Android 18 flinched, throwing her arms up in a desperate guard against Goku's devastating punch.
The blow never landed. Instead, his fist blurred past her ear, the shockwave of its passage stinging her cheek like a slap.
Goku's fierce expression melted into a grin. "I've got a rule," he said lightly. "I don't hit beautiful women. Especially ones I find interesting."
"Are you mocking me?" Android 18's face hardened, her cold fury undimmed. She snapped a punch straight at his smirk.
Snap. Goku caught her fist effortlessly, his grip firm but not crushing. "Mocking? No. Stating a fact. You're no match for me, and I don't see you as my enemy." His eyes held hers. "So here's the deal. Promise me you and Number 17 will stop causing chaos on Earth, and I'll let you both walk away. Consider it a personal favor."
"Why would I believe you?" she spat, struggling against his hold.
With his free hand, Goku produced the two small deactivation remotes. "Maybe because of these?"
A cold sneer twisted her lips. "Is that your true face? You think those toys can control us?"
"Tsk. So distrustful. Not cute at all," Goku sighed with exaggerated disappointment. He tossed the remotes into her palm, released her fist, and turned his back, waving over his shoulder as he walked away. "Just try to be good, okay? Or I'll have to come back and scold you properly."
"18!" Number 17 flew to her side, his eyes wary as he saw the devices in her hand.
Crunch. She crushed the remotes into metallic dust without a second glance. Her gaze, complex and unreadable, followed Goku's retreating figure for a moment before she turned away. "Let's go," she stated flatly, soaring into the sky with Number 17 close behind.
"Now," Goku murmured to the empty battlefield, his playful demeanor vanishing. "For the real threats. Cell. Noko. Where are you hiding?"
He scoured the island meticulously, energy senses flaring, turning over every rock and ruin. Nothing. By the time the sun began to bleed into the horizon, he had to admit defeat.
"Not here. They could be anywhere." He shook his head, resolve hardening. "Forget it. They'll show themselves eventually. Until then, I'll just get stronger."
With a final glance at the ruined island, he focused his ki and vanished.
---
He reappeared in the living room of Capsule Corporation, startling its occupants. Krillin, Tienshinhan, Yamcha, and the others were all gathered there.
"Goku! You're back!" Krillin exclaimed, rushing forward. "We heard from Master Roshi you went after the Androids! We wanted to help, but…"
"We didn't want to get in your way," Tienshinhan finished, his arms crossed. "So we waited here for news."
Rasuto buzzed with excitement. "Lord Goku! Was your mission successful? Did you eliminate all the Androids?"
Goku nodded. "Mostly. Dr. Loke is finished. But two remain—'ultimate bio-humans,' secretly developed by him and Dr. Gero. They're well-hidden. I searched but couldn't find a trace, so I came back."
"Dr. Loke is gone? Incredible!" Rasuto's admiration was palpable. "I knew you would prevail, Lord Goku! But… these ultimate bio-humans sound dangerous. If they surpass the previous models…"
Goku waved a hand, cutting off the concern. "It doesn't matter. The moment they reveal themselves, I'll handle it. For now, everyone keep your senses sharp. Report anything unusual to me immediately."
After a brief discussion, Krillin and the other warriors took their leave, leaving Goku with Bulma and the other women.
Nan Rika was the first to confront him, hands on her hips. "You are so reckless! Running off to fight without a proper word! Do you have any idea how worried we were?"
The anxious looks from Bulma, Saeko, and Shizuka echoed her sentiment. Every battle he fought was a knot of fear in their hearts.
"Hey, don't worry so much," Goku said, his tone softening. "They were just warm-ups, really. Now, I've been fighting all day and I'm covered in grime." He flashed a bright, mischievous grin, grabbing Saeko and Shizuka by the hands. "Come on, you two. How about helping your husband scrub his back?"
Amidst their half-hearted protests and blushes, he ushered them toward the bathroom. Soon, the sounds of splashing water and soft, happy laughter drifted out, washing away the lingering tension.
---
Three peaceful days passed. Goku was deep in an intense gravity training session within the Hyperbolic Time Chamber of the World Ring when the door burst open.
"Goku! Come quick, you need to see this!" Bulma's voice was urgent, her face pale. She pulled him out of the chamber. "I think the one you're looking for… he's appeared."
"What?!" Goku followed her swiftly into the mansion's main living room.
All the women were gathered around the large screen, their expressions tense. Bulma's modifications allowed the television to broadcast live signals even from within the World Ring.
"…repeating, this is breaking news. Rescue teams have made a grim discovery in the Chijia Town area… numerous piles of clothing, believed to belong to victims… but no bodies have been found…"
The screen showed footage of a quiet, abandoned street littered with empty garments.
"…the estimated missing population now exceeds fifteen thousand. Authorities are baffled… Wait, our field reporter is on the scene—"
The image cut to a shaky, handheld feed. A reporter stood before a backdrop of eerie stillness. "—yes, as you can see, it's completely deserted. There are signs of a struggle, discarded weapons, but… Ah! What was that?" A distant, wet, crunching sound echoed. The reporter froze, fear dawning on his face. "…It's gotten very quiet all of a sudden…"
The transmission dissolved into static.
"Change the channel! Hurry!" Saya urged.
Another news feed flickered to life, this one from a helicopter. The camera wobbled violently, pointing down at a green, insect-like figure moving with terrifying speed through a city square below. A sickening, collective scream rose and was abruptly cut off.
"Ahhh! It's coming—!" the cameraman screamed before the feed was severed with a final burst of static.
A cold, familiar thrill shot down Goku's spine. He leaned forward, a predatory smile touching his lips as he stared at the now-blank screen.
"Heh… That settles it. So you've finally decided to show yourself, Cell."