"Mm… such impressive genetic modification technology. Didn't expect that masked guy to be such a lousy person, but when it comes to scientific research, he actually quite skilled, meow."
In a corner of the laboratory, Haibara Meow was flipping through the data she had just swiped in the chaos, muttering under her breath:
"Too bad these are just recent test results. Finding the key technology from this will be a bit difficult, meow…"
The real reason she dragged Klee Meow along on this little stroll was because she wanted to secretly steal and learn some of Germa technology—and at the same time, see if there was any way to find a method to free Reiju from her control.
As for whether the opportunity would show itself… Haibara Meow had plenty of faith in Klee Meow ability to stir up trouble and her ridiculous good luck.
Not to mention, she had already given Klee Meow a discreet wink earlier, hinting that she should help create some kind of distraction.
Even Huamei Meow sudden, temporary involvement had been within Haibara Meow calculations.
That was why, during their earlier conversation, she had deliberately highlighted Klee Meow while making herself appear obedient and docile.
Naturally, this meant Huamei Meow would pay less attention to her actions.
Besides…
It was Big Sister Huamei herself who told me to find a place to hide! I'm just following her orders, meow!
Haibara Meow had even prepared her excuse in advance for when she inevitably got caught.
Casually tossing the test data aside, Haibara Meow stealthily poked her head out from the corner, carefully observing the laboratory staff while analyzing where the more important documents might be stored.
|ω=)|ω=)
Just as Haibara Meow was scanning the area, a terrifying aura suddenly erupted from not far away. The little kitten fur instantly puffed up in alarm.
"Meoowww—!!"
Startled out of her wits, Haibara Meow jumped three feet high on the spot, completely forgetting that she was supposed to be keeping a low profile.
But even so, she didn't end up being exposed. The lab workers reacted far worse—each of them collapsed on the ground, foaming at the mouth, unconscious in an instant.
"Meow? Didn't that idiot Sherwin say this world didn't have Elder Dragons? Then what in the world is this terrifying aura, meow?!"
Haibara Meow crouched low, trembling as she muttered to herself. But soon, she noticed that this oppressive aura was slightly different from what she had felt during the Rampage…
And… it felt a bit familiar?
The little kitten focused carefully, trying to distinguish it…
"Big Sister Huamei?" Haibara Meow froze for a moment, suddenly recalling a type of power Sherwin had once mentioned from the pirate world.
"Conqueror Haki, meow?"
Blinking her eyes rapidly, the little kitten immediately pushed the thought aside, because…
All the lab staff were already unconscious. Now was the perfect chance to steal and study Germa technology!
Having experienced the Rampage, and now deducing that this pressure came from Huamei Meow, Haibara Meow quickly adapted to the effects of the Conqueror Haki.
She darted straight to the lab bench and began searching for Germa core technology.
High-tech products all shared a very distinct feature—convenience.
So if Haibara Meow wanted to find the key data on genetic modification and battle suits, she didn't need to waste time rummaging through piles of paper files.
All she had to do was search through the lab computer-like instruments, and she could piece together most of the relevant information.
"Bloodline Factors? This must be the core technology used to modify those curly-browed idiots, meow…"
Haibara Meow quickly skimmed through the instrument contents, then pulled a small cat-head-shaped camera from her spatial pouch. With a click, click, she began snapping photos.
…
"D-damn! What is this?! What did you just do?!"
For the first time in his life, Niji actually took the initiative to retreat. Even if it was only a few steps, for someone like him—who had been stripped of fear—this was an utterly unbelievable act.
And although Niji, due to having parts of his emotions erased, wouldn't collapse into unconsciousness like ordinary people when overwhelmed by Conqueror Haki, he could still feel a "heaviness" weighing him down.
It was as if invisible chains bound his body—every movement consumed far more effort than usual, and he couldn't bring out even a fraction of his true strength.
After all, Conqueror Haki was one of the world highest-tier powers. Even if it wasn't rare in the New World, it wasn't something that could simply be nullified by emotion-stripping technology.
Huamei Meow, who had once witnessed Conqueror Haki firsthand, naturally understood what was happening to her.
Though puzzled as to why she would possess the so-called "qualification of a king," this was no time to dwell on it—and she had no intention of explaining it to Niji either.
"Die, meow!"
Without another word, Huamei Meow raised her sword and lunged at Niji.
Niji strength wasn't greater than Huamei Meow to begin with. Now, under the suppression of Conqueror Haki, he had absolutely no ability to resist.
If not for his modified body being tough enough, and the fact that Huamei Meow hadn't mastered Armament Haki yet, he wouldn't even have been able to endure this long.
But then—
Demon Mode: Beast!
As Huamei Meow entered demon mode, the "child-sized" longsword in her hand immediately gleamed with a black sheen.
Moments later, Niji body—barely repaired not long ago—was once again riddled with fresh holes.
After stabbing him, Huamei Meow swiftly leapt back, pulling two dried fish snacks from her pouch and chomping them down.
There was no helping it. The "cut-class" version of Armament Haki had a serious drawback—its stamina consumption was far too great.
Even Sherwin, Seijuro Meow, and Link Meow, the three fighter-types, had studied it for a long time without finding a solution.
Truthfully, Huamei Meow hadn't wanted to rely on this move, since the drained feeling afterward was unpleasant.
But since she had only just awakened her Conqueror Haki, the oppressive aura had already begun to weaken from the start.
She could only take advantage of the lingering debuff on Niji and injure him as quickly as possible.
"How is it? Still planning to continue, meow?"
At this moment, the Conqueror Haki on Huamei Meow body had almost completely faded, but she still carried herself with the confidence of someone holding the winning hand…
Because the spots she had just stabbed were all at the joints. Even without Conqueror Haki, Niji mobility would still be severely hindered.
"You damn cats! I'll definitely kill you all!"
Niji gnashed his teeth as he cursed, yet his body remained frozen in place without making a move.
Of course, it wasn't because of fear that he didn't act. He knew very well that he likely couldn't win against Huamei Meow.
But at the same time, he couldn't bring himself to slink away in disgrace either, so he could only stand there stiffly…
Huamei Meow frowned slightly. She felt her stamina rapidly recovering and decided to poke a few more holes into this stubborn, sharp-tongued guy.
However, before she could trigger demon mode, more people rushed over.
"What going on here?!"
Ichiji and Yonji, who had been delayed by repairs, appeared on the scene.
As the eldest son, Ichiji wasn't as hot-tempered as his two younger brothers, but he was even more cold-blooded.
He didn't even spare a glance at his blood-soaked brother, walking straight up to Huamei Meow and Klee Meow.
"As guests, making such a commotion on Germa territory… don't you think that a bit inappropriate?"
"It was that blue guy who struck first, meow! Klee was just visiting the castle, and he suddenly jumped out screaming about killing! No wonder people paint you as villains in storybooks—you really are a bunch of unreasonable bad guys, meow!"
(=`н=)
The little ragdoll immediately snapped back angrily.
Meanwhile, Haibara Meow had somehow slipped back unnoticed. With her usual flat, sarcastic tone, she remarked,
"So this is how the Vinsmoke family entertains their guests? Truly eye-opening, meow~"
Ichiji face darkened. He turned and shot Niji a fierce glare.
Of course, he knew exactly what kind of people his two younger brothers were—he himself wasn't much better. The only difference was that, unlike Niji and Yonji, Ichiji at least bothered to put on a facade.
Naturally, the reason Ichiji bothered with appearances at all was because—they couldn't win against Sherwin and the Felynes.
"Hmph! Let go!"
Knowing they were in the wrong, and unable to solve the problem with brute force as they usually did, Ichiji had no intention of staying to embarrass himself.
With a cold snort, he turned and decisively led his two brothers away.
"Enough! Haven't you caused enough trouble, meow?"
Huamei Meow turned around to see Klee Meow still making faces at Ichiji and the others retreating backs.
With an exasperated expression, she tapped Klee little head with her sword sheath. Then her gaze shifted to Haibara Meow, who was avoiding eye contact, her eyes wandering nervously…
"Let go back too. After all this commotion, it not a good idea to continue strolling around, meow."
Huamei Meow, in the end, didn't ask Haibara Meow what she had gone off to do earlier.
Instead, she simply knocked her lightly on the head with the sword sheath as well, treating her the same as the other. With a helpless sigh, she led the two mischievous little cats back.