Chapter 151: The Fastest Unlocked Template
When it comes to the ability to instantly annihilate large numbers of grunts.
The Ice-Ice Fruit surpasses even Conqueror's Haki.
Its coverage is measured in tens of kilometers, and that was back when Aokiji had just obtained the aokiji template.
Now, its low temperature, hardness, coverage area, and speed have far surpassed the original version.
"Ice Age——"
[Progress bar completed]
[Drawing next character template]
"Mr. Aokiji, are you satisfied?" Genus cautiously inquired from behind.
The Training plan had been stalled for so long; he thought Mr. Aokiji's hobby of killing Monsters for fun had been cured.
Could it be that even the recent pursuit of high-ranking social figures couldn't satisfy him, and he could only find fulfillment from Monsters?
"Sufficient." Aokiji looked back at Genus, who was trembling slightly from the low temperature.
"Speaking of which, you've been helping me all this time, and I haven't paid you any reward. Is there anything you need for your research?"
"Thank you for your kindness, but I haven't encountered any difficulties yet," Genus said tactfully.
After so long, suddenly offering a reward.
It was hard for him not to suspect there was some deeper meaning behind it. Better to refuse for now and observe the reaction.
However, Aokiji showed no particular reaction, as if he had truly just mentioned it casually.
"Alright, let me know if you need anything."
With that, Aokiji looked at the refreshed progress bar.
[Obtained new character template: Nico Robin]
[Robin's upheld will: To seek and know the complete history of the world (Unlocked)]
[Progress bar unlock condition: Have companions who can accept you (Achieved)]
This was the first time a progress bar had unlocked this quickly.
Aokiji stared at the progress bar section.
It might also be the fastest one to fill up.
"Genus, does the Research Institute have any books or electronic materials that record history?"
"Yes, which period's records do you need?"
"All of them."
Aokiji, familiar with the route, headed towards the Reception Room.
"Bring all the books and materials that record history here."
"...Understood."
Genus followed the instructions, mobilizing the clones to act.
Wanting to understand all of history was far more normal than killing Monsters for fun.
After a short while.
Aokiji began flipping through history books in the Reception Room.
His elbow rested on the arm of the sofa, his fist propping up his cheek, the book placed on his lap, while his other hand rapidly turned the pages.
It was a kind of cursory reading.
Just aiming to let the text pass before his eyes.
The progress bar surged rapidly.
The history of this world could broadly be divided into two parts.
First, the current Unified Government, a human society with only one nation.
Second, the past, when there were still many countries on Earth.
They fought over land and resources, triggering multiple world wars. A series of conflicts led to a massive reduction in population.
To prioritize preserving future generations and ensure the continuation of the human race, humanity unified its language and established a single government.
Due to the impact of the multiple world wars.
The natural environment was poisoned, drastic climate changes caused sea levels to rise, and harmful organisms proliferated.
Forcing humanity to abandon other lands and all migrate to this Super-Large Continent.
These historical changes that affected the entire world's structure were recorded even in elementary school student textbooks. What Aokiji focused on were the specific historical events within this grand narrative.
Genus did not leave.
He sat quietly on the sofa beside Aokiji.
From time to time, he had clones bring tea or snacks, placing them on the tea table, serving Aokiji well while ensuring quietness.
Aokiji picked up a new book and asked as if making casual conversation:
"Genus, is your ideal still in progress?"
"Ideal? You mean..."
"To have artificially evolved new humans replace existing humanity, completing the evolution of the human species." Aokiji's gaze didn't leave the book as he calmly stated his ideal.
"It was Armored Gorilla and the others who told you, right?" Genus smiled bitterly.
These creations of his experiments had apparently completely defected.
He composed himself, not intending to explain, and spoke truthfully:
"To be honest, after that failed attempt to have Carnage Kabuto attack you, my thoughts, this ideal, began to waver somewhat."
"Later, you continuously displayed incredible speed in developing new Psychic Powers and exaggerated growth in strength. This ideal has basically been abandoned."
Genus took a sip of tea.
As if relieved, yet with a hint of helplessness, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
"With you here, there's no possibility of realizing this idea."
"Is that so? Indeed, that's correct."
Aokiji turned a page.
"After all, while we were chatting, I developed yet another new Psychic Power."
The surrounding clones looked at the top of Genus's head in surprise.
Genus was puzzled in his heart.
He looked towards the wall window.
The glass reflection vaguely showed an image.
On his head, two pairs of hands making peace signs, like rabbit ears.
Genus's emotions surged. Shocked, he couldn't help but reach out to touch them, but his hand passed through nothing.
"I don't want to hold hands with a man."
Withdrawing the hands created by the Flower-Flower Fruit, Aokiji said leisurely.
Genus couldn't help but ponder the uses of this new ability and its potential upper limit.
The Reception Room fell silent again.
Only the sporadic sound of pages turning remained.
Just as Genus thought the conversation had ended, Aokiji spoke again:
"The original intention of your ideal wasn't for such a grand and vague goal as [Human Evolution], was it?"
"...Mr. Aokiji, what do you mean by that?"
"Based on Carnage Kabuto, it's clear. As the final product of artificial evolution, the power on him doesn't seem to be the focus of the creation research."
"Instead, intelligence seems to be the theme the creator wanted to bestow upon this product at its birth."
"That's why you were disappointed and called it a failure when the Ashura personality collapsed and was dominated by brutal instinct."
Aokiji finally shifted his gaze from the book.
He calmly looked at Genus, whose expression was slightly stiff.
"Ordinary people are no different from monkeys in your eyes; you can't communicate effectively with them, nor can you resonate with them."
"No matter how much of a Genius you are, you're still human, a highly social creature dependent on groups."
"Promoting human artificial evolution was just your desire to have peers."
"Am I right?"
Genus lowered his head in silence.
In the Reception Room, the clones also maintained the same silence, quietly watching their original and Aokiji.
As clones, they too knew the original's thoughts.
Their birth wasn't just to better assist the original in research.
It was also for a bored and lonely person to talk to himself, to vent his emotions.
"Mr. Aokiji, you are correct."
Genus slowly nodded, admitting it.
With the rustling sound of pages turning, Aokiji immersed himself in the history books again, as if the previous conversation was just idle chit-chat.
"We can't be considered peers, but we both belong to the category of outsiders. You feel alienated from this world due to extraordinary intelligence, while I... for other reasons."
Hearing this, Genus looked at Aokiji, immersed in the books, in surprise.
The S-Class Rank 1 hero actually felt alienated from society too? Because of overwhelmingly powerful force?
"This is truly... the first time I've heard of such a thing."
Since Mr. Aokiji didn't explicitly state the reason, Genus naturally wouldn't inquire further.
Yet, his mood inexplicably relaxed a bit.
From the initial enemy, to a collaborator coerced by force.
Until now, outsiders with different reasons but the same feeling.
As their relationship continuously changed, Genus's attitude towards Aokiji in his heart also underwent some shifts.
Beyond vigilance.
There emerged a bit of... mutual sympathy, like between patients.
"Your ideal truly cannot be realized. Even without me, there would be other insurmountably strong individuals."
Aokiji closed the book he had finished reading.
He looked at Genus again.
"I have a new research topic. Perhaps you can take it as a future goal for your research."
"Do you know about [limiters]?"
Aokiji asked this future proponent of the limiter theory.