Regenerates a crushed spine

Cell lay facedown in the dirt, not quite sure how he had even gotten to where he was. One moment he had been charging an Ultra Kamehameha, furiously intent on destroying the planet; the next moment he was smashed into the ground with a kick so violent and forceful he couldn't wrap his mind around it.

In fact, the kick had instantly paralyzed him, leaving him completely helpless. The blow that came moments later—Gohan's knee crushing his spine—had only added to his injuries.

Had the two blows been sustained elsewhere on his body, such as his chest or stomach, they would have likely rearranged his insides. Aimed at his head, they could have caused permanent brain damage. But the impacts to his spine completely immobilized him. It was only with great force of will that he had managed to maintain consciousness at all.

He was doing everything he could to jumpstart his regeneration, but it was slow going. The shock from Gohan's attacks had reverberated through his body like seismic waves, leaving his nervous system barely functioning. Nevertheless, he focused with everything he had, trying to repair his damaged spine as quickly as possible.

...

With every passing second, he regained more of his energy, his regeneration working faster and faster. Still, he lay motionless, not yet daring to show any signs of recovery. This was his test, the great trial of his life. He had to figure something out immediately or he would be finished. Even if by some miracle he could discover a hidden truth to gaining more power, the chances of him actually being able to get away from Gohan in order to attain it were miniscule. Still, he knew it was his only hope, the last opportunity. He let his deepest instincts take over, reasoning that if nothing else, his own design to seek perfection might possibly provide him some insight. His mind raced as he listened to the hated Z Fighters beginning to celebrate his defeat.

...

Cell's mind raced through all these thoughts in mere nanoseconds, weighing the possibilities. He could adapt, evolve. Surely he couldn't lose to a mere Saiyan child; Gero must have had a backup plan. The more he thought, the more certain he became. Perfection wasn't merely a state of being; no, it was his destiny, a goal to constantly pursue, and he would rise to claim it. Krillin was just another step along that path. It was fate.

Fate, undeniably, had brought him so far already...surely it would carry him to the next level.

He would have to be blindingly fast. He would only have one chance. His senses perfectly attuned, he waited for the split second when Gohan turned away—gave place to distraction for an instant. Then he made his move.

His technique was flawless. His Perfect Afterimage remained on the ground completely motionless as he let a pure stream of ki carry him up and away at super-speed, just outside the edges of Gohan's peripheral vision. He pushed himself, moving faster than he ever had in his life, willing himself to reach the unsuspecting monk before the damned boy—

- Bringer of Death Chapter 74