Final Flash

Vegeta's chest caved in on impact, crimson blood spraying from between his clenched teeth.

His entire body flew backward like a boulder hurled from a catapult, trailing scraps of his shattered battle suit as he carved a horrifying trench across the arena.

"Oh no! The edge of the arena is right behind him!" Krillin cried out, cold sweat beading on his bald head as his hands unconsciously clenched the railing.

Sharp gasps rose and fell through the stands, and some spectators even covered their eyes in terror.

At that critical moment, a beast-like ferocity suddenly erupted in Vegeta's eyes.

Just as he was about to fly out of bounds, he forcibly twisted his body. The fingers of his left hand sank into the edge of the arena like steel claws, shattering the stone beneath them.

Borrowing that force, he flipped through the air and fired three Ki blasts in rapid succession from his right palm—Boom! Boom! Boom!

The crimson energy shots flew toward Cell in a triangular formation, their blazing tails bathing half the arena in red light.

The shockwave from the explosions swept every loose stone off the ground. Through the thick smoke, fading embers of energy flickered like fireflies.

The immense recoil surged toward him like a landslide, making Vegeta's body sway violently at the edge of the arena.

His feet gouged two deep tracks into the rough ground, sending stones flying and dust billowing.

His body nearly lost its balance. At the instant he began to topple backward, he abruptly lowered his center of gravity, bent his knees, spread his arms, and barely steadied himself.

Sweat ran down his forehead and dripped onto the scorching ground, instantly evaporating into white mist.

"That was close..." he muttered through gritted teeth. A flicker of relief passed through his eyes, but humiliation and unwillingness burned far more strongly.

In the stands, Krillin and Yamcha held their breaths anxiously.

When they saw Vegeta barely regain his footing, both let out a breath, their taut nerves easing slightly.

Krillin wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and quietly said to Yamcha, "If Vegeta can't do it, we'll be up next."

Yamcha nodded gravely, his fists clenching unconsciously as he prepared to rush into the arena at any moment.

"Vegeta, I told you—you can't do it! You're just too weak!" Cell stood at the center of the arena with his arms folded, a mocking sneer curling across his lips.

His voice was cold and piercing, like a blade driven straight into Vegeta's heart.

Vegeta's rage ignited at once. His fists clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.

His aura began to surge violently, golden energy flaring around him as though it would set the surrounding air ablaze.

"Damn it! Stop talking big! Die!" he roared, his voice booming like thunder and making the entire arena tremble.

Vegeta abruptly pressed his palms together, dazzling golden light gathering between them.

Energy converged wildly in his hands with a humming roar. The air around him warped from the heat, the ground began to crack, and fragments of stone were lifted by the energy field to hover in midair.

His Final Flash was about to erupt, its destructive power poised to strike.

"You're overestimating yourself. You think you're the only one who can use it? I can too!" Cell sneered, contempt flashing in his eyes.

He brought his palms together as well, golden light rapidly condensing in his hands in a move identical to Vegeta's.

"Final Flash!" Cell's voice was cold and confident, as if he were mocking Vegeta's ignorance.

"What? You can use my ultimate move?!" Vegeta's face changed drastically, his pupils shrinking.

He did not dare hesitate. Immediately pouring all his strength into his palms, he roared, "Final Flash!"

"Bzzzt—" Two enormous golden energy beams erupted from their hands like roaring golden dragons, colliding violently in midair.

In an instant, blinding light illuminated the entire sky. A massive sphere of light formed at the center of the clash, expanding without end as it unleashed a deafening roar.

The air tore apart, the ground shook violently, and cracks began spreading across the protective barrier around the arena.

However, Vegeta in his Super Saiyan 2 form was clearly at a disadvantage.

Cell's beam pressed forward with overwhelming force. Vegeta's Final Flash was driven back again and again, its golden radiance gradually swallowed away.

Vegeta gritted his teeth, every muscle in his body tensed as he tried to hold the attack steady, but Cell's power was like a bottomless black hole, endlessly devouring his energy.

"Boom—!" A world-shaking explosion rang out as Cell's beam completely shattered Vegeta's defense and slammed mercilessly into his body.

The tremendous shockwave spread in every direction. A gigantic mushroom cloud rose into the sky, thick smoke rolling as flames shot upward.

The intense light even pierced through the clouds, and every corner of Earth could clearly see this devastating sight.

"Ah—!" A heart-rending scream tore through the sky as Vegeta, covered in blood, plummeted from high above.

The Super Saiyan form he had been so proud of completely collapsed beneath Cell's savage energy assault, his golden aura extinguishing like the last flame of a candle in the wind.

Blood continued to seep from his torn battle suit, streaking a crimson trail across the sky.

Trunks' eyes went bloodshot. A dazzling golden aura erupted around him as he shot skyward like an arrow released from its bow.

He carefully caught his father's falling body, his hands trembling slightly from the force of his grip.

Vegeta's battle suit had been shredded across his chest, exposing wounds so deep that bone could be seen. His breath was so faint it was almost undetectable.

"Dad!" Trunks' voice broke as he pressed a trembling hand against the wound that continued to pour blood.

Tang Yangbing cast a casual glance their way and flicked a slender finger. A jade-green Senzu Bean traced a graceful arc through the air and landed precisely in Trunks' palm.

"Give it to him. Any later, and it'll be too late." His voice was as calm as if he were discussing the weather.

Trunks hurriedly stuffed the Senzu Bean into Vegeta's mouth. Only when he saw his father's pale face gradually regain its color did he finally let out a long breath.

He raised his head, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you for saving him!"

Android 18 leaned lazily against Tang Yangbing's side, her golden hair drifting gently in the breeze.

She curled her lips impatiently, her slender fingers playing with a lock of hair. "Mo, let me go up and deal with that annoying Cell. With my current strength, I can make him vanish into ashes within three moves."

Tang Yangbing chuckled and wrapped an arm around her slim waist. "What's the rush? Can't you see that Son Goku has been itching to give it a try?"

As he spoke, he took out a silver Capsule Corp. capsule and lightly pressed the button.

With a soft pop, a full set of luxurious leisure equipment appeared in the clearing: a lavish sofa covered with velvet cushions, a smart refrigerator giving off a chilly mist, and even a small tea table laden with all kinds of pastries.

"Come on, everyone, sit down and rest for a while." Tang Yangbing elegantly opened the refrigerator and took out some ice-cold fizzy drinks.

The crystalline ice cubes clinked in the glasses, while cool droplets slid down their sides.

"On such a lovely day, what could be better than drinking something cold while enjoying an exciting battle?"

Android 18 smiled sweetly and gracefully took a seat on the sofa, crossing her long legs.

She accepted the drink Tang Yangbing handed her and took a light sip. Anticipation glimmered in her icy blue eyes.

In the distance, Son Goku had already assumed his fighting stance, his aura blazing around him like a burning sun.

Cell, meanwhile, revealed a sinister grin, his green body gleaming with an eerie sheen beneath the sunlight.

A world-shaking battle was about to unfold beneath this azure sky.

Mo's lazy tone drifted past Krillin and the others' ears like a light breeze, leaving them momentarily unsure how to respond.

Krillin could not help rubbing his forehead, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. Piccolo beside him crossed his arms and frowned tightly, wearing an expression that clearly said, "What is this guy up to now?"

Yet when they saw Tang Yangbing's carefree demeanor, as though nothing in the world concerned him, their taut nerves unconsciously relaxed. It was as if his ease had infected them, even thinning the tension that hung in the air.

Just then, Son Goku suddenly grinned, his eyes gleaming with eagerness to fight.