Loren scratched the back of his head.
"Uh… I think…"
His gaze drifted away instinctively, his brain working at full speed to come up with a perfect, once-and-for-all excuse.
"The current situation isn't really suitable…"
"What's not suitable about it?" Android 18 (Android 18) interrupted calmly.
"The sky hasn't fallen."
"And even if it did, shouldn't you still do what you want to do first?"
She took a small step closer.
"Or are you saying…"
Her blue eyes narrowed slightly, a dangerous glint flashing within them.
"That I'm not good enough for you?"
BOOM!
Loren felt as if his brain had been struck by a hundred-thousand-volt lightning bolt.
This was a deadly question.
If he said yes, he was absolutely certain she would dismantle everyone present and turn the planet into scrap metal.
If he said no…
Wasn't that basically agreeing?
Feeling the sympathetic "good luck, you're doomed" gazes from the Z Fighters around him, a drop of cold sweat slid down Loren's temple.
Two lifetimes lived.
First time encountering something this terrifying.
"…Troublesome. Way too troublesome."
Loren subconsciously reached out to activate Instant Transmission.
"I—"
He took a deep breath and forced a smile.
"Next time! Definitely next time!"
Before the words even finished—
Whoosh!
Loren's figure vanished from the spot.
The air froze for three full seconds.
Android 18's outstretched finger hung stiffly in mid-air.
Her expression shifted—from surprise, to confusion, and finally to a deeply unpleasant mix of annoyance and humiliation.
That bastard…
He actually—
Ran away?!
"Pfft—"
Android 17 finally lost it.
"Hahahahaha!"
"18, you got dumped!"
"And in the worst possible way too!"
Her head snapped toward him.
A killing intent cold enough to freeze blood locked onto Android 17 instantly.
"Do you want to die?"
Android 17 raised both hands immediately.
"Hey, hey—just joking! Relax!"
The Z Fighters exchanged awkward looks, completely unsure how to react.
Piccolo was the first to recover.
He glanced at Android 18's darkened expression, then at the empty cultivation chamber, and spoke firmly.
"We can't stay here."
"The situation is completely out of control."
"We're heading to Kami's Lookout immediately."
"Only the Spirit Time Chamber can give us the power to fight Cell in time."
"Hmph."
A cold snort came from the side.
Vegeta.
He had been silent ever since being dragged out of the crater.
"Damn it… I must become stronger."
No one argued.
One by one, the Z Fighters shot into the sky, turning into streaks of light and flying toward Kami's Lookout.
The vast underground laboratory was left behind.
Only the Androids remained.
Android 17 walked up beside Android 18 and patted her shoulder.
"Forget that coward."
"The world's huge. We haven't even seen it yet."
"Come on. I'll show you something fun."
He glanced at the silent giant.
"Android 16, you in?"
Android 16 paused for a moment, then nodded.
"Cars. Birds. Nature."
"A road trip sounds… acceptable."
Android 18 looked once more at the spot where Loren had vanished.
She pouted.
"Hmph."
"Fine."
"First stop—clothes."
"I'm buying the best-looking ones."
Elsewhere — A Desolate Island
On the peak of a deserted island, Loren appeared out of thin air.
He collapsed onto the ground, gasping, relief written all over his face.
"Phew…"
"That was way too close."
"Women really are the most troublesome creatures in existence."
He lay back comfortably, enjoying the sunlight and salty sea breeze.
Just as peace returned—
[Ding!]
The system spoke.
[Daily Quest Updated.]
[Quest Name: Social Butterfly]
[Quest Objective: Voluntarily give Android 18 a sweet little cake.]
[Quest Reward: +500,000 Battle Power]
[Failure Penalty: Random confiscation of one host skill.]
Loren: "..."
He sat up instantly and raised his middle finger to the sky.
"System—are you insane?!"
Kami's Lookout
High above the clouds, the white platform floated silently.
"Piccolo," Goku asked, "Can the Spirit Time Chamber really let us train a year in just one day?"
"Yes," Piccolo nodded.
"But the environment is brutal. Ten times Earth's gravity. Extreme temperatures. Thin air."
"And most importantly—no one can enter for more than two days in their lifetime."
"That's enough!" Goku clenched his fist.
"I'll go in first!"
"No."
Vegeta's cold voice cut him off.
He stood at the edge of the Lookout, arms crossed, staring at the world below.
"Trunks and I go first."
Goku paused, then smiled.
"Alright. You first, Vegeta."
He understood.
Being utterly crushed by Android 18 was worse than death for Vegeta.
"Spirit Time Chamber…"
Vegeta's eyes burned.
"I will surpass my limits."
"Surpass Super Saiyan!"
"When I come out, the Androids…"
"…and you too, Loren."
"I'll prove who the strongest truly is!"
[Name: Loren]
[Battle Power (Base): 20,000,000]
[Battle Power (Super Saiyan): 1,000,000,000]
[Battle Power (Super Saiyan 2): 2,000,000,000]
[Core Skills: Tenfold Kaio-ken (No Side Effects), Instant Transmission (Kaioshin Version), Kamehameha (Mastered), Super Saiyan 2 Transformation …]
[Special Status: Android 18 Favorability 70 — Her interest has surpassed normal limits.]
...
Author's Note:
The fanfic Dragon Ball: I Became Invincible by Being a Lazy Salted Fish! Part 1 & 2 (Dragon Ball Z & Super) is now fully completed.
The entire story has been uploaded on Patreon as a dedicated collection:
📚 Dragon Ball (Chapters 1–343)
Organized into 42 posts, with multiple chapters per post for easy binge reading.
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you all for your continuous support and love for this story 💙