Vegeta VS Android 18

Android 18 suddenly slammed her forehead into Vegeta's. Vegeta staggered back several steps before steadying himself, while Android 18 landed lightly a few meters in front of him, her movements smooth and effortless.

Blood seeped from his forehead—an immense humiliation for the proud Saiyan prince. Vegeta roared and unleashed even greater power, golden aura surging around him. He lunged at Android 18 and drove a fist fiercely toward her abdomen.

Android 18 received the blow without expression—yet it was Vegeta who spat blood, as though he had suffered a devastating strike.

A closer look revealed that the instant Vegeta attacked, Android 18 had beaten him to it with a knee strike, driving it precisely into his abdomen. The midsection of Vegeta's battle suit shattered, and when Android 18 withdrew her leg, Vegeta, robbed of support, pitched forward.

Android 18 extended a finger and pressed it beneath Vegeta's chin, stopping him from falling forward.

Vegeta was held in place by that single finger. Android 18 tilted her head slightly and studied his face—as if observing a specimen that was mildly interesting. She still wanted to see how Vegeta would defeat her—he should not have fallen yet.

Vegeta snapped back to his senses and was about to erupt, but Android 18 punched him straight into the mountain, leaving behind only a deep hole and shattered rocks scattered across the ground.

Just then, Trunks, Piccolo, and the others finally arrived.

"Are you all right, Vegeta?" Trunks kept a wary eye on the androids while looking anxiously toward the hole.

Thud—

A muffled sound came from underground, like a brief hiccup from deep within the earth. Vegeta emerged somewhat disheveled from the hole he had crashed into, his uniform covered in stone dust, the blood from his forehead already running down to his chin. But his golden hair still stood upright, and the characteristic golden aura of a Super Saiyan still surrounded him—the attack just now did not seem to have affected him much.

"Vegeta!" Some of the worry faded from Trunks's face.

"Honestly, you annoying flies." Vegeta was as unyielding as ever. "Do you think just because you've come, these people will be dealt with?"

"Oh my, oh my." Android 17 looked at the people landing one after another and spoke lazily. "So you called in a whole bunch of helpers. It might be a little much to leave all of them to Android 18. Can't be helped. I suppose I'll lend a hand too." He turned toward Android 16. "Android 16, are you going to help as well?"

"No. I won't help." Android 16's tone was flat.

"You won't help? You're really not much of a team player. I truly don't understand why you were made."

"I told you. I was born to defeat Goku."

"Your laid-back personality really is something to envy." Android 17 did not press the matter and walked forward as he spoke.

Facing Android 17 and Android 16, Tien Shinhan was the first to notice Android 17 approaching. He hurriedly warned the others, "Hey, the android called Android 17 is coming this way."

"You should run, Vegeta!" Trunks urged desperately. "Once someone is dead, there won't be any pride left to talk about. I... I'm begging you."

"Haven't you had enough of getting beaten up? Don't get in my way. Get lost!" Vegeta still had only the vaguest notion of family. Rather than appreciate Trunks's concern, he lashed out at him.

"If you want to run, then hurry up and run." Android 18 crossed her arms and said with interest, "Because I have absolutely no interest in people running for their lives."

"What are you talking about?" Vegeta sneered. "I'm just about to defeat all of you in one go. Why would I run?" He looked around. "Let me warn you—rather than fight alongside Earthlings, Namekians, or even Kakarot, I'd rather fight alone. Even if I die, I'll accept it."

He was still making grand declarations, disdaining to stand with anyone. Trunks listened with both anger and helplessness.

Clap—clap—clap—

Android 7 walked over from afar. Hearing Vegeta's words, he could not help applauding. His claps were slow and unhurried, especially clear in the empty valley.

"Those are truly moving words. Judging by that fighting stance—" He paused, the corner of his mouth curling upward. "As expected of the Saiyan prince. You're certainly proud."

"You puppet dolls have no right to criticize me—especially a snot-nosed brat like you." Vegeta fired back at everyone equally.

Android 17 did not get angry. His gaze swept across the group in turn. "Then let me give you some advice—Vegeta and Android 18 are having a one-on-one duel. I don't think anyone will interfere." He paused. "But if someone does, then I'll join your melee as well."

"Those people are all cowardly pacifists." Vegeta said disdainfully. "You don't need to waste your breath. They wouldn't dare make a move."

"Good."

The two traded lines back and forth, almost as though they were on the same team.

"Still want to fight?" Android 18 asked.

"Obviously." Vegeta's answer was short and forceful.

"Such determination."

Before her words had even faded, Android 18's fist smashed into Vegeta's face. Vegeta flew upward, flipped in midair, and planted his feet on the cliff face. Using it for leverage, he shot toward Android 18 like an arrow loosed from a bow—ramming his head into her abdomen. Then, with a flash, he appeared behind her and struck heavily, blasting Android 18 into the mountainside as rocks flew through the air.

Vegeta extended a hand, firing an energy wave at Android 18. Android 18, who had just pushed herself up from the crater of rubble, showed no sign of evading and allowed the blast to swallow her whole. The energy wave tore away part of the mountain, and the explosion kicked up rolling clouds of dust as fragments of rock shot in every direction.

Vegeta knew that such an attack could never destroy an android, so he descended toward the dust below.

In the deep crater shrouded in smoke and dust, Android 18 stood quietly. The blue denim jacket she wore had been torn to tatters in the attack. Without hesitation, she ripped off the ruined jacket.

"This is really unexpected." Android 18 looked at Vegeta. "Whether you're an alien or not, I never imagined a flesh-and-blood person could fight to this extent." She paused. "Is that man called Goku even stronger than you?"

"Don't make me laugh!" Vegeta roared. "There was a time when he surpassed me, but I've returned to normal now. By all logic, he should be weaker than me."

"Is that so? Then it seems neither of you is very strong." Android 18 habitually tucked her hair behind her ear, now having a clearer sense of things.

"What did you say?" Feeling slighted, Vegeta angrily swept a roundhouse kick at Android 18.

In an instant, his assault poured forth like a raging storm. Android 18 was briefly suppressed, but she steadily blocked every attack. Fists and feet collided, the air trembled, and the ground cracked—yet Android 18 remained completely at ease.

Every one of her blocks was perfectly measured—not a bit more force than necessary, not half a step too little retreat. Her blue eyes remained locked on Vegeta's movements, as though she were reading something from them. Meanwhile, Vegeta's breathing had already begun to grow ragged.