Chapter 26 — Gero's Plan

Along the western coast of Nova City, the endless ocean stretched beneath the afternoon sun, its deep blue surface reflecting the distant skyline. Even several kilometers offshore, the enormous skyscrapers of Nova City remained visible through the faint haze, rising like silver monuments along the coastline. Luxury boats occasionally crossed the calm waters, but farther from the crowded beaches and busy harbor floated one vessel that immediately stood apart from the rest.

An enormous private yacht rested peacefully on the waves, its polished white exterior shining beneath the sunlight. Several decks, private lounges, a swimming pool, and even a small helicopter landing pad made the vessel resemble a floating mansion rather than an ordinary yacht.

The rhythmic sound of helicopter blades suddenly echoed across the ocean as a sleek black helicopter approached from the direction of Nova City. The aircraft slowly descended toward the yacht's landing pad, sending powerful gusts of wind across the deck before touching down.

The door opened, and Dr. Gero Sullivan stepped out first, his immaculate white suit barely disturbed by the sea breeze. Two armed bodyguards dressed in black followed closely behind him. Gero calmly adjusted his gloves before looking across the luxurious deck, taking a moment to admire his surroundings.

"...What a sight."

He smiled calmly.

"To think one of humanity's remaining Bravers would choose to relax while the world stands on the edge of another catastrophe."

Not far away, Ryuen Shimada, the Purple Braver, lay comfortably on a reclining chair beneath the afternoon sun while two beautiful women relaxed beside him. A pair of expensive sunglasses covered his eyes, and his open purple designer jacket rested beside his chair. A half-empty glass of wine sat on the small table nearby.

Without even bothering to open his eyes, Ryuen answered.

"...Did you really fly all the way here just to pick a fight? Get lost."

Gero chuckled.

"I traveled for two hours by helicopter. The least you could do is hear me out before rejecting me."

As he approached, one of the yacht's attendants respectfully poured him a glass of wine. Gero accepted it with a polite nod before taking a small sip. Ryuen remained completely silent, apparently more interested in enjoying the warm sunlight than acknowledging his guest, and Gero interpreted that silence as permission to continue.

"I'll be direct. I want you to become the leader of the Next Generation Bravers."

For several seconds, Ryuen didn't move. Then he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! I thought the entire purpose of your little project was proving the new generation is better than the old one."

Gero calmly took a seat nearby, crossing one leg over the other as though Ryuen's mockery meant absolutely nothing to him.

"They are exceptional soldiers. Veterans. But Stellar Energy is unlike any conventional weapon, and they still lack experience wielding it."

Ryuen finally turned his head toward him and slowly lowered his sunglasses just enough to look directly at Gero.

"So you're not confident in your own technology?"

Gero shook his head without hesitation.

"On the contrary. I have complete confidence in it. I merely wish to guarantee our success."

Ryuen pushed his sunglasses back into place and looked toward the distant coastline of Nova City. For a moment, the playful arrogance faded from his expression. The city looked peaceful from this distance, but both men knew what was happening within it. Military checkpoints, evacuations, missing civilians, and constant reports surrounding the mysterious Witches had turned that peace into little more than an illusion.

Gero took another sip of wine.

"It would also benefit you. The reputation of the original Bravers has begun to decline. I've heard several films planned around your career have already been postponed."

Ryuen laughed again.

"A minor inconvenience. That'll change the moment someone kills that witch."

Gero smiled slightly.

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"I'm surprised. I didn't think you had so much faith in the Next Generation Bravers."

Ryuen shrugged.

"I don't. If they fail, I'll kill Greed myself."

He finally sat upright, removing his sunglasses completely. His relaxed expression remained, but there was now something sharper behind his eyes.

"That witch is hunting Bravers, so I'll simply wait until she comes for me. Then I'll kill her."

Gero studied him for a moment before placing his wine glass on the nearby table. A faint smile appeared on his face, almost as though he had been waiting for Ryuen to say exactly that.

"An impressive amount of confidence."

Ryuen smirked.

"Confidence comes naturally when you're actually capable."

Gero's smile grew slightly.

"Perhaps. Although even Taichi Konoha, the strongest of the Seven Bravers, fell before Greed."

Ryuen's smile disappeared, and Gero noticed immediately. Of course he did. It was precisely the reaction he had been expecting.

For years, Ryuen had stood beneath the same spotlight as Taichi Konoha, yet somehow that light had always seemed to shine brighter on the Red Braver. Taichi had been the leader, the face shown on news broadcasts, and the hero whose speeches were replayed across the country. Whenever the Seven Bravers achieved something together, reporters still seemed to find a way to place Taichi at the center of it.

Ryuen had smiled through it and joked about it. He had always claimed that fame meant nothing because his own career extended far beyond the battlefield, but deep down, every comparison had irritated him.

Gero knew that.

He calmly continued.

"The public adored him. Even now, with Taichi gone, people still speak of him as though no other Braver could possibly take his place."

Ryuen slowly stood from his chair, but Gero didn't move.

"If the great Taichi Konoha couldn't defeat Greed..."

His smile became almost imperceptible.

"...what chance would the Braver who always stood behind him have?"

Silence fell across the deck as the two women beside Ryuen exchanged nervous glances. Even the attendants several meters away stopped moving, instinctively sensing the sudden change in atmosphere.

In a single movement, Ryuen crossed the distance between them and grabbed Gero by the throat. The bodyguards immediately reached for their weapons, but Gero calmly raised a single finger, ordering them not to interfere.

Ryuen stared directly into his eyes.

"You'd better choose your words more carefully."

Despite being lifted slightly from the deck, Gero remained perfectly composed.

"My apologies. It seems I touched a sensitive subject."

Ryuen's grip tightened, but Gero's expression remained calm, with a hint of satisfaction hidden behind his eyes. Ryuen noticed it immediately. He knew exactly what the scientist was doing. Gero hadn't mentioned Taichi carelessly; every word had been chosen deliberately.

As if losing interest, Ryuen slowly released him. Gero landed back on the deck and straightened his collar as though nothing had happened, while Ryuen continued staring at him for another moment before returning to his chair and picking up his purple jacket.

Ryuen slipped one arm into his jacket as Gero smiled.

"Fortunately, I also came bearing some interesting news."

Ryuen didn't answer, so Gero continued.

"Greed has established a stronghold in District D of Star City. She's taken hundreds of civilians hostage, and the shopping mall has effectively become a fortress."

Ryuen's expression immediately became serious. The lazy actor who had been drinking beneath the sunlight moments earlier disappeared completely. His posture changed, and his attention shifted entirely toward Gero.

The scientist calmly swirled the wine inside his glass.

"Some members of the government actually proposed destroying the entire district, even if it required a tactical nuclear strike. They simply wanted certainty that Greed would die."

Ryuen's eyes narrowed slightly.

Gero smiled proudly.

"I convinced them otherwise. The Next Generation Bravers will handle the operation."

He looked directly at Ryuen.

"If you lead them and personally kill Greed, your name will become legendary."

Ryuen remained silent, and Gero leaned slightly closer.

"And perhaps, for once, history will remember Ryuen Shimada before it remembers Taichi Konoha."

Ryuen stared at him. For several seconds, only the sound of the ocean could be heard as waves gently struck the side of the yacht and the distant skyline of Nova City shimmered beneath the lowering sun.

Then Ryuen laughed loudly.

"Hahahaha! You're an interesting man."

He slipped his other arm into his purple jacket and adjusted the collar before walking toward the entrance leading inside the yacht.

"I accept."

Gero's smile widened.

Ryuen stopped near the doorway and glanced back only once.

"But understand this. The team follows my orders. Every single one."

Gero raised his glass slightly.

"Naturally."

Without waiting for anything further, Ryuen disappeared inside the yacht, leaving the deck silent once again. The two bodyguards stood motionless while Gero remained alone near the edge, slowly turning toward the distant skyline as sunlight reflected across Nova City's countless towers.

For years, another scientist's name had overshadowed his own: Doctor Willow, the creator of the original Bravers and the genius whose Stellar Energy technology had changed the course of human history. Even after his death, governments praised his achievements, researchers studied his work, and soldiers spoke about him with admiration. Every discussion surrounding the Bravers inevitably returned to the man who had created them.

Gero hated it.

He had improved the technology, refined it, and modernized it, yet the world continued treating his work as though it were merely an extension of Willow's.

Perhaps that was why Ryuen had been so easy to understand. They were more alike than the actor realized. Both had spent years standing beside someone the world seemed determined to praise more.

That would soon change.

The Next Generation Bravers would prove it, and when they destroyed Greed under his command, humanity would finally understand who had truly perfected Stellar Energy.

Gero slowly lifted his wine toward the setting sun as a satisfied smile spread across his face.

"...From this day onward, history will remember my name."

He looked toward the crimson horizon.

"And little by little, Doctor Willow will be forgotten."

Gero quietly laughed to himself as the sun disappeared beneath the sea and the lights of Nova City began illuminating the distant coast. In his mind, the glorious future he had imagined for years finally seemed within reach.