"That… that woman?"
Cell's body suddenly trembled, a fleeting look of panic crossing his face. "Android 21? So that's it, so that's it. That woman is indeed an Android as well."
"Android 21?" Bulma looked puzzled.
Is there Android 21?
Why wasn't she mentioned before?
Not only Bulma, but even Android 18 looked surprised.
Android 16 had been with them all along, so how did he know Android 21?
His tone seemed very certain.
If Android 16 knew Android 21, it was probably only mentioned in the communicator in Dr. Gero's pocket.
Did Android 16 meet Android 21 before?
Android 18 was at a loss.
Android 16 did not explain to everyone at this time and continued, "My initial ability to stop you is the best proof, isn't it, Cell?"
"You…" Cell's face turned green with anger.
That's right, Cell was scared.
Although the Perfect Form was the most perfect and strongest state.
However, Cell felt uncertain in his heart.
Therefore, to avoid trouble, Cell gave Android 21 face and did not cause too much damage to Android 16.
Otherwise, could a mere Android 16 stop him, Cell, in his mature form?
It was simply a fantasy!
"Did I hit a nerve, Cell?!"
Android 16 narrowed his eyes. As expected, the "If it weren't for that woman, I would have killed you," that Cell said back then referred to Android 21.
Android 16 was not sure if the woman Cell mentioned was the same Android 21 that Android 17 and Android 18 mentioned.
However, by bluffing Cell, he immediately got the answer.
The two should be the same person.
As for why Android 21 wanted to protect him, Android 16 had no idea for now, and it was not the time to think about it.
Don't look at how calm Android 16 was; in fact, he was just waiting for Piccolo to arrive, because there was a recorded scene from Vomi's nanobots before, showing Piccolo chasing Cell.
The explosion just now was also a reminder to Piccolo, and even to Vegeta and his group.
As for whether they could defeat Cell, Android 16 was not sure. Seeing that these people didn't seem to care about his and Android 18's strength, they should have a way, right?
Even if they didn't, Piccolo's leap in strength seemed enough to kill Cell.
In addition, he was also buying time for Vomi.
She said she could create an energy shield that would temporarily block Cell, but this shield needed time.
Cell was a little angry.
What Android 16 said was indeed the truth, and precisely because it was the truth, Cell was angry.
Cell frowned slightly, then smiled, "You're stalling me to wait for Piccolo, aren't you?"
His words made Bulma and Android 18's expressions change.
Although Android 16 maintained his composure, his teammates' lack of cooperation instantly revealed a flaw to Cell.
"So that's it, stalling for time!"
No longer hesitating, Cell suddenly rushed towards Android 18.
The perfect form is here right now. All the crises are just illusions. Once he reached perfect form, everything would be resolved easily.
"Android 18, run!"
Android 16 shouted, stepping forward to block Cell's path, while Bulma quickly hid inside the building.
"Useless, Android 16, I won't hesitate anymore."
Piccolo's Ki was already very close. If he didn't absorb Android 18, and considering how much power he had consumed to recover his body just now, he definitely wouldn't be able to defeat Piccolo. He wouldn't even be able to escape like last time.
A ki blast landed on Android 16's abdomen.
With a "bang," Android 16 was sent flying backward, crashing into a distant wall.
"Special Beam Cannon"
A terrifying ki blast came from a very distant place, flying straight towards Cell, who was chasing Android 18.
Cell accelerated again, caught up with Android 18, and then used a hand chop to knock her unconscious.
"Special Beam Cannon"
A ki blast from Cell, responding to the rapidly approaching attack.
Boom!
A loud noise came from the sky.
"Hahaha, Piccolo, you're too late."
Cell's tail opened its gaping maw and swallowed the unconscious Android 18.
Almost in the blink of an eye, Cell's ki began to increase exponentially.
Even his originally ferocious face was rapidly changing, and his body became more slender.
With a casual wave, Cell blew away the smoke generated by the collision of the Special Beam Cannon.
Cell's appearance had undergone a tremendous change at this time.
"Damn it."
As a Namekian, Piccolo's eyesight was excellent, and he saw Cell's transformation clearly.
Especially feeling that terrifying aura, even he felt his heart tremble.
At this moment, a hemispherical shield rose from the location of Capsule Corporation in West City.
"Hmm?"
Cell also noticed the golden shield below.
"Useless thing, can this thing stop me, Perfect Cell?"
Not only did it appear a bit late, but he was already in his Perfect Form now, so what good was that shield?
Protecting Android 16?
He casually conjured a ki blast and threw it towards the shield.
Just as Cell was preparing to listen for the sound of the shield exploding, the golden shield actually slowly swallowed the ki blast that had entered its barrier.
Cell: "???"
What the hell?
My attack couldn't break through a shield made by a human?
"I must have used too little force."
Cell prepared to attack again.
However, Piccolo had already arrived in front of him.
Cell and Piccolo looked at each other, and Cell also dispelled the ki blast he was about to throw at the shield.
Below, at the location of Capsule Corporation.
Vomi walked out of the damaged building and said, "I'm sorry, Ms. Bulma, and Android 16, I was a bit slow."
"No, it's not your fault. Being able to block Cell's attack is already an incredible feat."
Vomi had said she would create a shield that could defend against Cell's attacks.
Bulma didn't have much confidence.
Only when she saw Vomi's shield easily block Cell's ki blast did she realize how strong the designed shield was.
Android 16 also crawled out of the rubble and broken walls. He also saw the shield block Cell's attack; not only did it block it, but it also absorbed it.
Regarding Vomi's apology, Android 16 shook his head. "It's not your fault. Perhaps Android 18 was destined for this."
Dr. Gero's purpose in creating Android 17 and Android 18 was probably for Cell.
"Cell's current power is probably…"
"Bulma, are you alright?"
Vegeta used Instant Transmission to appear at the location of the ruined Capsule Corporation.
Looking at the surrounding broken eaves and walls, he quickly looked for Bulma's whereabouts.
"I'm fine, Vegeta." Bulma quickly ran over and hugged Vegeta. "I almost thought I wouldn't see you again."
"Aren't you fine? Don't worry, with Super Vegeta here, everything will be alright."
Vegeta looked around at everyone present.
Bulma and Android 16, and it seemed there was also Trunks's Ki.
"Are you the only ones left in West City?" After learning the situation from Dende, Vegeta quickly returned using Instant Transmission, but he didn't expect to see this scene upon his return, even feeling that the entire city had no life.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Vegeta, if the shield I created had been faster, perhaps Android 18 wouldn't have been harmed."
Vomi's apologetic voice came from behind Vegeta.