" It's really too good. " Takuzo asserted, eating the meal that had just been handed out.
Standing not far from the entrance gate, he was in the company of Naomi, Morita and Yamada, while neither of them had the slightest idea what was going on.
" This reminds me of Sanji's food. " Affirmed Yamada. " If he's the one who did that, he's a real cook. "
" It's right " Cried Takuzo.
However, unlike the two boys, the other two struggled to feel relaxed. To be honest, they had barely touched their plates.
" A problem ? " Yamada wanted to know.
" I still have trouble getting used to the idea of what is happening to us. " Confessed Morita. " Three days ago, everything was normal and there… "
" I feel like I'm in a bubble in the middle of hell. " Naomi adds. " At any moment, it can explode. "
" No ! " Asserted her boyfriend. " Everything will be alright ! At worst, if these monsters come this far, we'll get rid of them. "
Suddenly widening her eyes, Naomi exclaimed.
" Stop saying that like these things are just creatures! I remind you that they were originally human! That they lived in the same way as us! You sound like killing them would do humanity a service! But these are people who never asked to be killed to turn into monsters. "
Thinking back to the zombie she herself had killed some time ago, she trembled before declaring.
" If these giants and lizards were created by someone, then he must be called a monster! He's the one we should get rid of! Yet, until now, the world is blaming all our suffering on people, who felt the same as them, a few days ago! These zombies are just victims. "
" Hey, calm down. " Takuzo suggested, hugging her. " What do you have ? "
" I really don't feel able to live in a world where I have to kill old people. " She confessed. " In a world where my family will no longer be with me! And then, even if I still consider them as kind of humans, I am afraid of these people who have invaded our world! Please, I want this to stop! I want to live again normally. "
" We can do that again later. "Assured her boyfriend. " We can get our life back! If we have survived until now, it is only for this purpose! You just have to be a little patient! Scientists and doctors all over the world must surely be in full cooperation in order to find an antidote! As soon as we have it, this will all be over. "
" Stop! I… I know very well that you are telling me that just to reassure me. "
" But no, I ... "
He fell silent, seeing a large part of the guards heading for the portal.
" Hum ? " Morita said, seeing Saya's mother among them.
" Something is happening ? " Yamada worried.
At that moment, the portal opened slowly, but wide. Soon a huge black car burst into the courtyard of the mansion, to the surprise of the four friends. Then three armored trucks entered the yard.
" The cow ! It looks like the arrival of a regiment. " Morita remarked.
Suddenly seeing a man get out of the car, Takuzo retorted.
" No, it's almost the arrival of the owners. "
" What ? " The others wondered.
" Yes ! " He asserted, watching the man walk towards the guards waiting in front of him. " This man is at the head of the entire Takagi economic empire, which has reigned supreme for generations in Japanese finance! Being known across the country, he is also Saya's father! This man is Souichiro Takagi. "
Almost swallowing at the news, the others noticed that the man was solidly built, made entirely of muscle, while his height could have rivaled that of a basketball player. Dressed in black and provided with a stern look and a mouth that should not be used to smiling, he would surely have had a chance to be selected to play the role of "Terminator" in a movie.
" He is scary. " Naomi confessed.
" It is sure that it incites respect. " Yamada agreed.
Suddenly stopping, the man addressed all the guards, with a loud voice;
" Gather everyone, at the foot of the fountain, I want them to attend a scene that will make them understand the new values of this world. "
" Yes sir ! " His men nodded, breaking up into small groups.
" A scene ? " Morita wondered. " What does he want to show them? "
Suddenly, the back of one of the trucks swung open as a loading vehicle stepped inside. He came out a few seconds later, with a rather large object.
" A cage ? " Takuzo observed.
" There is something inside. " Yamada remarked.
Indeed, banging his head against the bars, a figure seemed to constantly lose his balance as the vehicle exited the truck. Finally, when the machine stopped the four teenagers could distinguish what was closed in this mysterious cage.
" But that … ? " Yamada scared.
Her eyes widened, Naomi suddenly took a step back before stammering.
" No, no, no ! NOOOOO ! "
Turning around, she ends up fleeing as far as possible from the cage.
" Naomi ! " Cried Morita, seeing her flee.
Next, he left Yamada and Takuzo. The high school student, staring at the cage, could not help feeling a drop of sweat beading his forehead.
" No matter where we go, someone will always manage to remind us of their presence. " He asserted, looking at the zombie who now seemed to be gnawing at the bars of the cage.
" Naomi ! Naomi ! "
Looking for her, Morita finally found her, curled up behind a wall, her hands on her head.
" No, I don't want to see them anymore! I don't want to see them anymore. "
" Hey, how are you ? " The boy asked, settling down next to her.
" Morita ? " Wondered the young girl. " "Why are you here ?
" Bah, because you left shaking, of course. " The boy told her. " Will it be ok ? "
" Not really. " She confessed. " No matter how much I want to show that they are still human, I'm afraid of these monsters! I'm afraid to the point of running away from them as far as possible! In truth, I am really the queen of cowards and that really annoys me. "
" I do not agree. " Retorted Morita.
Suddenly pointing his finger at himself, he declared.
" Being able to be the king of cowards is the only title I can get! So don't come and steal it from me. "
Realizing that it was a joke on his part, the young girl could not help but release her lips, to the boy's satisfaction.
" And then, I find it quite normal to be afraid! Tell yourself that this feeling makes you human! These monsters are everywhere looking for anyone to devour! Nevertheless, maybe Takuzo is right! Maybe one day someone will find the antidote to stop the spread of this damn pandemic. "
" By then, we'll probably be dead. " Retorted the young girl.
" Why do you say that ? We have Luffy and his friends by our side! As long as they are there, no one will hurt you! And you know what ? I make you a promise! I would protect you, too against them, at the risk of my life. "
" I thought you were scared to death, too. "
" Yes, but if I'm even more afraid of anything other than fighting, it's good to lose one of my friends. "
Smiling broadly, he asked her.
" It's OK ? If I protect you, promise me you'll never want to cut your life short. "
Listening to him speak, Naomi hesitated for a little while. But, in the end, she ends up nodding before declaring.
" Yes ! Either way, as long as Takuzo is by my side, I will always feel like someone is supporting me. "
" Very good ! Here is what I want to hear. "
Finding nothing better to do to pass the time, Tsunoda was, at this very moment, lying on the roof of the mansion. Looking up at the sky, he looked longingly at his last cigarette, which he waved above him. He really wanted to smoke it. Still, that would certainly mean that this was going to be the last time he could enjoy the great taste of tobacco.
" What do I do ? Should I turn it on or not? "
" I see that you always smoking. "
Barely blinking, hearing that voice, Tsunoda turned his gaze a little to see Mizusu, lying on a balcony just below him.
" You are really comparable to a chewing gum which would have ended up sticking under the sole of my shoe. " The boy remarked.
Starting to smile a little, hearing his remark, she said.
" I'm just trying to make you understand that you are one of us and that I am the first to wait for you to take the first step towards us. "
" You can wait a long time. " Retorted the boy. " I don't want to be friends with anyone! I'm the kind of guy who stays in a group to reap the benefits of it, before I leave. "
" In that case, good luck finding something better than our group. " Mizusu noticed. " In terms of attack power, it would take almost an entire group of tanks to equalize the power of our saviors. "
" Yeah, surely. "
Suddenly, the two friends saw a gathering, all around the fountain in the courtyard of the manor.
" Hum ? " Mizusu wondered. " Was there anything planned today? "
" We may be attacked. " Tsunoda suggested, straightening up a little.
It was at this moment that they saw the loading vehicle arriving that carried the cage so dreaded by Takuzo and his friends. Seeing the contents of the cage, Mizusu cried out.
" Why are they bringing this here ? "
" I don't know, but it looks to me like some kind of execution. "
Climbing up onto the edge of the fountain, Saya's father cried out to the crowd surrounding him.
" Today, a misfortune has happened! The man you see in this cage was named Tetsutarou Doi! He was not just a civilian in my eyes, nor even any employee working under my orders! No, in my eyes he was a friend who had stayed by my side for over twenty-five years, while remaining loyal! He is in this state, after having tried to save a comrade during an operation which has gone badly! In his heroic act, he himself was bitten! This is the ultimate sacrifice! The noblest gesture there is. "
Suddenly focusing his gaze on the zombie in the cage, he then asserted.
" Nevertheless, this being can no longer be considered a human being! No, it is neither more nor less than a simple controlled corpse, like a puppet! Yes, after dying as a hero, he became one of them. "
" Where is he getting there ? " Mizusu wanted to know.
Suddenly seeing a guard hand a sword to Souichiro, Tsunoda asserted.
" He is really going to kill him. "
As if to prove it, the man withdrew the blade of the saber from its scabbard, before declaring.
" No later than now, I will free our friend from his sad fate so that he can rest in peace. "
Then opening the padlock that blocked the cage door, a guard allowed the zombie to get out of the cage. Once free, he seemed to start staring at Souichiro, before rushing over him.
" Rest in peace, Tetsutarou. "
Quick as lightning, its blade then cut the zombie's head in two, penetrating between its jaws. Coming out of the back of his skull, the saber managed, at the same time, to sever his brainstem, killing him in less than a second. Then tilting his head to the side a little, Souichiro managed to dodge the drops of blood that fell near him, as the body of the zombie fell at his feet.
However, grabbing what was left of his former comrade's head, he displayed it high up so that the whole crowd could see him. Truth be told, the survivors were incredibly silent, while each individual no longer even dared to breathe. Seeing that he had just won their full attention, the man finally declared.
" See, this is now the world we live in! From now on we will have to defeat these monsters, without feeling the slightest sympathy towards them! And this, even if they were our friends or our lovers! Otherwise it could cost you your life too! If you want to live, you will have to fight. "
Starting to swallow, Mizusu asserted.
" This guy is crazy. "
" I would rather say that he is a good leader. " Retorted a voice.
Surprised, Tsunoda then turned, to see someone, sitting quietly on the top of the roof.
" But ... But who are you? How long have you been here? "
" Since the start of the execution. " Asserted the man, slipping a little on the roof.
Examining him, the two friends noticed that he had brown eyes as well as slight dark circles under them. He had black hair and a beard that only covered part of his chin. On his head was also a kind of Nordic cap. However, what worried the two high school students the most was surely the sword he had in his back.
" One can say that I had the right to a rather interesting scene whereas I have just arrived I must admit, this man seems to know how to be respected! He has to be the strongest person in this place. "
Starting to curse, Tsunoda then retorted.
" If you are impressed by this, wait a bit to see the other pirate in action. "
" Tsunoda ! " Mizusu cried, so that he was silent.
" The other pirate ? " Repeated the newcomer. " And what is the name of this prodigy ? "
" His name is Luffy D ... I don't know what. "
His eyes widening at that moment, the man could not hide his surprise, hearing this name which was not unknown to him. Getting up then, he ends up heading towards an open window before declaring.
" Well, in that case, I might have an interest in acting quickly. "
" Hey, wait! Do you know Luffy ? " Wanted to know Mizusu. " What is your name ? "
" My name ? You will be, if we manage to meet again, elsewhere than in this mansion. "
Without saying more, he went through the window and disappeared from their sight.
" Strange guy ! " Tsunoda asserted.
" We might as well go tell the Mugiwara gang. " Mizusu remarked, immediately leaving the balcony.
Nodding, Tsunoda finally put his cigarette away, now that his urge to smoke was all but gone.
" Damn it, but who is this guy ? " Hisashi wanted to know, his gaze still directed out.
Having lost nothing of the scene, just like Takashi, Rei and Saya, who were in the two boys' room, he had bleached slightly, seeing the latter's father kill the corpse of his old friend.
" The least we can say is that he is a man who doesn't hesitate. " Takashi noticed. " I wonder what fate he reserves for traitors. "
Grumbling lightly, Saya cried out.
" My father has always been like that! To manage everything according to his convictions. "
'' But won't that scare everyone ? " Wanted to know Rei.
" Of course yes ! " Retorted the young girl. " But that I doubt he is aware of! For him, any human being can become a war machine with the snap of a finger! He understands nothing of human philosophy. "
Suddenly glancing around the courtyard, she opened her eyes wide, seeing someone being surrounded.
" But what is he doing, this idiot ? " She wanted to know, leaving the room then.
" Hey, what's going on ? " Takashi asked her.
Looking out the window, Hisashi suddenly saw Kohta, holding his guns in his arms and surrounded by some guards.
" Why is he walking with them? " Wanted to know the boy.
Imitating Saya, he left the room, followed by Rei. Preparing to follow suit, Takashi took a step towards the exit, when he finally froze. Looking behind his back, he seemed to be staring at the city that stretched out beyond the manor courtyard. Without really knowing the reason, something had caused tremors all over his body.
" I dreamed ? " He wondered.
" Takashi ! " Called him Rei. " Hurry up ! "
" Huh ... yes! I arrive ! " The boy assured.
Finally leaving the room, he could not help but be the victim of a foreboding. Yes, for some strange reason, he felt like something was headed their way.
Noting that his friend could not start the engine of his forklift, a guard asserted.
" This is useless ! One of the spark plug is dead. "
Getting out of the machine, the driver looked at the barrier which was only a few meters behind them.
" We were lucky ! " He asserted. " A little more and it broke down on the other side of the fence. "
" That does not change the fact that this spark plug must be replaced. "
Hearing this, Swan then headed for the mansion, before assuring them.
" I'll get you one. "
" Okay. " Said a of the two guards, resting his rifle against the forklift.
" Hey, Sei! " Cried the second guard. " Do you see something ? "
Yawning wildly, a third guard said from the top of the barrier. "
" No nothing ! As usual ! "
Rubbing his eyes, he began to stretch before asking.
" Do we really have to stand guard ? "
" Of course yes, you fool ! Zombies could come here anytime! We must not neglect our role. "
" Especially that the chief is there. " Noticed the other guard. " If something happens, because of us, I would much rather flee into enemy territory than face it. "
" Me too ! " Approved the so-called Sei.
He suddenly took his seriousness, seeing a silhouette in the distance, advancing towards them.
" Hum? " He said, grabbing a pair of binoculars.
" Do you see something ? "
Getting ready to answer him, Sei suddenly opened his mouth before taking a step back.
" But ... But what ...? "
He suddenly fell silent.
" What is happening ? " Wanted to know one of his comrades.
At that moment, a projectile fell straight on them and nearly crushed them.
" But what ...? " The guards wondered, identifying what had just landed in front of them.
They froze the instant they recognized what was left of their friend's body, which was at the top of the barrier.
" S… Sei ? " They horrified.
Then hearing a noise behind their backs, they finally saw a figure at the top of the barrier, where their friend was, just a few seconds ago.
" What is that ? " They wanted to know the instant the figure darted in their direction.