"Drive out the Navy, take control of Punk Hazard!"
"We are all free!"
"We want the freedom to research what we love!"
Beal stood on a dining table, raising his arms and shouting passionately.
Each roar was met with enthusiastic responses from the other researchers.
The World Government's distrust of Reddy resonated emotionally with everyone.
They were the group with the deepest understanding of Bloodline Factor in this world.
Bloodline Factor technology had the power to overturn the world.
Logically, the World Government's interference was not unreasonable.
But emotionally, no one was willing to accept the World Government's interference.
Today it was Dr. Reddy, but who would it be tomorrow?
Under the instigation of Beal and a few others, the emotions of everyone present gradually shifted in Reddy's favor without them realizing it.
"Shut up!"
A shrill, furious scream silenced the entire dining hall.
All eyes turned toward the entrance.
Caesar floated to the front of the crowd and cursed, "Who do you think you are? Reddy-sama? Vegapunk? Or me, the world's second-greatest scientific genius?"
The other researchers glared angrily.
Before they could retort, Caesar's expression changed instantly to one of fanaticism as he raised his arms and shouted, "Only under the wise guidance of Reddy-sama can you worthless fools achieve even the slightest results!"
As he spoke, Caesar pinched his thumb and index finger together, leaving only the tiniest gap, making his disdain unmistakable.
Beal and the other assistants exchanged glances, silently asking each other:
Did… you guys convince him?
Caesar's personality was notoriously awful, but no one could deny his scientific achievements. His sharp words exposed the other researchers' pitiful performance in the field of Bloodline Factor.
The researchers were scolded until their faces turned red, then they hung their heads in shame.
Damn it, they couldn't refute it!
Caesar switched back to a fawning smile, gesturing grandly toward the dining hall entrance as he announced, "Now, introducing Reddy-sama!"
At that moment, Reddy stood outside the dining hall, feeling extremely awkward.
He had only wanted to use Caesar as bait—perhaps to lure a certain flamingo, or maybe a certain zoo master.
He knew Caesar was cowardly, but he hadn't expected the man to have no principles at all.
"Reddy-sama!"
Beal and the other assistants didn't understand why Caesar had suddenly become Reddy's fanatical follower, but since the atmosphere had reached this point, they immediately raised their arms and cheered.
"Reddy-sama!"
The other researchers hesitated, but soon some joined in.
"Reddy-sama!"
"Reddy-sama!"
"Reddy-sama!"
"..."
Influenced by the others, more and more researchers began chanting.
By the time Reddy stepped into the dining hall, the cheers had grown even louder.
Caesar floated up to Reddy with a sycophantic grin. "Shurororororo… Reddy-sama, please tell these fools that without your brilliant leadership, they are nothing!"
"Resisting the World Government means losing research funding."
The first sentence Reddy spoke instantly cooled the heated atmosphere.
More and more researchers began regaining their rationality.
Scientific research was undeniably expensive.
Behind every achievement lay an ocean of funding.
Without the World Government's financial support, could they still conduct Bloodline Factor research in peace?
"We can raise our own funds!"
Beal had clearly prepared his arguments in advance, though he hadn't had the chance to voice them earlier. Now that Reddy had brought it up, he immediately spoke up.
However, the effect wasn't as strong as before.
Most researchers remained discouraged.
If they could raise their own funds, many of them wouldn't have accepted the World Government's recruitment in the first place.
"The Activator!"
Beal smiled confidently, full of self-assurance. "The World Government only took the Activator formula from Dr. Reddy, not the method for cultivating donor samples."
"To be precise, we haven't yet developed a stable technique for cultivating donor samples."
"As long as Reddy-sama leads us in perfecting this technology, we can sell this Activator worldwide to secure funding!"
"I believe Reddy-sama must have more achievements beyond just the Activator."
"Under Reddy-sama's leadership, we will never lack research funding!"
The other researchers' eyes lit up.
Exactly!
Even these scientific madmen understood the vast market potential of the Activator.
Moreover, Beal wasn't wrong.
Reddy-sama, the world's foremost genius scientist in the field of Bloodline Factor, likely had other groundbreaking achievements with equally promising market prospects.
With that in mind, why worry about lacking research funds?
Caesar grinned slyly. "Shurororororo… Reddy-sama, we could also sell military force. Trust me, I have connections."
The other researchers froze. No one responded.
Not every scientist was comfortable applying their work to warfare and killing.
Even if they were all scientific madmen.
Caesar, ignored, shot them a contemptuous glance before turning back to Reddy with a fawning expression. "Just like the Germa Kingdom, selling military force is a huge business."
"I have a dream."
Reddy stood with his hands in his pockets, smiling faintly.
Caesar and the others were stunned.
Why bring this up now?
But Reddy ignored their confusion and continued, "I want to create an ideal land, a place without war, where people live in peace and can achieve a good life through hard work."
"There, every orphan will be well cared for."
"There, every child will have the right to education."
"There, everyone will enjoy freedom!"
"The freedom to decide their own future!"
"The freedom to pursue their own dreams."
"I despise war, but I also know that the path to realizing this dream is filled with thorns!"
"Anyone who stands in the way of my dream will become my enemy!"
"I will become the most terrifying existence in the hearts of my enemies!"
"I do not fear war, but I will not actively seek it either!"
Reddy's tone grew increasingly fervent, his voice more resolute, leaving Beal and the others silent.
Caesar wore a fanatical expression, but inwardly, he scoffed at Reddy's dream. Legitimate business couldn't compare to war profiteering when it came to amassing vast research funds. How naive.
"That's all I have to say."
Reddy swept his gaze over Beal and the other researchers, smiling faintly. "You are all free to choose—stay or leave… or inform the Navy."
"I'm staying!"
Beal was the first to declare his stance.
"I'm staying too!"
The other assistants also voiced their determination.
Caesar, realizing he had been beaten to the punch, cursed inwardly at Beal and the others for being bootlickers. Outwardly, however, he put on a fawning face. "Wherever Reddy-sama goes, I go. Not even the World Government can stop me."
After Caesar and the others declared their positions, the remaining researchers fell silent for a moment before some stepped forward to announce their decision to stay.
Gradually, more and more chose to remain.
Reddy's authority in the field of Bloodline Factor made them trust his leadership.
Before long, everyone had made their choice.
No one chose to leave or inform the Navy.
Reddy kept his hands in his pockets, smiling mysteriously. "Since you've all chosen to stay, I will now reveal to you the true secrets of Bloodline Factor!"