Reaching the outskirts of the town didn't take long, even though I mostly relied on my own physical strength, using only slight boosts of Ki to jump over any obstacles. Sure, I could have flown and made it even faster, but flying at high speed would've just painted a big target on my back—exactly what I don't need right now.
Hovering above Gingertown, far from any curious eyes, I let myself levitate, taking in the scene. The population here isn't much, only around fifteen thousand, according to my Ki sense. But numbers aren't what matter; I'm looking for a certain type of target. This is all about building my strength, fast, and that means feeding. Not the way the original Cell did it, chasing innocents for sport—no, I've got my own strategy. I'm not here to be some mindless monster; I have a purpose.
I know my absorption process well enough. Gero's instructions drilled it into my brain: using my tail to inject digestive enzymes, liquefying the target from the inside out to absorb their biomass. Then the real magic happens, as their genetic material is processed at a cellular level, making me stronger, fueling my energy. It's a grim way to survive, but if it leads me toward the perfection I'm after, it's worth it.
But if I'm going to pull this off without attracting unwanted attention—especially from the Z Fighters—I can't just attack innocents. No way am I stirring up trouble with Goku or his merry band of heroes right now. This timeline's events are practically etched into my mind. Goku has a tendency to give the benefit of the doubt, but if I go around harming civilians, I'm only setting myself up for a fight I'm not ready to win yet.
I briefly considered absorbing animals—predators, something with some meat on its bones—but quickly tossed that idea out. The power I'd gain wouldn't be worth the effort or the time, and I need efficiency. No, I need people. But not just anyone—I need people who won't be missed.
Then, it hit me: criminals. It makes sense. Plenty of them lurk in every town, and taking out a few lowlifes would be seen as a favor to society if anyone even notices. Sure, it's risky. If someone detects my energy, I might be pegged as an "evil" being, but I can manage that if it happens. After all, I know Goku's patterns. He's quick to forgive and likely to assume there's a chance I'm just misunderstood.
With that decision made, I refocus, stretching out my senses. The original Cell probably didn't realize just how efficient this could be. No time wasted taunting or chasing; I'm here to get this done and move on. My target? The scum of Gingertown, concentrated in certain areas, away from the innocent public. I can smell them—literally. The DNA packed into this body has its perks. My insect antennae pick up the scent of drugs and filth even stronger than my Ki sense can. From this distance, I'm picking up cocaine, heroin, and other chemicals in the air, leading me right to the dens of criminals spread across town. I find about four hundred of them, all gathered in predictable locations.
Four hundred. Not bad for a town of fifteen thousand, but just the start. I need thousands—tens of thousands—to reach the level of Imperfect Cell's peak strength, and even then, it's just a stepping stone to true perfection. But if this works, I can rinse and repeat across towns, racking up the energy I need without drawing too much attention. The original Cell was an idiot, wasting his time toying with people and savoring the chase. I'm not here for thrills; I'm here to perfect myself.
Of course, there's always the chance someone will detect me by my Ki, even if I'm targeting criminals. I'll need a cover story if that happens. I'll play the part of an alien with "good intentions," trying to rid the world of criminals and "misguided" enough to need their help. Goku might fall for it; he's given worse chances to worse people. As for the fact that my Ki signature resembles several other fighters, I'll attribute that to a "Ki Mirroring" technique unique to my species, the last of my kind.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. It's time to get to work. The biggest cluster of criminals is near some storage buildings on the town's outskirts. Perfect—out of the public eye.
I lower myself, feeling the air shift as I near the ground.
It's time to eat.