When Android 18 heard Bulma casually say that Son Goku had three wives, her mouth dropped open in shock as she stared at him.
"You look so honest," she said.
"But I never expected you to be such a scumbag. You're way too flirtatious!"
Goku: "..."
Seeing Goku completely speechless, Bulma couldn't help but hide a teasing smile.
"Well," Bulma said, "if you call him a scumbag, it's not entirely accurate."
"It was mostly our own choices."
"But from the outside… yeah, I guess it looks like that…"
She smirked mischievously at Goku, clearly enjoying watching him suffer.
18 clicked her tongue and turned to Bulma.
"Rich big sister… what should I even say about you?"
"Are you too kind-hearted? Or just rich and easy to fool?"
Bulma froze and pointed at herself.
"What? Say whatever you want about him, but you're calling me naive and rich?!"
Whether she was easy to fool or not—Bulma knew herself best.
She simply knew what she wanted in life and didn't bind herself to ordinary standards.
Still, 18's blunt question was… extremely direct.
Almost tactless.
18 was about to continue when 17 tugged at her sleeve from behind, signaling her to stop.
She realized she'd gotten too familiar too quickly.
Talking about things like this was awkward.
So instead, she sidled over next to Goku and whispered,
"Hey, brother… I gotta say, you're incredible."
"You're living off a rich woman's support and still married two more wives?"
"I'm seriously curious—how did you pull that off?"
Goku stared at her face.
Her beautiful blue eyes sparkled with curiosity—part surprise, part admiration, and something mischievous.
What surprised him most wasn't the question…
but her personality.
It didn't match the cold, aloof goddess image he'd imagined for Android 18 at all.
Even though she wasn't saying it directly to Bulma, Bulma could hear everything.
She stayed silent, but inwardly she was curious too.
So this was what 18 was like without brainwashing.
Not a murderous demon at all.
And honestly…
with her looks and figure, this playful personality was oddly cute.
17 also watched Goku with interest.
In a materialistic world like this, someone living off a rich woman while marrying three wives…
was impressive in its own strange way.
18 kept staring at Goku, waiting for his answer.
Those bright blue eyes blinked rapidly, full of curiosity.
Goku didn't know how to respond.
Left hand holding Chi-Chi, right hand holding Bulma, plus a little lover like Launch…
he really didn't want to analyze the situation too deeply.
And Bulma herself had never dug into it either.
For years, he'd just muddled through, pretending not to think about it too much.
But now…
his former anime goddess Android 18 was pressing him for answers—right in front of Bulma.
He was completely at a loss.
He'd already married Bulma, Chi-Chi, and Launch.
That alone was the peak of life.
Why even think about anything else?
Whether by intention or by action…
Goku suddenly felt he had already been too greedy.
Any excuse would sound weak.
Especially in front of Bulma.
He didn't want to lie.
She was too smart—she would understand his thoughts even if she said nothing.
Goku sighed and looked at 18 seriously.
"You're right."
"I'm a scumbag."
"…Huh?"
18 hadn't expected such straightforward honesty.
Bulma immediately patted Goku comfortingly.
"Don't overthink it."
"We never cared about that kind of thing."
"Right now isn't the time anyway."
"I'll get you the Dragon Radar—go gather the Dragon Balls."
Finally able to escape this social battlefield, Goku nodded instantly.
"Okay!"
Bulma exchanged polite words with 17 and 18 before dragging Goku away to get the radar.
Not long after, Launch returned carrying two suitcases.
"This is your money."
"You're free to stay here—if you want food, just ask the staff."
"Chi-Chi's sick, so I need to go check on her. Sorry I can't keep you company."
17 and 18 thanked her politely, and Launch left.
Once she was gone, 18 turned to 17.
"Has the world changed this much?"
"Am I just old-fashioned?"
"Why do I feel like I can't keep up with trends anymore?"
17 nodded seriously.
"Same here."
"That Son Goku guy… three wives, and relationships like this…"
18 smirked.
"Hey, 17… are you thinking of copying him?"
17 immediately waved his hands.
"Don't talk nonsense! I absolutely am not!"
18 leaned closer with a sly smile.
17's face turned red instantly, and he hurriedly changed the subject.
"Hey, look at your clothes—they're totally wrecked."
"Standing next to you makes us look like beggars."
"Now that we have money, let's stop freeloading and go shopping."
18 blinked, then looked down at herself.
Her once-decent outfit had become practically rags during her fight with Vegeta.
She nodded.
"Good point. I'll stop teasing you."
Each of them grabbed a giant bag of chips and a big bottle of drinks before leaving Capsule Corporation.
They ate as they walked into West City's bustling commercial district.
"The snacks at their house are amazing," 18 said.
17 nodded. "Maybe we just haven't eaten real food in years."
18 shook her head. "No, their stuff is special supply. That's why it tastes better."
17 paused, noticing unfamiliar brands on the packaging, and suddenly understood.
"You're pretty observant, 18."
She smiled. "Did you really think I speak without thinking?"
"I was just testing their personalities—seeing if they're easy to fool."
"Oh, right—since Bulma gave me that original hundred million as thanks for saving her…"
"And now they gave us another hundred million…"
"So technically your share belongs to me."
17 nearly exploded.
"Have you no shame?! That's clearly for both of us!"
18 raised an eyebrow.
"So, are you trying to sever our sibling relationship?"
"It's brother and sister, not whatever nonsense you just said!" 17 snapped.
18 waved dismissively.
"Fine, I won't argue."
"But honestly, I think we got ripped off."
"…What?"
She gestured around.
"Look at the prices."
"Inflation is insane."
17 looked at the tags.
Clothes that used to cost thousands now cost hundreds of thousands.
Even shorts were tens of thousands.
He gasped.
"What happened to the world while we were asleep?!"
"Even with one hundred million each, we can't just lie flat and enjoy life anymore…"
18 sighed bitterly.
"That hundred million was supposed to last me a lifetime."
"It's only been a few years—and everything changed."
She stared at the suitcase.
"With prices like this, this money suddenly feels small."
"At this rate, it'll be gone in a few years."
"…Do I actually have to work now?"
17 added, "And we've been modified… we're basically immortal."
"…Don't stab me in the heart like that," she groaned.
Suddenly, 17's eyes lit up.
"Hey, I've got a great idea."
18 turned toward him. "What?"
He leaned closer and whispered,
"That Bulma obviously has too much money and is easy to fool."
"She's rich enough to marry Goku and still let him have multiple wives—I don't understand her at all."
"What if you joined them too?"
"If you get close to Bulma, we'll never lack money again."
"And since you live forever…"
"After they die, you could inherit Capsule Corporation."
18's eyes flashed dangerously.
"…17."
"You're trying to sell me off so you can live off me forever?"
"Hey, hey—not like that! I wouldn't always ask you for money!"
"I'd just need, say… a yacht and a house as a wedding gift—"
"GET LOST!"
—
Shortly after 17 and 18 left, Krillin's group arrived.
Learning the Androids had come without hostile intent reassured them greatly.
And since Chi-Chi and Tien were safe, they relaxed.
Not wanting to disturb patients, they joined Goku in searching for the Dragon Balls.
Meanwhile, Vegeta flew alone to a remote mountain peak.
The wind howled violently along the cliffside.
"Damn it!"
"Those Android bastards!"
"You let me live—you'll regret it!"
He clenched his fists, replaying the battle in his mind.
Veins bulged across his forehead.
But what he wanted now wasn't revenge plots.
He wanted power.
He needed to surpass Super Saiyan.
He stood there until nightfall.
Eventually, Sakura arrived.
"Hey, Vegeta, why are you here?"
"It's late—aren't you going home?"
He said nothing, staring into the distance.
"Vegeta? Are you spacing out?"
"You've been standing here all day?"
"If you've got time for that, why not earn some money?"
"We can't even afford baby formula…"
"With your strength, making money should be easy—"
Vegeta's eyes flashed coldly.
"Get lost."
The killing intent in his gaze felt like a blade.
Sakura fled immediately.