The Power of Android 16

On the battlefield, Cell was like an evil beast, freely venting his brutality and madness.

Android 17 was in a miserable state under his assault. Every exchange was a one-sided beating, and fresh wounds constantly appeared across his body. Even an android with infinite energy could not withstand such ferocious attacks, and he was knocked to the ground.

Android 18 stood nearby, watching Android 17 get mercilessly battered by Cell without any ability to fight back. A powerful unease rose in her heart. She knew perfectly well that, under the current circumstances, they were no match for Cell. "Looks like running away really is the smart choice."

However, Android 16 remained unmoved. His calm yet resolute gaze stayed fixed on Cell as he said, "That's right. You should escape on your own."

Android 18's eyes widened, confused by his words. Android 16 continued, "If both you and Android 17 are absorbed by him, this world is finished. Don't hesitate any longer."

"Then what are you going to do?"

"Defeat Cell." With a calm expression, Android 16 spoke the most earth-shattering words on the battlefield. "I didn't expect the time to fight to come before I even met Goku."

Then, under Android 18's watchful gaze, he walked toward Cell.

"What are you doing, Android 16? Stop! He'll kill you!" Android 18 hurriedly said.

Android 16 stopped and turned to look at Android 18 behind him. A faint smile appeared on his usually unchanging face. "You two are good people. You haven't killed people indiscriminately, and you haven't killed animals indiscriminately either."

He turned away and resolutely continued toward Cell, his back incomparably firm. "Traveling with you two has truly made me very happy."

Tien Shinhan, standing atop a mountain, had not heard their conversation. Watching Android 16 walk toward Cell with determined steps, he muttered in confusion, "What is he trying to do? Is he planning to fight Cell head-on?"

By now, Android 17 had been battered black and blue by Cell, without even the strength to stand.

Cell let out a wild laugh and lifted Android 17 from the ground. The tail behind him suddenly extended, its originally tiny needle-like opening instantly transforming into a huge mouth large enough to swallow a person whole as it viciously closed over Android 17.

A flicker of despair flashed through Android 17's eyes. He raised his hands and desperately braced himself against the edges of the huge mouth, veins bulging as bead-sized drops of sweat rolled down his forehead. Cell's face was full of excitement—once he devoured Android 17, he would only need Android 18 to achieve Perfect Form.

Just as Android 17 was about to give out, a hand lightly rested on Cell's shoulder from behind. Cell turned halfway around, curious what Android 16 still intended to do at a time like this.

A mysterious smile appeared on Android 16's face. In the next instant, his fist slammed directly into Cell's face, sending him flying. Cell released Android 17 as well, and Android 17 fell to the ground.

Cell steadied himself and looked at Android 16, who still held his punching pose. Wiping the corner of his mouth where he had just been struck, Cell assumed a fighting stance, bringing his tail around in front of him. "I didn't expect another fool with a death wish to show up."

Android 17 forced himself upright and stared at the suddenly appearing Android 16 in surprise, quickly followed by concern. "What are you doing, Android 16? Don't tell me you're planning to fight that monster?"

"There is no other way."

"D-Do you want to kill yourself?" In Android 17's eyes, even he, the strongest android, could not deal with this enemy. If Android 16 went up against him, he would only be throwing his life away.

"According to my calculations, my strength should be sufficient to contend with Cell."

"What?" Android 17 watched as Android 16 stepped forward and faced Cell.

A cold gleam flashed through Android 16's eyes as he shot toward Cell like lightning. In the blink of an eye, the two were locked in fierce combat, fists and palms colliding as power spilled in every direction. The battle rose from the ground into the sky, with neither able to gain the upper hand.

Seeing the usually inconspicuous Android 16, who had been like an invisible man, suddenly display strength equal to Cell's left everyone present dumbfounded and unable to believe their eyes.

As time passed, the battle grew increasingly deadlocked. The skies above the battlefield shifted and churned as energy fluctuations rose and fell without pause.

Gradually, the two fought their way from the sky back to the ground. As if by mutual understanding, they pulled apart and stared at one another. Neither had gained the advantage; they were evenly matched. Silence filled the surroundings, broken only by a gentle breeze that stirred the unease and anticipation in everyone's hearts.

Cell erupted once more, golden aura blazing around his entire body as he charged at Android 16 without hesitation. Facing Cell's attack, Android 16 showed no fear and met him head-on.

In an instant, two terrifying auras crashed together with a deafening boom that echoed through the heavens. Their foreheads pressed tightly together, their eyes locked as neither yielded.

Cell was the first to break the deadlock, knocking Android 16 back several staggering steps with a punch. His tail seized the opportunity to stab toward Android 16's neck. The tail needle struck Android 16 successfully, and a cruel smile appeared on Cell's face, while the other spectators broke into cold sweats for Android 16.

"Pathetic. I'm going to absorb you." Seeing Android 16 get pierced so easily, Cell looked disdainful. He immediately mobilized his power, intending to absorb Android 16 in one go.

Yet Cell quickly sensed that something was wrong—he was clearly sucking with all his strength, but he had not absorbed even a trace of life energy. He suddenly realized something. "You... you are..."

At the same time, Android 16, whose head had been tilted and whose eyes had been closed, abruptly opened them. A smile appeared on his face. He grabbed Cell's tail and cleanly pulled the tail needle from his neck.

"Damn it—you're a fully mechanical android!" A trace of frustration flashed through Cell's compound eyes.

Cell instantly understood—Android 16 was a mechanical android directly created by Doctor Gero, unlike Android 17 and Android 18, who had been modified from humans.

Grabbing Cell's tail, Android 16 flew into the sky before viciously slamming him into the ground, kicking up clouds of dust. He landed and watched the dust ahead. Soon, Cell shot out from it and flew into the sky, and Android 16 flashed after him.

The two figures gave chase through the air. Before long, Cell, who was in front, stopped and kicked at the pursuing Android 16 behind him. Android 16 failed to dodge in time and was struck in the abdomen, sent backward a distance.

After steadying himself, he returned the favor with a headbutt, smashing Cell away and into a mountainside. Android 16 rushed in and threw a punch, but the attack missed and struck the mountain instead. At the same time, Cell's tail tightly coiled around his neck.

"My tail doesn't exist solely to absorb energy. It's also a weapon," Cell said smugly.

He dragged Android 16 into the sky with his tail, then moved in front of him and used his legs to restrain him firmly once more. Both hands aimed at Android 16's head, palm energy blasts flickered continuously.

At the critical moment, red light flashed in Android 16's eyes, and two laser beams struck Cell's shoulders. Cell cried out in pain and released him. Android 16 seized the chance to pull the tail from around his neck, then kicked Cell back down to the ground.

Pressing his advantage, he descended and stomped on Cell's tail. Grabbing the other end with both hands, he pulled with all his strength. With a SPLURT, half of Cell's tail needle along with a large section of his tail was forcibly torn off, and dark green fluid sprayed everywhere.