Cell Appears

Android 17 heard this and grew somewhat displeased, retorting bluntly, "Looks like you've got quite the sharp tongue!"

With that, Android 17 immediately lunged forward, delivering a roundhouse kick that struck him directly in the neck.

After absorbing the blow, Piccolo countered with a backhanded chop that landed squarely on his face.

He followed up with a high kick, but unfortunately, it missed its mark.

Android 17 seized the opportunity and smashed a fist into his face.

Piccolo was sent reeling, foam spilling from his mouth as he hit the ground with a heavy "Bang!"

Android 17 pressed his advantage, pushing off with both legs to charge forward like a bolt of lightning.

Piccolo quickly scrambled up and delivered a headbutt, slamming it hard against Android 17's head.

Dazed and dizzy, Android 17 stumbled back several large steps before he could steady himself.

And so, the two began a turn-based exchange, trading blows punch for punch and kick for kick.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The fluctuations of their battle energy were immense, causing the small island to tremble and begin to fracture.

Watching the fight from above, Li Lin couldn't help but want to applaud them.

It was truly spectacular; the two were perfectly matched in strength.

However, just as he was observing the battle, he suddenly sensed a faint aura approaching.

"Oh, is it from over there?"

Li Lin looked toward the southeast, murmuring to himself.

If nothing went wrong, this faint aura had to be Cell's.

He was looking to take advantage of the battle between Android 17 and Piccolo to absorb the Androids and complete his transformation.

On the battlefield.

The two fought from the ground to the sky, the sound of explosions ringing out incessantly.

After a round of fighting, both were covered in wounds, their clothes already tattered and torn.

The blood trickling from the corners of their mouths had never once dried.

Yet, even so, the two remained evenly matched, with no clear victor in sight.

However, as an Android, Android 17 possessed infinite energy, and his aura remained remarkably steady.

On the other side, Piccolo was already panting heavily, his stamina beginning to plummet.

As the battle dragged on, if things continued this way, Android 17 would eventually gain the upper hand.

Android 17 wiped the blood from his lip and said with a faint smile, "You are indeed strong, but if we keep fighting, you won't be able to beat me!"

Watching Android 17's confident demeanor, Piccolo's mind began to race as he desperately searched for a solution.

He even started wondering why Li Lin hadn't arrived yet; was it really necessary to take so long just to change clothes?

Just as he was contemplating a strategy to deal with his foe, he tilted his head slightly and discovered Cell right beside him.

"What? When did you..."

Piccolo exclaimed in shock.

He had been so focused on his fight with Android 17 that he hadn't noticed Cell approaching at all.

"Cell!!!"

The people on Earth turned fearful the moment they saw Cell.

They hadn't expected that before the Androids could be dealt with, Cell would show up.

Piccolo had just fought a grueling battle against Android 17 and was clearly exhausted; unless Li Lin arrived, there was no one left to stop him.

Cell licked his lips and said, "Excellent, both Android 17 and Android 18 are here. Heaven truly helps me!"

Android 17 and Android 18 glanced back at Cell, surprised; what was this monster, and why hadn't they seen him before?

Android 16 remained indifferent, his expression unchanging.

Cell also noticed Android 16 and felt a sense of confusion, as this Android did not exist in the future he came from.

However, it didn't matter; he dismissed Android 16 as just another ordinary Android and gave him no further thought.

"Very good. It seems that powerful warrior isn't here. Today is truly my lucky day!"

Cell scanned his surroundings and, seeing that the aura which had previously terrified him was absent, felt a weight lift from his heart and began to rejoice.

He slowly descended in front of the group.

Clenching his fists, his body began to radiate a golden light!

"Haa!"

With his roar, the light surrounding his body flared into golden flames!

This state was none other than the Super Saiyan form.

Cell ignored Piccolo entirely, walking slowly past him while mocking, "What will you do now? If you want to stop me, you'd better be quick!"

Piccolo was left rooted to the spot, his heart willing but his strength spent.

The pressure Cell exerted upon emerging was simply too immense; not to mention that he was already completely drained of energy.

Even at his peak, he wasn't certain he could have stopped him.

Seeing this scene, the people of Earth trembled in fear, hating their own inadequacy and inability to hold their ground in such a situation.

After speaking, Cell did not stop his pace, heading straight toward Android 17.

Android 17 found it very strange; what kind of background did this monster have? Piccolo seemed genuinely terrified of him.

There was no record of him in his memory, so he must be a nobody.

Piccolo suddenly turned around and shouted at Android 17, "Run! This guy is trying to absorb you!"

Android 17 froze, caught off guard.

Absorb me? What does that mean?

Just as he was pondering these questions, the needle-like tail behind Cell suddenly elongated and struck toward Android 17.

Seeing this, Android 17 reacted swiftly and dodged the attack.

When Cell saw that his first strike had missed, his tail lashed out several more times in quick succession.

Android 17 dodged left and right, evading them all!

Observing a gap in his movements, Cell seized the opportunity, clamped onto his right hand, and exerted force, slamming Android 17 heavily into the ground.

Cell stepped onto his body, pinning him down so he couldn't move, and his tail began to stir once more.

Seeing this, Piccolo knew the situation was critical; he couldn't let him succeed.

Whoosh!

He instantly appeared before Cell and delivered a direct kick.

Cell was sent flying by the blow, and Android 17 took the opportunity to spring up, leaping back to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Piccolo!

"What did you mean just now? What do you mean by 'absorb me'?"

Android 17 asked in a low voice.

Piccolo didn't dare take his eyes off Cell for a second, explaining briefly, "This monster was created by Dr. Gero, and he is not yet in his perfect form!"

"You and Android 18 are his nutrients. Once he absorbs you both, he will become stronger and evolve into his perfect form!"

Cell rose slowly, smiling eerily, "You should be happy. Once we become one, we will be invincible. Isn't that something you want?"

Upon hearing this, Android 17's expression darkened.

Who would want to become one with this ugly creature? At the same time, his hatred for Dr. Gero grew even deeper.

He never imagined that even after the old man was dead, he was still plotting against him and Android 18!