At that moment, Linze's eyes suddenly narrowed as he glanced toward Vegeta and Cell.
"What's going on?"
Trunks noticed Linze's strange expression and immediately turned around just in time to see the gaping, fanged maw at the tip of Cell's tail positioned directly above Vegeta.
"Behind you, Dad watch out!"
Trunks' voice cracked as every hair on his body stood on end. He shouted out in panic.
"What?!"
Startled, Vegeta whipped his head around, only to see the monstrous tail-mouth clamp down on his upper body.
In an instant, Cell had swallowed half of him.
Vegeta's legs kicked and thrashed violently, but Linze's earlier blow had left him severely weakened, he couldn't gather his ki, let alone break free.
His power was drained, his body sluggish.
Cell continued absorbing him, inch by inch.
"CELL, YOU BASTARD! LET GO OF MY FATHER!"
Trunks roared, clenching his fists as his golden Super Saiyan aura flared violently around him.
With a burst of speed, he launched himself forward, his right foot grazing the earth as he blitzed toward Cell.
BAM!
Trunks landed a devastating punch squarely on Cell's jaw.
BANG BANG BANG!
A rapid flurry of blows sent Cell hurtling backwards, his body crashing along the ground, carving a deep trench for several meters.
But it was too late.
Vegeta was gone.
Fully absorbed.
"Oh no… Vegeta's been absorbed by Cell," Android 16 muttered, his expression grim. "This is going to change everything."
Android 18's face grew tight with concern.
If Cell could grow this strong by absorbing Vegeta one of the most powerful Saiyans, then it meant she might still be his next target.
The stronger Cell became, the greater the danger to her.
Her eyes darted to Linze, who stood calmly, arms crossed, watching it all unfold with a passive expression.
"He's not reacting… not even worried Cell absorbed Vegeta?"
Android 18 frowned inwardly, puzzled.
Why was he so calm?
…
BOOM!
Suddenly, Cell's body swelled with a violent shockwave, his skin rippling as his form expanded unnaturally.
The ground around him shattered, sending jagged cracks snaking outward like lightning bolts.
His energy surged to an overwhelming level, shaking the air.
"Damn it!" Trunks gritted his teeth. "After absorbing Dad… his power—it's terrifying!"
Without hesitation, Trunks launched another furious attack, streaking toward Cell like a golden missile.
"You arrogant brat, OUT OF MY WAY!"
Cell snarled, thrusting his hand forward and firing a blast of invisible force.
The energy struck Trunks in the chest like a hammer.
WHAM!
Trunks was flung backward, his body twisting through the air.
GUH—!!
He coughed up a mouthful of blood, his aura flickering as he slammed into the dirt, clearly injured.
Meanwhile, Cell staggered slightly, his expression twisted.
He clenched his fists and groaned.
It was as if his body was in turmoil.
"He's unstable… his body's reacting…"
Linze observed silently.
Cell gritted his teeth.
"Damn it… Vegeta's energy is too powerful. My systems can't stabilize it yet."
He was absorbing power beyond what his body could instantly handle.
He had to pause his plans.
If he wanted to hunt down Android 18, he'd need time to fully integrate the Saiyan Prince's raw power.
"I'll make that arrogant freak pay later," Cell thought coldly.
"For now… I must finish evolving."
Then Cell absorbed Android 18 and achieved his Perfect Form.
Whoosh…
After that brief thought, Cell's body flickered—then vanished from the sight of Linze and the others in an instant, using his enhanced speed from the recent transformation.
…
"Cell ran off?"
Android 18 asked in disbelief, her eyes still fixed on the sky where Cell had vanished.
It was strange, he had just grown immensely powerful and had a clear advantage. Why would he suddenly flee?
"It's Vegeta's energy," Linze responded calmly, glancing at her.
"It's too overwhelming for him to stabilize right now. His systems can't absorb it all instantly."
"He'll return once the energy is fully merged and when he's even more dangerous."
Android 18's expression turned grim.
To be honest, the idea of being absorbed by that grotesque creature was revolting.
If she had to choose, she'd rather self-destruct than suffer that fate.
It was… disgusting.
"Damn it… I was too weak. My dad… he got absorbed right in front of me!"
Trunks slammed his fist into the ground in frustration, tears stinging the corners of his eyes.
"How am I supposed to explain this to Mom?!"
He was crushed by guilt, not just for failing to stop Cell, but for watching his father, the proud Prince of Saiyans, fall in such a humiliating way.
"Trunks, don't blame yourself."
Krillin limped over, bruised but steady, placing a comforting hand on Trunks' shoulder.
"This isn't your fault."
"If Vegeta had just listened to you… if he had destroyed Cell when he had the chance instead of showing off…"
"None of this would've happened."
Krillin's voice carried no bitterness, only a heavy dose of truth.
This tragedy was the result of Vegeta's pride and stubbornness not anyone else's failure.
"But… Dad…"
Trunks still clenched his fists tightly, unsure of how to explain to Bulma his mother in this timeline that he failed to protect her husband.
Krillin, sensing his anxiety, added gently, "Don't worry, Trunks. We still have the Dragon Balls in this timeline."
"Once Goku defeats Cell, we can bring Vegeta back. No problem."
It wasn't a lie.
They had done it before.
"Really… really?" Trunks looked up, his face suddenly brightening.
Hearing that hope, he stood quickly.
"Of course. You don't have to carry this burden alone," Krillin said with a reassuring nod.
"Let's head to Kami's Lookout and tell Goku and the others everything."
"Right."
Trunks nodded quickly. Then he turned to Linze and asked, "Mr. Linze… would you like to come with us to the Lookout?"
After what they had just seen, Trunks had no doubt—Linze was incredibly powerful.
He wasn't hostile either, and if he could lend a hand when Cell returned, they would stand a much better chance.
Linze shook his head slowly.
"No… I'm not like you all. I still have some unfinished business elsewhere."
"I'll leave this battle to you for now."
As he spoke, Linze's body rose gently into the air, then vanished in a bright flash, leaving nothing but a lingering ripple in the air.
---