Fishman in One Piece

Chapter 13 Freedom

The anticipated moment has finally come.

The timing is perfectly aligned.

Brett felt a deep sigh of relief within himself.

Having just consumed all the fruits today, Jinbe's rescue has just arrived.

Once the bloodline fusion upgrade is finished, immediate escape is possible. Is there anything more favorable than this?

He gazed at Vegapunk with eager anticipation.

"How clever, Vice Admiral."

Vegapunk remarked somewhat irritably, "You actually assign such a troublesome issue for me to manage? "

"Because, Doctor, no matter what choice you make, the higher authorities will not act against you."

The Vice Admiral sighed, "However, my situation is different. All I desire is to retire and return home to care for my children. "

Vegapunk shook his head and smiled in a reasonable manner, "Then, Rear Admiral Hager, please take this young man back first. I shall confer on this matter with the Vice Admiral."

Hager gritted his teeth in frustration.

What else is there to deliberate?

He was on the verge of expressing further thoughts, but Vice Admiral Occam nodded and stated, "Yes, Hager, you should take him back first, and we will discuss it in detail. "

Hager felt a sense of suffocation. Clearly, he could not oppose the decisions made by the two most powerful people at the base simultaneously. He could only approach Brett and utter icily, "Come back with me."

Though Brett wished to remain and witness the final outcome, he ultimately opted to depart quietly.

Now, it is up to Vegapunk.

'However, I must be prepared. If any adverse situation arises, immediate and forceful actions will be taken.'

Brett exited, leaving Vegapunk and Vice Admiral Occam alone in the laboratory.

The Vice Admiral smiled and inquired, "So, doctor, what are your thoughts? "

"Allow me to show you something. "

Vegapunk approached a well-sealed cabinet on the side, opened the door, retrieved a compartment, and extracted a reagent from it.

He then casually tossed it to Vice Admiral Occam.

"Oh, be cautious, Doctor. "

The Vice Admiral skillfully caught the reagent, holding it up to examine closely, noticing a red liquid within the test tube that was as clear as flowing crystal.

"Doctor, what is this? " he pondered, already forming a hypothesis in his mind.

"The timing is fortunate."

Vegapunk lazily closed the cabinet door and leaned against it, saying, "Utilizing that kid's bloodline factor, we have created a potion that permits the user to partially integrate the fishman's bloodline and enhance fundamental abilities. "

"Oh? "

The Vice Admiral's eyes brightened, "Has it proven to be successful? "

"That young man contributed significantly. "

Vegapunk stated nonchalantly, "Honestly, I hold a very positive view of him."

"Oh, I understand, so Doctor, what are you implying—"

"He is unaware of my research, and he likely does not know the name or location of this base. Therefore, it does not pose a risk if I allow him to leave. "

Vice Admiral Occam acknowledged with a nod, "However, are there any potential risks? "

Vegapunk sighed in exasperation, "I will reach out to headquarters and inform them that this is my decision. "

"That would be wonderful! "

Instantly, Occam beamed with joy.

Thus, even if challenges arise in the future, he would bear no responsibility and could await his retirement with contentment.

On his return journey, Brett experienced a mix of anticipation and apprehension.

To be candid, he still found it difficult to comprehend Vegapunk entirely.

Will he uphold his promise?

He had no certainty.

In any case, it is prudent to prepare for the worst possible outcome initially.

Hager followed Brett silently, his grip firmly around the hilt of his sword at his side.

'That impudent Vice Admiral! What could he be contemplating? Seeking Vegapunk's counsel?'

Hager struggled to envision what decision Vegapunk might arrive at.

After all, based on his prior reactions, he held a notably favorable view of this fish-man.

'Could it be that this fish-man will be set free?'

Hager would never accept such a notion.

After returning Brett to his prison cell, Hager proceeded directly to Vegapunk's laboratory, only to discover the door was shut, and Vegapunk had resumed his experiments.

Hager then turned around and made his way to the base commander's office.

This time, he successfully met with the base commander, Vice Admiral Occam.

"Vice Admiral, what was the doctor's conclusion? What course of action did he decide upon regarding the fish man? " he asked with urgency.

"You appear to be quite concerned about that fish-man, Rear Admiral Hager."

The Vice Admiral remarked with some surprise, "The doctor expressed a strong affinity for the fish-man pirate, and since the experiment has concluded, he decided to release him. He has already reported this to headquarters, and Mr. Kong has concurred. "

"How can this be possible! "

The muscles in Hager's cheeks twitched uncontrollably, "That fishman——"

The Vice Admiral spoke gently, "Do not become agitated, Rear Admiral Hager. This is the doctor's decision. Headquarters and I have already sanctioned it. There is no need for doubt. "

"No, Vice Admiral, I cannot accept this! Mr. Borsalino instructed me to monitor him! " Hager nearly exclaimed.

"All right, Rear Admiral!! "

Occam frowned, "Borsalino's perspective is significant, yet the doctor's intentions and the department's results hold greater weight. Know your position! "

"You arrived just in time. It will be your responsibility to inform the fishman. We will facilitate his departure in a few days. "

"Now leave and ensure the door is closed behind you."

Hager exited the base commander's office.

'Now I angered the base commander, fuck that fish-man!'

He returned to Brett's prison cell.

Hager's expression turned pale with fury.

Brett was engaged in physical training within the prison, using exercise to temper his excitement.

Suddenly, the cell door swung open.

Rear Admiral Hager, an old acquaintance, entered.

Brett instinctively turned to regard him, feeling a surge of anxiety.

Then, upon witnessing the furious expression on Hager's face, all of Brett's apprehension vanished.

He could not restrain a smile.

"Rear Admiral Hager, is there something you wish to convey to me? "

". . . "

Hager found the grin of the fish-man before him to be quite striking. His fists were clenched so tightly that his nails nearly pierced his skin.

"Your strategy achieved success, and Vegapunk has decided to set you free. "

The smile on Brett's face could no longer be hidden. Such a grin could be described as radiant, "Really? That is indeed excellent news. "

'Seems like Vegapunk kept his promise, nice.'

Hager's demeanor was as dark as a stormy sea. He advanced a step and lowered his voice; his subdued tone resonated like thunder, "Do not become complacent, fish-man! Do not presume you can evade consequences indefinitely! "

Brett paid him no mind and continued to train silently, his demeanor one of disdain.

This silent disdain caused a vein to throb on Hager's forehead. He wished to utter another threat, but realized that doing so would merely render him more foolish.

Not wanting to witness the fish-man's arrogance again, Hager turned away and departed.

After securely shutting the prison door, he deemed it unnecessary to linger there and walked slowly toward his quarters.

Should he simply allow this contemptible fish-man to leave?

Permit this scoundrel to make a fool of himself in front of his superiors?

What a farce, he's a fucking fish-man!

He had been wronged and yet the Fishman sought to depart without consequence. Nothing could be that simple.

The Rear Admiral's hand grasped the hilt of his sword with determination.

Anticipating his freedom, Brett waited patiently for several days.

Freedom should be just around the corner.

Over the span of those days, the eight fruits he had consumed earlier began to manifest their effects gradually.

New abilities were slowly coming into existence.

Brett felt fortunate that his physical form had not become grotesque, despite these powers generating numerous foreign organs within him.

While eagerly awaiting his freedom, Brett figured out his emerging abilities.

Although it was a lineage activated by the power of the Devil Fruit, it could also function in the absence of that ability.

His body was undergoing rapid transformations.

Then, at last, one morning, one week and four days later, the prison door was opened.

Brett, who had just finished his breakfast, turned his head with almost lightning speed.

To his surprise, it was Vegapunk who entered.

"Doctor? "

Brett was taken aback. What could be his purpose here?

"Young man, congratulations, you are now free. "

Vegapunk beamed as he spoke, "I am here to see you off."

Brett was momentarily stunned before quickly rising, "Finally? "

"Yes, at long last. "

Vegapunk remarked with a smile, "At last, You can set off to the sea and create a commotion! "

"Creating a commotion? I would rather not," responded Brett, shaking his head. "I want to lead a quiet life. "

It would be better to wait until Straw Hat and his companions dismantle the World Government and remove the Celestial Dragons along with the enigmatic figure known as Imu, then venture into this splendid world on my own.

Safety is paramount; avoid unnecessary risks.

"Really? It is unusual for powerful people to express such a sentiments," Vegapunk observed, somewhat taken aback. While Brett is not yet a powerful figure, he is destined to become one in the future.

"However, that is inconsequential; pursue whatever you wish," Vegapunk stated as he stretched. "Come on, young one, I will escort you to the port. It is time to embrace freedom. "

"Sure." Brett replied with a firm nod.

I have waited for this moment for over six months.