Early the following morning.
While Bulma was immersed in her lab studying the time machine blueprints, Trunks set out alongside Lin Xuan and Otsutsuki Kaguya to locate Dr. Gero's hidden laboratory.
According to Trunks' memory, two deadly Androids would appear on a southern island three years from now to begin their campaign of slaughter and destruction.
However, Lin Xuan, who possessed full knowledge of the universe's original trajectory, knew that Dr. Gero's true research laboratory wasn't located anywhere near that island. Instead, it was concealed deep within a mountain cave in the northern region.
Flying over the northern mountain range, they were greeted by vast, endless peaks. Locating a hidden lab across such expansive terrain would normally be a daunting task.
Fortunately, Lin Xuan had an asset.
Turning to Otsutsuki Kaguya, he said, "Kaguya, over to you."
Trunks looked at Kaguya with curiosity. He hadn't felt an exceptionally powerful Ki from her, but he certainly wouldn't underestimate anyone standing beside Lin Xuan. If Lin Xuan had brought her along, she surely possessed unique capabilities.
Kaguya nodded gently. Standing atop a mountain peak, she activated her Byakugan.
When it came to scouting, nothing in existence was more convenient than the Byakugan!
In an instant, the dense mountain rocks before her vision became translucent. Her gaze swept across the terrain, inspecting every nook and cranny.
Before long, she picked up an anomaly. Pointing toward a distant cliff, she reported, "There is a cave over there. I can see a structure built deep inside."
Lin Xuan and Trunks exchanged a glance, speeding off toward the location.
Soon enough, they arrived at the cave Kaguya had spotted. It was built into a secluded cliff face, heavily obscured by lush moss and thick spiderwebs, making it nearly impossible for ordinary people to notice.
"Is this the place?" Trunks asked in a low voice.
The trio flew into the dark cave, only to hit a dead-end stone wall deep inside.
"Did we find the wrong place?" Trunks frowned.
Lin Xuan smiled, shaking his head. "It's just a basic camouflage illusion."
He stepped forward, casually pressing his palm against the solid stone wall.
BOOM!
Under his gentle touch, the thick stone wall completely crumbled, taking down a one-meter-thick alloy door behind it.
Bright artificial lights spilled out, revealing a massive, fully equipped secret research facility before their eyes.
Along the back wall stood a row of massive liquid hibernation pods, each containing a sleeping figure. The pods were clearly labeled with numbers ranging from 16 to 20.
Trunks gasped in shock. "That's impossible! At this point in time, Dr. Gero should have only built up to Android 18! Why are Androids 19 and 20 here?!"
"Take a look at this," Lin Xuan said, pointing to an experimental log resting on the central console.
Written on the log were Dr. Gero's notes:
- Androids 1–3: Failed. Reason: Inability to function...
- Android 16: Successful. Defect: Gentle, non-violent temperament.
- Android 17: Successful. Defect: Frequently disobedient.
- Android 18: Successful. Defect: Frequently disobedient.
- Android 20: Successful. Converting self into an energy-absorbing Android...
Seeing the description for Android 20, Trunks' eyes widened in sheer disbelief. "Dr. Gero actually converted *himself* into an Android?!"
This was yet another major divergence from his timeline.
In Trunks' future, Dr. Gero had been killed by Androids 17 and 18 before he ever had the chance to turn himself into an Android, which was why Androids 19 and 20 had never existed in his world.
Trunks quickly snapped out of his shock, realizing now was not the time to dwell on timeline differences.
He turned urgently to Lin Xuan. "Guild Leader Lin, let's destroy these Androids immediately before they awaken and bring ruin upon the world!"
Lin Xuan chuckled. "I don't mind, but the problem is... they've already woken up!"
"What?!"
Trunks' face paled as he whipped his head back toward the hibernation pods.
HISS!
Four of the liquid pods opened simultaneously, venting heavy clouds of steam as four figures stepped out into the lab.
Android 20—Dr. Gero—sneered coldly at the intruders. "That's right! You're already too late!"
Trunks' gaze locked onto Androids 17 and 18, his pupils shrinking to pinpricks as he gritted his teeth. "It really is them... I can't believe they woke up this early!"
In contrast to Trunks' intense anxiety, Lin Xuan and Otsutsuki Kaguya remained entirely calm.
Kaguya stood quietly behind Lin Xuan, evaluating the Androids with a serene expression, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
Meanwhile, Lin Xuan inspected the Androids with keen interest, marveling to himself: *'So these are Androids? They look almost identical to real humans. I wonder if these Android bodies can be used as live sacrifices for Impure World Reincarnation? If I use an Android as a sacrifice, would the reincarnated ninja become even stronger?'*
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T/N:
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