Vegeta was momentarily stunned, instinctively turning his gaze toward Gohan.
Is Kakarot planning to have his son, Gohan, enter the fray?
It's the same routine as in my previous life.
Back then, Gohan eventually unlocked the Super Saiyan 2 transformation.
But in this life, Gohan has already unlocked his Ultimate form. What else does Kakarot expect him to achieve?
Is there such a thing as an "Ultimate 2"?
Vegeta found himself suddenly intrigued.
If an "Ultimate 2" form really exists, I'd certainly like to see it.
"What? Who are you planning to swap in?" Vegeta snorted, asking with genuine interest.
Goku immediately looked back toward Gohan.
Vegeta curled his lip, his expression saying, I knew it.
So you really are letting your son Gohan take over.
However, to Vegeta's surprise, Goku's gaze quickly moved past Gohan and settled on someone else entirely.
"Hmph, a substitution is fine by me!" Cell said, letting out a small sigh of relief.
During his brief clash with Goku, Cell had felt a palpable sense of pressure.
That man named Goku was a nightmare to deal with.
If he swaps in someone else, maybe I can use the fight to keep improving myself.
Once my strength is on par with Goku's, I'll wipe them all out.
"Hey, Mr. Satan! It's your turn to step up again!" the announcer shouted excitedly into his microphone.
Mr. Satan was nearly scared to death, his face turning an even more ghastly shade.
Goku, my man, quit messing around, will you?
I can tell you have the power to beat Cell.
Why don't you just finish him off already?
Why go through all this trouble?
Though Mr. Satan was panicking inside, he straightened his back and maintained his facade of composure.
"This time, you must give that Cell guy a proper thrashing!" The announcer's eyes were full of expectation.
"That... yes... of course! I'll show him exactly what I'm made of!" Mr. Satan forced a brave smile. But as soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly clutched his stomach and crouched on the ground, howling in pain. "Oh no! My stomach... I don't know why it hurts so much! This is terrible!"
"Mr. Satan..." The announcer looked on, speechless.
I have a feeling you're faking it.
"I wanted to settle things with that Cell guy! But my stomach just won't cooperate..." Mr. Satan groaned, clutching his midsection and putting on a convincing show of agony. "If I, Mr. Satan, were to face Cell, I'd beat him without lifting a finger!"
The announcer was at a loss for words.
Videl: "..."
Dad, are you really not faking this?
Videl was deeply skeptical and even leaned in to examine him closely.
Mr. Satan shot Videl a fierce glare.
Are you even my daughter?
Are you trying to blow your father's cover?
Videl took the hint and quickly backed away.
"So, for the next fighter, can I nominate someone?" Goku asked Cell with a smile.
"Goku, let's get one thing straight. If you substitute another fighter, it counts as a surrender!" Cell snorted. "Once you surrender, you can't re-enter the match!"
"Eh? Is that a rule?" Goku scratched his head. "How come I didn't know that?"
"The Cell Games are my event; I make the rules!" Cell rolled his eyes.
Vegeta: "..."
Is Cell actually scared?
He won't even let Kakarot continue...
Didn't he say this could be a gauntlet match?
Even if Kakarot is disqualified, he should be able to fight again after a short rest.
And yet, here is Cell, flatly banning Kakarot from the ring.
"Alright then, I'll step down for now. Consider it my surrender," Goku said with a hearty laugh.
Vegeta shot Goku a sidelong glance.
You're actually surrendering?
"I think... once this person steps into the ring, the Cell Games will probably be over for good," Goku said with a smile.
"Who is Goku talking about? Stop keeping us in suspense and just say it," Krillin said, his impatience growing.
"Based on my fight with you just now, I believe he can defeat you," Goku smiled. "So I'm forfeiting the match and leaving everything to him."
"What... what did you say?" Cell was slightly taken aback.
Besides Goku, is there someone even stronger?
It's not Vegeta!
Cell glanced at Vegeta and was certain that Goku wasn't referring to him.
Vegeta had wanted to fight, but Goku had stopped him.
That meant there was someone else.
"Who?" Vegeta was also puzzled.
Besides Kakarot and me, who could possibly be stronger than Cell is now?
Trunks had improved significantly, but Vegeta felt there was still a gap between him and Cell.
As for Gohan?
Vegeta didn't believe the current Gohan could beat Cell.
So what if you have your Ultimate form?
You're still not as strong as Trunks in his Super Saiyan God form!
"I've got it... you're letting Broly fight, aren't you?" Vegeta suddenly realized.
"Broly? Him!" Cell's heart skipped a beat.
If what Goku said is true, and my perfect form only taps into 80% of Broly's energy...
If Broly enters the match, he'll probably tear me apart.
"It's not Broly," Goku said with a slight smile and a shake of his head.
If he actually brought Broly here to fight, there was a high chance the Earth would be blown to bits by accident.
That was exactly why Goku rarely brought Broly to Earth.
Broly was manageable in his base form, and he could even maintain some reason while using the power of the Great Ape now.
But once Broly turned Super Saiyan or Legendary Super Saiyan, he would lose all control. He would have to be defeated as quickly as possible, or the consequences would be catastrophic.
"Hahaha! If it's not Broly and it's not Vegeta, then who is this person you're talking about?" Cell felt much more at ease.
As long as it's not one of those two, I'm fine.
"Is it Trunks?" Cell asked with a smile, a sudden thought occurring to him.
"No," Goku shook his head.
Cell: "..."
Vegeta: "..."
"Then just say it already!" Cell barked, his patience finally snapping.
Krillin and the others were also silently guessing who Goku could be referring to.
"He... he wants to say me, Mr. Satan!" Mr. Satan couldn't help himself, clutching his stomach so hard he started breaking out in a cold sweat. "Quick, tell him! Tell him my stomach hurts and I can't go up yet!"
Videl: "..."
"Dad, I really don't think he's talking about you," Videl whispered.
Mr. Satan's face darkened.
"Piccolo, it's your turn!" Goku called out to Piccolo.
Piccolo: "..."
Piccolo's face turned thunderous in an instant.
Wait, what do you mean by dragging me into this?
Slap!
After speaking, Goku—still in his Super Saiyan 4 form—flickered and appeared right beside Piccolo.
"What?" Cell was also stunned, immediately turning to look at Piccolo.
Goku, have you lost your mind?
You're actually letting Piccolo fight?
The others also stared at Piccolo in shock.
Only Gohan remained calm.
Gohan knew exactly how powerful Piccolo really was.
That was potential energy that had been drawn out by Shenron himself.
"What... what did you say?" Vegeta was also shocked, looking at Goku and then at Piccolo in disbelief.
Kakarot, are you trying to send Piccolo to his death?
You're actually letting Piccolo enter the match?
Although Vegeta was also a reincarnator, the era he came from didn't have "Orange Piccolo" yet.
By the time Orange Piccolo was born, the true Vegeta had already reached the heights of Ultra Ego.
But for the current Vegeta, Super Saiyan Blue was still his strongest form.
"Stop joking, Goku! I thought you were actually going to nominate someone serious!" Cell said, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.
Are you trying to insult me on purpose?
"Piccolo," Goku lowered his voice, whispering to him. "I'm really sorry, but I just don't know how to keep up the act anymore!"
Piccolo: "..."
"So I think if you enter the match, Piccolo, it'll definitely be a bigger help to Gohan," Goku said with a smile.
Piccolo's face turned even darker.
You can't keep up the act, so you want me to do it?
Am I just that good at pretending?
However, after thinking it over, Piccolo realized that him entering the match actually made sense.
If Goku tried to hide his true strength on purpose, Gohan would definitely see through it.
But if it were Piccolo fighting Cell... Gohan probably wouldn't notice anything wrong.
More importantly... Piccolo intended to give it his all to settle things with Cell.
If he ended up gravely injured, Gohan might actually break through his limits and unlock his Beast form!
Piccolo was also eager to see Gohan continue to grow.
Fine. For Gohan's sake, I'll do it.
Piccolo took a deep breath, his expression becoming solemn.
"Go on, Piccolo. Give Gohan an era of peace!" Goku said, patting Piccolo on the back.
Piccolo's face was as dark as coal.
Wait, isn't that a bit of a stretch?
If you keep talking like that, you're going to expose our real goal.
"Shut up!" Piccolo growled through gritted teeth.
Goku let out a hearty laugh.
"Piccolo... good luck!" Gohan said, looking at his most respected mentor with anticipation.
Piccolo nodded slightly, stepped forward to ruffle Gohan's hair, and then smoothly pulled off his cape, tossing it behind him with a flourish.
Thud!
The cape hit the ground with a heavy impact, leaving a deep indentation.
Krillin and the others stared with wide eyes.
"Piccolo, have you been training in weighted clothing this whole time?" Krillin asked.
"Incredible!" Tien marveled.
Piccolo didn't answer. Instead, he looked up at Cell, who was hovering in the sky.
"Hmph, so it's Piccolo," Vegeta snorted with a light laugh. "Are you sure you want to challenge Cell? You're just walking to your death."
"Whether I'm walking to my death is something you're about to find out!" Piccolo's lips curled into a smirk as he dropped into a fighting stance.
Cell, meanwhile, let out a long sigh of relief.
So the one stepping up is just Piccolo.
That's a weight off my mind.
Should I drag the fight out for a bit and then fake a loss or something?
Maybe I can beg Goku and the others for mercy.
Otherwise, my only option is to blow up the Earth.
I hope you don't push me to that point!
Because if you do, I'll destroy your planet and take everyone with me.
"Krillin, you brought Senzu Beans, right? Give me one," Goku said, waving to Krillin.
"Eh? You don't look like you've used much energy," Krillin said, puzzled. But he still took out a Senzu Bean and handed it to Goku.
Goku took the bean and shouted up to Cell in the sky.
Cell blinked in confusion.
Goku flicked the Senzu Bean toward Cell.
Cell instinctively caught it and opened his hand to look.
"That's a Senzu Bean. Eat it," Goku said with a smile.
Piccolo: "..."
Piccolo's face turned even greener.
Goku, are you trying to get me killed?
"Goku, what are you doing?" Krillin cried out, his voice full of alarm.
"Cell has used up a huge chunk of his stamina. A match like this wouldn't be fair," Goku said with a smile.
"Since when do we care about being fair with a guy like that? Goku, why are you still being so merciful?" Yamcha was speechless.
Goku just smiled and said nothing.
If I don't do this, how is Gohan supposed to feel the impact of his Uncle Piccolo getting thrashed by Cell?
With the level of stamina and energy Cell had left, there was a good chance Piccolo would have just ground him into the dirt.
The battle between Goku and Cell earlier had already drained a massive amount of the android's energy.
It was only right to give him a Senzu Bean and let him return to his peak condition.
"Goku, do you have some kind of grudge against Piccolo? Are you trying to use my hands to kill him?" Cell laughed triumphantly. "While I don't like being used as your tool, I'd be more than happy to help you kill this guy! Just sit back and watch!"
With that, Cell immediately tossed the Senzu Bean into his mouth and swallowed it.
Boom!
A massive surge of energy erupted from Cell, and his dark green aura flared up once again, burning fiercely.
"Senzu Beans really are incredible!" Cell marveled, clicking his tongue in wonder.
"Goku, you don't seriously want Cell to wipe out Piccolo, do you?" A cold sweat broke out on Krillin's forehead.
Piccolo: "..."
Goku, you absolute sabotaging bastard.
He's your son, yet you're making me be the one to trigger his Beast form?
Are you really that unwilling to put in any effort yourself?
Vegeta wiped a bead of cold sweat from his face, watching coldly from the side.
What's the plan here?
Are you really letting that guy Piccolo challenge Cell at his peak?
Are you kidding me?
I have a feeling Piccolo is going to get beaten to death!
Boom!
Piccolo wasted no more time. His energy exploded outward in a violent surge.
Titanic waves of power radiated from Piccolo, whipping up one energy storm after another, creating powerful gales that swept across the area.
Sensing the overwhelming pressure emanating from Piccolo, Cell was taken aback.
Vegeta's pupils shrank, his expression shifting rapidly.
What is going on?
How did Piccolo get this strong?
This shouldn't be possible!
Even in the world I came from... Piccolo struggled to deal with someone like Frost.
Let alone Frieza in his Golden form.
Why is the current Piccolo's energy intensity reaching such heights?
But the real shock was yet to come.
Flash!
In an instant, the color of Piccolo's skin changed, shifting from green to a vibrant orange. His body also seemed to grow a size larger.
Vegeta, Krillin, and the others were all left dumbfounded, staring at the now-orange Piccolo as their eyes twitched in disbelief.
"What kind of transformation is this?" Krillin stammered.
"Piccolo, why did you change colors? Are you a chameleon?" Yamcha blurted out.
Piccolo's orange face darkened.
You're the chameleon!
"Incredible, Piccolo! His power has skyrocketed!" Tien remarked with deep awe.
"Is... is this Mr. Piccolo's true strength? He's way more powerful than the Mr. Piccolo from my future world!" Trunks was utterly stunned.
"Uncle Piccolo! Good luck!" Gohan shouted excitedly.
"Uncle Piccolo, go for it!" Videl joined in the cheering.
Gohan: "..."
Gohan turned back and gave Videl a friendly smile.
Videl stuck her tongue out at him and made a playful face.
"T-This... this is..." Vegeta was actually stuttering.
How could Piccolo's energy have reached this level?
This makes no sense!
I, Vegeta, am a reincarnator!
How could I not know about Piccolo having a transformation like this?
The reason Vegeta was so shocked was that, in his experience, it was impossible for Piccolo to be this powerful.
He had expected Kakarot to become stronger.
But for Piccolo to also reach such heights was simply absurd.
Cell stared blankly at the "Orange Mode" Piccolo, looking momentarily lost.
However, he quickly snapped back to reality.
"Piccolo, you really are something else. You're much stronger than I imagined," Cell snorted. "But if you think you can beat me just like this, you're overestimating yourself! I'll wipe you out right now and show you the true power of Cell!"
As he spoke, Cell descended from the sky and landed right in front of Piccolo.
Piccolo's expression turned solemn.
In the visions of the future Gohan saw, I had a fierce clash with this guy named Cell.
But back then, I was no match for him!
This time, I have to find a way to defeat him as quickly as possible.
"Hmph, do you really think changing colors and getting a bit bigger is enough to beat me?" Cell chuckled. As he spoke, he lunged toward Piccolo with blinding speed.
Bam!
Cell's fist slammed heavily into Piccolo.
Piccolo didn't even try to dodge. He took the blow head-on, his expression turning icy.
Cell froze for a split second.
Bam!
In the next heartbeat, Piccolo swung a massive punch that caught Cell square in the head.
With a resounding thud, Cell was sent flying backward, crashing into the ground and leaving a long, deep furrow in the earth.
Everyone except for Goku and Gohan was stunned once again.
When they looked closer, they saw that Cell's cheek had been deeply caved in.
"Hmph. Cell, show me your true power. Stop warming up with this child's play," Piccolo snorted with a slight smirk.
"Don't get cocky!" Cell scrambled up from the ground, his face twisted in a mix of shame and rage.
Boom!
Cell didn't hesitate any longer. He unleashed every ounce of his energy.
The sheer power of his aura caused the entire planet to tremble violently.
Piccolo remained calm. He charged forward with ferocious intensity, launching a relentless assault on Cell.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
The two engaged in a violent exchange on the ground, trading punches and kicks that echoed with dull, heavy thuds.
After several rounds of combat, blood began to flow from both of their faces and bodies.
"Damn it!" Cell was fuming. He never imagined that a single Piccolo would be this difficult to handle.
Vegeta felt a pang of frustration. He wanted to ask Piccolo how he had increased his strength so much, but he felt it would be a blow to his pride to actually ask.
"Goku, when did Piccolo get this strong? Did he fuse with another Namekian?" Krillin asked curiously.
Vegeta immediately perked up his ears, shooting Krillin a look of approval.
This guy just asked the exact question I wanted to.
"Remember when Shenron appeared earlier?" Goku asked with a smile.
Krillin blinked, then realization dawned on him. He nodded and said, "Shenron did appear a few days ago, but what does that have to do with Piccolo's power boost?"
"Shenron released all of Piccolo's latent potential. It's as simple as that," Goku said bluntly.
Vegeta was struck with shock.
It was really that simple?
Just like that... Piccolo's strength has become comparable to my Super Saiyan Blue.
Your growth rate is way too fast!
That's cheating!
Relying on outside help to boost your strength...
"Kakarot, is that how you reached this 'Super Saiyan 4' form too?" Vegeta asked with a snort and a smirk.
"No," Goku shook his head.
Vegeta: "..."
You say no... but you could at least elaborate!
Giving me a two-word answer and then stopping—what is that supposed to mean?
Vegeta felt utterly exasperated.
The battle between Piccolo and Cell continued.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
The two clashed fiercely once again.
After several more rounds of fighting...
Bam!
Cell landed a rising uppercut that sent Piccolo soaring into the sky.
Piccolo quickly stabilized himself in mid-air. He pressed his index and middle fingers together and placed them against his forehead, beginning to gather energy for a Special Beam Cannon.
"What? You think I don't know how to use that? Don't forget—I have your cells in me too!" Cell snorted. He mimicked Piccolo's stance, gathering his own Special Beam Cannon.
Two spiraling beams of energy roared toward each other.
Rumble!
The spiraling beams collided in mid-air, exploding into a vast expanse of energy.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Piccolo dove down from the sky, landing a heavy punch on Cell's face.
Wincing in pain, Cell swung back with a slap that caught Piccolo square on the cheek.
The blow knocked out two of Piccolo's teeth, and he spat out a large mouthful of blood.
Thud!
Piccolo lashed out with a kick that caught Cell in the chest.
Cell skidded backward, his face contorted in pain.
However, he quickly righted himself and launched a fierce counterattack.
Piccolo gritted his teeth and held his ground.
After several more rounds of intense combat...
Bam!
Piccolo landed an elbow strike to Cell's face.
Thwack!
Cell stumbled back several steps before landing flat on his backside.
Huff... huff... huff...
Piccolo was panting heavily. He had clearly expended a massive amount of stamina, and his energy output was no longer as smooth as it had been.
To be continued…
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