Lazuli landed softly beside Uchiha Chiga, still trembling from the aftermath of the battle.
Without a word, she wrapped her arms tightly around his arm, her head lowered.
It had been her first true fight — one where she'd stared death in the face. If not for Chiga's intervention, Future Lazuli's self-destruction would have erased them all. The fear still lingered in her chest.
Chiga gently brushed his hand across her back, his voice warm but steady.
"You did great. You were incredible out there. That impostor didn't stand a chance against you."
Lazuli rested her head against his arm and murmured quietly,
"I was terrified... If you hadn't been there, I—"
"It's alright," Chiga interrupted softly. "You're safe. You're the hero who saved this world."
Lazuli shook her head slightly, her voice trembling.
"I don't want to be a hero. I just want to be by your side... as me."
Bulma, standing nearby, twitched her lips slightly, thinking to herself, An ordinary girl? She can level mountains with a single punch...
Trunks, staring at the empty battlefield where both Future Androids had perished, suddenly dropped to his knees. Tears spilled down his cheeks as he clenched his fists.
He shouted to the sky, voice cracking with emotion,
"Brother Gohan! Can you see this? The Androids are gone! Our world... it's finally free!"
The air fell silent. Chiga exhaled deeply, his gaze distant. Compared to other timelines he'd seen, this Earth had suffered too much.
After a moment of thought, Chiga turned to Vados.
"Vados, if I remember correctly, there are still Namekians in the Sixth Universe, right?"
Vados tilted her head, smiling faintly. "Yes. Why do you ask?"
"Can you locate them for me?"
"Of course," she replied, lifting her staff. The crystal orb atop it shimmered, projecting an image of a Namekian's face.
Future Bulma gasped and leaned forward. "That's them! The Namekians we sent away years ago!"
Trunks blinked, puzzled. "They look just like Piccolo-san... but why are we finding them now?"
Future Bulma's eyes widened in realization. She grabbed Trunks by the shoulders. "Don't you see? If we can find them, we can find the Dragon Balls! The Dragon Balls, Trunks! Do you know what that means?"
Trunks's eyes lit up. "Wait—Mom, are you saying we can bring back Goku-san and the others!?"
Bulma's excitement dimmed slightly. She nodded, then shook her head. "The Namekian Dragon can grant greater wishes than Earth's, but... Goku died from a heart virus. Reviving him might not be possible..."
As expected, the person this Bulma still cared for most was Goku.
Still, finding the Dragon Balls brought hope. Future Bulma wiped the tears from her cheeks and smiled gratefully.
"Everyone... thank you. I don't know how to repay you. I've made some progress with my research over the years. If there's anything you need, just ask."
Lazuli shook her head. She had only come here to destroy her twisted counterpart. Now, she just wanted to return home with Chiga.
Chiga also declined. What truly intrigued him had been the time machine—but once was enough. Crossing timelines too often only bred chaos and confusion.
Vados's eyes gleamed playfully. She turned to Future Bulma and said,
"Forget the research. Do you still have those drinks you brewed? I'd like to take a few back."
Future Bulma blinked, stunned. An Angel asking for... beverages? Of all things?
Her company still maintained a small automated production line for drinks. She had more stock than she could ever consume.
Seeing her hesitate, Vados frowned lightly. "What? None left? That's unfortunate."
Future Bulma waved her hands frantically. "No, no! I still have plenty! Take as much as you want—everything if you like!"
Chiga chuckled quietly. Saving the world, and the reward is... soda?
Bulma quickly regained focus. "Vados-sama, could you tell me where the Namekians are now? I'll start preparing a ship immediately."
Vados smiled. "No need for all that trouble. I can take you there right now—it'll be faster."
"Huh? Really? Then... thank you so much!"
"Don't mention it," Vados replied with a soft laugh. "I've enjoyed this trip, so consider it a small favor."
She placed a hand on Bulma's shoulder, glanced once at Chiga with a knowing smile, and then the two transformed into streaks of light, shooting up toward the heavens.
Trunks stared at the sky, his face filled with both awe and worry.
Chiga stepped forward and patted his shoulder.
"Relax. They'll be back soon. And with Vados there, no one in this universe could even touch your mom."
Trunks nodded hard. His respect for Chiga had reached a point just short of reverence.
Lazuli approached quietly. "Chiga, when do we go home?"
He smiled faintly. "Once Vados returns. But before that, there's one more thing to take care of. Otherwise, this world won't stay peaceful for long."
She frowned. "You mean... more Androids?"
"Not quite," he said darkly. "Just something foul that needs to be erased."
Without another word, Chiga vanished.
In a ruined laboratory halfway up a mountain, the soft beeping of computers filled the silence. Cables ran into a large glass chamber, where a football-sized organism floated within the green culture fluid.
Swish!
Chiga appeared silently inside. He stepped closer to the chamber, his gaze fixed on the creature inside.
"You've grown this much already... You'll be awakening soon, won't you, Cell?"
The embryonic being opened its eyes. Though incomplete, it already possessed awareness—and confusion. His databases held no record of the man before him.
Chiga smiled faintly and placed his hand on the glass.
"I don't have the patience to deal with you. Goodbye, Cell."
The light in his eyes flickered gold.
The next second, the laboratory—and everything in it—vanished in silence.