The Calm After the Storm

The wind swept across the battlefield, carrying grit as it skimmed along the rock walls.

A few strands of Chen Hao's hair were lifted by the breeze. The wind howled low, like a mournful wail.

The lingering smoke gradually dispersed, leaving only the fresh scent of earth and grass in the air.

A few pebbles rolled down in the distance, clinking twice before quickly falling silent.

All at once, the surroundings became quiet.

Everyone could hear their own heartbeat.

Android 18 stood there, her blond hair scattered by the wind, several strands sticking to her cheeks.

Her eyes were wide, her lashes trembling, her lips half-open, yet she could not say a single word.

Her fingers clenched the hem of her clothes until her knuckles turned white, as if trying to make sure she was not dreaming.

After quite some time, she slowly let out a breath, a nearly inaudible sigh escaping with the faint curve of her lips.

In the distance, Son Goku finally appeared.

His gi was tattered, and he raced over the rubble with Gohan slung over his shoulder, followed by Gohan, Piccolo, Trunks, and Krillin.

Gohan's left arm hung limply at his side, and several bloody scratches marked his face, but he looked conscious.

Piccolo's white cape snapped in the wind. His gaze was as sharp as an eagle's as it swept over the battlefield.

The grass beneath Trunks's feet had been trampled flat, and his face was still covered in sweat from the fierce battle.

Krillin ran at the front, his bald head gleaming under the sun, the sweat on his forehead not yet dry.

But when they rushed closer, they discovered that the battlefield had not changed at all. It was completely intact—no craters, no lava, no energy ravines.

Everyone froze.

Only a few shallow marks remained on the ground, as though the place had merely been swept by the wind.

Trunks's blue hair was a mess. Standing there, his pupils contracted, and his trembling lips murmured, "It's over?" His voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, full of disbelief.

Krillin swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing as his eyes first locked onto Chen Hao, then turned toward where Cell had vanished.

He rubbed the back of his head. "One punch... He killed Perfect Cell with one punch?" His voice rose with a shrill tremor, as though he were questioning his own eyes.

Piccolo's pupils narrowed slightly, and the veins beneath his green skin seemed to bulge.

He took a deep breath and forced out a low voice from his throat. "What kind of monster is this guy...?"

His gaze swept Chen Hao from head to toe, searching for some flaw. Yet Chen Hao stood as casually as if he had just returned from a walk, sending a chill through Piccolo's heart.

Son Goku gently set Gohan down.

Supporting himself with one hand on his knee, Gohan slowly straightened up and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the other.

His gaze fell on Chen Hao's back, his expression as complicated as a spilled palette—shock, reverence, and a trace of indescribable gratitude.

His lips moved, but he could not say anything at all.

Son Goku took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling. Several shallow wounds showed through the tears in his clothes.

He strode up to Chen Hao, his steady steps crunching over the rubble.

He smiled—a smile of relief—and reached out with his right hand to pat Chen Hao on the shoulder. "Thanks."

"No need." Chen Hao withdrew the faint glow around his body. The pale golden aura, like a candle flame being snuffed out, was carried away by the wind.

He returned to normal, his black hair fluttering slightly. His voice was so calm it was almost bored. "He was too noisy."

Everyone looked at one another, their gazes crossing over each other's faces.

Krillin opened his mouth, then closed it again. Trunks scratched his head. Piccolo's gaze sank into shadow, while Gohan lowered his head and bit his lip.

Even the air seemed frozen. No one knew what to say.

Only Android 18's lips curved into a smile.

Not just her lips—her eyes were smiling too.

She walked to Chen Hao's side, tossing her long hair behind her before gently taking hold of his wrist. Her voice was soft. "You didn't even let me see the end."

Chen Hao paused and looked at her face, asking in confusion, "See what?"

"See how you fought, of course." Android 18 smiled, her tone lightly teasing, but her eyes serious.

She tilted her head slightly, sunlight dancing through her hair. "It's my first time seeing someone one-shot Perfect Cell."

Chen Hao waved a hand dismissively, as casually as if he were swatting away a fly, his palm drawing an arc through the air. "All right, you can rest easy now, right?"

Android 18 suddenly grabbed his hand. Her grip was not strong, but it was firm, as though she were holding a treasure.

Her fingers slipped between his, her palm slightly cool. Then she lifted her eyes and looked earnestly at Chen Hao, his outline reflected in her gaze. "Our deal still stands, right?"

"Of course." Chen Hao nodded, his voice steady and his gaze without hesitation. "I said I'd save your brother."

"Then..." Android 18 smiled. Her smile was as brilliant as spring sunlight, and even the wind seemed to pause for an instant. "When are we going?"

Chen Hao looked into the distance, his gaze passing over the mountains and scattered clouds toward the direction Cell had come from.

The horizon was stained orange-red, with a few lingering clouds drifting lazily overhead.

He withdrew his gaze, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. In a voice as casual as if discussing some trivial matter, he said, "Now."

"Now?" Android 18 froze, her clear eyes like a lake as though she had misheard Chen Hao.

The wind lifted the loose strands before her forehead, several golden locks swaying in the air.

"What else?" Chen Hao shrugged, a teasing smile on his lips.

Android 18 could not help laughing and shook her head.

She realized she was finding it harder and harder to see through this red-haired young man—he was clearly younger than she was, yet he always spoke with such maturity and composure.

There was an unspoken depth hidden in those eyes, as though they could pierce through time.

"Then let's go." Chen Hao turned around, his gaze sweeping over the still-stunned Trunks.

The purple-haired youth's robes rustled in the wind, sweat still beading on his forehead. "Take Android 17 back to Kami's Lookout for treatment. I need to head out for a while."

"Wait!" Son Goku hurried forward, gravel crunching beneath his feet.

He blocked Chen Hao's path, an unusual seriousness on his face. "Where are you going?"

"To find something." Chen Hao waved a hand, his tone as natural as if he were heading to the market.

He offered no further explanation, merely turning to look into the distance, his gaze passing through the clouds.

Android 18 immediately followed at his side, her steps light yet resolute, leaving no room for doubt in her eyes.

Chen Hao nodded, and his figure flashed—only an afterimage remained where he had stood, the air tearing softly.

The afterimage gradually faded. Under the setting sun, it was as if nothing had happened.

Android 18 paused for a second, then quickly activated the energy within her and flew after Chen Hao.

Her figure became a streak of light, slicing across the sky.

Kami's Lookout.

Piccolo stood on the steps with his arms crossed, his brow furrowed as though carved with a blade.

He stared at the unconscious Android 17 and Vegeta, his gaze moving back and forth between their wounds.

Android 17 lay on the stone floor, his face white as paper and his breathing faint. Vegeta lay on his side nearby, his battle suit tattered and his body covered in wounds.

"Where's Chen Hao?" Piccolo asked in a low voice, tension evident in his tone.

His green skin glimmered faintly beneath the setting sun.

"He left." Trunks carefully set Android 17 down, his movements as gentle as if handling something fragile.

He stood and dusted off his hands. "He said he was going to find something."