Wolverine Logun stood in the quiet room, his eyes slightly dazed.
He had come to the former family not merely to pay respects, but to see the original Kenichi he had met decades ago—and to bid him farewell on his deathbed.
What surprised him, however, was that Yuan Qian Kenichi's intentions were not so simple.
Kenichi offered to transfer his self-healing ability to Logun, thereby canceling it in himself—and in doing so, he could regain his youth.
This was how the inner core of the original Jianyi was being rebuilt.
He had specifically hoped that Logun would grant his wish. The real question, however, was what Logun himself would choose—would he be willing to teach his abilities to someone else?
"My abilities?" Logun looked at his palm and thought of Jean Grey.
Probably, he mused, his powers had always been a double-edged sword.
With a long sigh, Logun stepped out of the room, intending to head over there. But he didn't expect to encounter an old friend.
A friend he hadn't seen in years.
"Xu Fu?"
Logun exclaimed in surprise as he saw Xu Fu, a student whose actions had grown increasingly inscrutable over time.
He hadn't expected to meet Xu Fu here, in the East Dwarf, given how elusive Xu Fu had been recently.
After all, the distance between East Dwarf and the Land of Beauty was significant, as Logun well knew. Yet here they were.
In fact, Wolverine Logun and Xu Fu hadn't met for some time. Their last encounter had been during the United Gang Syracuse battle, and then again during the final Sentinel confrontation, though Xu Fu hadn't revealed much at that time.
"Teacher Logun, I didn't expect to see you here."
Xu Fu's gaze shifted slightly as he saw Logun. He had anticipated Logun's arrival, at least partially, based on his knowledge of the original Kenichi's intentions.
Given the original Kenichi's nature, if he wished to die, then perhaps Wolverine would be involved in fulfilling that wish.
Though the original Kenichi had been a good man, helping many people, as the years passed, his vitality waned, and his desire to extend his life grew stronger. Naturally, this led to changes in his family's legacy.
Very few people knew the full scope of Kenichi's deeds. Public opinion only knew him as a good man, someone who had contributed greatly to the East and the world.
"Xu Fu, it's really unexpected to see you here."
Logun said, "I saved Yuan Qianjian's life back in World War II. Now he wants to thank me, and this is why he asked me to see him."
"Let's talk as we walk," Xu Fu said. "Logun, is President Jianyi seeing you just for that? Nothing else?"
Logun was momentarily stunned. He thought of what Yuan Qianjian had told him—about being able to lift his mutant powers and return to a normal state—but he didn't mention that.
Shaking his head, he said, "Yes, he just mentioned it to me."
"Right," Xu Fu smiled. "Are you curious why I'm here?"
"Somewhat," Logun nodded.
"It's simple," Xu Fu explained. "You know I hold shares in several Bluestar groups, and I have business dealings with President Jianyi. When he discovered I was fishing in the Jianghu River, he invited me to meet him. Of course, I came."
"I see… that's [DBCA]," Wolverine Logun muttered.
Xu Fu said no more, though the matter seemed simple to him, it carried weight. Logun, as a teacher at the academy, had only a limited understanding of Xu Fu's full background.
"Teacher Logun, I didn't expect the Dark Phoenix's power to persist…"
Unexpectedly, Jean Grey's second personality had reemerged, triggering a series of tragedies. Logun knew well what Xu Fu was referring to—the time Jean Grey had died while fighting alongside Syracuse.
"Yes… I'm still haunted by that moment," Logun said, his jaw tense. He could never forget killing Jean Grey. In his dreams, he relived the moment: she cared for him, asking him to return with her.
"Mr. Logun, I didn't expect to see you so affected by Mr. Grey," Xu Fu said gently.
"I know, but—" Logun glanced at the dark sky, unsettled.
"Listen, Logun, your abilities could bring even greater help to the world." Xu Fu placed a hand on him.
"To help the world…" Logun whispered.
"Yes. Your skills could truly make a difference," Xu Fu encouraged, patting his shoulder. "Return to the academy—the world still needs you."
"Alright, Xu Fu. I'll do my best," Logun replied solemnly.
After their conversation, Xu Fu also prepared to leave. As he exited the original family building, he saw a small, delicate figure rushing out—seemingly about to jump from the roof.
It was indeed a daring act.
"Jane Riko," Xu Fu said with relief, moving swiftly to intercept her.
As the figure attempted to leap, Xu Fu extended his right hand and caught her.
"Zhen Lizi… I haven't seen you in a while. I didn't expect you to be so bold," Xu Fu said quietly, smiling.
"Father… I wanted to see Grandpa," Jane whispered, addressing Hara-mae-a-stard.
For Zhen Lizi, the closest familial bond was not with her father, but with her grandfather, Kenichi Haramae. As for her father, family ties mattered less; what truly concerned him was the legacy of the original family.