Chapter 75: A Happy Discovery – A Scientific Discovery
Entering the sprawling company building that his family had built into a powerhouse of innovation over the years, Aoi made a beeline for his private laboratory deep within the secure research wing. The halls were quiet at this hour, with only the soft hum of machinery and the occasional greeting from night-shift staff acknowledging his presence as he passed.
He pushed open the door to his lab a state-of-the-art space filled with advanced equipment, glowing screens, and prototypes in various stages of development and immediately addressed his AI assistant.
He said:
—Morgana, how's the situation with the project?
Morgana then materialized as a holographic projection on the main computer screen, her digital form calm and efficient as always, and replied:
—Sir, the antivirus project is progressing well and on schedule. We have successfully managed to copy Aizawa's quirk in its entirety. Sir, we were able to create another cell with exactly the same power as the original sample. There's just one significant problem, sir: to copy it perfectly into another normal human being without turning them into a monstrous abomination like the Nomu—even with your unparalleled intelligence—this would be a project that takes far too long and carries too many risks.
Aoi said, leaning against the workbench with a thoughtful expression:
—Morgana, you're very intelligent perhaps the most advanced AI I've ever built but you're too logical sometimes. You lack that spark of human madness, that creative leap. I never intended to copy the quirk directly into a full human in the first place.
Morgana asked, her holographic eyes blinking curiously:
—Then what do you intend to do with it, sir?
Aoi said:
—Morgana, do you know about blood cells in the human body the different types and their functions?
Morgana responded promptly, pulling up a detailed diagram on the screen for reference:
—Yes, sir.
Blood cells in the human body
Human blood has three main types of cells, each with specific functions:
1️⃣ Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)
Main function: transport oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and carry carbon dioxide back to the lungs for exhalation.
Characteristics: contain hemoglobin, the protein that binds to oxygen for efficient delivery.
Lifespan: about 120 days before being replaced.
Narrative relation: you can compare it to something that carries energy or essential resources for the biotechnological cells, ensuring they have what they need to function.
2️⃣ White Blood Cells (Leukocytes)
Main function: defend the body against infections, viruses, bacteria, and any foreign cells or substances.
Important types:
Neutrophils: rapidly attack bacteria and fungi as first responders.
Lymphocytes: help recognize specific viruses and create long-term immunity (T-cells for direct attack, B-cells for antibody production).
Monocytes: swallow and destroy invaders as well as cellular debris.
Narrative relation: your internal biotechnological cells function like white blood cells, detecting "invaders" (internal quirks) and neutralizing them automatically to protect the host.
3️⃣ Platelets (Thrombocytes)
Main function: blood clotting and repair of blood vessels to prevent excessive bleeding.
How they work: if a blood vessel ruptures, they clump together to form a plug, stopping blood loss and aiding healing.
Narrative relation: although not directly linked to the biotechnological cells at present, you can use an analogy for repairing or protecting the body from damage caused by external quirks, if you decide to expand the project in the future.
🔹 Summary
Red blood cells: transport oxygen and nutrients.
White blood cells: the body's defense system, detect and combat invaders.
Platelets: repair and clotting.
Aoi listened attentively to the detailed explanation, nodding approvingly as the diagrams rotated on the screen:
—Perfect. A beautiful answer, as always. You know, my plan is to use the nanotechnology we've mastered combined with advanced biotechnology to create entirely new blood cells. These engineered cells will have Aizawa's quirk copied directly into them and then be integrated seamlessly into my own body, becoming a completely new defense system for my physiology. Just like natural blood cells destroy diseases and pathogens, these will destroy any quirks that try to invade my body—like Star and Stripe's New Order, Eri's Rewind, or All For One's theft ability. The only downside is that, since it will be an internal defense system operating at the cellular level, they won't protect me from external attacks like Bakugou's explosions or Shoto's ice or Izuku's super strength punches. And since they will be fully part of my immune system, I can't actively use them to erase quirks externally like the professor does. They will only be active internally, responding automatically like normal blood cells.
Morgana said, processing the implications:
—Sir, that's an excellent idea with brilliant potential. Despite the limitations it has compared to a perfect, direct copy, it also has its clear advantage: it will stop being just a standalone power and become an integral part of your immune system, sir always on, always protecting.
Aoi said, moving to another workstation:
—Well, we also have another parallel project: creating a ring that simulates the professor's force field effect when activated. It doesn't need to be something perfect or all-encompassing. Just enough so that when All For One tries to steal a quirk, the ring wearer can give a targeted shock to his quirk, interrupting his stealing ability long enough to escape or counter. The ring doesn't need to be capable of nullifying other quirks entirely. It just needs to have that specific anti-theft function.
Morgana said:
—I understand perfectly. You intend to give this flawed but very useful product to select heroes. That way you can help them without compromising or revealing the core technology behind it.
Aoi said with a slight chuckle:
—I'm not that altruistic if it was just that. I would wait for All For One to cause widespread panic and then sell it at a huge price to desperate buyers. No this is a gift specifically for Professor Aizawa, because it was thanks to him and his quirk that this entire technology became possible in the first place. I'm going to give three rings as thanks. He can decide what to do with them—keep one, give to others, whatever he sees fit.
Morgana said cautiously:
—Sir, even the prototype rings are still very expensive and resource-intensive to create. Are you absolutely sure about this?
Aoi said firmly:
—Yes, I am. We have to know how to be grateful to those who help us, even indirectly. It's the right thing.
Aoi then continued working on the experiments for the next 3 hours, adjusting parameters, running simulations, and refining the cellular integration models with intense focus.
Finally, Aoi lifted his tired head from the workbench, rubbing his eyes, and said:
—Well, Morgana, even with your invaluable help, it should still take at least a month to fully conclude and test the project safely. So I'm heading out for today need some rest.
Morgana said:
—I understand, sir. I'll continue monitoring the project around the clock and alert you immediately if there's any unexpected issue or breakthrough.
Aoi said:
—Well, thank you as always. I'm going home now.
Aoi then grabbed his things jacket, keys, phone—and headed out to the parking lot. He mounted his motorcycle, started the engine with a satisfying roar, and drove toward his house, the cool night air helping clear his mind from the day's intense work.
Arriving tired but content, Aoi opened the front door and immediately saw Rumi, his mother Rei, Nemuri, and Ryuko gathered in the living room, talking in serious tones that made him pause.
Aoi then said lightly, trying to break the tension:
—Hey, everyone. I'm home. Today was a tough day, you know long hours at the lab.
He then looked at his mother and added:
—Mom, the guys from class are coming to train here for the Sports Festival. No problem with that, right? I already mentioned it before.
Rei looked at her son with a soft but serious expression and said:
—Come here and sit down first. We have something important to tell you.
He then walked over and sat on the couch in front of them all, curiosity growing as he asked:
—So, what is it? You all look pretty serious.
Rumi, never one for beating around the bush, said impatiently but with a small smile creeping in:
—I don't like dragging things out, so I'll be direct. I'm pregnant. You're going to be a father.
Aoi blinked, processing the words for a second, and said:
—Well... I'm going to be a father.
Nemuri said gently, watching his reaction closely:
—Aoi, despite your age, this is something to be truly happy about—it's a blessing.
Nemuri spoke with a hint of fear that this sudden news might scare or overwhelm him—after all, he's only 17. But she couldn't even continue her sentence when Aoi suddenly stood up and went straight over to Rumi.
Aoi gently touched Rumi's belly with wide eyes full of wonder and started rambling excitedly:
—How many months? No, wait. We have to buy baby clothes right away. No, wait. We have to find out the gender first. No, wait. Rumi has to stop her hero activities for a while can't risk anything.
Rumi, seeing him in full overprotective mode already, gave him a light punch on the head and said smiling widely:
—Calm down, you idiot! It's only one month along. I just found out now literally today.
Rei said, sighing with a mix of amusement and relief:
—This girl thought her nausea was from eating street food again.
Rumi protested playfully:
—But it's not my fault! After getting used to Aoi's cooking all the time, street food always seems bad now. So it wouldn't be surprising to feel sick from it who knew it was something else?
Aoi said firmly, his hand still on her belly:
—Well, leave it all to me, Rumi. I'll take care of you—every step of the way.
Rumi said, smiling softly now, her usual tough exterior melting a bit:
—Well, I don't think this is so bad now that it's sinking in. With this condition, the only bad thing is that I'll have to stop my hero work for a while—no more patrols or fights.
Aoi said seriously:
—Well, you can't keep fighting like a maniac while pregnant, right? Safety first for both of you.
Nemuri said supportively:
—Aoi's right. You can't keep fighting now it's too risky.
Ryuko said reassuringly:
—She knows that already. She's not crazy enough to fight and put her child in danger, right, Rumi?
Rumi said confidently:
—I love fighting more than anything, but I'm not crazy either. The little one comes first.
Aoi said, relaxing a bit with a grin:
—Well, that's settled then. Now let's eat I'm starving after today.