Chapter 17: The Escape of Number 20

As Vegeta drew closer, Number 19 trembled with fear, retreating step by step. Finally, he turned and scrambled out of the pit, running frantically to escape the monster who had ripped his arms off with sheer brute force.

To the Z Fighters, the Androids were monsters, and Vegeta, transformed into a Super Saiyan, was a monster to the Androids.

Number 20, witnessing Number 19's desperate flight, could no longer conceal the terror on his face.

Vegeta didn't pursue; instead, he soared into the sky, raised his right hand, and took aim.

"Bang!" An energy blast shot out, followed by a "Boom!" as it hit the fleeing Number 19, creating a massive explosion and a mushroom cloud that rose dozens of meters into the air, kicking up a cloud of dust.

John Doe quickly flew up from the ground, evading the dust attack, and complained to Vegeta, "Hey, Vegeta, didn't you see I was still down there? Why did you fire an energy blast straight at me?"

Vegeta nonchalantly replied, "I knew you could dodge it."

"But you can't do that! With all this dust, aren't you just giving Number 20 the perfect opportunity to escape?" John Doe said, looking down to see if Number 20 would foolishly stand there without running.

Obviously, Number 20 wasn't a fool. As Number 19 was hit by Vegeta's blast and dust filled the air, Number 20 seized the chance to flee.

Unlike in the original story, where Number 20 would have taunted them before running, Number 20 knew that if he didn't take this chance to escape, he might not get another.

So, when the dust settled, all they saw was a figure fleeing north, eventually disappearing into the valley.

Vegeta called out to John Doe, "John Doe, give me a Senzu Bean. I used up a bit of my energy just now."

John Doe casually tossed him one and said, "Vegeta, you have to find and finish off this Number 20. He escaped from me because of you."

Vegeta popped the Senzu Bean into his mouth and said, "Don't worry. With Super Vegeta here, this remaining Android won't cause any trouble."

Then, looking at Krillin, Tien Shinhan, and Piccolo, Vegeta said, "As for you, you can go home and drink milk while you wait for news of my victory."

"What? He wants us to go home and drink milk?" Krillin grumbled, displeased.

Piccolo comforted him, "It's just Vegeta's way of showing his arrogance."

"John Doe, what should we do now? Should we really go home and drink milk like Vegeta said?" Krillin asked.

"What else can we do? Of course, we're going after him. How can you rest easy until you see this Android 20 dead with your own eyes?" John Doe replied.

"No way!" Krillin immediately responded, feeling resentful at the thought of his future death at the hands of the Androids.

"Alright, Piccolo, Tien Shinhan, Gohan, let's go too. Android 20 probably won't dare to fight us directly, so we'll mostly be searching for his trail." After saying this, John Doe flew north, followed by the others.

They soon caught up with Vegeta, who was searching from the top of a mountain, trying to locate Android 20.

However, Android 20 remained hidden among the rocks, never showing himself.

"This is tricky. We don't know where he's hiding in such a vast area. It's like finding a needle in a haystack," Krillin said.

"Android 20, come out!" Vegeta shouted.

Unfortunately, Android 20 stayed hidden like a turtle in its shell.

Vegeta, losing his patience, raised his hand and fired an energy blast, intending to bomb the area and force Android 20 out.

John Doe didn't stop him but watched the blast's impact point. If Android 20 came out to absorb energy, he was ready to rush in and finish him off.

Android 20 didn't disappoint. He emerged to absorb Vegeta's energy blast with the mechanisms in his palms.

But as he finished absorbing the blast and tried to escape, he was kicked in the neck by John Doe and sent flying into the mountain wall.

He fell heavily to the ground, dislodging a shower of pebbles.

Android 20 couldn't believe that his greed for energy had put him in such danger.

Vegeta, Krillin, Piccolo, and the others quickly surrounded Android 20.

"Damn it!" Android 20 shouted in frustration at being cornered by the Z Fighters. He still had a trump card, but why was he facing this situation? Was he really going to die here?

John Doe threw the bag of Senzu Beans to Krillin, saying, "Krillin, hold onto these. I'm going down to play with this Android 20."

Then, John Doe transformed into a Super Saiyan and descended in front of Android 20.

Seeing the terrified Android 20, John Doe extended his right hand, pointing his index and middle fingers at Android 20, beckoning him to attack.

Despite his fear and reluctance, Android 20 had no choice but to fight for his survival.

He activated his scanner and looked at the fighters surrounding him. He realized that apart from Vegeta, Krillin, Tien Shinhan, Piccolo, and Gohan were all weak. If he could repel John Doe, he might break through any one of the other four.

Android 20 charged at John Doe, but his speed was too slow in John Doe's eyes. John Doe sidestepped the attack and countered with an elbow strike to Android 20's abdomen.

Android 20 opened his mouth in pain but couldn't make a sound. He staggered back a few steps, and when he looked up, John Doe had disappeared from his sight.

As Android 20 searched around, Vegeta signaled behind him, and Android 20 heard John Doe's voice, "What are you looking at?"

John Doe then swung his hand, striking Android 20's neck with force.

Android 20 stumbled forward a few more steps before collapsing to the ground.