The Sacred World of the Kai floated in the void beyond Universe 7.
A faint purple sky lent the place a mysterious air. Boundless green grass covered the ground, dotted here and there with low trees and rocky hills. It was a beautiful, poetic landscape.
A young-looking man sat with his eyes closed, lost in thought. His white mohawk stood straight up, and he had purple skin and long, pointed ears.
Suddenly, his eyes flew open. Every muscle in his body tensed as if an emergency alarm had gone off. His voice trembled slightly. "Such a powerful evil presence..."
"Lord Supreme Kai!"
A tall, broad-shouldered man with red skin and a strong, square face flew over from the distance.
His expression was anxious, and he looked utterly incredulous. "Th-this is unbelievable! Why can the energy from the lower realm reach this sacred place?"
"Kibito, we're in serious trouble. I..."
The Supreme Kai's face was as white as paper. His lips had lost all color, and his body trembled uncontrollably.
"Lord Supreme Kai, could it be Majin Buu, the one you told me about!?" Kibito's mouth fell open. His eyelids fluttered with fear, and he couldn't stop blinking.
If someone could frighten the exalted Supreme Kai so badly, it had to be the legendary Majin Buu, who had plunged the entire universe into terror and destroyed hundreds of planets.
"It's not Majin Buu, but this evil presence is every bit as powerful!"
That was what terrified the Supreme Kai. It was as if he could see the Grand Supreme Kai and the East, West, and North Supreme Kais dying all over again.
This power was astonishing. No one in the universe could possibly defeat him. Was the disaster from five million years ago about to happen all over again?
"This energy is... coming from Earth! Why there?" The Supreme Kai's hair stood on end, and cold sweat broke out all over him.
Bibidi had hidden the magical egg containing Majin Buu on Earth.
After casting the sealing spell, Bibidi's power had been greatly weakened, and the Supreme Kai had seized the opportunity to kill him for good.
The Supreme Kai had left the egg where it was, too, afraid that moving it might accidentally release Majin Buu.
"If this terrifying guy destroys Earth, Majin Buu might be released..."
At the thought, the Supreme Kai shuddered, his pupils shrinking to pinpoints.
Majin Buu alone was a catastrophe capable of destroying the universe. If another evil warrior of equal strength appeared, would anywhere in the universe be safe?
"Lord Supreme Kai, what should we do?" Kibito was so frightened he could hardly think. He stood motionless, rooted to the spot.
"W-we have to go to Earth!"
The Supreme Kai said it almost in tears. As the supreme deity of Universe 7, he had no choice but to take responsibility.
In Hell, Son Gohan, Son Goku, and Vegeta had already learned the Fusion Dance.
Over the past two days, they had discovered that the afterlife was full of powerful fighters looking for people to battle.
"Future Cell really did make his move." Son Gohan stopped attacking and frowned.
"That bastard! What horrifying thing has he done?" Vegeta glared, furious and unwilling to accept it. Did he really have to fuse with Kakarot?
"It's worse than I imagined." Son Goku looked grim.
"Dad, Uncle Vegeta, we have to go back."
Son Gohan had them grab his shoulders. Only Piccolo and the others were left on Earth now; they couldn't stop Future Cell.
"Until next time, Pikkon!" The three of them said goodbye to a powerful fighter from the afterlife.
Pikkon, wearing a white headband, watched their fading figures and muttered, "I'd love to go to Earth and meet this Cell you've been talking about."
The Z Fighters gathered in front of the Lookout. Son Gohan used Instant Transmission to bring everyone there.
A tense atmosphere quietly settled over them. Cell, whom they had searched for so desperately, had finally revealed his location, yet no one spoke.
Just as they were at a loss, Future Cell appeared on the Lookout with a swish.
"Ha, ha, ha! I heard you've been looking for me these past two days. Haven't you had enough?"
Seeing their miserable faces put Future Cell in a great mood. "Looks like you really want to fight me. Go ahead—I'll stand still and let you hit me."
Krillin, Yamcha, and the others clenched their fists, wanting to charge in, but found they couldn't move their feet.
Future Cell stood right before them. His terrifying power radiated freely, pressing down on everyone until they could barely breathe.
"Attack! I'll count to three. One... two... three!"
Future Cell taunted them sarcastically. "I gave you a chance, but you're still useless!"
Son Gohan nearly bulged his eyes out. He demanded, "Cell, where'd you learn that line? Don't tell me you're a time traveler too?"
"How do you know I'm Future Cell? That's right, I came here from the future." Future Cell looked surprised. This kid really was clever.
"We're not talking about the same kind of time travel." Son Gohan facepalmed, at a loss for words.
"All the other androids, including the Cell from this era, have been absorbed by you, haven't they?"
Son Gohan was absolutely certain. The energy coming off Future Cell already rivaled that of a Super Saiyan 3.
"Correct. You'll never have to distinguish between the present Cell and the future Cell again, because I'm the only Cell left."
There was no reason to hide it anymore. Future Cell had only humored Dr. Gero to get to this moment.
"He killed all his own allies?" Chiaotzu cried out.
"You monster! How could you bring yourself to kill Android 18 when she was so perfect?" Krillin gritted his teeth, his voice full of pain.
Cell didn't care what they thought. He sneered, "I'll fulfill Dr. Gero's dying wish. One day from now, I'll be waiting for you in the northwest. Come challenge me."
"Once I've set up the ring and killed every one of you, I'll wipe out all of humanity. I call it the Cell Games."
Son Gohan watched the arrogant Cell. Though history had changed, he felt that some things about a person never changed—like this arrogance.
"We don't need to wait a day. Let's play your Cell Games right now."
Was this a contest to see who had prepared better?
Son Gohan's gaze was resolute. He, too, had been in this world for four years.
"Want to die early? Fine, I'll grant your wish." Cell shook his head. He had always thought this kid was clever, but apparently he'd been wrong.
Son Gohan said no more and took off at top speed toward the northwest.
Cell followed, rising into the air. Looking down at the others, he said with contempt:
"My offer still stands. You can come and die tomorrow."
"Damn it! That bastard! How dare he look down on me!" Vegeta fumed and flew after Cell.
"Let's go. We can't leave Gohan to fight alone. I want to see just how strong Cell is, too."
Piccolo spoke calmly. A Super Namekian was always confident.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Without hesitation, the Z Fighters all flew toward the Cell Games venue, prepared to fight to the death.
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