Chapter 126: Android 18 Makes a Rich Friend

Bulma had lived a second life, after all.

The moment she heard the way this pair—who looked exactly like Androids 17 & 18—spoke, she immediately understood their personalities.

They were completely different from the Androids she knew in her previous life.

With a little thought, Bulma realized the truth.

They weren't Androids at all.

They were just an ordinary pair of siblings.

Or rather—this was probably the butterfly effect at work again.

Her reincarnation had triggered a chain reaction, subtly changing countless little things… and as a result, Dr. Gero never turned them into Androids.

Bulma finally let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.

Once she was sure these two weren't the future's nightmare demons, Bulma began studying them more carefully—this sister and brother.

The girl who resembled Android 18 had a unique personality.

She was carefree, open, lively.

The way she asked for money, the dramatic expressions on her face—greed, anticipation, the shifting calculations during bargaining—

it all gave her a very human kind of charm. A streetwise warmth. A sense of real life and smoke and fire.

And that only made her even more adorable.

She was nothing like the cold, merciless Android 18 from the future.

As for her clothes…

They were pretty, stylish, clearly chosen with care—

but Bulma could tell at a glance they weren't expensive. Not mass luxury.

Just like any teenage girl, she liked pretty outfits. She wanted to look good.

But it was obvious her family wasn't well off.

No wonder she tried to use "saving Bulma" as leverage to ask for a reward.

Since the girl had saved her life, paying her wasn't a problem.

So Bulma didn't hesitate—she pulled out a card with one hundred million on it.

Not to show off.

Just a sincere expression of gratitude.

Sure, money had been losing value and prices kept rising over the years…

but one hundred million was still no small amount.

And to Bulma, money was basically meaningless anyway.

But to this girl…

It was a number so huge it was practically unreal.

Enough to completely change her life.

The girl who resembled Android 18—and the boy who resembled Android 17—both froze in place.

They stared at the card like it was an alien artifact.

"H-How much…?" the girl stammered.

"One hundred million," Bulma confirmed.

The girl took the card and toyed with it, then put on an exaggeratedly casual expression, almost disdainful.

"Come on, sis…

If you told me it was ten thousand, I'd believe you.

But a hundred million? This is way too big of a joke!

The only time I've ever seen a hundred-million bill was when we were burning offerings at my grandpa's grave.

Do I look that easy to scam?"

Bulma's mouth twitched.

One hundred million is "too much"?

I almost got eaten alive. My life isn't worth even that? Only ten thousand?

That wouldn't even cover one meal for Goku.

Bulma was just about to argue when the girl tossed the card right back at her.

"I know you're joking with me.

But I was joking too!

This island has tons of wild animals, and they're vicious.

If you don't have skills, don't come here.

Hurry up and leave!"

With that, she turned her head. "Let's go."

The boy nodded.

Without wasting another second, the two of them started walking away.

Bulma tried to stand—

but the moment she lifted herself halfway up, a sharp pain shot through her ankle and she dropped back down.

She looked at her swollen ankle.

Right.

She'd twisted it earlier.

"Hey—wait!"

The siblings turned around and looked at her.

"What is it? You still need something?

Don't tell me you feel guilty for not paying me after I saved you?" the blonde girl asked playfully.

Bulma said, "Sorry, I twisted my ankle. Can you help me to my plane? It's not far."

The blonde girl blinked in surprise.

"You have a plane?"

Bulma paused.

"What, is having a plane weird?"

The blonde girl immediately shouted, "Of course it's weird! That's a PLANE, not a scooter! Only rich people can afford that, okay?!"

Bulma blinked.

Then she nodded. "Alright. I'm not rich… but you can think of me as rich."

The blonde girl's eyes instantly lit up.

"So you really are loaded!"

Bulma nodded. "Pretty much. My dad's rich. I don't really have a concept of money—if there's enough to spend, it's fine."

The blonde girl rushed over, helped Bulma up, and introduced them proudly.

"That idiot next to me is Lapis, my twin brother.

I'm Lazuli.

Rich sister—please be friends with me!"

Bulma was stunned as she was helped up, staring at Lazuli in disbelief.

A breeze swept past, messing up her golden hair, strands fluttering before her eyes—yet nothing could hide those beautiful irises.

Those bright blue pupils sparkled with youthful vitality: clear, sunny, overflowing with life.

And in that light, there was also a faint, mischievous glint.

Bulma couldn't help thinking—

She was the perfect definition of expressive eyes that could speak.

Not only were her eyes gorgeous and full of spirit—

the energy of adolescence, the lively upward force of youth, was written all over her face.

Her perky nose, cherry lips, and athletic figure made even Bulma stare.

Bulma suddenly realized…

For a girl, Lazuli was almost too perfect.

Noticing Bulma staring, Lazuli blinked and touched her cheek.

"What are you looking at?

Is there something on my face?"

Bulma shook her head quickly.

"No, no. I've just… never been called 'rich sister' before. I'm not used to it.

Just call me Bulma."

"Your name is Bulma? That's so pretty."

Bulma smiled. "Your name is nice too."

Lazuli grinned. "Thanks! So… rich sister, can you give me that card you just showed me?"

Bulma: "..."

Even though Bulma's brain couldn't fully keep up with her logic, she still took the card out and placed it into Lazuli's hand.

Lazuli snatched it up excitedly and kissed the card with all her might.

"Thank you, rich sister!"

Bulma's mouth twitched again. "You're welcome."

"This is awesome! Hahaha! I'm rich now! I can buy pretty clothes and delicious food!"

Lapis looked at Lazuli with obvious disdain.

"Lazuli, that amount is way too big.

Give it back. This is basically extortion."

"Nope!"

Lazuli stuck her tongue out at Lapis.

Then she turned to Bulma with bright eyes.

"Rich sister, you're giving me this voluntarily, right?"

Bulma nodded. "Of course."

Lazuli suddenly asked, "Then what's the password?"

"Six eights."

"Ah! The default password! You really are insanely rich!"

Seeing Lazuli's face glow like she was about to take off into the sky, Bulma suddenly thought of something.

If someone got money without earning it even once…

they could easily be ruined.

Bulma realized she might've given too much—she could be harming the girl.

But since she had already given it, taking it back now would be embarrassing.

So Bulma could only warn her seriously.

"This money is your reward for saving my life.

But listen—if you run out of money later, don't go down any illegal paths. Okay?"

Lazuli nodded repeatedly.

"Got it, got it!

With this much money, I could never spend it all in my life. I'm easy to feed!

Oh right, rich sister—your ankle hurts, yeah? Do you want me to carry you?"

Bulma blinked.

"No need, right…?"

Lazuli waved it off boldly. "It's fine! I know martial arts. You're light. Easy!"

She crouched down in front of Bulma.

"Come on, come on!"

A while later, Bulma boarded the plane.

When the aircraft lifted into the sky, Bulma wanted to wave goodbye.

But she discovered the siblings had already climbed onto a tiny, shabby boat and headed toward the neighboring town.

Lapis rowed with both oars, water spraying nearly ten meters high. The boat was moving so fast it almost looked like a speedboat.

Bulma stared, speechless.

In the blink of an eye, a whole year passed.

On Earth, the martial artists began sensing an ominous unease.

A powerful, evil Ki was drawing closer and closer.

The Z Fighters, each busy with their own lives, were all shaken by the terrifying presence.

Krillin had been at home enjoying warm family life when cold sweat suddenly broke across his forehead.

His wife, Snow, asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling sick?"

Krillin said in shock, "That Ki… it feels like Frieza!"

"But didn't Goku already kill Frieza?"

"Everyone must've sensed it too. I'm going to confirm with them."

At Mount Paozu—

Chi-Chi held her baby, staring anxiously at the sky.

"Bulma's been gone for a month… why hasn't she brought Goku back yet?"

"This Ki feels too much like Frieza… and it's even stronger.

This must be the King Cold Vegeta mentioned!

Goku… Bulma… hurry back…"

At Mount Paozu—

Vegeta stared at the sky, clenching his fists.

"Damn it!

King Cold… he's come to Earth!"

"And he came this early… I thought it would take a few more years before they'd find Earth!"

"If I could become a Super Saiyan right now, I'd grind you into dust!"

At Tien's dojo—

"I was finally starting to catch up to Goku… and then he became a Super Saiyan.

The gap widened again."

"If only I could increase the multiplier of Kaio-Ken…

If there were a new Kaio-Ken, I could defeat this evil bastard."

At that moment, Yamcha walked in.

"Let's go, Tien!

Goku's not back. This is our responsibility—don't tell me you've stopped training?"

Tien nodded, eyes sharp.

"Of course not. I've never relaxed."

"Then let's go."

Back aboard Bulma's spaceship—

"Bulma, can't you go faster?"

Son Goku asked anxiously.

"Don't worry. We'll make it.

I'll show you the power of my newly invented Warp Engine."

Bulma pressed the button.

The ship transformed into a streak of light, blasting toward Earth at terrifying speed.