Fang Zheng had two reasons for making such a speculation.
First, based on the structure of the virus that Minamoto Sakura and the others were infected with, there had been no fundamental changes in the structure of these viruses ten years ago. But today, ten years later, the virus infected by Walnut and Rea has undergone significant changes. Of course, you could say that the virus might evolve due to environmental mutations, but it becomes problematic when the original functional structure is replaced. Even if evolution should occur, it would theoretically be a long process.
It’s not like you’re a Transformer who can plug in a cable and instantly transform into an EVA, not even Gundam could pull that off, let alone MH.
As for the second reason... well, with the Umbrella Corporation in this world, it’s definitely right to pin the blame on Umbrella when in doubt.
Of course, even though he knew that Umbrella was behind it, Fang Zheng had no intention of doing something to Umbrella directly because he had already decided to treat this world as firewood to be burned. Once the big fire started, the entire universe would be completely doomed, and it would be futile for Umbrella to try to escape the Solar System.
Therefore, what Fang Zheng was doing now was not looking for trouble with Umbrella, but rounding up those survivors.
While invading the Hive’s mainframe, Fang Zheng also casually downloaded a list, which detailed the specific locations of Umbrella’s various branches in Japan and the names of the organization’s members. It also contained a list of survivors detained by Umbrella, and what Fang Zheng intended to do next was to rescue these people.
"Is this where you live?"
Looking at the dilapidated mansion in front of him that could be used to shoot a ghost film, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his eye, while Minamoto Sakura nodded her head somewhat sheepishly.
"Hmm... this place is indeed... secluded from the world."
Fang Zheng glanced around for a moment before giving what was, all things considered, a rather complimentary assessment. The mansion was situated on the coastline, far from other residential areas, and looked more like an abandoned, haunted house. Judging by the exterior of this mansion, it had been built quite a long time ago. As for what it had been used for in the past, Fang Zheng had no idea. Now, however, it was just a simple ruin.
"So... did the Umbrella Corporation directly raid this place, and then they captured you?"
Fang Zheng looked at the collapsed iron gate and the mess all around, and asked casually, to which Minamoto Sakura nodded again.
"Yes... at that time... we didn’t even know what was happening..."
Perhaps remembering what happened then, Minamoto Sakura began to tremble. They had just gotten up and didn’t even know what was happening when they saw a large group of soldiers wearing black riot gear, helmets, and carrying weapons charging in. Although these girls were indeed zombies, they had been working as idols since their Awakening and had never seen such violent scenes. They were immediately terrified.
It was fortunate that among these girls, there was a former leader of a biker gang who had raced against the police on Akina Mountain. She was somewhat battle-hardened and immediately acted to knock down the soldiers when she realized something was wrong. She then hurriedly led everyone to try and escape, but as for the three of them, Minamoto Sakura and her peers... because they were slow to react and didn’t run fast, they were caught, while the other four managed to get away safely.
"Speaking of which, I wonder how Mr. Kotaro is doing."
Walking into the decrepit apartment, staring at bullet holes in the walls and the ragged floor, Minamoto Sakura’s face showed a worried expression. They had been running around being chased by these soldiers and had no idea what had become of their manager. Was he caught too? Or did he escape?
"Hmm... I think he probably escaped."
At that moment, Mizuno Ai, who was following beside Minamoto Sakura, suddenly spoke out.
"That guy doesn’t seem like the type to die young. Maybe he escaped from somewhere."
"If that’s really the case, it would be great..."
Listening to the conversation behind him, Fang Zheng shook his head and then headed to the end of the corridor on the second floor. He casually opened a tightly shut door, and immediately after...
Accompanied by a loud shout, a man with sunglasses and dressed in a suit suddenly jumped out from behind the door, shouting at the people. Seeing the man in sunglasses, Minamoto Sakura and the others were startled.
"You’re still alive?"
"What are you talking about? Why can’t I be alive?"
The man in sunglasses glared at Minamoto Sakura.
"Instead, it’s you lot! I’ve been waiting for you for so long and you only just came back. Where did you run off to?!"
Perhaps because the reaction of the man in sunglasses was too normal, Minamoto Sakura and the others didn’t know what to say for a moment. But looking at the man in sunglasses, Fang Zheng didn’t say anything and just silently exchanged a glance with Little Hei beside him, who subtly shook his head.
Minamoto Sakura and the others might not have felt it, but Fang Zheng was very clear that before he opened the door, there had not been anyone in the room.
To be exact, this man in sunglasses had appeared in the room the moment he opened the door.
Although at first glance the man in sunglasses seemed to be a human with a normal body temperature and a heartbeat, Fang Zheng did not believe that this man was truly human.
"You bunch of idiots! Can’t even run away properly and got caught! Really, you’re as dumb as a box of rocks! Dumb bells! Stupid pigs!!"
Minamoto Sakura wanted to rush forward for a joyous reunion like in the movies, but she was immediately barraged by the man in sunglasses with a tirade of scolding. Facing the accusations from the man in sunglasses, Minamoto Sakura was nearly in tears.
"I, I didn’t mean to get caught..."
"You can’t even run for your life, what kind of idol are you? What would you do if you ever got mobbed by fans?"
"Where are there fans now? Don’t you know what it’s like outside?"
Hearing this, Mizuno Ai also opened her mouth to retort, dissatisfied.
Although she had not been with these three people for long, Fang Zheng had also come to understand the personalities of these three zombie girls. Minamoto Sakura seemed like an ordinary girl who was bullied, while Mizuno Ai’s personality was relatively strong. As for that Showa-era lady Junko... well, she seemed like a walking embodiment of negative energy, always thinking everything was her fault... Self-loathing to this extent was unparalleled.
However, the Sunglasses Man completely ignored what Mizuno Ai said. Instead, he suddenly turned around, took a step towards Fang Zheng, and grasped his hand.
"You’re the one who rescued them, right? Thank you so much, mister... May I have the honor of your name?"
"Just call me Fang Zheng."
After shaking hands with the man, Fang Zheng took a closer look at the Sunglasses Man.
"Are you Mr. Tsun Kitaro?"
Kitaro nodded his head, then suddenly wrapped his arm around Fang Zheng’s neck and pulled him aside.
"Mr., to be honest, what do you think about these girls of mine?"
"...What about them?"
"Quality, man, quality. These girls have high quality, don’t they? Don’t look at them now, but after they’re made up, they’re all beauties!"
As he spoke, Kitaro gave an OK gesture with his hand.
"Plus, they’re beautiful JK idols, you know? What do you think? Are you interested in them, sir?"
Looking at Kitaro’s pimp-like attitude in front of him, Fang Zheng didn’t know what to say for a moment, but he quickly nodded.
"Yes, I am a bit interested in them, in fact, I was planning on inviting them..."
"Interest is good, interest is good. Ahh, these dummies finally have a place to belong, that puts my mind at ease!"
While saying this, Kitaro patted Fang Zheng’s shoulder, then stepped back, looking at the others.
"Alright, you dummies, now that you’ve found a place to go, show them what you’ve got! If you let Farron Xiuxiu turn into Rotten Xiuxiu, that would be a real disgrace! Remember, no matter when or where, you are idols! You mustn’t lose face as idols, got it?!"
Not sure what was going on, Minamoto Sakura quickly stood up straight and replied loudly, while Kitaro nodded with satisfaction.
"Very good, very good, that’s the spirit I want to see! Show your mettle! Don’t tarnish the reputation of Saga idols!"
"But we’re not even born in Saga..."
"What does that have to do with me, idiot!!"
However, before Mizuno Ai could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Kitaro again.
"You drank Saga’s water, ate Saga’s rice – you are Saga people! Therefore, you are Saga idols. Stand tall and be proud of who you are! Now, you can go. What dummies!"
After he finished speaking, Kitaro went back into the room and closed the door with a "bang."
Seeing the closed door, everyone was stunned for a moment, then Mizuno Ai came to her senses, hurriedly rushed over, and opened the door.
"Wait, I mean you’re not coming with us... Huh?"
Yet, the room in front of her was empty.
"Where, where is he?"
Surprised, the three zombie girls widened their eyes. There were no windows in the room, not even a secret passage, but Kitaro was nowhere to be seen. Seeing this scene, Fang Zheng furrowed his brows and looked back at Minamoto Sakura.
"Are you sure... he’s human?"
Unlike the three zombie girls, Fang Zheng had felt Kitaro’s presence disappear in an instant when the door closed, something that definitely wasn’t within normal human capabilities.
This time, even Minamoto Sakura was uncertain when answering Fang Zheng’s question...