Eliminate the Androids

Early that morning, Vegeta slowly woke up. Bulma was no longer beside him. When he went outside, he saw her and Trunks having breakfast in the dining room!

Future Trunks ate just like Vegeta, wolfing down the food. The dishes on the table vanished like a storm sweeping through, all of it going into Future Trunks's stomach.

In the future, he hadn't eaten anything this delicious in a long time: steamed lamb, steamed bear paws, steamed deer tails, roast duck, roast chicken, roast goose, braised pork, braised duck, soy-braised chicken, cured meat, pork sausage, dried meat, sausages, assorted cold dishes, smoked chicken with white tripe, steamed eight-treasure pork, glutinous-rice-stuffed duck, game hen in a pot... (The author was just messing around here... padding the word count.)

Watching Future Trunks eat just like Vegeta, Bulma wore the faint smile of a loving mother!

Vegeta said, "Hmph, you're eating without calling me? I'm joining in. Let's see who can eat more! I'm the Saiyan Prince, after all."

At the sight of the food, Vegeta's stomach rumbled, too! He immediately joined the battle to wipe out the food, competing with Trunks over every bite: one of them grabbed a pork knuckle, while the other snatched a whole chicken...

"Why are you competing with a child? Honestly! Trunks hasn't eaten a meal this good in ages, and you're still fighting him for it. You don't act like a father at all!" Bulma scolded.

"Wuh—(we) can't—(eat)..." Vegeta mumbled through a mouthful.

"Swallow before you speak!" Bulma shouted.

"We Saiyans have to win at everything we do, including eating!" Vegeta said after swallowing.

The father and son finished the huge table of food in less than ten minutes! They leaned back in their chairs, looking content, and belched from time to time.

"Father, let's go. The Time Machine has just enough energy for the trip back. If you want to return, you'll have to wait a year," Trunks said.

"Mm, let's go! I've already figured out how to get back. We'll go first and talk about it later. Don't worry about it," Vegeta replied.

Once he completed his mission and his Space-Time Technique advanced, he'd be able to use the Greater Space-Time Technique to cross parallel timelines and return on his own, so he wasn't worried.

In the future,

the world, already in ruins, had fallen into even greater devastation.

The Time Machine carrying Vegeta and Future Trunks appeared on an island three thousand kilometers from West City.

"All right, I've sensed where your mother is. Let's go see her first," Vegeta said.

He then used Instant Transmission, teleporting to the island where Bulma was.

Vegeta's Instant Transmission surpassed both the Supreme Kai's and the Yardrat people's versions. As long as he was in this world, he could travel to any location at will! The laws of space revealed the entire world around him in his mind. Although he couldn't sense Bulma's faint ki, he could see where she was. The wonders of the laws were truly incredible.

Just imagine: Zeno was the embodiment of the laws, with the terrifying ability to erase everything forever!

At this point, Vegeta had only mastered the basics. He could move through space, but he couldn't freely create or destroy it yet. Once the technique advanced into the Greater Space-Time Technique, its ability to cross time and its control over time would grow stronger. The power over space would probably improve, too. After all, the system hadn't explained it clearly, and Vegeta would have to figure it out for himself later!

Trunks led Vegeta to a cave on the western side of the island. Inside the small cavern, Trunks slowly lifted an iron hatch in the floor, revealing a man-made staircase that led straight down.

The two of them walked down one step at a time. When they were almost at the bottom, a voice called out!

"Who's there?"

"Ka-chak."

The warning was accompanied by the sound of a gun being cocked.

"Mai, it's me. I'm back," Trunks said tenderly.

(A note from the author: I know Mai wasn't supposed to appear here yet, but I'm bringing her in early so Vegeta can take Bulma away more easily and Future Trunks won't be reluctant to let her go. It doesn't affect the story!)

A beautiful figure immediately flew into Future Trunks's arms.

"Wah... Trunks, I missed you so much. You're finally back!" Mai sobbed.

"I missed you, too. How's my mother? Don't cry, you won't look pretty anymore," Future Trunks gently comforted her.

"Aunt Bulma never says it, but I can tell she's terribly worried about you. She doesn't know if you reached the past safely or whether you'll make it back alive. She often cries when she thinks no one's looking." Mai calmed down and spoke through her sobs.

When she lifted her head, she finally noticed Vegeta!

She asked, "Trunks, who's this...?"

"This is my father, Vegeta, from another timeline! Mai, call him Uncle," Future Trunks hurriedly introduced.

"Hello, Uncle Vegeta. My name is Mai, and I'm Trunks's girlfriend," Mai said respectfully.

Meeting her future father-in-law for the first time, she was extremely nervous.

"Mm, not bad. From now on, call me Father, just like Trunks does! Once we've wiped out the Androids, I'll arrange your wedding," Vegeta said, offering them some timely encouragement...

Mai's face turned scarlet in an instant. She was too embarrassed to know what to say, but deep down she was very happy to have his approval.

"Dad, what are you saying...? Mai's embarrassed!" Future Trunks held his forehead.

He didn't dare respond, afraid he might say something that would offend her, so he could only mumble something in reply!

"What's wrong, my son? Am I not allowed to say that? Is she not good enough for you?" Vegeta continued, piling on the encouragement!

"I... I'm willing, Uncle Vegeta..." Mai hurriedly replied, afraid he might misunderstand.

"Mai... thank you for staying by my side through all this. I'll take good care of you from now on!" Future Trunks managed to show a little tact and picked up where Vegeta left off.

Once they'd finished speaking, the two of them embraced again, tears of happiness streaming down their faces!

"Hmph, are you two never going to stop? Take me to Bulma!" Vegeta snorted coldly, unable to stomach any more of their lovey-dovey behavior!

Only then did they let go and lead Vegeta deeper into the bunker!

Mai and Future Trunks walked ahead. Mai asked in a low voice, "Trunks, why is Uncle Vegeta so cold? Do you think he doesn't like me?"

"At first, I thought Father was just like Mother said—cold and heartless, indifferent to everything. But after spending time with him, I realized he isn't like that. He's the kind of person who seems cold on the outside but is warm inside. Otherwise, he wouldn't have said you were 'not bad.' You have no idea—during this whole time, Father hasn't once told me I was 'not bad.' He just calls me an idiot or a good-for-nothing!" Trunks whispered in Mai's ear.

What Trunks didn't know was that someone else's soul had taken over Vegeta's body!

"Stop whispering in each other's ears in front of me. Keep moving—you're wasting time!" Vegeta shouted.

The two of them jumped in fright, then quickened their pace!

"Hmph, you couldn't at least wait until I was out of earshot? You really think I can't hear you? How dare you talk about me," Vegeta thought.

A short while later, they reached the lowest level!

In a pitch-black passageway, a group of people huddled together for warmth. They were filthy and dressed in rags—old people, children, and women. And there was a familiar, short, chubby man among them. Looking closer, Vegeta saw it was Yajirobe. He was still shaped like a ball, but his face was much older and his beard was scruffy!

The sight was so pitiful that even Vegeta couldn't bear to look. He took out a Hoi-Poi Capsule and tossed it to Mai. "There's plenty of food in here, as well as the supplies you'll need to rebuild your home once you return to the surface. Take care of it! For now, give them something to eat."

"Trunks, take me to see your mother!" Vegeta said.

Trunks led Vegeta into Bulma's laboratory!

When they opened the door, Bulma was busy tapping at a keyboard, controlling the robots outside as they searched for supplies. She was so occupied that she didn't even turn to look at them!

"Who is it? Mai, is that you? Come in and wait a moment. I'm almost done," Bulma said.

Trunks was about to answer, but Vegeta stopped him with a hand. He slowly walked behind Bulma and said gently, "It's me. I came to see you..."

Bulma's busy hands suddenly froze. She stood there like a statue, not daring to turn around!

Vegeta didn't urge her. He just waited for her to turn around.

A full minute passed before Bulma slowly turned to look at Vegeta. Her expression shifted in an instant. Disbelief gradually gave way to tears streaming down her face!

She stood and threw herself into Vegeta's arms, holding him tightly as she burst into tears!...

Watching the two of them, Trunks quietly slipped out and closed the door.

Inside, Bulma's sobs gradually turned into the soft sounds of sleep... Exhausted from working for so long, and already overwhelmed with grief, she had fallen into a deep sleep... It seemed Vegeta's arrival had finally allowed her to let go of everything.

Bulma hadn't even had the chance to speak with Vegeta.

Vegeta carried Bulma to the nearby bed and gently tried to withdraw. But Bulma clung tightly to his arm, afraid he would disappear again if she let go. Vegeta could only soothe her softly.

"Don't worry. I'll take you with me this time. I won't leave you behind!"

Only after he said this did Bulma's hands gradually loosen. Vegeta quietly opened the door and went out. He walked as softly as he could, afraid of waking the woman who had suffered for so long!

Outside, he saw everyone ravenously devouring the food. Anger flared in him!

He said angrily, "Trunks, go and wipe out the Androids right now! You'd better finish them before your mother wakes up, and give her that as a present. If you can't do it, I'll handle it myself!"

Trunks replied solemnly, "Don't worry, Father. I'm absolutely confident I can beat them. I won't let all your training and guidance go to waste!"

Mai looked at Trunks with concern.

"By the way, Father, why didn't you stay with Mother longer? Why did you come out so quickly?" Future Trunks asked, puzzled again!

"Idiot! Didn't you hear me say your mother had fallen asleep? How have you been protecting her? You let her suffer so much. Aren't you ashamed to call yourself a man? Will you be able to take care of Mai in the future?" Vegeta snapped angrily!

The scolding left Future Trunks's face red, and he couldn't say a word!

"Uncle Vegeta, I believe in him. Please don't blame him," Mai said, defending Trunks.

"Call me Father. If Trunks ever lets you down, I'll kill him. Hmph, good-for-nothing!" Vegeta said, exasperated by his son's lack of backbone!

Looking at the youthful, beautiful Mai before him, Vegeta suddenly recalled a bit from a novel in his previous life about fathers-in-law and daughters-in-law...

I'm getting carried away, I'm getting carried away... She's my daughter-in-law. Why would I think that... Vegeta shuddered.

Mai blushed and said, "Yes, Fa... Father..."

Vegeta had frightened her so much that she even stammered!

"Don't worry, Father. I won't run away anymore. I'll kill them with my own hands. I won't hold back!" Future Trunks said, his voice full of murderous intent!

With that, he turned and strode away without looking back.

Mai watched Trunks set off, silent, her heart filled with worry!!

Vegeta reassured her, "Don't worry. With that brat's strength now, he'll be fine!"

Then he turned and went back into Bulma's room! He sat beside her, waiting for her to wake up!

Outside,

Trunks transformed into a Super Saiyan and flew toward the Androids! Although he couldn't sense the Androids' energy, the energy blasts they were firing as they wreaked destruction made them as easy to find as a brightly marked signpost!

In moments, Trunks had reached the Androids!

Android 18 looked at Future Trunks and taunted him. "Well, well... You finally decided to come out? What, are you here to die? I'd really hate to kill you. That would spoil all the fun!"

"You're all going to die!" Future Trunks said.

As soon as the words left his mouth, his power surged. He transformed into his second-grade form, drew the sword from his back, and charged at Android 18 with a swift slash!

Future Trunks now had a base battle power of thirty million. After transforming into Super Saiyan second grade, his strength multiplied seventyfold, reaching 2.1 billion! The Androids in this world weren't as powerful as those in the main timeline; their strength was around 1.5 to 1.6 billion. Through his training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Future Trunks had raised his battle power to twenty million during the first half-year. Although he hadn't specifically trained to improve his base battle power during the second half-year, mastering Super Saiyan second grade had raised it by another ten million, bringing it to thirty million in total!

Future Trunks still had enormous potential. With Vegeta's brutal training and systematic guidance, his strength had increased dramatically. He could now overwhelm the Androids.

His immense ki shocked Android 18. Before she could react, he sliced her in two. Blood flowed from the half-human, half-machine Android 18, while thick smoke billowed from her damaged machinery!

Future Trunks wasn't the sort to let his guard down. He held his sword in one hand and gathered the Great Bombardment Attack Vegeta had taught him in the other, firing it at Android 18 before she had fully come apart. A blast of energy erupted! Android 18 was completely obliterated!

He immediately charged at Android 17 and swung his sword. Android 17 hadn't yet recovered from the shock of Android 18's death, but he had no choice but to catch the blade between his hands.

"Hmph, you only killed Android 18 because you had that sword!" Android 17 told himself, trying to convince himself.

Future Trunks said nothing, only gave him a scornful smile! He kicked, sending Android 17 flying into the air in an instant! Then he sheathed his sword, raised both hands, and fired a blast upward. Unable to steady himself or dodge in time, Android 17 hurriedly used his signature move, the Energy Shield. A circular barrier surrounded his whole body!

Future Trunks's attack was temporarily blocked.

Future Trunks immediately poured in more energy, and the Energy Shield shattered with a crash! Android 17 was completely blown away!!!

Trunks powered down and returned to his normal form. He headed back to the island! In a short time, he had killed both Androids! His clean, decisive methods truly proved him to be the most cautious Saiyan—he hadn't taken any unnecessary risks!

But he hadn't noticed that, behind the ruins of a nearby building, a complicated ki could faintly be sensed, combining the energy of Frieza with that of the people of Earth...

The island bunker,

"Ding! Host has completed the second mission. Reward: Bulma restored to factory settings!" (The setting here only restores her youth and erases the body she shared with the Vegeta in the original timeline, refreshing her body. Otherwise, the protagonist would feel uncomfortable—and so would I!)

Vegeta watched Bulma grow younger and regain her youthful beauty. He was thrilled!

After the system repaired and refreshed her, Bulma slowly woke up. She felt as if her body had become more than ten years younger! The parts that had sagged were now much firmer, and her drooping backside gradually lifted, returning to its youthful tightness!

When she opened her eyes and saw Vegeta, she was so astonished she nearly burst into tears again!

"Don't cry, Bulma. I came to take you with me this time!" Vegeta hurriedly comforted her!

"You're not him. You look like him, but he wouldn't comfort me like that. Still, I'm very happy," Bulma said after collecting herself!

"Yes and no. Trunks found me and told me everything that happened in your world. I came back with him to take you away from all this suffering!" Vegeta explained!

"But you still aren't him. From what you've said, you're only his counterpart from a parallel world. I won't go with you. There's a Bulma in that world, too, isn't there? I won't ruin your happiness!" Bulma said sadly!

Before Vegeta could say anything else, Trunks had returned and told everyone outside what had happened. Excited cries and cheers broke out all around them, drowning out Vegeta's words!

"What's happening outside? Where's Trunks? Didn't he come back with you?" Bulma asked anxiously!

"Don't worry. Come on, I'll take you out to see," Vegeta said, helping Bulma up.

After so many years without anyone touching her, Vegeta's gentle actions moved Bulma so deeply that her body trembled, and a thought stirred in her heart...

She didn't want to refuse his kindness, either, so she let Vegeta support her as they went outside!!!

"Mom, why do you look younger and prettier?" Trunks asked in astonishment!

"Do I? I do feel a little different. I feel like I'm eighteen again, full of energy!" Bulma only then noticed the change in her body! She answered.

"Enough about me. Tell me what happened. Why is everyone so happy?" Bulma asked, looking at the excited crowd!

"Aunt Bulma, Trunks defeated the Androids and completely wiped them out. We don't have to keep hiding anymore!"

"What??? As far as I know, Trunks couldn't beat them yet. Are you lying to cheer me up?" Bulma asked in disbelief!

"Mother, I went back to the past..."

Trunks slowly explained everything that had happened during that time.

Vegeta didn't interrupt. Everyone listened quietly as Trunks explained.