Searching for the Laboratory

Bulma and Selipa collaborated for three days to construct a "Deep Energy Detector." This device could scan for energy sources thousands of meters underground, pinpointing any anomalous fluctuations. "Starting scan!" Bulma pressed the activation key. The screen displayed a 3D image of Earth, with countless points of light flickering. Most were natural energy sources—magma, geothermal heat, and mineral veins. But one light was abnormally bright, located beneath a mountain range in the southern hemisphere. "Found it!" Bulma zoomed into that area. "Two thousand meters underground, there is a massive energy source. The energy readings... my god, they're still growing!" "That is Dr. Gero's laboratory," Trunks said. "In my future, that lab was eventually abandoned, but I never went inside. Let's go now." Kashu stood up.

Kashu led Son Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Tien Shinhan, Krillin, and Trunks toward the target location. Within the mountain range, there was an inconspicuous cliff. Kashu used his ki to sense the underground structure and found the entrance to the lab—a metal door hidden within the rock. "Here." Kashu extended his hand, condensing Hakai Energy in his palm. The crimson light struck the metal door, causing it to disintegrate instantly and reveal a downward passage. "Let's go." The seven of them descended along the corridor. The walls on both sides were made of cold metal, with lights every few meters emitting a ghastly, pale glow. The air was thick with the smell of machine oil and disinfectant.

"Dr. Gero hid here to conduct research for decades?" Krillin frowned. "This place is truly eerie." At the end of the passage stood a heavy alloy door. Kashu used Hakai Energy to open it once more, and a massive laboratory appeared before them. Inside were dozens of incubation pods, each containing samples of various creatures—humans, animals, and some unrecognizable alien forms. Most striking were three large pods, each housing a humanoid being: a blonde youth (Android 17), a black-haired girl (18), and another... a massive monster that looked like a fusion of insect and human. "That is..." Trunks's pupils constricted. "What is that?" Kashu's pupils also contracted. That massive monster was Cell—in his embryonic form before reaching perfection. "Dr. Gero didn't just create Androids 17 and 18," Kashu said. "He also created something even more terrifying—Cell." "Cell?" everyone exclaimed in unison. "An artificial lifeform that combines the cells of Saiyans, Namekians, Frieza's race, and numerous other warriors," Kashu explained. "He can reach his perfect form by absorbing 17 and 18, gaining power that transcends a Super Saiyan." "How do you know that?" Vegeta frowned. "I have my own sources of information." Kashu offered no further explanation. Just then, a short, elderly man emerged from the shadows at the back of the lab. He wore a white lab coat, his hair was graying, and he wore round-rimmed glasses, a crazed smile plastered on his face. "I didn't expect you to find this place," Dr. Gero's voice was raspy and cold. "But you're too late. Androids 17 and 18 have finished their final calibration and can be activated at any time." "Dr. Gero, stop your plans!" Trunks drew his longsword. "The future world was destroyed by the androids you created! I won't let you repeat that mistake!" "The future?" Dr. Gero laughed. "So you come from the future. Interesting. But do you know why I was able to create such powerful androids? Because I collected the cells of every powerful warrior on Earth—including you Saiyans!"

He pressed the remote control in his hand. "Activate!" The incubation pods for 17 and 18 began to drain, and as the doors opened, both androids opened their eyes. 17 was a blonde youth with a handsome but cold face, wearing a black jacket. 18 was a blonde girl with delicate features but an expressionless face, wearing an identical black jacket. The two stepped out of their pods and stretched their bodies. "Dr. Gero, are you finally letting us out?" 17's voice was languid. "Yes, kill them." Dr. Gero pointed at Kashu and the others. 17 looked at Kashu and tilted his head. "You're that Saiyan leader? You don't look like much." 18's gaze swept over the group, finally landing on Krillin. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly. "There's a bald one." Krillin blushed—not out of fear, but from a strange sensation. "Do it," Kashu said simply. Son Goku was the first to charge, his Super Saiyan aura erupting in a golden blaze. He threw a punch at 17's face, moving so fast that the air tore apart. 17 reached out and caught Son Goku's fist. "Not bad strength," 17 said, "but not enough." He kicked Son Goku in the abdomen. Son Goku crossed his arms to block but was sent flying dozens of meters, crashing through the laboratory wall. "Goku!" Krillin cried out. 17 looked at his own fist. "These Saiyans are weaker than I imagined." "My turn." Vegeta transformed into a Super Saiyan, his golden aura even denser than Son Goku's. His combat power had reached 600,000 after half a year of training, and 30 million in his Super Saiyan state—but compared to 17, it was still far from enough. 17 didn't even move; he simply released a sliver of his ki, which sent Vegeta stumbling back several steps. "Your combat power... is at least 100 million." Vegeta's expression turned grim. "100 million?" 17 laughed. "You underestimate us. My combat power and 18's are 500 million."

The room fell into silence. 500 million. That was several times the power of Frieza in his final form. Kashu's combat power in his Legendary Super Saiyan Fourth Grade was 4 billion—far exceeding 17. But Son Goku, Vegeta, and the others were no match at all. "Let me handle this." Kashu stepped forward. He released the aura of his Legendary Super Saiyan First Grade, a crimson flame, with a combat power of 360 million.

A flicker of surprise crossed 17's eyes. "Not bad, stronger than I thought. But still not enough." "Legendary Super Saiyan Second Grade." Kashu's aura continued to climb—a red and yellow dual-colored flame, 720 million. 17's pupils constricted. "Legendary Super Saiyan Third Grade." Crimson, golden, and deep purple flames swirled, reaching 1.8 billion. 17 and 18 both took a step back. "Legendary Super Saiyan Fourth Grade—Seven-Colored Diamond Form." Transparent energy, refracting seven-colored light, surged from Kashu's body and enveloped him. His hair turned silver-white, and his pupils became multi-colored. A terrifying aura blanketed the entire laboratory; the walls began to crack, and the incubation pods exploded one after another.

Combat power: 4 billion. 17's face turned deathly pale. "This... this is impossible!" "Possible or not, it's not for you to decide," Kashu said. "Dr. Gero, shut down your androids. Otherwise, I will destroy them." Dr. Gero's expression was even worse than 17's. He hadn't expected such a terrifying existence to be among these Saiyans. But he was unwilling to give up—how could he let the androids he had spent his entire life creating be destroyed just like that? "17, 18, use your full power!" Dr. Gero roared. 17 and 18 exchanged a glance and simultaneously erupted with their full ki. Their combat power soared from 500 million to 700 million—they had been hiding their strength as well. The two charged at Kashu, one from the left and one from the right, coordinating perfectly. 17's punch carried a sonic boom, while 18's kick brought a wave of air. Kashu moved slightly, dodging their attacks while simultaneously slamming a palm into 17's chest and an elbow into 18's shoulder. Both were sent flying, crashing into the wall and leaving spiderweb-like cracks. "The gap is too large," Kashu said. "Your strength is decent among Saiyans, but before the Realm of Gods, it's not worth mentioning." He extended his right hand, condensing Hakai Energy in his palm. Crimson light danced at his fingertips, containing the terrifying power to destroy everything. "Wait!" Dr. Gero screamed in terror. "I'll shut them down! I'll shut them down!" He pressed the shutdown button on the remote. 17 and 18's bodies shuddered, the light faded from their eyes, and they stood motionless where they were. "They've been powered down." Dr. Gero slumped to the floor. "Don't destroy them... they are my masterpieces..." Kashu withdrew the Hakai Energy and walked up to Dr. Gero. "Your masterpieces nearly destroyed the future world," Kashu said. "Dr. Gero, your research ends here. I will hand you over to the Earth government and ensure the android technology is sealed away." Dr. Gero lowered his head, offering no resistance.