Piccolo's Resolve

After searching yet another city, there was still no sign of Cell.

The residents of this city were all safe, with no crises occurring.

"Let's head to the next city, Trunks."

After confirming the area, Krillin called out to Trunks.

Following Piccolo's suggestion, the four of them had split up to track down Cell.

Trunks and Krillin headed to the cities in the west, while Piccolo and Tien Shinhan searched the mountain ranges in the east.

"Understood. We should pick up the pace, Uncle Krillin."

Trunks' expression was heavy, the melancholy between his brows refusing to fade.

As long as Cell remained unfound, he could not set down the heavy burden weighing on his heart.

While flying toward the next city, Krillin, worried that Trunks was putting too much pressure on himself, offered some comfort:

"Don't overthink it, Trunks. Things aren't as bad as they seem. With Goku and Wang Shen around, Cell won't be able to stir up much trouble. If we do find him, you might even be able to defeat him all on your own."

Although Trunks had not improved as significantly as Vegeta after entering the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, he had still reached the strength of a Super Saiyan Second Grade.

Hearing this, Trunks' furrowed brows eased slightly as he replied, "I hope no accidents occur."

On the other side, Piccolo and Tien Shinhan, having just finished searching a mountain range, stood frozen in their tracks.

They had found Cell.

He was standing right in front of them, his appearance drastically changed, a dangerous smile playing on his lips.

"We finally meet again, Piccolo," Cell said with a grin.

"You finally dare to show yourself, Cell." Piccolo secretly prepared for battle, his voice grave. "What is the meaning of this form?"

Tien Shinhan looked even more tense, as if facing a mortal enemy.

Seeing their panicked expressions, Cell's desire for conquest was greatly satisfied, and he chuckled, "Haven't you already guessed? As you can see, I have evolved into my Perfect Form!"

Cell let out a wild laugh, spreading his arms to display his perfect physique.

At the same time, he released the immense energy within his body.

A violent shockwave immediately ravaged the surroundings, causing the mountain forests for hundreds of kilometers to be destroyed and collapse.

The aura was like a storm, whipping Piccolo's white cape into a frenzy.

Tien Shinhan's expression twisted as he squeezed his three eyes shut, exclaiming in horror, "What a terrifying aura!"

It was the most terrifying energy he had ever felt in his life!

Piccolo gritted his teeth. This was bad! They might very well be buried here!

Cell looked sharply at Piccolo, mocking, "Piccolo, the positions of hunter and prey have been swapped. To be honest, even I don't know how strong I am now. I hope you can entertain me before I beat you to death."

Whoosh!

Cell moved, charging toward Piccolo and Tien Shinhan like an impending nuclear explosion.

Piccolo and Tien Shinhan could not even track his movements.

Cell's fists struck both Piccolo and Tien Shinhan in the abdomen simultaneously, causing their midsections to cave in.

"Argh!"

Piccolo and Tien Shinhan's bodies bent into bows as they were sent flying backward.

They eventually crashed through one mountain range before becoming embedded deep within another.

Cell remained calm where he stood, gazing at his masterpiece with keen interest.

Piccolo spat out a mouthful of blood and wrenched himself free.

A distinct fist print was indented into his abdomen, slowly mending itself.

It was the Namekian regeneration ability at work.

Piccolo exhaled deeply and looked back; Tien Shinhan's eyes had rolled back, and he had actually been knocked into shock by Cell's single punch!

"Hey, Tien Shinhan!"

Piccolo pulled Tien Shinhan out and roused him.

Tien Shinhan's pure white eyes gradually regained their luster, and he said in terror:

"Piccolo, I just thought I was going to die!"

Little did he know, Piccolo was equally shaken, but he gritted his teeth and said with difficulty:

"I will do my best to hold Cell back. You go to the Heavenly Temple and find Wang Shen and the others. Right now, only they can withstand Cell in his Perfect Form!"

Hearing this, Tien Shinhan's pupils constricted, and he immediately said:

"You'll die!"

"If you die, the Dragon Balls will disappear too!"

"That's right. Even if he manages to escape, you won't have another chance to be resurrected."

A cold, chilling voice suddenly rang out.

Cell had arrived behind Piccolo at some point, having overheard their conversation.

Piccolo was startled, then turned to face Cell, who seemed to have everything under control, his expression heavy.

He raised his hands to pull off his impossibly heavy cape and white turban, tossing them aside as he laughed:

"It doesn't matter. Son Goku and the others have already surpassed the Super Saiyan level and reached a brand new realm."

"As soon as they know your whereabouts, they will come immediately to destroy you!"

"Heh!"

Cell chuckled.

He was somewhat wary of Son Goku and that Saiyan, but not to the point of fear or being afraid to face them.

His Perfect Form, with its unimaginable power, gave him twelve points of confidence.

However.

"Do you think he will survive and escape from my hands?"

With that, Cell lowered his hands, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

Seeing that Cell was about to strike again, Piccolo hurriedly shouted:

"Tien Shinhan, go! Notify Wang Shen and Son Goku, or we will both die here!"

"Masenko!"

Piccolo placed his hands against his forehead, and a dazzling white light erupted, flooding the entire world!

On the other side.

A fierce battle was also taking place at this very moment!

The endurance of full power was truly terrifying, and the battle between Wang Shen and Vegeta continued.

Wang Shen remained calm and composed, circling with Vegeta, which could be considered helping him stabilize this realm for the time being.

As for Vegeta, he would not give up until he completely defeated Wang Shen or exhausted his last ounce of strength.

Facing the impenetrable Wang Shen, Vegeta had gone all out, his body burning with a golden aura.

"Galick Gun!"

Vegeta quickly gathered energy in his palms, forming a purple energy sphere and firing it off.

"Full Power Destruction Beam!"

Wang Shen's entire body flashed with golden light, and he immediately condensed an attack that erupted with destructive energy between his hands.

Boom!

The two energies collided, forming an energy convergence, and the clashing forces triggered a violent explosion!

However.

In an instant, the Galick Gun was pierced through by the Full Power Destruction Beam and dissipated.

The remaining energy of the Full Power Destruction Beam continued to whistle toward Vegeta.

"Damn it!"

Vegeta cursed, having lost the upper hand yet again.

Gamma Impact!

Vegeta flared his aura to dodge the Full Power Destruction Beam, his hands instantly unleashing a counterattack.

A massive energy sphere hurtled toward Wang Shen, crackling with electricity and causing the air to tremble.

Whoosh!

This time, Wang Shen chose not to take the hit head-on, instead using Instant Transmission to blink behind Vegeta.

He threw a punch that roared like a crashing tsunami, terrifying in its intensity.

At their level of power, physical strikes were no less potent than energy attacks.

Vegeta sensed the incoming assault, but his body was too slow to react, leaving him no choice but to take the heavy blow directly.

Bang!

In an instant, Vegeta was sent flying by Wang Shen's strike, the sheer impact leaving him unable to stabilize his posture.

He even thought he heard the sound of bone cracking!

"Argh!"

Vegeta fired a shockwave forward, forcibly halting his uncontrolled momentum.

He then spun around, gritting his teeth against the agonizing pain to clash with the pursuing Wang Shen once more!

Heavenly Temple.

Bulma had already arrived at the Heavenly Temple, piloting a craft with little Trunks in tow.

The person in charge of Dragon Ball logistics had brought clothes, food, and other supplies.

She had also brought the shutdown controllers for Android 17 and Android 18.

However, she found herself in the awkward position of discovering that, thanks to Wang Shen's mediation, the two were already on their side.

Lazuli was sitting with Lapis, discussing the possibility of using the Dragon Balls to make a wish.

Lapis wanted to wish for a massive cruise ship to travel the world and witness the splendors of different lands.

Lazuli, meanwhile, was hesitating over whether to wish to be turned back into a normal human.

Android 16, unexpectedly, had gone off to help Mr. Popo water and prune the plants and trees of the Heavenly Temple.

"You keep this place very tidy and beautiful," Android 16 said with a gentle smile, offering his praise.

Mr. Popo, as stoic as ever with his dark face, replied:

"It is only what I should do."

Snap!

Android 16 used his shears to carefully snip off an excess branch, then suddenly looked up toward the horizon outside the Heavenly Temple.

In the distance.

Tien Shinhan was flying toward them at an extraordinary speed.

He shouted in a panic:

"Cell has appeared!"

"He has reached his Perfect Form, and Piccolo is desperately trying to stall him!"