A Handful of Grace

"Piccolo is dead."

Android 16 said in a muffled voice.

Wang Shen turned his head to look at Piccolo's remains hanging on the tree and said indifferently:

"It doesn't matter, he will be resurrected."

Although the Heavenly Guardian was dead, there could still be many more Heavenly Guardians from Namek.

In the world of Dragon Balls, how could there be no Dragon Balls to grant wishes?

Wang Shen looked at Android 16's body, which was sparking with electricity, and said with a chuckle:

"I'd better send you back first. Bulma will fix you up, lest the aftermath of the battle later grinds you into dust."

Wang Shen's kick just now had been delivered with ten percent of his strength in his urgency.

Although Cell had already evolved to the early stage of Super Saiyan 2, taking that kick head-on was not easy to endure.

Cell was probably silently using Piccolo's regeneration technique to "resurrect" himself right now.

Whoosh!

Wang Shen crouched beside Android 16 and used Instant Transmission to return to the Heavenly Temple once again.

Although Instant Transmission had its limitations in combat.

When it came to traveling, it was truly a god-tier skill!

It was much faster than the Shuttle Cube!

Lazuli, who was waiting anxiously, noticed Wang Shen appearing abruptly in front of her for the umpteenth time.

He really loved using Instant Transmission!

Lazuli complained to herself, then walked toward Wang Shen.

"Why did Android 16 end up like this? How did he end up with you?"

Seeing the near-total wreckage of Android 16 up close made Lazuli unable to bear looking.

Wang Shen felt relieved that Lazuli and Lapis hadn't recklessly gone to fight Cell.

Because according to the usual plot tropes, Android 18 and Android 17 would have already been absorbed by Cell by now.

And then he would have super-evolved!

In that case, even Wang Shen would find Cell troublesome to deal with.

"I saved him from Cell."

"Cell is truly strong right now, exceeding my expectations. The only reason Android 16 managed to hold out until I appeared was because of Cell's perverted tendency to toy with his enemies."

"Perhaps he also inherited the Saiyan nature of being cocky."

Hearing this, Lazuli frowned slightly and asked with concern:

"Can you still take care of him then?"

Wang Shen smiled confidently.

"Don't worry, it's no problem. Of course, that's assuming no one interferes."

At this moment, Bulma ran over holding Little Trunks.

Observant as ever, Wang Shen carefully noticed that Little Trunks seemed to still be clutching some indescribable softness.

Thinking of this, Wang Shen cast a subtle glance at Lazuli, who was wearing a white T-shirt, and nodded inwardly.

Although not as large as Bulma's, it was the size I like.

A handful.

Bulma raised her head and revealed a friendly smile.

"You must be Wang Shen, nice to meet you. I am Vegeta's wife."

"I've heard so much about you, the genius inventor Bulma."

Wang Shen blinked and complimented her.

"You've come at the right time. I'll leave Android 16 to you for repairs."

Wang Shen nodded at Lazuli and said:

"Don't worry, I'll be back soon."

Seeing that Wang Shen was about to leave after only a few words, Bulma immediately said:

"What about Piccolo..."

Before Bulma could finish her sentence, Wang Shen's figure vanished instantly.

Bulma finally lowered the arm she had just reached out, stomping her foot in frustration.

Was Piccolo alright or not?

And what about Vegeta?

Why isn't he back yet!

Seeing this, a slight arc curled at the corners of Lazuli's mouth.

It seemed Wang Shen wasn't that patient with everyone after all.

Wang Shen: Just kidding! I'm no Cao Cao!

Crackle!

Android 16's computer system was gradually collapsing, his body once again emitting the sound of crackling sparks.

His voice came out in intermittent stutters:

"...About... Piccolo... I might... know, but please... repair me."

Whoosh!

A few moments later, Wang Shen returned to the mountain range where he had just buried Cell.

Piccolo's corpse had vanished.

In Wang Shen's line of sight, the cave where Cell had originally crashed was also empty.

Wang Shen frowned slightly.

He had been careless; surely the creature hadn't escaped and gone into hiding again?

Suddenly, a mountain breeze swept through, leaves rustled, rocks tumbled, and golden hair fluttered.

A fierce gust of wind struck from behind Wang Shen, bringing a chill to the back of his neck.

Wang Shen's pupils shifted, and he ducked abruptly, a slender green tail grazing past his golden hair.

Hmph.

An angry snort rang out, and the tail immediately forced a change in momentum, whipping downward.

The immense force lashed the air, producing a sound like a sudden clap of thunder.

It was determined to strike Wang Shen down.

Seeing this, Wang Shen's expression remained unchanged; he reached out, grabbed the whip-like tail, and yanked it hard.

Cell, who had been hiding in the shadows, was forced into the open, his body lunging uncontrollably toward Wang Shen.

Cell was shocked; he slammed his legs into the ground, carving out two long trenches before he finally came to a halt.

"What? Even after evolving into your Perfect Form, you still can't shake the habit of hiding like a bug?"

Wang Shen looked at the increasingly humanoid Cell and couldn't help but mock him sarcastically.

At the same time, the hand restraining the tail didn't stay idle, applying a slight bit of pressure.

Five deep finger indentations immediately sank into the tail.

A sharp pain surged through him, and Cell's tail instinctively recoiled, but it remained firmly gripped in Wang Shen's hand. Cell gritted his teeth and snarled:

"I knew you would come. All of this was just to defeat you."

"Defeat me?"

Wang Shen tilted his head, looking deeply puzzled.

But that indifferent, lackluster tone deeply stung Cell's pride, dripping with mockery.

Cell swung his arm violently, his eyes flashing with malice as he spat:

"Don't get too cocky, Saiyan!"

"Your strength is indeed formidable. Before I reached my Perfect Form, I didn't even dare to reveal my tracks."

"But it was precisely your arrogance and your contempt for me that gave me a chance to survive. It was because of you that Piccolo died."

Cell tried once again to retract his tail, but it remained motionless in Wang Shen's grasp.

Cell's face darkened, and the smirk he had worn quickly vanished.

Hearing this, Wang Shen looked displeased and tightened his grip sharply.

Hiss!

Cell immediately clenched his fists, his eyes turning red from the excruciating pain.

Wang Shen spoke:

"I'll give you a piece of advice too: stop shifting the blame and framing others, or you'll have a very unpleasant experience before you die!"

"In your dreams!"

Cell shouted sharply:

"I have evolved into the most perfect form! Since you chose to protect Android 18 and Android 17, you are going to die here today!"

Finally, Cell let out a roar, his hand forming a blade as a cold glint flashed across it.

Cell made a decisive choice and severed his own tail to avoid being restrained by Wang Shen's hand.

Oh my!

Wang Shen's eyes widened, a flicker of shock flashing through his golden pupils.

He never expected Cell to be so ruthless and decisive!

However.

Wang Shen tossed the severed tail into the air and destroyed it with a blast of ki.

He had never intended to use it to threaten Cell.

It could only be said that he had overthought things.

Cell watched this scene with icy eyes, making no move to stop him.

At this moment, his severed tail was gradually regenerating.

Clap, clap, clap!

Wang Shen offered Cell a round of applause.

Seeing this, Cell finally lost his composure; with a ferocious expression, he launched an attack directly at Wang Shen!

Whoosh!

Cell flashed before Wang Shen and threw a heavy, powerful punch, aiming straight for his face.

"Ah! You deserve to die!"

This was a punch fueled by Cell's towering rage.

He had thought himself invincible, yet in their very first encounter, he had been forced to sever his own tail!

Wang Shen watched as Cell's fist drew closer, the terrifying pressure whipping up a gale.

Just as it reached his face, Wang Shen moved.

He sank his stance and caught Cell's attack with one hand.

"A very decent punch, much heavier than Vegeta's!"