Krillin looked up at the cracked shelter, his eyes twitching violently as he couldn't help but shiver. "If... if that guy does that one more time, we're in real trouble!"
"You're right!" 16 nodded in agreement, looking at the fractured alloy walls and sighing. "Luckily, Cell didn't release an overly powerful energy blast, or this shelter wouldn't have stood a chance against his attack!"
"Yeah," 18 agreed deeply.
At that moment, Cell hovered high in the sky, searching everywhere for any survivors. The previous attack had reduced the city to rubble. He was confident that with the intensity of his blast, if the three of them had been caught in it...
That bald Krillin would likely have died on the spot. The injured 16 probably wouldn't have survived either. And 18 would have been wounded!
As long as I search thoroughly, I should be able to find them!
Cell widened his eyes, scanning the ground from above for their location.
"Father, Cell has started destroying things. Let's get there quickly!" Trunks urged.
"You go first. You'll be the one responsible for taking on Cell this time," Vegeta instructed Trunks.
"Yes, Father!" Trunks nodded, a golden light erupting from him as he transformed into a Super Saiyan and accelerated his pace.
WHOOSH!
Trunks pushed his speed to the absolute limit, quickly appearing right in front of Cell. Cell froze for a moment, looking at the charging Trunks in surprise.
"Cell, you really are still alive!" Trunks said coldly.
"Trunks?" Cell was taken aback.
WHOOSH!
In the next moment, Vegeta also flew in from a distance, appearing behind Trunks.
"Vegeta!" Cell gritted his teeth in hatred. "You've come at the perfect time. I was just about to find you for revenge!"
"Hmph, don't think that just because you've absorbed 17, you can defeat me, Vegeta. You're still green!" Vegeta snorted, his face full of disdain.
"Then let's test that!" Cell gave a light smile and pointed toward the ground below. "Come on, let's head down!"
Trunks was the first to descend from the sky. Cell blinked, looking at Vegeta and then at Trunks, feeling a bit bewildered.
From the looks of it, is this Trunks kid the one who wants to challenge me?
No matter who it is, both of them must die today.
Cell no longer hesitated and immediately dropped from the air, appearing near Trunks.
"Trunks, what's the meaning of this? Do you intend to challenge me in your father's place?" Cell chuckled.
"Yes," Trunks nodded.
"Hmph, you think you can challenge me, Cell?" Cell laughed uncontrollably. "Have you forgotten what I did to you before?"
"Before was before. The me now is completely different from before!" Trunks snorted.
"Oh? You say you're completely different? And that means you can defeat me, Cell?" Cell was amused, laughing heartily.
"I can!" Trunks nodded.
Cell laughed with disdain, not taking Trunks seriously at all.
"Cell, watch closely. That contemptuous laughter of yours is about to vanish!" Trunks clenched his fists. "Today, I'll show you the power of a Super Saiyan God!"
"What... what did you say?" Cell was stunned. "Super Saiyan God? Is that the red-haired transformation?"
FLASH!
Flames erupted around Trunks, and his hair instantly turned red as he activated the Super Saiyan God transformation.
Inside the shelter.
"It's Vegeta and Trunks' Ki! They've finally finished their training and arrived! This is great—we're safe!" Krillin let out a long sigh of relief and comforted 18. "It's okay now, 18. Let's get out of here."
"Are you sure Vegeta and the others can defeat that Cell?" A look of worry appeared on 18's cold face; she still wasn't entirely at ease.
"Whether they can beat Cell is one thing, but shouldn't we get out of here quickly?" Krillin suggested.
"Let's wait until the battle starts," 16 interjected, then muttered curiously, "The energy signature of the person with Vegeta suddenly vanished. What's going on?"
"Eh? Really? I don't know what happened either," Krillin shook his head.
16 didn't ask further. After all, they weren't very far from the battlefield. The three of them quietly emerged from the shelter and looked toward the distance.
They saw Trunks enveloped in flames, his hair turned a fiery red, giving off a mysterious aura.
"What kind of transformation is that for Trunks? I've never seen anything like it!" Krillin marveled repeatedly. "I wonder if Goku has seen this form of Trunks before? Is this a transformation he learned from the future?"
"Who exactly is this person you call Trunks?" 18 asked casually, her curiosity piqued. "Why does he call Vegeta 'Father'? Logically, Vegeta couldn't have a child that old."
Krillin: "..."
Krillin immediately covered his mouth, not knowing how to explain.
Should I reveal Trunks' identity?
I feel like that might not be appropriate.
"If you don't want to say, then don't," 18 snorted.
Krillin hesitated again and again before finally making up his mind. He whispered, "Alright, it doesn't hurt to tell you... after all, this is all in the past."
Then, Krillin briefly explained the situation regarding Trunks to 18. Hearing Krillin's words, 18 and 16 were truly astonished.
"Someone who came to our era from the future? He really is Vegeta's son!" Cold sweat trickled down 18's face as she forced a strained smile. "No wonder you all know so much about us. So this Trunks has already experienced similar events?"
"Trunks said that in the future, you and 17 were very evil and killed almost all of humanity," Krillin sighed. "But the you and 17 of our era are good people. Since you were created, you haven't killed a single person, right? Ah... that includes 16 too."
18 remained silent.
The me from another timeline... enjoyed killing that much?
16 wiped the machine oil from his face.
In the future, I don't even exist?
At the Lookout.
Mr. Popo stood at the edge of the Lookout, gazing downward.
WHOOSH!
Suddenly, Goku used Instant Transmission to bring Gohan and Piccolo back. Goku had wanted to bring Broly back as well, but Broly had grown accustomed to life in the Sacred World of the Kai and refused to return no matter what.
The Supreme Kai, Old Kai, and Kibito were moved to tears. They had also tried to persuade Broly for a long time, but he remained unmoved. The Supreme Kai told Broly he should just go to Earth for a look and come back if he didn't like it, but Broly still wouldn't agree, insisting on staying in the Sacred World of the Kai.
"Goku!" Mr. Popo was both surprised and delighted to see Goku appear, then greeted Piccolo and Gohan.
"Popo, has anything happened?" Piccolo asked directly.
"Mr. Piccolo... while you were away, Cell found 17 and the others and absorbed 17, reaching his Semi-Perfect Form," Mr. Popo answered truthfully, recounting everything that had happened with Cell and 17 to the three of them.
"Krillin went there? And he even saved 18? That's impressive!" Goku was genuinely a bit surprised.
"Are you saying... Trunks has already become a Super Saiyan God?" Piccolo said, stepping to the edge of the Lookout to look down.
Sure enough, as Piccolo focused his gaze, he discovered Trunks' new transformation.
"Trunks can become a Super Saiyan God too?" Gohan was truly happy for Trunks. "That's great! This way, the future is even more secure!"
"If Trunks can become like this, I believe the world he's in should be much safer," Goku nodded.
"Vegeta hasn't been training Trunks for very long, has he?" Piccolo turned to ask Mr. Popo.
"Yes, Mr. Piccolo. They were inside for a total of three months," Mr. Popo replied.
"Trunks really is remarkable," Piccolo remarked. "Trunks, let me see if your Super Saiyan God form can stand up to Semi-Perfect Cell!"
At the battlefield.
"What? Is dyeing your hair red the latest fashion now?" Cell chuckled, showing no fear at all.
After all, a Super Saiyan God releases divine Ki. Not only could Cell not sense it, but even the current Goku couldn't sense the presence of divine Ki. Without being able to sense it, he had no way of knowing how strong his opponent was.
Cell was very confident. After all, he had already absorbed 17 and reached his Semi-Perfect Form.
How could I possibly lose to a kid like Trunks?
BAM!
Trunks struck rapidly, suddenly delivering an uppercut that slammed heavily into Cell's stomach. Cell's eyes widened, his face filled with horror.
What's going on?
How is this guy so fast?
BAM!
Trunks' other fist followed up, striking Cell directly in the head. The blow sent Cell reeling backward until he landed hard on his backside.
"Hmph," Trunks snorted, stepping toward Cell.
Cell did a kip-up and sprang to his feet, baring his teeth as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"Cell, you're no match for me," Trunks said with a cold expression.
"Heh heh, you're tougher than I thought!" Cell grunted, throwing a punch toward Trunks' face.
CLAP!
Trunks raised his left hand and caught Cell's incoming fist directly. Cell was instantly stunned, looking at Trunks in utter bewilderment.
He... he just caught it like that?
You've got to be kidding me!
BAM!
Trunks delivered a powerful kick to Cell, sending him flying high into the air. Cell tumbled several times in mid-air before coming to a stop, his eyes wide with rage. He was already fuming.
"Damn it! There's no way I'd lose to a brat like you!" Cell roared in fury, a dark green aura erupting from his body.
Trunks' expression grew a bit more solemn.
"Heh heh heh, Trunks, I haven't even used my true strength yet!" Cell snorted, charging rapidly toward Trunks and unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks.
Trunks parried with ease. After a few exchanges, Trunks delivered a kick that landed squarely on Cell's chest.
WHOOSH!
Cell was sent flying backward, his body slamming heavily into the ground and tumbling repeatedly.
Vegeta hovered in the air, the corners of his mouth curling up into an increasingly radiant smile.
As expected of my son, Trunks.
After more than three years of refinement, he has finally become a Super Saiyan God under my guidance.
Now Trunks' strength far surpasses Gohan's.
So what if he has an Ultimate Form?
How can it compare to the power of a Super Saiyan God?
Cell scrambled up from the ground in a pathetic state, cold sweat continuously trickling down his face. The look in his eyes as he stared at Trunks was filled with terror. Then, Cell glanced at Vegeta nearby, his eyes twitching.
I can't even beat Trunks, let alone Vegeta.
"Cell, you're finished!" Trunks said coldly, a thick killing intent appearing in his eyes.
"AAAAHHH!" Cell shook with rage, letting out a series of roars. "Damn it! If only I could reach my Perfect Form! Do you think I'd lose to a guy like you?"
"You think I'll let you have your way? Stop dreaming!" Trunks said, reaching out toward Cell. "This time, I'll make sure you're dead for good, so you can never regenerate again!"
"Wait a moment, Trunks," Vegeta suddenly spoke.
Trunks was taken aback and turned to look at his father.
"Cell, what did you just say?" Vegeta chuckled. "If you could reach your Perfect Form, you could defeat my son, Trunks?"
"Of course! I could never lose to him!" Cell nodded vigorously. "Power! Speed! Techniques! Intellect! Spiritual strength! Everything would be perfected—that's what the computer told me!"
BAM!
Vegeta directly activated his Super Saiyan God transformation and kicked Cell, sending him flying. Cell tumbled several times before finally coming to a stop.
Cell felt like his mind was about to break.
Are you father and son doing a tag-team match?
I just got bullied by your son, and now I'm being bullied by you.
Please, act like human beings.
Cell lay on the ground, not even wanting to get up.
"Father? You... do you mean..." Trunks suddenly realized something, his expression shifting repeatedly.
"Be quiet," Vegeta barked.
If there's no Cell Games, how am I supposed to show off in front of Kakarot?
No matter how strong Cell gets, how strong can he really be?
Can he possibly be as powerful as my Super Saiyan Blue?
I don't believe it for a second!
This guy has already absorbed 17, and his strength has only increased this much.
I thought that after absorbing 17, his power would be on par with a Super Saiyan God.
In the distance.
Seeing Cell being toyed with like this, Krillin and the two Androids were also stunned.
"Vegeta and Trunks have become so strong," Krillin marveled repeatedly.
"It's time to leave," 16 suggested.
"There's no need to leave, is there? Vegeta and Trunks have the absolute advantage," 18 said, looking at the battle scene.
"Just to be safe, let's get out of here," Krillin made up his mind. "I have a bad feeling. If Vegeta's brain short-circuits and he insists on letting Cell absorb you to reach his Perfect Form, that would be disastrous."
18: "..."
"You're really good at scaring people," cold sweat trickled down 18's cold face.
"This is indeed something Vegeta would do," 16 nodded silently from the side.
18's eyes twitched slightly as she looked toward 16. Since both of them said so, they had better leave quickly.
Vegeta appeared beside Cell. Cell gritted his teeth as he climbed up from the ground, feeling increasingly bitter.
17 was far too weak!
After absorbing him, my strength really didn't increase much!
Even if I absorb 18 and reach my Perfect Form, can my strength surpass the current Vegeta and the others?
At this moment, Cell was starting to question his existence. However, the answer provided by the computer made his heart race with anticipation. Reaching his Perfect Form was like a mission Cell had to complete; he wanted to achieve it no matter what.
"There's such a huge gap between you and Trunks and me. Do you think you can defeat us after reaching your Perfect Form?" Vegeta chuckled, flames burning intensely around him.
"How many times do I have to repeat it? I will definitely defeat you and Trunks! There's no mistake about it!" Cell gritted his teeth, clenching his fists tightly as he spoke each word.
"Father! You can't let him have his way!" Trunks grew anxious.
"Be quiet! I have my own ideas!" Vegeta glared at Trunks.
Trunks: "..."
Maybe Father really does have his own plan. I'd better not disrupt it.
"Go ahead, Cell. I'll grant your wish and let you reach your Perfect Form!" Vegeta chuckled. "In your current state, even if my son defeats you, there's nothing to be proud of! What's more, you've disappointed me so much I can't even be bothered to kill you!"
Cell immediately broke into a smile, as if his scheme had succeeded.
"I'll wait for you here," Vegeta snorted.
Cell grinned and immediately took to the sky, searching everywhere for 18 and the others. Krillin and the Androids were just about to leave when they came face-to-face with Cell appearing in the sky.
Cell's eyes lit up instantly; he felt as if happiness had come far too suddenly.
They were in an alloy-built shelter?
No wonder they didn't show up before!
But it's okay—luckily you're right nearby!
Wah-ka-ka-ka!
Cell didn't hesitate for a second, immediately whistling toward 18's position.
Trunks suddenly realized something was wrong and took to the sky, looking over there and shouting anxiously, "Father, Uncle Krillin and Android 18 are both over there!"
"Oh? Really?" Vegeta was a bit surprised.
The plot had changed somewhat, but not by much. It saved Cell the time of searching for the Androids.
"Father, do you really intend to let Cell reach his Perfect Form? What if we're no match for him?" Trunks tried to persuade him again, truly feeling that his father was taking too big a risk.
"Trunks, in your future world, there might appear people or even gods even more powerful than Cell," Vegeta patted Trunks heavily on the shoulder and said earnestly. "If you can't even handle a single Cell, how are you going to protect your comrades in that world later?"
Trunks: "..."
Father, what you're saying makes sense, but why do I feel like something's not right?
Is it really okay to just let Cell reach his Perfect Form like this?
"In this world, I can back you up," Vegeta added.
Trunks' eyes flashed with light, and his eyes grew a bit red.
So that's what Father meant.
"Didn't you say the Kakarot in your world can only become a Super Saiyan 3?" Vegeta said solemnly. "If a powerful figure like Cell really appears, or someone even stronger than Cell, what are you going to use to fight that guy?"
Trunks was moved, tears nearly falling from his eyes.
So Father is thinking that far ahead.
In truth, Vegeta wasn't entirely doing this to show off his Super Saiyan God and Super Saiyan Blue forms in front of Goku. What he had just said really was what he felt. And Vegeta knew very well that this Cell didn't come from Trunks' timeline. That meant there was still a chance Zamasu would appear in Trunks' world. Only by making Trunks stronger could he ensure that Kakarot and the others would survive.
Vegeta felt that Cell's appearance was the perfect way to temper Trunks.
"Trunks, you and I are not in the same world. You will eventually have to return to the future," Vegeta mused. "That world still needs you to be the one to back it up!"
"Yes, Father! I understand!" Trunks nodded vigorously.
Afterward, Trunks also completely came around.
So what if Cell absorbs 18?
I don't have any good feelings toward that 18 anyway.
If he absorbs her, he absorbs her!
But why is Uncle Krillin beside 18?
What are those two doing there?
At the Lookout.
"Father, the future vision I saw—Cell looked just like that!" Gohan's pupils shrank slightly as he said to Goku.
"This is what Cell looks like after absorbing 17," Goku was slightly taken aback.
Piccolo also silently glanced at Gohan.
"However, the Cell I saw had red and green spots, was massive, and was very different from this one," Gohan added.
"That means Cell will be resurrected at some point in the future!" Goku guessed, resting his chin in his hand.
"He'll be resurrected?" Gohan said solemnly.
"Didn't you also see your daughter, Pan, in that vision?" Goku lightly patted Gohan's head.
Gohan's face instantly turned red.
"Old Sun, do you also intend to let Cell reach his Perfect Form?" Piccolo noticed Goku wasn't moving and couldn't help but ask.
"Vegeta is right; Trunks' world really does need powerful warriors," Goku sighed. "In our world, with me, Vegeta, and Piccolo to back things up, it shouldn't be a big problem! From the looks of it, Vegeta thinks even stronger enemies will appear in Trunks' world."
To be continued…
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