Kryptonians: Man of Steel

Chapter 1694 Cell's Rebirth
The setting sun cast a blood-red glow on the battlefield outside Xidu, the broken walls and ruins casting long shadows in the slanting light. Number 17 and Number 18 lay on the cracked ground, their bodies temporarily incapacitated by injuries, even though the Infinite Energy Furnace was still running.

Future Trunks's hand, gripping the longsword, trembled slightly. The tip of the sword pointed at the two androids, and the image of that destroyed world flashed through his mind.

Gohan walked to his father Goku's side, his gaze sweeping over Vegeta, and calmly said, "Vegeta and the others also destroyed the Earth and killed countless people back then, but aren't they now our partners?"

Vegeta snorted coldly, crossed his arms in front of his chest, neither refuting nor agreeing.

Sun Wukong turned directly to the two androids and asked, "Number 17, Number 18, will you kill people indiscriminately?"

Number 17 replied casually, "Who knows? Maybe I'll give it a try?"

His tone was nonchalant, as if he were discussing a trivial matter.

Number 18 added provocatively, "That's right, we could become the demons this guy talks about, the ones who kill countless people. Aren't you going to kill us?"

She glanced at Future Trunks, a slight smile playing on her lips.

Future Trunks retorted vehemently, "I disagree! They're completely untrustworthy. We should eliminate them now!"

He remembered his destroyed world, a future filled with nothing but despair.

While everyone was arguing about what to do with the 17th and 18th, a silent transformation was unfolding in a dark corner several kilometers away, hidden by a meteorite crater.

Cell's last remaining core—about the size of a fist, covered in a dark green carapace and with a surface covered in nerve-like biological tissue—was pulsating at a visible speed, like some kind of eerie heart.

Thanks to the cosmic survival talent bestowed upon him by the Frieza clan and the powerful regenerative abilities of the Namekians, fine buds began to sprout around his core.

They intertwine and entwine as if they possessed a self-aware consciousness, reconstructing muscle fibers and biological skeletons, emitting subtle sounds that make your teeth ache.

Even more terrifying is that the "near-death boost" property contained in Saiyan cells has been fully activated. With each core pulsation, it draws upon the scarce energy of the surrounding world, frantically devouring it and transforming it into regenerative nutrients and potential power.

"The Cell of this timeline... its evolutionary path may have deviated from Dr. Gro's original design."

Luther, who was far away at the scene of the debate, had a slight thought. His extraordinary perception allowed him to detect that extremely subtle yet ominous energy fluctuation.

……

Cell's first form was reshaped with astonishing efficiency, still retaining that ugly appearance of a combination of insect and humanoid creature, with its carapace shimmering with a dark luster.

He looked down at his newborn hands, and between his fingers, a power far greater than before surged through his veins.

Tiny vortexes spontaneously formed around him, stirring up the dust on the ground.

"What's going on? My strength... has increased so much?"

Cell was filled with astonishment and ecstasy.

He clearly remembered the feeling of powerlessness before being crushed by that boy Son Gohan, but now, the power surging within him made him feel that if he were to face that attack again, perhaps... perhaps he could have a slight chance of resisting.

However, reason quickly prevailed over the brief excitement.

Son Gohan's blond hair, blue eyes, and arrogance, along with the destructive energy impact, were etched deep into his memory like a nightmare.

"Perfect form... Only by becoming a perfect form can one possess absolute power!"

Dr. Gro's ultimate goal, implanted deep within his genes, was crystal clear. To rush in now would be tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock.

He needs to lie in wait, to wait, to find that foolproof opportunity to devour Number 17 and Number 18 and make up for what he is missing.

With this in mind, Cell forcibly suppressed the restlessness caused by the surge of power within his body, completely concealing his aura, like a drop of water merging into the ocean, silently sinking into the deeper shadows, and beginning to accelerate the accumulation of power by absorbing the essence of life along the way.

He was unaware that this accumulation was causing his first form to evolve in a direction that even his creator had not anticipated.

……

The argument in the distance finally came to an end thanks to Sun Wukong's persistence.

Sun Wukong walked up to Future Trunks, whose expression was solemn, patted him on the shoulder, and said in a gentle but firm tone: "Trunks, I understand your worries, and I believe what you've seen from that tragic future. But if we easily take away these two conscious lives just because of a 'possibility' that hasn't happened yet, what essential difference is there between our actions and those wanton demons? Preventing evil cannot come at the cost of creating new evil."

Future Trunks clenched his fists so tightly that his nails almost dug into his palms.

His mind flashed images of a devastated city, crowds crying out in despair, and his comrades falling one after another.

He opened his mouth, but in the end, all his unspoken words turned into a long sigh, and his tightly clenched fist slowly loosened.

“I understand, Mr. Sun Wukong. Perhaps… you are right. But I implore everyone to remain on the highest alert regarding these two androids. If they show any signs of threat…”

“Don’t worry,” Sun Wukong replied, his eyes serious. “We will keep a close eye on things. And you should have faith in our Gohan.”

He smiled as he looked at his son beside him, his eyes filled with pride.

Just then, a figure appeared silently nearby; it was Luther.

"Mr. Luther!"

Sun Wukong and Sun Wukong greeted each other almost simultaneously, their tone filled with obvious respect.

This unusual attitude drew curious glances from everyone.

Luther's gaze swept over Number 17 and Number 18, who were under control and had different expressions, and a hint of "surprise" appeared on his face at the right moment: "It seems that the trouble here has been resolved?"

“Yes, Mr. Luther,”

Son Gohan stepped forward, giving a relaxed report as if he had just completed his mission.

"Furthermore, the monster you warned me about before, named Cell, has already been destroyed by me."

"Cell?"

This unfamiliar name surprised most people, except for Gohan and Luther.

However, Luther frowned slightly and asked a crucial question: "Destroy? Gohan, are you sure you've completely destroyed his core?"

"core?"

Son Gohan's relaxed expression froze instantly, and the faint unease in his heart suddenly magnified.

(End of this chapter)