The "mutual assistance" between "friends" had caused quite a few ups and downs.
First, Tatsumaki's weakness was mentioned before.
It didn't require a very powerful impact.
Just enough of a jolt to make the brain dizzy would temporarily prevent Tatsumaki from using her Psychic Powers.
After Aokiji's rigorous and thorough testing...
He found it wasn't just physical dizziness.
Even an overly intense stimulus could cause Tatsumaki's mind to go blank, making her temporarily unable to use her Psychic Powers.
To overcome this weakness...
As a friend, Aokiji conducted rigorous Desensitization Training for her.
Even though the training was quite arduous...
Tatsumaki begged for mercy and wanted to give up many times.
But this tiny weakness might lead to fatal consequences in the future.
Thus, the weakness-overcoming training lasted the entire night.
————
"Friends, how delicious."
Even after a full day of fighting, traveling, and training, Aokiji didn't show any signs of fatigue.
With the monstrous stamina of two top-tier powerhouses stacked together...
Aokiji didn't even know how many days and nights he could fight continuously.
Aokiji sighed inwardly; just maintaining a "friendship" had cost a whole night's time and energy.
If that time were spent on cultivation...
Perhaps he could have developed more Moves that fused the two templates.
If the relationship progressed further, the time spent on trivial matters would only increase.
The current relationship was just fine.
After cleaning up the traces...
Aokiji prepared some suitable food.
He brought it over to Tatsumaki, who was staring blankly at the ceiling.
"Get some rest. I still have some business from yesterday to wrap up, so I'm leaving first."
After saying that, Aokiji left.
Her vacant eyes gradually regained focus.
Tatsumaki slowly grabbed the quilt and pulled it over her head.
How did it turn into this?
Didn't she just want to provoke Aokiji into saying "I like you"?
Instead, she was the one provoked into shouting so much... Her hand gripping the quilt tightened, and visible wrinkles appeared on the outside.
Although it was all done with her consent...
It still felt wrong... whatever.
It was impossible for her to be the first to say she liked him.
In the future, she would definitely make Aokiji say it first.
Then she would reluctantly accept it!
Exhausted, Tatsumaki's thoughts wandered as she drifted into a deep sleep.
—House of Evolution—
In mid-air, Aokiji transformed from an Azure Dragon back into human form.
Flame Clouds that hadn't fully dissipated floated around him.
Just as he landed...
An afterimage swiftly attacked!
Slap—
Aokiji grabbed Mosquito Girl's face with one hand.
He lifted her up into the air and asked:
"What are you trying to do?"
"Ow, ow, ow—I didn't realize it was you, Lord Aokiji!"
Mosquito Girl placed both hands on the large hand gripping her cheek and begged for mercy.
The pressure relaxed, and Mosquito Girl slumped to the ground.
She rubbed her sore face and said resentfully:
"I only came out of the Cultivation Tank last night, and then I found Genus and the others had all fainted."
"I thought an enemy had invaded, so I've been on high alert."
"Thankfully you're here now, so I don't have to worry..."
"I was the one who knocked them out."
Aokiji said concisely.
Mosquito Girl blinked her large eyes, not reacting for a moment.
Slowly, her body began to tremble.
A layer of mist gathered in her glass-red pupils.
Was Lord Aokiji going to silence the House of Evolution?!
Will I even survive...??
Startled, she hurriedly began to show off her changes:
"Lord Aokiji! Look, how are these new limbs I've replaced? They have absolutely perfect proportions! They... they look good, right?"
"Waaah, don't kill me... I'm very capable..."
Aokiji: "Don't you know what Genus did?"
He had specifically come yesterday to give Genus and the others a small punishment.
He had swept through the entire House of Evolution with Haoshoku.
Today, he was here to officially handle things.
Mosquito Girl was dazed: "What happened? I've been in hibernation these past few days to adapt to my new limbs."
Aokiji walked into the House of Evolution:
"Genus released the pests he was raising to try and attack me yesterday."
Mosquito Girl watched his back, her heart filled with panic and horror.
It's over!
She didn't know why Genus had decided to act.
But the fact that Aokiji could appear perfectly fine without any sign of weakness...
Proved that Genus's plan had failed!
Even the man himself was still unconscious in the base!
This would definitely lead to a purge... Mosquito Girl's whole body shuddered.
It's... it's fine, I wasn't involved! I'm still valuable to Lord Aokiji!
She made a decision instantly.
She didn't plan to care about the fate of Genus and the others.
Then she jogged a few steps and cautiously followed Aokiji... Genus woke up from his stupor.
Subconsciously, he reached out to feel for his glasses.
Suddenly, his movements froze.
His glasses were sitting perfectly on the bridge of his nose.
Because yesterday, he hadn't fallen asleep normally at all.
In his final memory...
That pressure which made one feel a heartfelt fear and urge to submit, causing the consciousness to collapse.
It had left an indelible shadow on his heart.
And the person who released that unreasonable pressure... was right across from him now.
"Awake." Aokiji flipped through the documents in his hand. "Did you sleep well?"
Mosquito Girl obediently handed him a cup of coffee.
Then, she sensibly stood back behind Aokiji.
Genus remained silent.
His mood was unexpectedly calm.
He adjusted his posture and sat up straight, saying:
"Mr. Aokiji, is there anything else I can do for you?"
Genus's thinking was very fast.
Since he was still alive...
It meant he still had utility value for Aokiji.
"You certainly understand 'special treatment for talent'."
Aokiji indeed had a use for keeping him.
Not just for the 'Monster farming' that the templates might need in the future.
But also the unlocking conditions for the Kaido template's progress bar required Genus's abilities.
However, things couldn't just be brushed aside so easily.
"Regarding yesterday, think of a punishment for yourself later."
"I understand." Genus gave a bitter smile.
He looked down at his own hands and feet... he could grow them back anyway.
If he chopped them off a few times, it should be satisfactory, right?
"Next is official business." Aokiji took a sip of coffee.
"Remove all the monitors, trackers, and such from the bodies of all test subjects."
"From now on, they are my subordinates."
[Current Templates: Aokiji, Kaido]
[Kaido's Will: Truth and Freedom Under Absolute Force]
[Execution: 0% (Locked)]
[Progress Bar Unlock Condition: Form a Pirate Crew of at least 10 members with Zoan-type Devil Fruit abilities]
[Ding—Detected that conditions cannot be met. Devil Fruits do not exist in the current world. Conditions have been modified.]
[Form a Pirate Crew of at least 10 members. All members must possess animal-based abilities, and there must be three executives capable of reaching dragon-level strength.]
...
[Throw some stones]