Kaito sprinted through the dense forest, the distant lights of West City twinkling like a promise of safety—or at least a decent burger. His toddler legs burned, his Ki Barrier flickered like a dying lightbulb, and the data chip with Gero's Android schematics felt heavier than a Senzu Bean in his pocket. Behind him, the forest groaned under the weight of Prototype Android K-17's pursuit, its unstable nanites sparking and crackling as it tore through trees like they were toothpicks.
"Budget Cell's *really* pissed," Kaito panted, dodging a splintered trunk that K-17's fist had just obliterated. The prototype's red eyes glowed through the darkness, its guttural growls glitching into distorted fragments of speech: "Threat… neutralize… ki… mine…"
Kaito's system interface blared in his vision, as unhelpful as ever.
[System Notification: Hostile Pursuit Active – Prototype Android K-17]
[Threat Level: Mid-Tier Planetary (Unstable)]
[Objective Update: "Binkies and Betrayal" – Phase 3.5]
[Primary Goal: Reach Capsule Corp with schematics intact.]
[Secondary Goal: Neutralize or evade K-17 without dying.]
[Time Limit: 36 hours until Gero notices missing schematics.]
Reward: +150 EXP | Rare Item Drop | SR Technique Upgrade
[Penalty: K-17's Ki Drain (Permanent Power Loss Risk) | Gero's Wrath]
[Tip: Running is great cardio, but maybe try not sucking at it.]
"Gee, thanks for the pep talk," Kaito muttered, weaving ki threads to snag a low branch and vault over a ditch. His Shadow Clone was long gone, dispersed after its distraction in the lab, leaving him to face this mechanical nightmare solo.
He opened the Multiverse Chat Room, thumbs flying as he typed mid-sprint.
[Multiverse Chat Room – Active Members: 7]
[K-18]: Budget Cell's chasing me through a forest. It's like a Roomba with anger issues. Send help or memes.
[Goddess of Explosions]: HA! Told you to blow it up! Lure it to a clearing and go BOOM. 💥
[Crimson Alchemist]: Don't engage directly. Its ki drain is unstable—overloading it might cause a shutdown. Use its aggression against it.
[Captain Sogeking]: Yo, kite it like a raid boss. Dodge, weave, throw shiny stuff. You got this, bro.
[Senpai Noticed Me]: OMG, you're living a horror movie! Try screaming "I'm too young to die!" It might hesitate.
[Master of Cards]: Doubt it. Hide in a cave or something. You're not winning a fistfight with that thing.
[Rider of the Storms]: Use terrain. Forests are great for misdirection. Trip it up and keep moving.
Kaito grinned despite the panic. "Crimson, you're my MVP. Overload, huh?" He glanced back at K-17, its massive frame smashing through a tree, sparks flying from its cracked armor. If he could bait it into draining too much ki, maybe it'd short-circuit like a cheap laptop.
The forest opened into a rocky clearing, moonlight glinting off a shallow stream. Perfect. Kaito skidded to a stop, planting his feet and flaring his ki deliberately, letting it spike just enough to grab K-17's attention. The prototype roared, its nanites humming as it locked onto him.
"Come get some, you glorified toaster!" Kaito taunted, forming hand signs. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Two clones popped into existence, each mimicking his cocky grin. "Yo, boss, this plan sucks," one said, dodging a swipe from K-17's claw. The other clone lobbed a rock at its face, which bounced off with a pathetic *clink*.
"Shut up and distract!" Kaito barked, focusing his ki into a tight coil. He activated Ki Barrier, the blue shimmer strengthening as he poured energy into it. His plan: bait K-17 into draining the barrier's ki, hoping its unstable systems would choke on the excess.
K-17 lunged, its claw grazing one clone, which dispersed in a puff of smoke. The second clone darted behind it, kicking its knee joint. The prototype staggered but swung its arm, firing a jagged beam of stolen ki that carved a trench through the clearing.
Kaito dove, the beam singeing his jumpsuit. "Okay, bad plan, bad plan!" He rolled to his feet, weaving ki threads to lasso K-17's arm. The threads held for a second before snapping, but it bought him time to reposition.
[Ki Thread Control: +1]
[Combat Reflexes: +1]
"Keep draining, buddy," Kaito muttered, flaring his ki again. He launched a weak Destructo Disc, aiming for K-17's chest. The blade wobbled but sliced a shallow gash, sparking more nanite glitches. K-17's eyes flickered, and it staggered, its systems whining.
[System Notification: K-17 Stability – 60%. Keep pushing, meatbag.]
The remaining clone tackled K-17's leg, only to get crushed underfoot. It vanished with a dramatic, "You owe me, boss!" Kaito winced but seized the moment, charging his Ki Barrier to full power. "Eat this!"
He leapt, slamming the barrier into K-17's chest like a glowing battering ram. The prototype's nanites latched on, draining the barrier's energy. Sparks erupted, and K-17's frame shuddered, its eyes dimming as its systems overloaded.
"Critical… error…" it growled, collapsing to one knee. Smoke poured from its joints, and the clearing filled with the acrid scent of burning circuits.
[System Notification: K-17 Neutralized (Temporary Shutdown)]
[Progress: Secondary Goal Complete]
Reward: +50 EXP | +2 Agility | Bonus Gacha Pull
[Warning: K-17 may reactivate in 10 minutes. Run, don't walk.]
Kaito didn't need to be told twice. He bolted toward West City, the schematics still secure in his pocket. His AI maid materialized, floating alongside him with a disapproving frown.
"Master Kaito, reckless endangerment detected. Emotional stability: 45%. Pudding recommended."
"Later," Kaito panted. "Gotta get to Bulma before Gero sends the whole Android daycare after me."
The forest gave way to rolling hills, and West City's skyline grew closer—capsule-shaped buildings gleaming under the stars. Kaito's heart raced, not just from the sprint but from the realization that he was about to step into the *Dragon Ball* world for real. Capsule Corp was his ticket to flipping the script on Gero—and maybe meeting some Z Fighters.
He opened the chat, typing as he ran.
[K-18]: Took down Budget Cell! Well, kinda. It's napping. Heading to Capsule Corp. Bulma's my only shot, right.
[Goddess of Explosions]: Nice! Should've blown it up, but whatever. Bulma's your gal—she'll geek out over those schematics. 💥
[Crimson Alchemist]: Smart move. Bulma's intellect rivals Gero's. Protect the chip at all costs.
[Captain Sogeking]: Yo, if you see Yamcha, tell him he's still a legend. Also, watch for his baseball bat.
[Senpai Noticed Me]: Eeee, you're gonna meet BULMA?! Ask her for hair tips!
[Master of Cards]: Don't get starstruck. She'll probably think you're a lost intern.
[Rider of the Storms]: Stay sharp. Gero's got eyes everywhere. You're not safe yet.
Kaito smirked. "Hair tips? Senpai's wildin'." But Crimson's warning stuck—Gero wasn't dumb. The missing schematics would tip him off soon, and K-17's shutdown would only buy so much time.
As he crested a hill, Capsule Corp's massive dome came into view, its neon sign glowing like a beacon. Kaito's toddler heart skipped a beat. "This is it. The big leagues."
But the system pinged, and his stomach dropped.
[System Alert: Incoming Hostile Signature – Aerial Drone Swarm]
[Threat Level: Low but Annoying]
[Objective Update: Reach Capsule Corp without engaging drones.]
[Tip: Dodging is free. Pride is not.]
Kaito groaned as a dozen red lights blinked in the sky, converging on his position. Gero's drones—sleek, beetle-like machines with scouter lenses—locked onto him. Their lasers hummed, warming up for a barrage.
"Really? I just fought a murder Roomba, and now this?" Kaito muttered, activating Ki Suppression to lower his signature. He dove into a ditch, using ki threads to pull branches over himself as cover.
The drones buzzed overhead, scanners sweeping the area. Kaito held his breath, his AI maid dimming her glow to avoid detection. "Stealth mode engaged. Please refrain from dramatic outbursts," she whispered.
"Noted," Kaito hissed, crawling through the dirt. He channeled his inner Solid Snake, moving low and slow until the drones veered off, their scanners failing to pick up his cloaked ki.
[Stealth: +2]
[System Notification: Drone Swarm Evaded!]
Reward: +1 Luck | +10 EXP
Kaito emerged, brushing mud off his jumpsuit. Capsule Corp was just a sprint away now, its gates visible through the morning haze. He could almost smell Bulma's coffee and hear her yelling at Vegeta about blowing up another training bot.
He took a step, then froze. A shadow loomed behind him—not K-17, but a human figure. Tall, lanky, with a baseball cap and a grin that screamed "I'm not dead yet."
"Yo, kid, you lost?" a familiar voice drawled.
Kaito's jaw dropped. "Yamcha?!"
The ex-bandit, Z Fighter, and eternal underdog stood there, bat slung over his shoulder, looking like he'd just wandered off a baseball field. His aura was weak by DBZ standards—probably a power level of 200—but to Kaito, it was like meeting a celebrity.
"Uh… yeah, kinda," Kaito stammered, trying to play it cool. "I'm, uh, delivering something to Bulma. Super important."
Yamcha raised an eyebrow, glancing at Kaito's dirt-streaked jumpsuit and toddler frame. "You're what, three? And you're running errands? Man, Capsule Corp's hiring young these days."
Kaito's system pinged, and his AI maid whispered, "Social interaction detected. Charisma check required."
"Shut up," Kaito muttered under his breath, then grinned at Yamcha. "It's urgent. Got tech stuff for Bulma. Can you get me inside?"
Yamcha scratched his head, clearly skeptical but too chill to care. "Sure, kid. Bulma loves weird projects. Just don't touch Vegeta's training gear—he's touchy about that."
Kaito followed Yamcha toward the gates, his heart pounding. He was in. He'd made it. The schematics were safe—for now.
[System Notification: Capsule Corp Reached!]
[Quest Progress: Schematics Delivery – 50% Complete]
Reward: +50 EXP | +1 Charisma | Unlocked Interaction: Yamcha (Ally Potential)
[New Objective: Convince Bulma to analyze schematics without raising suspicion.]
Kaito glanced back at the forest, where K-17's sparks still flickered faintly in the distance. Gero's drones were circling again, and the clock was ticking.
"Time to charm the pants off Bulma—figuratively," he muttered, clutching the data chip. "Let's not Yamcha this up."
He opened the chat one last time.
[K-18]: Made it to Capsule Corp. Met Yamcha. He's… exactly as advertised. Bulma's next. Wish me luck.
[Goddess of Explosions]: YAMCHA?! Tell him he's hot and then blow something up for me. 💥
[Captain Sogeking]: Bro, you're living the dream. Don't let Vegeta step on you.
[Crimson Alchemist]: Focus on Bulma. She's your key. Don't let Yamcha distract you with baseball stories.
[Senpai Noticed Me]: EEEE, YAMCHA! Ask him if he's single!
[Master of Cards]: Bet he tries to adopt you. Stay sharp.
[Rider of the Storms]: You're close. Don't choke now.
Kaito smirked, stepping through Capsule Corp's gates with Yamcha at his side. The multiverse was watching, and he wasn't about to let them down.