"Piccolo is dead."
Android 16 said in a muffled voice.
Wang Shen turned to look at Piccolo's mangled body, which hung from a tree, and said calmly,
"It's fine. He'll come back to life."
Although Kami was dead, Namek still had plenty of people who could become the next Kami.
How could the world of Dragon Ball be without Dragon Balls to make wishes?
Wang Shen looked at Android 16's sparking body and said with a laugh,
"I'd better take you back first. Bulma can fix you, and you won't get ground into scraps by the shock waves later."
That kick Wang Shen had delivered in his haste had been made with every ounce of his strength.
Cell had already evolved to the early stages of Super Saiyan 2, but taking that kick head-on couldn't have been pleasant.
Cell was probably using Piccolo's regeneration ability to "recover" in secret right now.
Whoosh!
Wang Shen crouched beside Android 16 and used Instant Transmission again to return to the Heavenly Temple.
Instant Transmission had its limitations in battle.
But for getting around, it was an incredible technique!
It was much faster than the Shuttle Cube!
Lazuli, who had been waiting anxiously, saw Wang Shen appear in front of her again, for what had to be the umpteenth time.
He really did love using Instant Transmission!
Lazuli grumbled inwardly, then walked over to Wang Shen.
"Why did Android 16 end up like this? How did he get together with you?"
Seeing Android 16's near-total ruin up close was too much for Lazuli to bear.
Wang Shen was relieved that Lazuli and Lapis hadn't recklessly gone looking for Cell to fight him.
Because according to the usual plot, Android 18 and Android 17 would have already been absorbed by Cell by now.
Then he would have evolved beyond measure!
If that had happened, even Wang Shen would have found Cell troublesome to deal with.
"I rescued him from Cell."
"Cell is incredibly strong now, far beyond what I expected. Android 16 only managed to hold on until I arrived because Cell has a perverse habit of toying with his enemies."
"Maybe he inherited the Saiyans' love of letting their guard down."
Lazuli furrowed her brows, worried.
"Can you still deal with him?"
Wang Shen smiled confidently.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. That is, as long as no one gets in the way."
Just then, Bulma came running over with Little Trunks in her arms.
Wang Shen's keen eyes noticed that Little Trunks seemed to still be clutching something soft and indescribable.
At the thought, Wang Shen discreetly glanced at Lazuli's white T-shirt and nodded to himself.
Not as big as Bulma's, but just the size I like.
A perfect handful.
Bulma lifted her head and smiled warmly.
"You must be Wang Shen. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Vegeta's wife."
"I've heard a lot about you, Bulma, the genius inventor."
Wang Shen blinked and complimented her.
"Good timing. I'll leave Android 16 in your hands to repair."
Wang Shen nodded at Lazuli and said,
"Don't worry. I'll be back soon."
Seeing that Wang Shen was leaving again after barely saying a few words, Bulma immediately said,
"Piccolo..."
Before Bulma could finish, Wang Shen vanished in an instant.
Bulma's outstretched arm slowly dropped. She stamped her foot in frustration.
Was Piccolo all right or not?
And where was Vegeta?
Why hadn't he come back yet?
Watching this, Lazuli's lips curled into a faint smile.
It seemed Wang Shen wasn't that patient with everyone.
Wang Shen: Give me a break! I'm no Cao Cao!
Crackle!
Android 16's computer system was gradually failing, and sparks crackled from his body once more.
His voice came in fits and starts.
"...I might... know... what happened... to Piccolo, but please... repair me first."
Whoosh!
A moment later, Wang Shen returned to the mountain range where he had just buried Cell.
Piccolo's body had vanished.
The cave Cell had crashed into was empty too.
Wang Shen furrowed his brows.
I was careless. Had Cell escaped and gone into hiding again?
Suddenly, a mountain breeze swept through. Leaves rustled, rocks tumbled, and golden hair fluttered.
A gust of wind struck from behind Wang Shen, sending a chill across the back of his neck.
Wang Shen's pupils shifted. He ducked sharply, and a long, slender green tail swept past his golden hair.
"Hmph."
A grunt rang out, and the tail abruptly changed direction, whipping downward.
The tremendous force cut through the air with a crack like thunder.
It was meant to land a heavy blow on Wang Shen.
Wang Shen's expression didn't change. He simply reached out and grabbed the tail, whip-like in his hand, then yanked hard.
Cell, who had been hiding in the shadows, was dragged into view and pulled uncontrollably toward Wang Shen.
Cell was shocked. He thrust both legs into the ground, gouging two long trenches before finally coming to a stop.
"What's wrong? Evolving into your Perfect Form didn't cure you of hiding like a bug?"
Wang Shen looked at Cell, who was becoming more and more humanlike, and taunted him.
Meanwhile, he tightened his grip on the tail.
Five deep finger marks immediately sank into it.
A wave of pain hit Cell. His tail instinctively recoiled, but it remained firmly in Wang Shen's grasp. He gritted his teeth and said,
"I knew you'd come. I did all this just to defeat you."
"Defeat me?"
Wang Shen tilted his head, genuinely puzzled.
But his indifferent tone deeply wounded Cell's pride, dripping with mockery.
Cell swung an arm, his eyes blazing with fury.
"Don't get so full of yourself, Saiyan!"
"Your strength is indeed impressive. Before I reached my Perfect Form, I didn't even dare reveal myself."
"But it was your pride and arrogance, your contempt for me, that gave me a chance to turn things around. Piccolo died because of you."
Cell tried once again to pull his tail free, but it remained motionless in Wang Shen's hand.
Cell's expression darkened, and the corner of his mouth, which had been raised, quickly fell.
At that, Wang Shen's expression turned displeased, and he tightened his grip.
"Hiss!"
Cell clenched both fists, his eyes bloodshot with unbearable pain.
Wang Shen spoke.
"I'll give you some advice too: don't twist the blame around and pin it on someone else. Otherwise, before you die, you'll have a very unpleasant experience!"
"In your dreams!"
Cell shouted harshly.
"I've evolved into the most perfect form! Since you chose to protect Android 18 and Android 17, you'll die here today!"
At last, Cell roared and raised one hand like a blade, a cold glint flashing across it.
Without hesitation, Cell chopped off his own tail to free himself from Wang Shen's grasp.
"Oh?"
Wang Shen's eyes widened, a flicker of surprise in his golden gaze.
He hadn't expected Cell to be so ruthless and decisive!
But—
Wang Shen casually tossed the severed tail into the air, then destroyed it with a Ki Blast.
He had never intended to use it to threaten Cell.
Cell had simply been overthinking it.
Cell watched coldly without trying to stop him.
The stump of his tail was already beginning to regenerate.
Clap, clap, clap!
Wang Shen applauded Cell.
Seeing this, Cell finally couldn't take it anymore. His face twisted with rage, and he attacked Wang Shen!
Whoosh!
Cell flashed in front of Wang Shen and drove a heavy punch toward his face.
"Ah! You'll pay for this!"
The punch was fueled by Cell's boundless fury.
He had thought himself invincible, but after only one encounter, he'd been forced to cut off his own tail!
Wang Shen watched Cell's fist draw closer, its terrifying force whipping up a gale.
Just before it reached his face, Wang Shen moved.
He lowered his body and caught Cell's attack with one hand.
"Not bad. That punch was much heavier than Vegeta's!"
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