Gently Drifting

Android 17 snorted coldly, spreading his legs slightly as he assumed a fighting stance. "Then let me see whether you're qualified!" He had not witnessed Tang Yangbing's astonishing performance against Perfect Cell firsthand, and he was filled with defiance. As a proud Android, he had to personally find out just how capable this man claiming to be his brother-in-law really was. "You overestimate yourself!" Vegeta stood nearby with his arms folded, a mocking curve on his lips. His golden hair swayed gently in the breeze, his eyes brimming with disdain.

Even he, the Saiyan prince, admitted that he was no match for Tang Yangbing, yet Android 17 still dared to challenge him. He truly had no idea of his own limits. Still, Vegeta merely snorted and made no move to stop him. This was Tang Yangbing's family affair, after all; he had no interest in meddling. Recalling the terrifying power Perfect Cell had displayed earlier, Vegeta's gaze darkened. It seemed his plan to challenge Tang Yangbing would have to be postponed yet again. "Then come on." Tang Yangbing nodded lightly, his tone becoming especially gentle as he turned to Android 18. "Take your future self somewhere safe. She won't be waking up anytime soon."

Android 18 gave a slight nod, carefully helping her unconscious future counterpart up before lightly leaping onto a massive boulder in the distance. A trace of complicated emotion flashed through her ice-blue eyes, but in the end, she chose to trust Tang Yangbing's judgment. Tang Yangbing turned his gaze toward the future Android 18 lying nearby, his eyes gradually deepening. This killer from the future had innocent blood all over her hands, and she was also the one responsible for Son Gohan's death. A plan slowly took shape in his mind, but for now, he had to deal with this hot-tempered brother-in-law first. "Hah!" Android 17 suddenly lunged forward, his entire body turning into a streak of silver lightning.

His right knee shot upward, slicing through the air as it drove straight toward Tang Yangbing's chin. The attack was lightning-fast and ruthless, clearly intended to put Tang Yangbing in his place. The surrounding rubble was swept up by the force, whirling through the air. Android 17's silver hair flew wildly in the rush of motion, his eyes gleaming with certainty of victory. He believed this blow would make the man calling himself his brother-in-law suffer dearly. "You really don't hold back, little brother-in-law." Tang Yangbing watched the fierce attack come down on him like a storm, yet the corner of his mouth lifted slightly, and he did not move an inch.

Just as Android 17's knee was about to slam into his chest, Tang Yangbing casually raised his right hand, spreading his fingers and pressing forward. His palm landed squarely against Android 17's knee. "Bang—!" A dull collision exploded through the air. Android 17 felt an overwhelming force surge from his knee, sending him flying backward beyond his control. His feet carved two deep trails into the ground, and he slid several dozen feet before barely steadying himself. Tang Yangbing merely dusted off his hands as though brushing dirt from his sleeves, his calm smile unchanged. "Damn it!"

Fury burned in Android 17's eyes. He had not expected his carefully prepared attack to be so casually neutralized. Gritting his teeth, he swiftly brought his hands together before his chest, instantly forming a blazing energy sphere that radiated a blinding light. With a low shout, he fired it like a meteor straight at Tang Yangbing's face. At the same time, he pushed off the ground hard and shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow. His right fist clenched tight, muscles bulging as he smashed it toward Tang Yangbing with a howl that tore through the air. Yet Tang Yangbing remained utterly unruffled before the dual assault.

With a casual sweep of his left hand, as though swatting away an annoying fly, Tang Yangbing sent the incoming energy sphere flying. It exploded in midair into a brilliant burst of sparks. Meanwhile, his right hand formed a shield, his fingers slightly curled as he met Android 17's heavy punch. "Boom—!" The instant fist and palm collided, a visible shockwave spread outward from the two of them, sweeping up dust across the ground. Android 17 felt as though his fist had struck a towering mountain, and the recoil made his entire arm go numb.

He was sent flying backward once again, even farther than before. When he landed, he staggered several steps before barely managing to stand firm. "Well? I'm qualified enough now, aren't I, little brother-in-law?" Tang Yangbing slowly withdrew his hand, his tone carrying a hint of teasing, while confidence gleamed in his deep eyes. He stood where he was, his robes fluttering softly in the wind, looking utterly calm and at ease, as though the fierce exchange just now had been nothing more than an insignificant game. Android 18, standing in the distance, took it all in. She pressed her lips together, and a nearly imperceptible smile rippled through her eyes.

Sunlight fell across her pale golden short hair, casting a soft halo around it. Though she still knew nothing about this man who had suddenly appeared, watching how effortlessly he handled everything and sensing his unhurried composure, an inexplicable sense of security quietly rose within her. Having such a powerful and handsome man standing beside her truly gave her a comfort she had never felt before. "Hmph! You're pretty strong, but this isn't over!" Android 17 shook out his numb arm, his gaze becoming even sharper. He slowly settled into a stance as a far more powerful surge of energy began to rise around him. Clearly, he was about to get serious.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze solid as an even fiercer battle loomed. He tilted his head slightly, a faint, ambiguous curve lifting at the corner of his mouth as amusement glimmered in his eyes. He casually flicked his wrist, as though their previous exchange had been nothing but a warm-up. "My strength doesn't stop there." He chuckled, his voice carrying a hint of laziness. "I only didn't use my full strength because you're my little brother-in-law. If I really got serious, I'm afraid I'd scare you. Don't go crying to your sister afterward." Tang Yangbing merely smiled faintly at those words. He stood tall and straight like a pine, his gaze as calm as still water.

If he had not deliberately held back, that punch just now would have been enough to make Android 17 lose his ability to fight in an instant. But he did not point it out. He merely shook his head lightly, as though looking at an immature child. "Anyone can boast!" Android 17 gave a wicked smile, a sly glint flashing through his eyes. "If you really can scare me, then as your little brother-in-law, I'll fully support you and Android 18!" He folded his arms over his chest, looking as though he were enjoying a show, apparently convinced that Tang Yangbing was merely putting on a bluff. The corner of Android 17's mouth curled upward as he thought to himself, If this guy really is that strong, what's wrong with calling him brother-in-law?

Besides, with Android 18's stubborn personality, anyone who could make her agree to anything could not possibly be ordinary. The smile on Tang Yangbing's face gradually faded, his gaze turning sharp as a blade. "Since you've put it that way, little brother-in-law, then I'll let you see all of my strength!" Before his words had even finished, his right fist shot out like lightning. An invisible shockwave erupted, blasting Android 17 dozens of meters away through the air. "Hah—!" Tang Yangbing let out a low shout, clenching both fists so hard that his knuckles turned white. Deep roars emerged from the depths of his throat, as though a sleeping dragon were awakening.

In an instant, the ground beneath his feet began to tremble violently, splitting into countless fine cracks. Chunks of rubble were swept skyward by golden waves of energy, spinning madly through the air. The aura around Tang Yangbing grew denser and denser, like a storm woven from countless sharp blades, instantly grinding the surrounding stones into dust. Dozens of meters away, Android 17 barely managed to stabilize himself, yet the violent gale still forced him back again and again. He raised an arm before his face and narrowed his eyes at Tang Yangbing in the heart of the storm. For the first time, a grave expression appeared on his face. The golden waves of energy continued to rise, whipping Tang Yangbing's robes about with a loud flutter.

Tang Yangbing slowly raised his right hand, gathering a dazzling sphere of light in his palm as though he were holding a tiny sun. The air around him began to distort, trees shook violently, and fallen leaves scattered like rain. "Now..." Tang Yangbing's voice remained clear amid the storm. "Do you still think I'm boasting?"

"Fall back—!"