15_Dr. Tony

He was tall and well-built, with thick eyebrows that gave a tough impression. "It's been a while, hasn't it? A few years, I reckon. I was worried Gracia might not remember me, but I'm glad she does," Dr. Tony said with a warm smile. His reassuring manner and presence remained unchanged. Strangely, his voice evoked a sense of security, making me feel like I could entrust him with everything. Yet, on the other hand, there was something elusive about him, as if nothing lay behind his openness.

"What do you need?" I asked warily. It was late at night, and he hadn't visited in three years, especially after the incident with the whale. I was suddenly on high alert.

"Ah," Dr. Tony looked up pensively, then with a concealed laugh, he said, "I'm willing to tell you, but you must keep this a secret. What we're about to do should not be shared with anyone, not even Dr. Ban."

He stood up, taking Gracia's hand and heading for the door. A chill ran down my spine. However, Gracia gripped my hand, spreading a tingling warmth through me.

"Let's go," Gracia urged, tugging at my hand.

"Right, let's hurry," Dr. Tony insisted, pulling Gracia along without waiting for my response. I was not given any time to think, and before I knew it, I was following them, carried away by the atmosphere that had been created in the room. We were walking towards Dr. Tony's lab.

"Do you know," Dr. Tony began as we walked, "there were allegations that Gracia orchestrated the 'Army Grass' attack."

I had vaguely heard about this from Dr. Ban. When I first heard it, I was furious. It couldn't be true, not after all the danger she had been through. But...

"Those making the decisions weren't there to see. They can say whatever they like."

Dr. Tony opened the door to his lab, saying, "I want to suppress that opinion."

Inside, the lab was filled with countless books and papers strewn across a desk, alongside test tubes and beakers.

"Just give me a moment," he said, disappearing into a back room filled with machinery. It seemed this space was used more like an office.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," he returned, holding two jars, one with a single 'Life Tree' and the other crammed with countless 'Life Trees'.

"You see, I've created a 'Life Tree' with a novel trait. However, it can't be replicated," he explained, lifting the jar with the single 'Life Tree'.

Although he spoke lightly, the creation of a 'Life Tree' with new traits was unheard of. There were plenty of failed attempts in the past, but never a success story.

"Only you can replicate it," he said, handing me the jar filled with countless 'Life Trees'. Without even realizing, I was swept up in his pace, pressing the jar against my body.

The 'Life Trees' slowly merged with my body. It felt different from the usual 'Life Trees'. As they integrated, I pushed them out of my body.

Dr. Tony collected the 'Life Trees' I expelled and placed them in the jar with the novel 'Life Tree'. He then returned to the back room, presumably to check if everything worked.

"Perfect," he emerged with a joyous expression. His overwhelming happiness radiated from him, leaving me bewildered.

"And what is that, exactly?" I inquired.

"It's to control the 'Army Grass'," he replied cheerfully. "If this 'Life Tree' is integrated into her body, Gracia should be able to control it."

He brought a massive number of 'Life Trees'. The quantity was astonishing, especially since we'd used so many for treatment.

"And then, once we're ready, it's time for the main event," Dr. Tony smiled enigmatically.