Chapter 58 58: The Red Room

— — — — — — Two days later Inside a hollowed-out mountain, what looked like an abandoned factory at first glance was actually a well-hidden base. If you looked closely, you'd notice that everything— from the old machinery and piles of dirt to the placement of the trees — had been arranged with meticulous care. --- "We're about three hundred meters from entering the surveillance zone." Hiding behind a nearby hill, Natasha was watching the base through a pair of binoculars as she explained to the others. "When I left, that entire area had zero blind spots. Unless you're authorized, the only way in is to force your way through." "No guys in the Red Room at all?" asked Selina, who was already using Observation Haki. "None," Natasha nodded, thinking Selina was just double-checking intel. "Per Madam B's orders, everyone inside —from the trainees to the guards, instructors, and doctors— is female." "That's kind of wild," murmured Gwen. Gathered around were Gwen, Merlin, Hancock, Selina, Fubuki, and Veyron —a group whose sensory abilities ranged from Observation Haki to literal clairvoyance. For them, the Red Room's so-called security was basically nonexistent. Only, Fujiwara Chika didn't join the mission this time—she was at a critical point in her spiritual awakening and didn't want to disrupt the fragile balance she needed to gain her supernatural powers. ... "Just like you said the other day — as long as we don't screw up, any one of us could probably wipe the place clean." Fubuki said, glancing from Gwen to Hancock and then to Veyron. "But honestly, I think we've got a faster way to handle this." "Knocking them out's easy, sure," Hancock added, "but my Conqueror's Haki still lacks precision. If I let it loose, you guys'll get hit too..." "I'll handle it," Veyron cut in calmly. Natasha blinked, wondering what they were planning. She looked at Veyron but saw no special movement — just a casual wave to the others that it was okay to move in. It felt a bit reckless, but since everyone else was already on their feet, Natasha had no choice but to follow, staying alert. After all, she was technically still Gwen's "half-captive." But what she saw next left her speechless. Every single sentry hidden outside the base — expertly camouflaged into the environment — was out cold. Even the auto-trigger defense systems, the kind that didn't need human control and were supposed to fire or explode when detecting unauthorized presence, were all completely wrecked. "Wait... Conqueror's Haki can affect machines too?" Hancock asked, shocked. This was the first time she'd seen it do anything beyond spiritual suppression. "It's more than that," Veyron said, raising a fist. "You can even coat yourself in it, like Armament Haki..." Black and red lightning crackled around his clenched hand. Ever since unlocking Tier 3 of his Gene Lock and developing more of his brain, Veyron had started turning theoretical powers into reality. Mastering Conqueror's Haki was one of the key gains he made during his time in Eientei. "!!!" The girls still using Observation Haki — and Natasha, who didn't even understand much about Haki at all — could feel the dangerous pressure radiating from Veyron's fist. "No wonder..." Hancock muttered, something suddenly clicking in her mind. Could this be what Granny Gloriosa meant back then? Gloriosa—former Empress of Amazon Lily, several generations before Hancock— had left her country decades ago for unknown reasons. She only returned to Kuja Island twenty-some years back, never talking much about where she'd been. But from little clues here and there, Hancock had long suspected that Gloriosa had experienced some pretty major stuff while she was away. She'd occasionally read the newspaper and casually remark about pirates with bounties higher than the entire Kuja Pirate crew combined, saying things like, "This guy is doing well for now," or "Wow, that guy just died, huh?" When Hancock finally learned to control her Haki — no longer having to rely on emotional outbursts — Gloriosa had congratulated her but also warned, "You've still got a long way to go. This power alone isn't enough to stand among the best on the seas." "Mr. Veyron," Hancock said. "After we're done here," Veyron replied, knowing what she wanted. "But whether you can do it really depends on you. Just like only those with enough spirit can awaken Conqueror's Haki, wrapping it around your body or weapons isn't something you can just be taught. At most, I can help you get a feel for the power." As the crackling lightning faded from his hand, Veyron looked to the others. "Don't just stand around. Let's get them sorted before they wake up—or freeze to death." — — — In the base: One warehouse was filled with girls still in training — or done with training but waiting around for assignments. Another housed Madam B and the Red Room's management. A third was filled with support staff like doctors. The first warehouse was full of tools—girls brainwashed just like Natasha had been. They'd be spared. The second? Confirmed by Natasha herself: scum so evil they'd racked up enough karma to owe God favors just to qualify for Hell. No mercy needed there—a machine gun would do. The third group was trickier. Take the doctors, for instance. Some had joined willingly, lured by rumors and eager to use live bodies for experiments. Others were brilliant professionals kidnapped by Madam B. And a few were morally gray — not evil, but not exactly innocent either. Two years ago, Natasha might've been able to judge who deserved to die or not. But now? After everything that had happened? She couldn't be sure anymore. So, before making any calls, she needed help. With the others' nod of approval, she grabbed a handful of snow, packed it into a tight ball, then lifted the blonde girl's collar and shoved the icy clump straight down her back. A few seconds later— The shock woke the girl instantly. She instinctively tried to attack, but her limbs were expertly bound. As her vision came back into focus, she saw Natasha standing there, her face twisted with anger. "You?!" "Glad to see you're still pissed," Natasha said with a wry smile. "Means your sense of self is still intact." Turning to the others, she introduced her, "This is Yelena Belova. She's five years younger than me, but two years ago she was already the second-best operative in the Red Room — right behind me." "If I didn't exist, she might've ended up with the Black Widow title. More importantly, she's one of the very few, like me, who resisted the Red Room's brainwashing." "You've got some nerve," Yelena shot back. "Your sudden betrayal made them ramp up the brainwashing — that's why Sofia and Antonia lost themselves. One died last year, the other eight months ago!" "I'm sorry about them... really," Natasha said quietly. "But I think if you or they were in my position back then, you would've made the same call." She paused, then added, "Also, don't bother pretending. With these people here, the tricks we learned back then are worthless." "So this is your new squad, huh?" Yelena's anger faded into a cold, blank stare. Her eyes swept across the group — finally landing on Veyron, the only guy among them. No real reason. Just instinct. "Let's save that talk for later," Natasha said, glancing at Gwen, who gave no objection. She nodded toward the other unconscious girls in the warehouse. "The sisters are all here. Want to guess who's in the other two warehouses?" "What are you implying...?" Yelena raised a brow. "Why do you think I woke you up?" Natasha said plainly. She flicked her Widow's Sting, a hidden blade extending from her wrist, and cut the ropes binding Yelena. Then she pulled her up. "They want to know how the Red Room still recruits girls from around the world... and how to find the rest of the Spider network. Meanwhile, the base needs a little cleaning up." "Feel like paying Madam B a visit?" . . .