Following Vegapunk and the Marines tasked with protecting him, Bright once again set out for the port.
He had walked this road once several months ago, but that time, he had been desperately fleeing under the Marines' blockade.
This time, however, he was heading there openly under Marine escort.
Of course, these Marines were hardly friendly toward him.
Many of them even openly cast hateful looks his way.
Bright did not care in the slightest.
What harm could looks possibly do?
He was about to regain his freedom. What did a few looks matter?
Following the doctor all the way to the port, Bright found a warship already docked there.
This port was inside the facility, equally cut off from the light of day.
"Knight of the Sea Jinbe has already gone to Impel Down to collect the other captured fish-men,"
Vegapunk said casually. "But obviously, we can't have them come here to pick you up. This warship will take you to waters far from here, and you can make your own way back to Fish-Man Island."
"Alright."
Bright nodded.
As long as he could leave this place, that was enough.
"And for confidentiality reasons, you'll still have to remain in a cell in the ship's hold for the entire journey. You'll only be freed after we reach the destination," Vegapunk added.
Confidentiality?
Bright sneered inwardly. What was there left to keep confidential?
But it did not matter. As he had said, leaving this place was enough.
"No problem."
Bright nodded.
"Then that's settled. Get ready to board, kid."
Vegapunk yawned. "Perhaps we'll never meet again."
Bright nodded, then said solemnly, "No matter what, I have to thank you, Doctor."
Though it had been a transaction, not only had he not lost out, he had gained something extraordinary.
And Vegapunk had indeed kept his promise and set him free.
"That thanks is something the doctor deserves."
A cold voice sounded from behind him. Bright turned around and saw Hag striding over, his Justice Coat billowing behind him.
He was being awfully sarcastic.
Bright lowered his gaze. What was this man still trying to do at this point?
"Hag?"
Vegapunk raised a brow. "What are you doing here?"
Rear Admiral Hag said calmly, "Doctor, this fish-man is very dangerous. You know that even Colonel Ronald was no match for him. I'm worried he'll cause trouble aboard the ship, so I intend to personally see him off."
He really would not let this go, Rear Admiral Hag!
A nameless fury rose within Bright.
"Oh?"
Vegapunk studied Hag meaningfully.
Reject him already, Doctor.
I'm genuinely afraid I might suddenly lose control.
Bright looked at Vegapunk.
"That does seem to be the case."
Vegapunk suddenly smiled. "Then let's do that. Rear Admiral Hag, I'll leave this matter to you."
Delight flashed across Hag's face, and he gave a slight nod. "Leave it to me."
He had never expected Vegapunk to be so accommodating.
Bright's brow was already tightly furrowed.
What exactly was Vegapunk thinking?
Was it not obvious this man was going to cause trouble?
"Anyway, hurry up and get going."
Vegapunk waved dismissively, looking uninterested. "I'm going back to catch up on sleep."
"Yes, understood."
Hag could barely suppress the smile on his face. He turned to Bright. "Move, fish-man. What are you standing around for? It's time to go."
Bright gave Vegapunk one last look. That man still wore the same meaningful smile.
Then he turned and headed toward the warship.
It did not matter. With his current strength—
"Then, Doctor, we'll be going."
After saying goodbye to Vegapunk, Hag turned and followed Bright.
Vegapunk remained where he was, smiling and waving at Bright's retreating back. "Goodbye, kid."
Bright acted as though he had not heard him and boarded the warship via the gangplank.
Urgent footsteps sounded behind him. Hag caught up with Bright in a few strides and lowered his voice. "Looks like Vegapunk is unwilling to shelter you anymore. Has your usefulness run out? Well, that makes sense. If you weren't useful, who would want to get close to a fish-man?"
Bright glanced back at him. The man wore an expression of malicious satisfaction. "So?"
"So?"
A sneer appeared on Hag's face. "So now, it's time for you to return to the cage where you belong! Fish-man!"
Bright took a deep breath, then stepped into the cabin and descended the stairs toward the prison deck below.
Hag sneered. "Raise anchor. Set sail."
The great ship slowly shuddered, then turned and set out.
In the distance, the passage gate that had remained tightly shut opened. They could sail out now.
At the port, Vegapunk had already left before the ship set sail.
On his way back to the laboratory, he had his hands in his pockets and an inscrutable smile on his face.
"Wanting a peaceful life? Come on, a man shouldn't say something like that."
"You are my most perfect creation. Go make the world look up at you, and show them your ultimate strength!"
Bright sat cross-legged on the floor of a cell in the ship's hold, feeling the vessel's vibrations.
The ship had already set sail. It should soon leave the waters around Punk Hazard.
At last, he would be able to see the sky and the sea again.
That was what Bright thought.
He casually tugged at the chain connected to his handcuffs. It was quite sturdy, and he could not be bothered to bite through it with his teeth.
He leaned lazily against the wall and closed his eyes to rest.
Time passed little by little. The prison deck's door never opened, and no one came to see him.
His stomach had started growling incessantly. Judging by how hungry he was, about a day had probably passed?
Bright had even woken up after a nap.
Then, at last, the door creaked open, and several Marines entered.
"Fish-man, Rear Admiral Hag wants to see you."
The lead Marine spoke coldly as he opened the cell door.
Bright yawned and followed the Marines up onto the deck of the warship.
The warship was already in some stretch of open sea. The sky was brilliantly sunny, and the scorching sunlight pouring down from above made Bright somewhat uncomfortable.
Hag stood by the railing, gazing out over the endless sea.
Bright walked up behind him and said calmly, "Have we arrived?"
"Yes, we've arrived."
Hag turned around and looked at Bright, smiling faintly. "This voyage ends here."
Bright shook the chain on his wrists, making it clatter. "Then come help me remove these restraints."
"..."
Hag fell silent for a moment. Then the corners of his mouth rose higher and higher, and a wild grin spread across his face. "Is this truly the intelligence of a fish? How could the sins you've committed possibly be wiped away so easily?"
"Freedom? The only freedom you can have is the freedom of death!"
Not that this was surprising at all.
Bright swept a glance around him.
The Marines had already surrounded him.
Now was the time for revenge!
"Don't worry, fish-man,"
Hag slowly drew the long blade at his waist. "Everyone aboard can testify that I released you into the sea. As for why you never returned to Fish-Man Island, perhaps one day the fish-men will find your remains in a Sea King's droppings."
Bright let his hands hang at his sides, his tone as placid as an ancient well. "You missed an opportunity."
"I don't want to hear your nonsense, fish-man,"
Hag held his blade. "Pay with your life for the Marine soldiers who died by your hand!"
And atone for making me lose face before my superiors.
"Go, soldiers. Kill him."
The Marines had already lunged at Bright.
It seemed he could only test out the Devil Fruit power he had gained.
Thanks to 'Huayi Nangou' for the 100-point donation, thanks to 'Wang Zhongchen' for the 500-point donation, and thanks to 'Tattoo 365' for the 1,500-point donation. Thank you, thank you!
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