Chapter 11: Reality

"What are you saying, old man? Want a beating?"

Kai looked at him without a hint of amusement.

"I think I rushed into bringing out my suit. Now that I look at you… it won’t be necessary, not against such a weak opponent," the American muttered.

Trigger raised an eyebrow, clearly irritated.

"You think you can beat the handsome and charismatic Trigger? I’m the fastest in the West!" he said, spinning his guns around his fingers with impressive skill.

Both Asley and Sakura frowned at his new personality.

" Wow… not a single smile, huh…" Trigger mumbled when he saw their faces.

In an instant, Kai was already in front of him, slamming him to the floor like a professional fighter with brutal force.

CRACK!

Trigger hit the white surface and spit blood.

"Hasn’t anyone told you not to let your guard down in a fight?" Kai said coldly. "That’s the difference between the one who lives… and the one who dies on the battlefield."

"…You old bastard…" Trigger growled, raising his pistols.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

One after another, the shots struck the nanobot shield around Kai, who didn’t even take a single step back.

"What an irritating old man…" Trigger grumbled. His weapons gleamed and transformed into a two-handed sword.

"Why is he this strong? Is it because this vessel is too weak? No… must be his military training. This old man is dangerous."

Trigger dashed forward, sword raised at his shoulder, while Kai’s nanobots shifted to form a light blade.

With a simple motion, Kai deflected the strike and pushed Trigger back effortlessly.

"Shape-changing Dual… from gunslinger to swordsman. Interesting," he murmured.

He paused, staring at him.

"Weak… but interesting."

"Who are you calling weak? I’m just warming up!" Trigger snapped, clearly annoyed. His sword began to ignite with flames.

Kai rubbed his forehead, as if he had just heard something unbelievably stupid.

"I’m certain that arrogance is what got you killed…" Kai said firmly, without hesitation.

Everyone in the room froze at those words.

Trigger clenched his teeth.

"You don’t know anything… you think you know it all."

Kai watched him with a cold glint in his eyes.

"I see… so you didn’t know."

"Shut up!! I have to go back home!" Trigger roared, launching himself with fury at the American.

Kai deflected his attack with a movement so casual it looked lazy, and this time punched him directly in the face. The impact sent him flying at full speed into one of the room’s reinforced walls.

"Hayato!" both girls shouted in unison.

Trigger tried to get up, but his arms trembled. His body—the body of Hayato—was far too weak to withstand the damage.

Kai took a step forward, his voice colder than steel.

"Strength without a purpose is worthless. I don’t know who you were in your world… but here we have different rules. You two had better start cooperating."

At that moment, the transformation dissolved and Trigger vanished in a flash, leaving Hayato collapsed on the floor, gasping.

The door to the room opened with a soft beep.

Hestia walked in, clapping with a warm smile.

"I think you overdid it again, dear," she said sweetly.

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry…" Kai apologized, scratching his head as the nanobot armor slowly retracted back into his chest.

"That was way too cruel!" Asley protested, glancing at Sakura as if expecting backup. "We should just leave."

Hestia walked toward the three teens and lifted her hands.

A small golden light emerged from her palms, wrapping them in a warm aura that closed wounds and soothed pain.

"Kai can be harsh as a teacher," she said gently, "but he knows he can’t afford to be soft when lives are at stake."

"He almost killed Hayato!" Asley shouted, indignant.

The boy, still aching, slowly sat up and brushed the dust from his clothes. His legs trembled, but his eyes were resolute.

"I… want to get stronger, Mr. Kai."

Asley and Sakura looked at him, stunned.

Hayato took a deep breath.

"I don’t want Liberty to come after us… I want to be ready.”

Kai smiled, finally revealing a warm and proud expression.

"That’s the spirit. That’s what I like to hear, kid. Go take a shower. You’re done for today."

As the teenagers left the room, Hestia turned back to Kai.

"You didn’t need to use so much violence…"

Kai looked at her calmly.

"I know. I just wanted them to understand that the world out there is crueler," he replied, staring at his own hands as if they were stained with blood.

Hestia pressed her lips together, both tender and worried.

"You know that’s part of the past, Kai."

"I try not to think about it… but still, my hands remain stained. ‘Military obedience’… what nonsense."

Hestia placed a gentle hand on his arm.

"Don’t torment yourself. Let’s go to the café, I’ll make you some good coffee."

Kai let out a heavy sigh, as if years of weight settled back onto his shoulders.

"Yeah, sweetheart… I’ll be right there," he said, glancing at the damage he had caused in the white room.

*****************************************************************************

In a secret Liberty base hidden beneath an unnamed industrial complex, General Shepard marched forward with firm steps. Two armed escorts followed him, though he didn’t seem to need them.

The automatic doors slid open, revealing a room full of young scientists surrounded by screens, sensors, and constantly fluctuating graphs.

At the center of the lab, a man silently observed a series of suspended animation tubes. His sharp, calculating gaze examined the figures sleeping inside.

"Dr. Himuro," Shepard announced. "I came as requested by the high command."

Kazuo Himuro slowly turned, a calm smile forming on his lips as he recognized him.

"Well, look who’s visiting me… my old friend, General Damian Shepard. The famous ‘American Dream.’"

Shepard ignored the provocation.

"Dr. Fujimoto informed me that Project Nexus is ready."

Himuro set his papers aside and adjusted his glasses with serenity.

"Yes… and no."

"Explain."

"As you know, Shepard, the Eagle extermination unit still doesn’t have authorization from the Japanese government to be deployed." Himuro sighed. "‘Human rights,’ you know."

"I’m well aware," Shepard replied. "Although, according to Liberty’s internal policies… Duals do not qualify as human beings."

A mischievous smile appeared on the scientist’s face.

"Exactly. But all of that will change starting today."

Both men approached one of the suspended animation tubes.

Inside rested a young girl with long light-blue hair, floating among cables and nutrient fluid like a goddess awaiting her awakening.

Himuro placed a hand on the glass, proud.

"Project Nexus… is the future. All we need is for the Japanese government to see our trump card in action."

Shepard looked at the motionless body with a hint of unease.

"Is that… her?"

"That’s right. Our masterpiece," Himuro whispered.

"Nexus-06… the most perfect artificial Dual prototype ever created," Himuro declared, pride trembling in his voice.

"The world will change after this, Shepard…"

The scientists applauded like puppets, while Shepard didn’t see any of this as a good idea.
But orders… are absolute.