(I don't know how many chapters I'll update today. I'll just write and see how it goes.)
The three returned to the Laboratory and watched Senku smash the clay pots they had painstakingly made, one after another, then grind the pieces underfoot.
"Aww, what a waste." Yuzuriha looked at the primitive clay pots. As someone who excelled at handicrafts, she hated to see them destroyed.
"Senku, what are you doing?" Taiju asked curiously.
"This is to make it look like we fled in a hurry because we were afraid of Tsukasa's strength. Taiju, Yuzuriha, here's what we'll do next..." Senku told them.
Chen Yu woke up in the Laboratory. Everything was pitch-black, and chemical odors hung in the air. This had to be the Laboratory. He felt his way to the entrance. A rock?
Suddenly, the rock was pushed aside. Blinding light flooded in, followed by a tall figure.
"Tsukasa?" Chen Yu asked.
"It's me, Chen Yu." Tsukasa pushed the rock to one side as he answered.
Then he took off his animal hide, laid it on the ground, and gestured for Chen Yu to sit.
"Come on, we're friends. There's no need for this." Chen Yu smiled.
"But you helped me and..." Tsukasa began, only for Chen Yu to interrupt him.
"That was nothing worth mentioning. You just happened to be lucky enough to meet me, understand?" Chen Yu explained.
"But this is something I have to do," Tsukasa said.
"Forget it. Come take a walk with me, Tsukasa," Chen Yu said, heading straight outside.
After all, there were still materials here that Senku needed. He needed gunpowder to try to defeat Tsukasa.
"All right." Tsukasa followed Chen Yu out and walked with him.
Along the way, Tsukasa answered whatever Chen Yu asked. Even when Chen Yu lectured him, he listened attentively. After all, when he and his little sister were young, Chen Yu had been their only family, as well as their benefactor.
Not long after Tsukasa and Chen Yu left, Senku, Taiju, and Yuzuriha arrived. They checked the area and only approached after confirming that no one was there.
"Chen Yu took Tsukasa away. Let's grab everything we need and get out of here." With that, Senku called Taiju and Yuzuriha over to pack.
"Tsukasa, are you really going to do this?" Chen Yu stopped and waited for his answer.
"Yes. Even if there's only a sliver of hope, I'll do everything I can to make it happen," Tsukasa replied, looking at Chen Yu.
"Is that so? Then how about we make a bet?" Chen Yu said.
"What?"
"I'll bet that Senku is right. How about it? Even if I hate those parasites too. Even if I used to be one of them," Chen Yu said.
He deliberately said that for Tsukasa's benefit. After all, given Chen Yu's background, he belonged to that same group in Tsukasa's eyes. Yet he couldn't understand why Tsukasa didn't hate him.
He didn't know that it was all because of what he had done for Tsukasa when they were children. He had been the light in Tsukasa's life. That included Chen Yu's parents, too-their whole family had been benefactors to the siblings.
"All right." Tsukasa smiled and agreed.
"Okay. In that case, I should start experimenting with the formula for Revival Fluid too. After all, we can't rely on you alone." With that, Chen Yu headed back the way they had come.
They returned to the Laboratory. The muddled footprints and scattered jars told them someone had been there.
"Hmm... they took a few things." Chen Yu sniffed the air.
"They're planning to..." Tsukasa said, looking around.
"Exactly what you're thinking. They want to make a weapon powerful enough to threaten you," Chen Yu replied.
Tsukasa was about to leave, but stopped. With Chen Yu here, he couldn't put his mind at ease.
"Go on. Go find him. I'm staying out of it," Chen Yu said, turning to examine the other things Senku had collected.
Tsukasa looked at Chen Yu, then turned and left.
I'm really looking forward to Tsukasa and Senku finally forming an alliance. After all, the two hadn't met before, so of course they have their differences. Tsukasa is only doing this because he wants to give it a try. After everything he's been through...
Speaking of which, what was that reporter's name again? East South West North, or something? Hmm, Ukyo is pretty impressive too. I wonder how Hyoga will turn out. But Gen is the most important one. Without that guy, Senku would've died when Hyoga attacked Ishigami Village, or at the hands of that guy on Treasure Island-Mozu.
I hope you can all give me some pleasant surprises. Oh, right, there's that other guy, the serial stone-smasher, Ryusui. He's pretty important too.
With that thought, Chen Yu ranked the people he remembered.
(A little filler for now. I'll put more effort into Ishigami Village and the Tsukasa Empire later.)
If we're excluding firearms, Tsukasa should be number one. But after fighting Matsukaze, Tsukasa thought he'd be incredibly strong if he received modern training. How strong, though, he didn't know.
Then there's Hyoga and Mozu. Without his kudayari spear, Hyoga couldn't beat Mozu, but with it, he could. That puts Hyoga above Mozu.
Next is Ibara, but that bald guy is an enemy. No thanks.
After that come Kohaku and Kirisame. Speaking of Kirisame, that reminds me of when Kohaku hugged Senku after being depetrified, and how shy Kirisame looked.
She was pretty cute.
That makes Matsukaze tricky to place. He should be stronger than Kohaku and Kirisame, right? I'm not sure. I'll leave that for later.
Then there's Kinro and that big guy. I've kind of forgotten the others. Oh, right, Ukyo. He's pretty good too. I wonder who's stronger, him or people like Kohaku and Kirisame.
Okay, that's enough of the combat rankings for now. Let's think about the specialists.
The king of sailing, Ryusui. The serial stone-smasher-that's him. Kohaku smashed him once, and Ibara smashed him again. Who knows how many times he's been petrified or revived? Still, he's also the greediest, and the quickest to react. Otherwise, without that kick from Suika, Ginro might've been done for.
The best chef, Francois. I wonder how the food tastes. I'll try it if I get the chance.
The greatest stamina, Taiju. Hmm, he should be pretty good in a fight too; he just doesn't want to attack anyone first. He can hold his breath for several minutes, take hits, and fight. I guess he counts as a turtle shell.
Then there's the master of beasts, Suika. It's hard to imagine how a person can squeeze into a watermelon shell. Her ability to communicate with animals has helped a lot, though it seems she can't control ferocious beasts. I'm not sure. I'll leave it at that.
The sharpest eyesight, and a very impressive warrior too, Kohaku. She can even distinguish between black, gray, and white. Granted, you could probably make out the general differences in the manga and anime anyway, but it's still impressive. After all, she can see what's happening hundreds of meters away.
Then there's the ultimate crafting duo, Kaseki and Yuzuriha. Their handiwork is absolutely top-notch.
The greatest diplomat and mentalist, Gen. He doesn't do a single bit of proper work.
The sharpest hearing, Ukyo. He could recognize Senku's voice through that rough electronic audio, and even tell it was synthesized. I'll leave his combat ranking undecided. After all, hearing is his greatest strength, though his archery isn't bad either.
Most importantly, the scientific brains of the operation, Senku. He's the protagonist. Still, that Xeno guy in America later on is pretty troublesome too. I'll deal with the others when I meet them.
He also remembered a little girl in America who was a biologist or something. She seemed pretty good too. There was also a guy who repaired the petrification weapon. When he met them later, he would have to get to know them properly.
Before you continue