Joining the Crew

Ever since Gen Asagiri had sided with Senku, Li Xiang had left virtually all the team's tricky internal communication to him.

It was a job perfectly suited to his expertise. No need to worry about failing to get into college when he already had guaranteed employment.

After all, when it came to smooth talking and psychological tug-of-war-coaxing and persuading people-no one on the team could beat the professional Mentalist, Gen Asagiri.

Li Xiang gave Gen full authority to handle the discussions over what to do with their captive, Homura.

She knew perfectly well that keeping Homura forcibly locked up would only make her resist to the death.

That afternoon, all was quiet at camp. While everyone was busy with their work, Gen Asagiri strolled alone toward the wooden hut where Homura was being held.

The instant the wooden door swung open, Homura, who had been sitting quietly inside, raised her eyes. Seeing that Gen had come alone, her gaze immediately filled with scorn.

She held her back ramrod straight. Even as a captive, she retained her pride and gave a cold, mocking laugh.

"Heh. Traitor."

Gen wasn't the least bit upset by the derisive label. He remained as languid and gentle as ever.

With a slightly flippant air, he ambled into the open space inside the hut and spread his hands.

"Don't say that, Homura dear. It sounds so nasty."

His tone was light. "I'm genuinely grateful that Tsukasa dear saved me back then. I've never forgotten what I owe him."

"But I really can't agree with the way he thinks or what he does."

Gen lowered his eyes and sighed softly. His tone grew unusually serious, making him seem just a little more mature.

"Blindly destroying lives, eliminating anyone who disagrees, ruling everything through violence... it's far too dangerous."

"I really don't want a life of fighting and killing, where every blade draws blood. I honestly can't stand such an oppressive, cruel atmosphere. It's just too much for little old me."

Compared with the iron-fisted dictatorship in Tsukasa's camp, rebuilding civilization with Senku offered the peaceful life he truly wanted.

And of course... who could turn down a future world with cell phones? Besides, there was the thing he wanted most!

Cola!

Homura watched him coldly, her gaze utterly unmoved and her voice distant.

"Did you come here alone just to feed me this nonsense?"

Gen gently shook his head. His smile faded a little, and his manner turned sincere.

"Of course not."

"I don't understand why you're so determined to follow Hyoga, or why you put everything into risking your life for them."

"But here's my honest advice-surrender."

"Neither Senku nor Li Xiang has ever wanted to kill you. Nobody wants anyone to die. We just want to live in peace and rebuild civilization on this land."

He paused, then deliberately brought up the most important point.

"You know perfectly well that Tsukasa killed Senku once with his own hands."

"Though I don't know why you're so loyal to Hyoga... there must be some story between you two. But that doesn't make it right, does it?"

Gen flashed a brilliant smile.

For the next while, Gen put his signature skills as a Mentalist to work, gently talking her around with persistent coaxing.

Under his patient persuasion and emotional reassurance from every angle, the defenses Homura had kept tightly raised for so long finally began to loosen and crumble.

She remained silent for a long time. The stubbornness and hostility faded from her eyes, and at last she slowly relented, offering a compromise.

"I can agree to your terms."

"But I won't switch sides completely and help you fight Tsukasa, nor will I go back and help Tsukasa fight you."

Homura became wholly neutral: no longer a threat from the enemy camp, but not an ally either.

"Yes, yes, yes! That's all I needed to hear!"

Gen immediately let out a huge sigh of relief, his face relaxing. He had finally completed his assignment successfully.

When he stepped out of the hut, Li Xiang, who had been waiting outside, immediately came over and gently ruffled his hair, her eyes full of approval.

"Nicely done, Gen."

With the matter of Homura settled, everyone put their distractions aside and gathered to prepare for the most crucial step-heading into the mountains to collect sulfuric acid.

Senku and old Fossil had worked day and night, finally finishing the shaping and assembly of two complete gas masks capable of protecting against Sulfur Valley's toxic miasma and corrosive fumes.

The team quickly settled on who would go. Senku and Chrome, the most experienced and capable with their hands, would take the lead on this dangerous gathering expedition.

Before their departure, a cool breeze drifted through the mountains, and the mood quietly grew tense.

Watching the two men ready to set out, Li Xiang spoke softly, genuine worry hidden in her eyes.

"Please be careful. We'll be waiting here at camp for you to come back safely."

Senku nodded calmly, his expression relaxed. He had already made every possible preparation.

But not long after the two were about to set off...

Kohaku's keen senses suddenly picked up an unusual disturbance in the mountains. The footsteps were extremely faint, but fortunately, her hearing was excellent.

Sensing something strange, Kohaku's gaze sharpened. She abruptly turned toward the deep forest, alarm bells ringing in her mind.

Something's wrong.

Someone's coming, and there are definitely more than one or two of them.

The sense of an ambush in the mountain forest grew stronger, with figures lurking in the shadows.

It's that man called Tsukasa!

"Li Xiang, Senku and Chrome are in danger," Kohaku said. Li Xiang seemed to grow anxious as well.

"Kohaku! Come with me!"

Li Xiang gave the order without hesitation.

Old Fossil reacted at once. He turned and hurried into the hut, then quickly handed the last spare gas mask to Kohaku.

Kohaku gripped the mask, secured her weapon on her back, and followed Li Xiang.

"Gen! Sorry for the trouble, but stay at camp and watch over everyone! We'll be right back!"

Li Xiang spoke rapidly, making arrangements for those staying behind.

"Wait! I'm coming too!"

Seeing what was happening, Ginro immediately stepped forward and volunteered to join the fight.

With the situation so urgent, Li Xiang had no time to heed the voice behind her. She rushed toward the dense forest where the enemy lay in wait, Kohaku at her side.

The group raced toward the mountain pass and soon caught up with Senku and Chrome, who had gone ahead.

The atmosphere in the forest clearing was utterly deathly.

Figures stood in ranks across from them. Hyoga had appeared at the head of a group of warriors from Tsukasa's camp, who stood silently blocking the only route into the mountains. They had clearly been lying in wait for some time.

Faced with Hyoga's men advancing aggressively, all of them ready for battle, Senku showed not a trace of panic. Instead, he looked utterly casual and unconcerned, even wearing a hint of mocking amusement.

With one hand in his pocket, he looked at the cold, menacing Hyoga across from him and spoke flippantly.

"What? If you've really got nothing better to do, why don't you hurry back to Mommy Tsukasa for some milk?"

It was a provocation delivered in a tone that practically begged for a punch.

The chill in Hyoga's eyes intensified, and the air around him seemed to drop below freezing. Murderous intent filled his cool gaze as his thin lips parted, his voice icy.

"As long as I kill you here today..."

"Every problem, every obstacle, will be gone for good."

"Wouldn't you agree..."