Led by the dean of the Biochemical Research Institute, a Senior Director from the Administrative Department, and three military admirals, a group consisting of several researchers and CP members responsible for security under Steve Gus's command slowly approached a prison cell with bars entirely made of Seastone.
Marshal Lemoncheese glanced inside and asked, "So this is the 'Nue' you mentioned that can destroy an entire street with one strike? Why are there two of them, and both women?"
Dean Fritz smiled with evident delight.
"The one on the left is the 'Nue' captured by Vice Admiral Crocodile. I've named her 'Blue Heart'—a naturally occurring specimen."
"The one beside her is an artificially created 'Nue,' formed when Amatori Biba injected Dr. Shoei's 'Black Blood Plasma' into a local Kabaneri. I believe her name is 'Horobi.'"
"Additionally, we found a 'Nue' heart in the Hunter Group's 'Steel Fortress.' They maintained its vitality by feeding it the blood of hundreds of Kabane."
Dr. Shoei nodded and briefly explained the origins of this special heart.
"Because the combat capabilities of 'Nue' are too dangerous, we gathered a large number of Kabane in one place to cultivate a 'Core.'"
"Then, when it had just formed a small-scale 'Black Smoke,' we destroyed it with artillery and mortars before extracting this glowing blue heart as a raw material source for producing 'Black Blood Plasma.'"
"However, beyond that, I haven't found any other applications for it yet." At this point, he shook his head with visible frustration.
After Dr. Shoei finished speaking, Dean Fritz turned to Minister Tsuru with a smile. "Would you mind performing 'Mind Cleansing' on the 'Horobi' on the right first?"
In his view, Horobi was merely an appetizer—the main course would be the experiment of injecting Black Blood Plasma into 'Blue Heart' later!
"Very well."
Tsuru had no reason to refuse. Her primary mission this time was to assist the Biochemical Research Institute's experiments; sightseeing in this otherworldly setting was secondary.
"Please wait a moment."
"Hurry, put the blood basin inside!"
Dean Fritz instructed Team Leader Ron and the others to ensure the 'Nue' would have immediate access to nourishment upon awakening, preventing any repeat of previous accidents.
"Yes, Dean!"
This time, the researchers were well-prepared. They swiftly retrieved blood bags, poured the contents into a basin, and once the container was filled with the crimson liquid reeking of blood, placed it about three to four meters away from the creatures.
"Grrraaahhh—!"
"Grrrgh!"
Sure enough, as the thick scent of blood permeated the cell, 'Blue Heart' and 'Horobi' instantly opened their pitch-black eyes, faintly glowing blue, their faces contorted in fury as they thrashed violently.
Yet the Seastone shackles binding their wrists and ankles were firmly secured to the iron chairs beneath them, rendering their struggles utterly futile.
But as 'Nue,' they possessed unique methods.
[Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!]
With a series of sharp whistling sounds, jet-black, oil-like tendrils shot forth from their bodies. As these viscous threads plunged into the blood basin, they began writhing and devouring the liquid within.
The spectacle piqued the interest of the three military admirals—even Sakazuki tilted his chin slightly.
"Is this a racial trait of their kind?"
Clearly, he recalled those minority races of the native Seastar.
As the blood in the basin was completely drained, the black threads suddenly began to dissolve on their own, leaving not even a trace of residue—as if they had vaporized.
It was under these circumstances that Tsuru walked alone into the cell and approached Horobi. She glanced at the woman before her and was surprised to find that the girl's face was actually quite beautiful.
Tsuru was already fifty-two years old, practically of grandmotherly age. However, the constitution of Seastar's people was such that most only began to develop wrinkles at fifty, started resembling the elderly at sixty, and by seventy, their hair turned completely white and their teeth fell out.
Thus, her appearance and figure hadn't been much affected, and she still looked like a beautiful aunt in her thirties or forties.
"Poor child."
With a kind gaze, Tsuru gently reached out and stroked Horobi's face, which was still trying to bite her. Then, she activated the power of the Wash-Wash Fruit.
A refreshing glow accompanied by a sweet fragrance appeared, and Horobi's body first flattened like a sheet of paper before returning to normal moments later.
This seemingly miraculous yet simple process caused the ferocity on Horobi's face to fade into calm.
When she opened her eyes again, though her irises remained black and her pupils still glowed blue, the look she gave Tsuru was much more animated. However, she seemed lost in some kind of memory.
After about five or six breaths, Horobi—with her short golden hair—suddenly stared blankly at Tsuru and uttered, "Mother?"
"Hmm?!" Tsuru raised an eyebrow in surprise.
But the next moment, Horobi seemed to snap back to reality. Looking around at the unfamiliar surroundings, she asked nervously, "Ah, no—wait, where is this? Where is Lord Biba?"
"It seems that when these Kabane regain consciousness, their memories remain fixed at the moment before they turned into Kabane," Dean Fritz remarked casually before turning to Dr. Shoei with a smile. "You're an old acquaintance of hers—why don't you explain the situation?"
"Of course!"
Dr. Shoei hurried inside. Seeing someone she recognized, Horobi gradually calmed down. The doctor then leaned in and whispered a brief summary of recent events into her ear.
"So... Lord Biba has already joined them..."
After hearing this, Horobi felt a mix of emotions. Though it was he who had personally injected her with the Black Blood Plasma, pushing her into the abyss of death, she had been willing—willing to sacrifice herself for his goals.
Because she loved Amatori Biba.
Even if he had scorned her love, even discarded it like trash.
"In that case... I'll join as well. Is that alright?"
Dr. Shoei was overjoyed by Horobi's attitude.
Ever since arriving here, he had often felt lonely, surrounded as he was by people from other worlds. He had begun wishing for more "compatriots" to join the World Government, so they could support each other in the future.
"Guts, both you and Horobi are 'Nue.' She'll be handed over to your Cipher Pol," Senior Director Addison said solemnly.
"Understood. But I'll need to inform Captain Laskey first."
Steve Gus agreed with a smile, then entered the cell and took out a key to unlock Horobi's handcuffs and shackles.
"My name is Steve Gus, a member of CP9. Come on, let's head outside first."
"Alright."
Horobi behaved obediently, as if she had returned to the days of following Amatori Biba's orders, which brought her a sense of reassurance.
Seeing Dr. Shoei and the other two emerge, Dean Fritz rubbed his hands excitedly and grinned at Tsuru, who remained inside. "Minister Tsuru, next we'll be injecting Black Blood Plasma into 'Blue Heart.'"
"Let's see what happens when we further enhance the Kabane Virus on top of the 'Nue' form. Then, we'll have to trouble you to help 'cleanse' its rampaging mind!"
Hearing this, Tsuru raised an eyebrow, her dark blue ponytail swaying as she chuckled curiously. "An evolved version of the Kabane Virus based on the 'Nue' form? Now that's an interesting idea."
"Exactly! We want to see the limits of this Kabane Virus!" Dean Fritz laughed heartily, his eyes burning with the fervor of a biochemical scientist.