Larizi's Second Child

Just after Karrot's fourth birthday, Android 18 discovered she was pregnant again. This time, she didn't tell Kashu. Instead, she went to Bulma first. Capsule Corporation's medical equipment could precisely monitor the fetus, and she wanted to make sure everything was all right before surprising Kashu. "It's a girl," Bulma said with a smile as she looked at the ultrasound image. "She's very healthy, and her energy levels are strong." Android 18 stared at the tiny shape on the screen, warmth welling up inside her. She remembered Karrot's birth: Kashu awkwardly holding the baby, and the moment that man who never cried had teared up. "Does Kashu know?" Bulma asked. "Not yet," Android 18 said. "I want to tell him in person. He'll be happy." Android 18 shook her head. "He's not good at showing happiness, but I know he'll care." She left Capsule Corporation and flew home to the house on the hill. Kashu was pruning the shrubs in the yard while Karrot chased butterflies nearby. At four, Karrot had already learned to control his energy. He looked like an ordinary boy, and only the red glint that occasionally flashed in his eyes gave away that he was a Super Saiyan God. "Kashu," Android 18 said as she landed beside him. Kashu set down the shears and looked at her. "What is it?" Android 18 took his hand and placed it on her stomach. "We're going to have a second child." Kashu's hand trembled slightly. He closed his eyes and sensed the life inside Android 18 with his divine power—a tiny, bright energy, like a star that had just been lit. "It's a girl," Kashu said. "Her energy is even stronger than Karrot's was when he was born." "You can sense that too?" "God Form lets me sense the very essence of life." Kashu opened his eyes, a tender light in them. "She's healthy. And so are you." Android 18 leaned against Kashu's shoulder. "Are you happy?" Kashu was silent for a few seconds before answering. "I don't know what words to use for this feeling. It's not happiness or excitement, but a kind of... peaceful contentment. Like watching the sun set, knowing it'll rise again tomorrow." "That's what being happy feels like, you fool." Kashu smiled faintly and put an arm around her shoulders. Tired from chasing butterflies, Karrot ran over and hugged his mother's leg. "Mom, is there a baby in your tummy?" Android 18 looked down at her son. "How did you know?" "Karrot can feel her," he said, tilting his head. "She's tiny and bright. Is it a little sister?" "Yes, it's your little sister." Karrot clapped happily. "Karrot's going to be a big brother! Karrot's going to protect his little sister!" He ran into the yard and shouted at the sky, "Little sister! Come out soon! Your big brother's waiting for you!" Android 18 and Kashu couldn't help laughing at him. During Android 18's pregnancy, the base took notice of the fluctuations in her energy.

Her Super Android body resonated with the fetus, whose energy flowed back to the mother through the umbilical cord, making Android 18 stronger throughout her pregnancy. The same thing had happened when she was carrying Karrot, but this time it was even more pronounced. "The fetus's energy is already stronger than that of an ordinary Super Saiyan," Bulma said after a routine examination, "and it's still growing. At this rate, her fighting power could reach Super Saiyan Second Grade by the time she's born." "Will this affect Lazuli's body?" Kashu asked. "Not for now," Bulma said. "A Super Android's body is highly adaptable. But there could be risks during delivery—the fetus's energy is so strong that it might go out of control the moment she's born." Kashu furrowed his brow. "Is there anything we can do?" "The best thing is for you to stay by her side," Bulma said. "Use your divine power to stabilize the fetus's energy, just like you did the first time." Kashu nodded. "I will." Android 18 rubbed her stomach, feeling the little life inside her stir. She was used to being pregnant, but this time felt different: the baby kicked more often, and her energy fluctuated more strongly, as if she couldn't wait to fight even from inside the womb. "She's like you," Android 18 said to Kashu. "A fighter." "Maybe she takes after you," Kashu said. "You wanted to fight me the first time we met." "That was an exception." "You want to fight me every time you see me." Android 18 rolled her eyes. "You hold a grudge." Kashu smiled faintly and placed his hand on Android 18's stomach. Sensing her father's divine power, the fetus quieted down, like a kitten being stroked. "She's listening to your energy," Android 18 said. "She's getting to know me," Kashu said. "Just like Karrot did before he was born." Karrot peeked in from the doorway. "Mom, when is my little sister coming out?" "In two months." "That's so long..." Karrot pouted. "Two months will go by quickly," Android 18 said. "You can use that time to think of a name for your sister." Karrot thought hard. "How about Bulma?" "That's Aunt Bulma's name."

"Then how about Chi-Chi?" "That's Uncle Goku's wife." "Then how about... Cookie?" Android 18 held her forehead. "You can't name her Cookie." Karrot lowered his head, looking dejected. "Then Karrot will think of something else." Two months later, at the hospital affiliated with Capsule Corporation in West City. The same delivery room, the same hallway, the same bench. But this time, Kashu wasn't the only one sitting on it. Four-year-old Karrot was there too. He sat beside his father, swinging his little legs. Every few seconds, he asked, "Is my little sister here yet?"

"Not yet," Kashu patiently answered each time. "Is Mom hurting?" "No, Mom's strong." "Can Karrot go in and see her?" "No. You can see her after your sister is born." Karrot sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Being a big brother is hard." Kashu looked at his son, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. Four-year-old Karrot was far more mature than other children his age, but he still had a child's innocence. He was already a Super Saiyan God, but to his parents, he would always be a child who needed their care.

A loud cry came from the delivery room. Kashu stood up, and Karrot jumped down from his chair. The door opened, and a nurse came out holding a baby wrapped in a pink towel. "Congratulations, it's a girl." Kashu took the baby and looked at her wrinkled little face. Just like Karrot when he was born, she was tiny and red, with her eyes closed and her hands balled into fists. But her energy was indeed stronger than Karrot's had been at birth. Kashu could sense a dormant power within her, like magma beneath a volcano, ready to erupt at any moment. "She's beautiful," Kashu said, his voice a little hoarse. Karrot stood on tiptoe, trying to see his little sister. "Karrot wants to see! Karrot wants to see!" Kashu crouched down so Karrot could see the baby. Karrot's eyes widened, and he carefully reached out to touch his sister's face.

"She's so small," Karrot said. "Smaller than Karrot." "You were just as small when you were born." "You're lying. Karrot was always big." Android 18 came out of the delivery room, her face rosy and her spirits high. She walked over to Kashu and looked at their daughter. "What's her name?" she asked. Kashu thought for a moment. "Caulifla." "Why Caulifla?" "Because the name means 'from the gods.' She's a gift from the gods." Android 18 looked at her daughter and smiled faintly. "Caulifla, welcome to the world." Karrot took his sister's tiny hand and said earnestly, "Little sister, your big brother will protect you. Anyone who bullies you will get beaten up." The baby seemed to understand and curled her tiny hand around Karrot's finger. Karrot's eyes lit up. "She's holding my hand! She likes me!" Android 18 patted her son on the head. "Of course she likes you. You're her big brother." Sunlight streamed through the windows and fell on the family of four. Kashu held Android 18 close, Android 18 held Caulifla, and Karrot held his little sister's hand.

In that moment, they were the happiest family in the world. Caulifla grew even faster than Karrot had. She rolled over at three months, crawled at five, stood at eight, and walked at ten. Six months after her birth, her energy had stabilized at Super Saiyan level. By the time she was one, she could transform into a Super Saiyan on her own—not through anger or training, but as naturally as breathing. "Her talent is even greater than Karrot's," Bulma said after an examination. "That's impossible. Karrot is already a Super Saiyan God. How could Caulifla be stronger than him?" "Because she has two kinds of divine power in her," Whis's voice suddenly rang out in the lab.

Bulma jumped in fright and turned to see Whis standing in the doorway. His staff rested beside him, and his face wore his trademark smile.

"Mr. Whis! Could you stop appearing out of nowhere every time?" "Sorry, it's a habit of mine." Whis walked in and looked at the data on the instruments. "Caulifla inherited Kashu's God Form genes, as well as Android 18's infinite energy reactor genes. The fusion of these two kinds of divine power means she was born with the potential to approach the divine realm." "Approach the divine realm?" Kashu appeared in the doorway. "Are you saying she's stronger than me?" "No, not yet," Whis said. "But her potential is greater than yours. If she's raised well, she may become the strongest being in the universe." Kashu looked at his daughter lying in the crib. Caulifla was chewing on her toes, oblivious to everything around her. "I don't want her to become the strongest being," Kashu said. "I just want her to grow up safe and sound." Whis smiled. "As a father, your thinking is right. But as the leader of the Earth Guardians, you should know that power isn't for showing off. It's for protecting others. Your daughter has the potential to protect others. That is her destiny, and her honor." "Destiny is a choice," Kashu said. "When she's grown up, let her choose for herself." Whis nodded. "A reasonable attitude."

He turned to leave, but stopped suddenly at the door. "Oh, by the way, Lord Beerus has recently developed a keen interest in Earth's food. He may visit soon."

"Again?" Kashu frowned. "This time he really will be coming as a guest," Whis said. "As long as you treat him well, he won't break anything." "What does he like to eat?" "Everything, especially pudding." Whis vanished in a flash of light. Kashu sighed and looked at his daughter. Caulifla had finished chewing her toes and started on her fingers.

"Your grandfather's coming over for dinner," Kashu said. "I hope he has a good appetite."