Android 17 wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and sneered. "Heh, looks like I really underestimated you!"
Piccolo reacted quickly, turning at once and flying into the air to continue his attack.
The two clashed again, but this time Android 17 handled himself with noticeably greater ease.
Clearly, he was now giving it his all and taking the fight seriously.
"Bang!"
After exchanging a punch, the two quickly separated.
Piccolo seized his chance, raised his right hand, and fired a golden blast of energy.
Android 17 smiled faintly and leaned slightly to the side, easily dodging it. He began taunting Piccolo. "An attack like that won't take me down!"
Piccolo didn't lose heart or reply.
If one wouldn't do the trick, he'd just have to fire a few more.
He swung both hands, golden light flashing from his palms again and again.
"Ratatatat!"
Ki Blasts rained down on Android 17. His Prince Tactics were executed with remarkable skill!
Android 17 took his time, weaving through the sky as if he were dancing in midair.
"Tch!" Seeing his attacks dodged again and again, Piccolo felt a little frustrated. "Let's see you dodge this one!"
He clenched his right hand, then suddenly opened it and unleashed a blast of energy, faster and more powerful than before.
Android 17 saw the blast and knew he couldn't dodge it, so he stopped trying.
He crossed his arms in front of his face to shield himself.
"Zzt!"
The blast struck his guard. Then he abruptly flung his arms apart.
"Boom!" The golden Ki Blast was flung away and exploded overhead.
"Heh, not bad! Not bad!" Android 17 said excitedly.
He seemed to be starting to enjoy the fight.
Piccolo replied coolly, "The fun part's still to come!"
With that, the two flew toward each other at the same time.
"Bang!"
They collided again.
Wave after wave surged across the sea, and a rainbow even appeared in the sky!
"Boom, boom, boom!"
Their attacks grew fiercer and fiercer. Thunder rumbled beneath the cloudless sky.
After another clash, the two separated once more.
Piccolo hadn't expected the Android to be so hard to deal with, but he felt nothing but exhilaration.
He hadn't had such a satisfying fight in ages!
"It's hard to imagine how you trained. You improved so much in such a short time!" Android 17 exclaimed admiringly.
He had underestimated Piccolo this time, but what puzzled him even more was Piccolo's strength.
Piccolo's mouth curled into a slight smile. "Is that so? Thanks for the compliment. I'll give you a proper response next!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Piccolo raised his hand and attacked, sending another Ki Blast flying.
Android 17 nimbly dodged it, frowning. "That's it? Attacks like that are useless against me!"
Piccolo didn't answer. He continued using his Prince Tactics.
Android 17 stood still. This time, he didn't dodge, because he noticed that although the attacks were dense, every one of them was being knocked off course.
Realizing something was wrong, he hurriedly turned around and saw that the Ki Blasts had surrounded him from behind.
He looked up, too, and saw that golden spheres filled the sky above him.
As he was still surveying his surroundings, Ki Blasts surrounded him from below and in front as well!
"So that was your plan!" Android 17 said in shock.
He hadn't expected anyone to use Ki Blasts like this.
He'd certainly seen something new today!
Piccolo smiled calmly and brought his hands together.
Countless Ki Blasts shot toward Android 17 in the center.
"Boom, boom, boom, boom!"
Explosions rang out at once, lighting up the sky as bright as day.
Mushroom clouds rose one after another, and smoke billowed everywhere!
"Whew!" Piccolo let out a breath, his eyes fixed on the smoke.
Since the Android had no ki, Piccolo couldn't tell whether Android 17 had been destroyed.
So he still didn't dare let his guard down.
The smoke slowly cleared, and a figure gradually emerged. Piccolo's heart sank.
He couldn't believe such a powerful attack had failed to do any damage!
Android 17 held his arms out, a blue force field shimmering around his body.
It was a built-in ability of the Androids. Without that force field, he might have been reduced to ashes in an instant!
"Impressive. You're not only powerful, but you've got excellent combat instincts, too!" Android 17 said with a smile.
"Tch!" Piccolo was unmoved by the praise.
After all, none of it meant anything if he hadn't truly defeated his opponent.
Meanwhile, in a corner of a city,
clothes lay scattered all around Cell's feet.
He sensed the energy coming from far away and had already figured that Piccolo must be fighting an Android.
But Cell was deeply conflicted. He didn't know whether he should go over.
He was still worried about that terrifying energy from before. He feared that he'd end up worse off than if he'd done nothing.
"Ah, forget it. I'll take a chance!"
Cell lowered his head and made up his mind.
He had come here from the future to absorb the Androids and transform into his Perfect Form.
With such a good opportunity right in front of him, he couldn't just let it go to waste.
Besides, he couldn't sense that energy from before now. Maybe whoever it belonged to had already left?
With that uncertainty gnawing at him, Cell began to move.
He crept toward the place where Piccolo and Android 17 were fighting!
On the small island where the battle was taking place,
the others still had no idea that Cell was heading their way.
Li Lin had already arrived at the battlefield, but he didn't choose to reveal himself right away.
Instead, he wanted to watch for a while first. At that moment, he was high above them.
As long as he didn't let his energy leak out, no one else could detect his presence.
"That move of yours was pretty good, but I won't give you another chance to use it!" Android 17 said calmly, looking at Piccolo.
"Hmph!" Piccolo scoffed in disdain. "Is that so? Even without that move, you're still no match for me!"
With that, the two slowly descended and landed on the ground.
They approached each other step by step. From the looks of it, they intended to fight hand to hand.
Suddenly, Android 17 made a feint and darted forward, punching Piccolo in the face.
Piccolo staggered back two steps, then countered with a punch.
Unfortunately, his attack missed. Android 17 seized the opportunity and punched him in the stomach.
Piccolo doubled over in pain. Android 17 moved behind him and struck him with an elbow, sending Piccolo sprawling to the ground.
"Heh. How was that?"
Android 17 laughed smugly.
Piccolo sprang to his feet in a flash and dusted himself off. "Heh, you're pretty fast. You're just a little weak. That felt more like a massage!"
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