My First Step Towards Power Began When I Married Vados

…

After Kahn left the crumbling planet using his shuttle, he crossed paths with Whis not long afterward.

"Mr. Kahn, I'm relieved to see you're safe," Whis said, letting out a quiet sigh of relief.

Kahn shrugged. "It's not that easy to kill me. Even if the Grand Priest hadn't shown up, Champa might not have been able to finish me off."

Whis smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying Kahn's confidence. "I must admit, I was a bit surprised the Grand Priest intervened in person—but then again, it does make sense."

Kahn frowned. "Makes sense? What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing," Whis replied lightly, changing the subject. "Let's head back to Beerus's planet first."

During the journey home, Kahn couldn't shake the thought of Whis's earlier comment—nor could he ignore the Grand Priest's sudden arrival. Normally, even a battle that threatened the entire Seventh Universe wouldn't necessarily warrant the Grand Priest stepping in. Yet today, he seemed to appear purely to protect Kahn.

Why did that happen? Khan wondered.

Based on Whis's remark that it was "reasonable" for the Grand Priest to show up, and recalling that Universe 6's Angel might not be the Vados he once knew…

A spark of realization flickered in Kahn's mind.

Could it be…?!

He hesitated, feeling uncertain. The conclusion he was inching toward was too shocking—so much so that he wasn't ready to say it out loud. "I shouldn't jump to conclusions. I need a chance to confirm my suspicions," he told himself. The possibility felt so far-fetched that even he had trouble believing it. Yet all signs still pointed the same way.

"What are you thinking about?" Whis asked suddenly, snapping Kahn back to reality.

Kahn smiled, shaking his head. "It's nothing."

"Oh?" Whis said with mock suspicion. "You looked pretty startled a moment ago. Almost as if you'd realized something unbelievable."

Jeez, is he reading my mind? Kahn thought. But he refused to let Whis pin him down. Instead, he countered, "Well, I also get the feeling you're hiding something from me."

"Hehe, how sharp of you," Whis teased, chuckling. "Let's just say your guess might be on the mark."

They locked eyes for a moment, then both fell silent in tacit understanding.

Back on Beerus's planet, Whis stowed the shuttle cube back inside his Angel staff. "Mr. Kahn, are you returning to Earth now? I can take you there."

Kahn nodded. "Yes. I'm heading back."

It had been five years since he last saw his wife, and he was eager to fulfill the promise he'd made to Bulma. Without further delay, Whis whisked Kahn away in a kaleidoscopic flash of light, streaking straight toward Earth.

…

Meanwhile, on Earth…

Dr. Gero, fleeing for his life from Goku and the others, retreated to his secret laboratory. In desperation, he released Androids 17 and 18—but his victory was short-lived. Android 17 destroyed Dr. Gero immediately after being awakened.

Undeterred, Android 17 and 18 proceeded to activate Android 16 as well. Their primary goal remained the same: fulfill Dr. Gero's original directive to eliminate Son Goku.

Seemingly by luck, Goku and his friends arrived at the lab's vicinity at just the right (or wrong) time.

"The one we're supposed to kill is already here," Android 17 announced, folding his arms as he set his sights on Goku. "That saves us the trouble of tracking him down."

Android 18 glanced from Goku to the others, a smile tugging at her lips. "So, who's going first?"

She had already sized up Goku's power level. She was certain that any pair among the three Androids—herself, 17, and 16—could handle him. One-on-one might even be enough.

"Number 16," 17 said, turning to the tallest of the group. "Why don't you show us what you can do first?"

Without saying a word, Android 16 floated into the air, facing Goku. He didn't speak—he simply prepared for combat.

Goku felt his Saiyan blood pumping with anticipation. "Perfect," he said under his breath. "I've been training these past few years, so let's see if you're up to the challenge."

Number 16 blinked impassively and shifted into a fighting stance.

Just as the two were about to clash, a streak of light burned across the sky. A spaceship from somewhere in the universe soared down like a falling star, slamming into the ground between Goku and Android 16.

Both Goku and Seventeen were attracted by the sudden arrival of the Universe spaceship.

No. 17 opened his mouth slightly in surprise.

"Oh, where did this universe ship come from?"

No. 18 blinked her beautiful eyes but did not speak.

"This… this is…"

Looking at the universe spaceship, Goku and his team recognized it.

Isn't this exactly the same model Vegeta used when he came to Earth a few years ago, back when he first clashed with Kahn?

"Could it be Vegeta?"

Krillin backed up a few steps, shuddering as visions of Vegeta's sinister grin flashed through his mind. The only reason Vegeta behaved on Namek was because Kahn held him in check. Without Kahn's ironclad deterrence, Krillin doubted Vegeta would remain civil. In his memory, Vegeta was still that merciless, bloodthirsty Saiyan prince whose power level and rage spelled bad news for anyone who crossed him.

"Vegeta?!"

When they heard that name, Piccolo and the others instantly went on high alert. The three Androids already seemed tough enough—if Vegeta jumped into the mix, not even Goku might be able to handle them all at once. Unless Kahn returned, they couldn't think of a way to overcome both the Android threat and Vegeta's fury. But Kahn hadn't set foot on Earth since the victory party on Namek, and even Goku had no clue when he'd be back.

Bang.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the hatch of the Universe spaceship opened slowly. A familiar silhouette emerged from within.

Krillin's suspicions were confirmed:

It was Vegeta.

Stepping off the spacecraft, Vegeta scanned the area but sensed no sign of Kahn's ki anywhere. Instead, he spotted Kahn's younger brother, Goku. Ignoring Piccolo and the other Z Fighters completely, he fixed his sharp gaze on Goku. In the world of Dragon Ball, true respect is given only to the strongest—so to Vegeta, Goku alone was worth his attention.

As for No. 17 and the others? Vegeta neither recognized nor cared about them. He had returned to Earth for one reason: to challenge Kahn and erase the shame of their last encounter, proving who was truly the mightiest Saiyan warrior.

Vegeta's line of sight drifted to the Z Fighters, making Krillin, Piccolo, and the rest tense. They dreaded the thought of Vegeta allying himself with these new mechanical foes. Without Kahn, the idea of beating Vegeta plus three powerful Androids was nearly impossible.

Fortunately, Piccolo's concern seemed misplaced—Vegeta wasn't even looking at them.

"Kakarot," he said with a wicked grin. "Long time no see. Where is that bastard Kahn?"

Goku frowned. "My brother Kahn isn't on Earth right now. You picked a bad time to show up."

"H-huh?"

Vegeta froze, then let out a scornful laugh. "Not on Earth? Haha! So he fled rather than face me! I came here specifically to settle our old score—he'd better not be skulking away like a coward!"

"You're overthinking it, Vegeta," Goku retorted. "Kahn stuck around Earth for a few years but he's been gone for awhile now. I only know he's still alive, but I have no idea where he went. He wouldn't run from you."

Kahn, a coward? Impossible. Goku knew his brother would never back down from any fight, especially one challenging his Saiyan pride.

"That so…"

Vegeta's eyes narrowed, glinting with cruelty. "If that bastard Kahn isn't here, then you, his little brother, can pay me back for the humiliation I suffered!"

With that, Vegeta tensed his muscles, preparing to pounce at Goku.

At that very moment, No. 17 stepped forward, his tone icy. "Hey, Vegeta, is it? Goku's our target. Ever hear of 'first come, first served'?"

"First come, first served? Hahahaha!"

Vegeta cast a withering look at No. 17, as though this was the funniest thing he'd heard all year.

"You're lecturing Prince Vegeta about 'first come, first served'? If you don't like it, team up with Kakarot. I'll take you both on at once!"

"What an arrogant, annoying guy," No. 18 muttered, wrinkling her nose. While she was confident in her own power, she didn't see much reason to get involved just yet.

No. 17 shrugged. "Forget it, No. 18. Vegeta's ki is off the charts compared to the last time anyone saw him. Let them weaken each other first, and then we'll finish whoever's left standing. It's better strategy than starting a free-for-all now."

Unlike the Vegeta who barely scraped his way into Super Saiyan mode in some timelines, this Vegeta had refined his transformation to its fullest potential—an explosive surge of golden energy that could overwhelm anyone unprepared. For the Androids, provoking him head-on just to kill Goku wasn't the smartest move. After all, as long as Goku ended up dead, they would fulfill their original mission.

No. 17 signaled for No. 16 to stand down.

"Hmph. Trash!"

Vegeta scoffed at No. 17's reluctant concession.

"Hehe…"

Seventeen chuckled quietly, deciding it wasn't worth bickering with the arrogant prince.

Vegeta completely disregarded the Androids now, returning his attention to Goku. "Kakarot, you can transform into a Super Saiyan, can't you?"

He clenched his fist, veins pulsing with Saiyan might. "It doesn't even matter. In truth, my own Super Saiyan form has grown unstoppable."

"What… what?!"

"Vegeta can become a Super Saiyan?!"

Krillin and the others were stunned. They hadn't expected Vegeta to achieve this legendary state so quickly. They had briefly entertained the hope that Vegeta might at least fight 17 and 18 on their behalf, but that possibility vanished the second they felt his overwhelming power. Now they had to deal with Vegeta and the Androids at the same time.

"This guy's aura is stronger than Goku's," Piccolo muttered, feeling the pressure of Vegeta's ki. "He's definitely not bluffing. He must've mastered Super Saiyan."

After his resurrection, Piccolo had assimilated with the Elder Kami of the Heavenly Temple and later fused with Nail on Planet Namek, pushing his abilities far beyond what Tien and Krillin could achieve. Still, compared to a Saiyan at full power, it seemed he had a ways to go.

If you were to compare him to Krillin and Tien he is certainly superior. However compared to Super Saiyan… he still has a long way too go.

Meanwhile, Tien and Krillin felt hopelessly outmatched. With Vegeta's hostility and the Androids' mission of destruction looming, Earth's defenders had never faced greater peril. The faint glimmer of hope lay in whether Goku could somehow rise to the challenge—or if, by some miracle, Kahn would return in time.

…