"The repairs are done very well."
Aokiji looked up, admiring the brand-new giant robot.
The sheer sense of oppression from the massive object silently but forcefully declared its presence.
Child Emperor stood beside him, his expression still sour.
As for Garou?
He had already gone back, black and blue, to vent his frustrations on his fellow disciples.
Kushang, Charanko: ?
Adjusting the size of the bracelet, Aokiji put it on his wrist.
With this bracelet, he could control the robot's disassembly, Fusion, and other operations.
Aokiji looked down at the sulking Child Emperor and said,
"It was just one free repair session. Are you angry?"
"It's not because of you," Child Emperor said gloomily. "I was ticked off by a stubborn old geezer!"
Hearing him say that,
Aokiji quickly realized who he meant.
Child Emperor was likely talking about Metal Knight.
A scientist whose real name was Bofoi.
Before he came to this world, the original plot had just reached the events concerning Bofoi.
It cleared up the many clouds of suspicion surrounding Bofoi in the past,
Completely confirming that he belonged to the side of justice.
However, like all S-Class Heroes in the future, he had some quirks that ordinary people couldn't understand.
"I ate two of your lollipops, so I'll give you one back."
Aokiji reached out his hand.
He swiped through the gentle, cool sea breeze.
The water vapor suddenly condensed into ice.
"Sea breeze-flavored popsicle, the only one of its kind in the world."
Child Emperor took it hesitantly.
Oh no, he could feel Kima-kun's intense, staring gaze.
But since this was a popsicle Aokiji had made right in front of him, it wouldn't be right to hand it over to his little friend.
Under his companion's envious eyes, Child Emperor had no choice but to take a bite of the popsicle.
Mmm, oh... it's actually not bad?
The popsicle wasn't frozen rock-hard; instead, it had a crisp, shattering icy feel, more like the texture of a sorbet.
The slightly salty flavor combined with the coldness of the ice gave a stimulating, salty-fresh clarity to the mouth.
Unlike the feeling of replenishing sugar to keep the brain active,
The thorough chill seeped into his entire body, calming his irritable thoughts.
"Feeling better now?"
Aokiji placed his hand on Child Emperor's head and ruffled his hair.
The scene looked like an older brother comforting a troubled younger brother; it was quite heartwarming.
However,
This was only if one ignored Aokiji's subsequent words.
The real situation was... "Feeling better? Then stop wearing that long face. If others see you, they'll think I can't afford to pay!"
"Continue the upgrades! All-around upgrades!"
"Upgrade this filming unit into a robot that can actually fight!"
Reciting the funding account, Aokiji placed the order.
Child Emperor was speechless.
This Mr. Aokiji... is really completely different from the heroes depicted in manga.
In a shonen manga, the scene just now
Should have definitely featured some heartwarming lines!
Entrusting the giant robot to Child Emperor,
And signing autographs for Child Emperor's friends,
Aokiji watched Kiiro's filming for a bit.
He marveled at how acting truly required an incredibly strong sense of conviction.
To be able to deliver lines and complete a performance under the gaze of so many crew members without the aid of music or special effects.
Taking advantage of a break, Aokiji greeted her.
Then, he left under the reluctant gazes of the entire film crew.
——House of Evolution——
Genus Original Body was busy arranging the work for each clone.
"Number 22, Number 33... take this batch of gene-modified cockroaches for Monsterization experiments."
"Number 114, Number 514... go study the successfully monsterized cockroaches and analyze the eggs they've laid."
"Number 100, Number 86..." Genus Original Body said in a serious, low voice.
"Join the Asura Rhino Beetle's laboratory and speed up its birth!"
The two clones nodded and walked toward the deepest part of the facility.
Genus took off his glasses and massaged his brow.
He was indeed following Aokiji's request to research mass Monsterization.
But the thought of rebelling had never disappeared.
Once the ultimate form of artificial evolution he envisioned—the Asura Rhino Beetle—was fully born and could be mass-produced,
He would launch his rebellion against Aokiji!
And let this 'New Humanity' he believed in completely wipe out existing humans and take over the Earth.
Genus had specifically renovated the deepest space completely.
He strove to ensure it wouldn't be detected by Aokiji's ridiculous sensory abilities.
"Original Body, what about us?"
Three clones wearing clothes with numerical labels stood to the side, waiting for their assignments.
Genus put his glasses back on.
He looked at them and pondered,
"Number 69, Number 78, Number 91, you three..."
Beep-woo—Beep-woo—
A unique notification sound rang out.
And when this specifically set special notification sounded, it meant... "Mr. Aokiji is here! You go receive him first!"
Genus hurriedly sent a notification into the Asura Rhino Beetle's laboratory.
He ordered the clones there to suspend their work.
They were to move into other research groups and hide.
The three clones looked at each other.
"I'll go receive him first."
"Then I'll go prepare some refreshments."
"Based on previous analysis, Mr. Aokiji seems to have a mischievous streak for pranking people. I'll go get Mosquito Girl to serve tea."
After a brief discussion, they clearly divided the tasks.
The three clones dispersed.
"It's you again, Number 91."
Aokiji sat relaxed in the reception room.
He greeted the clone who came forward with a face full of enthusiastic smiles.
"It is my honor to receive you again. Please wait a moment; the Original Body is still conducting the experiment you requested and will be here shortly."
"I see, hard work, hard work."
Aokiji spoke politely.
While using Observation Haki to silently observe as the presences of numerous clones dispersed from the deepest room.
And inside that room, a powerful presence was constantly brewing.
You're being dishonest, Genus.
Aokiji tossed a cream puff brought by another clone into his mouth.
Outside the reception room,
Faint voices of conversation could be heard.
"Do I... do I really have to go? And I have to dress like... like this?"
"It's just serving tea, what are you afraid of? Besides, didn't you buy these clothes yourself?"
"I bought them for myself to wear!"
"It doesn't matter. Do you really think that person hasn't noticed us? Just go in."
"Whimper—"
Mosquito Girl walked in with her head down, carrying a tea set.
The translucent wings on her back trembled slightly.
On her slender and graceful body, she was actually wearing a classic black and white maid outfit!
"Lord Aokiji... I've come to serve tea..."
It was obvious she had purchased a long skirt style.
Yet on her excessively tall frame, it was forced into the effect of a mini-skirt.
"Number 91, the numbers for you three really weren't chosen wrong at all."
"Uh, um, thank you for the compliment, Mr. Aokiji...?"
Genus's actual age and mental age were both that of a grandfather.
All the clones were the same.
Number 91 completely failed to understand Aokiji's meaning and could only try to guess and offer thanks.
"You really think I'm complimenting you."
Aokiji looked speechlessly at the constrained Mosquito Girl in the maid outfit.
What kind of impression did he leave on Genus exactly?
"If it's inconvenient to move, then take off this outfit and change..."
"Eek—!!" Before he could even finish, Mosquito Girl started crying out in fear.
"Lo-Lord Aokiji! Although I've fused with female genes! B-But... oh, please be gentle..."
Number 91 leaned his head over and said,
"Mr. Aokiji, should I excuse myself first?"
Aokiji: "..."
"Ice Age—!!"
"Cool your heads down first!"
...
(Throw some stones)