Dr. Arata Soue and Amatori Biba, among others, arrived the day before at the World Government Base on Kabane World.
"Damn it, who are they and why are they locking us up!" Mumei exclaimed indignantly, glaring at the hallway outside the cell.
"Haven't they already said it? Because we are Kabaneri." Ikoma leaned against the wall, looking at her with resignation. "You've seen their power. Now we can only wait and see what they do with us."
Although he said it like that, his eyes clearly showed his resentment, especially when looking at his empty hands, he always remembered the 'Tsuranuki Zutsu' that had been confiscated from him.
"They must be foreign forces." At this moment, Amatori Biba, who was standing at the side, spoke in a low voice.
Mumei turned around and looked at Biba with complicated eyes, and asked in a low voice: "Brother, why did you lie to me? You lied to me by saying that you were going to Kongoukaku to see your father..."
"I didn't lie to you."
Biba looked at her expressionlessly. "I really wanted to see my father, but once I see him, I plan to destroy him along with Kongoukaku. This is revenge, for me and for the four hundred thousand soldiers from ten years ago. But what's the point of talking about these things now?"
Yes, they were prisoners now, they would probably be taken to be used as experimental subjects. Besides, what was the point of discussing these enmities and loyalties now...? The three fell into a somber silence.
...
"Are you Ikoma?" A man dressed in black stopped in front of the cell and looked at the gray-green-haired young man inside.
Ikoma and Mumei looked at each other and nodded. Ikoma replied: "Yes, it's me."
"Get out."
"Can I ask you where we are going?"
The man in black looked at him expressionlessly and said: "In the base director's office, Senior Director Addison wants to see you."
"That's...okay." Although Ikoma was surprised, he nodded and walked out. As he left, he tapped Mumei on the shoulder, telling her not to worry.
Only Biba frowned and remained thoughtful.
"Ikoma..." Mumei looked at Ikoma's back as he walked away, pursing his lips in determination. She began to hate her own weakness and lack of ability, thinking: 'Elder brother's words are sometimes right. If I'm strong enough now, then I could get them out of here.'
On the other hand, Ikoma followed the man in black down a long dark hallway. Walking out of the prison door, the sunlight shone brightly. Along the way, he saw groups of army soldiers and occasionally people in black quickly passing by.
Ikoma was then taken to the tallest building downtown and received in Addison's office.
"Please take a seat." Addison smiled kindly at him and asked: "Do you want something to drink? Maybe coffee? Oh, sorry, I guess you'd prefer tea."
"Well..."
Just as Ikoma was about to nervously refuse, Addison turned to her secretary and ordered, "Bring him a cup of tea."
"Understood".
This left Ikoma speechless. He realized that this man was quite dominant, but his attention was focused on a yellow object on the desk.
"This is...?"
"Hehe, yes, I made you come for this. Can you explain it to me? I'm told this thing is very powerful."
After hesitating for a moment, Ikoma explained: "Since normal steam guns could not break the Kabane's heart membrane, I together with a friend developed a piercing gun that has more penetration and impact power..."
As Ikoma continued explaining how his invention worked, he became excited, as if he were presenting his masterpiece. His voice became more and more animated.
After hearing his explanation, Addison's expression changed as she looked at Ikoma. He no longer considered him just a Kabaneri to experiment with.
"It seems that you have talent in weapons development, especially projectile modification. Congratulations, you have proven yourself. Now, please read this document."
He took a file out of the drawer and placed it in front of Ikoma, who looked at it with growing amazement. Her pupils constricted violently.
"Another World...World Government..."
To be honest, the content was not extensive, but he still read it several times. Addison didn't rush him, waiting patiently for him to calm down.
After a moment...
"Sorry, I've finished reading." Ikoma put the document down, but his voice was still trembling.
Addison looked at him surprised. "Have you calmed down so quickly? You have a pretty adaptable mind, but being a Kabaneri complicates things a bit."
Ikoma smiled bitterly. "I was thinking about how to become human again, just like Mumei..."
"You want to go back to normal?"
"Isn't it good to have a superhuman body?" Addison joked.
"No, I just want to become human again, together with Mumei, no matter what." Ikoma raised his head with determination.
"That might be possible, but it depends on your worth."
These words surprised Ikoma, and he quickly asked: "Do you have a way to turn me into a normal person?"
"Yes, you are from another world, maybe you have some special methods."
Addison spread his palms and said with a smile: "You have misunderstood. Our world may have methods, but the possibility I just mentioned is the product of your world, but it belongs to us now. That's all."
"What!?" Ikoma was shocked.
"Do you still remember Dr. Arata Soue, who came with you? The 'white blood' he invented is a serum that can effectively eliminate the Kabane virus."
"It's said that for a common Kabaneri like you, one dose has a sixty percent chance of turning you completely human again, but there are only two doses of this thing."
Hearing this, Ikoma shot up, looking at Addison in amazement and said: "That would be perfect for Mumei and me! Please make it possible, please make us human again."
He said this while putting his palms together in a gesture of supplication, but Addison showed no emotion and looked at him calmly.
"Why should we?"
"Huh?"
"Can you explain why we should use the valuable doses on you?"
"Well..." Ikoma was speechless and became anxious, and quickly asked: "Is there anything I can do?"
"That's the attitude." Addison nodded in satisfaction. "Don't think about getting something without giving anything in return, think about what you can offer to get what you want."
"Please guide me!"
"You probably don't have anything to exchange for the 'white blood' at the moment, but you can work for us. For example, manufacturing and improving the weapons and ammunition technology you developed."
"If you show enough talent in this aspect, you will have the opportunity to apply for the 'white blood' injection. And perhaps, by then, the Biochemical Research Institute could mass produce it."
"How about it? Do you want to accept it?"
But Ikoma asked hesitantly: "Will the weapons and ammunition you mentioned be used to fight the Kabane, or... also to kill people?"
"Is there any difference?" Addison looked at him puzzled.
"I'm sorry, I... I don't want to kill anyone, nor do I want what I develop to be used to kill..." Ikoma shook his head, clenching his fists tightly.
However, his words chilled Addison's face. "Oh really?"
"Then go back to your cell and think about it. Come back when you've reconsidered your options."
...
"You care about him?" In the prison, Biba watched Mumei pace anxiously back and forth, sensing a subtle change in her mood.
Before, this so-called younger sister only showed admiration and concern for him, but back then, he didn't pay attention to her, since those kinds of looks were common around him.
But now, somehow, he felt a slight sense of loss.
"This... Although Ikoma is a big fool, obviously weak but always acting bravely, he is really a special person. He said he wants us to become humans again, so he can eat rice every day..."
Mumei stopped and leaned against the cold wall, looking down at his shoes and speaking softly.
"Brother, you lied to me. I was very angry at first, but after thinking about it, except for the purpose of going to Kongoukaku, everything else is true."
"You said that only the strong can survive. I still think it is correct. Although Ikoma has never recognized it, he is too naive."
"Becoming Kabaneri was also my own initiative. In the final analysis, I am very grateful to my brother for his upbringing, but from now on..."
"I don't want to be 'Mumei' anymore, I want to go back to my original name 'Hozumi'!"
In the dark cell, the little girl spoke out her innermost thoughts, but her head was always lowered, but she was not as firm and confident as her words.
After all, her brother's prestige in her heart is still there.
"I understand, that's fine."
"Brother?"
Mumei raised her head in surprise, looking at Biba, who was smiling at her, his attitude not as angry as Mumei had imagined.
"Hozumi, although that name is full of hope for the future, for the previous Mumei, it was too weak."
"That's why I gave you the name Mumei. But now, both in terms of strength and determination, you are strong enough, and it's time to have expectations."
Biba looked tenderly at the little girl in front of him.
For so many years, every time she called him brother, he was no longer just a tool to Biba. Although, with his character, if Mumei really needs to be sacrificed, he will most likely do it.
His heart, during these ten years, had been forged like steel by the fire of revenge, and Mumei was like a little warmth that fell on that steel.
"If you are no longer Mumei, are you still willing to call me brother?"
Mumei, no, Hozumi was stunned for a few seconds, then a bright smile appeared on her face, she stood up straight and put her hands behind her back.
"Of course, you will always be my brother!"
"I see..."
[Thud! Thud! Thud!]
At this moment, footsteps approaching from outside sounded. Hozumi turned around quickly, and Biba also raised his head. His gentle expression returned to one of calm.
"Ikoma!"
Hozumi looked in surprise at Ikoma, who entered the cell door with a grim expression on his face. Then, he sat in a corner without saying a word.
Just as Hozumi was about to walk over to ask, one of the men in black who brought Ikoma in did not immediately close the cell door, but instead said: "Amatori Biba, come out."
"Is it finally my turn?" Biba was not surprised. On the contrary, she had been looking forward to it for a long time.
Hozumi gritted his teeth and asked: "Where are you taking my brother?"
"Go to where that kid just went."
While the man in black was speaking, Biba had already walked out of the cell door, and soon, the two of them disappeared from Hozumi's sight one after the other.
This forced her to turn her attention back to Ikoma, quickly walked over, knelt down, and asked nervously: "What's wrong with you? Did they hurt you?"
"They... want me to kill people... they want to use my inventions to kill people. Only then will they be willing to help us become human again..."
Ikoma raised his head and looked at the girl's face, with a look full of conflict, asking in a low and distressed voice: "Mumei, what should I do?"
Hozumi squatted there and didn't know what to say. She knew very well how unacceptable killing was to the boy in front of her.
Hozumi lifted Ikoma's face with his hands and showed a cute smile. "If they want you to kill, I will do it for you!"
...
There was a knock on Addison's office door, he leaned back in his chair and said: "Please come in." Then Biba entered the room.
"Please take a seat, Mr. Biba, leader of the Karikatashuu."
"I think being the son of the Shogun has a higher value for you, right?" Biba said as she sat in the chair looking directly at Addison.
"No." Addison shook his head. "Until now, the Karikatashuu have represented greater value. As for the Shogun's son... what importance does he have when he will no longer be the Shogun?"
"You underestimate yourself and the World Government too much!"
"Are you planning to overthrow the shogunate?" Biba was very surprised by this.
"No, the shogunate will remain the shogunate, only there will be a new ruler." After saying that, Addison picked up the cup and took a sip of coffee.
"Why?"
"Amatori Okimasa is a man who looks tough on the outside but is cowardly on the inside. You should have understood that he is an extreme conservative. As long as his rule continues, he will obey all your orders."
After listening to Biba's words, Addison smiled, put back the coffee cup, and said: "Maybe, but the people at the top prefer to have a new ruler."
"This is not the best choice. The Amatori family has ruled the shogunate for more than two hundred years. Doing this will definitely trigger a crusade from the governors of various regions." Biba said expressionlessly.
"Oh~ I thought you would be happy to see Amatori Okimasa suffer misfortunes, but now it seems that the love between father and son is still deep."
"No, this is just speaking from a realistic point of view."
"My previous goal was to destroy Kongoukaku first, and then continue destroying those bastards who participated in the slaughter of the four hundred thousand soldiers ten years ago. I would probably need to destroy eighty percent of the Stations for that."
"Your organization, on the other hand, aims to rule Japan. There is no need to be against everyone."
Biba summed up the most important thing concisely, but Adisson already understood his cruel and ruthless heart, and understood why the superiors were interested in him.
Addison pulled out a file containing basic information about the World Government and placed it in front of Biba.
"Take a look. When you realize the meaning of the words 'World Government', you will understand how limited your current vision and perspective is. You have been overestimating the shogunate."
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