Part 3, Chapter 4: Go Forth, Fledgling Warriors!

Bulma said Dr. Gero's hideout was here, right...?

There's smoke...

What is this? What happened here?!

Stay alert! There might be something dangerous lurking around!

Ahh! Danger spotted!

Huh? Whose voice was that?

What's this brat doing in a place like this?!

H-Hey! If you're gonna play, do it somewhere else! It's dangerous here.

Tsk tsk. You shouldn't treat us like children, Mister!

Yeah! We're the ones who took care of all the bad robots that were around here!

Wh-What did you say?!

What's this...aura from these kids? Are they Saiyans?! But even so... these kids shouldn't have...

Heh heh heh! Are you scared? Too late to apologize now!

Apologize? Wait, apologize for what?

If you're here, you must be friends with the bad robots! This is your final warning!

H-Hold on a second! What makes you say that?!

Well, look! Those two have the same mark on their clothes as the bad robots we just destroyed!

G-Gah, he's right! Hey! Why haven't you guys found some new clothes yet?!

Because we like them. You got a problem with that?

No reason to complain about our clothing, now is there?

We're not complaining! It's just... It will cause some unnecessary misunderstandings!

What are you talking about? Didn't you two become our bodyguards for situations such as these?

Huh?! W-We didn't become your bodyguards for these kinds of disputes...

But it seems your opponents think otherwise! Do your best protecting us now! Heh heh heh.

(Urngh... These guys...)

Alright! Let's do this, Goten!

Yeah! Let's go, Trunks! ...Hah!

What?! Super Saiyans?! But they are just kids!

You two look like Saiyans, but if you're friends with the bad robots, we won't go easy on you!

Hurry up and turn Super Saiyan! I'll show you how different our strength is!

Ngh... I...

What's up? Oh... Can't you guys transform? How boring! In that case, this'll be a piece of cake!

Oh yeah? If you're so keen, then...

Give it your best shot!

Agh! That guy can transform?!

Owww! What's the big idea?! Why would an adult go all out on a kid?!

Didn't you say not to treat you like children?!

I-I never said that!

Jeez! You can't even keep your story straight! I'd sure like to see who raised you.

M-Master, maybe you should calm down...

Grr! Well now you made me really mad! I'm going all out! Goten, let's beat them to a pulp!

Yeah! No more Mr. Nice Guy!

You were holding back before? Hah! You're bluffing! Go on, let's see what you got!

Master?! I know they may be children, but they're Super Saiyans! You can't take them both on at once!

Jeez, if you're going all out, we might as well fight too.

What?!

Ch-Cheater! Four versus two is unfair!

Unfair you say? After all, we are evil robots whose ultimate ambition is to take over the world! Mwa ha ha!

Huh?

Gahaha! Pathetic humans! You stand no chance against us as you are now! Come back when you're stronger!

Wh-What?

Huh...? Wait, what? Since when did #17 say stuff like that?

Master... He's just acting...

T-Trunks, what do we do?

Grr! Let's run for it, Goten!

Hey, bad robots! We're gonna get stronger and then wipe the floor with you!

Yeah! You better watch your backs!

Did you like my performance? This is how you deal with kids. I hope you were taking notes, heh heh.

*sigh* Even those kids were able to go Super Saiyan. Meanwhile, I...

Hey, don't get so down about it. I mean, it's more than surprising that those kids could go Super Saiyan.

So, even the kids can transform. Shallot, you aren't as strong as you thought, are you?

What was that?! You wanna fight?!

Picking a fight with a lady? You are such a barbarian... Don't you get called indelicate all the time?

Bulma says that a lot, but I still don't get what it means...

Pffft. Of course. Of course you don't. Ha ha ha!

Ngh, your high and mighty act really ticks me off... If I get rid of being "indelicate" will I get stronger?!

Bwaha! Hahahaha! #17! This guy is a bona fide idiot!

Why you...! Quit making fun of me! You really tick me off...!

Hey now, guys...

I've finally found you!

Huh? Goku? Wait, Turles? No...you're not either of them... Who on earth are you, huh?

It doesn't matter who I am. Just answer me!

Are you the hooded man who's been going around killing Saiyans?!

W-What?! Master... Did you really...?!

Again with this hooded thing! It's been a while since I've been mistaken for him.

I'm telling you, you've got the wrong guy!

Tch! He's playing dumb! That old fashioned look and your face are just like the rumors say!

Don't you think you can talk yourself out of this! I will avenge the Saiyans you've killed!

Ngrah, man! Is no one going to believe me?! This just keeps happening!

Color me surprised! You keep saying you're not a baddie, but the odds really are against you!

As they say, you can't judge a book by its cover.

Oh, shaddap! As if I'd go round killing Saiyans like that!

Y-Yeah! T-That's right! Master wouldn't...

He wouldn't do that... Ha ha... R-Right, Master?

Cabba?! You doubted me for a moment there, didn't you?!

Tch. Stop playing the fool! It's time for you to perish!

Hmph. If you want a fight that badly then fine! I'll take you on!

Hnraaaagh!

Rrh! Ngh?!

Master is under pressure?! Who is this person?!

(This guy's Ki isn't even all that strong! What's with his stubbornness?!)

Heh, this is fun! Fine, I'll see this to the end! None of you interfere!

*pant* *pant*

*pant* *pant*

I'm done with this.

What?

It seems that you're not the hooded man after all.

I could tell by the way you fight... You weren't going for the kill.

If you were the real hooded man, I wouldn't be standing here now, would I?

Tch... If you figured out, then why didn't you stop the fight earlier?!

Those are two different stories. When two Saiyans meet... there's only one thing to do!

Well, you're not wrong there...

Hey, hey, wait a minute... Really?! Are all the Saiyans in this universe like you two?

Hmph... Anyway, apologies for wasting your time. I wish us both luck in surviving that hooded man's assault.

Please, wait a second!

Hmmm?

With a Saiyan going around killing other Saiyans, it's not safe to travel alone.

Since you're here now, why not travel with us? The more the merrier.

...I'll pass.

You guys might be strong, but you're too soft at heart. You'll get in my way when push comes to shove.

Uhh, but... I mean...

Leave him be! If he wants to go off on his own, let him!

...Bardock.

Hm?

It's my name. We may meet again. If you survive until then, that is.

Hmph. I'm Shallot.

My, my. The lab is completely ruined and we had to fight those Saiyans all day long. How unfortunate we are.

Isn't this your fault, Shallot? Do you know anything other than picking a fight?

What?! I had to fight those Saiyan brats because of you guys!

It WAS because of your face that the Saiyan with the funny hairstyle picked on us!

So my face's the problem now?! Jeez, stop nitpicking!

Cool it, will you? Let's call it a day and take it easy in a nearby town.

We have to wait for that young lady to contact us about the next hideout anyway.

Alright, whatever!

Come on, Cabba! Let's train while we head to town!

Y-Yes, Master!

Training? What do you even plan on doing this time? I'm bored of your "get angry" theory.

Ack! Well, uh, you see...

...I got it! This time, we'll try that method Zahha recommended.

Zahha's recommendation?

Yup! I think we can do it while heading to town!

(I don't know what I'm getting myself into, but if Zahha said it was good, then I can trust it. Probably...)

Tch!

Just when I thought I'd found the hooded Saiyan, it turned out to be the wrong person!

I guess I've lost my touch...

(That Shallot guy, though. His clothes were indeed old fashioned. Just when did he...)

...!

Graah! Who is that!

Ooh, nice dodge. Pretty good for one connected to the blood of the tainted.

Wha? Is that you Shallot?!

Oh, did you say Shallot?

...!

Did you meet with him?

This guy looks just like him! I get it now. This guy is the real deal.

So, we finally meet, hooded Saiyan! I'm taking you down!

Hmph.

Gaaaaah!

Before you die, tell me. Where did you meet Shallot?

Ngh...

...Heh...Heh heh. Who knows? Go to hell!

...You won't say, huh? Fine then, go ahead and die!

Graaaaagh!

You really are a stubborn one. You won't sell out your race? Is that what you're trying to say?

Hah, don't give me that. You think "we" are the same race as you "blood of the tainted"?!

Ugh...

Heh... Heh! I'm not done just yet... I'll show you, hooded Saiyan!

There we go! Glad I could find a suitable target's Ki already. Alrighty then, let's go bring the fight to 'em!

What? Fight?! This is the training Zahha recommended?

Yeah. It's called...uh...

It's called...?

Warriors' training!

Warriors'...training?

There's nothing special about this training at all, is there...?

Listen! By taking out some bad guys, we might just work out something to get you really ticked off!

Are you sure that's going to work?!

In fact...did Zahha even actually recommend this training?

How was that?! Angry enough yet? Think you'll go Super Saiyan?

*pant* *pant* I-I'm just...I'm just tired! I can't keep fighting!

C'mon, we've just started! Hmm... Maybe I should whip out the stamina training that MY master made me endure...

Give him a break already! How long do you think you've been at this?

We're about to make a breakthrough! Hold on a little longer!

What do you mean breakthrough? I see no proof of anything!

Ngh...!

We're about to reach the city. Why don't you finish for today?

If we have to... Fine.

Th-Thank you...!

This city as well was hunted by that monster... Not a single soul is left.

Grr, damn that bastard! How many people is Cell going to eat?!

...

I guess he's not here anymore...

Maybe we can be thankful for the city being uninhabited. Easier to take stuff this way.

Hm, take what?

We can take the leftover food and it won't cause an uproar. It's perfect.

H-Hold on a second! That's immoral!

Don't be so uptight. There's no one left to eat it, is there?

It only makes sense for us to take it.

...

We've had our ups and downs while traveling, but this proves it!

You guys aren't good guys!

You're only just realizing this now? However! You objective is to guard us...

You have no right to complain about our methods.

Ngh...

No, we do!

Excuse me?

You upset me! That's enough of a reason to complain!

Just try and say sneaky little things like that again! I'll rip you to shreds in place of Cabba!

M-Master!

Here I thought you were a barbarian, but it turns out you're a little goody two-shoes. Pathetic!

What did you say?!

We never asked for you to follow us and yet you've done nothing but complain! I'm done with this!

I'll shut you up here and now!

You've said it now! I'll make you eat those words!

Bring it on! I'll send you flying!

How amusing! Let's see you try...

W-What! Hold on now! It didn't need to come to this! Everyone calm down!

G-Guys! There's no need to fight!

Stop dishing out orders, you idiot!

I don't want to hear that from you! You don't know the difference between right and wrong! You're the real idiot!

My my... you really are emotional.

Can the three of you p-please calm down!

Listen here. What's right and wrong is of no concern to us!

P-Please...stop...

Ha ha ha! If you want to stop us, Shallot, you'll need more power than that!

Please...

Don't underestimate me, you bastard!

Please! Knock it off!

Wha?!

What good will come of fighting amongst ourselves?!

Cabba's flipped out! What the heck is this power?! Wait, this Ki...

I don't know about Ki or whatever, but even without a power radar I can feel... something.

I see now... He's the kind of guy you're never supposed to make angry.

If you three insist on continuing this fight, I'll have to stop you with brute force!

Dearie me... Alright, alright, I hear you loud and clear.

Well, that was a good way to kill time. Let's end it there. Are you fine with that, #18?

Tch... Whatever. No point in continuing to fight an idiot.

You want to try saying that again! I guess you didn't learn anything!

...!!!

Hng?! ...A-Alright! I get it! I'll stop!

Hmph.

(There's no doubt about it... That's the Ki of a Super Saiyan! But he hasn't fully perfected it yet...)

Hey, Cabba, when you flipped out, how did your Ki...feel?

My Ki when I flipped out?

Wait! You don't mean...

Yeah! Your Ki was super close to a Super Saiyan's!

It was a crazy amount of Ki! I've never seen such powerful Ki before! Just how much you've been hiding?!

Hey! What was that huge burst of Ki just now? Did Cell attack?!

Uh...! Zahha?!

That you Zahha? No worries! We were just fighting!

But hey! Does that mean Cabba's Ki made it all the way to you? That's insane! I knew he was no joke!

You...

You idiots!

Whaaa?!

Cell could appear at any moment and you're out there fighting?! What are you thinking?!

Leave that place immediately and find somewhere to hide quick! Cell could have noticed that energy!

*sigh* We may all be in danger because of me flipping out... I'm a failure as a bodyguard...

Haha, exactly. With your current track record, it makes me wonder if you're cut out for the job at all.

How dare you!

Look, we don't have time to argue over every little thing. Do you sense Cell's Ki nearby or not?

No, I don't sense anything. How about you, Master?

Hmm... No...

...! Watch it! Everyone, fly higher!

What?!

Whoa! Are we under attack?! That was from the surface!

It's Cell! That bastard... He suppressed his Ki and sneaked up on us!

Then...it is my fault! He sensed my Ki and came after us!

Wasn't that attack just now unbelievably powerful...?!

It's order of magnitude stronger than last time! Th-That monster...!

Hrm?! Did they dodge it? They shouldn't have been able to sense it coming...

That's right... Shallot! With his keen sense of smell, he must have noticed at the last second!

Dammit! We can't sneak around anymore! We need to finish this now!

No! We can't fight Cell!

But... can we even escape when he's this close?

I'll try my best to hold him back! While I do, you guys make a run for it!

Don't be stupid! You'll die!

It doesn't matter! This only happened because of my mistake!

I won't allow #17 and #18 to be absorbed because of me!

Ngh!

I'll take care of 'em! Now go give back up to Vegeta. Hurry!

No way! Don't try and play the hero!

M-Master?!

I won't run! I'll defeat Cell here and now!

B-But Master! Cell is too strong now!

Yeah, I know that!

...Hey! #17... #18... Help me out!

What?

Aren't we the ones you're supposed to be protecting?

And you're asking this after our little fight as well? Have you no pride?

"When it comes to battle, you better not hesitate in doing what needs to be done."

That's what my Masters taught me!

I'm not interested in your Master's proverbs... Either way, we have no intention of running away.

Our target in the first place was to kill Dr. Gero. It makes no sense to stand down now!

If you two plan on fighting as well, try not to get in our way.

Right back at you! Don't get in OUR way!

A-All of you want to fight Cell?! No, you can't! It's too dangerous!

Quiet you!

Geh?!

Being protected by you all the time... makes me sick! So shut up and let us help!

But... even with everyone's power combined, it's nearly impossible we can defeat Cell at his current power level!

Cool it, Cabba! Listen here and don't forget this!

You're a thousand years too young to be worrying about your Master!

Oh? You chose to fight instead of run?

Yeah! You got a problem with that?!

Heh... ha ha ha ha! No, rather, I'm relieved that you're this much of an idiot!

Heh. I've been called an idiot so much it doesn't bother me anymore!

You won't have your way! I will make this place your grave!

Urgh!

Gaaah!

Heh heh heh. Fools! Don't you dare to challenge me ever again, you reckless brats!

...Well, whether you turn tail and run or stand against me, the outcome will still be the same!

Tch... You think you already won? You nasty monster!

Heh heh heh... You'll soon be part of this monster.

I'll shut your gassy mouth!

Hyaaaaa!

Had your fill of fighting?

Wha--?!

Because it's about time for me to absorb you!

...! #17! #18!

...Grah... I...won't let you...!

Frustrated? Then...get stronger... You can still get a lot stronger... You have the potential...

...I am already stronger! C'mon body... let the energy out!

Don't youuu!! Don't you touch #17 and #18!!

Guh! What the...!

*pant* *pant* I won't let you...!

I won't...let a freak like you hurt my friends!!!

Hraaaaaah!

(Ngh! Is that his underlying power...?!)

But...

*huff* *huff*

Tired already? Your Ki level is dropping. Heh heh heh...

Tch!

I commend your efforts, but I can't let you hinder me any longer!

Now die!

Grr...!

Not if...I can help it!

Gwaaah?!

C-Cabba!

Tch, you annoying pest...!

#17! #18!

Wha...?!

Not that hard to catch you off guard, since we don't carry any...Ki, was it?

We have him surrounded! It's now or never!

Do it noooow!!

Nngraaaah!

Hah, how do you like that? You monster!

G-Guys...

Grgh...!

Master!

Alright, Cabba! Don't let Shallot fall now!

Fly down to the surface! We're making a run for it!

Those impudent...! Did they really think an attack like that could finish me off?

...Hm?! I can't sense their Ki! Did they conceal themselves?!

Grr...

D-Damn it!!

Damn you!! #17!! #18!!

Ungh...

...! Master! Thank goodness you woke up!!

Ugh... Wh-Where are we?

The city from before. Even if Cell decides to come in this direction, there are enough hiding spots.

Cell! What happened to him?!

Unfortunately he's still alive... It took all we had to get away.

Dammit! We were close to finish him!

Running away was difficult enough. Let me say, Shallot, that was pretty amazing back there.

Sorry to interrupt your moment, but I have a ton of stuff I need to tell you!!

Yikes! Zahha?!

What do you mean "yikes"? You have a lot to say for yourselves!

You go around searching for Dr. Gero's hideout without saying a word, get into squabbles with your companions...

And to top it off you choose to pick a fight with Cell?!

I can't believe this happened even with you there Cabba!

Um... I-I'm sorry! It's my...!

Don't blame Cabba. While we were all doing as we pleased, he did quite a good job as a bodyguard.

Jeez, if you knew you were in the wrong, I wish you'd have stopped picking on Cabba in the first place!

Be that as it may...

It seems like there was some payoff for your risk, so I guess I'll let you off this time.

Payoff?

To be specific, you've achieved two things. First, coming into contact with Cell...

What? You're the one who's been lecturing us about avoiding Cell at any cost! ...Though I didn't listen.

The thing is Cabba accomplished the one thing I wanted Piccolo or myself to do.

Wha?!

Attaching a tracker onto Cell!

Excuse me?!

Wow, here I thought you were useless, but when it comes down to it, you get the job done, Cabba.

What's a tracker and what does sticking it on Cell do?

This is why I can't deal with idiots... It's a device that will allow us to figure out Cell's location.

Wha?! Are you serious?! Good job, Cabba! That's my boy! Ha ha!

Oh! It's nothing, really!

Hey, pipe down! I still have more to talk about!

Ah... Y-Yessir!

We're now checking the location where his movements last stopped. That ought to be their real hideout.

Alright! That means it's finally time for us to take down Cell and that rotten old man!

No! Not yet! It's still too early for that.

What? Zahha, I thought we were going to meet up with you and defeat Cell!

You came into contact with Cell, so the other thing we were able to achieve was...

Acquiring knowledge of Cell's current strength.

...!

Including the city over there, he has absorbed countless citizens and warriors. He's much stronger now.

Honestly, even if we united as one, we'd hardly stand any chance of winning.

Then what are we supposed to do?! Are we just going to let Cell continue to eat people as he pleases?!

We are meanwhile finding new allies! Until then, we have to suck it up!

N-No way...

When we're ready, I'll contact you again. Until then, please wait in that city... Please...!

...

It's already morning...

(While we sit here in standby, Cell is out there absorbing this planet's people...)

(...Is waiting the only thing we can do?)

... Hm? Is that...

...

Master...? You're up early.

Ack! C-Cabba?!

Huh? Why are you so surprised to see me?

O-Oh, no reason... Nothing special! I'm up early because...uh... oh! I'm going to hunt for breakfast!

...Master, you weren't thinking of--

No, no! I wasn't thinking of storming into Cell's place!

You're not a very good liar, Master...

Rgh...!

You want to go, don't you?!

Don't you too, Cabba?! I just can't stomach the idea of waiting until who knows when!

I know... I can't either...!

But! I also know that Zahha's decision was correct!

Cell has been absorbing people and getting stronger every time we fight him! He's probably even stronger than he was yesterday!

What about us, huh?! We're not the same as we were yesterday either, are we?!

...!

I can't sit around while that monster's out there!

Grr... Master!

...! Cabba!

If you insist on going, then I'll have to stop you here and now!

You...? Stop me?!

I can't sit back and watch you leave, either! If you want to go, show me all you've got!

...Fine.

I'll fight you with everything I got! Don't cry 'bout it afterward, Cabba!

Graaaagh?!

...

Oh crap! D-Did I overdo it?! Hey, Cabba, are you okay?!

Oww...

...Ha ha... Ha ha ha!

Cabba, why are you laughing?! You knock a screw loose or something?!

...You really are strong.

While we sit around waiting for Zahha, the people of this planet are going to be sacrificed...

I've made up my mind! I believe in your resolve, Master!

Uh... Which means...what now?

Sheesh, your skull surely is thick. You sure you're Cabba's Master and not the other way around?

#18...?

He was trying to convince himself that "his Master will somehow save the day," bingo?

Heh heh. Let's go! To take down Dr. Gero and Cell!

The heck?! Why didn't you start with that?! What was the point in acting like you didn't want me to go?!

But...are you really okay with this? Going against Zahha's instructions?

Heh heh! It seems the bad influence traveling with you three has finally rubbed off on me.

Oh yeah? Man, you're quite the troublesome student, huh!

Wait... What do you mean bad influence?!

All the bad influence came from these two!

That's rich coming from you! You're the one who was about to storm the hideout without telling anyone!

We're the ones who have unfinished business with Dr. Gero and Cell... Not to mention #16.

It's pretty cold of you to try and sneak away on your own. I thought you said we were friends?

Nrgh...! Sh-Shut up! S-Since when were we friends?!

I'm pretty sure I heard so. During the battle with Cell, to remind you.

I won't...let a freak like you hurt my friends!!!

Wait a sec... I... Th-That was different!

Well, we owe you one, and we have a shared goal, so let's keep playing buddy-buddy until this is done.

Jeez, men bond in the strangest ways...

Should we head out? With us four bad seeds together... it'll be fun, as usual!

Hey! The only bad seeds here are you two!

(Sorry Zahha! Waiting around isn't our style!)