People in Dragon Ball! Start With Selecting Super Saiyan 4

As the intense battle between Son Goku and Cell raged on, two sharp bursts of air suddenly split through the sky.

It was the ever-alert Piccolo who first sensed the presence approaching.

He turned his head slightly, eyes narrowing, and said in a grim tone, "It's Linze… and Android 18."

Piccolo's voice was low, but his words reached the ears of Gohan, Trunks, and the others standing beside him with ease.

"So they're still lingering nearby after all?"

Trunks frowned slightly.

"I can't tell yet if this is a good thing… or a bad omen."

Piccolo added, his tone even heavier.

"Uncle Piccolo, I really don't think Mr. Linze is malicious," Gohan interjected, looking towards the newcomers. "I don't sense any evil ki coming from him at all."

Trunks, too, turned to glance at Linze. His expression was unreadable, though his eyes locked briefly with Android 18's with lingering tension and a trace of caution.

"I hope you're right," Piccolo responded, nodding slowly. "But if he turns out to be someone dangerous, someone like him could shift the entire balance of this battle."

"I'll go greet them."

Without hesitation, Trunks launched into the air and flew toward Linze and Android 18, who hovered quietly at a distance.

"Mr. Linze, so you did come after all!"

Trunks called out as he approached, a strained smile tugging at his lips.

His gaze briefly flickered to Android 18 beside Linze, her presence alone still evoked memories of the future timeline where the androids had devastated Earth.

"Just here on some business," Linze replied calmly.

After a pause, he glanced toward Android 18. If it weren't for her, he thought to himself, I wouldn't have shown up this early.

"Mr. Linze… if Goku ends up losing this fight… would you be willing to step in against Cell?"

Trunks' voice was cautious, almost pleading. He knew Linze had no obligation to intervene, especially not for people he barely knew. But in this moment, with the future of the Earth at stake, he had to ask.

Linze looked at Trunks and replied, a faint smile playing at his lips.

"That depends. If the opportunity comes, and if Gohan can't end it, then yes I'll take on Cell."

Trunks' eyes widened slightly at the response.

"Thank you, Mr. Linze! Truly!"

Relief flooded his voice, and his face brightened. Trunks turned quickly and soared back toward the others, clearly eager to share what felt like a sliver of hope.

Back in the ring, Son Goku and Cell had already exchanged thousands of blows.

The shockwaves from their fists shook the very air. But although the fight remained undecided, the signs were becoming increasingly clear, Goku was falling behind.

If things continued this way, he would not emerge the victor.

"This is bad," Goku thought, beads of sweat forming on his brow. "My body's not keeping up... At this rate, I'll lose for sure."

Even in his perfected Super Saiyan state, the energy cost of matching Cell's power and speed was catching up to him. Against a foe this strong, even the smallest slip would be fatal.

He had clearly reached his limit, while Cell remained composed, his energy seemingly untouched, still at its peak.

"What's wrong, Son Goku? If this is all you've got, then I must say... I'm severely disappointed."

Cell sneered at Goku, his expression mocking and confident.

Even Cell himself hadn't anticipated such a surge in power after achieving his Perfect Form by absorbing Android 18 and now, after taking direct hits from Vegeta's Final Flash earlier in the tournament, he had further pushed his regenerative abilities, increasing his combat efficiency to terrifying heights.

Perhaps his current power even exceeded what it had been when he first completed his transformation.

"Though I hate to admit it… I can't beat you," Goku finally said, panting, his face grim with fatigue. "I'm surrendering this match."

Goku's words landed like a bombshell.

Continuing the fight was pointless. Cell's stamina barely seemed affected, and Goku could no longer even maintain a consistent offense. He had realized that no matter how much more he tried to push himself, it would only wear him down further, buying nothing but time for Cell.

"What?"

Cell raised his brows in disbelief.

And below the ring, Piccolo, Gohan, and Trunks all stared, stunned.

They could feel Goku's energy, he hadn't yet gone all out. He hadn't even tapped into Kaio-Ken over Super Saiyan, or unleashed any new tricks. So why had he… surrendered?

"What the hell is Goku thinking?"

"If he gives up now, who the hell is going to stop Cell?!"

Piccolo's face darkened, his jaw clenched in frustration. His voice was low but sharp.

"Son Goku… don't you realize that if none of you can defeat me, I'll destroy this entire planet?"

Cell's amused tone had vanished. His expression darkened into a menacing glare, and his voice became low and deadly serious.

"Of course I know," Goku replied firmly, eyes steady. "But just because I've surrendered doesn't mean you won't be beaten."

With that, he leapt off the ring.

And with the same calm confidence, he strode over to where Son Gohan stood, stunned, wide-eyed, and unsure.

Clearly, Goku had someone else in mind to carry on the fight. During their time training inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, he had sensed something, something immense—lurking deep within his son's energy. A power even greater than his own. It just hadn't been awakened yet.

…

"From the looks of it… Cell's current strength after taking Vegeta's Final Flash head-on is even more refined than the Perfect Cell we saw in Dragon Ball Z."

Watching the ring quietly from a distance, Linze frowned.

The sheer difference in power between Goku and Cell was obvious—Goku hadn't even scratched him.

And even Gohan, despite his hidden potential, might not be Cell's equal yet.

Time passed slowly as the battle resumed.

Ten minutes later, Gohan's battered body was hurled to the ground by a brutal backhand from Cell.

His golden aura vanished as he reverted from Super Saiyan to his base form.

"Goku! Are you trying to get your own son killed!?"

Seeing Gohan lying there, bleeding and motionless, Piccolo snapped. His voice was filled with rage as he shouted at Goku, unable to contain himself.

Piccolo had trained Gohan. He had watched over him like a guardian and now he couldn't bear to see him broken, abandoned in the ring like this.

"It's not possible…"

"There's definitely an incredible power inside Gohan… So why hasn't it surfaced yet?"

Goku muttered under his breath, fists clenched, his eyes fixed on his son with deep frustration and concern.

Was Gohan really so unwilling to tap into the fury within even now, when his life was on the line?

Crack!

Cell's knee slammed brutally into Gohan's ribs, sending the boy flying like a ragdoll.

Boom!

Gohan crashed into a massive rock formation, shattering it into a storm of rubble, before collapsing unconscious.

Then, with a cold smile and bloodlust in his eyes, Cell slowly turned his head toward Linze.

His lips curled into a wicked grin.

With deliberate cruelty, he spoke, his voice laced with malice: "Next… it's your turn."

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