Chapter Summaries

Son Goku lured Dr. Gero and Android 19 away from the town, then overwhelmed Android 19 while Dr. Gero escaped into the rocks. Son Goku failed to catch Dr. Gero and met Krillin, Tien Shinhan, and the others as they arrived.

• Son Goku flew away from town to draw Dr. Gero and Android 19 toward a desolate island, and Chi-Chi followed while suppressing her energy.
• Android 19 attacked Son Goku, but Son Goku easily knocked him back and revealed his overwhelming strength.
• Dr. Gero considered activating Androids 17 and 18, then hid among the rocks and absorbed Son Goku's energy blast before escaping.
• Android 19 blocked Son Goku from pursuing Dr. Gero, but Son Goku shattered his arms and cut off his head.
• Son Goku chased Dr. Gero but failed to catch him, then met Krillin, Tien Shinhan, and the others as they arrived.

Son Goku found Chi-Chi unconscious and apparently dead, then rushed her to Bulma’s private hospital after realizing medical treatment might save her. Meanwhile, Krillin organized the others to pursue the surviving Android, and Vegeta confirmed that Goku had destroyed one.

• Son Goku told the others he had killed one Android and suggested they search the island in pairs, then realized he had lost track of Chi-Chi.
• Son Goku failed to sense Chi-Chi, then used Instant Transmission to reach Piccolo, who had found her lying near a cliff.
• Son Goku found Chi-Chi without breathing or a detectable pulse, and Piccolo said she appeared to have died of an illness.
• Son Goku remembered that Bulma had researched heart disease treatment and used Instant Transmission to take Chi-Chi to her private hospital.
• Krillin took charge and urged the others to pursue the surviving Android, while Vegeta arrived and confirmed that Goku had destroyed one.

Vegeta confronted Dr. Gero, whose ability to absorb energy let him evade Vegeta and grow stronger. After Dr. Gero nearly killed Piccolo, Krillin revived him with a Senzu Bean, and Piccolo attacked Dr. Gero, sending him flying toward Super Saiyan Vegeta.

• Vegeta left the others to fight Dr. Gero alone, and the group followed after him.
• Dr. Gero absorbed Vegeta’s energy blasts while hiding among the rocks, then decided to target the arriving fighters to gain enough strength to defeat Vegeta.
• Dr. Gero ambushed Piccolo, drained his energy, and stabbed through his chest.
• Krillin fed Piccolo a Senzu Bean, restoring him, and Piccolo warned that Dr. Gero grew stronger by absorbing energy.
• Piccolo charged Dr. Gero with golden energy and struck him, sending him flying toward the waiting Vegeta.

Piccolo crippled Dr. Gero, who offered to lead the group to his laboratory and release Androids 17 and 18. On the way, Tien Shinhan collapsed from the effects of overtraining, and Chiaotzu took him to West City for emergency treatment as the others continued after Dr. Gero.

• Piccolo broke Dr. Gero’s limbs and beat him after explaining that the energy absorber had stolen little of his power.
• Dr. Gero revealed that Androids 17 and 18 were stronger models with unlimited energy, and Vegeta and Piccolo agreed to follow him to the laboratory.
• Tien Shinhan collapsed while flying, and Chiaotzu explained that Tien had been overworking himself and suffering from a condition like Chi-Chi’s.
• Piccolo sent Chiaotzu to take Tien to West City for treatment, and Chiaotzu carried him toward the city.
• Vegeta told Krillin and Yamcha that they had reached their limits, then Dr. Gero stopped.

Dr. Gero activated Android 17 and Android 18, but they destroyed his Emergency Stop Device and killed him instead of obeying his orders. They released Android 16, then declined to fight Vegeta and sent the reluctant Android 16 to face him.

• Dr. Gero opened Android 17 and Android 18's pods and ordered them to kill Vegeta and the others, then Son Goku.
• Android 18 crushed the Emergency Stop Device, and Android 17 decapitated Dr. Gero and crushed his head.
• Android 18 opened Android 16's pod after Android 17 agreed he had been imprisoned for disobeying Dr. Gero.
• Android 17 and Android 18 said they had no reason to fight Vegeta and the others, but Vegeta taunted them as dolls.
• Android 17 told Android 16 to fight Vegeta, but Android 16 refused because he disliked fighting.

Android 18 fought Vegeta after he transformed into a Super Saiyan, while she and Android 17 reflected on Dr. Gero’s attempts to brainwash them and Android 18 remembered Bulma’s bank card. Vegeta insisted he had been holding back, but Android 18 revealed she had not been serious either and began attacking.

• Android 18 and Android 17 realized Dr. Gero had kept them in Mechanical Pods and tried to brainwash them into killing Son Goku.
• Android 18 remembered that Bulma had given them a bank card and considered asking her for a replacement.
• Android 18 asked whether Son Goku was present, provoking Vegeta into transforming into a Super Saiyan and challenging her.
• Android 18 calmly blocked Vegeta’s attacks while Piccolo, Krillin, Yamcha, and Android 17 remarked on her strength.
• Vegeta claimed he had restrained his power, and Android 18 said she had done the same before launching her own attack.

Vegeta fought Android 18 while Krillin, Yamcha, and Piccolo debated whether to intervene, but Vegeta refused their help. After unleashing a fierce assault and a Big Bang Attack, Vegeta seemed to have won, but Android 18 emerged unharmed and prepared to continue.

• Android 18 repeatedly struck Vegeta and sent him crashing into a mountainside.
• Android 17 blocked Krillin, Yamcha, and Piccolo from joining the fight, while Vegeta told them he wanted to fight alone.
• Android 18 offered to let the others leave, but Vegeta rejected the idea and insulted the Androids.
• Vegeta unleashed Prince Tactics and drove Android 18 back before blasting her with a Big Bang Attack.
• Android 18 stood unharmed in the flattened battlefield, removed her tattered jacket, and told Vegeta his attack had been dangerous.

Vegeta’s attack on Android 18 faltered when his stamina ran out, and she defeated him without killing him. After Android 17 and Android 18 flew toward West City and Android 16 left to watch birds, Krillin and the others recovered Vegeta and set out to check on Goku’s house.

• Vegeta charged Android 18, but Piccolo warned Krillin and Yamcha that Vegeta was exhausting himself while she remained fresh.
• Android 18 broke Vegeta’s arm and beat him unconscious after he refused to surrender.
• Android 17 and Android 18 told the others Vegeta could recover with a Senzu Bean, then flew toward West City to get money for clothes.
• Android 18 said she had eaten a Senzu Bean as a child and recognized Piccolo as Demon King Piccolo’s son before she and Android 17 departed.
• Android 16 said he wanted to watch birds rather than kill anyone, and Krillin told him about Eighter.
• Krillin gave Vegeta a Senzu Bean and urged him to come with them to check on Goku’s house, but Vegeta flew away alone.

Krillin and Yamcha headed to West City after deciding the Androids did not seem intent on harming them, while Piccolo flew to Kami's Lookout. At the hospital, Goku and Bulma learned Chi-Chi had organ failure from overexertion and could be saved with the Dragon Balls, while Tien Shinhan's doctor said he could recover with rest.

• Krillin and Yamcha agreed to go to West City, while Piccolo claimed he intended to conquer the world and flew toward Kami's Lookout.
• Goku and Bulma feared the worst when Chi-Chi's doctor said she had done everything she could, then learned Chi-Chi was alive but had only a year or two without treatment.
• Goku and Bulma realized the Dragon Balls could restore Chi-Chi's lifespan and planned to gather them.
• Tien Shinhan's doctor told Bulma that Tien had exhausted himself through training but could live for decades if he rested.

After learning that intense training had shortened Chi-Chi’s lifespan, Bulma planned to use the Dragon Balls to extend it. Android 17 and Android 18 arrived to see Bulma, and the chapter ended with them asking her to replace a bank card she had given them years earlier.

• A doctor explained to Bulma and Goku that Earthlings could lose years of life from the strain of getting stronger, and Bulma decided to extend Chi-Chi’s lifespan with the Dragon Balls.
• Launch told Bulma and Goku that Android 17 and Android 18 were waiting to see Bulma and had asked her to bring her ID.
• Bulma remembered giving the two Androids a bank card years earlier and went with Goku to meet them.
• Android 18 recalled that Goku had once saved her during the Demon King Piccolo incident and given her a Senzu Bean, though Goku could not remember.
• Android 17 explained that they had lost Bulma’s card and asked her to replace it, saying they had not spent most of the money.

Android 17 and Android 18 asked Bulma to replace their lost bank card, and Son Goku arranged for them to receive a hundred million each. After Android 18 confronted him about his three wives, Goku admitted he was a cheater, then left with Bulma to get the Dragon Radar while Launch delivered the money.

• Android 17 and Android 18 told Bulma that Dr. Gero had captured them before they could recover the money on their bank card.
• Son Goku asked Launch to give Android 17 and Android 18 a hundred million each, and Launch brought them the cash in briefcases.
• Android 18 learned that Bulma, Launch, and Chi-Chi were all Son Goku's wives and called him a cheater.
• Android 18 asked Son Goku how he had managed to marry three wives, and he admitted that she was right about him being a cheater.
• Bulma comforted Son Goku and took him to get the Dragon Radar so he could collect the Dragon Balls.

Android 17 and Android 18 left Capsule Corporation to shop, then Android 17 suggested Android 18 marry Goku so they could benefit from Bulma’s wealth. After Vegeta brooded over his defeat and drove Sakura away, Sakura went to Bulma’s home to complain.

• Android 17 and Android 18 accepted money from Launch, left Capsule Corporation, and went shopping in West City.
• Android 18 pointed out that prices had surged, and Android 17 proposed she marry Goku to secure their future.
• Krillin and the others arrived after the androids left, then went with Goku to search for the Dragon Balls.
• Vegeta flew to a cliff and brooded over his defeat, determined to find a way to surpass Super Saiyan.
• Sakura found Vegeta at night and asked him to earn money for their baby, but he told her to get lost.
• Sakura ran to Bulma’s home the next day to complain about Vegeta.

Bulma comforted Sakura, who was considering leaving Vegeta with their baby, and brought her to watch Shenron grant Son Goku’s wish. Chi-Chi recovered completely, and she and Son Goku reunited joyfully.

• Sakura told Bulma that Vegeta had rejected her and said she planned to take their baby home and cut ties with him.
• Bulma comforted Sakura and encouraged her by praising the baby, giving Sakura a glimmer of hope.
• When Shenron appeared, Bulma explained to Sakura why she did not use the Dragon Balls recklessly and brought her to watch.
• Son Goku wished for Chi-Chi to live another thousand years, and Shenron restored her health.
• Chi-Chi ran to Son Goku, and the two embraced and kissed while Krillin and Yamcha watched awkwardly.

Sakura visited Bulma and learned that Vegeta had been beaten by the Androids, leaving her worried about his pride and their relationship. Goku suggested that Vegeta train in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, and Sakura considered telling him about it.

• Bulma invited Sakura to lunch with Goku, Chi-Chi, Krillin, Yamcha, and Raditz.
• Sakura watched Goku tenderly care for Chi-Chi and compared his gentle behavior with Vegeta’s.
• Krillin told the group that the Androids had beaten Vegeta, and Sakura admitted she had not known.
• Raditz advised Sakura that Saiyans generally preferred assertive women, while Bulma urged her to be herself and show genuine concern.
• Goku told Sakura that the Hyperbolic Time Chamber at Kami’s Lookout could help Vegeta grow stronger, with one year inside passing as one day outside.

Vegeta resolved to grow stronger and went to Kami's Lookout to train in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Piccolo pressed Kami to merge with him, but Kami wanted to observe the Androids first, leaving their decision unresolved.

• Vegeta transformed into a Super Saiyan and became determined to surpass his limits and defeat the Androids.
• Sakura told Vegeta about the Hyperbolic Time Chamber and gave him a Capsule Corp Capsule stocked with food, water, and three Senzu Beans.
• Piccolo urged Kami to merge with him, while Kami asked for more time to determine whether the Androids threatened Earth.
• Vegeta arrived at Kami's Lookout and asked Mr. Popo to show him the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.
• Piccolo agreed to wait for Kami's answer but warned that any threat from the Androids would leave Kami no reason to refuse.

Vegeta entered the Hyperbolic Time Chamber while Bulma, Goku, Chi-Chi, and Krillin searched Dr. Gero’s laboratory for unfinished androids. They discovered Cell’s discarded shell and a foul-smelling hidden room, leaving the nature of what was inside unknown.

• Vegeta entered the Hyperbolic Time Chamber and vowed to defeat the androids and Kakarot after a day of training.
• Bulma asked Goku and Chi-Chi to accompany her to Dr. Gero’s laboratory, and Goku brought Krillin along to guide them.
• Bulma realized Dr. Gero might have had other secret laboratories, and Krillin found a hidden passage beneath the laboratory floor.
• Goku, Bulma, Chi-Chi, and Krillin discovered a gray, grasshopper-shaped shell that Goku recognized as Cell’s discarded molt.
• Krillin opened another door and revealed a huge space filled with a foul stench.

Bulma and Goku found Dr. Gero’s research files and uncovered the origin and evolution of Cell after reports revealed that a monster had caused thousands of people to vanish. The chapter left them with the knowledge that Cell needed to absorb Android 17 and Android 18 to reach his Perfect Form.

• Son Goku, Bulma, Krillin, and Chi-Chi searched Dr. Gero’s lab, gathered his research papers, and returned to Capsule Corporation.
• Launch told Bulma that a monster had appeared and residents of Jijia Town had vanished.
• Bulma and Chi-Chi watched the news report that more than fifteen thousand people were missing, and Goku comforted Chi-Chi as she blamed herself for using the Dragon Balls.
• Son Goku realized Cell’s data might be stored on the old computer from the lab, so he and Bulma searched it.
• Bulma cracked the computer’s encrypted files and discovered that Cell was made from fighters’ cells and could reach Perfect Form by absorbing Android 17 and Android 18.

Bulma, Chi-Chi, and Goku discussed how to stop Cell before he absorbed Android 17 and Android 18, while refusing to kill the two androids because they were good people. Goku proposed that Bulma create substitutes for Cell to absorb, trusting that he could defeat Cell in his Perfect Form.

• Bulma warned Goku that Cell was growing stronger and needed to be stopped before he absorbed Android 17 and Android 18.
• Goku explained that Cell could hide his ki, avoid them, and absorb ordinary people until he was strong enough to overpower the androids.
• Chi-Chi suggested killing Android 17 and Android 18, but Bulma and Goku rejected the idea because they were still good people and victims of Dr. Gero's experiments.
• Goku proposed that Bulma use the androids' data to make copies for Cell to absorb, and said he was confident he could defeat Cell in his Perfect Form.
• Bulma agreed to study the data and consider making the copies, using livestock as their containers.

Goku planned to train Bra in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber while warning Vegeta that Cell had appeared. Cell resumed absorbing humans, prompting Kami to decide to merge with Piccolo.

• Bulma agreed that Goku could take Bra to train if she wanted, and Goku searched West City for Android 17 and Android 18 but could not find them.
• Android 17 and Android 18 left the city after shopping, debating whether to buy a red or white car.
• Vegeta emerged from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber stronger than before, dismissed Goku's warning about Cell, and returned to Mount Paozu to eat and rest.
• Goku took Bra into the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, where she eagerly began training with him.
• Cell resumed moving and absorbing humans, and Kami told Piccolo that merging with him would let him understand what Kami had seen.

Piccolo fused with Kami and confronted Cell, who had absorbed the people in a town. Elsewhere, Android 16 warned Android 17 and Android 18 that Dr. Gero had rebuilt them to feed Cell.

• Kami and Piccolo fused, and Piccolo flew to the town where Cell had been absorbing people.
• Cell absorbed a man and told Piccolo he was next, revealing that he had the ki of several warriors.
• Piccolo blasted Cell with a powerful shockwave, then searched for him when his ki vanished.
• Android 17, Android 18, and other warriors sensed the tremendous energy, while Vegeta flew toward its source.
• Android 16 told Android 17 and Android 18 that Bulma had warned them to hide because Dr. Gero intended them to be food for Cell.