in place.
Android 18 fought hard, twisting and driving her strength into the hold, but Goku's arms were like iron.
No matter how she struggled, she couldn't move.
Goku looked down at her with that same teasing smile.
"Android 18," he said, almost gently, "just give up."
The crowd immediately perked up, morale surging.
"Nice one!"
"That's my dad—so strong!"
Raditz crossed his arms, eyes bright with excitement. "That's my brother. Of course he's stronger than those androids."
Krillin nodded quickly. "Yeah! And he still hasn't gone all-out. We've definitely got this!"
But while everyone was celebrating, Vegeta's eyes were shaking.
Anyone with eyes could see it—
Goku's strength was clearly above Android 18.
Vegeta clenched his teeth so hard his jaw ached.
How…?
These three years… I trained harder than him. I pushed myself until I bled. So why am I still not as strong as Kakarot?!
For the first time, doubt pierced the pride he'd relied on his whole life.
Then—
Just as everyone assumed Android 18 was finished…
A stubborn light flashed in her eyes.
She suddenly lowered her head and bit down—hard—right into Goku's arm.
"Hng—AH!" Goku yelped and instinctively loosened his hold.
Android 18 slipped free in the same instant.
On Goku's forearm, a neat row of teeth marks stood out clearly.
Goku stared, half shocked, half amused. "Hey! Are you a puppy or something? Who bites like that?!"
Android 18's cheeks turned red. Even she knew that was dirty.
Embarrassment and fury twisted together, and she lunged at him again, trying to bury that humiliation with pure aggression.
Goku dodged easily.
Android 18 drove her knee toward his abdomen—
—but Goku avoided it again, and the moment her attack missed, her stance opened up.
In a blink, he had her locked up again.
Twice.
Trapped twice.
This time Android 18 finally understood the gap.
She struggled, but it was useless. Each time she twisted, their bodies pressed tighter together, and the closeness only made it worse.
She could feel the heat of his chest, the steady force of his heartbeat—like a drum against her senses.
"Let go!" she snapped, but her voice trembled slightly despite herself.
Goku leaned in closer, his warm breath brushing her ear.
"You know…" he murmured, smiling, "when you're angry, you're kind of cute."
Android 18 stiffened.
A flush spread across her face, bright and undeniable.
Her sharp gaze softened without permission.
"Y-You… nonsense!" she fired back—yet the words sounded more like flustered protest than real anger.
Goku released her.
And this time, she didn't rush in again.
Android 17 walked forward, shaking his head.
"18. I told you to give up. You wouldn't listen." He glanced at her with mild annoyance. "And you even bit him. Now you're even more embarrassed, aren't you?"
"Shut up! Mind your business!" Android 18 snapped, lowering her head to hide her burning cheeks.
Then, forcing herself to speak like it didn't matter, she muttered, "I lost. Your turn…"
Watching all of this, Future Gohan felt like his brain had stalled.
What… is this?
There wasn't a hint of a life-and-death battle here.
It looked more like his father was flirting with Android 18.
Future Gohan's thoughts spun wildly—and he couldn't ignore the difference anymore.
In his world, his father didn't even understand romance. When Goku was alive, he'd even complained that marriage was "too much trouble."
But this world's Goku…
No—this world's Goku was completely different.
And the androids, too.
Compared to the cold, murderous monsters from his timeline, these two didn't feel like machines at all.
They felt… human.
Android 17 stepped up and faced Goku directly.
"As expected of Son Goku. You're definitely stronger than Vegeta." His tone sharpened with confidence. "But I'm the strongest android. You're going to lose."
Android 17 shoved his hands into his pockets, looking arrogant and relaxed.
Vegeta clenched his fists, fury burning in his chest.
Damn it…
He couldn't even argue back. He couldn't even deny it.
He had no choice but to choke on that humiliation.
Then the fight began.
Android 17 attacked first—countless energy blasts firing in a relentless barrage like a storm of bullets.
Vegeta's eyes widened.
That… that's my style.
The explosions swallowed Goku in a pillar of fire, shaking the entire battlefield.
Krillin and the others stared into the smoke, panic rising.
"Goku!"
Kid Gohan's voice trembled. "Dad!"
Piccolo kept his arms crossed, expression calm. "Relax. That level of attack can't hurt him."
Nappa swallowed hard, sweat running down his face. "These androids are insane… Even if I trained my whole life, I'd never reach that level. Thank goodness Kakarot is here."
A golden figure burst through the smoke.
Goku's clothes weren't even dirty.
He smiled lightly. "So you really chose that kind of energy-wasting spam? Your power's not enough. Firepower suppression won't work on me."
Before he even finished speaking—
Android 17 appeared behind him and whipped a brutal kick toward his back.
Goku raised an arm and blocked head-on—yet the impact still pushed him back several meters.
Goku's smile deepened.
"Now I get it. That's why you're confident. You're a little stronger than 18. Faster, too."
Android 17 grinned. "Not just that."
He lifted his chin slightly.
"My energy is infinite. I can keep doing this forever."
And with that, he unleashed another overwhelming wave—energy gathering and firing again, covering the sky in explosions, determined to drown Goku under pure volume.
But Goku only looked amused.
"I already told you it won't work." He cracked his neck slightly, eyes bright. "Still trying to win with suppression? You're too young."
This time, Goku didn't block.
He surged forward.
His body moved like a dragon weaving through a storm—dodging each blast by the thinnest margins, slipping between explosions with impossible precision.
In the blink of an eye, he was right in front of Android 17.
"What?!"
Android 17's eyes widened. He tried to retreat—
Too late.
Goku's fist slammed into him.
Android 17 crossed his arms to guard.
Boom!
He went flying.
The sheer force made his arms go numb, completely dead. He couldn't even form energy blasts again.
Damn it…
So strong… Dr. Gero… your data is wrong again.
Before Android 17 could fully stabilize—
A Kamehameha roared toward him.
Android 17's eyes flashed. "Barrier!"
A green energy shield snapped into place around him.
The Kamehameha detonated.
The explosion swallowed him whole.
When the smoke cleared, Android 17's clothes were torn in multiple places, his breathing heavy, his posture visibly shaken.
The barrier hadn't held.
From the side, Android 18 watched Goku's back in silence, her expression complex.
"Even 17 can't beat him…" she murmured. "How is he this strong…?"
Goku looked down at Android 17 and spoke calmly.
"Kid, you should give up too. Infinite energy isn't that impressive. You still get hurt."
He smirked slightly, eyes flicking toward Android 18.
"Don't copy 18. If you can't win but keep forcing it, it gets embarrassing."
Android 18's face flushed again as she remembered biting him.
"…!"
Android 18 strode forward. "17. We're leaving."
Android 17's arms still tingled, completely numb. He understood the truth—he wasn't Goku's opponent.
He landed beside 18, and the two turned to go.
At that moment, Future Gohan stepped forward and blocked their path.
"No. They can't leave!"
Android 17 and 18 paused, then both looked at Goku instinctively.
Goku stepped over and patted Future Gohan's shoulder.
"It's fine. Let them go."
Future Gohan's voice tightened. "But—!"
"Don't worry," Goku said, cutting him off gently. Then he looked at the androids. "Go."
Android 17 and 18 exchanged a glance—then shot into the sky.
Halfway up, Android 18 looked back once.
Her eyes caught Goku's silhouette.
For a heartbeat, she hesitated.
Then she turned away and accelerated, vanishing into the distance.
As the tension finally drained from the battlefield, Nappa was the first one to celebrate, jumping in place and waving his fists.
"Hahaha! Kakarot, that was amazing! I knew you'd smash those tin men!"
Raditz crossed his arms proudly. "That's my little brother. Looks like Saiyan blood really is the strongest."
He glanced sideways at Vegeta, whose face was dark as storm clouds.
"Some people should reflect on themselves."
Vegeta didn't respond.
He just snorted, aura flaring—
—and shot off into the sky without a word.
Kid Gohan ran to Goku, eyes sparkling. "Dad! You were incredible! Those androids couldn't do anything to you!"
Goku laughed and ruffled his son's hair. "Gohan, if you genuinely like fighting—and you train hard for it—you'll surpass me one day."
Gohan blinked. "Really?"
"Of course." Goku's voice was steady, certain.
Krillin, Tien, and Yamcha walked up together.
Krillin wiped sweat from his forehead and let out a long breath. "Goku… thank goodness you were here. I'll be honest—when Vegeta got beaten, I almost lost hope."
Tien nodded. "Same. Vegeta was that strong and still got crushed… I thought we were done."
Yamcha laughed, though there was bitterness in it. "Goku, I can't believe you've reached this level. The gap between us is so huge now… I don't even think I qualify to be your sparring partner anymore."
Piccolo stood slightly apart, arms crossed, staring at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, expression unreadable—as if he was thinking about something far deeper.
Future Gohan looked around at the scene—the laughter, the relief, the way everyone's shoulders finally loosened.
And he froze.
So… that's it?
The crisis that had turned his world into a wasteland…
was resolved here, just like that.
His father had ended it with barely any effort.
Future Gohan's chest tightened, emotions surging so hard he almost couldn't breathe.
It wasn't how he imagined it.
But when he remembered the light in Bulma's eyes whenever she spoke of his father…
he finally understood.
Bulma was right.
As long as his dad was here—
he would always create miracles.
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