Almost Broken by You

Chapter 27: 027. Almost Twisted Off By You.

Mercer and Bear Cub returned home, dragging the processed yak meat.

As soon as they entered, they saw Kureha sitting by the fireplace, drinking tea.

Mercer smiled and said, "Doctor Doriel, are you hungry?"

"Let's have beef hot pot later."

Kureha glanced at Mercer, her smile not reaching her eyes. "Why aren't you back late tonight?"

Mercer grinned cheekily, "I was afraid you'd worry."

"How did it go?" Kureha asked calmly. "Did you forge what you wanted?"

Mercer's face instantly lit up with a smile. He took out the dagger from his lower back as if presenting a treasure.

Kureha took it and looked. She drew the dagger, which resembled a short sword, from its sheath and examined it carefully. In just a few seconds, the corners of her mouth turned up into a smile.

"Got some skill, huh?"

"You actually managed to cobble together something good."

With her extensive knowledge, she immediately recognized that the dagger possessed the quality of a Fast Sword.

It was a famous sword.

And famous swords were not common on this sea.

Supreme Grade Swords: 12 Works.

Great Grade Swords: 21 Works.

Good Grade Swords: 50 Works.

Although Fast Swords were not included in these three common quality categories, they were undoubtedly rare and famous swords.

Many people might not even touch a single Fast Sword in their entire lives.

And now, one was appearing in her hand.

After playing with it for a while, Kureha sheathed the dagger and handed it back to Mercer.

"Take it."

Mercer smiled but didn't reach out to take it. As Kureha looked on in confusion, he said:

"This is for you. Although it's just the lowest-grade famous sword, it's the first famous sword I successfully forged. More than its practical value, I think its commemorative significance is more important."

"Since Doctor Doriel, you also use weapons, I'll give you this dagger. It's quite small too, so keep it for self-defense.

If all else fails, you can use it as a nail clipper.

Oh, right, the dagger's name is 'Bamboo Tube'."

Kureha glanced at Mercer, the corners of her mouth curling slightly. "More than its practical value, this sentiment is quite nice. I'll give you some face then; I'll accept 'Bamboo Tube'."

She retracted her hand and twirled the Bamboo Tube-like dagger between her fingers, playing with it.

In a good mood, Kureha immediately got up to prepare the sliced yak meat, while Mercer went to get the iron pot and brought embers from the fireplace to a small stove.

Bear Cub went to compress and refine the charcoal. In a short while, with their combined efforts, a large pot of red oil broth was ready.

The fire roared in the stove, and the soup in the pot soon began to bubble.

Various ingredients were added.

The two of them and the bear sat around the large pot, holding bowls and chopsticks.

Thin slices of beef, cut with delicate textures, were swished in the iron pot. They cooked in seconds, and with some seasonal vegetables, they enjoyed the delicious thinly sliced beef.

With Bear Cub, a big-eating bear, at the meal, the entire head of beef was consumed. In the end, Bear Cub even lifted the pot and drank the red oil broth clean.

After eating, Bear Cub happily took the pot to wash it.

Kureha went out alone for a walk to aid digestion.

Mercer sat at his desk, reading an interesting serialized children's comic book.

Ocean Warrior Sola.

It told the legendary ocean hero story of Sola, the warrior of justice (Sola was based on the true deeds of Marine heroes), leading his companions to fight against the evil organization Germa 66, which repeatedly tried to drive him into a corner.

It was a very interesting, rather childish comic book.

The book described various strange abilities and creations, super clones, giant robots, super-powered battle suits, and other interesting things.

Although it was a popular read across the sea, it also contained some political undertones.

See through the facade, and grasp the essence.

The theme was that evil cannot triumph over good.

The content portrayed Germa 66's repeated failures to shape Sola (the Marines) into a powerful, righteous image.

Because it was a children's comic, it was also an excellent read for establishing children's values (brainwashing).

However, regardless of how much hidden agenda was mixed into the comic's content, Mercer still considered it an excellent read.

Especially the super-powered warriors within the evil Germa 66. Mercer knew they were genetically modified soldiers.

Superhumans created artificially.

And they had already succeeded.

"What are you looking at?"

Kureha returned from her walk and stood behind Mercer, looking at the manga he was reading.

"Heh heh, a change of pace is nice. Germa 66, huh? Interesting."

"Do you have any thoughts after reading it?"

Mercer replied, "Are you asking for my review?"

Regarding the authenticity of Germa 66, there was no doubt. Both of them knew it was real and not a fabrication from the manga.

The research on "Lineage Factor" by Vegapunk, brought by Garp, also mentioned the "Vinsmoke" family from the North Blue. Germa 66 was the external manifestation of the "Vinsmoke" clan.

Without waiting for Kureha to speak, Mercer continued, "Germa 66's super soldiers must be some kind of genetic modification related to 'Lineage Factor.' The five individuals, 'Poison Pink,' 'Spark Red,' 'Electric Blue,' 'Invisible Black,' and 'Winch Green,' although each possesses different superpowers.

They all share the same basic abilities: Steel Skin, Super Recovery, and superhuman physical prowess.

Doctor Doriel, I've seen your research on 'Lineage Factor.' Can you interfere with human genes by creating special drugs to grant people extraordinary abilities?"

Kureha narrowed her eyes. "You can understand that stuff?"

"I can understand it roughly. Germa 66's gene technology likely involves interfering with the arrangement and combination of human Lineage Factors, grafting entirely new biological genes.

By grafting genes from creatures with special abilities, they gain extraordinary powers?"

Kureha rubbed her forehead, looking helpless. "I didn't expect you to actually understand it. You're right, that's pretty much how it works, but I can't do that. My current research, while also on drug development for the human body, doesn't involve gene grafting.

No, that's not entirely accurate.

I can only say that my research involves strengthening the activity of human telomerase through drugs, interfering with the body's cell proliferation ability."

"Elixir of life?"

Mercer nodded in understanding.

Kureha immediately beamed, placing her hands on Mercer's shoulders and squeezing them firmly.

"You little rascal are indeed smart, catching on instantly. That's right. Although I've shifted my research focus to 'Brain Domain Development,' human research is all interconnected. Some research on genes and cells is still common, especially since the research subjects are all based on 'Lineage Factor.'

Vegapunk is truly a genius."

Hearing this, Mercer forgot about the pain in his shoulder and asked with some surprise, "So, has your 'brain' research made any progress, Doctor Doriel?"

Kureha's face twitched. "There has been progress, but the test subjects, the lab mice, don't even live a day. They die of brain death immediately.

What? Do you want to try?"

Mercer's expression stiffened. "Let's forget it. I'm still young. I don't want to meet my parents that early."

Kureha paused the hands on his shoulders and moved them to Mercer's head, ruffling his hair. She said knowingly, "I see. It's pretty much what I thought.

Then you haven't considered asking that scoundrel Garp who your biological parents are?"

"We asked. Do you want to know?" Mercer said, "If it's you, I can tell you."

"No need. Your parents have nothing to do with me, and besides, they're already dead. It doesn't matter if I know or not."

"But judging by what you said, were your parents famous people?"

Mercer nodded. "My mother was just an ordinary person. As for the other one, they are a household name."

"Hey!" Kureha laughed. "A household name? Could it be your dad was Whitebeard? No, your dad is dead. Could it be that scoundrel Roger? No, the timing doesn't match either."

Hearing this, Mercer's eyes grew distant. "Is there a possibility that my younger brother and I spent over 20 months in the womb together?"

"Cough cough!" Kureha choked, her hands on Mercer's head twisting backward with a "crack!" Mercer's neck bone snapped.

Cough cough!

"Sorry, sorry. I was a bit surprised."

Kureha looked at Mercer awkwardly, who had turned just in time to avoid his neck being broken and was now staring at her with wide eyes.

Mercer looked at her, his gaze distant.

"Did that guy offend you somewhere?"

"Not really, you almost broke my neck.

What kind of grudge could lead to that."

Kureha awkwardly touched her nose, then said angrily, "Just a couple of words is enough, okay? I didn't do it on purpose. It wasn't broken, was it?

Even if it was broken, I could have saved you. With your physique, it would have healed in ten days to half a month."

Mercer blinked and thought seriously. "It really seems so."

"Then I'm not angry anymore."

Kureha rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue in amazement. "Who would have thought, who would have thought."

The World Government spent so much effort trying to catch you, and yet you were protected by such a method.

"Your birth mother is a formidable woman. I admire her."

"My godmother is also formidable; she almost broke my neck just now."

Kureha said angrily, "You little brat, are you never going to let this go? Put this matter behind you quickly. You're not allowed to mention it again."

"Alright, alright!"

"Let's get back to business, Doctor Doriel, what part do you think went wrong to cause brain death?"

"Hmm!" Kureha walked to the table, sat down, and pondered, "It should be the lack of a medicinal ingredient, a medium that can maintain brain cell regeneration. After the mice ate the 'Brain Domain Development medicine,' their brain nerves were particularly active for a period.

However, looking back, it seemed like a situation where their brain potential was overdrawn.

We need to find a creature with regenerative abilities to experiment on. One that can regenerate its brain would be even better. That way, we can extract the missing core element through experimentation."

As she spoke, her eyes suddenly lit up, and Kureha smiled, "Salamanders, these creatures can regenerate even if their hearts or brains are partially missing. Using them for experiments should yield useful data."

"Tsk! I still have to be the smart one," Kureha smiled proudly and looked at Mercer, "I'll take you somewhere tomorrow. It's the only place on this Winter Island where Snow Salamanders can be found."

"Get some sleep early."

Mercer glanced at the sky outside; it had already darkened. "Oh, okay!"

Standing up, Mercer said, "I'm going to wash up first."

After washing up, Mercer read comics for a while longer and, when it was close to bedtime, went to sleep early.

The next day.

Woke up and washed up.

Mercer pulled open the curtains in the room and looked at the heavy snow falling outside.

Visibility was very low.

"I'm going for my morning run, I'll be back soon."

Mercer called out to Kureha in the kitchen.

He opened the door, with Bear Cub following behind him, and they quickly disappeared into the snowy landscape.

The hot air he exhaled turned into white mist.

Mercer closed his eyes and entered the Heavenly Human State, using Observation Haki to sense his surroundings as he ran rapidly through the snowy forest.

He ran with a rhythm that matched his breathing.

His limbs moved in unison.

His speed increased as he ran through the wind and snow, precisely dodging obstacles he sensed. In the Heavenly Human State, everything around him became vivid.

His own aura interacted with the surrounding environment's aura, and the feedback from the surrounding auras captured by Observation Haki appeared in his mind as a special "sense of sight."

He ran with complete freedom.

He swung his arms in coordination with his steps, breathing, breathing with complete freedom, vitality filling his entire body.

As if aided by the wind.

Even running against the wind and snow, he felt a surge of power.

He felt the breath of the wind and snow, merging his aura with the wind and snow, and the wind generated by his movement, carrying the wind and snow from nature, transformed into assistance.

It was like a vortex.

In his perception, Bear Cub was closely following behind him.

Mercer sensed Bear Cub's breathing rhythm. Because their Breathing Techniques originated from the same source, and after spending a long time together, their breathing rhythms gradually began to synchronize.

In the Heavenly Human State.

He already possessed a unique ability to interact with the breathing of all things in nature. Mercer guided Bear Cub's breathing with his own, causing their breaths to continuously synchronize and unify.

He ran without stopping.

At a certain moment, "Yip!" Bear Cub's breathing rhythm suddenly faltered. It turned out he had tripped over a rock, and the entire bear tumbled forward.

He bumped into Mercer's back.

The next moment, Mercer also fell, and the man and the bear rolled around in the snow.

His breathing was disrupted, and Mercer also withdrew from the Heavenly Human State.

He lay spread-eagled in the snow, adjusting his breathing.

White mist billowed from his mouth.

"Roar~ Woo!"

At this moment, Bear Cub crawled over, his large head pressing on Mercer's chest, his left paw resting on Mercer's face.

He reached out and pushed away Bear Cub's paws, Mercer said speechlessly, "It's so cold, your paws are covered in snow. And you're so clumsy, you actually fell. You almost killed me."

"Ying!"

Bear Cub stuck out his tongue and nuzzled closer, vigorously licking Mercer's face with his wet tongue.

His big head rubbed hard against Mercer's face.

He whimpered softly, "Ying ying," his voice full of grievance.

"Okay, okay, I won't scold you anymore. You stop acting wronged too."

"You're a Panda spirit, not a cat spirit, nor a fox spirit. Stop being cute."

"Ao~"

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PS: Regarding Germa's human augmentation technology, there are some fan-made settings here, as the original work didn't specify the details, so I had to imagine and rationalize it as best as I could.

Please excuse any inaccuracies!!!