After leaving the battlefield, Linze reappeared atop a high mountain ridge, the wind rustling his black martial arts gi.
"Let's see if I can revert back to normal," he muttered, glancing at his reflection in a smooth rock. "Super Saiyan 4 looks incredible, sure but with this red fur and wild hair, I'm not exactly looking like someone who can walk into town and talk to girls."
Linze chuckled to himself, then focused.
In an instant, the fiery red fur covering his body vanished. His thick tail receded slightly, and his hair color shifted from crimson back to a natural black, less untamed. His eyes returned from that feral golden-yellow to a normal Saiyan black.
The transformation reversed itself smoothly—no strain, no sparks only clarity.
"I really did stabilize the Super Saiyan 4 form. Now I can go back to base at will."
He looked down at his frame, now leaner than the muscular SSJ4 form. Though less bulky, his refined features and sharp jawline remained intact.
"Let's test if I can shift into the other Super Saiyan forms too."
Clenching his fists, Linze focused inward.
Huuuuh…!
A golden aura exploded around him, crackling with electrical discharge.
His black hair immediately flared upward and turned a bright golden hue. Blue lightning bolts zipped along his form, a signature trait of Super Saiyan 2. His eyes glowed emerald-green, with a single lock of hair falling to his brow.
"This is Super Saiyan Two," Linze said, his voice humming with raw power. "The same form Gohan used to destroy Cell during the Cell Games."
The energy coursing through his body was immense controlled, potent, and blazing with confidence.
After a few seconds, he pushed further.
With a roar, Linze triggered the next transformation.
His hair lengthened drastically, falling down past his waist. His brows vanished completely, giving his eyes a more intense, almost divine look. The golden aura intensified, now swirling like a storm.
Super Saiyan 3.
The strain on his muscles and stamina was immediate.
"So this is SSJ3… No wonder Goku said it burns energy like crazy."
He let the form fade with a breath, returning back to base effortlessly.
Whoosh…!
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept behind him.
Linze didn't even bother turning. "You've been following me since I left. What do you want?"
He didn't need to see to know, Android 18 was standing there.
Quiet.
The blonde android said nothing at first, but eventually stepped forward and spoke in her usual blunt tone.
"Seventeen's been absorbed by Cell."
"Sixteen's almost totaled, and that bald guy Krillin, I think dragged him away for repairs."
"I've got nowhere else to go."
She looked away for a second, arms crossed but not defensive—just uncertain.
"And with how strong Cell's become… I know I'll be next if I stay on my own."
"I feel safer sticking with you."
Her tone was casual like it was obvious, a simple matter of logic. But Linze caught the flicker of vulnerability behind those cold blue eyes.
He turned to face her fully, looking at her for more than just the words.
A tight black top clung to her athletic figure, her icy blonde hair dancing in the wind. Sharp features, piercing eyes, and an aura of strength mixed with guarded sadness.
Cool, confident, and striking.
A goddess among fighters, no question.
"If that's how you feel," Linze said, shrugging, "then fine. You can stay with me."
He turned his back to the horizon again.
"Not like I know this world all that well yet. Might be nice to have some company especially someone who can actually fight."
And honestly, having a beauty like her around?
That didn't hurt either.
And as a seasoned transmigrator, if one were to claim they had no interest in Android 18, that would be an outright lie.
After all, the appreciation of beauty, that's something shared by everyone.
"Then… where are we heading now?"
Seeing Linze agree to her request, a faint but genuine hint of joy surfaced on Android 18's usually cool face as she asked the question.
To be honest, when she was traveling with Android 17, she just followed his lead most of the time.
Now that he was gone, she honestly had no idea where to go or what to do next.
"I'm not sure either," Linze replied with a smile. "But I've heard the Western Capital is one of the most developed cities on Earth. Why don't we go there, grab some food first, and pick you up a couple of fresh outfits while we're at it?"
As he spoke, he placed a hand over his stomach and chuckled.
"Come to think of it, I'm actually starving right now."
"Alright," 18 nodded coolly.
The two of them took off together, flying through the skies toward West City.
…
At that moment, in the Lookout high above Earth
"Vegeta's been absorbed," Piccolo said grimly, arms crossed, his antennae twitching slightly.
"It seems that we'll have to rely on Goku and hope he emerges from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber in time."
Before, even when Cell had only absorbed Android 17, he'd nearly overwhelmed Piccolo.
Now, with Vegeta's Saiyan energy added to Cell's core, his power had likely surged to a terrifying new level.
There was no way Piccolo or the others could face him as they were now.
"We're counting on Goku and Gohan to surpass their limits in the Time Chamber," Piccolo muttered.
"Yeah…"
Trunks stood silently beside him, fists clenched.
"It looks like Cell still hasn't fully digested my father's power yet. I just hope he doesn't reappear before he completely stabilizes. We need a couple of days just enough time."
Piccolo glanced sideways. "By the way… that red-haired guy who knocked Vegeta flying who was he?"
That power was impossible to ignore.
Even Vegeta, fresh out of the Time Chamber and overflowing with pride, had been taken down with a single slap.
"His name's Linze," Trunks replied seriously. "He said he's also a Saiyan… though I didn't get a chance to ask where he came from."
"But his strength… just standing near him, I felt a pressure I couldn't explain. He's beyond even my father and Goku."
Trunks' instincts screamed that Linze wasn't just strong—he was on a different level entirely.
Piccolo's brow furrowed deeper.
"Another Saiyan? Tch… as if this wasn't complicated enough already."
If Linze was on their side, that was one thing.
But if he wasn't?
Piccolo's long-standing distrust of Saiyans made him wary. He still remembered what it took to bring down just one—Raditz—years ago. And now they were popping up left and right, stronger than ever.
…
Meanwhile, Linze and Android 18 had arrived in West City.
The bustling capital lived up to its reputation, filled with high-tech buildings, Capsule Corp signs, and lively streets.
They first stopped at a local food stall—no money, of course, but a casual glare from 18 and a smirk from Linze ensured they were well-fed without resistance.
After eating, they explored a shopping district.
Once again, no credits were exchanged but then again, when you have the power to vaporize tanks, few shopkeepers press the issue.
18 walked out wearing a new set of casual clothes—a simple white tee under a black jacket, blue jeans, and her signature boots. Linze watched her with an approving nod.
Not bad.
Suddenly, she turned to him.
"Can I… ask you something?"
Android 18's voice was quieter than usual, tinged with a rare hesitation.
It was clearly difficult for her to admit vulnerability after all, she was an android designed to destroy Goku, not seek help from strangers.
"Go ahead," Linze replied, casual as ever.
"What's on your mind?"
---