Android 16 felt it instantly and made a cold, precise judgment.
"Android 18, Android 21—move! Now!" he shouted.
Android 18 and Android 21 immediately retreated.
"And you—run too," 16 called over his shoulder to Tien, who stood on a distant rock.
Tien felt Cell's aura and grew heavier with dread.
High above, Gohan clenched his fists.
"Cell's ki just skyrocketed… he absorbed one of them!" Gohan said through gritted teeth. "Piccolo-san, please hang on… don't die!"
Krillin arrived in a flash, handing over the Senzu Beans.
Gohan fed one directly into Piccolo's mouth.
Piccolo's wounds vanished almost instantly—completely healed.
"Piccolo-san, are you okay?" Gohan asked, anxious.
"I'm fine," Piccolo said, then looked toward Cell's direction, though he couldn't see anything from here. His expression turned grim. "Cell's ki got stronger again. Did he absorb Android 17?"
"No idea who it was," Krillin said, shaking his head. "Could've been Android 21… or Android 18."
Piccolo gave him a look.
Is now really the time for details? Do you not feel how monstrous that energy is?
…
On the projection, Cell's appearance had changed.
"He looks different… he's reached a semi-complete form, right?" Bulma said, frowning. "Still ugly, though."
"He already looked monstrous," Emily said. "Now it's worse."
They both stared at the image.
Trunks stared too, imitating them seriously, though who knew what he actually understood.
Android 16 had just regrouped with Android 18 and Android 21 when he spotted Cell's evolved form.
Cell smiled faintly and turned his gaze toward them.
"Android 18, Android 21—go!" 16 said, grabbing one with each hand and rocketing away.
Cell was faster. In a blink, he was in front of them, blocking their path.
"What speed…" 16 said, voice low.
Tien watched and felt despair crawl up his spine.
"This is terrifying… we're done," he muttered, jaw clenched.
But his eyes hardened as he made up his mind.
"Sorry, Chiaotzu," Tien said quietly. "I might die here."
"You think you can run?" Cell said with a contemptuous smile. "Naive. Even I'm shocked by this lightning-fast speed. It must be from absorbing Android 17. I wonder how much stronger I've become."
"Damn you!" Android 16 threw a punch and nailed Cell in the nose.
Cell didn't even flinch.
Android 16 stared, stunned.
"Heh." Cell smirked and raised a hand toward 16's head.
"Cell, stop!" Android 21 shouted. "If you don't, I'll make sure you can't absorb me!"
"You think I was going to absorb you?" Cell laughed coldly. "Don't make me laugh. You're not the one I want."
A blast of energy fired from his hand.
It struck Android 16 square in the face and blew him backward into the ground.
His eyes rolled white, and part of his head had been blown away.
"Android 16!" Android 21 rushed to him.
"Aw, you two are close," Cell said, mildly surprised.
Android 18 stood frozen, utterly pale.
"Android 18," Cell said, smiling at her, "you're the one I'm absorbing. Not Android 21. Ken modified my body, but after I absorbed Android 17, that sickening feeling I got when I looked at you… it's gone."
Android 18 didn't speak. Her face tightened with disgust and fear.
"Good. Smart girl," Cell said, even more pleased. "You know running is pointless. I'll absorb you, and we'll complete my evolution!"
He stepped toward her.
The moment he got close—
"Urgh…"
Cell's face twisted, and he suddenly retched.
Android 18: "…"
"What… how is that possible?" Cell wiped his mouth, disbelief all over his face. "I'm stronger now—so why am I still being controlled by Ken?"
I don't care what it takes—I'm absorbing you today.
Even if I have to swallow the nausea, I'm not losing to you of all people!
Cell gritted his teeth, his tail starting to coil toward Android 18.
And the moment he moved—
He felt that same inexplicable nausea slam into him again.
"Blaaagh—!"
This time he vomited even harder.
Android 18 didn't even run anymore. She just stood there, arms at her sides, staring coldly.
"No… impossible! This can't be happening!" Cell roared, glaring at her.
"Blaaagh—!"
He threw up again.
"Shame," Android 18 said dryly. "Even if I wanted to become some shared lifeform with you, you still can't absorb me."
"Ken, you bastard!" Cell screamed. "I'll make you pay!"
Then Cell snapped his head toward Android 21.
Fine. I'll absorb Android 21 first.
Maybe I can get close to a complete form.
Then I'll take Android 18 and become truly complete.
Cell shot forward, ignoring Android 18, charging straight at Android 21.
"Stop right there," Android 21 said with a sharp snort, pressing a hand to her chest with a resolute look. "Take one more step and see what happens."
"Hm?" Cell paused.
"I can blow myself up," Android 21 said. "There's a bomb inside me. You know that much, don't you?"
Even as she said it, doubt flickered in her mind.
Why do I feel like the bomb's gone…?
Who removed it from my body?
This is weird.
Whatever. I can't back down now. I have to sell it.
"If I die, that's a problem for you, isn't it?" Android 21 said with a light, confident smile.
Cell went silent.
Three seconds passed.
"Android 21," Cell said, grinning, "can you hear this?"
A voice suddenly came from inside Cell's body.
"Android 21, it's Android 17. Being fused with Cell feels incredible. You should get absorbed too—then we can become an eternal lifeform."
"That… that's Android 17's voice!" Android 21 froze.
"Don't fall for it!" Android 16 shouted, forcing himself upright. "He's faking Android 17's voice!"
"Shut up," Cell snapped. "You're a robot. You can't understand us."
"Android 16 is right," Android 21 said coldly. "Let us go, and I'll tell you how to get stronger."
"Oh?" Cell smiled. "Absorbing you is the best way to get stronger."
"Don't forget—when you were made, I was part of it," Android 21 said with a snort. "A computer handled your final guidance, but I designed the program."
"Then tell me," Cell said, clearly amused. "How do I get even stronger?"
"Let us go," Android 21 replied. "Then I'll tell you."
"I can let you go," Cell said, "but you'd better give me something first."
"I can say this with certainty," Android 21 said seriously. "Even if you become complete, you still won't be the ruler of the universe."
"Oh?" Cell said, unconvinced.
"Because you're missing the most important cell," Android 21 said.
Cell's interest spiked. "What cell?"
"A Saiyan cell," Android 21 said calmly. "That's all I can tell you right now. If you get it and then become complete, you'll gain terrifying power. But if you become complete first, your tail will… degenerate—no, evolve away. Once it's gone, you won't be able to absorb anyone's cells anymore."
"That actually sounds reasonable," Cell said, smiling.
"I have your blueprints," Android 21 said evenly. "This current form was designed by Dr. Gero. Your complete form, though? I designed and built that myself. I like good-looking designs, so your complete form will look more balanced… even a little handsome."
Cell: "…"
"I don't want to be handsome," Cell grunted, then thought for a moment and nodded at Android 21. "Fine. I'll let you go. But you're telling me what that cell is. What kind of Saiyan?"
Android 21 fell silent.
"Don't tell him," Android 16 urged. "If it comes to that, no one will be able to stop him."
Android 21 bit her lip. "If I tell you, you'll really let us go?"
"Of course," Cell said smoothly. "I'm already incredibly strong."
"…Fine," Android 21 said at last. "The cell you're missing is Legendary Super Saiyan cells!"
"Legendary Super Saiyan?" Cell blinked, like he'd never heard the term before. "What is that?"
Ken watched quietly.
So history really has changed.
If Cell absorbed Legendary Super Saiyan cells… just how far would he go?
Maybe Super Saiyan Three level at most… maybe a bit beyond.
Either way, Ken had no intention of handing Cell Legendary Super Saiyan cells for free.
Those were Broly's cells.
Even if it were Kale's, Cell had no right to them.
"They say a Legendary Super Saiyan is the greatest warrior among Saiyans," Android 21 said, choosing her words carefully. "That's all the data I have. The rest, you'd have to figure out yourself."
"That's an interesting story," Cell said with a snort. "But I don't believe you."
Android 21: "…"
"Legendary Super Saiyan, my ass," Cell mocked. "Super Saiyan is Super Saiyan. Slapping 'legendary' on it doesn't make it real. Do I look like a three-year-old?"
Android 21 had nothing to say.
"Enough," Cell said coldly. "Let me absorb you already. Compared to daydreaming about ruling the universe, becoming complete is a lot more practical. And go ahead—try to self-destruct. You'd need time to trigger it. I'm faster. I can stop you before you set it off."
Android 21's face went deathly pale.
"Heh heh heh," Cell chuckled, smug. "Give it up."
Then, right as he finished laughing, something felt off above.
Cell looked up and saw Tien hovering in the sky.
What now?
"Shin Kikoho!" Tien roared, firing a massive blast from both hands.
The energy swallowed Cell whole.
Caught off guard, Cell was hammered into the ground, carving a bottomless-looking crater.
Android 21 and Android 16 stared, stunned.
"What are you standing around for?" Tien barked at them. "Run!"
"That bastard!" Cell shot back out of the crater.
Tien fired again.
Another Kikoho slammed Cell downward, forcing him out of the air.
Android 21 didn't hesitate. She rushed in, hoisted Android 16 onto her shoulder, and flew up fast.
"Android 18—run!" Android 21 shouted toward her.
"Fine… I'm not going with you," Android 18 said, flying off in a different direction.
Android 21 said nothing more and carried Android 16 away.
Cell surged up again and spotted them escaping. His face twisted with fury.
Tien didn't give him a second. He kept firing, over and over, the blasts crashing down with thunderous force and driving Cell lower each time.
…
From far away—
"Tien's got guts," Piccolo said grimly. "He's buying time the only way he can."
"But he's burned through everything he has," Krillin said heavily. "If he doesn't get help immediately, he'll die."
"I'm going to save him!" Gohan said, teeth clenched.
"Gohan, I understand," Piccolo said, grabbing his arm. "But compared to Cell, we're nowhere near strong enough. If you go back, you're just throwing your life away."
"I… I can regenerate!" Gohan argued, fists tight. "I shouldn't die that easily!"
"If Cell learns you can regenerate," Piccolo said bluntly, "he'll erase every last cell in your body. Then you won't regenerate at all."
"Piccolo's right," Krillin said, patting Gohan's shoulder. "We can't go back. Tien knew exactly what he was doing—he went in ready to die."
Gohan: "…"
"Gohan," Piccolo said, voice steady, "if you want to save more people, you have to get stronger first."
"I… I know," Gohan said, furious at himself.
So we're really just going to watch Tien get killed?
By now, Tien had poured out so much energy he couldn't even stay airborne. He fell from the sky and hit the ground.
Cell rose slowly from the crater, his expression darker than ever.
He lifted into the air, scanned the area, and realized all three androids were gone.
"Damn it!" Cell snarled. "That little punk ruined everything!"
He turned his gaze down at Tien, reached out a hand, and aimed at him from a distance.
"You're basically dead already," Cell said coldly. "But I'm finishing the job anyway."
…
Capsule Corporation HQ.
"Tien's about to be killed… Ken, can't you do something?" Bulma asked, panicked.
"There's a way," Ken said, nodding. He reached into the projection as if it were real.
Something unbelievable happened.
Ken's hand grabbed Tien straight out of the projected scene and yanked him into reality.
Tien dropped beside Ken with a soft thud.
Ken calmly used his staff to heal him.
In an instant, Tien was fully restored.
Tien pushed himself up, dazed, looking left and right as if he'd been teleported into a different world.
Then he spotted Ken and Bulma.
"This is… Bulma's place?" Tien said, completely bewildered.
How did I get here in the blink of an eye?
Bulma stood there, stunned, taking ages to process what she'd just seen.
Emily stared with wide eyes, disbelief written all over her face.
Did I just imagine that?
"Ken… did you save me?" Tien asked.
"You were brave," Ken said with a faint smile. "So I decided you get to live."
"Thank you," Tien said quickly, then turned to the projection again. "What about Cell?"
"Cell…" Emily said, wiping sweat, "is probably standing there wondering if he's lost his mind."
"Tien, go to Kami's Lookout and meet up with Piccolo and the others," Ken told him.
"Got it," Tien said, nodding, then thanked him again.
"Oh, and bring Krillin over too," Ken added. "I need to talk to him."
"Krillin? Sure," Tien said, agreeing without hesitation.
…
Back at Kami's Lookout.
Piccolo, Gohan, and Krillin had already arrived.
Tien showed up soon after.
"Tien!" Krillin said, shocked and thrilled. "You're alive!"
Gohan grinned like an idiot, pure relief on his face.
"Did Cell let you go?" Piccolo asked, surprised. "That doesn't sound like him."
"Ken saved me at the last second," Tien said, thoughtful.
"Ken… he finally stepped in?" Krillin cheered.
"He didn't attack Cell," Tien clarified. "He just saved me. Oh—Krillin, Ken told me to bring you to him. He wants to talk."
"Huh? Me?" Krillin blinked, then nodded quickly. "Okay. I'll go right now."
Krillin took off immediately.
Not long after Krillin left—
"Vegeta just came out of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber!" Mr. Popo shouted.
Piccolo blinked, hope flashing across his face.
A moment later, Vegeta strode out of the long corridor looking refreshed, confident, and almost smug.
"About time," Piccolo said, letting out a small breath.
"Hmph. Has Kakarot come back yet?" Vegeta asked.
"For you, a year passed in there," Piccolo said. "Out here, it's only been one day. Goku hasn't returned."
"What a shame," Vegeta said with a snide smile. "Maybe he died in the future."
Piccolo: "…"
"My dad won't die!" Gohan protested.
"Kakarot's kid," Vegeta said, eyeing him, "you going in to train next?"
"Yes!" Gohan answered immediately.
"It won't matter," Vegeta said with a scoff. "I'm wiping out Cell and the androids myself."
"You've surpassed Super Saiyan?" Piccolo asked.
"Of course," Vegeta said, grinning wider. "It took me less than two months to blow past the Super Saiyan ceiling. Even if Kakarot comes back from the future, I'll grind his face into the dirt."
"Cell already absorbed Android 17," Piccolo warned. "He's evolved once, and he's extremely powerful now."
Vegeta only smirked. Then he slowly rose into the sky.
"Watch," Vegeta said. "I'll show you exactly how strong I am."
He shot off like a streak of light toward Cell.
"He's still that arrogant…" Tien said with a long sigh.
"Gohan, it's your turn to train," Piccolo said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Yes," Gohan said, then hesitated and looked up at him. "Piccolo-san… didn't you say you'd go in with me?"
"…Fine," Piccolo said. "I'll go with you."
…
Universe 11, Pride Planet.
High above the ground, Merus and Kale hovered over Jiren's home.
Bier floated nearby as well.
"So that man down there is going to be the next Supreme Kai?" Kale asked curiously.
"That's right," Merus said with a nod. "His name is Jiren. I brought you here because he's strong too. You can spar with him."
"I heard a God of Destruction is stronger than a Supreme Kai," Kale said, confidence rising. "So that means I'm definitely stronger than him, right?"
"Kale, never get careless," Merus warned. "Even if you can become a Legendary Super Saiyan now, there are still plenty of people far stronger than you."
"I understand," Kale said seriously, nodding.
"Go challenge him," Merus said with a smile. "Bier and I will watch from up here."
"Yes," Kale said, dropping fast and landing directly in front of Jiren.
Jiren remained suspended in the air, legs crossed, eyes closed, focused entirely on training.
At his level, every step upward was brutally hard.
"Hey," Kale called, pointing at him. "Are you Jiren?"
[End of chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read 20+ chapters ahead]
[[email protected]/BellAshelia]
[Thanks for your support!]