At that moment, the mayor said to John, "Young man, you're just passing through; there's no need for you to get involved in our dispute with the Red Ribbon Army. You should leave quickly."
It was clear that the mayor was a decent person; when the Red Ribbon Army approached, his first concern was not for himself or the townspeople but for John's safety, urging him to leave.
John curiously asked, "Mayor, if you're so afraid of the Red Ribbon Army, why don't you just leave this town?"
The mayor replied, "Where would we go? This is our home. If we leave, we would be wanderers. We don't have abilities like yours; most of us are just ordinary people."
"The wilderness is filled with dinosaurs, monsters, and beasts. It's too difficult to find a suitable place for humans to live."
John nodded; the mayor made a valid point. In the Dragon Ball world, there were far too many creatures and beings stronger than humans.
Typically, human settlements were areas agreed upon with those creatures where they could coexist without interference.
Unless one had power like John's, a formidable martial artist who could traverse any area on Earth at will.
Just then, a cloud of dust appeared on the horizon. The mayor shouted, "They're coming! Everyone prepare!"
Watching the ordinary villagers ready to defend their home, John felt he should help them. He said, "I'll assist you; if those Red Ribbon soldiers refuse to listen, I'll help you eliminate them."
Soon enough, several tanks and armored vehicles along with three hundred armed soldiers of the Red Ribbon Army slowly approached John and the townsfolk.
The Red Ribbon Army noticed that these previously defenseless villagers had picked up weapons and were preparing to resist at the town's entrance.
They parked their tanks and armored vehicles within twenty meters of John and the others.
A leader-like figure stepped out from a jeep and strode up to the mayor. Suddenly, he raised his hand as if intending to slap the mayor's face.
In an instant, John flashed in front of this Red Ribbon Army leader and seized his arm.
Looking at this unexpected newcomer, the leader named Gaka seethed with anger as he exclaimed: "Who are you? How dare you meddle in our Red Ribbon affairs?"
"My name is John. As long as it happens on this Earth, there's nothing I won't intervene in," John replied while tightening his grip on Gaka's arm.
Gaka felt his arm nearly breaking under John's grip and cried out in pain: "Bastard! Let go of my arm! Do you want to be our enemy?!"
"I can let go if you promise not to trouble this town anymore," John stated as he laid out his conditions. After finishing his statement, he tightened his grip again until Gaka heard a crack from his arm.
Screaming in agony, Gaka agreed: "I promise! I promise! Just let go of me!"
Hearing Gaka's words, John nodded and said: "I hope you keep your promise; otherwise, I won't spare you."
After saying that, John flung Gaka back into the ranks of the Red Ribbon Army soldiers.
Gaka attempted to stand but inadvertently used his injured arm; as soon as he exerted force, he cried out in pain.
He turned to his subordinates and shouted: "Are you all idiots?! Hurry up and help me up!"
Upon hearing Gaka's command, a few soldiers rushed over to assist him back on his feet.
Once standing again, Gaka raised his uninjured left hand and slapped those who helped him while scolding: "You're all useless!"
The soldiers dared not retaliate and silently retreated back into formation.
Gaka glared at John with resentment before saying: "Hmph! Letting you go? No way! The Red Ribbon Army does not accept threats."
"Lapis! Lazuli! I want both of you to take him down!" Gaka ordered loudly.
"Lazuli?!" John's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that she was indeed Android 18? Had she and Android 17 already been transformed by Dr. Gero?
John looked up hopefully towards the direction of the Red Ribbon Army.
Unfortunately for Gaka, it seemed his commands held little weight as neither Lapis nor Lazuli moved at all.
"Damn it! Lapis! Lazuli! Are you two defying my orders? Don't you fear retribution from headquarters?" Gaka shouted angrily.
It seemed that mention of headquarters had some effect; a young man and woman jumped from a jeep landing before John.
It was indeed Android 17 and Android 18—Lapis and Lazuli!
At this moment, John noticed they likely hadn't been modified into androids yet because he could sense an immense energy emanating from them.
Of course, compared to him they stood no chance whatsoever.
Just like in the manga, Lapis had shoulder-length black hair wearing athletic gear with an orange scarf tied around his neck.
Meanwhile, Lazuli had shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a blue denim jacket paired with a short skirt; her light blue eyes coldly regarded John.
Gaka smugly said to John: "Do you see? This world is not lacking martial artists besides yourself; our Red Ribbon Army has plenty of capable fighters."
"Lapis! Lazuli! Take this guy down for me! You two don't want to work under me anymore? If you defeat him, I can help transfer you both back to headquarters."
Lapis and Lazuli exchanged glances before Lazuli said: "Gaka! We hope you'll keep your word; otherwise we won't spare you either."
"Of course! My word is my bond! Anything I promise will be fulfilled!" Gaka sneered coldly.
John felt somewhat speechless as he reminded them: "You didn't keep your promise earlier."
"Shut up! I told you that the Red Ribbon Army doesn't accept threats!" Gaka shouted loudly.
"You two better get moving!" This command was directed at Lapis and Lazuli.
The siblings exchanged another glance before charging toward John simultaneously readying their attacks against him.
John never expected that his long-awaited meeting would occur under such circumstances—fighting against future allies!
Hitting one's wife or brother-in-law shouldn't earn one a spot on their blacklist…