Chapter 389: Vinsmoke, Becoming Human
Chapter 389: Vinsmoke, Becoming Human
In the heat of battle, Kas quickly noticed something strange about these enemies. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, they feared neither life nor death, yet... they had no hearts!
They're all human, so why don't they have hearts?!
"I've fought pirates before", Kas shouted through tears, "no matter how wicked they were, they still had hearts! How can humans exist without hearts?!"
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Gajeel sneered from a distance. "They're cloned humans, of course they have no hearts. I never gave them any to begin with. They're just freshly produced disposable assets. Their only purpose is to complete their orders."
"Clone..."
Kas deflected a Clone Soldier's attack, staring into its eyes. "Clones have hearts too! How could they not? How dare they not? Any living being should have a heart and emotions! I can feel it! These newly 'born' beings should be filled with curiosity about the world, not this lifeless rigidity!"
He repelled another strike, sobbing, "I can sense it! You were just created, weren't you? You should feel wonder at everything! This isn't right!"
"Kas, what are you doing?!" Kuro snapped. "Fight or get out of the way! Don't hinder me!"
He really didn't need another complaint about his conduct.
"Commodore Kuro, please give me a chance!" Kas pleaded, tears streaming down his face. "Let me try! Humans have hearts! Even enemies must have hearts! Even if they're wicked, their hearts should be stained by their own choices! How can this forced wickedness be real? It's no different from killing innocent infants!"
Clutching his fist, he roared, "All living beings have hearts! If we must be enemies, let me defeat you honorably!"
"Touching passion", Ryuu shrugged, "but pointless. They're disposable assets created by King. They were born without hearts. Give it up, Navy. You're wasting your breath."
"Delusional", Yiji scoffed. "Clones having hearts? They're nothing but burdens."
"Harlequin!" Gajeel spat, shaking his head at Kuro. "You Navy types are all the same - droning about justice! Only victors get to define justice! My Clone Soldiers are perfectly engineered without emotions!"
Suddenly, a thunderous voice boomed: "Remember who you are!!!"
The sound wave shook the Clone Soldiers mid-attack, freezing them in place. White vapor swirling around the Navy began spreading toward the Clone Soldiers.
"You are human! There's no doubt about it!"
Kas burst forward in a blur, slashing a Clone Soldier's chest. Red blood sprayed.
"See? It's red! Blood is red! Red blood is the mark of humanity!"
He charged through the ranks, shouting, "Remember your birth! That fleeting curiosity about the world! That feeling defines your humanity! Recall it!"
The white aura enveloped the Clone Soldiers.
"This can't be..."
Gajeel's eyes widened in disbelief. The Clone Soldiers hesitated! Their cold faces showed new expressions!
Impossible! His technology should've eliminated hesitation!
"Attack now! Eliminate the Navy! Do you want to be recycled?!" Gajeel bellowed.
The Clone Soldiers' expressions hardened again, resuming their assault.
"Humans!!!"
Kas's roar shook the battlefield. Even Vinsmoke Family's Clone Soldiers faltered.
He raised his saber, slashing his own arm. Holding the bleeding wound, he shouted, "See? I bleed too! We share the same blood! Comrades, show them our mark!"
The Navy slashed their arms in unison, displaying crimson blood.
"Urdy! How were you born?!" Kas pointed to a Navy officer.
"My village was burned by pirates!" the man snapped to attention.
"Houston?!"
"My mother carried me twelve months! Nearly died giving birth!"
"Kilim?!"
"I don't know! I was found abandoned!"
"Hassak?!"
"Normal birth! Loving family!"
Each Navy officer shared their stories - tragic, unknown, or blessed.
Kas turned to the Clone Soldiers: "Births differ! Yours may be brief and identical, but to us, you're unique! Your existence matters! Every life has purpose!"
The white aura intensified.
Reaching out, he thundered, "Decide who you are! Choose your own fate! I, Greg Kas, fight humans with wills of their own - not disposable assets!"
"Clones aren't machines! You're flesh-and-blood humans!"
Clang! A blade dropped. Tears streamed from behind the Clone Soldier's mask.
"I... am... human."
Gajeel's pupils contracted in shock. Impossible! These clones had their emotional and cognitive genes stripped!
"What... should humans do?" another Clone Soldier rasped, struggling to form words.
"Then watch me!" Kas roared. "In the name of 'Persistent Justice', bear it proudly! Drive away your confusion! This is the justice of us weaklings! Until you find your true purpose and discover justice!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
