Author's Note: Wow, I didn't think I would make it in time. The move took a lot out of me but glad I was able to find the time to get this chapter out.
Hello everyone! Hope you have all been well this past month and have been enjoying the summer. Truth be told I've still got a few things left to move but the majority is done and I am very happy with where I've ended up.
Enough about that though I am pretty excited to share this chapter as the majority is action-focused and it's been a while since we have had that.
Not much to say other than I tried incorporating the environment more for this fight so I do want to hear how that reads to you all. Beyond that, I really did a lot of writing last second so if there are any glaring mistakes or easy editing fixes let me know so I can address them quickly.
Okay, that's all for me for now. Thank you for reading and please, enjoy!
Months Earlier
"I don't like it."
Bulma sighed at Yajirobi's comments as he fidgeted with the sword the blue-haired scientist had handed him. "I'm going to need a little more to go on Yajirobi. What don't you like about it?"
"…it feels weird."
"You are so unhelpful," Bulma said snatching the sheathed sword out of the samurai's hand.
She walked herself and the blade over to the table in the center of her hidden laboratory. Laying the sword flat the table lit up as it scanned the weapon from top to bottom. Once it had completed the process various specs of the sheath and sword appeared giving Bulma something to review.
"Are you going to fix it?" Yajirobi asked joining her at the table.
"As far as I'm concerned it's not broken," Bulma said through clenched teeth. "This is the first prototype so I can improve minor things like the sheath's weight and length if you want me to but it's more or less in its finished state."
"So, the sheath is always going to be white?"
"If you don't like it, you are free to make your own sword."
"…white looks good."
"That's what I thought," Bulma said with a smile. "Look, I'm going to have you field test this thing now so there are a few things you should know."
Removing the sword from its sheath Bulma lay the naked blade on the table as well. A quick scan from the table threw up additional specs for both humans to see.
"I used some of the capsule corp connections and was able to employ some of the finest swordsmiths on the planet to oversee the sword's creation. Its quality speaks for itself but long story short this thing isn't breaking like your last one anytime soon."
"Neat."
"Yes, it is. Now the most important upgrade is the sheath. You told me that you can generate ki through your sword to increase your range and cutting power so I had the idea to modify the sheath so it is always generating energy."
"Was that mean?"
"It means that the longer you keep the sword sheathed the more powerful the slash."
"Neat."
"…yes it is. Now since you should be more careful about drawing the sword I've added a key phrase to the process. As long as you have your communicator in your ear just say the phrase and the sheath will inject the sword with enough energy to level a mountain. Keep it in there longer and, well I guess you'll just have to see for yourself."
"Okay, what's the phrase?"
"Stop asking me about the sword."
"What? That's the phrase?" Yajirobi asked with an eyebrow raised.
"There a problem?"
"Well, isn't it a little long?"
"Yes it is," Bulma said crossing her arms. "What I'm hoping for is that every time you say it you remember just how much you have you been annoying me about this for the past few months. Maybe it'll teach you to stop bothering me when I'm trying to get work done. I can only say I'm working on it so many times in one day. "
"Sheesh, I get it."
"Make sure you do," Bulma replied with narrowed eyes. "Anyway, it's just a placeholder for the prototype. I'll come up with something different in the future."
"Neat. So, what do you want me to do with this again?"
"Go test it, find a place where you won't hurt anyone, and start getting used to how much energy the sword can handle. I'll monitor from here."
"Alright," Yajirobi said picking up the sword and sheathing it in one fluid motion. "Anything else I should know?"
"Yeah, we're testing things out so you should be a little careful with it. Don't want to cut an island in half or anything."
Present
The beach tides lapped at the sand of the island washing away the imprints of the many steps taken alongside the sea. Deep slashes and craters littered the ground going further up the island which also showcased halved trees and smashed boulders. A bird fluttered down on one of the few remaining standing trees, its small legs gripping a thin branch. It remained only for an instant before being frightened away by the sudden sound of a sword colliding with a mechanical fist.
"You're pretty good," 15 sneered as his carefully built knuckles struggled against the katana. "Better than the doctor's reports say anyway."
"Heard from the others your boss had been keeping tabs on us," Yajirobi said pushing forward with his sword. "He got nothing better to do?"
"The doctor is nothing if not determined and he knows exactly what he wants. Son Goku's head on a platter."
"Heh might need the 'doctor' to check your eyes metal man," Yajirobi said with a hard shove pushing 15 back a few steps and ending their struggle. "I'm not Goku."
"Obviously not, but with all of his friends and family dead just think of the expression Son Goku's head will wear."
"Wow, so you're just insane then."
"I am what the doctor made," 15 said with a smile before putting up both hands into a fighting stance and striking out for the samurai's throat.
Yajirobi swung and countered the fist ignoring the loud clang that sounded out as metal met metal. Pulling his fist back 15 unleashed a volley of strikes aimed at vital points. Eyes, throat, even the groin had Yajirobi slowly moving backward as he deflected and parried everything.
A various snap kick focused on his temple demanded Yajirobi sway his head away but he wasn't fast enough to avoid damage and the quarter-foot left a thin cut alongside his head. The samurai grunted and ignored the pain but let it fuel him enough to lash out. Without enough room to swing his katana, Yajirobi instead propelled his sword handle into the android's chest.
A deep thump rang out and 15's feet skidded across the grass digging up the dirt underneath and away from the samurai.
"Careful," 15 grinned. "Next one might take your head."
"You're free to think that," Yajirobi said straightening up, sheathing his sword, and then shifting his weight lower to the ground. "But it's my turn now."
An explosion of force nearly tore out the roots of the surrounding trees as a red aura erupted around the samurai. Sliding his right foot deeper into the ground Yajirobi let the kaio-ken expand the muscles in his arms and legs while narrowing his focus. With eyes wide and spirit high he moved.
15 solidified its own stance as the samurai charged still wearing a small grin. Yet the smile faded as three more Yajirobi's all cloaked in crimson seemed to suddenly appear alongside the human. The three scattered through the remaining trees and numerous stumps charging at the android from both sides and overhead.
"That's not going to work on me tubs," The Android said its eyes flashing behind the shades it still wore.
Turning its back towards the two Yajirobi attacking to the left and above 15 blocked the only real human's sword strike with both forearms. The other two samurai's after-images faded away as well as the one that had initiated the charge leaving the real Yajirobi struggling against a
"These eyes can see through tricks like that."
"Good to know," Yajirobi huffed. "But I just needed to get in close."
A line of ki raced along the sword's edge lengthening the blade, while also sharpening it. Leaning into his strike Yajirobi grinned as he saw his katana cut deeper into the android's arm prompting a fierce growl from 15.
"Stupid human."
A sudden increase in strength sent Yajirobi skidding backward as the android shrugged him off.
"The doctor was under the impression you'd be the easiest to handle," The android said pulling out his flask and taking another swig. "Looks like his parameters were off a bit."
"Take that as a compliment," Yajirobi said his sword still drawn. "You going after the others too?"
"We got a list. First name on that thing is yours."
"And the next one?"
"Tell you what tubby. You live for thirty more seconds, and I'll clue you in."
"Only thirty? You sure you don't wanna put some more time on that clock?"
"Oh yeah," 15 said putting his flask away. "I'm sure."
Yajirobi didn't see the android hit him, but he felt the instant two of his ribs cracked.
Whatever slammed against his chest sent him through a tree and against the side of a mountain. Vomiting what felt like his liquified lung Yajirobi barely had time to open his eyes before he saw 15 descend on him again. Holding his sword up the samurai also pulled out his sheath to help defend himself.
Fists fell on top of him pummeling Yajirobi from head to toe. Above the sounds of his own bones crunching he caught the small hum of a simple tune coming out of the android.
Okay, I'm done with this.
Crimson danced through the cracks of the mountain widening and cutting out a crater as the wide warrior retaliated with sword and sheath. Swinging wide Yajirobi tried to catch 15 on its unprotected side but the android weaved back and then dove in throwing another series of heavy punches. Feeling blood flow out of his nose as he took another punch to the head the samurai pushed off from the crater with his left leg with an explosion of strength. Shoving his entire body into 15 pushed the android back a few steps giving Yajirobi the room to shove his sword back into its sheath.
"Stop asking me about the sword!" He growled and soon felt a wave of ki encase his blade.
"What? What are you talking ab-"
15 was cut off as Yajirobi drew his katana with practiced precision and let loose a towering slash of energy. As if it sliced through the air itself the slash cleaved through everything it touched. Stone, tree, sand, and water everything was cut into two as it split apart everything in front of it. Everything, save for the android.
15 sidestepped the slash with a speed he hadn't shown before and closed the gap Yajirobi had gained in an instant. With only enough time to widen his eyes the samurai watched 15's fist dive towards his face, only for it to stop inches away.
"Tch, that's thirty," The android said clicking its tongue. "You got lucky human."
"Could say the same to you," Yajirobi said swallowing the saliva built up in the month. "You going to spill the beans on this list of yours?"
"Not what I said. I said I'd clue you in not give away the game."
"Then stop stalling and spill, metal man."
"Careful tubby," 15 said taking out his flask again. "No need to make your last few minutes of life any worse than they are going to be."
15 took another swig as Yajirobi used the brief pause to slowly reconstruct his ki shield and pace his breathing.
This jerk is faster and stronger than me even with the kaio-ken. Not only that he's not even tired, can he get tired? Krillin or Bulma might have mentioned something about that, but I can't remember.
As the android continued to drink the samurai's eyes lowered to what remained of his opponent's right foot.
Still, looks like I can cut him. Doesn't matter how fast or strong this idiot is, I just need one good swing.
Yajirobi's eyes then went to his left scaling up towards the towering volcano he had seen when he was flying above the island.
Or something else.
"Alright," 15 said finishing his chug and returning his bottle into his pocket. "Where were we?"
"You were going to stay real still and let me cut you in half," Yajirobi said with a half-smile. "Then I was going to go back to Capsule Corp and have lunch. Thinking pizza."
"Cute. Though here's some advice for you. I wouldn't advise going back to the corp."
"Why's that?"
"The best way to kill a snake, make sure you cut off its head," 15 said with a grin.
Launch stretched her hands above her head full of blond hair as she let out a sustained yawn. She had finished up her patrol of the corp and with little else to do had decided to return to the lab hidden above the main entrance. Taking the time in the short elevator ride to check her gear, Launch's hand went to check her trusty sidearm holstered by her hip. The modified gun Bulma tinkered with before Cooler had landed had gotten further revisions and tweaks through the months. Pulling it out, the former criminal had some fun spinning and flipping it through the air getting even more accustomed to its weight.
The boss's mods made this thing a real killer. Not much left of the shooting range she built though hope she doesn't mind.
Returning her gun into its holster as the elevator doors opened to the lab, Launch strode out and was unsurprised to see the blue-haired scientist hard at work. She had dived deep into the cockpit of Trunks's time machine she had slowly put back together through the past months. The structure was nearly complete with most of its frame restored to its former glory.
"Back from patrol boss."
"Nice work Launch," Bulma said without looking up from her work. "Anything to report?"
"Nothing on my end how are things here?"
"Checked in with the others not too long ago and they all know their routes."
"Don't suppose any of them have found where Gero is hiding? Itching to put the geezer into the ground."
"Still nothing," Bulma sighed.
Launch grunted in annoyance but left her boss in peace and walked over to the central table in the middle of the lab. There displayed proudly was the Earth in its entirety with a small number of flashing dots scattered around the globe.
"Looks like the trackers are still going strong," Launch said scanning each of the blinking dots. "You got one for everybody?"
"Everyone on patrol yes," Bulma said twisting a particularly stubborn bolt into place. "Yamcha and Chichi are going over the cities again, Tien is searching through some of the nearby forests, and I've got Yajirobi crossing the oceans."
"You really think Gero is somewhere out in the ocean?"
"I'm not sure where else he could be. We've been searching for months now with nothing to show for it. Trunks doesn't know where the lab is even in his timeline so we don't have anything to go on."
"Getting real tired of waiting for something to happen," Launch looking away from back to her employer. "Speaking of timelines though how's this thing coming along?"
"It's shaping up. Should be finished before the month is out. Have to say though whoever made this machine really knew their stuff. The design and specs of this machine is genius."
"Wow, think they're smarter than you?" Launch said with a small laugh.
"Hardly, but what's strange is that a lot of the ideas here are similar to me."
"Similar? What do you mean?"
"Not sure how to put it, but it's like when an artist has a style in their paintings you can recognize in all their other work. Now that I'm almost finished and looking over it all I'm feeling sort of like that now."
"You recognize this thing? Trunks brought it from the future though how would you know what it is?"
"I'm probably overthinking it," Bulma said shaking her head. "How'd things go at the firing range earlier?"
"Um," Launch said scratching her head. "How attached were you to that range?"
"What do you mean? Did you destroy the whol-I told you to be careful!"
"It's not my fault you gave me a canon that fits into one hand! The only reason my arms are still
attached is because of this jumpsuit you gave me."
"Those aren't cheap Launch," Bulma said flatly.
"…sorry."
"It's fine, at the very least hand me that Philips head over there."
"On it."
Launch ran to where Bulma had pointed to which was close to the table which continued to display the dots representing the others on their mission. Once Launch had picked up the tool she glanced over to the glowing sphere for a moment, only for that glance to become a hard stare.
"Hey boss," The former bandit said her eyes narrowing. "Who did you say was on patrol again?"
"Yamcha, Chichi, Tien, and Yajirobi why?"
"How come I only count three trackers?"
It was getting hard to see through the trails of blood dribbling down his head as Yajirobi countered another swift kick to the head. Shrugging off the metal limb with a pushback with his sword took all the effort the samurai had as his broken ribs continued to scrape against each other. The shot of pain clouding his head distracted Yajirobi long enough for a punch to connect with his stomach.
"Ugh!" Yajirobi projected as blood and other fluids erupted out of him.
Sinking to one knee with only his sword to prop him up left him defenseless against a spin kick with 15's entire body weight put into it. The robot's heel hit the human's shoulder and dislodged it. Yajirobi's body went limp from the shock as it bounced off the ground and into the base of the large volcano.
"That sounded important," 15 sneered. "You okay tubs?"
Yajirobi's only answer was a half groan as he struggled to stay awake. With a shaking hand the samurai pressed into his ear and up against the communicator before whispering.
"Sen…zu."
"Have to admit you gave me more of a run for my money than I thought, but looks like the outcome is exactly as the doctor predicted."
The android strolled over the collapsed human with a small chuckle and a skip in its step. Reaching out toward the still samurai with his left hand 15 had less of a second to retract as a flash of metal took over his view. Pulling back 15's hand escaped most of the sword swing but the blade caught and then cut the android's pinky and ring finger clean off.
"Son of a-"
A second swing stopped the curse and had 15 jumping backward to avoid another cut. With some distance gained Yajirobi stood up to his full height and massaged his jaw a bit making sure it was fully healed.
Well at least that still works. The samurai thought to himself as he felt his strength coming back in full.
"You'll pay for this human," 15 growled looking over what was left of his hand.
"Kinda deserved it," Yajirobi shrugged. "Should have blasted me from far away instead of just strolling up to me. That was a dumb move, almost like you don't wanna kill me."
The android didn't respond but instead narrowed it's eyes behind the dark sunglasses.
"Huh, am I right?"
"Tch if it were up to me you'd be dead five times over tubby," 15 spat. "Doctor's orders though you're better off as bait for the others."
"So, all that talk from before that was just what, cause you're crazy?"
The android remained silent.
"Nothing to say? Alright then let's switch things up a bit." Yajirobi said, sheathing his sword with a grin. "Catch me if you can."
Showing 15 his back Yajirobi started racing up the volcano flying up its side and leaving his opponent in the dust.
"Bastard!" The android shouted before beginning its pursuit.
This thing is really weird. Yajirobi thought to himself as he took a second to look behind him making sure his opponent was chasing him as he intended. He's supposed to be a robot, right? Then how come it's getting angry? And what kind of android drinks from a flask anyway? Goku told me about that silver guy he fought didn't seem like there was a lot going on with that guy, but if this one is different. A lot more personality for some reason.
Yajirobi smiled.
Which means this might just work.
An explosion of ki by his side demanded the samurai swerve out of the way and increase the output of ki in his barrier.
"Get back here human!" 15 roared firing off two more ki blasts that were cleanly dodged.
Through the settling dust and falling rocks two Yajirobi's cut through and charged at the android with swords drawn.
"I already told you that won't work on me." 15 said ignoring the illusions and continuing to bombard the side of the volcano.
The volley of energy blasts started to have an effect on the large mountain as a deep rumble emanated from within. The shake rippled through the island causing a large flock of birds to take to the skies while other animals of the island started to flee.
Yajirobi could see the tremors even while airborne and could spy a pillar of steam that coated the rims of his destination. The lip of the volcano. Cutting left to avoid another blast the samurai felt the mountain gurgle and groan beneath him, and the steam further ahead seemed to bellow out with greater intensity.
Shanking to the right Yajirobi as he weaved around another energy beam the samurai reached the top of the mountain and found that the lip of the volcano was wide enough for him to stand on. Touching down Yajirobi whipped off the bit of sweat from his forehead and even took a moment to peer in and down towards the heart of the mountain.
There he could bubbles farming and popping across the surface of the lava, the magma swished around with much more activity than before 15's volley, and steam belched out of the top of the mountain with such force it seemed to stain the very air.
"Done running?"
Yajirobi turned to face 15 as it also touched down on the top of the volcano. The android glared at the human as it removed it's flask from it's pocket and opened it up for a drink. However, upon pulling it back for a drink the android found his flask to completely empty. Shaking it once and then twice did nothing and 15 tossed it aside in anger and watched it tumble down the mountain.
"The doctor's notes never mentioned how much of a pain you would be."
"Gero has notes on me? Gross. Figured he was just obsessed with Goku."
"Son Goku is his focus, but he's been researching all of you. Your strengths, weaknesses, and how to best use you to ensure his victory over his most hated enemy. In your case you're just bait for the others pulling them ever closer towards their doom."
"Humph bait huh? So Gero doesn't think too highly of me then."
"Highly? HA! You're a joke tubby! Despite everything you eat the two times you fought you were crushed by things bigger than you!"
Two times? Must be talking about when I fought again the prince and that other alien guy. Yajirobi thought to himself. Then that must mean Gero doesn't know about everything that happened on Namek.
As the android continued to ramble Yajirobi took a moment to glance back down toward the base of the giant mountain he shared with 15. Though he could not see the ground below him he knew everything was almost in place.
Just a little longer.
"Hey."
Pain overtook every sense Yajirobi held as he felt his body bend around the devastating punch that landed in his stomach.
"Don't ignore me."
Growling a bit and shaking off the hit Yajirobi planted his feet and put up his arms as the android leaned into a rush of attacks looking to break through the samurai's defense. Feeling his forearms split open against the repeated impacts of metal knuckles against bone.
"What feel like fighting back all of a sudden tubby? Done running away?"
Yajirobi grunted through the maelstrom of strikes his eyes flickering back to the base of the mountain.
Still need more time.
His body flashing crimson Yajirobi pushed through the heavy hits with his forearms taking the brunt of the assault. Battered, bruised, and bloodied, the samurai had closed the distance and threw his nearly broken arms around his smaller opponent.
"Hey what are yo-"
Leaning back into freefall the wide warrior along with his mechanical enemy dropped into the center of the wide volcano.
Despite the pain, he carried in his arms and stomach nothing compared to the overwhelming heat that blasted both man and machine as the fell closer towards the magma below. Only thanks to the ki barrier surrounding his body was Yajirobi able to withstand the unbearable environment. Even then he could feel a river of sweat coat his body and the bearhug he held on 15 loosened.
"Get off of me!"
Exploding with rage and power the android threw off the human who was launched to the other side of the volcano only halfway down to its center. Colliding with the inside of the mountain Yajirobi crashed into solid rock. Chunks of stone shot off the walls of the volcano and tumbled into the magma dissolving instantly with a dense sizzle.
"So that was plan was it?" 15 said as he leaned into a kick that speared Yajirobi deeper into the volcano's innards. "Lure me here and then drop me into the lava? Guess that's one way to do it but it's not going to work on me!"
With its foot still firmly planted into the samurai's torso the android dragged Yajirobi downward scraping his back against the rocks. Cutting a deep moat all the way down the two landed on a slab of rock jetting out mere feet above boiling lava. Grabbing Yajirobi by the throat and ripping him out of the wall of stone 15 slammed him onto the slab. Yajirobi's long hair dangled just out of reach of the magma's bubbles as they sputtered and hissed as if hungry.
"This could have been so easy tubs," 15 said with a swift punch to the face that cracked two of Yajirobi's teeth. "Wasn't any point in fighting back. Could have just come quietly."
Another punch was followed up by a stomp that shattered another series of ribs. Yajirobi curled up so his body could project blood and bile out of his mouth only to be smashed down again by 15's fist.
"You know what the doctor actually has on you after years of research? Your weaknesses are food and your sense of apathy. The other thing that the doctor could even persevere as a strength was that weird sword of yo-"
15 paused for a moment as he looked over the beaten samurai barely hanging onto consciousness. His gi was in tatters and doused in sweat, his arms were all but broken, his face held more lumps than skin and his blood and digested chips dribbled out of his mouth and down his face. Yet the katana was nowhere to be seen.
"Hey, where's your sword?" 15 asked in confusion. "You thought you could beat me without it?"
Yajirobi didn't answer so the android grabbed his gi with both hands and pulled him forward.
"You drop it on the fall in tubby? Slip out of your hands and into the lava? Doctor's notes didn't mention you had a weak grip!"
Yajirobi's eyes flickered open and his mouth opened up weakly.
"Something to say tubs?" 15 laughed. "You gonna tell me how you lost the only thing making you special?"
Despite his weakened state, the samurai was still able to form a smile. A number of teeth were shattered or gone and streams of blood trickled between the new gaps in his mouth. Yet that didn't stop a small chuckle escaping Yajirobi as well.
"Didn't you hear me before metal man?"
Outside of the volcano at its base stood a lone samurai with a katana by his side. The original wide warrior slowly slid into a practiced sword stance. Breathing swiftly in and slowly out the samurai was able to remove himself from his surroundings. The dense rumbles of the mountain before him. the panicked cries of the animals fleeing the island, and even the agony his copy endured at the hands of the android all of it, melted away. Another inhale and exhale passed as Yajirobi prepared himself mentally, and physically.
"Kaio-Ken."
A burst of a blood-red aura bent the surrounding away from the samurai as he prepared to draw. The birds of the island already retreating from the volcano now found a new reason to escape as a pillar of ki stretched further up and out boiling the very ground where he had taken his stance.
Sword ki charge at 100%
The automated voice in his ear brought out another pulse of power as Yajirobi's hand clasped around his sword's handle.
"Stop asking me about the sword."
The sword flowed out of its sheath as easily as a river cuts through a forest. The sword was doused in an exorbitant amount of energy to the point where the blade itself was vibrating the air around it with enough force it started to hum. Twisting with entire body weight Yajirobi swung from right to left with one hand with the intention to slash in front of him. Yet the discharge of ki from the fully powered sword sent his cut in a complete circle around him.
The slash divided the island.
Every tree still standing, every rock still intact, and even the volcano itself was cut in twine.
Yajirobi watched in silent awe as the force from the cut was strong enough to lift the top part of the mountain upward. Magma started to leak out of the bottom as if it were a faucet on full blast and the samurai had to leap and then fly back to avoid the lava.
Back inside both 15 and the copy of Yajirobi felt the moment the volcano was cut and saw the entire stone giant start to crumble into itself.
"What? What was that?"
15's question went unanswered and its confusion allowed Yajirobi to use a second wind of strength to punch the slab of stone that they had landed on. The slab fell to pieces robbing both the samurai and 15 of their foothold. Yajirobi fell quickly but not before grabbing 15 by the ankle and dragging it down with him.
"Let go of me human!" 15 cried as it was yanked downward toward the deadly magma.
The android delivered a swift kick and blast to the human who shrugged off both and grabbed the other ankle with his broken arm. With both ankles secure Yajirobi flashed a crimson aura and pulled 15 down toward the magma that had begun to drain out of the severed mountain.
"You said you could see through illusions, right?" Yajirobi coughed his voice barely audible over the collapsing volcano. "Seems like you didn't catch me switching places with a copy though."
"You're saying you tricked me? Me?!"
"Wasn't that hard. Not sure why Gero built an android that could get annoyed, angry, or feel the need to drink but it was easy to distract you."
"This shouldn't be happening!" 15 screamed trying to fight against Yajirobi's grip. "You're just a fat human!"
"Fat huh?" Yajirobi grinned as he sped up the lava just a few feet away from him. "I liked tubs better."
With that, the samurai plunged into the magma still holding onto his opponent. As they did gravity began to affect the volcano again and the top portion of the mountain started to fall back to Earth. The entire structure collapsed into itself burying the two and muffling the sounds of 15's screams.
Blood coated the warm sand of what remained of the island. Coughing harder and falling Yajirobi tried to get his breathing under control of his body feeling the full backlash of his copy's death. His strength was now only a fraction of what it was after the senzu Yajirobi struggled to even get back onto his feet.
Wow, that really hurt. No wonder Krillin and Tien said to be careful with that technique, paid off though.
Slowly scanning the island the samurai was given a perfect view of the destruction he and the android caused. With his sword swing reducing everything to a stump and the remaining magma slowly lapping up the rest of the island was a shadow of its former self.
Feel a little bad, just wanted to cut down one tree not the whole thing. Maybe Bulma can do something about this…oh yeah I should tell her about this.
"Yo," Yajirobi said turning on his communicator. "This thing working now?"
"Yajirobi? Is that you?"
"Who else would it be?"
"What happened to you?! We completely lost track of you here at the corp."
"I got attacked by one of those robot things we've been looking for. Weird guy."
"What?! Are you okay?"
"Hurt all over but I'm doing better than the robot. Dropped a volcano on him so he's done."
"Dropped a vol- never mind. Why didn't you call this in earlier?"
"I tried but the communicator wouldn't work. The robot guy said he had a jammer in him or something."
"A jammer? That shouldn't have mattered my tech can't be stopped by something like that, it's impossible."
"Don't know what to tell you," Yajirobi shrugged. "I'm heading back now though so could you order lunch? Was thinking pizz-"
A sharp wine erupting out of the communicator forced Yajirobi to remove his finger and end the call prematurely. It only took him a second to recognize the shrill feedback noise ringing in his ears and that recognition brought his eyes back to the broken body of the volcano.
"Oh, come on."
A deep rumble shook the island once more before the remains of the mountain erupted upward in a pillar of dust and magma. Stepping out of the pillar drenched in lava and sizzling stood 15. Most of its purple skin had been burned away while nothing remained of its sunglasses and hat. Its burning red mechanical eyes took only a moment to locate Yajirobi and a smile overtook what was left of the android's mouth.
"Found…you."
The samurai drew his sword but the loss of most of his strength due to his copy's demise made him a second too slow to defend against the android's charge. A magma-laced fist collided with the side of his head 15's knuckles burning a mark into his temple. The follow-up was a knee that ignited Yajirobi's gi and branded his stomach.
The samurai internalized a scream and used it to power a wide swing with his sword. 15 dodged and clasped Yajirobi's hands with his own baking them both.
"Not…this time…fat-fatty."
The human screamed and released his hold on his weapon the katana landed on the beach with a dull thump. 15 kicked Yajirobi away from the sword and chased him down with another punch. Pulling out his sheath with shaking hands Yajirobi swung at the android only for 15 to block and grab him by the wrist.
Shouting in pain again Yajirobi dropped the sheath and was again blown backward by a vicious kick. His heels skidding across the ground the samurai realized how much distance had been between him and his weapons.
"There," 15 sputtered his body still in the process of melting. "No more… sword."
Yajirobi didn't see the android rush in, but he did feel it as the smaller opponent began the process of beating him to death. A flurry of punches and kicks he could not counter, or block found every vital part of his body. As his consciousness started to fade and his vision began to darken it was his mind that took him back, to the endless white.
A yawn cut through the hyperbolic time chamber as Yajirobi lay on his side and continued to eat the bag of chips he had brought with him. Every bite rang out into the endless white as if it were a bomb going off the sound rattling Yajirobi's mind. The current temperature was a bitter freeze attacking every inch of the samurai's skin with cuts that only the cold could provide, yet the chips continued to be eaten.
"Somehow I know I'd find you like this."
Yajirobi looked up to see the old monk staring down at him with a half-smile covering his face.
"Oh, hey Krillin, want one?" Yajirobi said offering his bag to his friend.
"Not this time," Krillin said with a chuckle. "Have you finished training for the day?"
"Yeah sure, did my walking so I'm done," Yajirobi answered with another chip finding its way into his mouth. "Besides not much training I can do without my sword. Bulma's still working on it."
"Did she say how much longer it'll take?"
"No, but I'll keep asking."
"I'm sure she'll appreciate that," Krillin laughed.
As the monk's laugh echoed and then faded through the chamber a silence overcame the two only to be broken by Yajirobi looking at Krillin with an eyebrow raised. "Something else you need?"
"Just wanted to check in and see how you were doing."
"Disappointed?"
"No, I had a feeling you'd be making the most out of this place. I've noticed very little phases you."
"Hard to be freaked out by anything after all the stuff we have seen," The samurai said grabbing another fistful of chips.
"You may feel that way, but I think it is just how you are Yajirobi. Nothing shakes you and you are capable of taking everything in stride no matter what. You are reliable, always there when we need it the most, even if you don't believe it yourself. You are like the Earth."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Just something I've noticed," Krillin said with a smile. "Despite everything we have been through you will continue to be yourself, slow to move but once you have something to focus on very little can stop you. The Earth is like that, as long as it is alive, it will always turn. Perhaps that is the reason you've even turned Vegeta around a bit."
"Eh, the prince is just stubborn, so we have that in common."
"I believe calling yourself just stubborn is a disservice. Instead, I'd say you live life the way you want to and there is something admirable about that. Not stubborn, immovable."
"…you're weird today," Yajirobi said finishing his bag of chips. "I mean more than usual."
"I suppose, but I wanted to share that while never changing has some benefits I would advise you to broaden your horizons a little bit."
"What do you mean?"
"You are a great swordsman Yajirobi but that doesn't mean that's all you have to be. Bulma will make your sword for you but in the meantime, perhaps you can find a new way to fight."
The memory faded and Yajirobi found himself back in the fight. 15's onslaught continued, and his body was at its breaking point. Willing himself to keep standing through another punch Yajirobi leaped backward trying to create some space between him. 15 fired off two ki blasts that connected throwing the samurai onto his back. Slowly getting back up while wiping off a mixture of blood and sweat from his forehead Yajirobi took a hard stance and locked eyes with his opponent.
"That all you got?"
Despite the damage to its body 15 still had enough processing power to feel anger. Still bathed in lava, 15 rushed towards Yajirobi like a bullet fired its steps burning holes into the ground. An inhuman scream escaped the machine as it looked to end the fight with one last strike.
Yet despite the noise Yajirobi breathed swiftly in and slowly out as he removed himself from his surroundings, save one. With his focus placed entirely on the android's neck the samurai flattened and sheathed his hand by his side.
Hope this works.
With anger clouding its circuits, 15 lunged at Yajirobi with arms outstretched and overlooked the brilliant shine of ki coating the samurai's hand. A blade of energy using his flattened hand as base shot out of Yajirobi just as 15 descended onto him.
With one slash the android's head rolled up and off of his body. What remained of the android's body took two steps and fell over itself still sizzling from its dip in the lava. The head rolled once then twice before it came to a stop its burning red eyes dimming as it spoke.
"The doctor…will kill all of y-"
The android's last words were cut off as Yajirobi stomped on its head crushing it completely.
"Yeah, yeah heard it all before. Do me a favor and stay dead this time," Yajirobi said before coughing heavily into his hands. Looking at the blood he just hurled up and stumbling a bit as a wave of dizziness hit him hard.
Glad that sword thing I came up with in the time place worked. Guess Krillin had a point. Yajirobi thought to himself as he slowly stumbled toward his sword and sheath. Just got to get back to the corp, tell the others about everything, eat, and then sleep for a week.
Bending over to pick up his weapons Yajirobi felt the surrounding area shake behind him. Slowly turning around to face whatever had just landed on the island the samurai came face to face with something clearly not human yet it was shaped like one.
White skin, two dangling earrings, extra-large orange pants, an extra-large banana white strap-on vest, and a broad red sash were the first things Yajirobi noticed. The next was that the humanoid figure was overweight and had pointed, light blue cold eyes but the last thing to catch the samurai's attention was the orange pointed hat with a Red Ribbon Army logo on the front.
"Cra-"
This new android moved faster than Yajirobi could react and grabbed him by the face. As its palm-covered Yajirobi's mouth, he could feel his ki slowly leaving his body. The sensation of being drained of all his energy finally proved too much for the human and he didn't even feel when his body went limp.
As soon as the android felt the human pass out it threw Yajirobi over its shoulder and held him fast with a hand on his back. Walking over to 15's body the android picked up the still sizzle corpse and held it to its side.
"Both Android 15's components and bait are secure," The android said aloud. "Returning home."