Chapter 78: Vegeta vs 18

As the dust from the explosion began to settle, the rubble of Dr. Gero's lab lay scattered across the mountainside. The Earth warriors slowly emerged from the destruction—Goku, Kairos, Vegeta, Krillin, Piccolo, and Tien—all battered but alive. Amidst the debris, Trunks hovered in the air, his chest heaving from the immense blast he had unleashed with all his power. He stared, wide-eyed, at the figures emerging unscathed from the explosion.

Android 17, Android 18, and Android 16 stood without a single scratch on them, as if nothing had happened. Trunks, visibly shaken, couldn't believe it. "Not a single injury... even after I used full power in that blast!"

Vegeta, brushing off the dirt from his armor, sneered. "Heh, it doesn't matter. I'll take them down myself." He glanced at Goku, who nodded silently, both Saiyans now ready to fight.

From a short distance away, Kairos hovered calmly, watching the scene unfold. His piercing eyes scanned the battlefield, but his mind was elsewhere. Should I get involved? he thought, feeling the enormous power emanating from the androids. Nah, let Vegeta and Goku handle this. If they get in real danger, I'll step in. Besides... His gaze momentarily softened as he looked toward Android 18, standing with her usual icy grace. Who wouldn't? She's an angel to any Dragon Ball fan, including me.

Vegeta, as brash as ever, hurled insults at the androids, particularly aiming his vulgarities at Android 18. His words dripped with arrogance and fury. But Android 18, her expression still calm, narrowed her eyes in irritation. "I've heard enough of your mouth," she said coldly, stepping forward with a menacing aura.

Without another word, the battle began. Vegeta charged at her with the force of a Super Saiyan, his golden aura blazing around him. But Android 18 was quicker, her movements fluid and precise. Every punch Vegeta threw was either blocked or dodged with ease. The gap in their power was evident, but the proud prince refused to admit it. He kept taunting her with insults, his rage growing with every missed attack.

Android 18's patience wore thin. With a fierce punch, she sent Vegeta crashing into the ground. He staggered to his feet, snarling, but before he could react, Android 18 appeared in front of him. With a devastating kick, she shattered his arm, sending a sickening crack through the air.

"Kairos, do something!" Krillin shouted from the sidelines, panicked at the sight of Vegeta being brutally overpowered.

Kairos, still hovering nearby, watched carefully. Vegeta was stubborn, always pushing himself beyond his limits. Kairos could feel the tension in the air, but he remained calm. "Not yet. He'll be fine… for now".

His mission was to protect everyone—both the Earth's warriors and the androids. But this wasn't the moment to interfere. Vegeta's pride wouldn't allow it.

Meanwhile, across the battlefield, Android 16 had been quietly observing everything. His eyes locked onto Goku, and his robotic systems activated, scanning the Saiyan in front of him.

"Matched identity... Target found..." His voice was emotionless, devoid of any human warmth.

Goku, sensing the shift in Android 16's attention, turned his head. "Why are you after me?" he asked, his tone calm but laced with curiosity.

Android 17, who had been watching his sister's fight with mild interest, stepped forward to answer. "We were programmed to kill you, Goku. It's as simple as that." His tone was casual, as if discussing something trivial, yet the threat was real.

Goku frowned, but there was no time to dwell on it. He powered up, transforming into a Super Saiyan, his golden hair glowing with energy. Without hesitation, Goku launched himself at Android 17, and the two clashed in a fierce exchange of blows. The air rippled with the force of their strikes, their ki shaking the very earth beneath them.

Kairos watched the battle unfold, his eyes narrowed in thought. Goku's power was impressive, but he could tell Android 17 wasn't fighting at full strength. The android's combat power was immense—28 billion compared to Goku's 22 billion. Kairos knew that if Android 17 unleashed his full power, Goku would be in real danger. But for now, the fight remained balanced. Still, Kairos kept a close eye on them, ready to intervene if the tide turned.

The Earth warriors stood on the sidelines, torn between fear and excitement. Piccolo and Tien watched Goku's fight intently, marveling at his strength. Krillin, though worried about Vegeta, cheered Goku on, hoping his friend would be able to hold his own against the androids. Trunks, however, was paralyzed with worry. His eyes were glued to Vegeta, watching his father struggle against Android 18, his heart pounding in his chest. He couldn't bear to see his father beaten so badly.

Vegeta, despite his broken arm, refused to back down. His pride wouldn't allow it. Even as Android 18 effortlessly dodged his attacks, he kept fighting, his fury only growing with each failure.

Kairos, still hovering above, sighed. He admired Vegeta's tenacity but knew the fight couldn't continue like this. The moment either side was in true danger, he would step in. For now, though, he watched, his gaze flickering back to Android 18. Despite the chaos, he couldn't help but feel a strange attachment to her. She's strong, beautiful, and deadly… an angel in every sense of the word.

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In the battlefield...

Vegeta was sent crashing through the mountain by Android 18's brutal punch, Kairos watched the battlefield with a sharp gaze, his focus momentarily shifting to the powerful android. Then he saw —Trunks appeared next to Android 18, throwing a punch with all his might. But she was faster—dodging the strike effortlessly and retaliating with a devastating punch that sent Trunks flying into the ground.

Kairos saw Vegeta emerge from the debris, his face bloodied and his body beaten, yet still refusing to give up. With his remaining good arm, he charged at Android 18 again. He fought with everything he had, throwing punches with the speed and strength of a Super Saiyan, but it was clear to Kairos that Vegeta couldn't match her. Android 18 blocked and countered his attacks with ease, her expression calm but growing increasingly annoyed by Vegeta's relentless arrogance.

With a cold determination, she threw a series of blows, pummeling Vegeta into submission. He was soon lying on the ground, barely able to move. Yet, even then, Vegeta's pride remained intact. "It's not over... I can still fight! You bitch... you're nothing!" he spat, his voice laced with fury.

Android 18, her patience wearing thin, stepped forward, placing her foot on Vegeta's arm. With a slow, deliberate motion, she applied pressure, and with a sickening crack, Vegeta's other arm broke under the weight. His scream echoed across the battlefield as both of his arms now hung useless at his sides.

Without a word, Android 18 kicked Vegeta in the face, knocking him unconscious. She turned, her icy blue eyes locking onto Goku as she began to approach, her movements calm and controlled.

Seeing Vegeta lying motionless on the ground, Trunks rushed to his father's side, panic written all over his face. He knelt beside his father , checking his injuries. His father had pushed himself too far, and now he was completely beaten.

Kairos, still hovering nearby, calmly assessed the situation. He saw the desperation in Trunks' eyes and knew the young Saiyan was outmatched. "Krillin," Kairos called out in a firm voice, "give Vegeta a Senzu bean. He's going to need it."

Krillin, who had been watching the fight from the sidelines in horror, nodded quickly. He rushed toward Vegeta, pulling out a Senzu bean and kneeling beside him.

With Vegeta being taken care of, Kairos turned his full attention to Goku's battle. The two fighters were locked in a fierce exchange of blows—Goku, in his Super Saiyan form, fighting with all his strength, with Android 17.