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Trunks was confused by what he heard.

But before he could ask anything, Cell had already left the island.

Cell's intentions were simple. He had no particular interest in killing people or conquering the world.

He wanted to fight the strong and plunge the people of Earth into panic.

That might have had a lot to do with the fact that he had Son Goku and Vegeta's cells inside him.

Trunks watched Cell disappear into the distance, his heart a jumble of emotions. He didn't know what to think.

Only after a long while did he remember that his father was still lying on the ground.

He hurried over. Luckily, he still had a Senzu Bean with him.

After Vegeta ate the Senzu Bean, he came to and quickly recovered.

Seeing that no one was around except Trunks, he asked quietly, "Where's Cell?"

He didn't think his son could have defeated Cell.

The only possibility was that Cell had chosen not to kill them and had simply left on his own.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't defeat Cell. He's already gone!"

Trunks lowered his head and spoke guiltily.

Vegeta folded his arms and gazed into the distance. "I knew it. How could you possibly beat Cell with your little tricks?"

Trunks bowed his head even lower at his father's words, feeling deeply ashamed.

He'd thought he had surpassed his father, but it seemed he'd been far too presumptuous.

"Where did he go?" Vegeta glanced at him and asked coolly.

Trunks shook his head. He had no idea where Cell had gone.

He also told Vegeta that Cell planned to hold the World Martial Arts Tournament.

Cell intended to challenge every strong fighter on Earth!

"Damn it!" Hearing Trunks's account, Vegeta felt no relief at having survived. Instead, a deep sense of humiliation welled up inside him.

After a long silence, Vegeta lowered his arms and said gravely, "I'm going back into the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Just let me go in one more time, and I'll be able to defeat Cell!"

Seeing his father so fired up, Trunks felt hope kindle within him.

He decided to keep training alongside his father so they could face Cell together.

West City.

Li Lin gazed up at the sky and watched the fading energy. "Looks like the fight over there is over," he said with a faint smile.

Android 18 watched him curiously. "Who won? Trunks's power kept rising just now, and at one point it surpassed Cell's. He must have won, right?"

Li Lin smiled and shook his head.

If he hadn't known the story, he might have thought so too, judging by their energy alone.

"I'd guess Cell won. Trunks had a lot of momentum just now, but Cell isn't that easy to deal with."

"I'm more inclined to think Cell didn't kill them. He just left on his own."

Li Lin explained calmly.

Android 18 furrowed her brows. Ever since Cell had appeared, she'd felt a persistent unease.

As long as that monster was still alive, she might never feel at ease.

"So what does that guy actually want?" Android 18 asked.

Li Lin chose not to reveal what he knew. He shrugged. "Who knows? He's absorbed the cells of so many people. Maybe he doesn't think like a normal person."

Android 18 shook her head helplessly at his explanation.

At any rate, she was staying by Li Lin's side now, and she believed this man would always protect her.

As evening fell, fewer and fewer people were out on the streets.

With nowhere else to go, the two of them found a luxurious hotel to stay at.

But when Li Lin suggested they share a room, she turned him down.

She wasn't ready yet and needed some time to come to terms with it.

Li Lin had no choice but to let it go.

After all, they'd only met half a day ago and had already become a couple. Things really had moved rather quickly.

She did need some time to process it.

Unfortunately, that left Li Lin suffering. The beauty was right beside him, yet he couldn't touch her. It was enough to make him itch with desire.

"Ah! Looks like I'll have to make do with my right hand tonight," Li Lin sighed.

Lookout.

Son Goku and Son Gohan were still training intensely inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

Piccolo, waiting outside, looked worried. He knew Cell planned to hold the World Martial Arts Tournament.

He'd decided that once Goku came out, he would go in and train too.

No matter how much he managed to improve, he had to help when the time came.

The next morning.

Cell found a deserted area.

He waved his hands, and an explosion rang out as he blasted flat a jumbled mass of rocks.

Then he gathered several huge boulders, cut them down to size, and set them on the level ground.

In less than a minute, a massive ring was ready.

"Hmm, this will do." Cell nodded in satisfaction, then laughed coldly. "Now to spread the word!"

Inside the World TV Station.

People bustled around as usual, preparing the morning news and the rest of the day's programs.

Just then, a loud crash rang out.

"Boom!"

Cell, his body entirely green, smashed through the outer wall and burst into the building.

Meanwhile, people all over the world were watching television.

Inside Kame House on Kame Island.

Master Roshi gazed lasciviously at the "fitness program" playing on TV.

Suddenly, the screen flickered with static, and Cell appeared.

Standing before the camera, Cell spoke frankly. "People of Earth, hello. Let me introduce myself. My name is Cell!"

"I'm the Cell who killed so many people in cities across the world. Back then, I needed human essence to evolve. I don't need it anymore!"

He went on to explain that he was holding a World Martial Arts Tournament.

He gave the viewers the time and location and invited them to come challenge him.

"Oh, right!" Cell changed course and continued. "This competition follows the same rules as your World Martial Arts Tournament. The only difference is that contestants may be killed!"

"Everyone's welcome to take part. There's no admission fee, and of course, there's no compensation if you're killed!"

"One last thing: I won't offer a prize if you beat me. If no one among all of humanity can defeat me, I'll wipe you all out!"

As he spoke, he turned and fired an energy blast through the wall behind him.

The blast struck the city behind the television station. Explosions rang out, flames erupted across the vast city, and it was reduced to ruins.

"Heh heh!" Cell laughed cruelly. After doing all that, he flew off through the hole he had blasted in the wall.

At the same time,

panic swept across the world.

Aircraft and vehicles sped along, as people tried to flee their homes and find somewhere safe to take shelter.

Traffic came to a complete standstill as everyone fled with bags and bundles in hand.

Li Lin watched the reports of events around the world on TV, shook his head helplessly, and turned it off. "Is this what people call the ostrich mentality?"