Chapter 19: Professor Hojo

Time flies; before I knew it, Cloud is already 19.

It's the age where it wouldn't be strange for him to start drinking, but this isn't the time to be so relaxed.

We are already two years prior to the start of the original story.

After the successful rocket launch, the Corel Mako Reactor explosion that was supposed to happen never did. Construction continued, and though it's still in the test-run phase, there's no sign of any explosion accident. To begin with, Sephiroth hasn't gone mad, and perhaps because of that, AVALANCHE's activities have become passive, and terrorist attacks against Shinra have died down.

"Peace is a good thing, but somehow, it makes me anxious."

I've already recruited Cloud and Vincent, and their leveling up is going smoothly. Truthfully, Cid was also a candidate, but the Space and Aeronautics Department successfully launched the rocket, so he's in space right now.

If we're going to face Sephiroth and Jenova, I'd want to gather enough people for a standard three-person party, but there aren't any candidates around. Barret's relationship with Shinra isn't bad because the Mako Reactor project is going smoothly, but it doesn't feel like he'd work for me personally. Reeve is too busy with his own department to help, either. Yuffie is still 14 around this time, and she should be training as a Wutai warrior, so she'd definitely clash with me since I'm affiliated with Shinra. I know Aerith's whereabouts, but I'm a bit scared to carelessly interfere, and I haven't heard any rumors of Red XIII being captured by the Science Department. That leaves Tifa, but even if she is Cloud's childhood friend, going out of my way to scout her from the countryside and invite her to Shinra is a bit of a stretch.

The exclusive weaponry project—which was heavily promoted by Scarlet before my time—is still ongoing, but it's hitting a wall. It looks like Magitek Armor, an irresistible design for any FF fan, but it has some mobility issues. It has a cool name, "Crimson Mare," and I did a test run with Cloud as the opponent, but there's still a lot of room for improvement.

Right now, I'm brainstorming with Rufus on how to quietly dispose of Deepground. They're just too troublesome and terrifying.

For now, the most pressing threats to watch out for are Hojo and Jenova. Rufus is doing a good job keeping Sephiroth in check, and thanks to Zack still being alive, Sephiroth is highly stable. Technically, there's a technological exchange between the Science Department and the Advanced Weaponry Division, but I never speak with Hojo outside of meetings, so I have no idea what he's actually doing. Sure, I know what gets reported on the meeting agendas, but who knows what he's doing behind the scenes.

"If Vincent could just find Lucrecia, we could completely pull Sephiroth over to our side."

I've been giving Vincent various jobs while having him search for Lucrecia, but for some reason, she's nowhere to be found. Is the geography of this world slightly different from what I remember in the game, or is there another reason? Either way, making Vincent search this vast world all by himself isn't yielding the results I hoped for.

"In that case, I wonder if I have no choice but to subtly leave it to Cloud."

Being forced to participate in the Science Department's experiments is something SOLDIERs and standard infantrymen absolutely despise, but it seems Hojo has taken an interest in Cloud. We occasionally get requests for cooperation, so maybe I should use those to have Cloud show his face over there.

"For now, prioritizing Cloud's safety, I'll have him investigate Hojo. I can't expect too much, though."

Even if Cloud has become a master communicator thanks to Zack's influence, it would be cruel to expect too much of him. That's what I thought at the time, but I had severely underestimated the certain kind of charisma possessed by the protagonist known as Cloud...

"Heh heh heh... To achieve such results against that many test subjects... He is quite a fascinating specimen."

An excellent specimen capable of holding his own against the test subjects. I believe his name was Cloud? He is quite fascinating.

Originally lacking aptitude for SOLDIER, he was supposedly just a man who transferred to the Advanced Weaponry Division instead of joining the Public Security Department. Yet, he blossomed there, displaying abilities that put SOLDIERs to shame. Frankly speaking, there is an issue of quality even among SOLDIERs. No matter how much power Jenova cells grant them, without high base specs, they cannot become great warriors.

Those who stagnate simply because they've become a SOLDIER are ultimately of little value. I am well aware that a top-tier Turk, even without Mako aptitude, can easily overpower an average SOLDIER. However, that is strictly limited to the Turks. For a standard infantryman to produce these kinds of experimental results without my treatments is entirely unprecedented. Even if he is using custom-made gear from the Advanced Weaponry Division, it remains highly intriguing.

Her methods may differ somewhat from mine, but that woman surely doesn't limit herself with nonsensical standards like "ethics." Perhaps she has begun researching human augmentation via Materia technology, or maybe she has mechanized the human body. Either way, if dissection is possible, it would surely provide some stimulation. Because of this, I uncharacteristically memorized the specimen's name.

Surprisingly, while his equipment was highly advanced and built with complete disregard for profitability, there were no traces of any special modifications done to the specimen himself. I couldn't dissect him, of course, but this was the result of the standard examinations I personally conducted on him—the same ones given to SOLDIERs and regular infantry.

Regardless, there is no doubt he is a valuable specimen. When I re-examined his Mako aptitude, I discovered an incredibly high compatibility rating with Jenova cells.

"Professor Hojo, we have confirmed the cessation of Test Subject H0512's activity. Terminating the specimen's combat data collection program."

"No, wait a moment. Continue the data collection. Once Test Subject H0512 is retrieved, we will test him against another subject."

The war with Wutai ended recently, so opportunities to conduct combat experiments against terrorists have decreased. As for using employees for testing, the Vice President is far too noisy about the SOLDIER Department. In the past, I had stronger administrative authority over Sephiroth, but things have become quite bothersome ever since he became the Vice President's favorite.

"B-But, if we continue these consecutive battles and something happens to Cloud..."

He is merely an employee and my subordinate, yet he makes such misplaced remarks. He likely believes it will turn into an issue of liability if something happens to the specimen. What a tasteless fool. I have no need for a philistine who prioritizes his career advancement over scientific inquiry.

"Connect the microphone. Can you hear me, Cloud?"

"Yes, loud and clear. As requested, I actively utilized Materia in the first half and focused on physical combat in the second. Were you able to gather good data?"

Unlike the incompetents, he is extremely cooperative, which is helpful. He has the flexibility to deduce my intentions and skillfully adapt his fighting style for the sake of data. This is something that neither regular SOLDIERs nor the Sephiroth of the past possessed.

"Thanks to your excellence, the experiment is proceeding smoothly. I have a proposal: I would like to conduct an additional combat test. What do you say?"

"I have no problem with that. Should I face another test subject? Or will it be a simulation?"

"I'll have you face another test subject. It will take a little time to prepare, so feel free to take a break."

Not having to engage in pointless back-and-forth is truly pleasant. I don't usually require intelligence from my specimens, but being cooperative is greatly appreciated. If that's the case, it makes me feel like accommodating him a bit.

"Oh, right. While we prepare for the next experiment, I've compiled Sephiroth's combat data from his earlier days. Would you like to review it?"

"Yes, please!"

It is natural for a warrior to be highly conscious of Sephiroth, but it seems he is specifically training with anti-Sephiroth combat in mind. He has openly declared that his goal is to surpass Sephiroth. This might serve as an excellent catalyst.

My Sephiroth continuously produced flawless results. There are limits to daily training and experimental maneuvers when one is alone. Even Hollander's failures had some degree of purpose in terms of fine-tuning Sephiroth... I suppose a child suffers when their father is only capable of creating low-quality products that degrade so quickly.

It appears Sephiroth is not blessed with high-quality testers. In that case, I might as well provide one myself. It seems Sephiroth will not be participating in the upcoming inter-departmental exchange matches either. Undoubtedly because the level is too low, but if this specimen achieves decent results, Sephiroth should take a liking to him. It is rare for me to provide an advantage to that woman from the Advanced Weaponry Division, but Sephiroth's assessment will not change. In the end, there is no problem whatsoever.

"If you need anything else, just say the word. I will provide it to the best of my ability."

"Thank you, Professor Hojo."

"Heh heh heh, no thanks are necessary."

It is perfectly convenient for me if he rises up to serve as Sephiroth's stepping stone. I hear he was hired as a tester, but he will be well-suited as a tester for my Sephiroth.

After cutting the microphone and glancing over the collected data, I am interrupted by an unwanted voice. Is this man still here? Normally, I would make him a test subject right away, but the company has been a nuisance lately. Honestly, if this man were secretly colluding with anti-Shinra forces, the company would gladly hand him over to me. But a hard worker who is simply incompetent is an incorrigible existence.

Come to think of it, the Advanced Weaponry Division used to frequently use employees as test subjects too, but at some point, they started focusing only on those who could be erased without issue. I don't want to waste my mental resources on anything outside of research, but I suppose I should show some consideration to Shinra, who funds me. In that sense, that woman is quite adept at ingratiating herself with the company.

"It's rare for you to care about Cloud, Professor Hojo. You never provided materials during previous experiments involving SOLDIERs, did you?"

"He is simply better than the brainless lot we've had until now. He's a very compliant specimen."

"It's certainly pleasant to talk to Cloud. And since he's smart, I end up chatting with him without even realizing it."

Come to think of it, it seems the researchers have many opportunities to converse with the specimen. Indeed, in terms of being able to hold a proper conversation, I suppose he is easier to handle than the savage brutes in SOLDIER or the Turks, who only possess brute strength.

It wouldn't be good for our research details to leak to other departments, but none of them are capable of leaking anything significant, so it shouldn't be a problem. No, wait. If they are incapable of keeping information secure, the company might actually approve of disposing of them as test subjects.

"Heh heh heh... He is certainly an outstanding specimen with various potential uses."

I recall Heidegger mentioning in a meeting once that the Public Security Department wanted to take him in. Going under a simpleton like him would only squander the specimen's qualities.

"It would be great if Cloud could join the Science Department."

"It's pointless. The head of the Advanced Weaponry Division is guarding him closely. She would never share such an excellent specimen with others."

Since he seems so fixated on Sephiroth, I prepared the combat data. With this, he should stick around for our experiments a while longer. However, there is a limit to the data, and since he seems to possess both learning capability and drive, he'll likely absorb what I provided in no time.

Next time, perhaps I'll let him use the simulator that replicates Sephiroth's combat data. Of course, there's a limit to how well a mere simulator can recreate Sephiroth, and it cannot compare to the real thing, but I should be able to gather meaningful data from it regardless. I was ordered by the President to discard the data on Hollander's failures, but I kept it in my possession. If it seems useful, I suppose I could provide that to him as well.

"Professor Hojo has changed lately, hasn't he?"

"Yeah, he's getting high-quality test data, and the experiments are going smoothly, so he's in a good mood."

While unusually slurping udon in the Shinra company cafeteria, I overheard the conversation of other employees. They seemed to be Science Department staff, and because they mentioned a name I despise, my ears instinctively picked it up.

"It's been a lifesaver since Cloud came along. Thanks to him, Hojo's snide remarks have decreased."

"It seems Professor Hojo really likes him. He even interviewed him directly after the experiment the other day."

"It's rare for him to do something like that. Back in the day when Sephiroth was there, he handled things himself at first, but..."

"Professor Hojo doesn't have a likable personality by any stretch, and Sephiroth wasn't cooperative at all, so the interviews never worked out."

That was back when Professor Gast was still alive and Hojo was just a researcher. I was forced into combat several times to gather data, and the person in charge at that time was Hojo. Compared to Professor Gast, he was always an insidious man lacking talent or sense. I had a bad impression of him back then, and because I was young, I was rebellious towards him. The person in charge of my interviews was quickly changed, and I rarely had to speak with him after that.

"Somehow, Professor Hojo's approach doesn't feel like how you'd treat a test subject."

"Right. It's like... a clumsy father. He sometimes uses the experiments as an excuse to let Cloud do the training he wants, and he even grants him access to the training data he asks for."

"I can't even imagine that man as a father."

As I listened to their foolish conversation, the udon I was eating vanished into my stomach before I knew it. I stood up and left the cafeteria.

"It seems his attitude is completely different from how he treated me."

For some reason, my mouth moved, and I muttered to myself.

The gist of it is that while I can't let my guard down, the chances of Cloud being used in his dangerous experiments are low. It's just a story about Cloud protecting himself through smooth communication. That should be all there is to it, so why am I so...