Freedom

At last, the moment had arrived.

The timing was just right.

Bright could not help but sigh inwardly.

He had only just eaten all the fruits, and Jinbe's rescue had already arrived.

Once Bloodline Fusion finished upgrading, he would be able to escape into the open skies. Could anything be better than that?

He looked expectantly at Vegapunk.

So, it was time to fulfill their final promise, wasn't it?

"How cunning of you, Vice Admiral,"

Vegapunk said with a troubled expression. "You're actually leaving such a troublesome matter for me to handle?"

"Because if it's you, Doctor, no matter what decision you make, the higher-ups won't do anything to you."

The Vice Admiral sighed. "But I'm different. All I want now is to retire peacefully and go home to raise my children."

"You really are impossible."

Vegapunk shook his head with an understanding smile. "Then, Rear Admiral Hag, take this kid back first. The Vice Admiral and I will discuss this matter."

Hag gritted his teeth in secret.

What was there to discuss?

He wanted to say something, but Vice Admiral Okam nodded. "That's right, Hag. Take him back first. We'll discuss it properly."

Hag choked. The two most powerful people in the base had made the decision together. Naturally, he could not defy them. He could only walk over to Bright, his voice as cold as ice. "Come back with me."

Although Bright wanted to stay and hear the final outcome, he ultimately chose to leave quietly.

The rest was up to Vegapunk.

Still, he had to be prepared as well.

If anything unfavorable happened, he would resort to violence immediately.

After Bright and Hag left, only Vegapunk and Vice Admiral Okam remained in the laboratory.

The Vice Admiral said with a chuckle, "So, Doctor, what do you think?"

"Let me show you something."

Vegapunk walked to a tightly sealed cabinet, opened its doors, pulled out a drawer, and took out a vial.

Then he casually tossed it to Vice Admiral Okam.

"Oh, be careful, Doctor."

The Vice Admiral deftly caught the vial and held it up before his eyes. The test tube contained a red liquid, clear and sparkling like flowing crystal.

"Doctor, what is this?" He already had a guess.

"The timing is just right."

Vegapunk lazily shut the cabinet door and leaned against it. "Using that kid's lineage factor as a blueprint, I developed a medicine that allows its user to partially fuse with Fish-Man bloodline, strengthening their basic abilities."

"Oh?"

The Vice Admiral's eyes lit up. "It succeeded already?"

"That kid helped a lot."

Vegapunk said casually, "To be honest, I have quite a good impression of him."

"Oh, I understand. So what you mean is—"

"He doesn't know what I was researching, and he probably doesn't know this base's name or location either. It doesn't matter if we let him go."

"Is that so?"

Vice Admiral Okam nodded. "But wouldn't that be somewhat risky?"

Vegapunk rolled his eyes. "I'll contact headquarters and tell them it was my decision."

"That would be wonderful!"

The Vice Admiral immediately beamed.

That way, even if there really were trouble afterward, it would have nothing to do with him. He could happily wait for retirement.

On the way back, Bright's anticipation was mixed with unease.

Honestly, even now, he still could not understand Vegapunk at all.

Would he keep his promise?

He did not know.

In any case, he should prepare for the worst first.

Hag silently followed behind Bright, his hand clamped tightly around the hilt of the sword at his waist.

That damn Vice Admiral!

What exactly was he thinking?

Seeking Vegapunk's opinion?

Hag did not dare imagine what kind of decision that man would make.

After all, judging by his earlier reaction, he thought quite highly of this Fish-Man scum!

Could this Fish-Man really escape into the open skies?

Hag absolutely could not accept that.

After returning Bright to his cell, Hag rushed without pause toward Vegapunk's laboratory. But the laboratory doors were already tightly shut, and Vegapunk had resumed his experiments.

Hag then turned and headed for the Base Commander's office.

This time, he successfully met Base Commander Vice Admiral Okam.

"Vice Admiral, what was the Doctor's decision? How does he plan to deal with that Fish-Man?" he asked anxiously.

"You certainly care a lot about that Fish-Man, Rear Admiral Hag,"

the Vice Admiral said in some surprise. "The Doctor said he likes that Fish-Man pirate very much, and the experiment is complete, so he said to release him. He has already reported it to headquarters, and even Mr. Kong has agreed."

"How can that be allowed!"

The muscles in Hag's cheeks trembled continuously. "That bastard—"

The Vice Admiral said kindly, "Don't get worked up, Rear Admiral Hag. This is the Doctor's decision. Both headquarters and I have already agreed. You have no need to question it."

"No, Vice Admiral, I can't accept this! Mr. Borsalino told me to keep an eye on him!" Hag almost blurted it out.

"Enough, Rear Admiral!"

Okam frowned. "Borsalino's opinion is important, but the Doctor's wishes and headquarters' decision are more important. Know your place!"

"You came at the right time. You can go inform that Fish-Man. In a few days, we'll have someone send him away."

"Leave now, and close the door."

Hag walked out of the Base Commander's office.

That Vice Admiral seemed to have become dissatisfied with him as well.

Damn it, it was all because of that Fish-Man!

He turned and headed for Bright's cell.

Hag's face was utterly grim.

Bright was training inside his cell, using physical exertion to suppress his excitement.

Then suddenly, the cell door was pushed open.

An old acquaintance, Rear Admiral Hag, walked in.

Bright instinctively turned to look at him, unease in his heart.

But when he saw the thunderous fury hidden on Rear Admiral Hag's face, all of Bright's unease vanished.

He could not help but smile.

"Rear Admiral Hag, do you have something to tell me?"

"..."

Hag found the Fish-Man's smile incredibly grating.

His fists clenched so tightly that his nails nearly sank into his flesh.

"Your scheme worked. Vegapunk has decided to release you."

The smile on Bright's face could no longer be suppressed. It was dazzlingly bright. "Is that so? That's wonderful news."

Vegapunk, what a good brother!

Hag's face darkened like still water. He stepped forward and lowered his voice, his deep tone like muffled thunder. "Don't get cocky, Fish-Man! Don't think you can stay free forever!!"

Bright could not even be bothered to respond. He simply continued training in silence. It was nothing more than impotent rage.

That wordless contempt made a vein throb on Hag's forehead. So Bright was certain he could do nothing now?

He wanted to spit out a few more threats, but suddenly felt that doing so would only make him look even more like a clown.

Not wanting to see the Fish-Man's smug expression any longer, Hag turned and left.

After closing the cell door, he could not be bothered to stand guard outside it any longer. He walked heavily toward his quarters.

Was he really going to let that bastard Fish-Man leave just like this?

Let the scum who had made him lose face before his superiors leave?

What a joke!

He was just a Fish-Man!

After making him suffer losses, Bright still wanted to leave so easily? How could there be such a cheap deal!

The Rear Admiral's hand gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.

Filled with anticipation, Bright waited quietly for several days.

Freedom should already be within reach.

Over those days, the eight fruits he had eaten earlier gradually began to take effect.

New abilities were gradually forming.

Bright was glad that his body had not become grotesque because of it, even though these abilities had created many organs inside him that he had never possessed before.

While anticipating the moment of freedom, Bright secretly familiarized himself with his new abilities.

Although it was a bloodline activated through Devil Fruit abilities, it could still function even without using those abilities.

His body was rapidly becoming different.

Then finally, on the morning one week and four days later, the cell door was pushed open.

Bright, who had just finished breakfast, turned his head almost like lightning.

Unexpectedly, Vegapunk was the one who entered.

"Doctor?"

Bright was somewhat surprised. What was he doing here?

"Kid, congratulations. You're free."

Vegapunk said with a smile, "I came to send you off."

Bright froze for a moment, then sprang to his feet. "Finally?"

"Yes, finally."

Vegapunk said with a grin, "Now you can finally go make a scene on the sea!"

"Make a scene? Forget it."

Bright shook his head. "I'd rather live a more peaceful life."

Once Straw Hat and his allies overthrew the World Government, the Celestial Dragons, and the mysterious person known as Imu, he could explore this beautiful world.

Safety came first. There was no shame in that.

"Is that so? That's a rare thing for a future powerhouse to say."

Vegapunk was somewhat surprised. Bright was not yet a powerhouse, but he would become one sooner or later.

"But it doesn't matter. Do whatever makes you happy." Vegapunk stretched lazily. "Come on, kid. I'll take you to the port. It's time to embrace freedom."

"Mm."

Bright nodded heavily.

He had waited more than half a year for this moment.

Thanks to readers 'Wang Zhongchen' and '20220223201459953' for the 100-point donations, and thanks to 'Quantum Blue Man' for the 500-point donation. Thank you, thank you!

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