Chapter 152: Yet Another New Template
"Every living being possesses its own limiter. Some individuals, through effort and talent, may reach their limits and perhaps have a chance to break through the shackles of the limiter, ushering in a transformation."
Aokiji gave a simple explanation.
Genus pondered, then slowly nodded.
"I can understand the concept you've proposed. Allow me to ask one more thing: have you already broken through your limiter?"
"That's right, purely through talent and effort."
Aokiji picked up a new history book.
He generously admitted to the other's guess.
"However, after breaking through, a new upper limit forms. Once you reach that, you have to keep trying to break through again."
A situation like Saitama's, where the limiter ceases to exist after his Breakthrough, is absolutely unique.
Aokiji began flipping through the new history book.
"You can take this as your main research focus from now on."
"It is indeed a very interesting subject." Genus adjusted his glasses and lowered his head in thought.
The discussion thus ended.
Genus became immersed in contemplating research on the limiter hypothesis.
Aokiji kept rapidly flipping through the books, scanning this world's history bit by bit.
The progress bar rapidly increased.
Such is history. A person's eventful, magnificent life spanning decades might be summarized in just a few short lines in later records.
Every page turned represents countless rises and falls.
Every time a book was changed was like starting a story with different details but largely the same overall plot.
[91%...98%...99%...100%!]
[Progress Bar Completed]
[Drawing Next Character Template]
"I'm finished reading. You think slowly about the limiter research. If you need Monster test subjects, just tell me."
Aokiji emerged from the small mountain of books.
The commotion startled Genus, who was lost in thought.
He hurriedly stood up as well, accompanying Aokiji all the way out of the House of Evolution.
Only when Aokiji's figure vanished in an instant...
Did Genus mutter to himself:
"The limiter... it's truly a very challenging subject."
Interest ignited in the depths of his eyes.
Returning inside the Research Institute, he began planning the research tasks... [Acquired New Character Template: Dracule Mihawk]
[The Will Mihawk Embodies: Pursuing the Pure Pinnacle of Swordsmanship (Locked)]
[Progress Bar Unlock Condition: Possess an opponent whose goal in swordsmanship is to surpass you]
Aokiji paused, floating high in the sky.
He closed his eyes, familiarizing himself with the two newly superimposed templates.
Numerous arms sprouted from his back, reminiscent of the Hundred-Armed Giants of myth.
Some arms clenched their fists, with black-red Haki and lightning flickering.
Some arms manifested green scales, holding the Hassaikai(Kanabo) high, tensed and gathering strength.
Some arms pressed their palms together, with white, faintly glowing bubbles compressing the air.
And... ice rapidly condensed and formed, taking the shape of a massive Cross-Shaped Longsword, gently held by several of the arms.
The swordsmanship granted by the template was being reviewed repeatedly in his mind.
"He really doesn't name his Moves, huh."
As Aokiji murmured softly, the several arms behind him holding the Cross-Shaped Longsword casually swung it down.
Swoosh————!!!
A massive, sharp, terrifying Flying Slash tore through the sky!
Like cutting through a cream cake.
The boundless sea of clouds was instantly split into several enormous cloud layers!
The cut, extending to the horizon, was incredibly smooth!
Even the ceaseless air currents were severed and brought to a standstill, unable to resist!
For a moment, the high heavens fell silent!
"Hmm, it's different from the violent aesthetics of playing with a club."
Hawkeye's swordsmanship possessed a kind of transcendent, free-spirited handsomeness.
Truly worthy of being the World's Greatest Swordsman.
"An opponent in swordsmanship... that one should be easy to find." Aokiji gazed at the strange sight of the split sky.
In this world, when it comes to swordsmanship, the first person one thinks of is undoubtedly Atomic Samurai.
He is also a swordsman pursuing a higher Realm in swordsmanship.
I'll go back and find Bang. He should know Atomic Samurai. At the very least, as the pinnacle figures in their respective fields, they should be able to get in touch.
The arms behind him all slapped down simultaneously.
Activating the Paw-Paw Fruit's ability in sync.
Before the air could even react, Aokiji had already flown a vast distance away.
A while later, the air currents and cloud layers gradually began to flow and return to their normal state.
——————
——————
"The Master isn't here. He went out with Garou to carry out hero activities." Sour Face, wearing a hard hat, said.
Besides him, many Dojo Disciples were also helping with the Dojo reconstruction work, busily wearing hard hats.
He was so used to finding Bang directly at the Dojo that he'd almost forgotten he was also a hero who needed to carry out hero activities.
Aokiji pondered, thinking of giving Bang a call.
After all, he just needed to get in touch with Atomic Samurai.
Proposing a swordsmanship spar. The other party most likely wouldn't refuse. After that, things would proceed naturally to completion.
"Huh? Great Master Bang isn't here?"
Another voice came from behind.
Suiko stood at the rear, holding some things in her hands.
"Hmm? Great Master Aokiji, you're here too. Perfect timing..."
She pulled out an invitation and handed it to Aokiji.
Then, with energetic laughter, she said:
"My grandfather plans to open a Dojo in Z City and invites you to attend the opening ceremony. The date is set for three days from now."
"Opening a Dojo? I thought Great Master Suicho wanted to continue delving into martial arts."
Aokiji took the invitation and examined it.
He quickly noticed it was slightly different from what he had imagined.
"You noticed, right." Suiko sighed helplessly. "Grandfather insisted on making me the Dojo Master, saying it's a dowry for me or something."
"I just became an adult not long ago. The old man is really thinking far ahead." (Ahem, no need to check the age. In this book, Suiko is already an adult.)
Having grown up deep in the mountains, Suiko wasn't the least bit reserved around Aokiji, whom she'd only met once before. Instead, she complained to him with familiarity.
First, she complained about Suicho's stubbornness.
She herself wasn't sure if she could fulfill the duties of a Dojo Master properly, yet she was forcibly given the role.
Then she complained about Suiryu.
Both she and her grandfather had moved to the city to live, yet he hardly ever came home, using the excuse that hero activities kept him too busy?
It's not like she doesn't watch the news!
Aokiji had been handling a huge number of Monster incidents by himself these days, resolving them efficiently, and was all over the morning news, okay!
He even gave many heroes some rare vacation time.
Anyway, her easy familiarity made Aokiji wonder if he had somehow met her somewhere else before.
Thinking it over carefully, he confirmed this was truly only the second time they'd met, and they hadn't even spoken during their first meeting.
Aokiji couldn't help but sigh at this family's personalities.
The grandfather was stubborn, the older brother was unreliable.
And the youngest, Suiko, was just too good-natured.
"Great Master Suicho is just concerned. I think the dowry stuff is secondary. More importantly, he wants to give you a solid foundation for living in society."
Aokiji put away the invitation.
"Great Master Suicho is a bit stubborn, but it always reminds me of my own grandfather. He was pretty much an equally stubborn old man."
Suiko noticed the reminiscence in his eyes.
Recalling that all sorts of news reports never mentioned Aokiji's family.
Her voice unconsciously softened a little as she cautiously asked:
"Great Master Aokiji, your family..."
"...aren't in this world."
Aokiji shrugged, replying with a natural expression.
Suiko's heart twinged.
Then all that she just said, all her complaints about her grandfather and older brother...
To Great Master Aokiji's ears, wouldn't that be like a wealthy person complaining to a beggar about having too much money and it being too heavy to carry?!