Dust and smoke drifted over the ruined wasteland.
Android 20, Dr. Gero, clutched his shattered arm. For the first time, genuine shock flickered across his electronic eyes.
That kick had been so fast that even his visual sensors failed to register it.
Had his body not been rebuilt with super-alloy components, the impact would have snapped his spine in two.
"That bald man..."
Streams of data flooded through Android 20's processors.
Database Match: Krillin. Earthling. Disciple alongside Son Goku.
Recorded Peak Battle Power: Approximately 70,000 during the Namek incident.
Estimated Current Power: At most... several million.
But...
The force behind that kick had clearly exceeded one hundred million.
"The data is wrong?"
Dr. Gero's gaunt face darkened.
Beside him, the rotund Android 19 remained expressionless, seemingly unaffected by what had just happened.
"Hey."
Krillin stood casually atop a broken slab of concrete, hands in his pockets as he looked down at the two androids.
"There are too many civilians around here."
"It'd be a shame to wreck what's left."
"Why don't we fight somewhere else?"
His tone sounded almost polite.
The overwhelming pressure crushing down on the two androids was anything but.
Android 20 narrowed his eyes.
He needed to reassess this unexpected variable.
Besides, fighting in the middle of the city would only restrict their movements.
"Hmph."
"That suits me perfectly."
"You'll pay for that sneak attack."
Whoosh!
Several figures shot into the sky like streaks of light, racing toward the barren wilderness to the south.
...
The wasteland stretched endlessly.
Jagged rocks covered the landscape.
Not a single blade of grass survived.
It was a natural graveyard.
Everyone landed.
Goku stepped forward first.
His orange gi fluttered in the wind as he rolled his shoulders with an eager grin.
He pointed at Android 19.
"I'll take the fat one."
"He looks like he can take a beating."
"Goku, your heart..."
Piccolo frowned.
"Relax!"
Goku laughed as he slapped his chest.
"I took the medicine Trunks gave me. I'm perfectly healthy."
"And I haven't been slacking off this past year."
Boom!
Golden flames erupted around him.
In an instant, Goku transformed into a Super Saiyan.
There were no flashy movements.
Only pure, overwhelming power.
The golden aura alone pulverized the surrounding rocks into dust.
For the first time, expression appeared on Android 19's pale face.
Greed.
"What incredible energy..."
"Doctor..."
"I want this one."
He licked his lips, his shrill voice filled with excitement.
"Go."
Android 20 nodded.
"Be careful."
"Don't drain him completely."
"I want him alive."
The battle began.
Except...
It wasn't really a battle.
It was a one-sided lesson.
A healthy Super Saiyan Goku was vastly stronger than the sick version from the original timeline.
Bang!
Goku vanished.
An instant later, he appeared directly above Android 19.
His fist crashed downward like a falling meteor.
Android 19 couldn't react.
He was slammed straight into the earth, creating an enormous crater.
Before he could recover, Goku flashed to the bottom of the crater, grabbed him by the ankle, spun him around like a rag doll, and hurled him into the sky.
"Kame..."
"...Hame..."
"...Ha!"
A brilliant blue beam pierced the heavens.
Android 19 steadied himself in midair.
Instead of panicking, he grinned.
He spread both hands, aiming the red absorption devices in his palms directly at the incoming blast.
"Hehehe..."
"It's all mine!"
Hummm...
The planet-shattering Kamehameha disappeared into his palms as effortlessly as water flowing into a drain.
As the energy poured into him, Android 19's already bulky body swelled even further.
His power skyrocketed.
"Hahahaha!"
"So this is the energy of a Super Saiyan!"
"Delicious!"
He laughed triumphantly.
Certain that he had become invincible.
Goku blinked.
Then smiled.
"Oh?"
"You can absorb energy?"
"That's pretty interesting."
He prepared to rush in for another round of hand-to-hand combat.
A hand suddenly rested on his shoulder.
"That's enough, Goku."
Krillin stepped forward, placing himself between Goku and Android 19.
He looked up at the bloated android with the same expression someone might wear while examining a takeout meal.
"Trash that only knows how to absorb energy isn't worth dirtying your hands."
"But Krillin..."
"I was just getting started."
"There are two stronger opponents waiting."
"You can have your fun later."
Krillin waved dismissively.
"This one..."
"...is mine."
High above, Android 19 floated proudly.
After absorbing Goku's energy, his confidence had reached its peak.
He stared down at the bald Earthling with utter contempt.
"Bald human."
"You've come to die as well?"
"Your energy looks delicious too."
Krillin crooked a finger.
"Come on."
"Absorb all you want."
Android 19's eyes lit up.
To him, every Earthling was simply a walking battery.
He dove downward.
Twice as fast as before.
"Die!"
In an instant, he appeared before Krillin.
Both hands clamped tightly around Krillin's arms.
"Got you!"
"Everything you have belongs to me now!"
The energy absorbers in his palms activated at maximum power.
An overwhelming suction force attempted to drain every ounce of ki from Krillin's body.
Nothing happened.
One second passed.
Then two.
Krillin remained exactly where he stood.
A teasing smile spread across his face.
"Hm?"
"What's wrong?"
Android 19 froze.
It felt as though he had shoved a straw into solid concrete.
Not a single drop of energy moved.
Krillin's ki was unimaginably dense.
Like an endless black hole compressed into physical form.
It refused to obey the android's absorption system.
"Can't absorb it?"
Krillin raised an eyebrow.
"What happened?"
"Not enough lung capacity, Fatso?"
"Impossible!"
"Impossible!"
Android 19 panicked.
He increased the output to its absolute limit.
His face turned bright red from the effort.
"Since you can't absorb me..."
Krillin's amused smile vanished.
His eyes turned icy cold.
"...then it's my turn."
Boom!
The situation reversed instantly.
A horrifying suction force surged backward through Android 19's own arms.
"No..."
"No!!"
His scream echoed across the wasteland.
The energy he had stolen from Goku...
His own stored reserves...
Even the core life force powering his mechanical body...
Everything was violently ripped away and poured into Krillin.
"AAAAAH!"
"Let go!"
"LET GO!!"
Android 19 struggled desperately.
His feet kicked wildly against the ground as he tried to break free.
But Krillin's grip was as immovable as welded steel.
"Not bad."
Krillin smacked his lips thoughtfully while continuing to absorb the energy.
"A little too much motor oil."
"And oddly sweet."
"Try cutting back on sugary energy next time."
Bzzzt...
Android 19's plump body rapidly shriveled before everyone's eyes.
His pale skin wrinkled like old paper.
His eye sockets sank inward.
The fat around his stomach vanished, exposing the mechanical framework underneath.
Five seconds.
That was all it took.
The arrogant Android 19 was reduced to nothing more than skin stretched over scrap metal, dangling limply from Krillin's grasp.
"Hic..."
Krillin released him.
Crash!
The android's remains scattered across the ground in a pile of broken machinery.
Krillin patted his stomach and let out a long, satisfied burp.
A puff of black smoke drifted from his mouth.
"Thanks for the meal."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Goku scratched his head.
"Wow..."
"Krillin."
"That was even more ruthless than what he was trying to do."
The corner of Piccolo's mouth twitched.
"What exactly..."
"...is this guy made of?"
Ignoring everyone's stunned expressions, Krillin opened his system panel.
Name: Krillin
Race: Earthling (True Martial God Physique, High Rank)
Battle Power: 32.5 Billion → 33 Billion (Low conversion efficiency due to excessive impurities absorbed)
Current Status: Stuffed (Digesting. Ki recovery speed +200%)
"Only gained five hundred million?"
Krillin clicked his tongue in disappointment.
He casually kicked Android 19's mangled remains.
"What a fraud."
"All bulk."
"No substance."
He slowly raised his head toward the completely petrified Dr. Gero.
"Hey, old man."
Krillin flashed a bright, chilling grin.
"I hope..."
"...you last a little longer."
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