Chapter: 59 meeting them again

Thank you for pointing that out! Here's the revised version with "Number Eighteen" corrected:

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Underneath the shade of a tree near the hospital building, Numbers 17 and 18 sat in their wheelchairs, their bodies still wrapped in bandages, speaking in hushed tones.

Crouched beside them on the ground, Number 16 extended a hand toward a small bird. The delicate creature fluttered down, perching gently on his outstretched fingers. For a fleeting moment, his usually stoic face softened into a rare, peaceful smile.

"Eighteen, is it true Kahn saved you yesterday?" Number 17 asked, his tone filled with disbelief.

He struggled to process what he had heard. Kahn, of all people, had saved Number 18 from Cell. This was the same Kahn whose brother, Son Goku, they had nearly killed—and yet, Kahn hadn't sought revenge or shown any desire to harm them.

"Yeah," Number 18 admitted, blinking as Kahn's face surfaced in her mind. "I don't understand him at all. He's... nothing like anyone I've ever met."

"It's bizarre," Number 17 agreed, his brow knitting in thought.

After a brief pause, he leaned forward with a mischievous grin. "Do you think Kahn saved you because he's attracted to you? Maybe he didn't kill us because of your beauty."

Number 18's cheeks turned scarlet at the suggestion. She glared at him, her voice sharp with protest. "Don't be ridiculous! That's absurd!"

Clicking his tongue, Number 17 teased her further. "Come on, admit it. You like him, don't you?"

"I don't! Stop it!" she snapped, her heart betraying her with an erratic rhythm she couldn't suppress.

Number 17 burst out laughing, thoroughly entertained by her flustered reaction. The more she denied it, the more convinced he became that his words had hit a nerve.

"Stop laughing!" she demanded, her voice tinged with embarrassment. If only she could shut him up.

Sensing she was reaching her limit, Number 17 reluctantly stifled his laughter. A quiet moment passed before he broke the silence with a more serious question. "So, are we still going to kill Son Goku?"

The events of the day before had shifted things. Dr. Gero's commands no longer felt like an unshakable directive to Number 17. And with Kahn in the picture, the situation was even murkier. If they tried to go after Son Goku again, Kahn might intervene—and this time, he might not be so forgiving.

"You could try,"

Just then, a deep voice cut through the stillness, making all three of them turn sharply.

Standing by the roadside, Kahn and Son Goku's family watched them.

In an instant, Number 17's body tensed, his instincts on high alert. He braced for whatever might come next.

Number 16 rose silently, the bird on his hand fluttering away into the sky.

But Number 18's reaction was different. Seeing Kahn again sent a strange flutter through her chest. It wasn't fear—no, she wasn't afraid of him anymore. Instead, it was something unfamiliar, a nervousness that felt almost... hopeful?

"Hey, it's you guys!" Son Goku called out, his cheerful tone breaking the tension. "I couldn't match you yesterday, but once you're better, let's have another go!"

Number 17 blinked at the absurdity of the greeting but couldn't help cracking a smile. "Looking forward to it, Son Goku," he replied, relaxing slightly.

But his gaze drifted to Kahn, who stood silent yet imposing. Though he felt the weight of Kahn's power, there was no hostility in his presence. It seemed Kahn had made a decision about them—one that didn't involve vengeance.

With a playful grin, Number 17 addressed Kahn directly. "Thanks for sparing us yesterday... future brother-in-law."

Number 18's face flamed red in an instant. She shot him a mortified glare. "What are you talking about?! Stop it!"

Kahn's brow furrowed in confusion. "Brother-in-law? Why are you calling me that?"

"Don't tease him!" Chichi interjected with a stern look at Number 17. "Kahn's already married!"

At those words, Number 18 froze, her embarrassment giving way to something heavier. A shadow of disappointment crossed her face as the reality sank in.

"Well, we should get going," Kahn said, sensing the shift in the atmosphere.

After the group departed, Number 18 slumped back in her wheelchair, lost in thought.

Noticing her mood, Number 17 attempted to lighten the moment. "Come on, 18, you knew this was likely. A guy like Kahn? Strong, handsome... no way he'd be single."

She shot him an irritated glare. "Would you just shut up for once?"

Wisely, Number 17 held his tongue, though a small smile lingered on his lips.

As for Number 18, she sank deeper into her thoughts. Maybe her feelings had been nothing more than foolish hope after all.

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After parting ways with Son Goku at Xidu Hospital, Kahn returned home to the outskirts of Western Capital. Goku's heart condition was healed, leaving Kahn with his own troubling questions.

Lately, a strange thought had been eating at him. Was his wife, Vados, truly who she claimed to be—the original Angel of Universe Six?

How could someone like Vados, an angel from a completely different universe, have fallen in love with him, someone she should never have known? And why had she crossed dimensions, leaving Universe Six to marry him in Universe Seven?

At first, Kahn had dismissed the idea as coincidence. His wife might simply resemble the Angel Vados, sharing the same name and features. But the more he dwelled on it, the less plausible that seemed.

He needed answers.

Arriving home, he found the house empty.

"Where's my wife?" he murmured, glancing around. "Did she go to help with the wedding arrangements?"