Tokyo: My Superpower Refreshes Every Week-Chapter 405 - 403 Dangerous Clone Human_1

The research institute had three floors: two above ground and one below. It housed twenty researchers and two platoons of the U.S. Army. As long as no one secretly contacted the outside or attempted to escape from the institute, the U.S. Army guards would not interfere with the researchers’ activities. The person responsible for supervising the project’s progress only had supervisory authority, not command power over the research team, which greatly ensured the director’s autonomy. Letting professionals do what they are best at was a fundamental principle the Takamagahara Project had to implement.

Yuji Anzai led the three of them down to the basement level. The pristine white walls and ceilings, all exuding a metallic texture, were reminiscent of a Hollywood science fiction film. The circular metal doors in the corridor further enhanced the sci-fi atmosphere, requiring fingerprint and retinal scans for access.

"Miss Morimoto, please take a look. This is Research Lab 1. Inside is the clone human delivered today. He has been injected with Superhuman Potion X and is currently undergoing physical training," Yuji Anzai said as he unlocked the door to Lab 1, entered the observation room, and pointed to the other side of the one-way mirror.

Yuzuki Suzuko, who had previously seemed indifferent, exclaimed in astonishment upon seeing the person in the lab, "Mayers?"

Behind the one-way mirror, a man with shoulder-length blond hair was working out with dumbbells. His features were handsome, and he was completely naked.

"Correct. He is the clone of Mayers Fro, who failed to awaken a superpower. He is referred to as Number Nine," Yuji Anzai briefly explained. "This clone was created by those responsible for the cloning experiments using live cells harvested by the CIA. After several failures, this successful clone was finally created on the ninth attempt. He is also one of the few clones who appear to have no issues."

"Does he possess Mayers’s intelligence?" Yuzuki Suzuko was only concerned with this question.

Yuji Anzai replied, "Most likely, there’s no problem. His learning ability is strong. We are having him read various books, striving to make him one hundred percent identical to the original Mayers. Then we’ll observe if Superhuman Potion X can make him awaken his superpower again."

"What foolishness is this?" Yuzuki Suzuko could no longer hold back, her voice low. "A dangerous guy like him should be put to sleep forever. Mayers is inherently anti-human."

"Haha, a tiger in a cage, no matter how terrifying, isn’t to be feared. Inside this research institute, how could he possibly turn things around?" Yuji Anzai chuckled, thinking Yuzuki Suzuko was worrying too much. Accidents in research institutes, like in the movies, are practically impossible in reality. An experimental subject escaping from within the institute? That almost never happens.

Jack wasn’t worried about this either. He was only curious about one thing: "How is Mayers adapting to Superhuman Potion X?"

"So far, Number Nine hasn’t shown any adverse reactions and is adapting very well," Yuji Anzai answered honestly.

Morimoto Chiyoda didn’t care about Number Nine, instead saying, "Let’s go see Sunaga Takashi."

"Alright, please follow me." Yuji Anzai turned and led them to see Sunaga Takashi.

Yuzuki Suzuko lingered, glancing through the glass at Number Nine, who was still exercising. She sighed inwardly, hoping this Number Nine was different from Mayers. If he was identical, it would be a disaster. She knew very well how terrifying Mayers was. Number Nine continued counting his dumbbell repetitions, appearing very obedient and compliant with the researchers’ commands. Yuzuki Suzuko withdrew her gaze and caught up with Jack.

「Inside Research Lab 3」

Sunaga Takashi stood in the center, Red Sakura—the famed sword from the Forge Room—in his left hand. He wore only a pair of athletic shorts. According to Tsukahara Hikoshiro’s preference, he should have been wearing nothing, as that would be more convenient for observing data. However, Sunaga Takashi clearly found such a condition difficult to accept. Even with his ascetic appearance, which suggested he cared about nothing, he couldn’t bring himself to become a savage. No, even worse than a savage; at least savages knew to cover themselves with animal skins.

He stood ready in the center of the square lab. From behind the one-way mirror on the right, Tsukahara Hikoshiro said, "Wait a moment, they haven’t arrived yet. I must demonstrate results to secure increased funding from above for research on the Superhuman Potion."

Due to the Takamagahara Project’s vast scale, obtaining additional research funds required demonstrating results, which in turn would persuade the higher-ups to invest more. To ensure every penny was well spent, Iwasaki Yizo had established a very strict regulatory system. The CIA was also particularly attentive to this. Jack knew full well that if the Takamagahara Project yielded results, he, as its supervisor and the one reporting on it, would also benefit. He followed Yuji Anzai into the observation room of Research Lab 3.

Tsukahara Hikoshiro strode forward with a welcoming smile. "Welcome, Chief Jack, and the beautiful, coolly aloof, and sharp-tongued Miss Morimoto." This was his greatest display of goodwill. Then, he turned, eager to proceed. "Alright, the experiment can begin. This time, we’re testing Sunaga Takashi’s reflexes—a more direct way to demonstrate his growth than mere data."

Yuji Anzai pressed the switch to begin the experiment.

CLICK.

Sunaga Takashi caught the faint sound. The ceiling panels in the four corners of the lab opened, revealing four automatic rifles. The instant the muzzles aimed at him, Sunaga Takashi sensed the danger and swiftly leaped backward.

RATATAT! The bullets from the automatic rifles were so fast even Jack couldn’t see them. He only heard the gunfire and then saw sparks where bullets struck the ground. Sunaga Takashi seemed to see the bullets’ trajectories clearly, as if he had eyes in the back of his head. He constantly dodged the rifle fire.

"Isn’t he a Superpower User?" A trace of shock appeared on Jack’s face.

Morimoto Chiyoda shook her head. "No, his senses are just particularly sharp. His speed doesn’t exceed the bullets’; he’s merely predicting the muzzles’ direction in advance to dodge. I can do that too, though perhaps not as well as Sunaga Takashi."

Jack’s expression grew even more shocked. He turned his head and asked, "Morimoto, are you really that strong?"

Morimoto Chiyoda calmly replied, "You can’t compare different people’s bodies—like yours and mine, mine and Sunaga Takashi’s, or Sunaga Takashi’s and Dio’s."

"To me, this is already a superpower! Can ordinary people gain this kind of strength by taking Superhuman Potion X?" Jack turned his head to ask.

Tsukahara Hikoshiro shook his head. "No. We’ve injected Superhuman Potion X into ordinary people and learned from their development that they can’t do this. Sunaga Takashi can do it because he has this innate talent."

"Hey, then what kind of Superhuman Medicine is this? It’s just prematurely exhausting the body’s potential!" Jack retorted.

Tsukahara Hikoshiro replied confidently, "You really don’t understand. Everything is difficult at the start. Just increase the budget, and I’m confident I can give ordinary people this kind of power too. Stronger Superhuman Potions will be invented in the future; the current Superhuman Potion X is just a prototype!"

Morimoto Chiyoda asked, "Will there be any long-term side effects?"

Tsukahara Hikoshiro spread his hands. "Theoretically, there shouldn’t be any significant side effects. In practice, however, it’s hard to say. I don’t yet have experimental data from subjects who have taken Superhuman Potion X for decades. By the way, I didn’t force Sunaga. I explained everything to him and only conducted this experiment after obtaining his consent. Ah, such a perfect experimental subject; I’d hate to damage him." Tsukahara Hikoshiro sighed. His fondness and high regard for Sunaga Takashi didn’t stem from the boy’s personality, but purely from the value of his body for conducting more experiments. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Morimoto Chiyoda frowned, looking again at Sunaga Takashi in the room. He continuously maintained a high level of alertness, dodging the relentless attacks. His mental fortitude was terrifying, not like that of a sixteen-year-old boy. Her eyes narrowed slightly. She had asked him about his plans; he still intended to participate in the Jade Dragon Flag, simply wanting to win the championship he hadn’t clinched last year. I’ll need to prepare a consolation feast if Aozawa loses. And if Aozawa wins... that would be troublesome. I don’t believe the kid I’m raising can take on such a monster. Unless something has changed that I’m not aware of.

「Later that afternoon, at the Morimoto residence.」

Aozawa stretched lazily on the couch. He clearly knew from his Defense Barrier that Morimoto Chiyoda was already at the front door. Aozawa performed a kip-up, quickly stripped off his clothes, and donned the apron Morimoto Chiyoda usually wore. It carried her faint fragrance, leftover from when she wore it to make breakfast that morning. Every evening, she tossed the apron in with the laundry.

Damn. Aozawa held the apron and sniffed it, his body reacting naturally. He quickly composed himself, grabbed the watermelon from the table, and jogged to the entryway. The Defense Barrier drew closer.

CLICK. The door was pushed open by Morimoto Chiyoda’s foot, her right leg, clad in black stockings, entering first. Then, she stepped inside, hands full of bags of meat and vegetables.

Aozawa stood in the entryway and smiled. "Welcome home, darling~ Would you like to eat watermelon, or would you like to eat me?" As he spoke, he leaned his upper body backward, feet firmly planted. This simple pose made Morimoto Chiyoda roll her eyes. She promptly hung the grocery bags, weighing seven or eight pounds, on him. She had intended to teach Aozawa a lesson but found she’d underestimated his strength; it didn’t affect him at all.

"Hehe, I’m pretty impressive, right?" Aozawa beamed with pride. Not to brag, but I even tried standing on a table and spinning a chair like a hula hoop earlier. My physical condition is top-notch!

Morimoto Chiyoda clenched her right hand into a fist. Seeing she was about to get physical, Aozawa quickly straightened up, took the groceries, and said with a laugh, "Just kidding, Chitose! I’ll put these in the kitchen for you."

"Hmph, at least you know your place," Morimoto Chiyoda said, inwardly surprised by Aozawa’s strength. If that’s the case...

PHEW.

She secretly exhaled, not daring to think further.