Crisis in the City

Gohan lay at the bottom of the crater, his bones feeling as though they had been shaken apart.

It hurt.

It hurt like hell.

He wanted to curse.

After transmigrating into the world of Dragon Balls for so many years, he had thought he could make a name for himself with his foresight, but what had happened?

He started off being pinned to the ground and rubbed into the dirt by Raditz, spent the middle period being chased by Frieza, and now he was lying flat after being beaten by Cell.

What kind of sin did I commit in my past life to deserve this kind of suffering in this one?

"Gohan! Gohan!!"

Krillin's voice came from afar, his footsteps drawing closer.

"Are you okay?!"

A small, bald head appeared in Gohan's field of vision, his expression anxious.

"Uncle Krillin..." Gohan managed to squeeze out a smile, "Still alive."

"What do you mean still alive! Look at your injuries!!" Krillin knelt down to check Gohan's condition, his face growing increasingly grim, "Several bones are broken, and your internal organs are damaged... If this keeps up..."

If this keeps up, will I die?

Gohan gave a bitter internal laugh.

In an ordinary world, these injuries would indeed be dire. But this was Dragon Ball; even a severed arm could be reattached.

However, the prerequisite was that he had to recover his stamina first.

Wait.

Recover stamina?

A flash of inspiration struck Gohan's mind.

Senzu Bean!!

Didn't that thing restore stamina and heal injuries instantly?!

Korin had an entire jar of Senzu Beans; eating just one could instantly restore a weary body!

In the original story, Krillin often went to get Senzu Beans, saving the day at critical moments several times!

"Uncle Krillin!!" Gohan grabbed Krillin's hand excitedly.

"W-what is it?"

"Quick!! Go to Korin Tower!! Ask Korin for Senzu Beans!!"

"Senzu Beans?"

"Yes!! That green bean that restores stamina the moment you eat it!!"

Krillin was stunned for a moment: "How do you know..."

How do I know? I transmigrated here, for God's sake!!

Of course, he couldn't say that.

"No time to explain!!" Gohan urged, "Go!! Every second counts!!"

Krillin hesitated for a second, then nodded: "Alright! You wait here!"

He stood up and took a deep breath.

"Piccolo! You stay here and look after Gohan!"

"Understood." Piccolo stepped out from the shadows, his face solemn.

"Uncle Krillin, as fast as you can!!" Gohan shouted from behind.

Krillin's back disappeared into the clouds.

Meanwhile, on the edge of the city.

Cell hovered in mid-air, looking down at the metropolis below.

Neon lights flickered, and traffic flowed like a river.

Humans.

Countless ordinary people.

Their energy signatures were so faint they were almost negligible, but there were enough of them.

"Cell... what are you doing here?"

Dr. Gero stood on the rooftop of an abandoned building, his eyes filled with vigilance.

"I'm here for you, of course." Cell descended slowly, "Doctor."

"You...!"

"Relax." Cell spread his hands, "I'm not here to kill you."

"Then—"

"I want to ask you for a favor."

Dr. Gero frowned: "What favor?"

Cell smiled.

The smile was cold and cruel.

"Give me... the remote control you have."

Bang!!

On the west side of the city, a skyscraper collapsed with a roar!

Cell's figure flew out from the smoke and dust, blood staining the corner of his mouth, but it wasn't his own blood.

Wrapped around his tail was a comatose human.

Squelch.

His tail pierced into the human body.

Gulp, gulp, life energy was being absorbed frantically!

The human body withered at a speed visible to the naked eye, and a few seconds later, only a dried-up corpse remained.

"One isn't enough."

Cell released his tail, and the corpse fell.

His energy... grew a fraction stronger.

Still not enough.

He looked at the city below, his eyes flashing with greed.

Far from enough.

"Android 17."

Android 18's voice came from the side.

"What is it?"

"Android 16 is catching up."

Android 17 turned his head and, sure enough, saw a massive figure descending from the sky.

Android 16 landed in front of the two, his expression blank.

"I have intelligence."

"Speak." Android 17 crossed his arms, his tone indifferent.

"Cell has Dr. Gero's control device inside him."

Android 17 raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"

"The remote control is with the Doctor."

"If we get the remote... we can force Cell to shut down."

Android 18 was thoughtful: "So that old man is the key..."

"Wait." Android 17 interrupted her, "You mean we have to go get a remote control?"

"And then make that bug stop?"

"Exactly."

Android 17 let out a scoff.

"Are you kidding me?"

He adjusted his glasses, his smile playful.

"I have a battle power of 300 million, and Cell has at most 150 million. I could stand still and let him hit me, and he still couldn't break my defense."

"What do I need a remote control for?"

"Wouldn't it be easier to just crush him?"

Android 16 remained silent.

Android 18 spoke up: "But he will run."

"He will use self-destruction or other means to escape, just like he did before."

"Then he'll find an opportunity to absorb more energy and become even harder to deal with."

"So we need a way to finish him off completely."

Android 17 frowned: "You want to go get that remote?"

"It's worth considering." Android 18 nodded, "The Doctor is in the direction of the city, and Cell is there too. If we can find the Doctor first..."

"Troublesome." Android 17 hummed, "Fine, let's go take a look. That bug won't be jumping around for much longer anyway."

Android 16 nodded: "Follow me."

The figures of the three super warriors disappeared into the clouds.

Cough... cough, cough...

Gohan coughed violently, each sound tugging at his wounds and making him gasp in pain.

Piccolo stood to the side, his expression complex.

"Gohan."

"Yeah?"

"You just told Krillin to get Senzu Beans... how did you know about that?"

Gohan's heart skipped a beat.

Damn it, almost gave myself away.

"Uh..." his brain raced, "It's... it's something Dad mentioned before."

Passing the buck to his old man—perfect.

Piccolo frowned: "Goku mentioned it?"

"Yes! He said there was a magical bean on Korin Tower, and eating one could restore your stamina!"

"I just remembered it suddenly!"

Half-truth, half-lie—flawless.

Piccolo was silent for a few seconds, then nodded: "I see."

He bought it.

Gohan let out a sigh of relief.

This NPC, Piccolo, was easy to fool after all.

"Gohan."

"Yeah?"

"In your current state... can you fight?"

Gohan gave a bitter smile.

He tried to sense the energy within him; it was thin, faint, and almost impossible to detect.

"...Not a chance."

Piccolo sighed: "Then rest for now. Krillin should be back soon."

"Yeah."

Gohan closed his eyes.

But inside, he was anything but calm.

Cell... what kind of game is he playing?

Android 17 and 18 went after him... 16 went too...

The Doctor is over there too...

The remote, Cell, the Doctor... what exactly is the connection between these three?

Why would Cell run away?

He clearly couldn't beat Android 17...

Unless...

He has another plan!!

Gohan's eyes snapped open.

He's going to find the Doctor!!

To remove the control device from his body!!

Or to kill the Doctor so the remote disappears forever!!

"Uncle Piccolo!!" Gohan struggled to sit up.

"What is it?"

"Quick!! Tell Uncle Krillin!! Tell him to warn Android 17 and 18!!"

"Tell them Cell's target might not be ordinary people!!"

"It's Dr. Gero!!"

Piccolo was stunned: "The Doctor?"

"Yes!! Cell has the Doctor's control device inside him!! He definitely wants to disable the control or destroy the remote!!"

"If the Doctor dies... then the remote will be completely useless!!"

Piccolo's expression shifted.

"I'm going after Krillin!"

His figure vanished.

Gohan lay at the bottom of the crater, gazing up at the sky.

I hope... it's not too late.

In the city center, Cell descended slowly onto an abandoned observatory.

Dr. Gero followed behind him, his expression tense.

"Have you thought this through?" the doctor asked.

"Of course." Cell turned around. "Doctor, give me the remote."

"That thing allows you to force a shutdown on me. I cannot leave it with you."

"You!"

"Rest assured." Cell sneered. "I won't kill you."

"You are still useful to me."

"Once I have fully digested the energy within me, your research... I will need it."

Dr. Gero took a step back. "You want to..."

"I want to become the ultimate lifeform."

A flicker of madness flashed in Cell's eyes.

"And you... are merely a tool."

He raised his hand.

Bang!

A fist punched through Cell's body from behind!

"What?!"

Android 17 appeared behind Cell.

"With a power level of 300 million, do I really need a remote to deal with a 150 million bug like you?"

"Keep dreaming."

Cell coughed up blood, but the corners of his mouth curled into an eerie smile.

"Is that so?"

Click.

The sound of machinery whirring emanated from within his body.

"Android 17..." Cell's voice turned icy. "Why do you think I came to the city?"

"It wasn't just to absorb a few ants..."

"It was to buy time."

Android 17's pupils constricted.

Buy time?!

What is he planning?!

Cell's body suddenly expanded violently!

"Damn it!"

Boom!!!

Another self-destruction!

But this time, the scale of the explosion far exceeded the previous one!

The entire observatory was razed to the ground!

When the smoke and dust cleared, Android 17 was charred all over, yet he remained standing.

Android 18 and Android 16 stood in front of Dr. Gero.

As for Cell, he had vanished.

"He escaped again!" Android 18 gritted her teeth.

"This time..." Android 16 said in a deep voice, "I fear his goal wasn't just to escape."

"What do you mean?" Android 17 wiped blood from the corner of his mouth.

Android 16 looked into the distance.

"He is looking for an opportunity."

"An opportunity... to reach his perfect form."

Far away, on the other side of the city, Cell's figure crawled out from the ruins. He was covered in wounds, but his eyes were even more frantic.

"Android 17, Android 18..."

"You are strong."

"But you don't know..."

"A true hunter is always waiting for the right moment."

His energy climbed once more.

After absorbing a large number of humans, his power level had already approached 200 million.

And with Android 17 at 300 million...

The gap was closing.

"Just wait."

Cell licked his lips.

"Once I absorb the two of you..."

"That will be the moment the true perfect form descends."