Who Could Put on a Better Show?

Trunks saw the figure slowly appear, and delight filled his eyes. "Mr. Li Lin!"

At last, this unfathomable man was making his move.

"It's you!" Vegeta said, fixing him with a hard stare.

Li Lin smiled calmly, released Android 18's hand, and slowly walked up to him. "It is!"

Vegeta felt uncomfortable watching how composed he was.

It was as if he were remembering the fear of being dominated by him.

Even though his own strength had improved tremendously, he still didn't dare provoke Li Lin.

"What are you doing here?" Vegeta cut straight to the point and asked bluntly.

Li Lin answered with a smile, "I'm here to eliminate Cell, of course!"

Vegeta's heart sank. "I'll deal with Cell myself. You aren't needed here!"

He'd finally grown strong enough to prove himself in front of everyone.

There was no way he would let the chance to claim the victory slip away.

"Oh, is that so?" Li Lin said calmly, spreading his hands. "Fine. You can deal with Cell."

Vegeta was taken aback, then delight spread across his face and the corners of his mouth lifted.

The look he gave Li Lin turned almost smug.

He didn't think Li Lin was giving him Cell out of kindness. Rather, Li Lin had seen how strong he was, lost confidence, and backed down without complaint.

That was how he saw it, anyway. Standing before Li Lin, he seemed to have found his long-lost confidence again.

"Mr. Li Lin, you can't do that!" Trunks shouted from behind Vegeta. "We absolutely can't let Cell reach his Perfect Form, or Earth is doomed!"

Li Lin was completely unmoved by Trunks's words.

"Then I'll hold Father off, and you can finish Cell!" Trunks shouted anxiously.

He seemed to think Li Lin had stopped intervening and yielded Cell to Vegeta because he feared Vegeta's strength.

So he took it upon himself to hold his father back.

That would leave Li Lin to deal with Cell. After all, from what had just happened, it was clear that Cell was no match for him.

Vegeta grew even more furious at that.

Well, would you look at that. You really are set on going against your own father!

You're even helping an outsider fight your dad.

Right now, he wanted to shout, "Are you my son or his?"

Li Lin shook his head slightly and said calmly to Trunks, "Don't worry, Trunks. If Vegeta wants to take Cell on by himself, then let him. I won't interfere!"

Vegeta's expression improved slightly at those words.

But he felt no gratitude toward Li Lin. If anything, he looked down on him more than ever.

He'd thought this guy was a powerful man who took everything in stride. Turns out he was a coward!

When Android 18 heard Li Lin, her heart tightened. Was he really planning to abandon her?

Sure enough, the moment she heard him say he wouldn't interfere, despair overwhelmed her.

She'd been too naïve, entrusting her safety to someone she had met only a handful of times.

Trunks was also rather annoyed by Li Lin's answer.

He kept complaining inwardly. How could this man be like this?

Was he really too afraid to fight his own father?

"But!" Li Lin continued, turning to the rather smug Vegeta. "You can deal with Cell, but I've got Android 18's back. Anyone who lays a finger on her will regret it!"

As he spoke, he swept his gaze around. His tone was calm, but the killing intent in his eyes was icy.

For a moment, it felt as if the temperature in the whole area had dropped several degrees!

When Android 18 heard that, all the negativity in her heart vanished.

His words were cold and brimming with menace, but to her, they felt incredibly warm.

A few glistening tears seemed to well in her eyes.

Vegeta was stunned, then his expression turned terribly grim. "What did you say?"

Li Lin regarded him calmly. "I said it already. I won't repeat myself."

"Bastard!" Vegeta clenched his fists, on the verge of exploding.

The reason he'd insisted on fighting Cell was so Cell could reach his Perfect Form. That would make the battle more satisfying.

If Android 18 left, what would be the point of fighting Cell?

So this guy had been toying with him the whole time. How could that not infuriate him?

Trunks had heard Li Lin loud and clear, and he felt much better.

Right—if Father wanted to fight Cell, let him.

As long as Android 18 stayed with them, Cell couldn't reach his Perfect Form. That way, Trunks wouldn't be stealing Father's victory, and Cell wouldn't become perfect.

If Vegeta weren't standing right there, he would have cheered Li Lin on!

"If there's nothing else, we'll be going," Li Lin said calmly.

It didn't sound as though he were asking anyone's permission. He was simply informing them.

After speaking, he turned and took Android 18 by the hand, ready to leave.

But Vegeta wasn't about to let them go so easily. He was furious.

He surged forward and blocked Li Lin's path!

"You can leave, but she can't!" Vegeta said, pointing at Android 18 beside him.

His tone was absolute, almost like an order.

Li Lin frowned and said coldly, "I'm not leaving alone. We're leaving together. Understand?"

Vegeta showed no fear at his icy words and answered arrogantly, "She stays here. Otherwise, neither of you is going anywhere!"

He'd figured it out now: no one was going to stop him from fighting Cell.

He also remembered that both Li Lin and Android 18 had given him trouble before.

In that case, he certainly couldn't let them leave unscathed!

"Heh. Fine!" Li Lin sneered at Vegeta. "Then let's settle this with our fists!"

Then he turned to Android 18. "Go down and wait for me. Give me a few seconds."

"Mm!" Android 18 nodded obediently and said softly, "You be careful, too!"

With that, she followed Li Lin's instructions and slowly descended, returning to the rocks.

When Vegeta heard Li Lin, the veins on his forehead looked ready to burst. He said furiously, "You're really arrogant!"

A few seconds? Wasn't that basically saying it would take only a few seconds to beat him?

"I've already shown you plenty of respect. For trash like you, even a few seconds would be a waste of time," Li Lin said calmly.

Since you like showing off, let's see which of us can put on the better act!