The Struggle of Saiyan Will

Trunks's knees slammed hard into the cracked ground, his fists pounding the dirt again and again.

The backs of his hands were already cut open, blood seeping through his fingers and dripping onto the dry yellow dust.

He kept his head lowered, long hair hanging down and burying his face in shadow.

His shoulders heaved violently as tears fell beyond his control. "Father... Father!" His voice was hoarse with fury, utterly despairing.

He drove another fist down, gravel striking his face, but he seemed not to feel it at all.

Krillin and Android 18 stood frozen in place, staring wide-eyed at each other, neither able to speak.

Krillin's face was paler than paper, his forehead drenched in cold sweat.

He opened his mouth, but air caught in his throat, and he could not force out a single word.

Android 18 bit her lip hard, both hands clenched into fists, her nails digging deeply into her palms.

Her gaze shifted back and forth between Cell and Trunks. There was a trace of fear in her eyes, but even more helplessness.

What were they supposed to do now?

Vegeta had been absorbed. Cell's aura was so powerful it made it hard to breathe. Did they still have a chance?

At that moment, the air seemed frozen. Only the wind swept up the sand and dust, howling across the ruined battlefield.

Then, suddenly, Cell's body jerked—not merely trembled, but convulsed wildly.

It was as if a beast had been trapped inside him, ready to tear him apart at any moment.

His limbs shook beyond his control. Bulging veins spread across his dark green skin, warping it almost beyond recognition.

Cell bent over, both hands gripping the ground tightly, his nails carving deep furrows into the soil.

His expression suddenly darkened, and panic actually appeared in his scarlet eyes. "What's going on?" He gritted his teeth, trying to steady the turbulent energy within him, but Vegeta's will had turned into flames inside his body, struggling desperately and beyond control.

"Damn it, just a Saiyan, and yet you..." Cell ground his teeth, black blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

His aura fluctuated, surging wildly one moment before suddenly drawing inward the next, sending piercing shrieks bursting through the air.

Sand and stones on the ground were swept up by the energy storm, spraying through the air and even exploding directly into dust.

Tiny cracks began to appear across Cell's outer shell. Dark green energy leaked out like magma, scorching the ground black.

At last, he understood that he simply could not suppress Vegeta's power.

That Saiyan will was stubborn and vicious, fighting desperately inside his body like a beast bent on revenge.

If this dragged on any longer, he might even suffer a backlash and become the prisoner of the one he had absorbed.

"Retreat for now!" Cell snorted, murderous chill sweeping over everyone like a blade.

His gaze finally settled on Chen Hao, scarlet light condensing in his pupils like needles.

He threatened in a low voice, "Once I completely fuse with Vegeta's power, I'll come settle the score with all of you—especially you! When I return, it'll be your death day!"

With that, Cell's body became a streak of light. Dark green energy erupted with a thunderous roar, shooting into the sky like a pillar!

The air was torn open, sonic booms crushed the ground, and shattered stones sprayed down like a torrential rain.

A dark trail streaked across the dazzling blue sky before vanishing into the clouds completely.

Trunks sprang to his feet, the tear tracks on his face not yet dry as rage and pain filled his expression.

He shouted, kicking off with both legs as he prepared to chase after him, but Krillin grabbed him and stopped him.

Krillin gripped Trunks's shoulders tightly, his knuckles turning white. "Don't be reckless! If you chase after him now, you'll only be throwing your life away!" His voice was quick and firm, his face full of concern.

The wind swept dust across everyone's reddened eyes and pale faces. All that remained were scattered stones everywhere and a suffocating silence.

Rubble crunched beneath their feet, and the air smelled of scorched debris and dust.

The distant sky remained gray and gloomy. Occasional bolts of lightning flashed through it, yet could not illuminate the deathly stillness.

Broken steel bars and concrete lay piled amid the ruins like silent tombstones, recounting the brutality of the battle just now.

"Don't be reckless, Trunks!" Chen Hao's voice was like an icy blade, cutting through the oppressive atmosphere.

He strode over and pressed a hand onto Trunks's shoulder, feeling the youth's taut muscles and the strength on the verge of collapse.

His gaze swept over the broken walls and ruins, his jaw clenched tight. "There's no point in chasing him now. We need to find a way to regroup with the others first!"

Trunks spun around, his bangs stuck to his forehead with sweat. His eyes were red and swollen, tears falling one after another.

His voice was thick with sobs but still stubborn. "But... but Father... that monster..."

His fists clenched until they turned white, his fingertips already bloody.

Android 18 stepped out from behind a shattered concrete slab and landed beside Chen Hao, kicking up a little dust.

She brushed back the hair before her forehead, but her gaze was cold and heavy.

She spoke softly, her voice almost against Chen Hao's ear, carrying a faint warmth. "Will that monster really become even stronger?"

Her hand unconsciously moved to the detector at her waist. Its screen had already dropped to zero; Cell's aura had vanished.

Chen Hao nodded, slowly but with certainty.

He raised a hand and slowly drew a circle in the air with his fingertip, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon, shadows hidden in their depths. "Cell needs to absorb Vegeta's energy now. He's hiding underground, digesting it. Once he finishes fusing with it, his strength could double. By then, his aura will be like the fires of hell."

"What do we do then?" Krillin sprang out from behind a pile of rocks, his bald head faintly gleaming in the night.

He kicked a small stone away, his voice full of near-breaking desperation. "Are we really just going to sit here and wait? Even Gohan was no match for them just now. We have to do something!"

Chen Hao did not answer right away. Instead, he turned to look toward the distant mountains, where steam still curled through the air.

The wind tugged at his cloak, making it flap loudly.

He slowly drew in a breath and let it out, his tone as cold as if he were discussing tomorrow's meal. "Panicking won't help. What's coming will come sooner or later. Rather than stand here waiting, think of a way to make yourselves stronger."

He lightly rubbed the sword hilt, feeling the old patterns rough beneath his fingers.

Trunks suddenly raised his head and wiped his face, leaving a streak of moisture on his sleeve.

He was still trembling, but he refused to fall. "Mr. Chen Hao, can you teach me... make me stronger? I want revenge!"

"No." Chen Hao cut him off coldly, without the slightest hesitation. His words landed heavily.

He looked straight at Trunks. There was no pity in his eyes, only an almost ruthless calm. "There isn't much I can do to help. The rest is for you to bear yourselves."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over Android 18 and Krillin before finally settling on Trunks's wet eyes. "Hatred will make you lose your judgment. A warrior without judgment isn't brave—they're just going to their death."