Sharp

On the arena, Cell stood proudly with his arms folded across his chest. His green body gleamed with a cold sheen beneath the sunlight, his tail swaying lightly and radiating an oppressive presence that could not be ignored. His gaze had been lowered as though deep in thought, but when Son Goku and Gohan landed at the edge of the arena, he finally raised his head, a meaningful smile curling across his lips. "Vegeta, you're too sly. We agreed to come together." The moment Son Goku landed, he could not help complaining. With his hands on his hips and a slight frown on his face, he was clearly displeased that Vegeta had gone ahead without them. Standing not far away, Vegeta crossed his arms and shot Son Goku a cold glance.

"You were too slow. You took so long to come out that I couldn't wait any longer." His voice carried his usual arrogance, though a trace of barely perceptible fighting spirit flashed in his eyes. Meanwhile, Krillin, Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu, and the others had also gathered at the edge of the arena. Their expressions were grim. Although they had trained diligently in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, they knew full well that against a formidable enemy like Cell, their strength was nowhere near enough. In this battle, they might only serve as cannon fodder. Krillin wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, while Tien Shinhan clenched his fists, his eyes filled with reluctance and worry.

The sea breeze blew softly, making Cell's cape flutter. He looked around before finally fixing his gaze on Son Goku and Gohan. Then he slowly spoke. "Now that everyone is here, then—the World Martial Arts Tournament begins now." The blazing sun hung high overhead, its scorching rays spilling across the cracked earth. The air was filled with the smell of scorched ground and gunpowder. Vegeta hovered in the air, his dark blue battle suit covered in dust, while the fire of vengeance burned in his sharp eyes. He stared fixedly at the figure before him—Cell, the monster who had once beaten him so badly that he could not fight back. "Cell!"

Vegeta's voice was low and oppressive, every word seemingly forced through clenched teeth. "Kakarot is here. Let's begin. I'll repay every bit of the humiliation you gave me before!" His fists clenched with a crack as that brutal battle resurfaced in his mind—how Perfect Cell had toyed with him like a child, knocking him to the ground. Every punch and kick had been filled with contempt and mockery. Back then, he had not even had a chance to strike back. He could only watch as his pride was utterly crushed.

What angered him even more was that Cell had not even died by his hand—the man named Tang Yangbing had reduced Cell to fragments with only a few moves. In that moment, Vegeta's fire of vengeance had been forcefully snuffed out, leaving behind nothing but endless regret and resentment. Cell slowly opened his eyes, and a trace of mockery flashed through his golden pupils. He did not even deign to give Vegeta a proper look, merely shaking his head as if brushing away an annoying fly. "Vegeta, you're no match for me." His voice was terrifyingly calm, yet carried unquestionable authority. "Besides, there's still someone who hasn't arrived.

"Even if you want to die, you'll have to wait." Cell did not say the name, but everyone present—Son Goku, Trunks, Piccolo—knew whom he was waiting for. Tang Yangbing! The man who had once utterly crushed Cell with absolute power! His figure was like a shadow hanging over everyone's hearts. Vegeta gritted his teeth, veins bulging across his forehead. He could not help recalling Tang Yangbing's earth-shattering attack—Cell's body had been ripped apart by the energy blast, without even the slightest chance to resist. That power, that overwhelming strength capable of crushing everything, left him both jealous and helpless.

He took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the turmoil in his heart, deciding to keep waiting. After all, he did not merely want to defeat Cell. He wanted to prove to everyone that he, Vegeta, was the true strong one! Time passed second by second, and the blazing sun gradually sank westward, staining the sky blood-red. Another hour passed, yet Tang Yangbing still had not appeared. Vegeta's patience was finally exhausted. He stomped hard, and the ground beneath his feet instantly split open into a bottomless fissure. "Where the hell is that Tang Yangbing?" he roared, his voice echoing across the empty wilderness. "I'm done waiting! Once I deal with Cell, it won't matter whether he comes or not!"

A dazzling golden aura erupted around Vegeta, and the powerful energy waves twisted even the surrounding air. He believed that he was strong enough now to face Cell alone. He would personally wash away his past humiliation and show everyone that the pride of the Saiyan Prince could not be trampled upon!

"Hey, Vegeta, it's not like I'm the one who's late! North Kai already notified Tang Yangbing. He should be back by now, so don't be so impatient. Just wait a little longer!" Son Goku scratched the back of his head and answered Vegeta's complaint with an innocent expression. He stood on a barren plain fractured by the aftershocks of battle. Beneath his feet lay cracked earth, while several distant mountains looked especially desolate beneath the setting sun.

Vegeta crossed his arms, his brow tightly furrowed as the golden aura around him flickered, as though it might erupt at any moment. "He's finally here!" At that moment, Cell, who had been standing with his eyes closed in concentration, abruptly opened them. A sharp glint flashed through his cold eyes. He slowly raised his head and looked toward the distant horizon, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. Son Goku, Vegeta, Trunks, and the others also sensed two powerful presences at the same time and looked up into the sky. Two figures streaked through the clouds like meteors, flying toward them at astonishing speed.

They were Tang Yangbing and Android 18, who had just returned from Namek, still carrying the dust of interstellar travel. "Tang Yangbing is finally here! Now we can begin!" Son Goku excitedly clenched his fists, anticipation shining in his eyes. His orange martial arts uniform snapped in the wind, while his golden aura surged in response to his excitement. "Tch! At a time like this, he still brought that woman along!" Vegeta snorted coldly, his tone full of displeasure. He glanced at Android 18 beside Tang Yangbing, and a trace of disdain flashed through his eyes.

As a Super Saiyan, he could not understand why Tang Yangbing always kept this woman by his side, as though matters outside of battle were more important than the power he pursued. Whoosh! Whoosh! Tang Yangbing held Android 18's hand as they landed lightly on the ground. His movements were elegant and composed, as though the earth beneath his feet were a stage he knew better than any other. Android 18 tilted her head slightly and exchanged a smile with Tang Yangbing. Even her cold eyes carried a trace of warmth beneath the sunlight. Her silver bob fluttered softly in the wind, and her battle suit outlined her tall, lean, athletic figure. Tang Yangbing released Android 18's hand, stepped forward, and swept his gaze over everyone present.

His eyes were steady and profound, as if telling everyone that he was ready to face every challenge. Android 18 stood quietly behind him, her hands resting lightly at her waist, her posture calm and elegant, as though the coming battle was nothing more than an easy performance to her. The air around them seemed to freeze. Only the wind howled past their ears, sweeping dust from the ground. In the distance, Cell's figure appeared even taller beneath the setting sun, his gaze fixed on Tang Yangbing as though waiting for the right moment.

"Then, let's begin."