Android 16

Seeing Android 17 kill Android 20 without the slightest hesitation, every Z Fighter present was shaken. Krillin, who stood closest, went pale with fright, his legs turning weak.

"What a terrifying guy! He actually killed the father who created him..."

Android 17 dropped to one knee and crooked a finger at Krillin. Krillin looked around, then pointed at himself in disbelief. "M-Me?"

Android 17 said nothing, merely nodding. That single gesture was enough to make Krillin shake his head repeatedly as he hurriedly pulled Tien Shinhan in front of him.

"Why did he have to call me out by name?"

"If he tells you to die, then die." Vegeta's icy voice poured over him like a bucket of cold water.

"That's easy for you to say... but why am I always the one with the worst luck?"

"No matter who dies first or last, our fate is the same." Tien Shinhan voiced his own opinion.

Summoning his courage, Krillin stepped out from behind Tien Shinhan. The moment he reached Android 17, Android 17 abruptly stood up—giving him another scare. Yet Android 17 did not strike him down. He merely left behind a meaningful smile before turning and walking back.

"Anyone he doesn't like gets killed, no matter who they are?" Vegeta watched Android 17's retreating back and commented coldly. "That's just like Saiyans. Talking about strange things like father-son affection—that's something only you humans would do."

Before Android 16's sleep chamber, Android 17 gestured for Android 18 to flip the switch. "All right, press it!"

Seeing that they were about to add another Android to their numbers, Trunks could no longer hold back. "I won't let you get away with this! We can't let there be any more Androids!" Without wasting a second, he transformed into a Super Saiyan and fired a full-power energy blast into the laboratory.

The sudden attack startled everyone, and they hurried outside. The energy blast completely destroyed the entire laboratory, while the violent explosion kicked up a cloud of dust and smoke.

Everyone flew into the air outside, still shaken.

"If you're going to attack, at least give us a warning!"

Vegeta was also angered by his son's recklessness. "Fool, making such a meaningless move."

"You say it was meaningless?" Trunks asked, baffled.

Vegeta tilted his chin downward. "See for yourself."

They looked in the direction Vegeta indicated—the laboratory had been destroyed, but Android 17 and Android 18 stood unharmed atop a nearby rock formation. Even Android 16's sleep chamber showed no sign of damage.

"An attack at that level is nothing but a waste of energy."

Android 17 folded his arms and looked toward Vegeta and the others. "Hurry up and bring him out. The wires have all been severed."

Android 18 set the sleep chamber she had been holding on the ground, then stepped forward and pressed the button.

Ding-dong—

The chamber door slowly opened. Android 18 found it too slow, so she gave it a kick, sending the heavy hatch flying away.

"Now there's going to be another monster..." Krillin said despairingly.

Android 16 had already opened his eyes inside the sleep chamber. He gripped the edge of the chamber and rose to his feet, slowly stepping out. At last, everyone saw his full appearance: a red mohawk, a black skintight undersuit, and a green coat with the letters "RR" prominently emblazoned on the left side of his chest.

"That guy is Android 16? This is bad... He looks really strong." Krillin had rarely judged someone so accurately—at this point in time, Android 16's strength was almost in a league of its own. He simply had yet to show it.

"Yo, Android 16. This is the first time I've seen you move! You haven't come out in years, have you?" Android 17 greeted him first.

Android 16 did not move, as if he had not heard.

When he received no answer, Android 17 continued, "Doctor Gero never wanted you to activate, did you know that? He said you might kill Android 18 and me."

"So we want to know what that's all about," Android 18 added.

Android 16 merely glanced at her and remained silent.

"Do you have some objection? Or do you just not want to talk?"

"If you ask me, he's just naturally quiet." Android 17 waved a hand. "Forget it. Let's go."

"Where to?"

"Isn't it obvious? We're going to find Goku. Weren't you created by the doctor specifically to kill Goku?"

At the words "kill Goku," Android 16's eyes shifted slightly. Something seemed to flicker within those inorganic pupils.

"Yes."

He said only those two words, his tone so calm it was nearly gentle. It was completely at odds with his imposing build.

"Not easy. He finally spoke."

"Your reaction is exactly the same as the orders Doctor Gero programmed into you. And he called you a failed creation." Android 18's tone carried a hint of amusement. "Having to do things according to Doctor Gero's script is really unpleasant. Still, as an Android, I'd prefer to have a goal. All right, let's go."

The siblings traded lines back and forth, quickly deciding to go find Goku directly. Android 16 silently followed them. In an instant, the three vanished from Vegeta and the others' sight.

"N-No way!" Having been completely ignored by the Androids, Vegeta could barely contain his fury.

"Th-They just left? That's great!" Krillin, on the other hand, let out a sigh of relief.

Everyone began discussing it:

"What exactly are they trying to do? Where are they going?"

"It doesn't look like they're heading to North City to cause trouble. They're going the wrong way."

Krillin suddenly thought of something and cried out, "Goku! Are they going to Goku's house? Think about it—wasn't Doctor Gero's goal to defeat Goku, the one who destroyed the Red Ribbon Army?"

"But they don't look like they'd obey Doctor Gero's orders," Tien Shinhan said, full of doubt.

Vegeta clenched his teeth so hard they nearly shattered, his fists creaking. "None of that matters! I'm standing right here, and they dared to ignore my existence? Are those bastards... really that arrogant?"

He transformed directly into a Super Saiyan and was about to give chase. Seeing this, Trunks hurriedly flew over and spread his arms to block him, repeatedly urging him to wait until Goku recovered before facing the androids together.

"What I hate most isn't the androids, but Kakarot," Vegeta said coldly. "After I defeat the androids, he'll be next." Before his words had even faded, he drove a vicious punch into Trunks's abdomen.

Trunks doubled over in pain, clutching his stomach with both hands, no longer able to stop him. Vegeta flew straight toward the direction the androids had disappeared in. Once Trunks recovered, he followed after them with the others.

After flying for a while, Vegeta successfully found the androids on a stretch of highway.

It turned out Android 17 thought flying there directly would be too boring, so he planned to stop a car and drive instead—allowing Vegeta to catch up to them so quickly.

"Well, well. I didn't expect you to still be wandering around here. What a surprise." Vegeta landed in front of them.

"Huh? Your presence is different from before." Android 17 became interested as he looked at Vegeta, whose entire body blazed with golden light.

"It's not just my presence." Vegeta's voice carried suppressed fury. "Tell me, where are you planning to go now?"

"To find Goku, of course. The goal is to kill him." Android 18 made no attempt to hide their purpose.

"So I was right. But you won't be seeing him—because you'll die by my hand first."

Android 17 and Android 18 exchanged glances, then smiled at each other.

"Is that so funny? This is the only time you'll be able to laugh."

Looking at Vegeta's arrogant expression, Android 17 mocked, "All Saiyans are like this. Goku was the same. Those who lack the ability yet insist on showing off usually don't live long."

Hearing them mention Goku again, Vegeta was nearly bursting with rage. He roared, "Enough talk! Which one of you wants to die first?"

Android 18 wanted Android 16 to make a move and test his strength, but Android 16 flatly refused. Left with no choice, Android 18 could only step up herself.

Vegeta and Android 18 stood facing one another.

Android 16 stood to the side, watching the scene expressionlessly. Android 17 folded his arms, an amused smile still lingering at the corner of his mouth.

A fierce battle was on the verge of breaking out.