Goku, still disguised as Android 18, continued wandering through the streets.
But for him, shopping was more exhausting than training.
Suddenly, he passed by a food court. The delicious smell made him stop in his tracks.
"18" looked around—no sign of Cell, no trace of his presence.
He muttered:
"Shopping is seriously tiring…"
"Since I'm already here, I might as well grab something to eat and recharge…"
At that moment, Piccolo transmitted his voice telepathically:
"Goku, stay alert. I see him heading toward you!"
"He's diving from the sky—don't look up. Wait until he gets lower!"
Goku asked mentally:
"Piccolo, are you at the lookout?"
Piccolo replied:
"You've been shopping all morning. I couldn't help from below, so I came up here."
"From the lookout, I can observe Earth if I lock onto your position."
"Don't worry—Gohan is nearby. I'll notify him to assist."
"Move toward a less crowded area. Understood?"
Goku didn't reply, but subtly nodded.
To minimize civilian casualties, he passed the food court and moved toward a quieter storefront.
He pretended to be interested in the display—actually creating a better setup for Cell.
At that moment, a saleswoman walked out.
"Miss, you have an amazing figure and great taste!"
"This dress is our newest design—premium material, top craftsmanship!"
"It would suit someone as beautiful as you perfectly!"
"Please come in and try it!"
"18" twitched.
"I'm just looking. Go back inside."
But the saleswoman kept insisting enthusiastically.
Right then—
The clouds above were torn apart.
A green figure descended violently from the sky.
BOOM!!!
Cell landed directly in front of "18," creating a massive crater dozens of meters wide.
The ground shattered. Shop windows exploded. Nearby buildings collapsed.
The saleswoman was blown away by the shockwave, her body flung like a projectile—her fate unknown.
"18" glanced at where she landed and muttered coldly:
"Annoying… brought it on herself."
Nearby civilians panicked, screaming and fleeing in all directions.
Stampedes broke out. Chaos engulfed West City.
Cell grinned greedily.
"Finally found you, 18!"
"Become one with me—you can't escape!"
He rushed forward.
His tail shot out, its tip opening wide, ready to absorb her.
"18" raised her hand—forming a sharp energy blade.
At the moment the tail struck—
SLASH!
Cell's tail was cut clean off.
Cell paused—then laughed.
"Heh… you've learned a new trick?"
His tail regenerated instantly.
He smirked:
"You know this won't work. I can regenerate."
Then he coaxed:
"Stop resisting, 18."
"Don't you want to see how perfect my final form is?"
Goku realized—fighting in base form wouldn't give him an advantage.
He considered reverting and going Super Saiyan.
But Piccolo's voice came again:
"Don't fight yet."
"If possible, lure him away from the city!"
"West City is huge—millions of people live here."
"If you fight here, even the shockwaves could destroy everything."
Goku understood.
Bulma was here too—one mistake could be disastrous.
So—
Still disguised as 18, Goku suddenly turned and sprinted—then flew into the sky.
Cell's eyes narrowed.
"Where do you think you're going?!"
He immediately gave chase.
Technically, once Goku flew, Cell should've sensed his energy and realized the trick.
But—
Seeing "18" right in front of him, driven by obsession to become perfect—
Cell ignored everything else.
He chased blindly.
But something felt off.
"Why is she… so fast?"
He couldn't catch up.
A suspicion flickered—
—but his desire overwhelmed it.
"I'm already in my second form… and I've absorbed countless humans…"
"There's no way I can't catch her!"
He pushed his speed to the limit and surged forward.
Meanwhile, Goku slowed down slightly—allowing Cell to close the distance.
Step by step—
He lured Cell out of West City.
Piccolo's voice echoed again:
"Not far enough."
"Too many structures here—go further!"
"Gohan, Raditz, and the others are moving to surround him."
Meanwhile…
News spread rapidly.
West City had been attacked.
Mass panic. Stampedes. Casualties.
Global media interrupted broadcasts.
Emergency reports filled every screen.
Footage showed Cell's landing—devastating an entire area.
In East City, Krillin saw the broadcast mid-interview.
His face changed instantly.
"Cell has appeared!!"
He turned to "Goku" (actually Puar).
"We have to go!"
They immediately left.
But while flying—
Puar suddenly reverted mid-air, exhausted.
"Sorry, Krillin… I can't keep this up…"
Krillin shook his head.
"It's okay. You've done enough."
He looked toward West City, then sighed.
"To be honest… I was just using this as an excuse to leave the media."
"As the 'world hero'… I'm expected to stop Cell."
"But against a monster like him… I'm useless."
"I'd just hold Goku back."
Puar quickly protested:
"Don't say that!"
"People still believe in you!"
"You're not just a hero—you're their hope!"
Krillin paused… then smiled softly.
"…Thanks."
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