"Hmph! Teach me, Vegeta?"
"You've got quite the nerve. I've already surpassed Kakarot and ascended to the level of a Super Saiyan beyond Super Saiyan. Even if you're some anomaly among Saiyans, thinking you can teach the Prince of all Saiyans is sheer lunacy."
"But hearing you talk like that pisses me off, so I'll just have to put you in your place."
The corner of Vegeta's mouth curled into a cold, proud smirk as he looked down at Linze.
Right now, he believed himself to be the strongest warrior in the universe, stronger than Goku, stronger than even Cell.
"Utter ignorance…"
Linze shook his head at Vegeta, a hint of pity in his eyes.
The Vegeta of this era arrogant after emerging from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber was blind with pride.
"Then let me show you who the real fool is."
"Hah!"
Vegeta roared, and in a burst of blinding golden energy, his Super Saiyan aura exploded into view.
The ground cracked beneath his feet as his ki surged rapidly far above the level he had displayed during the fight against Android 18.
"You presumptuous fool! Let me show you the wrath of a true Saiyan elite!"
With his aura flaring violently, Vegeta launched himself at Linze, fist glowing with condensed golden ki, this was the same brutal power that had obliterated Android 19.
Crack!
But just as he closed in, Linze backhanded Vegeta square across the jaw with effortless precision.
Vegeta flew backwards at a speed faster than his lunge.
Boom!
He smashed into the rocky cliff near where Perfect Cell had once stood, and the massive boulder behind him shattered on impact.
Vegeta reverted from Super Saiyan, dazedn half his face red and swollen.
He lay flat on the ground, unable to rise.
"Wh…what? Father was slapped away?"
Trunks' eyes widened in disbelief, his body frozen, unable to accept what he had just seen.
Dad's current strength is undeniably immense even Cell, after absorbing Android 17, could barely keep up.
But this mysterious Saiyan who appeared out of nowhere just now… slapped Dad into the air with a single blow.
His power is unreal!
And behind him, Android 18, Krillin, and Android 16 were all left completely stunned.
After all, Vegeta had just emerged from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, roaring with power comparable to a god of war.
How could he be defeated so effortlessly?
"Tch, what a waste…"
Linze glanced at Vegeta lying in a heap and curled his lip dismissively.
He hadn't originally planned on humiliating him, but Vegeta's self-righteous arrogance left him no choice.
Without a bit of humble correction, Linze felt he'd be doing the man a disservice.
"This gentleman… My father was too impulsive just now. Please forgive him!"
Trunks stepped forward and bowed slightly, apologizing on Vegeta's behalf.
He was clearly anxious that his father's reckless words might have angered this overwhelming stranger.
"Relax. I acted because Vegeta needed a reminder," Linze said casually, glancing at Trunks.
"He needs to realize there's always someone stronger out there."
He wasn't malicious. Not toward Trunks, not toward Earth's defenders.
But when he challenged Vegeta, he held nothing back, there was no need for pretenses.
"Th-thank you…"
Trunks exhaled in relief, grateful that Linze wasn't hostile. They couldn't afford to make enemies like this in their current situation.
"This gentleman… Father mentioned you're also a Saiyan. Do you live here on Earth as well?"
Trunks' tone was cautious—his words measured, his mind racing.
"I…"
Linze paused, considering his response. "Yes. I am a Saiyan."
His rebirth had made him fully Saiyan in both form and spirit.
And from the moment he tapped into the form beyond Super Saiyan 3, the primal power of Super Saiyan 4—he considered himself a true Saiyan warrior.
"Then… may I ask your name, sir?"
Trunks pressed on, needing to gather more about this man. If Linze posed a threat, Earth had to be prepared.
"My name is Linze…"
Linze answered plainly.
Compared to the brash, pride-blinded Vegeta, this respectful version of Trunks was much more likable—so Linze didn't mind the conversation.
…
While the two continued to speak, Vegeta slowly rose to his feet, staggering.
Half his face was bruised and swollen, with a thin stream of blood trailing from the corner of his mouth.
The force behind Linze's blow had been immense, Vegeta had taken heavy damage, and it showed in his unsteady stance.
And at that moment, within the shattered rock wall, Cell opened his eyes slowly.
A twisted grin crept across his lips.
"So… absorbing Android 18 isn't going to happen after all…"
"In that case…"
"I'll absorb you, Vegeta."
Cell's gaze locked coldly onto the Saiyan Prince.
Though his plan was to achieve his Perfect form by absorbing Android 18, the overwhelming presence of Linze meant it was no longer feasible.
But if he couldn't reach perfection, he could still evolve by absorbing someone as powerful as Vegeta.
Even in his current Imperfect state, the energy from Vegeta's body could push him to terrifying new levels.
And with that, Cell made his move. The sharp, insectoid tail at his back split open into a crimson maw, shooting forward to consume its target.
Vegeta, still dazed and furious, stood glaring at Linze—completely unaware of the deadly threat lunging toward him from behind…
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