Piccolo swallowed before asking cautiously,
"Chiga, how do we know if what you're saying is true?"
Chiga spread his hands. The next instant, he vanished from where he stood and reappeared directly in front of Goku and Piccolo. Before either could react, he extended two fingers, lightly tapping their foreheads.
In that moment, all the knowledge about the Saiyan race flooded into their minds.
When the two recovered, Chiga had already slipped on a pair of black-rimmed glasses. His demeanor changed completely, becoming mild and harmless, as though he were just another ordinary student. No one would have guessed that this calm-looking young man carried enough power to destroy a planet.
Goku was still digesting the memories and whispered in shock,
"A warrior race? I'm… a Saiyan?"
Chiga adjusted his glasses with a faint smile.
"Don't just stand there. Go and train. You only have one year left."
With that, his figure flickered and disappeared.
---
Far away, on another conquered world, Vegeta's voice thundered with excitement.
"Nappa! Did you hear that? Earth has Dragon Balls that can grant eternal life!"
The bald giant scratched his head with confusion.
"Dragon Balls? What's that supposed to be?"
Vegeta smirked coldly.
"You don't need to know the details. Just remember this: they can make us immortal! Raditz mentioned Namekians before he died, so these Dragon Balls must be tied to them somehow."
Nappa hesitated. "But what about that unknown enemy? The one Raditz warned about? He didn't sound easy to handle."
"Heh. Worst case, we transform. For the Dragon Balls, any risk is worth it!" Vegeta barked, already striding toward his pod. He didn't spare a glance for the ruined planet he had just conquered. Nappa grumbled, but still followed.
---
Back on Earth, Chiga slipped easily into his role as a high school student, unconcerned about the storm that was about to descend on the world. Whether or not Goku survived to meet King Kai was uncertain. But one thing was clear: if Goku couldn't defeat Vegeta, Chiga would step in. He still wanted to enjoy this world a while longer.
That afternoon, as classes ended, a commotion stirred at the doorway. Lazuli stood there, waiting.
Every male student in the room was stunned. When their eyes lit up with anticipation, the sight that followed crushed their hopes—Lazuli walked past everyone without a glance and stopped directly in front of Chiga.
"Chiga, want to walk home together?" she asked, ignoring the girls clustered around him.
Chiga smiled. "Of course."
They left side by side, drawing the burning stares of their classmates.
---
On the way home, Lazuli tilted her head, curiosity glimmering in her eyes.
"By the way, Chiga, why did you call me Android 18 the first time we met? Does it mean something special?"
He rubbed his chin. "Hmm… I actually forgot. Maybe because I like the number 18."
"Tch! What kind of reason is that? So vague!"
"Believe it or not," Chiga chuckled, "but I'll keep calling you that. Android 18—it suits you, don't you think?"
"That's a strange nickname…" She paused, then smiled faintly. "But if you like it, I don't mind."
"You're easier to talk to her than I thought," Chiga said warmly. "Where's your brother today?"
"Out riding motorcycles. Too noisy for me. I hate that stuff."
"Isn't he too young for that?"
"He's eighteen already! Don't tell me you're younger than us?"
Chiga grinned slyly. "Actually, by age, you should call me Uncle."
Lazuli blinked, then burst into laughter.
"What are you talking about? You look younger than my brother!"
Chiga shook his head. He was telling the truth, but she clearly wasn't buying it.
At the fork in the road, Lazuli stopped. Her tone softened.
"Chiga… can you take off your glasses?"
He obliged, removing them slowly. His golden eyes were revealed—dazzling, radiant, almost too beautiful for words. Even subdued by evening light, they shone with a noble brilliance.
Lazuli stared, mesmerized. "They're even more stunning than when I first saw them on the basketball court. Your eyes… they're like a work of art."
Chiga teased, "Exaggerating much? Should I dig them out so you can admire them properly?"
Lazuli pouted, giving him a playful glare before her lips curved into a sweet smile. She bent slightly forward, hands clasped behind her back.
"Enough teasing. Thanks for walking with me. You should head back now."
"Back? To where?"
"Your uncle's house, of course. Don't tell me you forgot you're living with the principal?"
Chiga scratched his head. Right—his current cover was as the principal's grand-nephew, the 'connected' student of the school.
Lazuli poked his chest lightly with her finger.
"You really forgot? It's getting late. Go on. See you tomorrow, Chiga."
"See you tomorrow. Be careful on your way home," he replied.
"Mm, I will."
The two parted ways at the crossroads, neither aware of the tiny insect clinging to a nearby branch. Its reflective eyes recorded everything.
---
In a hidden underground laboratory, an old man with white hair stared at a cluster of screens. On them were images of three figures: Chiga, Android 17, and Android 18.
Dr. Gero—the last remnant of the Red Ribbon Army—leaned forward, muttering under his breath.
"Who is this boy? Even Goku and Piccolo seemed wary of him… His strength must not be underestimated."
His gaze shifted to the twins.
"But no matter how strong he is, he can't compare to the Androids. Those two are the perfect material. With them, I will finally conquer the world."
His face twisted with excitement, saliva gathering as his nose dripped. Genius though he was in research, he was fatally foolish in control. None of his Androids had ever obeyed him fully. Yet, in his arrogance, he still clung to the belief that a single remote could restrain the siblings.
Could a button really move faster than Android 17's reflexes?
The answer to that question would, inevitably, prove fatal for him.
______
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