Small Conflict

"What exactly is the doctor doing in there?"

Outside the heavy metal doors, the Rear Admiral held his sword, his expression grim. "It's already been several minutes!"

For the first time, he felt that soundproofing being too good was a bad thing.

What could be happening in there?

The doctor couldn't have been hurt, could he?

With that fish-man's strength, there was no way he could do anything to the doctor, but what if something unexpected happened?

No risk was acceptable. If anything happened to that doctor, his political career could be declared over. Being thrown straight into Impel Down would not be surprising.

The Rear Admiral's expression shifted. He was tempted to force his way in.

Creak.

Fortunately, at that very moment, the heavy metal doors were pulled open. Vegapunk emerged with his hands behind his back, strolling out at an unhurried pace.

"Doctor!"

The Rear Admiral was overjoyed and instantly let out a breath of relief.

Thank goodness nothing had happened.

Vegapunk nodded in greeting, then turned back to look behind him. "Kid, come out. Are you still feeling shy?"

Bright slowly walked out from inside the room.

He had already dismissed his ability and returned to his usual appearance. For the time being, it was best not to let the Government know that the fruit Vegapunk had created had not failed, and that he had successfully obtained its power.

The Rear Admiral flashed behind Vegapunk in an instant, his blade already pressed directly against Bright's neck.

Bright did not move. He neither dodged nor panicked, but even so, his pupils contracted slightly.

So fast!

I could barely even react!

What an incredible guy.

My earlier decision had been completely right. If I had faced this guy head-on, I would have had absolutely no chance of winning.

"Doctor, how should we deal with this guy?"

Without turning his head, the Rear Admiral stared at Bright warily. Bright was certain that if he made even the slightest unusual movement, the man's blade would mercilessly slit his throat.

"I've already come to an agreement with the kid. He'll behave from now on. Take him back; let things go back to how they were before," Vegapunk said casually. "He's very important experimental material to me."

"Doctor, are you serious?"

From behind them, a Marine colonel could not help shouting, "Because of this guy's actions, more than ten Marines have already died, and over a hundred more were injured!"

Bright remembered him somewhat. Before entering Vegapunk's treasure vault, this colonel had been the final opponent he faced.

Bandages were wrapped around his body, and his face was pale.

It seemed that even after using Iron Body, taking one of Bright's punches had not felt too good.

"Shut up, Ronald!"

The Rear Admiral rebuked him loudly. "This is the doctor's decision. What you should do is obey."

"..."

The colonel named Ronald looked furious. Bright could see the muscles in his face trembling.

At last, he finally nodded. "Yes."

It seemed Vegapunk's authority in this base was absurdly high.

But that made sense.

This was the Science Unit, after all.

"Ronald, take this guy back."

The Rear Admiral sheathed his sword and gave Bright one last indifferent look. "Apparently, a single pair of handcuffs isn't enough to restrain him. Put on a few more."

Seeing Colonel Ronald's expression suddenly brighten with excitement, Bright could not help sighing inwardly. This Rear Admiral did not truly not care.

It looked like there would be a little trouble next.

"Yes! Leave it to me, sir!"

Ronald nodded excitedly, then waved several Marines over. They immediately took out fresh handcuffs and shackles, which had long been prepared for Bright.

No one thought Bright could escape successfully. It was only a matter of time before he was captured again.

Bright did not resist. Instead, he voluntarily held out his hands.

Since he had decided to stay, he had expected this situation already.

The Marines put new handcuffs and shackles on Bright, adding three pairs of each in one go.

Bright did not care much. The Marines did not know he was an ability user, so they would not put Seastone shackles on him. These restraints were nothing to him now.

"Remember to bring him over tomorrow. It's time to replenish some experimental materials," Vegapunk said casually.

"Yes, Doctor."

The colonel nodded, then placed a hand on the hilt of his sword, his eyes icy. "Time to go back, fish-man. Don't tell me I have to put a chain around your neck and lead you there?"

Bright's lips twitched. "Then lead the way, human."

"Then, Rear Admiral Hag, Doctor, I'll take him back first."

Ronald dipped his head slightly, then turned and left.

Bright followed after him, never making eye contact with Vegapunk the entire time.

"I should head back to sleep too."

Vegapunk stretched lazily.

"Please get some proper rest."

Rear Admiral Hag said respectfully, "Leave the remaining cleanup to me. It won't affect your upcoming research."

"Then I'll leave it to you."

Vegapunk yawned and staggered away.

With his back to the Marines, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

After watching Vegapunk leave, Rear Admiral Hag summoned a Marine. "Send more men to keep an eye on that kid. What happened today must never happen a second time."

"Yes!"

The Rear Admiral's eyes were cold. They had caught that kid again, but the higher-ups would not just pretend tonight's mess had never happened.

Damn fish-man!

Surrounded by a group of Marines, Bright began the return trip. He was getting a taste of being escorted with great fanfare.

It was just that the Marines walking ahead kept turning back to glare at him resentfully, and the stares from behind were even worse. If looks could kill, Bright felt that he would already have been riddled with holes.

Of course, looks had no killing power. Weapons did.

So the Marines merely glared angrily at Bright. The guns aimed at him did not fire, and the swords pointed at him did not come down.

They seemed to be holding themselves back with great difficulty.

Bright thought this as he could not even turn his head. Blades and gun barrels were practically shoved into his face.

This base was truly enormous. Bright had run a long way during his escape, so the journey back took quite a while as well. By the time they reached that familiar cell, it was already around the latter half of the night.

The cell door had not even been closed. It was still just as Bright had left it.

Bright was ready to return to his cell and rest.

But then—

"You don't think today's matter is over just like that, do you, fish-man?"

The Marines did not move aside. They still surrounded Bright, while Colonel Ronald stood before him. Bright glanced down and saw the man gripping the hilt of his sword at his waist tightly.

"You caused such massive casualties. Did you think you could still go back and sleep peacefully?"

The Marines' faces were filled with rage. It would probably take only a single command for them to swarm Bright.

"I'm sorry," Bright replied simply.

Sorry that people had died.

But he did not believe his actions had been wrong.

After all, from the standpoint of their respective positions, the Marines were the enemy.

"Sorry?"

Ronald gritted his teeth. He released the sword hilt and clenched both fists. "Of course. I was an idiot. What's the point of saying this to a cold-blooded beast like you?"

He tugged at the tie of his suit and said coldly, "I'll use a simpler method instead. A method that even a fish can remember with its body, so you understand just how great the sin you've committed is!"

Bright lowered his eyelids. "I advise you not to."

"It's too late to beg for mercy now! No one can save you!"

Ronald roared, "Grab him!!"

The Marines, who had long been unable to hold themselves back, instantly lunged at Bright.

Now was the time to make Bright pay the price.

Thanks to the generous 'Cat's Hot Dry Noodles' for the hundred-point donation! Thank you, thank you!