Very soon, everyone arrived above the island—directly over the town where the explosions had happened.
"The blast ca from over there…"
"There aren't any suspicious people around."
"From start to finish, we didn't sense any powerful ki at all… so it's almost certainly the Androids."
Piccolo said in a low voice, "If we can't sense their ki…"
"Then we use the most primitive thod—our eyes."
Goku glanced at Piccolo, worry flickering across his face.
He rembered that in the original tiline, Piccolo and Gohan were practically father and son. When the Androids appeared, it was Gohan's bond that indirectly saved Piccolo.
But in this world, Gohan was only four years old—and he hadn't trained with Piccolo at all.
Right now, Piccolo was truly alone.
And if Piccolo died…
the Dragon Balls would vanish instantly.
Goku couldn't afford that.
"Piccolo," Goku said seriously, "maybe you shouldn't take part in this."
"Leave the search to us."
Piccolo's eyes flashed with cold ferocity.
"Son Goku… don't think just because you beca a Super Saiyan that you're untouchable!"
"After three years of training…"
"I have also grasped the essence of transformation."
"And you Saiyans aren't the only ones who can transform!"
Goku froze.
"Transform?"
Piccolo's mouth curled up with pride.
"That's right. I can transform too."
"And once I do, my power increases drastically."
"I'm not even weaker than your Super Saiyan."
"When this Android ss is over…"
"Co fight one-on-one."
Not only Goku, but even Krillin and the others were stunned.
"What… Nakians can transform too?"
"How co we never saw that on Nak?"
Goku didn't respond to the challenge. Instead, he frowned.
"Piccolo… can we see it?"
The others also looked at Piccolo with excitent.
Piccolo smirked.
"If you all want to see it…"
"Then I'll let you witness it."
"Just don't get scared by my strength!"
He roared.
A golden aura erupted from his body.
In the next instant—
his skin began to turn gold.
A frightening pressure surged outward like a shockwave, whipping the air into a violent gale.
In this form, Piccolo's green skin shifted into a yellow-gold tone, and even the markings on his body faded away.
His power…
was in a completely different league compared to before.
But once the transformation stabilized, Piccolo reined in his aura.
The gale died down.
Nothing below was damaged.
Everyone stared wide-eyed at him.
"Piccolo… you're insane!"
"No way… the 'Super Nakian' legend we heard about on Nak was real!"
"So… are you basically a Super Nakian now?!"
Piccolo basked in their shock, thoroughly pleased.
Especially when he saw Goku standing there speechless—Piccolo's face twisted into an expression of smug satisfaction, almost like Vegeta's trademark look.
But he quickly realized he'd lost control, and forced his face back into seriousness.
Goku had been stunned for a different reason.
He rembered watching a Dragon Ball movie—Cell Max.
In that movie, Piccolo had his potential awakened by Shenron and beca a golden form first.
And later, he awakened even further…
unlocking an even more terrifying form—orange skin, subtle facial changes, and those eerie reddish eyes.
But Piccolo hadn't had Shenron unlock his potential in this world.
So how did he reach this stage?
Then Goku rembered sothing from Nak.
Right!
Back then, while the Grand Elder was still alive, Piccolo had visited Nak.
He never fused with Nail, but…
the Grand Elder did unlock his potential.
Then after returning to Earth, he trained hard for years.
So reaching this golden form was actually reasonable.
And if he ever stacked Shenron's divine power on top of that…
maybe Piccolo truly could unlock that tougher, orange form later.
Since the golden form drained stamina, Piccolo returned to normal.
"I'm already as strong as Frieza was back then."
"So you don't have to worry about getting instantly killed by the Androids, right?"
Everyone shook their heads.
Krillin laughed. "You kidding? Besides Goku's Super Saiyan…"
you're basically the strongest one here. Who would worry about you?"
Piccolo nodded. "Good."
"Then let's move."
Everyone looked toward Goku.
Goku nodded. "Alright."
"Split up and search, but don't chase too deep."
"If anything happens, notify everyone imdiately."
The group shot out as streaks of light, scattering across the town in every direction to search.
Chi-Chi was about to leave too, but Goku stopped her.
"Chi-Chi, don't try to push yourself."
"These last few years, your training progress has fallen behind everyone else by a lot."
"The Androids might be far stronger than Frieza."
Chi-Chi nodded.
"I know, Goku. You be careful too."
"Yeah."
After searching for a while, they still couldn't find the Androids.
Every ti another incident happened and soone rushed to the scene—
they were always too late.
All they could see were victims.
Never the enemy.
Frustration started building in the group.
But Goku felt an odd sense of relief.
From the destruction patterns and the way people were hard…
it was likely the Android 19 and 20 type.
They were draining energy from humans.
If it were 17 and 18, with their overwhelming power, they wouldn't be hiding like rats.
They had infinite energy—they wouldn't need to absorb anyone.
In one corner of town…
Android 19 and Android 20 (Dr. Gero) finished draining several people.
Their energy had grown noticeably.
And they beca bolder, draining anyone they could grab.
Panic erupted.
Soon, Yamcha flew toward the area.
Dr. Gero and Android 19 exchanged a look.
"I found him," Dr. Gero said. "A high-energy target is approaching."
Android 19 nodded. "I detected it too."
"Only one… should we leave?"
Dr. Gero narrowed his eyes.
"Based on our energy calculations…"
"We should be able to defeat him."
"You restrain him."
"I will absorb him first."
"If we absorb just this one, it'll be worth more than ten thousand ordinary humans."
Android 19 nodded.
"Understood, Android 20. I will assist you."
"Then the next one… you assist ."
Dr. Gero smiled. "Agreed."
"But after absorbing this one…"
"We may not even need to play it safe anymore."
Yamcha landed.
He looked around at the ruined buildings, smashed cars, and the scattered bodies.
"They're nearby…"
"Where are they?!"
He saw soone peeking out from a building window.
Yamcha shouted, "Hey! Did you see who did this?! Did you see them?!"
The man panicked.
"I-I did… a fat man and an old man. They looked… weird!"
Yamcha's eyes widened. "Where are they now?!"
"I-I don't know… they were here just now… then suddenly disappeared!"
But the man's expression instantly changed into sheer horror.
He stared at Yamcha like he'd seen death.
Yamcha frowned. "What? Why are you looking at like that?"
"Do I look scary or sothing?"
Before he could finish—
a thick, greasy hand clamped over Yamcha's mouth from behind, cutting off any chance of calling for help.
And in the next instant—
a dry hand shaped like a knife pierced straight through Yamcha's chest.
Yamcha's ki plumted.
His energy was drained violently in an instant.
After absorbing everything, Dr. Gero tossed Yamcha aside with satisfaction.
"Excellent."
"What a massive amount of energy…"
"To think one human could provide this much… what a surprise."
Android 19 suddenly warned, "Android 20—bad news."
"I sense multiple powerful energy sources approaching."
"We must hide!"
Dr. Gero sneered. "With this energy… I'm not afraid anymore."
Android 19 shook his head. "No."
"Each of them is not weaker than this one."
"Don't get arrogant."
"We hide and ambush them one by one."
"That is safest."
"According to my calculations, even after absorbing him…"
you still can't handle so many at once."
Dr. Gero glanced at Android 19.
Android 19 was built to support his own future modifications—its brain was like a precision computer.
If it judged that way, it was likely correct.
Dr. Gero nodded.
The two hid again.
Less than a minute later—
Goku, Krillin, Piccolo, and the others arrived.
Krillin's pupils shrank the mont he saw Yamcha's body.
"Yamcha! Are you okay?!"
Krillin rushed over and crouched down.
When he saw the terrifying blood hole through Yamcha's chest, his face went pale.
Chi-Chi quickly reached into her pocket, pulled out a small pouch, and took out a Senzu Bean.
"Hurry! Feed him, Krillin!"
His chest had been pierced clean through—Krillin wasn't sure Yamcha could even swallow.
But he took it, trembling, and fed it to him anyway.
Yamcha was barely alive…
but after years of harsh training, his vitality was terrifying.
He managed to chew and swallow.
And the next mont—
the hole healed completely.
Chi-Chi and Krillin lit up with joy.
"Thank goodness!"
"You're okay!"
Yamcha sat up, still shaken.
"Thank… thank God… I'm alive."
"I can't believe it… with my strength, I still got taken down in one move."
"That's humiliating…"
Krillin demanded, "What did the Androids look like?"
"How strong were they to do this to you silently?"
Everyone stared at Yamcha.
Yamcha said bitterly, "A fat guy… and an old man."
"They had no ki."
"They pretended to be normal people and got behind without a sound."
"One covered my mouth…"
"and the other pierced my chest with a knife-hand."
"Then I felt my energy being drained insanely fast."
"I tried to burst my ki to warn you…"
but the draining was too fast. I lost my strength imdiately."
"But… they thought I was dead."
"They didn't finish off."
Krillin nodded grimly.
"That's because your training paid off."
"Your body was tough enough to survive."
"If you were a normal human… you'd be dead already."
Yamcha gave a bitter laugh.
"How ironic."
"I trained for years…"
and the only thing it gave was… surviving slightly longer when soone kills ."
Chi-Chi snapped, "Don't say that!"
"They used dirty tactics—an ambush!"
Tien's eyes sharpened as he processed the report.
"So it really is bio-Android tech…"
"No ki signature."
"Expert at hiding and acting in the shadows…"
"Even if they're not overwhelmingly strong, this kind of enemy is extrely troubleso."
Piccolo looked at Goku.
"What do you think?"
Goku quietly inhaled.
"I think…"
"I underestimated them."
"They absorbed Yamcha and still hid instead of fleeing."
"Our plan was wrong."
"They're still gathering energy."
"And their energy source…"
"is absorbing humans."
"That ans searching like this won't work."
He looked around the group.
"More importantly…"
"Our ki is a massive al to them."
Everyone paused, stunned.
Krillin asked, "Then what do we do?"
Goku said calmly,
"We suppress our ki to normal-human levels."
"Then we change clothes—no martial arts uniforms."
"And we move around the island like ordinary people."
"Walk the streets. Shop. Eat. Anything."
"Spread out and blend in."
"They can't detect how strong we are…"
"So they'll treat us like prey."
Everyone imdiately agreed.
"That's brilliant!"
"Nice one, Goku!"
Goku laughed. "Stay with Bulma long enough…"
and you learn how to use your brain, hahaha…"
Chi-Chi clapped her hands. "Alright then—let's move!"
Everyone nodded.
Then soone coughed awkwardly.
"…Chi-Chi. Lend so money."
Chi-Chi: "..."
She pulled out a Capsule, took out cash, and distributed so to everyone.
Then they separated.
A short while later…
Krillin changed into a hoodie, holding a slushie in his left hand and chips in his right, strolling around like a local street punk.
Tien walked with Chiaotzu like a father and son duo, wandering the snack street—Chiaotzu holding two skewers of candied hawthorn.
Piccolo bought a bottle of water and sat in the shade watching old n play chess.
And Chi-Chi walked hand-in-hand with Goku like they were a couple in the honeymoon phase.
Goku wore sporty clothes like a student uniform—easy to move in.
Chi-Chi wore a refined blouse, a short skirt, and high heels…
Like a poor boy walking with a rich young lady.
Goku looked speechless. "I feel like you're dressed to go on a date."
Chi-Chi giggled. "Goku… do I look pretty?"
"Pretty."
"Then kiss once."
"I'll wear black stockings for you…"
"Stop ssing around, Chi-Chi."
"Don't forget why we're here."
"If you dress like this, you can't fight properly!"
Chi-Chi pouted.
"I brought a special wristband."
"Bulma made it for ."
"One press, instant full-body outfit swap."
"If there's a fight, I can change instantly."
Goku blinked.
Is that like Gohan's Great Saiyaman transformation device?!
Just as he was still surprised—
a car accident happened nearby.
Goku and Chi-Chi looked over.
A fat man and an old man had stopped a vehicle.
A crowd gathered.
And then—
those two started grabbing people and draining them.
Whoever ran first got drained first.
Not a single one escaped.
Chi-Chi's gaze sharpened.
"Goku…"
"They're here."
Goku's eyes turned cold.
"We have to kill them imdiately."
"But there are too many civilians here."
"If we fight openly… people will get hurt."
Chi-Chi said, "I'll take the fat one."
"You take the old one."
Goku shook his head.
"You stay hidden as a normal person."
"I'll handle both."
"If they realize we're not alone…"
they might run."
Chi-Chi nodded.
"That makes sense."
"I'll watch for anyone trying to escape—if one runs, I'll chase."
Goku nodded.
"Good."
"Let's do it."
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