Cell's Escape

Just as everyone thought it was over, the Cell embryo in the incubation pod suddenly opened its eyes. A beam of purple energy shot out from within Cell, shattering the pod's glass. Cell slid out; although he was still just a massive lump of flesh, he was already capable of movement. "Dr. Gero... I will... fulfill your dying wish..." Cell's voice was low and raspy. "Absorb No. 17 and No. 18... become the perfect form... rule the world..." "Oh no!" Kashu lunged toward Cell, slamming a palm toward his core.

But Cell's body suddenly split into countless tiny pieces, scattering in every direction to escape. Kashu's Hakai Energy only struck a portion of them; most of the fragments escaped the laboratory and burrowed deep underground. "He escaped!" Krillin exclaimed. "As long as a single cell of his survives, Cell can regenerate," Kashu said, his brow furrowed. "He will absorb human energy in the shadows and continue to grow. Once he has absorbed enough energy, he will come to seize No. 17 and No. 18." "Then what do we do?" Tien Shinhan asked. "Bring No. 17 and No. 18 to New Vegeta City and keep them under strict guard," Kashu said. "Then, intensify our training. The strength of Cell's perfect form might be even greater than mine or his." "Stronger than you?" Vegeta's expression turned grim. "It's possible," Kashu said. "So we need to be fully prepared."

Two days later, Trunks prepared to return to the future. Before parting, he looked at Kashu, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Mr. Kashu, thank you. You not only stopped the activation of the androids but also defeated Cell. The history of the future will surely change." "Not necessarily," Kashu said. "Cell escaped. If he absorbs No. 17 and No. 18, history might repeat itself." "Then what do you plan to do?" "Train. Become stronger," Kashu said. "Within three years, I will break through to a higher realm. By then, no matter what form Cell takes, I will be able to defeat him." Trunks looked at Kashu, a surge of hope rising in his heart. "I believe in you." He turned toward the Time Machine, then paused and looked back at Vegeta. "Father... in the future, although you were strict, I know you loved me." Trunks's voice choked slightly. "In this era, please take care of yourself as well."

Vegeta crossed his arms, his face expressionless, but the corner of his mouth twitched slightly. "...I know." The Time Machine lifted off and vanished into a blue light. After Trunks left, New Vegeta City entered a state of intense preparation. Kashu formulated a three-year high-intensity training plan. Everyone was divided into three groups: the first group consisted of Kashu, Son Goku, and Vegeta, responsible for breaking through to the higher stages of Super Saiyan and the Realm of Gods; the second group included Piccolo, Tien Shinhan, Krillin, and Luo Ling, responsible for improving base combat power and team coordination; the third group, including Gore, Lanno, Nappa, and Raditz, was responsible for city defense and daily affairs. Every day, Kashu took Son Goku and Vegeta into the Hyperbolic Time Chamber to train. The three-hundred-sixty-five-fold time acceleration significantly boosted their training efficiency. In the first year, Vegeta successfully broke through the Super Saiyan barrier; his golden aura flared, and his combat power soared from 600,000 to 30,000,000. He roared at the sky in excitement, "I am the Prince of Saiyans! Kakarot, just you wait!"

Under Kashu's guidance, Son Goku began exploring the Super Saiyan 2 stage. After a year of grueling training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber (one day in the outside world), he finally mastered the trick to Super Saiyan 2—blue lightning crackled within his golden aura, and his combat power rose from 25,000,000 to 120,000,000. Kashu was also progressing. He spent three years in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber (three days in the outside world), increasing his Legendary Super Saiyan Bloodline awakening from 64% to 72%, and his combat power rose from 4 billion to 5 billion. He was only one step away from the high 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 overall combat power by three to five times. Gore broke through to Super Saiyan, Luo Ling's Super Saiyan 2 stabilized, Piccolo learned the Namekian Giant Form, and Tien Shinhan's third eye evolved the "Evil Eye Ray." In the third year, Kashu took Son Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Tien Shinhan, and Krillin into the Hyperbolic Time Chamber for team special training. They trained inside for half a year (half a day in the outside world), practicing various cooperative tactics—combined techniques, support attacks, and energy sharing. "If Cell absorbs No. 17 and No. 18, his perfect form's combat power could exceed 5 billion," Kashu said. "My combat power is 5 billion, putting me on par with him. But with your coordination, we will definitely win." "Brother, we won't let you fight alone," Son Goku said. "We are partners." "Right, partners," Krillin nodded. Vegeta grunted but did not object.

During these three years, Cell was also growing in the shadows. After escaping Dr. Gero's laboratory, he hid in the deep mountains and forests, strengthening himself by absorbing the life energy of humans. With every person he absorbed, his combat power grew. He carefully avoided the detection of Kashu and the others, appearing only in remote villages. In the first year, Cell evolved from his embryonic form into his first form—a massive monster resembling a hybrid of an insect and a human, with a combat power of about 50,000,000. He began searching for the location of No. 17 and No. 18, but he knew Kashu and the others were guarding them and he could not force his way in. In the second year, Cell absorbed the energy of hundreds of humans and evolved into his second form—his size shrank, his features became more human-like, and his combat power reached 500,000,000. He crept closer to New Vegeta City, sensing the presence of No. 17 and No. 18, as well as Kashu's terrifying 5 billion combat power. "Not yet," Cell whispered. "Wait a little longer." In the third year, Cell evolved into his semi-perfect form—his size was similar to a human's, he wore a mask on his face, and his tail could absorb living beings. His combat power reached 2 billion. He still did not strike, because Kashu's combat power was more than twice his own. "I need more energy," Cell muttered to himself. "Perhaps... I should go find the Namekians." He flew toward Piccolo's home—but Namek was too far, so he decided to first go to the Namekian settlement on Earth. There were dozens of Namekians there, and their energy was far stronger than that of humans.

In the spring of AGE 758, Piccolo sensed an abnormal fluctuation. "The Namekian ki... is disappearing." Piccolo's expression changed. "Someone—no, something is attacking the Namekian village!" Kashu sensed it as well, his pupils contracting. "It's Cell. He has evolved; his combat power is at least 2 billion. I'm going to save them!" Piccolo shot into the sky. "Wait, let's go together!" Kashu took Son Goku, Vegeta, Tien Shinhan, and Krillin and flew toward the Namekian village. 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 center of the village, his body closer to human form than it had been three years ago, his tail still stained with green blood. "Piccolo, you've come," Cell's voice was raspy. "Your energy should be far stronger than these Namekians." "Cell!" Flames of rage burned in Piccolo's eyes. "You killed them!" "They were merely my nutrients," Cell said. "Once I absorb you, I will go absorb No. 17 and No. 18 to become my perfect form. By then, no one will be able to stop me." Piccolo rushed forward, firing a Special Beam Cannon instantly. Cell extended his hand, absorbing the energy of the Special Beam Cannon into his palm. "Useless," Cell said. "My body can absorb energy attacks. Your Saiyan ki blasts are ineffective against me." Piccolo's face turned ghastly. "Let me handle this." Kashu stepped forward. He released his Legendary Super Saiyan 4 aura, his seven-colored diamond form, with a combat power of 5 billion. Cell's pupils contracted. "Three years later, and you've grown stronger again. But it's not enough—once I absorb No. 17 and No. 18, my combat power will surpass yours." "You won't get the chance." Kashu lunged at Cell, slamming a palm toward his core. Cell's body split into countless tiny pieces again, scattering in every direction to escape. But this time, Kashu was prepared—he released his Hakai Energy, destroying every fragment within a one-kilometer radius. "Did he escape?" Krillin asked. "A small piece got away," Kashu said, sensing the area. "But I marked him with Hakai Energy. No matter where he runs, I will be able to find him." "Then let's go after him!" "No rush," Kashu said. "He is severely injured and will need at least a year to recover. A year from now, he will come looking for No. 17 and No. 18. We will wait for him at New Vegeta City."