The moment Rudra activated his Instantaneous Technique, his figure vanished from the Lookout in a blink.
And in the very next second, he stood inside the dimly lit depths of the Red Ribbon Army's hidden base.
The air was heavy with the smell of oil, steel, and faint traces of chemicals. Machines hummed and sparks flared as countless workers in lab coats and mechanical uniforms rushed about, each deeply focused on their tasks. The walls of the base stretched into darkness, lined with massive pipes and glass chambers where unfinished androids floated silently in green fluid.
At the center of it all was a familiar figure—Dr. Gero, the twisted genius behind the android project. His pale face lit up in surprise as his eyes caught sight of Rudra suddenly materializing. Dropping everything, Gero hurried forward, a strange eagerness in his step.
"Welcome," he said with an odd respect, almost bowing as though he were greeting a superior.
Without hesitation, Rudra moved toward a chair near the center console and sat down casually, his expression calm but commanding. His presence alone made the nearby scientists glance nervously and then lower their heads, continuing their work in silence.
Rudra leaned back and asked in a steady voice, "So… how far has the work progressed?"
Gero adjusted his glasses, his tone formal. "The Cell Project is still ongoing. It will take some more time to complete. As for the other task you had instructed earlier… the development of Androids 17, 18, and 16—it will require just one more year before they are ready."
Rudra's lips curved into a faint smile. He tapped the armrest of the chair with his fingers, then replied,
"Good. Then listen carefully. Three years from today, on May 12th, at exactly 10 AM… you will activate those androids and send them to the island located southwest of South City. Not a second earlier. Do not activate them before that date."
He leaned forward, his eyes sharp and unwavering. "I'll return in three years myself. Until then, handle everything as I've instructed."
Dr. Gero blinked, visibly confused. His mind buzzed with questions—why that date? Why that location? Why the delay? But he knew better than to pry. Lowering his head slightly, he answered simply,
"As you wish. It will be done."
Satisfied, Rudra stood. The air around him shimmered again as the energy of his Instantaneous Technique began to gather. And in the blink of an eye, his form vanished from the base, leaving only silence and the distant humming of machines behind.
---
Rudra reappeared instantly inside his home. The familiar stillness of his own space surrounded him. He wasted no time—walking directly to his room, he opened a chest where his belongings were stored.
He changed into fresh clothes, the fabric crisp against his skin. Steam rose around him as he took a quick shower, washing away the traces of battle and the dark scent of the Red Ribbon base. When he emerged, he packed the few essential items he might need.
But this time, Rudra also reached for something different—a weapon.
On the wall, mounted carefully in its sheath, was a special sword. The blade gleamed faintly with an aura not of ordinary steel but of something far greater. Forged from a mysterious material, the sword possessed a unique ability: it could absorb ki. Every strike it endured, every blast it cut through—the sword would drink in the energy. Then, in the hands of its wielder, that stolen power could be unleashed as devastating air slashes capable of cutting through anything in their path.
Rudra ran his hand along the sheath, his expression solemn.
"This will do… a weapon worthy of facing the androids."
Strapping the sword to his back, he adjusted the hilt over his shoulder until it rested perfectly. Fully prepared now, Rudra closed his eyes, gathering his energy once again. In an instant, the world blurred—
—and he was back at the Lookout.
---
The gathered Z Fighters, Kami, and Mr. Popo all turned their eyes toward him the moment he appeared. But what caught their attention wasn't his sudden return—they had already grown accustomed to that by now.
It was the sword strapped across his back.
The blade shimmered faintly under the sunlight, and its presence carried a weight that made everyone stare. Their gazes followed the weapon with awe and curiosity.
Even Trunks, despite everything he had just been through, couldn't resist asking, his voice curious and cautious at the same time,
"Hey… what's with that sword?"
Rudra glanced over his shoulder at him, then answered calmly,
"I brought it to fight the androids. Don't worry—it's just an ordinary sword."
Though his tone was casual, his words didn't convince Trunks completely. Still, he chose not to push further.
Rudra turned to the group, giving them all a steady look. His voice grew firmer, carrying both encouragement and command.
"Goodbye for now. Train hard—train harder than you ever have before. The battles ahead will demand everything you've got."
He gave them one last nod, his eyes meeting Goku's for a brief moment, then stepped toward Trunks.
Trunks opened the capsule, and with a sudden flash, the time machine unfolded before them, its metallic frame gleaming under the sun. Without hesitation, both warriors climbed inside.
And in the next breath, the machine's energy core ignited, glowing bright. The hum grew louder, light swirling around it as time itself began to bend.
In a flash, the time machine vanished from the Lookout, leaving only silence and the stunned faces of the Z Fighters behind.
The future awaited.
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