Vegeta had been standing atop the cliff for a long time, his expression shifting between storm and calm.
Thoughts churned endlessly through his mind. Suddenly, with a furious roar, he transformed into a Super Saiyan.
The violent surge of Ki flattened the surrounding mountains, turning rugged terrain into barren ground.
"A Super Saiyan is invincible!"
"What is some pathetic puppet supposed to be? Worthless!"
"I am the greatest prince among the Saiyans. After becoming a Super Saiyan, my power should be the strongest in the entire universe!"
"How could I possibly lose to mere Androids?"
"No!"
"Impossible!"
"I am the Prince of all Saiyans, a born combat genius. I am Vegeta!"
"No matter how strong my enemy is, I will surpass them!"
"And you, Kakarot!"
"Once I defeat the Androids, you're next!"
His eyes hardened with resolve.
In that moment, he felt the faintest glimpse of a breakthrough — a path beyond the Super Saiyan.
Another day passed, and Sakura arrived at the shattered cliff.
"Vegeta!"
His gaze flickered, but he did not turn around.
"Don't interfere. Go away."
He dismissed her with his usual impatience.
Sakura spoke anyway. "Vegeta, I heard what happened to you."
"I know a place that can help your training."
"You can gain a year's worth of progress in just a single day."
Vegeta froze.
He had already glimpsed the future — a power beyond Super Saiyan.
What he needed most right now was time.
He turned toward her.
"Really?"
Sakura met his gaze. It was the first time she had seen such expectation in his eyes.
She nodded. "Yes. It's called the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. It's at the Lookout."
"However, each person can only enter for a total of forty-eight hours in their lifetime — that's two years inside."
Vegeta clenched his fist.
"Two years?"
"I won't need that long. One year is enough for me!"
His confidence was absolute.
Sakura handed him a Capsule.
"What is this?" Vegeta asked.
She noticed the faint softening in his tone toward her and felt secretly delighted.
Son Goku knew exactly what Vegeta wanted.
After all, Saiyans understood Saiyans best.
"I was worried your training might be interrupted by lack of food or water," she explained. "So I spent a whole day preparing enough supplies for one year. There's also three Senzu Beans for emergencies."
"I believe that with your talent, you will become the strongest in the universe!"
Vegeta paused, momentarily surprised, then stored the Capsule.
"Good work. I'm leaving."
Without waiting for her reply, he flew toward the Lookout.
The slight softening of his attitude toward her was unmistakable.
"He actually said 'good work' to me…"
"That's Vegeta…"
"My efforts were finally noticed…"
Watching his figure vanish into the sky, excitement flashed in her eyes.
The Lookout.
Piccolo walked toward Kami.
"You know why I've come here."
Kami nodded. "I know."
"Once, you and I — no… more accurately, I and your father — were one being. You know that already."
"To be honest, I never imagined the day of fusion would come again."
Piccolo replied coldly, "This isn't fusion. You just want me to unleash greater power."
"Your existence now only serves the Dragon Balls."
Sweat beaded on Kami's forehead.
"I never thought there would come a day when the gap between us would grow this large."
"In the face of powerful enemies, I am helpless. Perhaps the time has finally come for Kami and King Piccolo to become one again."
Piccolo nodded. "Exactly. Earth doesn't need a god right now."
"It needs a Super Namekian capable of defeating the Androids."
Kami inhaled deeply.
"I understand… but first, I want to observe the situation."
Piccolo frowned. "Observe what?"
"I want to confirm whether the three Androids truly intend to harm Earth."
Piccolo scowled. "Why are you hesitating so much?"
"I watched your encounter with them. Vegeta initiated the conflict. In the end, they merely knocked him unconscious — they didn't kill him."
"Perhaps they aren't our enemies."
Piccolo snapped, "You don't seriously think they're harmless, do you?"
"Not harmless. But I need sufficient reason before I decide."
Piccolo snorted. "Old people really talk too much."
At that moment, a powerful Ki approached the Lookout.
They turned and saw a golden-haired Vegeta.
"Vegeta!"
"What are you doing here?"
Vegeta glanced around. "Does this place have a room where one year passes inside while only one day passes outside?"
Mr. Popo blinked. "You mean the Hyperbolic Time Chamber?"
Vegeta nodded sharply. "That's right. Show me. I want to train!"
Popo nodded. "Understood."
Piccolo and Kami exchanged a look.
Piccolo said, "Think about fusion. If the Androids threaten Earth, you won't have any reason to refuse."
Kami nodded. "I understand."
Soon after, Popo explained the rules and sent Vegeta into the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.
Inside stood a small house and two massive hourglasses.
The air was thin. Gravity was nearly ten times that of Earth.
Beyond the house stretched endless white emptiness — boundless and silent.
Vegeta smirked.
"So this is the Hyperbolic Time Chamber…"
"Heh. Even Kakarot couldn't last a month here."
"Perfect."
"Androids… Kakarot… just wait."
"In one day, you'll know despair."
Capsule Corporation.
Bulma said, "Goku, Chi-Chi, be my bodyguards today. We're going somewhere."
"Sure," Son Goku replied instantly. "Anywhere is fine."
Chi-Chi asked curiously, "Bulma, where are we going that you need bodyguards?"
Bulma crossed her arms. "I almost forgot about something."
"Dr. Gero created Androids 19 and 20, as well as 16, 17, and 18."
"19 and 20 are gone, and 16, 17, and 18 don't seem hostile."
"But what if there are unfinished Androids still lurking? That would be dangerous."
"We're going to his lab and clearing everything out completely."
Chi-Chi nodded. "You're right, Bulma. You always think things through better than us."
Goku nodded in agreement — though he was actually thinking of Cell.
That creature was grown from cells. Its growth should be slow.
It probably wasn't even fully developed yet.
Besides, Chi-Chi had just recovered from illness. He wanted to spend time with her.
Bulma smiled. "Wait here. I'll get the plane."
Chi-Chi laughed. "You could just ride Flying Nimbus. We can fly."
"I gave Flying Nimbus to Bra," Bulma replied.
"Really? Aren't you worried she'll fall?"
Bulma covered her mouth, laughing. "She's tough. Nimbus wouldn't let her fall. Honestly, maybe I'm just getting older — I'm a bit scared of riding it now."
Goku suddenly said, "I'll go get Krillin. None of us have been to the lab before."
Bulma nodded. "Right — actually, I can just call him—"
Before she finished speaking, Goku pressed two fingers to his forehead and vanished.
Bulma sighed. "That reckless guy… Krillin has a family now! What if he teleported into an awkward moment?"
Chi-Chi reassured her. "It's daytime. I'm sure Krillin and Snow aren't doing anything like that."
Less than a minute later, Goku returned with Krillin.
"Bulma, I brought him! Pretty efficient, right?"
Bulma swallowed her complaints and simply said, "Yes."
Soon, they arrived at Dr. Gero's laboratory.
"This is it," Krillin said.
Bulma looked around in awe. "Dr. Gero was a genius. Creating Androids like that in such a crude facility… unbelievable."
Chi-Chi smiled. "You're a genius too, Bulma. At least your inventions help people."
Bulma shrugged. "Different fields. Capsule technology improves daily life, so it sells well. Android technology involves genetics and bioengineering — ethical issues everywhere. That's why it had to be hidden."
As they explored, Krillin suddenly called out, "Hey! I found a hidden passage!"
He lifted a square floor panel, revealing stairs descending underground.
Goku immediately thought of Cell.
'It should still be an embryo…'
They went down together.
In the corner lay a grey shell resembling a molted insect husk.
Everyone froze.
Goku instantly recognized it.
Cell's shed skin.
Judging by its condition, it had been there for months.
Cell had already appeared.
He just hadn't caused widespread destruction yet.
Bulma crouched down, studying it.
"What kind of creature leaves something like this…?"
"Maybe one of Dr. Gero's monsters?" Chi-Chi suggested.
"Possibly."
Krillin called from another room, "You guys need to see this… it smells awful!"
They opened another door and were hit by a wave of stench.
Animal feathers, fur, bloodstains, and waste covered the room.
Goku's eyes narrowed.
'Food… for Cell?'
After checking the area, Bulma quickly shut the door.
"That was disgusting."
Goku said, "Since we're done, can we just blow this place up?"
"Wait," Bulma said. "I need the research data."
She flipped through stacks of notes — records about Cell's development, data on Androids 16, 17, and 18, even studies on Saiyans.
"Help me pack everything. I'm taking this back."
Soon, the lab was reduced to rubble.
Back at Capsule Corporation, Bulma and Dr. Brief began analyzing the materials.
Launch walked in carrying two cups of coffee.
"Want some coffee?"
"Thanks," Bulma said.
Launch added, "By the way, the news says a monster has appeared. People in Ginger town have been disappearing."
Bulma burned her mouth on the coffee.
"What did you just say?!"