Eighteen landed beside Kaito and threw her arms around his, speechless for a long while.
It had been her first serious battle—and she'd nearly died from the future Eighteen's self-destruction. Even now, she was still trembling from the shock.
Kaito gently stroked her back and said softly,
"You did great. You really did. That fake was never your match."
Eighteen pressed her forehead against Kaito's arm and muttered,
"I was so scared… If it weren't for you, I would have—"
"It's alright. You're the hero who saved the world, you know."
"I don't want to be some big hero. I just want to be the ordinary girl standing beside you."
Off to the side, Bulma's lips twitched as she silently thought,
"An ordinary girl? One who can shatter mountains with a punch?"
Trunks, staring at the remains of the two future androids, suddenly dropped to his knees with a loud thud. Tears streamed endlessly from his eyes.
Clenching his fists, he looked up to the sky and shouted,
"Gohan-san! Did you see that!? The androids are gone! Our world can finally be at peace again!!"
Everyone watched him in silence. Kaito sighed lightly. Compared to his timeline, this world truly had suffered too much.
After a pause, Kaito turned to Vados and asked,
"Vados, if I remember correctly, there are Namekians in Universe Six as well, right?"
"Yes, that's right. Why?"
"Can you locate the Namekians in this universe for me?"
"Of course. That's hardly difficult."
Vados smiled faintly and summoned her staff. The crystal orb at its tip began to glow, and a Namekian's face appeared within it.
Future Bulma gasped and hurriedly leaned closer.
"It's really them! The Namekians we sent away back then!!"
Trunks peered at the image curiously and asked,
"They look just like Piccolo-san. What can we do with them?"
Future Bulma's eyes lit up with excitement. She grabbed Trunks by the shoulders and said,
"Finding them means we can find the Dragon Balls! The Dragon Balls, Trunks! Do you know what that means!?"
"Dra… Dragon Balls?"
Trunks blinked in confusion, then realization dawned on him. His face grew bright with hope.
"Mom, are you saying that Goku-san… and the Earth…!?"
Future Bulma nodded vigorously, then slowly shook her head and said quietly,
"The Namekian Dragon has much greater power and can grant more wishes… but Goku died of illness. Reviving him might be impossible…"
As expected, this Bulma still cared most about Goku.
Even so, just finding out the Dragon Balls existed again was cause for celebration. Future Bulma quickly composed herself, wiped away her tears, and smiled.
"Everyone, I don't even know how to thank you. Over the years, I've made some progress in my research. If there's anything you need, just say the word!"
Eighteen shook her head. She had only come here to destroy the evil version of herself. Now, she just wanted to return to her own world.
Kaito also said he didn't need anything. The time machine interested him the most, but since it had already served its purpose once, he had no desire to keep traveling through time—it was far too confusing.
Vados, however, brightened up. Looking at Future Bulma, she said,
"Forget the research. Do you still have those drinks you brew? I'd like to take a few back with me."
Future Bulma froze. She hadn't expected an angel of all beings to make such a simple request.
Her company still had an automated beverage production line. All she needed to do was provide the formula and ingredients. Over the years, she'd produced far more than she and Trunks could ever drink.
When she didn't respond immediately, Vados frowned slightly and asked,
"Hm? So there aren't any left? What a shame…"
Future Bulma quickly snapped out of it and shouted,
"No, no! There's plenty! Take as much as you want—empty the place if you'd like!"
Good grief—saving the world, and the reward was… soda? Future Bulma was too stunned to even complain.
After confirming the Namekians' location, she decided to immediately start building a spaceship to find the Dragon Balls herself.
But Vados waved a hand and said cheerfully,
"No need for all that trouble. I can take you there right now—it won't take long."
"Eh? Really? Then, if it's not too much trouble—"
"No need to be so polite. This trip was quite enjoyable, so I'll do you this little favor."
Vados glanced at Kaito with a faint smile. Then she had Future Bulma place a hand on her shoulder, and the two turned into a streak of light that shot into the sky.
Trunks looked up at where they had disappeared, worry written all over his face.
Kaito stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile,
"Don't worry. They'll be back soon. With Vados around, no one in this universe could ever hurt your mother."
Trunks nodded firmly. His respect for Kaito had grown to the point that he was practically ready to bow on the spot.
Eighteen walked up and asked,
"Kaito, when are we going back?"
"When Vados returns. Before that, there's a little loose end I need to take care of. Otherwise, things here won't stay peaceful once we leave."
"Hmm? Another evil android?"
"Sort of. A disgusting one."
With that, Kaito's figure vanished from sight.
...
In a dilapidated laboratory halfway up a mountain, several computers were still beeping rhythmically. A tangle of tubes connected to a culture tank, and through the glass, a football-sized insect floated in the nutrient fluid.
Swoosh!
Kaito appeared inside the lab. He walked slowly up to the tank, looked down at the creature within, and said,
"You've grown quite a bit already, huh? Won't be long before you emerge… Cell."
Cell had already developed a consciousness. It opened its eyes and stared at Kaito in confusion—the data in its database contained nothing about this man.
In his current state, he was completely helpless.
Kaito smiled faintly, pressed his palm against the glass, and said,
"I don't have time to deal with you… so, goodbye, Cell."
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