When Piccolo said the Dragon Balls were gone, everyone was shocked.
Future Gohan asked:
"Uncle Piccolo, weren't the Dragon Balls created when you and Kami were originally one?"
"If you could create them before… can't you just make them again?"
Piccolo shook his head.
"No. I can't anymore."
"This fusion was led by me—and I'm a combat-type Namekian."
"I've lost the ability to create Dragon Balls."
Everyone understood.
Krillin sighed.
"That's bad news… people who die now can't be revived."
Goku said calmly:
"Yeah, it's troublesome… but not impossible to fix."
Everyone turned to him.
"Goku, what's your idea?"
Goku replied:
"The Dragon Balls are made by Namekians."
"The Namekians aren't extinct, right?"
"We just go find Planet Namek and ask the Grand Elder to send someone who can make Dragon Balls to be Earth's new guardian."
Krillin lit up.
"That's right! That could work."
"Just… finding them might take time."
Bulma crossed her arms confidently.
"Finding them isn't a big problem."
"Our spaceship is much faster now."
"After we defeat Cell, we can travel through space."
"With Goku's sensing ability, finding the Namekians shouldn't take long."
Krillin said in admiration:
"Bulma, you're amazing… Earth's technology has advanced so much because of you."
Bulma laughed.
"Well, I'm standing on the shoulders of giants."
"A lot of this comes from Frieza Force technology."
Piccolo cut in:
"Enough about that."
"The priority is defeating Cell."
Everyone nodded—but no one had a solid plan.
Raditz glanced at Android 18 and said:
"Cell is hiding because he can't beat Kakarot."
"If he gets the chance to absorb 18 and become perfect, he'll take the risk."
"But if we mess up… even Kakarot might not beat Perfect Cell."
Goku shook his head.
"Cell isn't stupid."
"He'll be cautious—and he'll use any method to become perfect."
Bulma said seriously:
"Could he threaten Earth to force us to hand over 18?"
Everyone froze.
Goku nodded slightly.
"That's possible… he has Frieza's cells, so he can survive in space."
Then he shook his head again.
"No… he won't destroy Earth."
"If Earth is gone, 18 dies too."
Krillin added:
"He's in the shadows, we're in the open."
"If he can't absorb 18 now, he can wait."
Tien said:
"But we can't stay on guard forever."
Raditz turned to Goku.
"Kakarot… I know you don't want to risk her."
"But to lure Cell out, we need her."
"My idea: let 18 walk around publicly."
"You hide nearby and protect her."
"Even if Cell suspects an ambush… seeing 18 right in front of him will tempt him."
"And when he makes a move—you strike."
Krillin grimaced.
"Easier said than done…"
"He'll target weaker ones like me—I can't even take one hit."
Tien clenched his fists.
"I've developed a new technique."
"If he targets me, I can stop him."
Raditz nodded.
"I can stall him too."
"With Vegeta and Nappa, we should have enough people."
Future Gohan added:
"I'll join too."
"I won't let him escape."
Piccolo said:
"I can block one direction."
"When Vegeta and Nappa come out, we'll have enough manpower."
Goku thought for a moment.
"Direct combat isn't the problem…"
"I'm worried he'll play dirty."
"Like… what if 18 needs to use the bathroom in public?"
"Or what if I do?"
Android 18: "…"
Bulma: "…facepalm"
Even though it sounded ridiculous—it was a real flaw.
At that moment, the TV reported more people mysteriously disappearing.
Fear was spreading across cities.
Krillin's phone rang.
"Sorry, my manager's been calling—I need to take this."
Bulma sighed.
"Since Krillin became a hero, he's under a lot of pressure."
"Media, fans, citizens—they all expect him to solve this."
Suddenly, Android 18 stood up.
"Enough."
"I'll be the bait."
Everyone looked at her.
She brushed her hair back.
"I hate living in fear."
"Instead of hiding, I'd rather take the risk and lure him out."
She looked at Goku.
"If even you can't protect me… then I'll accept being absorbed."
Bulma immediately objected.
"That's too risky!"
"If Cell becomes perfect… we might have zero chance."
Then she muttered:
"If only someone could disguise themselves as 18…"
Goku's eyes lit up.
"Disguise? That's it!"
"I can use transformation!"
"I'll turn into 18 and lure him out!"
Everyone stared at him.
Piccolo frowned.
"That trick won't fool Cell."
"Your energy is obvious."
Goku replied:
"No—it will work."
"18 has no detectable energy."
"I'll suppress mine and copy her behavior."
"He won't be able to tell from a distance."
Android 18 narrowed her eyes.
"You sure?"
"Absolutely."
Bulma clapped.
"This is brilliant!"
"But you only get one chance."
Goku nodded—then leaned closer to 18, carefully observing her.
"For accuracy… I need to study your details…"
18 blushed and turned away.
"Not in front of everyone… do that inside!"
Bulma added:
"Better idea!"
"You act as 18, and Puar transforms into you."
"Appear in different places—it increases the chance Cell sees you."
Krillin said:
"I'll handle that!"
"I've got a media interview—Puar can pretend to be Goku with me."
Goku nodded.
"Nice teamwork."
"You guys handle the details."
"I'm resting today—we'll act tomorrow."
"I spent a year in the Time Chamber—I'm exhausted."
"I'm eating and sleeping first."
Gohan nodded.
"Same here. We need to be ready."
The Next Day
Goku woke up refreshed.
"Alright… time to begin."
He performed a transformation.
In an instant—
He became Android 18.
Blonde hair. Blue eyes. Perfect figure.
Even the expression matched.
Bulma gasped.
"That's identical!"
"18" spun and flipped her hair.
"How's that?"
Bulma laughed.
"Even the voice matches!"
Fake 18 stood next to real 18.
"Can anyone tell us apart?"
18 sighed.
"Goku… don't do anything weird in my form."
Fake 18 nodded.
"Relax. I'll even use the women's restroom."
"Maybe the bathhouse too—"
Bulma snapped:
"HEY! Take this seriously!"
Piccolo added coldly:
"And stop that hand gesture. It's not her style."
Fake 18 instantly corrected posture—becoming cold and composed again.
Real 18 sighed deeply.
Bulma handed a shopping bag.
"If you're disguising, act the part."
"Go shopping—buy her clothes."
Fake 18 grinned.
"Sure. I'll pick some stockings too—"
18 blushed hard.
"No lingerie stores!"
West City Streets
Fake 18 walked gracefully through the streets.
People stared.
"Who is she? A model?"
"She's gorgeous!"
Fake 18 muttered internally:
"So this is what it feels like to be a beauty…"
"A lot of attention…"
Hidden nearby, Raditz smirked.
"Kakarot's really getting into it."
Piccolo whispered:
"Stay focused. Cell could appear anytime."
Tien nodded.
"Don't stare at '18'—trust Goku."
Hours passed.
On a giant screen, Krillin and "Goku" (Puar) were being interviewed.
They reassured the public about Cell.
Crowds cheered loudly.
Meanwhile…
In another town, Cell watched the broadcast.
Seeing "Goku" on screen, his eyes lit up.
"So… Goku isn't home."
"He's busy with Krillin."
Cell smiled.
"Perfect."
"No one can stop me from absorbing 18 now."
He calculated quickly.
"18 should be either at Mount Paozu or West City…"
"I'm closer to West City."
He flew there—hiding in the clouds.
Soon, he spotted "18" walking openly.
He also noticed hidden fighters like Piccolo and Tien.
Cell smirked.
"Hmph. You think I'm stupid?"
"But you made one mistake…"
"As long as Goku isn't here—no one can stop me."
He suppressed his energy—
And dove toward "18".
As he got closer, excitement filled him.
"Finally…"
"Finally I'll become perfect…"
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