A Threat from the Future

The Second Rift in Space-Time

New Vegeta City, the council hall. Kashu was meeting with the core members to discuss plans for the future. Son Goku suggested going to King Kai's Planet to keep training, Vegeta insisted on entering the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, and Krillin proposed holding the third World Martial Arts Tournament. Everyone argued back and forth, the atmosphere lively. Suddenly, Kashu's expression changed. "A disturbance in space-time." Kashu stood up. "It's stronger than last time. Is it Trunks again?" Krillin asked. "No. This energy... It's Cell." Kashu's pupils contracted. "And he's at least twice as strong as the one we defeated before." Everyone rushed out of the council hall and flew toward the disturbance. A silver-white Time Machine touched down on a plain fifty kilometers east of New Vegeta City. The hatch opened, and a green-skinned humanoid with a hideous face and a terrifying aura stepped out.

Cell flew at incredible speed, covering dozens of kilometers in a few breaths. He hovered over West City. The bustling technological metropolis gleamed in the sunlight. Capsule Corporation's iconic building towered over the city center, while the streets around it teemed with traffic and people chatted and laughed, completely unaware that the apocalypse was about to descend. Cell's lips curled slightly. "So this is what people are like in times of peace?" he murmured. "So complacent it makes me sick." He brought his hands together in front of his chest and began gathering energy. Golden light pooled in his palms, growing brighter and hotter. The air began to warp. Pedestrians looked up, and someone pointed at the glowing figure and cried out in alarm. "Look! There's someone in the sky!" "What is that?" "A superhero?" "No... that light... It's so hot..." Cell's Kamehameha had reached its limit. He adjusted his aim slightly, targeting Capsule Corporation—or rather, all of West City. "Let them have a taste of the future," Cell whispered. "A taste of annihilation. Ka—me—ha—" "Stop!" A furious roar rose from the ground, and a blue energy wave shot toward Cell. Cell frowned. His Kamehameha wasn't ready to fire, so he could only dodge to the side. The blast grazed his shoulder and exploded high in the sky with a deafening boom. Cell looked down. On the rooftop of Capsule Corporation stood a figure in an orange gi, golden hair standing on end, lightning-like energy swirling around him. Son Gohan. In his Super Saiyan form. "Who are you?" Gohan glared up at Cell, his voice low and angry. "Why are you attacking West City?" Cell looked him over with interest. Son Gohan, younger than the one from his future, but already strong. Cell could sense the tremendous potential sleeping within Gohan—potential even greater than that of the future Gohan. "Interesting," Cell said as he descended, stopping twenty meters in front of Gohan. "You're Son Gohan? Where's your father? Where's Vegeta?" Gohan's expression grew more wary. "You know my father? Who are you?" Cell didn't answer. He simply glanced with interest at the building behind Gohan. Bulma, Chi-Chi, Krillin, Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu, Android 16, Android 17, and Android 18 had gathered on Capsule Corporation's rooftop. Krillin had fired the energy blast just now. "Everyone's here," Cell said. "That saves me the trouble of hunting you down one by one." Vegeta leaped from the roof and hovered beside Gohan. He had transformed into a Super Saiyan, golden energy surging around him. "This guy's energy... It's powerful." "Not just powerful," Piccolo said, flying in from the other side. His senses were sharper than Vegeta's. "His energy... feels familiar, but not quite the same. It's like... Cell." The name made everyone's faces change.

The Cell Games, six months ago. They had witnessed firsthand how terrifying Perfect Cell from the future had been. Though Gohan had ultimately defeated him, everyone still remembered how brutal that battle had been. "Cell is dead," Vegeta said coldly. "Gohan killed him himself." "That's true of the Cell from this era," Cell replied slowly. "I'm from your future—another timeline. Dr. Gero created me. My mission was to absorb Android 17 and Android 18, become Perfect, and then kill Son Goku." He paused, his golden eyes sweeping over everyone. "But in my timeline, Android 17 and Android 18 had already been killed by Future Trunks. So I had no choice but to use the Time Machine to come to this era and find you." Everyone froze. "You're... Future Cell?" Krillin's voice trembled. "More precisely," Cell said, "I'm a Cell from another timeline. In that timeline, the Androids destroyed most of humanity, and all of you—except Trunks—were killed. I absorbed the Android 17 and Android 18 of that era and became Perfect. But by then, Son Goku was already dead." He raised his hand and pointed at Bulma. "So I borrowed Bulma's family's Time Machine. That fool Trunks thought he was the only one who'd traveled through time. He didn't know that when he activated the machine, I was already clinging to it." Everyone exchanged glances. "Wait," Bulma suddenly said, her face pale. "What do you mean, 'clinging to the machine'?" Cell smiled. "Exactly what it sounds like. I broke myself down to the cellular level and merged with the Time Machine's energy circuits. When Trunks traveled through time, I came with him. It just took me a while to put myself back together." Bulma drew in a sharp breath. This technology... It was almost incomprehensible. Cell's body contained cells from Saiyans, Namekians, the Frieza Clan, and other species. Though extremely difficult, what he described was theoretically possible. "So you're the one who caused the Time Machine to explode?" Bulma asked. "I thought it had just worn out."

"The Time Machine didn't explode," Cell said. "The energy released while I was putting myself back together caused a chain reaction. But none of that matters now." His energy began rising rapidly. The density of energy in the air surged, the ground trembled, and windows across the city shattered. "What matters is that all the strongest fighters of this era are right here," Cell said, his voice turning cold. "Once I absorb you, I'll become the strongest being in the universe." A blast of energy erupted. In an instant, Cell's power broke through the level he had concealed when he arrived. The force poured down like a tsunami, leaving everyone struggling to breathe. Krillin's legs began to shake, Yamcha nearly fell out of the sky, and even Vegeta's pupils contracted sharply. "This energy..." Vegeta gritted his teeth. "He's more than a whole level stronger than the Cell we fought six months ago." "Have you noticed?" Piccolo's voice grew even lower. "His energy keeps growing. It isn't just flaring up—it's swelling. Like... like a star collapsing." Piccolo's comparison was apt. Cell's energy continued to rise, as if it had no limit. The air grew scorching, cracks spread across the ground, and the solar panels on Capsule Corporation's roof exploded one after another under the force of the energy. "We can't wait any longer!" Vegeta growled and charged first. "I don't care what timeline you're from! Take this!" Vegeta was incredibly fast. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Cell, driving a golden-energy-charged fist toward his face. Cell didn't dodge. The punch connected with a dull boom. The shock wave spread, ripping a long fissure through the street below. But Cell didn't budge. He raised one hand and caught Vegeta's fist, his fingers clamped tightly around it. Cell's strength was astonishing. Vegeta felt as though he'd punched a planet. "A Super Saiyan's strength," Cell said calmly, "is impressive. But that's all." He turned his palm, and a shock wave shot from it, striking Vegeta head-on. Vegeta cried out as he was blasted away, crashed through three buildings, and finally sank into a distant mountainside. "Vegeta!" Bulma cried out. Goku leaped from the rooftop and transformed into a Super Saiyan in an instant. His energy was denser than Vegeta's, his speed faster, and his fists rained down on Cell like a storm.

Cell dodged the first punch, raised an arm to block the second, then swept out his tail and knocked away Goku's third attack. The two engaged in a fierce hand-to-hand battle in the sky, their collisions sending shock waves that tore up the ground across the skies above West City. Goku's fighting skills far surpassed Vegeta's. Every move was carefully calculated; he alternated between punches, kicks, knees, and elbows, balancing offense and defense. But Cell's reactions were faster, and his blocks and dodges were nearly flawless. "Son Goku," Cell said as he blocked, "you really are stronger than your future self. Looks like this era has better training conditions." Goku didn't answer. He feinted with his right fist, then suddenly drove his left knee toward Cell's stomach. Cell blocked the blow with his tail, then brought his hands together and fired a close-range shock wave into Goku's chest. Goku grunted, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth. He flew backward, steadied himself in midair, and wiped away the blood. "This guy... really is strong," Goku said, but there was no fear in his eyes. Instead, they gleamed with excitement. "It's been a long time since I've fought someone this strong!" "Goku!" Piccolo shouted. "Don't take him on alone! He's far stronger than the Cell we fought six months ago!"

Goku nodded and turned to the others. "Everyone, attack together! Android 16, keep his tail tied up! Android 17 and Android 18, flank him! Krillin and Yamcha, support us from a distance! Tien Shinhan, look for a chance to use the Tri-Beam! Gohan, stay close to me!" Everyone quickly took their positions. This was the first time the Z Fighters had fought together as a full team. Android 16 attacked first. His arms transformed into cannons, and two high-powered beams shot toward Cell's tail. Cell whipped his tail and knocked the beams away, but Android 16 had already rushed close and grabbed his tail with his mechanical hands.

Cell frowned. Android 16 was stronger than he'd expected, and for a moment Cell couldn't pull his tail free. Android 17 and Android 18 attacked from both sides at the same time. Android 17's energy shield blocked Cell's right fist, while Android 18's knee slammed into his side. Their teamwork was flawless, the result of six months of constant training. Cell grunted, backhanded Android 17 with his left hand, and grabbed Android 18's ankle with his right, hurling her toward the ground. Android 18 smashed through a building, and dust billowed around her. But Goku and Gohan had already closed in. Father and son punched at the same time, striking toward Cell's face and stomach from either side. Cell barely blocked them with his tail and one hand, but Gohan's fist came around from below and smashed into his chin. Cell's head snapped back, and his body lost its balance for a moment. "Now!" Tien Shinhan shouted. He brought his hands together before his forehead. "Tri-Beam!" A massive column of energy descended from the sky and struck Cell dead-on. The ground was blasted into a crater dozens of meters deep, and the shock wave flattened the surrounding buildings. Krillin and Yamcha fired a Destructo Disc and Spirit Ball at the same time, hitting Cell squarely in the legs. Goku gathered a Kamehameha in both hands, and a golden beam pierced Cell's chest. Gohan dove from above, a Masenko forming in his hands, and slammed Cell deeper into the ground. The sustained attack lasted nearly half a minute. When the storm of energy finally subsided, dust filled the crater. Everyone panted, staring tensely into its depths. The dust slowly cleared. Cell stood at the bottom of the crater, his carapace covered in cracks, the armor on his left arm shattered to reveal the flesh beneath. Golden blood seeped from his wounds and dripped onto the ground. But he was still standing. And he was smiling. "Not bad..." Cell's voice was hoarse, yet pleased. "Very good. Your teamwork is better than I expected. It seems the Cell Games six months ago taught you a lot." His wounds began healing before their eyes. New tissue rapidly filled the cracks, and a new carapace formed within minutes. "But," Cell said, lifting his head, his golden eyes frighteningly bright, "I've already figured out the limits of your strength." His energy erupted again. This time, it wasn't merely rising; it was changing. Cell's form began to shift. The carapace on his body grew thicker, his horns curved more sharply, and the membranes on his back spread open, glowing dark red.

Second form. No, not the second form. Some sort of transitional state between his Perfect form and his second form. Cell's energy had doubled on top of what it had been six months ago. "That's impossible!" Vegeta cried, crawling out of the rubble, covered in injuries. "How can his energy still be increasing?" "The Saiyan cells in his body," Goku said gravely. "Every time he recovers from an injury, his fighting power increases. The Saiyan ability to grow stronger after recovering from near-fatal injuries..." "Combined with the Namekian ability to regenerate and the Frieza Clan's adaptability in space..." Piccolo gritted his teeth. "This thing is a weapon of war." Cell slowly rose from the crater, spreading his arms as he looked down at the exhausted Z Fighters.

"Enough warm-up," he said. "Now the game really begins." His figure suddenly vanished. The next second, a hand pierced Krillin's body. Cell had appeared behind him without anyone noticing, his right hand stabbing through Krillin's chest from behind. "Krillin!" Goku and Gohan cried out together. Cell pulled out his hand, and Krillin's body crumpled to the ground, blood staining the earth. "The first Android candidate, eliminated," Cell said coldly, looking toward Android 17 and Android 18. "You're next."

Everyone was preparing for the Cell Games three days from now. Son Goku and Vegeta had entered the Hyperbolic Time Chamber to train, Piccolo had taken Gohan to the wilderness, and Krillin and Tien Shinhan were also doing their best to get stronger. Kashu was meditating alone inside the Super Hyperbolic Time Chamber. He had to break through to Legendary Super Saiyan Fifth Grade in three days—three years inside the chamber.

System, display current status.

[Legendary Super God-Level System]

Host: Kashu

Age: 25

Battle Power: Base form 6 million, Legendary Super Saiyan First Grade 480 million, Legendary Super Saiyan Second Grade 960 million, Legendary Super Saiyan Third Grade 2.4 billion, Legendary Super Saiyan Fourth Grade 4.8 billion, Legendary Super Saiyan Fifth Grade? Locked

Legendary Super Saiyan Awakening: 80%

Realm of Gods Level: Advanced God of Destruction (peak of the beginner level)

"Three years. I have to raise my Legendary Super Saiyan Awakening from 80% to 100%." Kashu clenched his fist. "Then I'll break through to Legendary Super Saiyan Fifth Grade." He closed his eyes and began circulating the Legendary Super Saiyan Bloodline within him. Awakening the Legendary Super Saiyan Bloodline required two things: breaking through the body's limits and reaching an epiphany of the heart. The Grand Elder had said that the true condition for awakening the Legendary Super Saiyan Bloodline was a "heart that protects others." Kashu had always protected others—Saiyans, Earth, and his family. But he knew his heart still wasn't pure enough. He had too many attachments, too many burdens, too many fears. "Let go of your fear," Kashu told himself. "Fear is the greatest obstacle to awakening." He began training furiously inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Under a thousand times gravity, he did push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and practiced punches, kicks, Ki Blasts, and Hakai Energy... Every muscle trembled, every bone groaned. His Saiyan body continued to heal and evolve at its limits. In the first year, his base battle power rose from 6 million to 8 million, his Legendary Super Saiyan Fourth Grade power increased from 4.8 billion to 6 billion, and his awakening rose from 80% to 85%. In the second year, his base power reached 10 million, his Legendary Super Saiyan Fourth Grade power reached 8 billion, and his awakening reached 90%. He began to sense the threshold of Legendary Super Saiyan Fifth Grade—a completely new power, surpassing the Seven-Colored Diamond Form and entering a higher realm. In the third year, he finally broke through. Boom—!!! The air around Kashu exploded, and an unprecedented power surged out from within him. It was no longer the radiance of the Seven-Colored Diamond Form, but a pure, transparent energy as brilliant as crystal. The energy had no color, yet refracted the colors of all things. His hair changed from silver-white to pure white, his pupils from multicolored to gold, and a faint halo shrouded his body. Legendary Super Saiyan Fifth Grade—Crystal Form. Battle Power: Base form 10 million × 1,600 = 16 billion.

"Sixteen billion." Kashu opened his eyes. "Future Cell, I'm coming."