Just when everyone thought it was over, the Cell embryo in the cultivation pod suddenly opened its eyes. A beam of purple energy shot out of Cell's body and shattered the pod's glass. Cell slid out. Though he was still just a huge lump of flesh, he could already move. "Dr. Gero... I will... fulfill your dying wish..." Cell's voice was low and hoarse. "Absorb Android 17 and Android 18... become perfect... rule the world..." "Not good!" Kashu rushed toward Cell and struck at his core with his palm.
But Cell's body suddenly split into countless tiny pieces that fled in every direction. Kashu's Hakai Energy hit only some of them; most of the fragments escaped the lab and burrowed deep underground. "He got away!" Krillin exclaimed. "As long as even one of Cell's cells survives, he can regenerate." Kashu furrowed his brow. "He'll secretly absorb human energy and keep growing. Once he's absorbed enough, he'll come for Android 17 and Android 18." "Then what do we do?" Tien Shinhan asked. "Take Android 17 and Android 18 to New Vegeta City and keep them under strict guard," Kashu said. "Then step up our training. Cell's perfect form might be stronger than both him and me." "Stronger than you?" Vegeta's face darkened. "It's possible," Kashu said. "So we need to be fully prepared."
Two days later, Trunks prepared to return to the future. As they said their goodbyes, he looked at Kashu, his eyes full of gratitude. "Mr. Kashu, thank you. You not only prevented the androids from activating, but also defeated Cell. The future's history will definitely change." "Not necessarily," Kashu said. "Cell got away. If he absorbs Android 17 and Android 18, history might repeat itself." "What do you plan to do, then?" "Train. Get stronger," Kashu said. "Within three years, I'll break through to a higher level. Then, no matter what Cell becomes, I'll be able to defeat him." Trunks looked at Kashu, hope welling up inside him. "I believe in you." He turned toward the Time Machine, then stopped and looked back at Vegeta. "Father... In the future, you were strict, but I knew you loved me." Trunks's voice caught in his throat. "Please take care of yourself in this era, too."
Vegeta crossed his arms and kept a blank expression, though the corner of his mouth twitched slightly. "Got it." The Time Machine rose into the sky and vanished in a flash of blue light. After Trunks left, New Vegeta City went on high alert. Kashu drew up an intensive three-year training plan. Everyone was divided into three groups: the first group was Kashu, Son Goku, and Vegeta, responsible for breaking through to higher levels of Super Saiyan and the Realm of Gods; the second was Piccolo, Tien Shinhan, Krillin, and Luo Ling, responsible for improving their basic combat power and teamwork; the third was Gore, Lanno, Nappa, Raditz, and the others, responsible for the city's defenses and daily affairs. Every day, Kashu took Son Goku and Vegeta into the Hyperbolic Time Chamber to train. With time moving 365 times faster inside, their training became far more efficient. In the first year, Vegeta successfully broke through to Super Saiyan. His golden aura blazed, and his combat power soared from 600,000 to 30 million. He threw his head back and roared with excitement. "I'm the Saiyan prince! Just you wait, Kakarot!"
Under Kashu's guidance, Son Goku began exploring Super Saiyan 2. He trained hard in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber for a year—which amounted to one day outside—and finally mastered the knack of reaching Super Saiyan 2: blue lightning flickered within his golden aura, and his combat power rose from 25 million to 120 million. Kashu himself was making progress, too. He spent three years in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber—three days outside—and his Legendary Super Saiyan Bloodline awakening rate rose from 64% to 72%, while his combat power increased from four billion to five billion. He was just one step away from the advanced level of a God of Destruction. In the second year, Selipa's team used Namekian technology to develop the "Energy Crystal Enhancement Device." By absorbing energy crystals, the Saiyan warriors increased their combat power by three to five times across the board. Gore broke through to Super Saiyan, Luo Ling stabilized her Super Saiyan 2 form, Piccolo learned the Namekians' giant form, and Tien Shinhan's third eye evolved a "Demon Eye Beam." In the third year, Kashu took Son Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Tien Shinhan, and Krillin into the Hyperbolic Time Chamber for team training. They trained inside for half a year—half a day outside—and practiced all kinds of coordinated tactics: fusion techniques, covering attacks, and energy sharing. "If Cell absorbs Android 17 and Android 18, his perfect form might have combat power above five billion," Kashu said. "My combat power is five billion, so I'd be evenly matched with him. But with all of you backing me up, we'll win for sure." "Brother, we won't let you fight alone," Son Goku said. "We're a team." "That's right, a team," Krillin agreed. Vegeta snorted but didn't argue.
During those three years, Cell was growing in secret, too. After escaping Dr. Gero's laboratory, he hid in the mountains and forests, strengthening himself by absorbing human life energy. With every person he absorbed, his combat power grew a little. Carefully avoiding the senses of Kashu and the others, he appeared only in remote villages. In the first year, Cell evolved from an embryo into his first form—a huge monster that looked like a cross between an insect and a human—with combat power of around 50 million. He began searching for Android 17 and Android 18, but knew Kashu and the others were guarding them, so he couldn't force his way in. In the second year, Cell absorbed the energy of hundreds of humans and evolved into his second form. His body shrank, his face looked more human, and his combat power reached 500 million. He crept toward New Vegeta City and sensed Android 17 and Android 18, as well as Kashu's terrifying combat power of five billion. "Not yet," Cell murmured. "I'll wait." In the third year, Cell evolved into a semi-perfect form. He was about the size of a human, wore a masklike face, and had a tail that could absorb living creatures. His combat power reached two billion. He still didn't make a move, because Kashu was more than twice as strong as him. "I need more energy," Cell muttered. "Maybe... I should look for the Namekians." He flew toward Piccolo's home planet, but Namek was too far away, so he decided to first visit the Namekians' settlement on Earth. There were dozens of Namekians there, and their energy was far greater than humans'.
In the spring of AGE 758, Piccolo sensed an unusual disturbance. "The Namekians' energy... it's disappearing." Piccolo's expression changed. "Someone—no, something is attacking the Namekian village!" Kashu sensed it too, and his pupils contracted. "It's Cell. He's evolved, and his combat power is at least two billion." "I'm going to save them!" Piccolo shot into the sky. "Wait, we're coming too!" Kashu flew toward the Namekian village with Son Goku, Vegeta, Tien Shinhan, and Krillin. When they arrived, the village was in ruins. Dozens of Namekians lay on the ground, their bodies withered, their life energy drained. Cell stood in the middle of the village, his body more humanlike than it had been three years ago, green blood still staining his tail. "Piccolo, you've come," Cell said hoarsely. "Your energy should be much stronger than these Namekians'." "Cell!" Flames of rage burned in Piccolo's eyes. "You killed them!" "They were just nourishment for me," Cell said. "After I absorb you, I'll absorb Android 17 and Android 18 and become perfect. Then no one will be able to stop me." Piccolo charged forward, instantly firing the Special Beam Cannon. Cell held out his hand and absorbed the beam's energy into his palm. "It's useless," Cell said. "My body can absorb energy attacks. Your ki blasts are useless against me." Piccolo's face darkened. "Let me handle this." Kashu stepped forward and released the aura of his Legendary Super Saiyan Fourth Grade, taking on his Seven-Colored Diamond Form with a combat power of five billion. Cell's pupils contracted. "It's been three years, and you've gotten even stronger. But it's still not enough. Once I absorb Android 17 and Android 18, my combat power will surpass yours." "You won't get the chance." Kashu rushed at Cell and struck at his core with his palm. Cell's body split into countless tiny pieces again, scattering in every direction. But this time, Kashu was ready. He unleashed Hakai Energy, destroying every fragment within a one-kilometer radius. "Did he get away?" Krillin asked. "One tiny piece escaped," Kashu said, sensing for it. "But I marked him with Hakai Energy. No matter where he goes, I'll be able to find him." "Then let's go after him!" "No need to rush," Kashu said. "He's badly injured. It'll take him at least a year to recover. A year from now, he'll come for Android 17 and Android 18. We'll wait for him in New Vegeta City."
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