The research facility had been destroyed by Trunks, who had tried to stop 17 from releasing Android 16.
And yet.
Even so, Android 16 had still been released by 17.
Although they couldn't touch Wang Shen, 18 and 17 were both far too fast for Trunks to match.
A burly man with orange, crest-like hair, dressed in a black bodysuit and green armor.
Android 16.
A purely mechanical being, created by Dr. Gero in the image of his own son.
Yet he possessed the greatest strength of all, so much so that even Dr. Gero feared him.
This seemed to confirm the rule that the lower the number, the greater the strength.
To everyone's surprise.
The hulking 16 showed no inclination to fight. Instead, he stood quietly atop a mountain peak, coaxing a little bird that had landed on his arm.
His eyes were filled with tenderness.
17 faced off against Trunks, Piccolo, and the others on another mountain peak, completely without restraint.
Unlike when he'd faced Wang Shen, he now showed the true confidence of a young man who had risen to prominence.
Only 18 kept glancing in the direction Wang Shen had gone.
"Hey, do you know that handsome Saiyan?"
18 asked Piccolo and the others about Wang Shen, her voice cold.
Piccolo and the others looked at one another.
They wanted to know about that Saiyan, too.
Seeing their reaction, 18 realized she couldn't count on those fools.
She sighed helplessly.
Whoosh!
A sharp sound split the air.
Wang Shen suddenly appeared before them again, startling several of them.
Like his origins, he came and went without a trace, shrouded in mystery.
Wang Shen appeared directly in front of 18, so close they were almost touching.
They stared into each other's eyes, close enough to see their reflections in each other's pupils.
Wang Shen could even feel 18's hurried breaths brush against his face.
And her pretty cheeks were flushed a rosy red, so alluring that he was tempted to throw caution to the wind and take a bite.
"Hello!"
To ease the tension and quell his impulse, Wang Shen spoke up.
"Uh... Ah!"
At the sound of Wang Shen's voice, 18 finally came to her senses and hurriedly stepped back, putting some distance between them.
The blush on 18's face deepened. As if trying to cover it up, she drew a golden lock of hair from behind her ear to hide her burning cheeks.
"Um... You're back. Are you hurt?"
18 couldn't bring herself to look into Wang Shen's bright eyes. She lowered her head.
His golden eyes are so beautiful.
Seeing how shy 18 looked, Wang Shen smiled happily. He liked her even more now.
"I'm fine. I—"
"Dad!"
Before Wang Shen could finish, Trunks cried out, interrupting him.
He'd spotted Vegeta, battered all over, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth and unconscious.
Ignoring the dangerous androids nearby, Trunks rushed over at once.
He took the limp Vegeta from Wang Shen.
Vegeta was a jerk who'd even attacked him earlier, but Trunks was still a devoted son.
He looked at the battered Vegeta, his face full of worry.
To prevent any misunderstandings, Wang Shen had no choice but to put 18 aside for the moment. It would give her some time to calm her restless heart.
He turned to explain to Trunks:
"Don't worry. Vegeta looks awful, but he hasn't suffered any serious injuries. I couldn't bring myself to hurt him."
"I only knocked him out. He'll wake up soon."
Seeing the wary look in Trunks's eyes, Wang Shen continued explaining:
"I'm a Saiyan, too. I grew up on Planet Vegeta, and Vegeta and I have known each other since we were very young."
"Once Vegeta wakes up, you can ask him about me."
Trunks couldn't tell whether Wang Shen was telling the truth.
But he had little choice.
He reluctantly carried Vegeta back to his group.
"Uncle Piccolo, what should we do now?"
Trunks knitted his brows and asked Piccolo.
Piccolo looked at Wang Shen and the three androids, his expression grave. After a moment's thought, he said:
"We can't beat them on our own. Let's go back and discuss what to do."
As Krillin left, he suddenly looked back at Wang Shen and the others. For some reason, he felt a little empty inside,
as if he'd lost something.
Wang Shen calmly watched Krillin. He wasn't bothered by it.
In his eyes, Krillin really wasn't good enough for 18.
Wang Shen turned his gaze to 16, who remained immersed in his own world, and gave a quiet nod.
He was a natural, qualified gardener.
The God of Destruction Realm needed people like him.
He couldn't let Cell kill him.
"I really can't figure out what kind of person you are."
17 walked over with his hands in his pockets and said, puzzled.
"You help us androids, even though we're strangers, then knock Vegeta out. I just can't understand what you're trying to do."
Wang Shen smiled faintly.
"I want to be a good person."
"Tch, we're not good people! You picked the wrong people to help."
17 turned his head away, disdainful.
A good person?
"Don't be rude, 17."
18 walked over in a sleeveless denim jacket. Her curvaceous figure was wrapped in a black bodysuit, and she wore a pair of brown knee-high boots. She looked extremely alluring.
"Thank you for helping us. Dr. Gero controlled 17 and me for a long time."
Now that they'd been reborn as androids, she and 17 called each other by their numbers.
"17 and I plan to travel around the world and look for Son Goku. Don't worry, we won't try to kill him again. We just want to see the Saiyan Dr. Gero hated so much."
"Would you like to come with us?"
Honestly, looking at the sincerity in 18's eyes, Wang Shen nearly lost his resolve and said yes.
Traveling with 18 would give him a chance to see her stunning outfits when she changed clothes in a clothing store.
And yet.
Wang Shen still steeled himself, his heart aching as he turned down the goddess's invitation.
"No, I have things I need to take care of, too."
At his words, the hopeful light in 18's eyes immediately dimmed.
Wang Shen hurriedly added:
"But I'll come find you once I'm done."
"Don't worry. I'll find you, just like today—one second, I'm gone, and the next, I'm right in front of you."
As he spoke, Wang Shen demonstrated with an exaggerated gesture.
18 immediately smiled, her face lighting up with a breathtaking smile.
Soon, she remembered how awkward and intimate it had felt to stand face-to-face with Wang Shen. She pursed her lips with a demure air.
Nearby, 17's eyes widened as he watched. A few suspicions suddenly crossed his mind, and his expression turned complicated.
But 18 had no time for him. Gathering her courage, she asked:
"By the way, I don't even know your name."
"Wang Shen. Wang as in 'king,' and Shen written with three 'fire' radicals and one 'wood.' That's my Earth name."
"What's your name?"
Wang Shen deliberately asked in return.
18 didn't answer and changed the subject.
"Let's go, 17."
17 shot Wang Shen one last strange look, then turned and left with 16.
They headed toward poetry and distant horizons.
Then—
18 first glanced back cautiously at 17 as he walked away, making sure he couldn't see her.
Then, picking her moment, she quickly leaned in.
But she didn't know Wang Shen had been waiting for this.
As her red lips drew near, he turned his head in an instant and pressed his lips to hers.
Mwah!
18 immediately realized the sensation wasn't quite what she'd imagined.
A moist, soft feeling tingled against her brain.
Wang Shen was still savoring it when he suddenly felt that warmth slip away.
When he opened his eyes, all he saw was 18's graceful figure flying off in a hurry.
At the same time, a clear voice rang in his ears.
"My name is Lazuli! Remember that!"
Wang Shen smiled faintly.
I know.
But I'll remember it!
Before you continue