With a grotesque, squelching sound—
Cell's tail regenerated.
Androids 16, 17, and 18 stared in shock.
That regenerative ability far surpassed Piccolo's.
16 narrowed his eyes.
"I see… then the only way to stop you is to completely annihilate you."
He rushed forward and engaged Cell again.
Cell laughed.
"You outdated scrap heap! You think you can destroy me?"
Cell had not yet fully absorbed enough human life energy. Against 16, he was pushed onto the defensive, forced to block and retreat.
Finally, 16 smashed him into the ground.
Seizing the opportunity, 16 detached both forearms — they transformed into cannons.
"Flash Cannon!"
A massive blast engulfed Cell.
The earth trembled violently. Shockwaves tore through the land.
17 and 18 watched in stunned silence.
"Incredible…"
"16 was hiding that kind of power?"
16 turned sharply.
"Why are you still here? Leave!"
18 frowned.
"Isn't he finished?"
"No," 16 replied firmly.
"He has Piccolo's and King Cold's cells. His vitality is extreme. That attack won't kill him. Go!"
18 glanced at 17.
"Let's go!"
But 17's pride flared.
"Run? No way!"
"You go, 18. I'll finish him."
He shouted toward the crater,
"Cell! Get out here!"
Suddenly—
A tail shot out from behind and expanded at the tip.
Before 17 could react, it swallowed him whole.
He struggled, but inside the tail's chamber, he was powerless.
16 lunged forward.
Too late.
Cell's energy erupted, blasting 16 back.
Moments later, 17 was fully absorbed.
Cell's aura surged explosively. His body swelled and began molting.
16 fired another energy blast, but this time, Cell's aura alone deflected it.
"18! Run!" 16 shouted.
Still stunned by 17's absorption, 18 froze.
16 grabbed her and took off.
Meanwhile, Cell completed his transformation.
Now larger, bulkier, radiating far greater power.
He grinned — an almost absurd, overconfident expression.
In a flash, he reappeared ahead of them.
16's eyes widened.
"His speed…!"
Cell smirked.
"Did you think you could escape?"
He flexed his hand.
"This speed… absorbing 17 was worth it."
16 pushed 18 aside and attacked.
Cell didn't even dodge.
The punch landed — and did nothing.
In the next instant, Cell raised a finger.
A tiny energy blast struck 16.
Boom.
Half of 16's head and body were blown apart.
Cell examined the damage and laughed.
"One evolution, and I've become this strong."
"How powerful will my Perfect Form be?"
He turned toward 18.
"Excellent… very excellent."
She clutched her chest.
"Don't come closer!"
"I'll detonate the bomb inside me!"
Cell stopped.
"So you're willing to die?"
He suddenly spoke in 17's voice.
"18… can you hear me? It's me."
"It feels wonderful… join me. Become the ultimate being."
18 trembled.
Then 16 spoke through his damaged frame.
"Don't be fooled. That's Cell manipulating you."
Cell snarled.
"Silence, machine! You wouldn't understand!"
But 18's eyes hardened.
"Nice try. 17 and I don't care about Gero's orders anymore."
Cell clenched his fists.
He dared not risk her self-destruction.
18 looked down at her new clothes.
Brand new. Unworn.
"Damn it…"
"We just got free. Didn't even finish spending our money…"
She prepared to detonate.
Suddenly—
Several figures appeared.
Piccolo.
Vegeta.
Krillin. Tien. Yamcha.
Cell's eyes narrowed.
"So you've all come."
Vegeta stepped forward arrogantly.
"You're Cell?"
"And you're Vegeta?" Cell replied cautiously.
"That's right."
Cell felt his energy.
It had grown enormously.
Vegeta smirked.
"I'll crush you."
They formed a loose circle, cutting off Cell's retreat.
Cell glanced around, then back at Vegeta.
"You think you alone are enough?"
Vegeta scoffed.
"They're just spectators."
"One is enough."
Below, 18 watched in disbelief.
"This idiot…"
"Last time I beat him."
Cell laughed.
"You alone?"
Vegeta nodded.
"Yes."
Cell attacked first.
Vegeta didn't dodge.
He caught Cell's fist mid-strike and hurled him into the ground.
Then came a brutal barrage.
Left hook. Right hook.
Cell screamed as blow after blow landed.
After one exchange, Cell staggered up, panting.
Vegeta smirked.
"This is your so-called ultimate power?"
"You disappoint me."
Cell roared and counterattacked.
Vegeta didn't move.
He grabbed the incoming strike and slammed Cell again.
The gap was obvious.
Cell was being treated like a punching bag.
Even 16 and 18 stared in shock.
"Incredible…"
"So strong…"
Vegeta eventually grew bored.
"Is that it?"
"Try harder."
Inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.
Goku continued training Bra.
She shouted repeatedly but failed to transform.
"Not like that," Goku corrected gently.
"Super Saiyan requires emotional ignition. Anger."
Bra sighed.
"I can't get that angry…"
Goku considered.
She had grown up happy. Protected.
Hard to provoke true rage.
"Then let's pause training."
"I'll take you outside. When you see the destruction Cell caused… maybe you'll feel something."
She nodded.
"Before that… Dad, can you show me how your power grows beyond Super Saiyan?"
Goku smiled.
"Super Saiyan has levels beyond the first."
He clenched his fists.
Without shouting, golden energy erupted.
Hair turned gold. Eyes teal.
"This is the standard Super Saiyan."
He powered up further — muscles swelling.
"This is a powered-up form. Stronger, but sacrifices speed."
Bra's eyes sparkled.
"There's more?"
Goku nodded.
"There is a form beyond that."
He closed his eyes.
His aura intensified.
Lightning crackled around him.
Hair sharpened upward.
The energy changed.
Sharper. Fiercer.
Controlled — yet terrifying.
Bra gasped.
"This… this is…?"
Goku opened his eyes.
"This is Super Saiyan 2."