The man lounged against the wall of the spotless laboratory, a gray bowler hat spinning from one finger.
He was somewhat shorter than Bright, but more slender. He wore a pair of sunglasses across his forehead, and his smile was leisurely and relaxed. If not for the Justice Coat draped over his shoulders, anyone who saw him would naturally have taken him for a traveler rather than a high-ranking Navy officer.
"Mr. Borsalino! What are you doing here?"
The Rear Admiral who had been so cold before Bright looked somewhat flustered. "Weren't you already transferred to G-5 Base?"
Bright's expression turned grave as well.
Of course he recognized the man before him.
The man's name was Borsalino, a Vice Admiral of Navy Headquarters.
A man who, in the near future, would receive the title of Admiral at Navy Headquarters.
He was also the culprit behind Bright appearing here now.
But as Hag had said, hadn't he already been transferred away?
"Nothing I can do about it. I haven't stepped down from my position here yet."
Kizaru spoke with a troubled look. "I didn't want to come either, but something like this happened here, and Mr. Kong is very angry."
"You know, Hag, this concerns Doctor Vegapunk. The higher-ups won't be careless in the slightest, so they sent me over to take a look."
Rear Admiral Hag's face went deathly pale.
Sure enough, the higher-ups were very dissatisfied with him.
It was all because of that damned Fish-Man!!
Anger and hatred, the two most malicious emotions, churned within him like never before.
"I was too careless and gave this guy an opening,"
Hag said solemnly. "Please rest assured, there absolutely won't be a second time!"
"Oh! Isn't that a fine resolve?"
Kizaru put on his hat, then walked over and patted Hag's shoulder as though greatly pleased. "Make sure you keep it up."
"Yes!"
Hag nodded heavily, a weight lifting from his heart. Vice Admiral Borsalino had not come to send him to a court-martial.
Even so, his standing in the eyes of his superiors had undoubtedly suffered.
A shadow fell over the Rear Admiral's heart at the thought.
Damned Fish-Man!
"Anyway, I'll be staying here temporarily until the new Base Commander arrives."
Kizaru sounded rather sentimental. "After all that moving around, I ended up back here again."
He looked at Bright. "Little brother, you really caused quite a commotion."
It sounded like he was grumbling to a friend after work.
Bright pressed his lips together.
He would never forget the lights that had flickered across the sky that day.
This was an opponent he could not possibly contend with at his current level, a true monster among monsters.
But he was actually returning to this base?
Would the deal with Vegapunk run into trouble?
"I've already heard the whole story from the doctor. Don't be so naughty again from now on."
Kizaru stood with his hands on his hips, looking earnest. "Otherwise, it'll be very dangerous."
His tone was gentle, even kind, and his words were peaceful enough.
Yet in that instant, Bright felt every hair on his body stand on end.
It was as though an invisible hand had clenched around his heart so tightly that it could no longer beat.
In an instant, sweat had soaked Bright's prison uniform.
"Enough, Borsalino. Stop scaring him. I'm about to begin the experiment."
Another voice rang out.
It was Vegapunk.
The laboratory was spacious, filled with all sorts of equipment Bright could not understand. Vegapunk was seated before a computer, rapidly tapping away at the keyboard.
"I was only having a little chat with this young man."
Kizaru replied with a chuckle.
The pressure bearing down on him vanished in an instant, and Bright could finally breathe smoothly again.
What had that been?
It wasn't Conqueror's Haki, just... sheer pressure from his presence?
What a monster!
"You can chat whenever you want. Right now is my time."
Vegapunk stood up and ambled over, swaying his head as he walked.
"Of course, Doctor, your research is more important,"
Kizaru did not dispute it. "Mr. Kong and the government are both eagerly awaiting your results."
"Hag, let's head out first. Don't disturb the doctor's experiment."
Rear Admiral Hag hesitated. "But, Mr. Borsalino, are we really leaving this brat alone with the doctor?"
"Don't worry, don't worry. The doctor will be fine."
Kizaru waved a hand casually. "Besides, I've already given this young man a special warning. He'll behave himself, won't he?"
The last sentence was directed at Bright.
Bright fell silent for a moment. "At this point, there's no reason for me to go looking for trouble."
"See? Isn't that great?" Kizaru said with a smile. "And don't underestimate the doctor."
Hag could only nod to show that he understood.
The two turned and headed for the door. When they reached it, Kizaru suddenly turned back.
"Oh, right." He looked at Bright. "It's only been a little over three months, but your presence has grown much stronger, young man. Have you never stopped training? That's a good habit."
Bright had his back to him, his expression completely taut.
Was that Observation Haki?
This man was actually that perceptive?
"But make sure you remember what I just told you."
The sound of the door closing came from behind him. Kizaru had finally left.
Bright could not help letting out a long breath.
That man had put far too much pressure on him.
The feeling of having his life and death in someone else's hands was truly unpleasant.
"Hahahaha, did that scare you, kid?"
Vegapunk laughed gleefully at his misfortune as he went to one side and began adjusting some instruments. "You'll have to be more careful from now on. That Borsalino fellow isn't simple."
Bright steadied his breathing. Of course he knew that. Kizaru was unquestionably one of the sea's greatest monsters, a true powerhouse with no shortcomings in strength, willpower, or experience.
"I don't think I've reached the point where someone like that needs to be constantly on guard against me," Bright said calmly.
Was Kizaru wary of him?
Of course he was.
But probably not very much.
The kind of person truly worth that man's vigilance had to be at least on the level of a Shichibukai, right?
Kizaru's wariness toward him was probably no more than seeing a hole in the ground and reminding someone to watch their step.
"Hahahaha, kid, you know yourself pretty well, don't you?" Vegapunk laughed loudly. "But you don't need to worry too much. Borsalino won't be staying here for long."
"The Fleet Admiral is about to change, and that guy is going to be promoted to Admiral as well. The government won't let such a tremendous fighting force idle around here."
"The new Base Commander should already be on the way."
Were the new three Admirals about to take office?
That meant the Navy was about to enter a new era as well.
"Enough, kid. It doesn't matter how much you think about it. With me here, you'll be fine."
Vegapunk said with a chuckle, "Come on. Let me give your body a thorough examination first."
"Alright."
Bright nodded.
At this point, he could only choose to trust him, right?
"Excellent! First, we'll thoroughly analyze your lineage. Then we can begin selecting suitable lineage factors!"
At the same time, outside the door.
Kizaru yawned. "Honestly, rushing over here so early in the morning... I didn't sleep well at all."
Rear Admiral Hag tactfully said, "Mr. Borsalino, then please go get some rest first. I'll keep watch here."
"Oh! Then I'll leave it to you!"
Kizaru did not refuse. Smiling, he said, "Keep a close eye on that Fish-Man young man, Hag."
"Yes."
Hag nodded solemnly. "Please leave it to me."
"No, I mean keep watching him carefully from now on."
Kizaru said leisurely, "Honestly, a Megalodon Fish-Man... are they really that extraordinarily gifted?"
Hag froze for a moment, then—
"I understand. Until the doctor's experiment is over, I'll keep my eyes on him at all times!"
"Mm."
Kizaru nodded lightly. That should be enough.
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