C13 Small Gorilla

"Eh? What's this?"

As Esaki wandered through the research base, he stumbled upon an egg as big as a basketball nestled in a cultivation chamber, its surface a dull gray.

"An egg? No one's been here in ages. The life inside must be dead by now, right?" Esaki mused to himself.

Driven by curiosity, he rapped his finger against the glass of the chamber.

*Crack!*

*Bang!*

The glass shattered, scattering into a heap of shards, and the egg tumbled out.

Contrary to expectations, there was no splatter of yolk.

*Thump!*

The egg hit the ground, and cracks began to spiderweb across its surface, multiplying rapidly.

*Plop!*

The shell fell away, revealing a small, gray creature.

"Oh, uh..."

A soft cry echoed as the shell burst open, and a tiny, thirty-centimeter-tall gray gorilla stood up. Its glossy black eyes darted around curiously before fixing on Esaki.

"Oh, uh..."

The gorilla let out another cry and leaped towards him.

Caught off guard, Esaki didn't move aside. Instead, he caught the little gorilla in his arms, feeling a surprising weight.

So heavy!

The thought flashed through his mind.

His perception of the little gorilla shifted in an instant; it must weigh at least 200 pounds.

Unfazed, the little gorilla clambered over him, its human-like black hands grasping at him, its head nuzzling against his chest like a child seeking comfort.

"It's not imprinting on me as its mother, is it?"

The idea dawned on Esaki.

In the animal kingdom, it's common for newborns to bond with the first creature they see, often mistaking them for their mother. While not universally true, it happens often enough.

"Don't wriggle... Oh, come on..."

Distracted by his thoughts, Esaki didn't notice the little gorilla growing restless in his embrace, squirming its way into his clothes, tickling him.

"Out you come!"

With considerable effort, he extricated the little creature. It was undeniably strong.

Holding the gorilla up to his face, he locked eyes with it.

"Listen up, whether you understand me or not. If you're going to stick with me, you need to behave. No more squirming around, got it?"

"Oh, uhh~"

The little gorilla tilted its head, glanced at him, and let out a sound.

To his astonishment, it even nodded.

His eyes widened in disbelief.

"So smart... Can it be fake?"

"Oh, uhh~"

The gorilla called out to him again.

"Forget it, forget it. No matter how clever, it's still just a little gorilla." Esaki shook his head.

He then picked up the little gorilla and walked outside.

...

Marlin Fanduo.

Naval Headquarters.

Inside a stately office.

Gulu gulu...

A Den Den Mushi rang.

"Hmm?"

Kong, who was reviewing documents, paused and turned his attention to the Den Den Mushi on the desk before answering.

The Den Den Mushi transformed into the visage of an elderly man with curly waves.

"I am Marshal Kong of the Naval Headquarters," he stated flatly.

"I represent the Five Elders." A voice, aged yet laden with authority and arrogance, came from the other end.

"What can I do for you?"

Kong inquired, his tone cool.

Though his superiors were the World Government, represented by the Five Elders, he was not one to mince words.

"The Archaeological Holy Land of Ohara is currently researching the historical text. They are at sea. Dispatch someone to apprehend them. And the scholars of Ohara... they need not exist any longer. The World Government's dignity is not to be defied."

The Five Elders spoke with a firmness that brooked no argument.

"Understood!"

Kong responded and hung up the call.

The moment the call ended, his expression grew grim.

He then dialed another number and issued an order.