However, there appears to be a key difference between this version of Cell's Perfect Form and the one from the Dragon Ball Z manga. This Cell's facial structure bears a striking resemblance to Vegeta's especially the brows and jawline.
It appears that Cell has absorbed Vegeta!
After a few minutes, Cell vanished from the television broadcast, but not before throwing direct shade at Linze, Son Goku, and the Z-Warriors.
His general message was this: in exactly one day, he would hold the World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament, and there he would personally crush both Linze and Son Goku in front of the entire world…
"Cell said ten o'clock in the morning," No. 18 said to Linze, frowning slightly. "But he didn't mention a location?"
Did he expect them to track him down?
"Don't worry. I can sense Cell's ki. I'm sure Son Goku can feel it too."
Linze gave a confident smirk, the corners of his mouth lifting ever so slightly.
As the undisputed protagonist of Dragon Ball, Son Goku would undoubtedly find his way to Cell—without fail.
…
One day passed swiftly.
By nine o'clock in the morning, Goku, Gohan, Trunks, and Piccolo had all gathered at the Lookout also known as the Temple of Heaven—fully prepared for the battle ahead.
"I'm going to have to face that monster again," Krillin muttered under his breath, his voice trembling with unease.
The last time they'd fought, Cell had knocked him out with a casual backhand, and that was before Cell had even reached his Perfect Form.
Back then, Cell had only absorbed Android 17. Now, having possibly absorbed Vegeta or someone just as powerful Cell's strength had likely skyrocketed.
"Krilin, if you're that scared, maybe you shouldn't go," Goku said with a light-hearted grin, trying to lift the tension.
Honestly, Goku wanted to say, You probably won't be able to help anyway, but even he knew that would've been too harsh.
"Ahhh, come on! I can't just back out now. Even if it's dangerous, I'll still go with you guys!"
Krillin scratched his bald head awkwardly and let out a nervous laugh.
Everyone else was going how could he sit it out and hide like a coward?
Worst case... I die again, he thought grimly.
"Alright then. Everyone, place your hands on me. Let's head over…"
Goku raised his index and middle fingers to his forehead, focused on Cell's energy signature, and with a flash of Instant Transmission, they all vanished from the Lookout.
The moment they reappeared, they found themselves in a vast, rocky wasteland.
At the center of the valley stood a colossal arena clearly the ring Cell had built for the tournament.
And in the center of that ring, stood Cell himself calm, composed, and menacing.
"Kakarot, you're finally here!"
Suddenly, a voice rang out across the valley.
It was unmistakably Vegeta's.
Everyone's eyes widened in shock as they all turned toward Cell.
"Vegeta?"
"What was that?! That voice just now... it sounded like Vegeta!"
Son Goku was momentarily stunned as he stared at Cell, his expression laced with unease. Could it be that Cell was now being controlled by Vegeta?
"Dad... Dad!"
Trunks shouted in disbelief, his eyes wide in shock as he looked between Cell and the others.
"Haha!"
"What's wrong? Surprised? Since I absorbed Vegeta, I can naturally use his voice and even access all of his memories."
Cell looked at Goku and the others with amusement, his smirk full of twisted pride.
"This bastard! Give me back my dad!"
Trunks' expression instantly hardened. He clenched his fists, furious, and in a burst of golden energy, transformed into a Super Saiyan, ready to lunge at Cell.
"Wait, Trunks. You're not his match."
Son Goku calmly stepped forward, crossing his arms in front of Trunks.
The Cell standing before them was overwhelmingly powerful. Goku, even at the peak of Super Saiyan, could feel the intensity of Cell's ki and Trunks wasn't at that level yet.
…
Meanwhile, in West City, Linze and Android 18 were sitting in a quiet corner of a sushi restaurant.
Linze was eating leisurely, utterly relaxed. Android 18, however, was visibly irritated her foot tapping rapidly beneath the table.
"Hey! It's already past ten o'clock. Are you going to save Seventeen or not? If you're not going, I'll go myself!"
18 snapped at Linze, her icy tone slicing through the air like a blade.
This guy so calm and aloof seemed to have completely forgotten that Cell had just announced the World's Martial Arts Tournament yesterday.
"What's the rush? The appetizers aren't even over yet."
"Don't the main characters always appear last?"
Linze remained nonchalant, sipping his tea as if he were discussing a television show rather than a life-and-death battle.
Son Goku and the others were probably already on-site. And if events followed the original Dragon Ball Z storyline, then the clownish world champion, Mr. Satan, would still be doing his usual grandstanding on TV before the real action began.
"Then you can be the last to fight!"
With that cold retort, 18's figure blurred as she launched into the sky, flying off at full speed.
"Tch… women really are impatient," Linze muttered, shaking his head. He casually popped another piece of sushi into his mouth before vanishing in a flash of energy.
…
Back in the rocky valley, the massive tournament ring stood silent—except for the rising tension.
Son Goku and Cell now faced each other in the center of the arena.
"Son Goku… I didn't expect you to be the first to fight," Cell said with a faint smirk.
"Come on, Cell. Let me see just how strong you've become after absorbing Vegeta."
Goku responded, his expression calm but focused, staring at Cell's face—which now carried Vegeta's sharp features.
"Vegeta's consciousness urges me to crush you."
Cell's eyes narrowed. "His willpower is fierce… so I suppose I'll do him the favor."
"Is that so?"
"Well then let's see if you've got the power to back that up."
As Goku's words dropped, he launched forward with a flash of light.
"Come at me, Son Goku!"
Cell grinned, and their fists collided in mid-air with explosive force.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The battle erupted instantly, punches flying at blinding speed.
"They're so fast! I can't see their movements at all!"
Trunks, Piccolo, and the others stood frozen at the edge of the ring, struggling to keep up with the furious exchange. All they could hear were the deafening impact sounds and the sonic booms reverberating through the valley.
It was as if their eyes couldn't track the fight just blurred flashes and shockwaves.
Strangely, only Son Gohan's eyes followed the battle clearly.
His calm expression didn't show panic—only growing realization.
---