The Powerful Cell

The mountain behind Cell collapsed with a thunderous crash, countless rocks raining down from above as dust billowed everywhere.

As the rolling dust gradually cleared, a golden aura swirled around Cell. Where he had been standing had caved into a massive crater, with only the small patch beneath his feet standing proudly like a towering pillar.

Piccolo trembled all over—Cell's power had now completely surpassed his.

Cell seemed quite satisfied with the result he had just displayed. Holding his head high, he slowly strode toward Android 17 and Android 18 in the distance.

As he passed the still-stunned Piccolo, the corner of his mouth curled into a mocking smile. "What's wrong, Piccolo? If you want to stop me, then come at me."

With that, Cell continued forward without pausing. Piccolo finally snapped out of his shock, his eyes still filled with disbelief and rage.

He spun around and glared at Cell's back. "I never thought your power would rise to this extent... You beast, how many lives have you taken?"

Faced with Piccolo's furious rebuke, Cell merely sneered coldly, his expression full of contempt. "Taken lives? What utter nonsense. Those people were absorbed by me and became part of my power. They should consider it an unparalleled honor!"

"What did you say?" Piccolo shook with rage, veins bulging on his forehead as he glared at Cell with fire in his eyes.

Ignoring his anger, Cell slowly approached Android 17, eager to absorb them and become Perfect Form.

The people on Turtle Hermit Island could sense Cell's terrifying ki as well, cold sweat streaming down their faces.

That overwhelming ki was far beyond their reach. They could not intervene in the battle, much less stop him.

Although Bulma had already made the remote control, it would still take over twenty minutes for her to arrive—more than enough time for Cell to complete the absorption.

As everyone stood there helplessly, at a complete loss, Chi-Chi unexpectedly showed a dependable side. "Since we're just waiting anyway, why not send someone over to get it? That way, we can get it here faster."

Her words struck Krillin like a revelation, instantly snapping him awake. He made the decision on the spot and said he would personally retrieve it.

At full speed with Flight, he would definitely be much faster than Bulma's plane. With the plan decided, Krillin immediately used Flight and shot straight toward West City like a streak of light.

Tien Shinhan watched Krillin's departing figure and pondered silently for a moment before finally gritting his teeth and making up his mind. "Krillin... All right, I'm going to help Piccolo now! Even if I can't do much, it's still better than standing by and watching."

With that, Tien Shinhan also activated Flight, flashing toward the battlefield.

He knew full well that going there likely meant certain death, perhaps even losing his life—but to save Earth from destruction, he went without hesitation.

Master Roshi reached out to stop him, but Tien Shinhan flew off without even looking back.

Master Roshi remained where he was, tightly gripping the beer can in his hand until he crushed the aluminum into a ball. Watching Tien Shinhan vanish into the distance, he looked despondent. "You're actually going to throw your life away? Damn it... Now, I can't help with anything at all."

As if all strength had left him, he slumped onto the ground. "I really miss the days when Master Roshi was known as the strongest man in the world... Goku, hurry up and finish your training and come back. A year of training may be completed in a day, but for us right now, even one day is far too long!"

Watching Cell walk up to him, Android 17 remained dismissive. "Hmph, whoever you are, quit getting in the way and get lost! I'm playing with him right now!"

Cell said nothing. He merely swung the tail behind him and aimed it at Android 17.

Piccolo, standing behind Cell, shouted a warning. "Android 17! That guy plans to kill you and absorb you to become Perfect Form. Why aren't you running?"

"What?" Android 17 froze for a moment.

In that instant, Cell's tail stinger shot directly at Android 17 without warning. Fortunately, Android 17 was quick enough to dodge it. But Cell had no intention of stopping, his tail stinger launching a dense, relentless barrage at Android 17 like raindrops.

Facing the fierce assault, Android 17 could only dodge left and right in a sorry state. Just as he was scrambling to keep up, Cell suddenly lunged forward, seized Android 17's arm in a death grip, and slammed him hard into the ground.

Immediately afterward, Cell raised his foot with lightning speed and stomped heavily on Android 17's other hand, pinning him completely in place. The tail stinger behind him aimed at Android 17's chest.

Unconcealed ecstasy flashed in Cell's eyes—just as he was about to absorb Android 17, Piccolo made his move.

Piccolo flew in with a kick that sent Cell flying, saving Android 17. Though he was extremely unwilling, Piccolo knew he could not just watch Android 17 get absorbed. Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable, and the entire situation might become utterly irreparable.

Cell flew back from afar and landed opposite Piccolo and Android 17. He wiped at the nonexistent blood on the corner of his mouth, his eyes gleaming with bloodlust.

Android 17 got to his feet and glared furiously at Cell. "What kind of joke is this? You actually dared to sneak attack me?" He then looked at Piccolo. "What's going on? You said I'd be absorbed by this monster?"

Piccolo did not hide anything and told him what he knew. "Simply put, that guy is Cell, a bio-monster created by Doctor Gero's computer. He's still in his incomplete form. I heard he has to absorb you and Android 18 to become Perfect Form."

"What are you talking about?" Android 18 looked somewhat stunned.

"Be happy, brothers and sisters!" Cell spread his arms wide. "After I absorb you, a flawless, invincible super-being will be born into this world—the ultimate warrior Doctor Gero pursued for so many years."

"You monster, there's a limit to how ridiculous a joke can be!" Android 17 remained fully confident in his strength, raising his right hand and pointing his thumb at himself. "Who would let an ugly freak like you absorb them? As for an ultimate warrior, isn't one already standing right in front of you?"

"It doesn't matter whether you like it or not. In any case, you are destined to be absorbed by me."

"I'll make that nonsense-spouting mouth of yours shut up." Android 17 took up a fighting stance.

Just as he was about to attack, the quiet Android 16 spoke up to stop him. "Run, Android 17! The enemy's battle power is far too great."

"What?"

Everyone's gaze turned to Android 16. He continued, "You absolutely cannot let him become Perfect Form. That guy's goal is no longer merely to kill Goku—he wants to destroy the entire universe!"

From Kami's Lookout, Malvis looked down at everything, his gaze calm to the point of indifference.

He had no intention of intervening—at least, not yet. But one thing was certain: if Cell truly crossed that line, then this android who called himself the "ultimate warrior" would vanish from the universe completely.

Earth's Dragon Balls and Namek's Dragon Balls would not be able to bring him back. The Super Dragon Balls were an exception, of course, but even then, they would first have to find and gather them.