The Mighty Piccolo

Android 17 staggered forward several steps before regaining his balance. He turned, ready to avenge that punch, but Piccolo was already beside him. Another punch followed by an elbow slammed into Android 17's face, leaving him completely on the defensive.

Yet after enduring Piccolo's storm-like barrage of heavy blows, Android 17 finally came to his senses. He seized Piccolo's incoming wrist and followed up with a sharp rising kick that sent Piccolo flying dozens of meters away.

However, Piccolo had long since been transformed. He was no longer the same as before.

In midair, he smoothly executed a perfect backflip, skillfully dispersing the impact. Then, using the solid mountain behind him as a foothold, he shot straight toward Android 17 like an arrow loosed from a bow. In an instant, the two powerful forces collided once more, igniting another breathtaking battle!

Meanwhile, Android 16 stood quietly to one side, motionless as a statue. His eternally expressionless, ice-cold face remained utterly impassive, as if the fierce battle before him had nothing to do with him.

By contrast, Android 18 appeared rather unconcerned—she leisurely toyed with the crystal-clear pearl necklace around her neck, seemingly unable to muster the slightest interest in the fight.

After a brief respite, Android 17 and Piccolo squared off once again. Like two tigers descending the mountain, they charged into each other with lightning speed. They traded blows, fists and palms clashing, neither able to gain the upper hand. Their strength was evenly matched.

The entire small island had become their stage for a heart-stopping battle! Their figures flashed through the sky like lightning, sometimes clashing fiercely on the ground, sometimes soaring into the clouds to continue their fight. The battle was extraordinarily brutal, as though it would tear the whole world apart.

Android 18, who had initially shown little interest in the battle, now found herself unable to look away. Her large eyes were fixed on the tense confrontation between Android 17 and Piccolo. After all, Piccolo was now the only one capable of fighting the powerful Android 17 to a standstill.

On the battlefield, Piccolo flashed aside and instantly evaded Android 17's powerful elbow strike. The missed blow surprised Android 17. As he looked around for Piccolo's whereabouts, he suddenly felt a fierce gust of wind coming from behind.

Piccolo had already silently flown into the air behind him and dived down at astonishing speed. His elbow came crashing down onto Android 17's back with overwhelming force, and the tremendous impact sent them both plummeting to the ground.

Android 17 had barely regained his footing when Piccolo launched another assault. He sprang up and drove a kick squarely into Android 17's face. Android 17 flew backward like a kite with its string cut before crashing heavily onto the ground.

Piccolo landed on the ground with his back to the fallen Android 17. After waiting a moment, he turned slightly and glanced sideways at Android 17, who lay motionless on the ground. He looked utterly badass.

"Great! Uncle Piccolo won!" Gohan cried happily as he watched the scene through Malvis's divine power.

But the battle-experienced Goku still wore a grave expression, because he knew the fight would not end so quickly. There were also two other androids who had yet to act. In particular, the towering android gave Goku a sense of lethal danger.

Seeing her little brother knocked to the ground by Piccolo, Android 18 showed no concern. Instead, a hint of surprise appeared on her face. Her beautiful yet cold eyes remained fixed on Piccolo and the downed Android 17, as though she found what had happened before her quite unexpected.

Meanwhile, Android 16 remained expressionless, merely watching in silence. His gaze lingered briefly on Piccolo before shifting to the flock of birds startled into flight in the distance—he still had no interest in joining the battle.

Because he knew that while Piccolo was undeniably powerful now, he was still slightly inferior to him.

"Impossible! His speed is actually faster than mine... How... how is that possible?" Android 17 muttered in disbelief, his face filled with shock as he lay on the ground.

Android 17 had always believed that his strength was unmatched by anyone. Never had he imagined that he would stumble here today—and lose to Piccolo, an opponent he had once effortlessly knocked down.

Android 17 slowly rose to his feet. While he was still dazed by having been suppressed, Piccolo behind him had already extended his hand in the stance for firing an energy blast. The white aura that had vanished reappeared, and he intended to finish him in one blow.

Android 17 slowly got to his feet, his face still full of shock and confusion—after all, only moments ago, he had actually been suppressed by Piccolo, whom he had once been able to knock down in one or two moves! As he remained lost in disbelief, he failed to notice an incomparably powerful energy silently gathering behind him...

Piccolo had already extended his arm and assumed the posture for firing an energy blast. At the same time, the white aura that had long since dispersed suddenly erupted again, as though it would devour everything around it! Clearly, Piccolo had decided to deliver a fatal blow to Android 17 and end this battle once and for all!

In an instant, a dazzling golden stream of energy shot forth like lightning, pouncing straight at the completely unguarded Android 17! Still trapped in shock, Android 17 had no time to react before the ferocious attack engulfed him entirely!

Then came an earth-shaking boom. The violent explosion thundered through the sky, and a blinding flash instantly lit up half the horizon! Countless shattered rocks scattered in every direction like rain, gouging marks wherever they flew. Even one corner of the entire island was reduced to ashes in that moment!

When the smoke finally cleared, the aftermath of the terrifying explosion still lingered. Fragments that had not yet cooled fell from the sky, kicking up clouds of dust as they struck the ground, while the thick smoke caused by the blast rose straight into the heavens!

At that moment, Android 17's figure emerged amid the smoke and dust in midair. He raised a hand and brushed his thumb across the corner of his mouth—a bright red smear of blood stained his glove.

He stared at the bloodstain for a moment, then smiled. That smile was completely different from his earlier contempt. He stood steadily in the air, his cold gaze fixed on Piccolo below and the enormous ravine carved out by Piccolo's energy blast.

"Tch, I got carried away." Android 17 wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, though it was unclear whether he was speaking to Piccolo or to himself.

Looking up at Android 17, Piccolo smiled. He knew that attack could not finish Android 17—but that was fine. Wounding him and holding him back was enough. As long as they bought a little more time, Goku's side could complete their training.