Cell Appears

Android 17 didn't like hearing that one bit. He replied bluntly, "Looks like you've got quite a sharp tongue!"

With that, Android 17 charged forward and landed a spinning kick right on Piccolo's neck.

Piccolo took the blow, then struck back with a chopping punch to Android 17's face.

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

Android 17 seized the opportunity and slammed a fist into Piccolo's face.

Piccolo coughed up foam and hit the ground hard with a thud.

Android 17 pressed his advantage, kicked off with both legs, and shot forward like a bolt of lightning.

Piccolo sprang to his feet and headbutted Android 17, crashing his skull into his.

The impact left Android 17 dazed. He staggered several steps back before regaining his balance.

The two settled into a back-and-forth rhythm, trading punches and kicks.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The energy surging from their clash was immense. The island shook and began to break apart.

Watching the fight below, Li Lin couldn't help wanting to applaud.

It was simply too spectacular. The two were perfectly matched.

But as he watched, he suddenly sensed a faint presence drawing near.

"Oh, is that it?"

Li Lin looked down toward the southeast and murmured to himself.

If nothing unexpected had happened, that faint presence had to be Cell's.

He intended to take advantage of the fight between Android 17 and Piccolo to absorb the Androids and complete his transformation.

On the battlefield,

the two fought from the ground up into the sky, explosions ringing out without pause.

After a long bout, both were covered in wounds, their clothes already in tatters.

The blood at the corners of their mouths never had a chance to dry.

Even so, they remained evenly matched, unable to decide a winner.

But as an Android, Android 17 had an infinite energy supply, and his breathing remained steady.

Piccolo, on the other hand, was already gasping for breath, his stamina rapidly dwindling.

The longer the fight went on, the more likely Android 17 was to gain the upper hand.

Android 17 wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said with a faint smile, "You're strong, I'll give you that. But if we keep going, you won't beat me!"

Seeing Android 17's confidence, Piccolo began to panic and racked his brain for a way out.

He even started wondering why Li Lin still hadn't shown up. Did changing clothes really take that long?

As he was still thinking about how to fend off the enemy, he turned his head slightly—and saw Cell right beside him.

"What? When did you—?"

Piccolo exclaimed in shock.

He'd been fighting Android 17 the whole time and hadn't noticed Cell approaching.

"Cell!!!"

When the people on Earth saw Cell, fear spread across their faces.

They hadn't even dealt with the Androids, and now Cell had arrived.

Piccolo had just fought a fierce battle with Android 17 and was surely exhausted. Unless Li Lin showed up, no one could stop Cell now.

Cell licked his lips and said, "Perfect! Both Android 17 and Android 18 are here. It's my lucky day!"

Android 17 and Android 18 glanced back at Cell, surprised. What was this monster? They'd never seen him before.

Android 16 remained expressionless, completely calm.

Cell noticed Android 16 too and found it strange; there hadn't been an Android like him in the future.

Still, that didn't matter. Cell took Android 16 for an ordinary Android and paid him no mind.

"Good. Looks like that powerful guy isn't here. Today really is my lucky day!"

Cell looked around. The presence that had frightened him earlier wasn't among them, and he felt a weight lift from his chest. Delight spread through him.

He slowly landed in front of them.

He clenched his fists, and golden light began to radiate from his body!

"Haah!"

With a loud roar, the light around his body turned into golden flames!

This was the Super Saiyan form.

Cell ignored Piccolo and slowly walked past him, taunting, "What are you going to do now? If you want to stop me, you'd better hurry!"

Piccolo wanted to kill Cell, but he was powerless to do anything. He could only stand there, stunned.

Cell's arrival put too much pressure on him. He was already exhausted—

and even at full strength, he wasn't sure he could stop Cell.

The people on Earth trembled with fear at the sight. They hated that they weren't strong enough to hold out in a situation like this.

After speaking, Cell kept walking straight toward Android 17.

Android 17 was bewildered. What was this monster? Piccolo seemed terrified of him.

He had no information about Cell in his memory and figured he must be a nobody.

Piccolo suddenly turned and shouted at Android 17, "Run! This guy's going to absorb you!"

Android 17 froze, at a loss.

Absorb me? What did that mean?

As he was still trying to make sense of it, the needle-like tail behind Cell suddenly extended and shot toward him.

Android 17 reacted at once and swiftly dodged it.

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

Android 17 dodged left and right, evading every strike!

Cell watched for an opening in his evasive movements and instantly seized the chance, clamping a hand around Android 17's right arm.

Then he yanked hard and slammed Android 17 heavily into the ground.

Cell stepped on him to hold him down, and the tail behind him began moving again.

Piccolo saw what was happening and knew the situation was critical. He couldn't let Cell get his way.

"Swish!"

He instantly appeared in front of Cell and kicked him hard.

Cell was sent flying by Piccolo's kick. Taking advantage of the opening, Android 17 quickly got up and hopped to stand shoulder to shoulder with Piccolo!

"What did you mean just now? What does it mean that he'll absorb me?"

Android 17 asked in a low voice.

Piccolo kept his eyes on Cell and briefly explained, "This monster was created by Dr. Gero. He hasn't reached his Perfect Form yet!"

"You and Android 18 are his fuel. If he absorbs you, he'll grow stronger and evolve into his Perfect Form!"

Cell slowly rose to his feet and smiled eerily. "You should be glad. Once we become one, we'll be invincible. Don't you want that?"

Android 17's expression darkened as he heard this.

Who would want to become one with an ugly creature like that? His hatred for Dr. Gero deepened, too.

He couldn't believe that even after the old man died, he was still scheming against him and Android 18!