Cell

[GSM123]

If neither of their full powers were in display, then surely it was never the point to the begin with. "Strength" can have multiple meanings and power alone sure isn't what Trunks is refering here, since Goku was still far weaker than the Future Androids.

Goku also told Trunks he was tired of Freeza and that he isn't going to take it easy on him anymore. Either this means he was holding back against Freeza on Namek (Very unlikely) or he's not going to give him chances this time.

I think what Trunks said actually goes against what you're saying. If the goal is for Goku to get stronger than them, then why does he expect for Goku to find their weaknesses?

Goku brings hope because that's just the kind of guy he is. He always finds a way to get out of trouble no matter what. Gohan and Trunks can reach his level with their hybrid potential and over 10 years of training, but they can't emulate who he is.

Certainly he wouldn't be surprised there are opponents far above Trunks if he himself is one. He even wants to take a shot a them when he hears this.

 

[SSJ2]

If neither of their full powers were in display, then surely it was never the point to the begin with. "Strength" can have multiple meanings and power alone sure isn't what Trunks is refering here, since Goku was still far weaker than the Future Androids.

You yourself disagreed with this:

A bit of sparring can gauge fighting ability as much as power.

Not to mention it was clearly more than sparring. Trunks made sure to reference that he killed Freeza with that sword, so it stands to reason that he was putting in enough effort to do so. I don't see why Goku being weaker than the Future Androids is relevant. Trunks initial plan was to give Goku the medicine and then return after 3 years. His expectation was for Goku to be much weaker than the Future Androids, otherwise he would have taken Goku back to the future immediately.

I think what Trunks said actually goes against what you're saying. If the goal is for Goku to get stronger than them, then why does he expect for Goku to find their weaknesses?

Because it isn't a given that Goku will surpass the Future Androids. Trunks even said directly in the quote that I brought up that if it didn't work he would end up bringing Goku to the Future. None of this goes against what I am saying.

Goku brings hope because that's just the kind of guy he is. He always finds a way to get out of trouble no matter what. Gohan and Trunks can reach his level with their hybrid potential and over 10 years of training, but they can't emulate who he is.

This is weak. Character is not what will beat the Androids, it is sheer power. You must realize this. As remarkable as a person as Goku might be, what good will that do if he is not powerful enough to take on the Androids?

Certainly he wouldn't be surprised there are opponents far above Trunks if he himself is one. He even wants to take a shot a them when he hears this.

Who said that he is? The bare minimum for Goku is being equal to Trunks. I think logically, from the perspective of Trunks - who has seen nothing but terror and death in his timeline, he surely would need to see someone special to even gain a little bit of hope. Sure you can pin some of that on Goku's character, but the word strength is seldom interpreted differently in the English language. Trunks' quote to Goku is about as direct as it gets.

 

[GSM123]

If neither of their full powers were in display, then surely it was never the point to the begin with. "Strength" can have multiple meanings and power alone sure isn't what Trunks is refering here, since Goku was still far weaker than the Future Androids.

You yourself disagreed with this:

A bit of sparring can gauge fighting ability as much as power.

Not to mention it was clearly more than sparring. Trunks made sure to reference that he killed Freeza with that sword, so it stands to reason that he was putting in enough effort to do so. I don't see why Goku being weaker than the Future Androids is relevant. Trunks initial plan was to give Goku the medicine and then return after 3 years. His expectation was for Goku to be much weaker than the Future Androids, otherwise he would have taken Goku back to the future immediately.

I think what Trunks said actually goes against what you're saying. If the goal is for Goku to get stronger than them, then why does he expect for Goku to find their weaknesses?

Because it isn't a given that Goku will surpass the Future Androids. Trunks even said directly in the quote that I brought up that if it didn't work he would end up bringing Goku to the Future. None of this goes against what I am saying.

Goku brings hope because that's just the kind of guy he is. He always finds a way to get out of trouble no matter what. Gohan and Trunks can reach his level with their hybrid potential and over 10 years of training, but they can't emulate who he is.

This is weak. Character is not what will beat the Androids, it is sheer power. You must realize this. As remarkable as a person as Goku might be, what good will that do if he is not powerful enough to take on the Androids?

Certainly he wouldn't be surprised there are opponents far above Trunks if he himself is one. He even wants to take a shot a them when he hears this.

Who said that he is? The bare minimum for Goku is being equal to Trunks. I think logically, from the perspective of Trunks - who has seen nothing but terror and death in his timeline, he surely would need to see someone special to even gain a little bit of hope. Sure you can pin some of that on Goku's character, but the word strength is seldom interpreted differently in the English language. Trunks' quote to Goku is about as direct as it gets.

Not really. You can gauge someone's power by sparring, but if you want to spar instead of just sense their Ki, then it's obvious perfomance is also part of the interest.

Trunks barely had to put any effort into slicing Freeza though. Freeza was heavily suppressed and the sword is noted to be incredibly dense. Goku also pointed out Trunks wasn't going all out on him.

Goku's current power isn't what's beating the Androids either though. And like you said, Trunks has no idea if Goku will surpass them. Maybe he can block Trunks' attacks with one finger, but can he overcome the Androids in 3 years? Gohan and Trunks were trying for over 10 years, after all. All Trunks can have is Goku's word on it.

For Trunks to have that much confidence on Goku, he's got to live up to at least one interpretation of the rumours. Either he can defeat the Androids right off the bat, or he can work his way up to their level somehow.