The welding torch hissed, then went out.
Child Emperor's small, thin back stiffened noticeably. When he slowly turned around, his usually composed young face was filled with disbelief.
"King… King?!"
The next second, the proud little genius who usually strutted like a peacock suddenly had red rims around his eyes.
"What's wrong?"
Kaito walked over to Child Emperor, pulled up a stool, and sat down. He ruffled the boy's messy hair with a faintly teasing tone.
"Look at you. Don't tell me getting beaten by that Garou fellow once shattered your tough heart?"
"No way!" Child Emperor shot up, hastily wiping away his tears. His voice trembled but was full of unyielding spirit.
"That guy didn't really defeat me—it was just… just his good luck! He ambushed me when I wasn't ready. That's the only reason he could dismantle my Saitama mech!"
Kaito listened quietly as the boy spoke, gradually piecing the scene together in his mind.
Although Child Emperor's intelligence was unparalleled, he was still made of flesh and blood. His neural reaction speed simply couldn't match that of a martial arts prodigy like Garou.
"I calculated every possible outcome…" Child Emperor clenched his small fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. "But that guy's speed—it just defies logic!"
Kaito recalled an old online discussion from his previous life: If King remotely controlled Genos, could he rival Saitama?
Now, seeing Child Emperor's frustration, he was even more convinced of how absurd that question had been.
The frame rate and latency of games had limits. The speed of reality did not.
When your opponent moves so fast you don't even have time to think, even the most brilliant tactics are meaningless.
Child Emperor was facing that cruel reality firsthand.
Under the laboratory lights, Kaito noticed the boy's bloodshot eyes—he hadn't rested properly in days.
This ten-year-old carried too many burdens: alien tech research, weapons development, technical support for the Hero Association… more than any child should.
An idea suddenly took shape in Kaito's mind.
"Isamu," he said seriously, moving his hand from the boy's head to his shoulder. "Would you be willing to recognize me as your Daddy?"
Child Emperor froze. His eyes widened and his face flushed bright red.
"K-King… I mean, I don't mind you being my dad! Really! But—my mom, she…"
Words poured out in a rush, as though he feared Kaito would take it back if he didn't explain fast enough.
"She's a bit stubborn, and she really cares about what others think. Though she totally admires you—she's always talking about how handsome and amazing you are—but she'd think it's too fast! You'd have to, like, take her to dinner, watch movies, send flowers—oh! She loves purple tulips the most!"
Kaito blinked, momentarily stunned. Then he couldn't help but laugh.
This kid had completely misunderstood him!
He quickly waved his hands. "Stop, stop, stop, little genius—where are you going with this?"
Rubbing his temple, he smiled faintly. "That's not what I meant. Well… not entirely. What I mean by 'Daddy' is something else—on another level."
His tone turned serious.
"It's a kind of pact. A bond of inheritance and strength. I can guide you beyond your limits—to power that surpasses the human realm."
This was the same technique Kaito had once used to make Fubuki and Mosquita his "dependents."
But since Child Emperor was still a child, the usual ritual wouldn't do. Instead, he'd take him in as an adopted son.
Child Emperor's eyes lit up as he grasped the concept instantly.
"You mean… a lifeform evolution?"
"Exactly." Kaito nodded. "Your mind will remain your greatest weapon, but your body will transcend human limits. Your reflexes, stamina, recovery—they'll all evolve."
The boy fell silent for a long moment, then clenched his fists tightly.
"Humans have limits… and I want to surpass mine! King—I don't want to be human anymore!"
He dropped to his knees, ready to perform a solemn three-bow, nine-kowtow salute—but Kaito stopped him mid-motion.
"Wait!" Kaito said, half laughing, half exasperated. "We should at least ask your mom first. I don't want people thinking I'm some creepy uncle abducting minors."
Child Emperor froze, then flushed again before sprinting out of the lab.
Moments later, the click-clack of high heels echoed down the corridor.
Chishima Saori stepped in, her cheeks tinged pink.
"Mr. King…" Her voice was softer than usual. "Yuu said you… want to be his father?"
The beautiful woman's gaze wavered, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her skirt.
Her long lashes trembled, and for a moment, she looked ten years younger—nothing like the mother of a ten-year-old prodigy.
Kaito pressed a hand to his forehead.
This mother and son really did think alike.
"Ms. Saori, you've misunderstood," he said with a patient smile, before calmly explaining the situation from beginning to end.
Saori's expression shifted—first shy, then surprised, and finally… regretful?
"Oh, so that's how it is…" she murmured softly, pouting her lips ever so slightly.
"Mom!" Child Emperor stomped his foot. "Why do you look disappointed?!"
Saori's face went bright red as she waved her hands in panic.
"N-Nothing! Mom's just… just…"
Her voice trailed off into a faint, mosquito-like buzz.
Kaito wisely chose not to comment on that.
Turning serious, he looked at Child Emperor.
"This process might involve… some unusual sensations. Are you ready?"
Child Emperor straightened his small frame and took a deep breath.
"Bring it on!"
Kaito nodded. A deep rumble echoed from his chest.
The Emperor Engine roared to life.
Instantly, the lights in the lab dimmed, and the air began to tremble.
Saori gasped, covering her mouth as crimson-gold energy enveloped her son.
Child Emperor's body floated a few inches above the floor. His hair rippled as though caught in an invisible wind, and his lab coat flapped wildly around him.
"Ah!" he cried out—not in pain, but sheer astonishment.
Tiny electric currents raced across his skin, surging into every nerve, every cell. His body thrummed with power.
He could feel the pulse of every circuit, every magnetic field, every current flowing behind the laboratory walls.
It was as if the world had opened before his eyes.
When the blinding light finally faded, Child Emperor landed softly.
The exhaustion of countless sleepless nights had vanished—replaced by pure clarity.
He flexed his hands, eyes wide with awe.
"This feeling… it's incredible!"
Saori immediately rushed over, cupping his face and scanning him in panic.
"Yuu, are you hurt? Do you feel any discomfort?"
"Not only am I not uncomfortable—" he grinned, energy crackling in his gaze, "my processing speed feels at least three times faster! And look at this—"
He picked up a heavy wrench and gently squeezed.
The solid metal warped like soft clay.
Saori gasped, eyes sparkling.
"Mr. King… that… can I… too…?"
"Mom!" Child Emperor exclaimed, mortified. "That's enough already!"
He could accept Kaito as a father figure—but having his mom become his peer? Absolutely not!
Kaito burst out laughing and rubbed the boy's head affectionately.
"Alright then, let's put that new power to use. Time to upgrade your mech. Next time, Garou won't know what hit him."
Child Emperor's eyes lit up like twin suns.
He grabbed his tools, enthusiasm overflowing—
But before he could even lift the wrench, the entire laboratory shook violently.
The floor rumbled. Instruments clattered off their stands. Warning lights flared red across the control panels.
Saori stumbled, grabbing onto Kaito's arm.
"What—what's happening?!"
Kaito's expression darkened.
He could already sense it—
A malicious, oppressive aura spreading from the heart of the Hero Association headquarters.
"...Agoni?" he muttered under his breath. "What are you doing now?"
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