Unfamiliar Visitors

Piccolo did not answer right away. He lowered his head and remained silent for a long while.

"I don't know. But one thing is certain—his strength far exceeded what we originally imagined." His voice was kept low, like muffled thunder trapped beneath stone. "He caught Cell's tail with one hand and slapped Vegeta away—" He paused. "That man is at least beyond the level of a Super Saiyan. Perhaps even further."

"Even stronger?" Trunks abruptly sat up straight, his fingers tightening around the stone pillar until his knuckles turned white. "He already...?" He did not say the word aloud, but the answer was written all over his face.

Piccolo cut him off. "We still can't be sure. But he's on Earth right now, and for the moment, he means no harm. We shouldn't treat him as an enemy from the start." He rose to his feet, his cape stirring lightly in the wind. "The real headache right now isn't him. It's Cell."

Trunks lowered his head, his clenched fist making a faint crackle at the joints as his breathing trembled. "Cell absorbed all of my father's energy... Once he fully digests it, can we still win? Uncle Piccolo, that pressure... standing in front of him, I couldn't even move a finger."

Piccolo looked toward the metal door in the center of the Lookout. The entrance to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber was shut, faint energy patterns flowing across its surface.

"Goku and Gohan are still inside. As long as they come out, there's still hope."

"But..." Trunks's eyes stung. "Did you see my father's expression before he died? He knew he couldn't win. He knew he was going to his death, yet he was still smiling in the end. That smile was harder to bear than crying."

Piccolo turned to him, his gaze sharp. "Vegeta's death is a warning—arrogance gets people killed. But we can't let him die for nothing. If you truly want to inherit his will, don't just sit there hurting." He raised a hand and patted Trunks on the shoulder. "Calm down. Think clearly about what comes next. It's not time to admit defeat yet."

Trunks took a deep breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his expression had become steadier. "I understand."

Piccolo nodded and turned toward the horizon. Clouds were gathering in the distance, as though something was brewing.

He muttered to himself, "And that red-haired Saiyan... I still haven't figured out what he wants." After a pause, he added, "Let's hope he doesn't become a third problem."

Meanwhile, on West City's commercial street.

Neon lights illuminated the streets, while voices, music, and the sizzling of frying food blended together. The air was thick with the scent of grilled meat and spices. Pedestrians walked in small groups, some carrying shopping bags, others holding up their phones for selfies. No one knew what was happening hundreds of kilometers away.

A young man walked down the middle of the street. His long black hair was tied into a ponytail, and he wore a dark blue martial arts uniform with both hands in his pockets. His pace was unhurried, like he was out for a stroll, but his eyes were sharp as they swept over everything around him. The slight curve of his lips held no trace of a smile.

Tall buildings stood side by side, their glass facades reflecting the harsh afternoon light. Shops crowded both sides of the street, and waves of noise rose and fell without end.

Chen Hao carried a branded paper bag in one hand and several heavy shopping bags in the other, the handles digging into his reddened fingers. Android 18 walked beside him. Her golden hair fell over her shoulders, and the cream-colored trench coat she had just bought made her pale skin stand out even more. Her features were so beautiful they hardly seemed real, her golden lashes trembling faintly and drawing plenty of glances. Some people secretly took photos, only to be pulled away by their companions; even mothers pushing strollers could not help looking at her a few more times.

"This one looks better than your combat outfit." Chen Hao pointed at a white dress in a display window, its skirt cloudlike and silver threads gleaming beneath the light.

Android 18 lowered her head to inspect herself, her fingers brushing over the fabric of her new clothes. A faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips. "Not bad taste." She looked toward the milk tea shop at the street corner, where a long line had formed. "What... does that taste like?"

"You've never had milk tea?"

Android 18 froze for a moment, her gaze drifting farther away. "After I was modified, I spent most of my time asleep. The liquid in the pod trapped me like a swamp. When I woke up, I was running around with Android 17—ruins, iron railings, climbing over walls." Her tone was calm, as though she were talking about someone else. Yet her fingers tightened around the hem of her coat. "I never experienced these ordinary... things."

Chen Hao did not ask any more questions. He turned and went to line up at the milk tea shop. Before long, he returned carrying two cups, condensation beading on their sides as the pearls swayed at the bottom and steam still rose from them. He handed one to her. "Try it. You should like it."

Android 18 hesitated before taking it. The coldness of the cup made her draw back her hand slightly. She bit down on the straw and took a sip—the rich sweetness of milk spread over her tongue with the fragrance of tea, and the pearls slid down her throat. She blinked, as though a light had come alive in her eyes. "It's really good." She took another sip, a little milk foam clinging to the corner of her lips before she licked it away.

"Come on, let's have a proper meal." Chen Hao led her toward a restaurant at the street corner that looked fairly nice. The greenery was neatly trimmed, warm yellow light shone through the glass windows, and white tablecloths covered the tables. The moment they pushed open the door, a wind chime rang, and a waiter in a suit came forward to greet them. They chose seats by the window, where cream-colored curtains hung half-drawn and afternoon sunlight spilled across the table.

The waiter handed them a menu. Chen Hao flipped it open, skimmed through it, and casually ordered braised beef brisket, steamed sea bass, and a plate of seasonal vegetables. Then he slid the menu toward Android 18. "Pick whatever you want."