Saiyan stowaways on the Ark

"When faced with advice from others, they either maintain an arrogant attitude or try to take advantage of the situation under the guise of cooperation. No one thinks about really dealing with the real difficulties they will face, such as Oripathy or other dangers."

Thomas said, "Looks like she's made a lot of wasted trips, and all she's done is deal with megalomaniacs."

Kal'tsit's experience seems to be the complete opposite of Tomat's.

One is to wander freely on the mainland without any ulterior motives, and receive flattery from various forces regardless of whether it is sincere or not.

One is to run around everywhere, exhausted, yet not necessarily to receive even a perfunctory promise, or to barely weave interpersonal relationships that cannot withstand the test of reality.

Thomas continued, "She's quite strong, but not strong enough to make others necessarily listen to her. Information, whether good or bad, is something that people may not take to heart. Whether they believe it or not is their freedom. But a hard fist is there as a fact, and trying to ignore it is pure self-deception."

Frostnova remarked with a touch of melancholy, "It reminds me of the time when we were in the guerrilla forces and the Reunion Movement."

"Big Daddy and Talulah have both said similar things—no matter how reasonable and well-founded you are in arguing that 'there is no need to persecute infected people' and 'persecuting infected people will only exacerbate the conflict,' it is not as effective as beating up those who disobey and forcing them to 'stop doing this.'"

"Later on, even just rumors of 'the Reunion Movement' appearing nearby' could cause nearby cities to subconsciously relax their policies on dealing with infected people, which can be considered as proof of this point. The intimidation of force that cannot be easily provoked is actually the most powerful thing that can influence the other party's decision."

Then, she turned the topic back to Tomat: "Aren't you also proof? Whether it's the armistice between countries or the fact that national powers are taking the initiative to befriend you, it all shows that strength is the only truth. Only with strength will they listen to what you have to say."

Then she crossed her arms and continued with a knowing look, "Speaking of which, you and I were the same way back then, weren't we? You beat me into submission first before talking to me, instead of wasting time by waving the banner of mutual communication from the beginning."

Tomat chuckled dryly. He was too embarrassed to admit that he had attacked her with an attitude of not caring if he were killed, and that the only reason they were able to talk afterward was because Frostnova was lucky to survive.

But he changed the subject and brought up Rhodes Island again.

"Perhaps individual strength is still lacking, but Rhodes Island is indeed an organization with considerable influence now, isn't it? What's the status of the ideas or initiatives that Kal'tsit and the others promoted but were ignored back then?"

Frostnova glanced at him: "If you were willing to attend Rhodes Island's monthly business report meeting, you would know that things almost always go smoothly... although it feels like a large part of it is related to you too."

"Drug development, strategy promotion, and branch establishment are all going smoothly, which is why Kal'tsit almost never mentions the things she used to complain about anymore."

"She said that she no longer needs to worry about certain countries making stupid mistakes that could lead to the destruction of the world, or about any dangerous factors triggering a massive global disaster. Therefore, she can focus on doing what she was supposed to do. If those troubles hadn't dragged the whole world down with them, she wouldn't have advised you reckless fools—although her original words were convoluted and lengthy, that's basically the gist of it."

"Thinking about it carefully, it seems that it's because there are only a few of you who can destroy the world now, and you won't destroy the world, nor will you let the destruction of the world happen, so you can relax."

Although she doesn't interact with Kal'tsit much, she clearly sees things quite clearly.

Rhodes Island is now strong enough to defend itself, has the military support to uphold its ideals, and has enough to rely on. Therefore, it doesn't need to worry about others causing trouble and getting involved in messy situations. It can just focus on doing what it should do.

After all, when they themselves have become an indispensable part of this world, the so-called "crisis that will destroy the world" will become nonsense because of their existence.

He had previously gotten involved in many things, running around in secret, and making arrangements everywhere, all in the hope that no more innocent people would be involved in danger because of the actions of a few, and at the same time, he was clearing obstacles for his own future and avoiding being affected.

Now, any intervention they take is an activity that fully embodies their own will. As for the schemes and plots of outsiders, they can choose to stop them or to persuade them with kind words, but they don't really care about the latter.

Good advice is useless to those who are destined to die; in the end, only they themselves will suffer the consequences. Although they can still ask Rhodes Island for help when they are in trouble, the situation is completely different from the past. Rhodes Island, which used to only be able to hope that there were reasonable people among them, can now choose whether or not to help those who do not listen to advice and are in great trouble.

"Organizations plotting to destroy the world, or factors posing a risk of world destruction, have become insignificant now. What has caused this situation is those who possess something far more capable of destroying the world."

Thomas shrugged – none of this was something he did intentionally; everything was indirectly facilitated, and he had nothing to say about it.

The two arrived at the parking garage, ready to leave the area immediately and continue their wandering in the wilderness without any preparation, stopping wherever they could find a place worth staying.

But before this trip, several figures appeared in front of the car.

"...Ah, what are those three people doing here?"

Javi, Aosta, and Broca appeared in front of the car.

After the wolves left last night, Javi pulled Austa aside and, in front of what appeared to be his superior from the same family, expressed his desire to switch sides and join Tomat's family, repeatedly calling him "boss" and declaring, "I'm sticking with you."

At that moment, Thomas didn't rush to shut up the young man who seemed to be rambling on and refuse. Instead, he asked in return:

"Why do you want to acknowledge me as your boss? Do you think I have any connection with that Sicilian woman?"

Javier answered without hesitation:

"Madame Sicily? She is indeed quite powerful, and the head of many families, but I don't know exactly what makes her so powerful! Besides, there must be a lot of people connected to her, right?"

"But it's different for you, boss! You saved me! Austa told me everything! You even caught the crossbow bolt, otherwise we would both have been killed!"

"I don't understand anything else, but you're good to us, you saved our lives, and you're even good at fighting! If we don't recognize you as our leader, who else should we recognize? Those families that don't treat us like human beings?"

It is frank, easy to understand, but reasonable—at least from Jiawei's perspective.

Although Tomat himself spared their lives out of mere personal interest, he still managed to impress the thugs with his capriciousness.

"You stole my car one minute and now you want to be my boss the next?"

Thomas asked the energetic young man a question that was both amusing and exasperating.

Javi innocently explained, "Stealing a car? No! We're just a repair shop. We wanted to deliver the car and see what kind of person drives one of these cars, but we were chased by that kid Albert halfway there, so we had to escape until the middle of the night."

He then ran to the RV, pulled Albert out, who was bound hand and foot, and ripped the tape off his face, making him scream in pain as his body hair was plucked out in one go.

"Aaaaaah!!!! What the hell are you doing!?"

But the next moment, he almost bit his tongue when he saw Tomat.

"Explain yourself, why were you chasing my car?"

Under this pressure, Albert hurriedly explained the whole story.

The small-time thugs, driven by resentment over a previous failed robbery, are chasing after Javi and his gang.

And the petty thugs who actively sought out Thomas in search of opportunities.

The misunderstandings and conflicts between the two groups became the source of tonight's chaos, so much so that even after they were cleared up, it still felt absurd and ridiculous.

Upon closer inspection, it seems that everyone involved simply did what they wanted to do, without violating any rules.

The only loss that could be called a loss was Albert losing a car.

Thomas, who came looking for his car, remarked, "This is quite a blunder..."

Both sides gave their own accounts, yet they connected everything together, and even Broca, who lingered nearby, seemed to understand the whole story.

Jiawei pressed on, "So, boss, are you willing to take us on as your underlings or not?"

Austa, standing by helplessly, though still maintaining his tense demeanor, remarked, "Just six hours ago you were thinking about becoming the head of your family..."

The boss didn't leave. Aside from the fact that his legs were stiff and he couldn't walk after witnessing the wolf pack, he was also curious about how this man, whom even Madame Sicily had taken the initiative to be friendly with, would handle the current situation.

An unknown but outgoing hoodlum expressed his heartfelt loyalty to someone he considered worthy of following without reservation.

This kind of scene seems to have been unseen in Syracuse for a long time.

This does not refer to the act of following, but rather to the reasons given by Javi for following.

Today, the people of Syracuse often join a certain family for very simple and genuine reasons—this family is powerful, this family can make money, this family seems promising, it is convenient to amass wealth, it is convenient to oppress, and it is convenient to protect oneself. People always see "what benefits will pledging allegiance to the other party bring them" before choosing to join.

But Javier presented his reason in such a simple yet self-evident way.

"Because you are someone who has been kind to me."

Javi put aside his previous speculations about Tomat and now simply felt that the other man was a "good leader" and therefore worth following.

“You’ve already called me ‘big brother,’ and you’re still asking me if I acknowledge you.”

Thomas smiled and shrugged somewhat helplessly.

So...you've agreed?

Javi was overjoyed, and even Austa was surprised that Tomat accepted Javi's loyalty so casually.

But just as Javi was about to rush towards Austa and embrace him in celebration, Tomat immediately poured cold water on his plans.

"How could that be? I don't take on underlings."

These words stunned Javi, leaving him standing there blankly. However, before he could voice his doubts, Thomas continued:

"However, you said you two are car mechanics, so you can probably find jobs in Rhodes Island. You can go there and take a look. I'm considered a local there, so you can mention my name when you go. Anyway, you don't want to work here, right?"

After casually tossing the two to Rhodes Island, Tomat glanced at Broca on the other side and then asked:

"You don't like your current boss either, right? Are you looking to find a new job? You seem like a friendly person."

These words were spoken in front of the hotel owner, although Tomat had no idea that the man was his boss.

"You...you look kind?"

Broca touched his face, which was often described as fierce, and then pondered Tomat's words with mixed feelings.

Actually, it doesn't matter whether this statement is an olive branch or not. When Tomat said to his boss that he "didn't like the current boss," he seemed to have no other choice—Broca seemed to sense the boss's gaze.

Anger, then sourness.

This is an olive branch from a man even Madame Sicily admires!

Rather than saying they chose to accept, it's more accurate to say they had no room to refuse.

[Main Text] The Saiyans' Daily Life on Terra: The Final Chapter of Syracuse's Daily Life - A Long Road Through the Wilderness

"Don't call me boss."

Thomas arrived at the car and, just as Javi, the leader, opened his mouth, he preemptively shut him up.

"Didn't you also decide to leave your hopeless family and try your luck at Rhodes Island? Two auto mechanics, one electrician, and you have experience as thugs, the engineering department should welcome you."

Last night, Frostnova witnessed the whole process of "recruiting followers" from the sidelines, and she didn't comment on Tommat's behavior of recommending someone to Rhodes Island without even discussing their background.

Ultimately, it seems that she herself entered Rhodes Island in the same way.

Why would the engineering department welcome someone with fighting experience?

Austa asked, his voice tinged with confusion and unease.

“You’ll understand when you get there.” Tomat didn’t explain further, then countered, “But speaking of which, what are you doing here? You’re not trying to hitch a ride, are you?”

Broca replied, "No, we'll set off immediately after a quick preparation. We're here to say goodbye to you both."

The three of them glanced at Tomat and Frostnova, and understood to some extent what their relationship was like. Although all three of them were roughnecks who had never been in love—perhaps Austa, who was more fond of literature, was a little more sensitive—they all understood that at this time, saying they would set off together would only make them third wheels.

Javi bluntly stated, "If we can't even manage to cross a wilderness spanning one or two cities, how can we be your underlings, boss?"

According to the information Frostnova brought, Rhodes Island still has offices in several cities in Syracuse, and Javi, who knows that the nearest one is nearby, is even more excited about this journey across the desert.

The other two knew this was a decision tantamount to suicide, but they still chose to leave with Javi, their destination being the Rhodes Island office. Then one day, they went to the Rhodes Island main ship, where they met Tomath again.

“We’re lucky. Dangerous natural disasters don’t happen one after another in a short period of time. A while ago, a severe windstorm occurred very close to the city, but it miraculously disappeared…” “That means the probability of encountering a natural disaster in the wilderness in the near future is very low.”

Austa talked about the journey and mentioned the sandstorm that Tomat and Frostnova encountered on the way.

“Miracle? I’ve heard that these things seem to be quite common lately. There are rumors everywhere that natural disasters suddenly occur and then suddenly end. The Rusthammer organization, which is active in the wilderness, has even formed new factions because of this, changing from worshipping natural disasters to worshipping ‘mysterious beings that transcend natural disasters’.”

Although Javi and his gang were low-level thugs, they had some savings. They planned to use that money and their past connections to buy a wasteland off-road vehicle, and then take enough food and equipment to the Rhodes Island office closest to White City.