Chapter 92 – The Orochi and Psykos Induction Ceremony
An… induction ceremony?
Psykos didn't even notice her glasses slipping askew.
A daze filled her mind.
Is this some kind of tactic?
Confuse the enemy first, then launch a sudden sneak attack?
No… maybe it's a metaphor.
The "organization" he mentioned might be a prison.
After all, what kind of outfit offers no salary, benefits, or leave? And how could an organization founded by heroes ever recruit Monsters…
Psykos locked eyes with Aokiji.
She saw no hostility, scrutiny, or anything of the sort in those pupils.
Aokiji was simply looking at her and Orochi, calmly waiting for an answer.
Psykos's inner convictions began to waver.
Could he… actually be serious?
Truthfully, she had only finished Training Orochi a short while ago; at this stage she had absolutely no intention of provoking heroes.
So, despite deep misgivings, Psykos hesitantly asked:
"What if we refuse to join?"
"If you refuse? Was I not blunt enough?" Aokiji raised his other hand, scratching his chin in puzzlement.
'"I'm recruiting." "Which version of the induction would you like?" I didn't mention any other options, did I?'
Psykos's face darkened.
The "Dragon" writhing around Orochi's body froze for an instant.
This guy… means joining is the only choice?
And he really is recruiting!?
Psykos drew a deep breath; the vial of red potion was already stealthily in her hand.
Her mind raced, weighing every scrap of intelligence she had on Aokiji's strength against her own side's current combat power.
At last she asked again:
"If we join your organization, what must we do? What is its goal?"
Depending on the answer, temporarily agreeing to lie low might be the sensible option.
She didn't know his objective, nor whether this organization was his personal whim or a covert plot by the Hero Association's top brass.
But as long as her bottom line wasn't crossed, the rest was irrelevant—she could endure it for now.
"No fixed objective; just obey my orders. There is one thing to note, though…"
Aokiji looked toward Orochi and said:
"Remove his brainwashing."
Only after Orochi grew far stronger would he break free of Psykos's mental control—until then he merely pretended to submit.
Right now he was still under her spell.
A subordinate loyal to another subordinate doesn't count as his own, let alone qualify as an executive.
Yet this demand…
Was precisely the line Psykos could not allow anyone to cross!
She had spent ages searching for a subject with enough potential, and had already achieved initial success.
Her plan was finally on track.
And with a single sentence he wanted to snatch away her results!?
"Orochi!!!"
Psykos sent a telepathic wave.
Orochi, instantly understanding, attacked without warning!
The antennae atop his head stabbed out in unison!
The mouths of the "Dragons" coiled around him gaped wide, spitting countless scorching rays!
A dense barrage poured forth in the blink of an eye!
"Choosing the violent version of the induction, then."
"Raimei Hakke—"
Aokiji swung the heavy Hassaikai(Kanabo) staff with one hand.
He stepped forward, whipping his body to channel the blow!
The instant the staff met the antennae and breath attacks, a thunderous explosion blossomed!
Seizing the moment, Psykos drank the potion while shielding herself from the shockwave.
The drug took effect swiftly!
Veins bulged from her brow, sweeping across her forehead as her Psychic Power surged!
Before the Blast had even faded, Orochi shot forward!
His claws clenched into fists.
The "Dragons" on his body bared their fangs as they coiled tighter!
Scorching energy gathered around his fist!
Crimson flame wrapped his hand like a gauntlet!
Orochi punched with a roar!!
Zzz—
Icy-blue ripples wrapped Aokiji's hand.
Aokiji's Ice Glove!
Combined with Aokiji's self-developed Move from the Oni Dragon Form!
He didn't use the Hassaikai(Kanabo).
An even larger dragon-claw fist smashed out!!
"Glacier·Oni Roar Hakke!!"
It sounded like the howling wind of a polar glacier.
And like the shrill roar of a berserk demon.
It shot straight for Orochi's strike!
One fist wreathed in ice-blue, the other in scarlet flame.
They collided in mid-air—!!
With their clashing fists as the dividing line
The ground split into two rays of fire and ice!
The light was nothing more than vented energy; the already-crumbling factory was obliterated and hurled aside!
With the building gone, the clash's full force finally erupted!
The deserted town seemed to face a demolition Blast of uncounted yield!
Old structures ruptured and flew under the aftershock!
Forming a vast crater of yellow earth devoid even of rubble!
Within it
Two hemispheres of ice spikes and flame stood opposed.
"Not bad—so much strength so soon after birth." Aokiji sounded appreciative.
Orochi knelt on one knee.
His right arm was gone.
At the rough stump, tendrils squirmed.
Three pairs of jet-black pupils stared at Aokiji in dread.
Had he not detonated the energy gathered within the arm, using the Blast to counter Aokiji's strike
What remained missing
Would be far more than a single arm.
As for the sacrificed limb… from the oval, bizarre core in Orochi's chest drifted an odd Qi.
The lost right arm regenerated at high speed!
Hum… the entire scene of regeneration
Unfolded exactly as Aokiji had foreseen.
Yet he had no intention of interrupting it.
After all, Orochi was slated to be an executive.
Leaving him maimed would hardly be dignified.
That fleshy core in Orochi's chest was faintly familiar to Aokiji.
It was Orochi's Regeneration Core.
In the original course of events, after Orochi's body became the god's sacrificial offering, the centipede Immortal born from it also relied on this core for regeneration.
Orochi regrew the arm.
But beyond this scene
Aokiji foresaw another twist.
"Super Psycho Graviton Wave—two-hundred-fold gravity!!"
Having weathered the shockwave, Psykos pushed her Psychic Power to her current limit!
The air around Aokiji twisted and grew heavy!
The amplified gravity field fully enveloped him.
"Orochi, now!!" Psykos urged sharply.
She didn't expect to hold Aokiji for long—
"After getting used to Tatsumaki's pressure, this feels like a warm shower."
Aokiji strolled out of the amplified gravity as if unconcerned.
—Yet it should have had some effect!
Psykos's face was a mixture of shock and dismay.