The dry wind swept across the wasteland, carrying sand and gravel as it chased after Dr. Gero's desperate retreat.
The old scientist had been scared out of his wits by Krillin and the others' overwhelming strength, but when it came to running for his life, he was unbelievably fast.
He darted through narrow gaps between the rocks, weaving through the terrain like a rat fleeing from a predator.
"Zzt..."
A strange electrical hum suddenly echoed across the sky.
The gloomy clouds were torn apart by an invisible force as a time machine bearing the word "HOPE" materialized out of thin air.
With a deafening roar from its engines, it landed heavily on the nearby plain.
The hatch opened.
Trunks leaped out.
His signature sword rested across his back, his lavender hair whipped wildly by the wind, and his eyes burned with urgency and murderous intent.
The moment he landed, he spotted the fleeing figure in the distance.
Dr. Gero.
Android 20.
"That's... an Android!"
Trunks' pupils shrank.
Memories from the future flooded his mind.
Ruined cities.
The bodies of fallen friends.
An endless world of despair.
"I can't let him escape!"
Without the slightest hesitation, he exploded with power.
Golden flames erupted around him as he transformed into a Super Saiyan.
Drawing his sword in one fluid motion, he shot forward like a bolt of golden lightning, aiming straight for Dr. Gero's neck.
This strike carried every ounce of hatred he had for the Androids.
It possessed enough force to split a mountain in half.
"Die!!"
The blade screamed through the air.
Dr. Gero sensed the fatal danger behind him.
His electronic eyes flashed crimson with warning signals, but it was already too late to dodge.
Just as the sword was less than a centimeter from his neck...
Clink.
A crisp metallic sound rang out.
Trunks felt as though he'd struck an indestructible wall.
The tremendous recoil surged back through the hilt, numbing his hand and nearly forcing him to drop the sword.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
Krillin had somehow appeared behind Dr. Gero.
Using nothing but a single finger, he effortlessly stopped the killing blow.
"Haha, Trunks. Long time no see."
Krillin wore the same reassuring smile as always.
He even had the spare attention to wave at Trunks with his other hand.
"U-Uncle Krillin?!"
Trunks froze.
Then panic immediately overtook him.
"Move! That's an Android! You can't let him get away!"
"Relax."
Krillin released the blade and casually flicked it with his fingertip.
The sword vibrated with a clear metallic hum.
"I know exactly who he is."
"I'm letting him escape on purpose."
"On purpose?"
Trunks stared blankly.
Then he noticed Vegeta standing nearby with his arms folded, watching the show.
Goku looked completely relaxed.
Piccolo was equally calm.
Why...
Why was everyone acting like this?
"We're letting him open the door."
Krillin pointed toward the direction where Dr. Gero had disappeared.
"The entrance to his laboratory is pretty tough."
"And honestly, I don't feel like looking for the key."
"Besides..."
"If a few stronger opponents don't show up, wouldn't Goku and Vegeta's year of training have been a complete waste?"
Looking at Krillin's confidence, a confidence that bordered on arrogance, the tension inside Trunks suddenly melted away.
Of course.
Standing before him was the man who had crossed time with his own body...
The man who had crushed the future's despair with a single punch...
The man who could even bargain with Shenron.
In front of this man...
Words like despair and crisis seemed little more than minor inconveniences.
"I guess I worried for nothing."
Trunks sheathed his sword.
The golden aura faded as he returned to normal, a genuine smile appearing on his face for the first time in a long while.
"Trunks!"
Goku flew over with a grin and slapped him on the shoulder.
"You made it!"
"How's everything in the future?"
The simple question made Trunks' eyes instantly redden.
Everything he had experienced over the past few years...
Felt like a dream.
A dream so beautiful that he had been afraid to wake up.
"It's... it's wonderful."
"It's better than I ever imagined."
His voice trembled with emotion.
As they leisurely followed behind Dr. Gero, Trunks recounted everything that had happened in the future.
His eyes sparkled as he spoke.
"The ruined wasteland I grew up in..."
"It's become just like the world in Mom's old photographs."
"Blue skies."
"White clouds."
"Busy streets."
"Crowds of people."
His eyes glistened with tears.
"The future has finally found peace."
A smile of pure happiness spread across his face.
"Gohan has become Earth's new protector."
"Everyone is rebuilding."
"There's no more killing."
"No more fear."
"Only hope."
"That's fantastic!"
Goku laughed heartily.
"No matter which world we're talking about..."
"As long as everyone is together, those are the happiest days."
Walking at the front of the group, Krillin quietly opened his system panel.
[Special Achievement: Changed the Fate of Two Timelines]
"Changed fate..."
Krillin slowly clenched his fist.
It really did feel pretty good.
Just then, Dr. Gero suddenly accelerated.
He dove straight into a valley filled with jagged boulders.
"We're here."
Krillin stopped and looked toward the massive metal door hidden beneath the cliffside.
Trunks drew his sword again.
His expression immediately became serious.
"Mr. Krillin..."
"Be careful."
"He's probably about to awaken Androids 17 and 18."
Just speaking those numbers made Trunks' hand tremble.
Those names were nightmares carved into his very soul.
"Don't worry, Trunks."
A cool, lazy female voice suddenly came from behind.
"This world's me isn't anything to be afraid of."
Trunks spun around.
A streak of golden light descended gracefully from the sky before landing beside Krillin.
She was a stunning blonde with sapphire-blue eyes.
Dressed in a stylish denim vest and matching skirt, her flawless figure was impossible to ignore.
She removed her sunglasses and casually brushed back her iconic short blonde hair.
Every movement radiated effortless confidence.
Trunks' eyes widened to their limit.
That face.
Those eyes.
That presence.
Even though she had become human, that unmistakable aura remained.
"Android... Android 18?!"
Almost instinctively, Trunks raised his sword.
Every muscle in his body tensed.
Golden Super Saiyan energy burst uncontrollably around him.
This was the monster who had murdered Gohan.
The demon who had destroyed his future.
Uncle Krillin...
Didn't destroy her?
"Trunks! Stop!"
Goku and Gohan shouted at the same time.
But Trunks was already moving.
It was pure combat instinct, forged through countless life-and-death battles.
His blade shot straight toward the blonde woman's forehead.
She didn't even blink.
A broad hand once again blocked the sword.
Krillin caught the blade with one hand.
The smile remained on his face, but his eyes had become noticeably more serious.
"Trunks."
"Calm down."
"That's your Fourth Aunt."
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