Chapter 18: Conspiracy, the Passage Between Hell and Earth

Chapter 18: Conspiracy, the Passage Between Hell and Earth

While Vegeta and Son Goku were exchanging words, several streaks of light approached from the distance.

Lin Qi looked over—it was the same familiar faces as before. They must have sensed the energy of him and Vegeta.

Pan, Trunks, Son Gohan, Piccolo, and Son Goten had all arrived.

"Is that the Lin Qi you were talking about?" Piccolo discreetly scrutinized Lin Qi, asking Gohan.

"Yes, Uncle Piccolo. Don't let Lin Qi's age fool you. His strength far surpasses that of Dad and Uncle Vegeta!" Gohan nodded.

"Uncle Piccolo, you missed the fight between Lin Qi and Baby last time—it was absolutely incredible!"

"...Is that so?" Piccolo's gaze lingered on Lin Qi. The faint energy emanating from him was strange... It felt familiar, but he couldn't quite place it.

"Hey, Vegeta, you secretly sparred with Lin Qi? That's so unfair!" Goku grumbled before his eyes lit up with excitement as he turned to Vegeta.

"Let me spar with Lin Qi too!"

"Grandpa, really…" Pan looked at Goku helplessly, exasperated.

"Well… can I also have a sparring session with Lin Qi?" Gohan scratched the back of his head awkwardly, joining the conversation.

As everyone joked and debated over sparring with Lin Qi, Piccolo remained silently observing him.

Meanwhile, behind their laughter, a conspiracy in Hell was already underway.

Dr. Gero looked at the massive machine operating in the cave and sneered coldly. "Heh heh… Finally, the moment I've been waiting for is here!"

"Indeed?" Dr. Myuu gave the machine's occupant a brief glance before laughing loudly. "Hahaha… It's time for revenge!"

"Let's get started then!" Gero pressed the red button on the machine.

Click, click.

As the machine's hatch slowly opened, inside lay a man who looked identical to Android 17.

"Hell Android 17… Hahaha!" Gero became increasingly excited, waving his arms wildly. "Once Hell's Android 17 links with the one on Earth…"

"Dr. Gero!" Hell 17 opened his eyes, glanced at Gero, and calmly greeted him.

"Proceed with our plan immediately!" Myuu urged with a sinister smile.

"The gates of Hell will soon open!!"

---

At Bulma's family dining room.

"This weather is so annoying. I can't even enjoy shopping!" Bra grumbled as she bit into a sandwich, clearly unhappy.

"Exactly. It's been raining for days…" Bulma, leaning against the window, sipped her coffee slowly.

Outside, the sky was still gloomy, with a light drizzle falling intermittently.

"What's going on with the sky?" Bulma suddenly turned toward Vegeta, beckoning him urgently. "Vegeta, come and look!"

"It's like the sky has been torn apart…" Trunks rushed into the dining room, yelling anxiously to the others having lunch.

"Everything's gone crazy outside!"

"Calm down, Trunks. What exactly happened?" Bulma quickly tried to soothe him, her gaze fixed on the panting boy.

"Has the gate to Hell been opened?" Lin Qi remained remarkably composed, sipping his tea at the table.

"What? The gate to Hell?" Vegeta, who had been looking out the window, turned back to Lin Qi in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"

"Uncle Krillin's family took me and Goten to the island where Android 17 works, but he suddenly went berserk…" Trunks explained anxiously.

"He kept muttering something about Hell, and then a giant hole appeared in the sky!!"

"Finally, Android 17, with his eyes glowing red, demanded that Goku head to Hell alone!"

Trunks took a deep breath and explained everything, waiting for Vegeta's reaction.

"I wonder if Goku has already gone to Hell…" Seeing Vegeta's lack of response, Trunks grew even more worried.

"When I was flying back, I saw the entire city in chaos…"

"What is 17 planning by sending Kakarot to Hell?" Vegeta's gaze turned to Lin Qi, who still looked unbothered.

"A diversion." Lin Qi put down his teacup and stood up, heading toward the door. "The enemies you've killed before have been revived…"

"Oh? Like Frieza? And that fool, Cell?" Vegeta smirked and quickly followed Lin Qi.

"You're not allowed to step in. I've got unfinished business with Frieza… and, of course, Cell!"

"Mm." Lin Qi responded lightly. These once-defeated foes were too weak to stir any interest in him.

"Here's a heads-up, though." Lin Qi glanced back at Vegeta. "Frieza and Cell didn't come here—they're still in Hell."

"What…? Hmph, those two cowardly fools!" Vegeta clenched his fists and cursed angrily.

---

Elsewhere, as Trunks feared, Goku was already flying toward the massive hole in the sky.

The dark vortex was the gate to Hell.

"Who's behind this? How inconsiderate!" Goku grumbled before leaping straight into the tunnel.

"Hahaha… That foolish Saiyan monkey really fell for it!" Dr. Myuu laughed gleefully as he watched the scene unfold through a crystal ball.

Dr. Gero, on the other hand, appeared calmer, sipping from a glass of red wine. He glanced back at Hell Android 17. "The plan is progressing smoothly."

"Earth will soon be ours!"

"Hmph, don't think so small!" Myuu scoffed at Gero. "Our goal is to move beyond Earth—toward the galaxy, and eventually, the entire universe! Everything will belong to me!"

Gero narrowed his eyes. He was well aware of Myuu's disdain for him, knowing the man would soon outlive his usefulness.

"Well then, let's send the people of Earth a little gift!"

Gero gestured toward Hell Android 17, who nodded slightly and began directing the most malevolent individuals into the tunnel.

---

When Goku landed on the ground below, he surveyed the surroundings. "Who called me here? Show yourself!"

"Hey… where is everyone?"

"Haha, you foolish Saiyan monkey! You really came!" Gero's mocking voice echoed from the shadows.

"Gero… you!" Goku gritted his teeth, clenching his fists. But before he could act, Gero, Hell Android 17, and Myuu flew toward the vortex.

As the three departed, the swirling smoke of the vortex began to dissipate.