Goku stood in front of Android 18, protecting her as he faced second-form Cell.
Logically, Cell's body was far too large to fit inside a time machine. He would have needed to regress first to enter it. But recently, there hadn't been any reports of large numbers of humans disappearing—so he likely hadn't absorbed many people.
Then how did he get here?
Goku felt a hint of confusion.
Cell was also surprised to see Son Goku.
"So it's you, Goku. I didn't expect you to come to me," he said, grinning.
"I wasn't planning to deal with you yet—but since you're here, I'll just eliminate you now."
Goku asked calmly, "Cell, how did you get here?"
Cell narrowed his eyes. "How do you even know my name?"
Goku replied, "I know more than that. You're the ultimate android created by Dr. Gero's computer. You came from the future using a time machine, right?"
Cell froze.
"How do you know all this?!"
Goku said, "Want to know? Answer my question first."
"…What question?"
"How did you travel back, given the size of the time machine?"
Cell smirked.
"You think I'm like you? I'm the ultimate lifeform. I have Frieza's and Piccolo's cells—I can survive without oxygen. I clung to the outside of the time machine when I came here. Though… I later realized the time tunnel fills with air anyway."
Goku nodded. "I see."
Now everything made sense.
Cell crossed his arms and laughed.
"It doesn't matter if you know. I'm already in my second form. None of you can beat me. And absorbing your life energy will only make me stronger."
Suddenly—
He attacked.
His massive body surged forward at incredible speed, tail stabbing toward Goku.
But Goku reacted instantly—grabbing the tail and punching Cell in the stomach.
Cell's body bent from the impact, staggering backward as fluid spilled from his mouth.
Before he could recover—
A powerful kick sent him flying through several trees.
"Damn it… as expected of Goku," Cell muttered.
Though he looked battered, Goku stayed alert.
He knew Cell wasn't focused on fighting—his real goal was to absorb 18.
Sure enough—
Cell fired a ki blast at Goku—but it was just a distraction.
He suddenly changed direction and lunged at 18.
"Watch out!" Goku shouted.
In an instant—
Goku appeared in front of Cell again.
He grabbed the tail—
And sliced it off.
Green fluid splattered.
18's eyes lit up with relief.
But then—
The tail regenerated instantly.
Cell laughed. "It's useless. I have Piccolo's regeneration."
Goku disappeared again—reappearing behind Cell and cutting the tail off once more.
Cell panicked.
"How are you so fast?!"
Goku smirked slightly.
"You're just too slow."
Cell clenched his teeth.
He realized something important—
Even in his second form, he couldn't beat Goku.
But if he reached his perfect form—
Everything would change.
So he tried persuasion.
"Goku… you know what I become after absorbing 18. The perfect being. Don't you want to fight someone truly strong? Aren't you bored being the strongest?"
18 clenched her fists nervously.
But Goku shook his head.
"I'm not like Vegeta. I don't fight just to challenge the strongest. I fight to protect the people I care about."
He glanced at 18.
"With me here—you won't touch her."
That moment—
18's heart trembled.
For the first time since becoming an android—
She felt protected.
Soon, others arrived—Krillin, Tien, Future Gohan, and more.
"What is that thing?!" Krillin exclaimed.
Tien frowned. "That energy… what is it?"
Meanwhile, the damaged Android 16 stood up with sparks flying.
"He's Cell," 16 explained.
"If he absorbs 17 and 18, he becomes perfect—unstoppable."
Everyone tensed.
Cell realized he had no chance now.
But escaping directly would be difficult with Goku around.
Then—
He spotted Krillin.
Weak.
A perfect distraction.
He attacked suddenly!
"Krillin, watch out!"
Goku instantly teleported in front of him—
But that was the plan.
Cell suddenly shouted:
"Solar Flare!"
Blinding light engulfed everything.
Everyone lost sight.
In that moment—
18 felt her hand grabbed.
It was Goku.
Even blinded—
He still protected her.
When the light faded—
Cell was gone.
"He escaped," Goku said.
Soon, attention shifted to 16's injuries.
He was fully mechanical—no flesh at all.
Goku said, "Senzu beans won't work on him. But Bulma and Dr. Briefs can fix him."
Krillin nodded. "Yeah! We've got a genius scientist!"
16 growled, "I don't need your help. I was created to kill Goku."
Goku smiled.
"Then fix yourself first—and fight me properly later."
18 stepped in.
"16… you're not his opponent. And Dr. Gero is gone. There's no reason to follow that mission anymore."
Everyone froze.
She was… defending Goku?
Goku waved it off casually.
"Let him keep his goal. I don't mind."
18 blinked—then smiled slightly.
"Fine. I'll listen to you."
At that moment—
Future Gohan stared in disbelief.
His father had just… won over 18?
So fast?
Krillin was equally shocked.
He quietly gave Goku a thumbs up.
"Unbelievable… no wonder he has so many wives…"
Meanwhile, Piccolo stepped forward.
"I'm going with you. I need to understand everything that just happened."
Goku nodded.
"Let's go to Capsule Corp. There's still data to analyze—and once Bulma studies it, everything about Cell will become clear."
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