My First Step Towards Power Began When I Married Vados

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"I see, you can also transform into Super Saiyan. Then let's see what you've got."

When it came to fighting, Goku was never one to hesitate. He immediately assumed a battle stance, eager to test his power. "If you want to challenge my brother Kahn, you'll have to go through me first."

"A mere low-level fighter," Vegeta scoffed.

"Hrngh!"

With a deep, guttural roar, Vegeta erupted in a jet-like aura of golden energy. In an instant, his power skyrocketed, and his hair flashed into an upright, blazing gold.

Boom!

Simultaneously, Goku powered up and transformed on the spot, releasing his own golden Super Saiyan aura. Two flaring jets of ki crackled in the air, clashing against each other amid the darkening sky.

"Vegeta's aura is on par with Goku's!" Tien exclaimed, alarmed by the sheer force emanating from both fighters.

"This guy, Vegeta… he's improved so much these past few years!" Krillin added, his nerves fraying at the edges. "Still, I'm sure Goku can pull through!"

Piccolo stood with arms crossed, shaking his head. "Not so fast. From the way Vegeta's handling his aura, I'm guessing he hasn't even shown his full power yet."

Piccolo could tell Goku was already near his limit, but Vegeta still seemed annoyingly at ease. If Piccolo's senses were correct, Vegeta still had untapped reserves of strength.

Off to the side, the trio of Androids watched Goku and Vegeta with obvious interest. They could afford to wait—whoever survived among these Saiyans would simply be easier prey afterward.

"Hmph. Is this really all you've got?" Vegeta sneered. "A low-level fighter is still a low-level fighter."

He smirked arrogantly, turning his gaze back to Goku. "Kakarot, allow me to demonstrate my true power—Vegeta's true power."

"Rrraaaah!"

Vegeta let loose another roar, forcing even more golden ki to surge around him. His Super Saiyan aura rose sharply, unleashing waves of pressure that rattled the ground for miles. The air itself crackled with raw energy, while thunderous rumbles echoed across the landscape.

Within seconds, the trembling earth gradually stilled, and Vegeta's newly magnified aura stabilized. His body looked almost the same—upright golden hair, classic Saiyan battle stance—but the raw power radiating from him was much denser than before.

"That's… insane!" Krillin muttered, feeling as though a massive weight pressed down on his chest. "It's like some evil spirit is choking the air around us."

Yamcha's face was pale, his jaw set. "That bastard Vegeta really came prepared, didn't he?"

Tien nodded grimly. "Kahn isn't here, so Goku's our best shot right now."

Piccolo's gaze drifted from Vegeta to Goku, then shifted to the trio of Androids. "Even if Goku beats Vegeta, we still have those three to worry about. We can't just rely on Goku and Kahn to save the Earth every time. We need to do our part—whatever that might be."

"Yeah, but what can we do?" Tien asked quietly. "Vegeta's reached a whole new level, and those Androids… they're not exactly pushovers."

They all felt it: an enormous gulf in power. Any attempt to jump in might only hinder Goku. Still, Piccolo's words hung in the air, reminding them they had to try.

Meanwhile, Goku's eyes gleamed with excitement. "You're strong, Vegeta, but this is exactly what I wanted!"

"Heh," Vegeta snorted. He extended one hand, confidence radiating from every pore. "Five moves, Kakarot. It'll take me only five moves to bring you down."

"Then I'm really looking forward to this," Goku answered, brimming with determination. "Come at me, Vegeta!"

He stood firm, unafraid of the nearly overwhelming aura in front of him. If anything, the greater the challenge, the more Goku wanted to fight. Only the fiercest battles could push him to ascend to new heights.

Yet at that very moment—

Goku suddenly grimaced, the color draining from his face. He wavered on his feet, and his once-proud Super Saiyan aura snuffed out. He let out a strangled gasp, clutching at his chest as he reverted to normal form.

"Aaagh…!"

He collapsed to the ground, his breathing ragged and his expression contorted by agonizing pain.

"Dad!"

Gohan's eyes widened in terror. Without hesitation, he sprinted to his father's side.

"Goku!"

"Goku!"

Piccolo and the others rushed over, their battle stances forgotten in the face of their friend's dire condition.

"Hmm?" Vegeta arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. "What's the matter? My aura alone was enough to make you keel over?" He snorted derisively. "Don't you dare fake a collapse in front of the Prince of all Saiyans."

None of them bothered responding to Vegeta's barbs. Their worry was fully on Goku, who was breathing in shallow, painful gulps.

"Gohan, what's going on?" Krillin asked anxiously. "Why's Goku suddenly in this state?"

Gohan's face was drawn. "It's… a heart disease. Dad's been having attacks for a while now, but the medication only helps keep it in check…"

"A heart disease?"

Piccolo's normally stern expression twisted with alarm. Everyone else felt dread pooling in their stomachs. On Earth, advanced treatments were still limited, and heart disease was often a death sentence. They never imagined someone as strong and vibrant as Goku would be afflicted with something so devastating.

"No wonder," Seventeen cut in with a humorless chuckle. "Dr. Gero's orders were to kill Goku, but if his heart is giving out, our job just got a whole lot easier."

"How boring," Vegeta muttered with an air of distaste. "I don't care about Kakarot's life. If he can't fight because of some pathetic illness, then I'll wait for Kahn to show up. Son or no son, Kakarot's already doomed if he's this weak. I have no interest in finishing him off."

He cast a sideways glance at the Androids, who could obviously see Goku was in no shape to continue. Whether they decided to kill Goku or not made no difference to Vegeta at this point.

Seventeen looked Vegeta's way. "Vegeta, you're not going to kill Goku?"

Vegeta folded his arms. "That's none of my concern. I'm here for Kahn."

Meanwhile—the Z fighters were currently freaking out.

"Dad!"

Seeing the pained expression Goku had, Gohan burst into tears.

"Gohan, take Goku and get out of here! We'll handle this!"

Despite the dire situation, Piccolo managed to stay focused. Their top priority was to evacuate Goku, who was incapacitated by his heart condition. Even if their chances against the Androids were low, they could at least buy him some breathing room.

Krillin nodded. "Piccolo's right, Gohan. You get Goku out of here. The rest of us will stand our ground!"

"Heh heh heh…"

A cold laugh echoed just as Gohan was about to leave.

Everyone looked up to see Android 16, Android 17, and Android 18 striding closer, malevolent intent plain in their eyes.

Android 17 sneered. "We never agreed to let Goku go."

"You jerks!"

Piccolo, Tien Shinhan, Yamcha, Krillin, and Chiaotzu stepped forward, forming a protective wall in front of Goku and Gohan.

Piccolo barked, "Gohan, go!"

"Right!"

Without hesitation, Gohan scooped Goku into his arms and blasted off with a swirl of ki. Remembering his father's death on Namek, he was determined not to let history repeat itself.

"Think you can run?"

Android 17 cast a quick glance at Android 18.

Immediately—

Whoosh!

Android 18 rushed forward, the wind whipping around her as she closed in on Gohan from behind.

"I won't let you pass!"

Piccolo leapt in, trying to intercept her.

Smack!

With blinding speed, Android 18's foot connected with Piccolo's side, producing a sharp crack. He was knocked to the side before he could even react.

Now unimpeded, Android 18 hurled herself forward, overtaking Gohan in seconds.

"Back you go."

Boom!

Her inverted hook kick slammed Gohan and Goku straight out of the sky. A shock wave rippled through the air as they collided with the ground.

"Those damn Androids…!"

Krillin, Tien Shinhan, and the others wore grim expressions. It was painfully clear that Android 17 and Android 18 had no intention of letting Goku escape alive.

"So, what'll it be?" Android 17 taunted. "Will you hand Goku over, or die here with him? I'm generous enough to let you choose."

Their goal was Goku, but if Piccolo and the rest insisted on defending him, Android 17 had no qualms about taking them out as well.

Piccolo and Gohan—just sent crashing down—forced themselves back to their feet. Rather than respond to 17's mocking question, they stepped in front of Goku once more, making their intentions clear: they'd protect him at any cost.

"Hmph. Looks like that's your answer."

Android 17 glanced at Android 16. "You in, 16?"

Android 16 blinked. "I won't strike someone who can't fight back. I'll face Goku when he's well enough to challenge me."

( /N: w for sixteen, he's a real one.)

"Tch. Such an old-fashioned view."

Android 17 rolled his eyes. All he wanted was Goku out of the picture so he could be free to roam.

"Alright 18," Android 17 said. "Let's end this."

"No problem. I'd like to wrap things up myself."

With that, Android 17 and Android 18 launched a coordinated attack.

"They're coming!"

Sensing a surge of power, Piccolo felt a tense shiver race up his spine.

Gohan immediately transformed into a Super Saiyan with a whoosh of golden aura. If anyone wanted to harm his father, they had to go through him first.

"Let the games begin," Android 17 snarled, throwing himself toward Krillin.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Their overwhelming might shredded the defenders' lines. Piccolo, Gohan, and the others attempted to hold firm, but it was like facing a raging typhoon; the Androids swept aside any resistance.

Only Piccolo and Super Saiyan Gohan held out for a moment, but Piccolo soon fell under the relentless blows of Android 17. In mere minutes, he was slammed into the ground with a resounding thud, too hurt to stand.

That left Gohan—eyes burning with determination—because at this moment he is Earth's last defense against the Androids.

"Rrraaaagh!"

Fueled by the need to protect Goku, Gohan charged with a furious flurry of punches and kicks, his strikes landing with loud cracks and smacks against Android 18's guard. For a fleeting moment, she was on the back foot.

"Need help, 18?" Android 17 called casually.

"I've got this," Android 18 replied. Though Gohan's assault appeared fierce, she blocked or tanked each blow with minimal damage.

"You won't touch my dad!"

Gohan roared, aiming a right hook straight at 18's cheek.

"Then try protecting him," she retorted, raising her left hand to swat his fist aside and land a counter.

But it was a feint. Gohan retracted his right mid-swing and lurched forward with his left.

Thud!

He landed a solid blow on Android 18's jaw.

Wasting no time, Gohan thrust both palms outward, releasing a Ki Cannon at point-blank range. A bright FWOOOOM accompanied the searing blast as it struck home, leaving a massive crater in the ground.

"Oh?"

Watching from a distance, Vegeta quirked an eyebrow. "The kid's not half-bad," he observed, unimpressed but at least faintly intrigued.

Yet as the smoke cleared, Android 18 emerged completely unscathed, brushing away dust with a cool flick of her hand.

She pushed her bangs back with icy disdain. "That's all?"

Gohan's heart sank. Even his best effort had done nothing.

Crunch!

In a blur, Android 18 rammed her fist into Gohan's gut, crushing the air from his lungs and yanking him out of Super Saiyan form. Before he could recover, she hammered a spinning back kick to the base of his skull.

Wham!

Gohan crashed to the earth in a broken heap, barely conscious and unable to continue.

Besides Goku that is crippled by his heart disease, the remainder of Earth's defenders lay battered on the ground. Under the crushing might of Android 17 and Android 18, hope for victory seemed all but lost.

…