[As expected, this power is definitely the work of the Demon Realm. After resurrection, Cell's strength is no longer comparable to before. Just a single mass of dark energy is enough to grant such a terrifying boost.]
Vegeta thought to himself, rapidly condensing his aura to resist the侵蚀 of the dark power.
Without realizing it, perhaps because he was too close, the dark energy had already begun to produce a corrupting effect on him.
It was not just Vegeta. Everyone in this timeline clearly sensed that something was wrong.
"Everyone, be careful. This dark power can erode the mind. Raise your ki to form a barrier and resist it. Do not let your emotions get the better of you," Vegeta warned.
At his words, everyone immediately began powering up, forming protective ki barriers around their bodies.
Under the corrosion of the dark energy, these barriers proved extremely effective. Even Yamcha, the weakest among them, managed to hold on.
High in the sky, Cell threw his head back and let out a long roar, continuously releasing terrifying and extreme power.
The golden aura that once resembled a Super Saiyan's had now been completely dyed pitch black.
It was not just his aura. His originally green body had also been stained with a layer of inky darkness under the baptism of black flames, making him look even more domineering and fearsome.
"Hohohoho! Hahahaha! This is my power now! This is the power of ultimate darkness! Since I have been given such a magnificent gift, I really should repay it by destroying this world," Cell laughed arrogantly as he stabilized his energy.
Feeling the surging power inside his body and admiring his transformed form, Cell was absolutely confident that he could now crush the once invincible Vegeta beneath his feet.
In his eyes, the Vegeta from earlier was now nothing more than an ant.
Looking down from above, despite the distance, Cell's gaze seemed to lock directly onto the Z Fighters standing on the cliff.
Especially Vegeta.
Cell descended slowly, then suddenly accelerated. His landing made everyone feel as though they were facing a great enemy.
The pressure was overwhelming. The intensity of his aura had far exceeded their imagination.
Even Son Gohan, who had already reached Super Saiyan 2 and possessed battle power nearing ten billion, could not help but draw in a sharp breath. The gap was simply too vast.
Before, he believed he could kill Cell with his own strength.
But now, this Cell could probably kill him casually.
The difference before and after was so extreme that it deeply shook Gohan's heart.
"It seems I have grown so powerful that just standing here in this form is enough to make you tremble in fear," Cell said arrogantly, landing with his arms crossed, his expression identical to when he had first become Perfect Cell and dominated everyone.
The Z Fighters' faces turned grim.
Gohan clenched his teeth, burning with anger.
The situation had changed too fast. The twist came too suddenly. Everyone felt immense pressure.
There was no doubt. The power that resurrected Cell was the true terror.
At this moment, what they feared was not just how strong Cell had become, but the existence that had shattered the boundaries of time itself.
What kind of being could that possibly be?
"Cell, it seems you still have not learned your lesson. You finally get resurrected and gain a boost in strength, yet all you think about is showing off here," Vegeta said calmly as he stared at him.
Under everyone's astonished gazes, Vegeta stepped forward.
Super Saiyan First Grade Full Power was fully unleashed to counter Dark Cell's oppressive aura.
Hearing Vegeta's words, Cell scoffed dismissively.
"Hohoho! Compared to the Vegeta of this timeline, you are indeed stronger and more arrogant. You even surpassed Perfect Cell to the point where I was not your match earlier. But this is no longer the same situation. You probably cannot even comprehend how powerful I have become now."
"Oh? How powerful?" Vegeta narrowed his eyes slightly, his aura growing more condensed.
"Judging by how confident you look, I almost feel bad crushing your delusions. And tell me, did you really think I was fighting at full power earlier? Cell, you still know nothing about true strength."
Others might not know how strong Cell was now, but Vegeta did.
The numbers were already clear in his vision.
Over fifteen billion, around eighteen billion.
Cell's expression changed, then he sneered.
"So what if you have even more power? Even if you transform again like Son Gohan, the increase is still within my expectations. I am Super Cell now."
"Hahahaha! Super Cell?" Vegeta laughed loudly.
"You really are good at copying me. Then open your eyes wide and take a good look. This is the true power of Super Vegeta. The genuine Super Saiyan Second Grade that surpasses the First."
With a thunderous roar, Vegeta bent his arms and clenched his fists.
Golden flames erupted like a volcanic explosion, expanding outward in a straight line. A terrifying aura shot skyward, stirring massive waves of energy.
Vegeta's power soared rapidly. As arcs of lightning crackled around him, his form broke through its limits and reached the pinnacle of Super Saiyan 2.
His battle power skyrocketed.
With an extreme Super Saiyan 2 amplification of two hundred times, Vegeta's strength surged past twenty billion, reaching twenty five billion.
Golden light pierced the heavens, like dawn breaking through endless darkness.
The Goku and Vegeta of this timeline were completely stunned.
Everyone else was shaken to the core.
This ferocious and overwhelming aura had far exceeded their imagination.
Gohan felt a surge of excitement. His own Super Saiyan 2 energy pool seemed to resonate and push against its limits.
No one had expected that this Vegeta from the past could be so terrifyingly strong.
When Vegeta's Super Saiyan 2 finally stabilized, the entire battlefield fell into silence.
The overwhelming pressure suppressed everything.
Dark Cell, who moments ago had been arrogantly domineering, was now completely speechless.
The absolute confidence brought by his sudden power boost was extinguished as if doused with icy water.
"This power… This is the true Super Saiyan Second Grade," Goku muttered, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.
It was as if he had once touched this realm, but failed to break through, later being pushed onto another path by Gohan's explosive growth.
"Super Saiyan Second Grade. More perfect than Gohan's current form. This is a truly flawless breakthrough. This is the power one should have after truly surpassing Super Saiyan."
This timeline's Vegeta clenched his fists tightly, staring at the other version of himself. His gaze was filled with pride, jealousy, and above all, unwillingness.
They were both Vegeta.
Yet he refused to accept being surpassed by his past self.
"To truly surpass Super Saiyan… This level of power is simply unbelievable," Piccolo said quietly, taking a deep breath to steady his heart.
And soon, he realized something even more frightening.
If this Vegeta was already this strong, then how powerful would Goku in the past timeline be?
Would he be even stronger than this Vegeta?
That thought alone sent chills through him.
Similar thoughts crossed everyone else's mind.
Because of Vegeta's overwhelming strength, the fear brought by Cell's sudden surge of power was swept away.
In the end, it was still the same truth.
Without comparison, there is no shock.
~~~~~~
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