"Just like a level-clearing game, one guy after another keeps popping up."
"In comparison, Monsters seem almost cute."
"Monsters just need to be beaten to death, but dealing with human organizations requires much more consideration."
Aokiji crossed his arms, waiting for the people from Tsukuyomi to fly over.
The other three were also waiting nearby.
"By the way, Flash, why are you staying behind?" Aokiji asked him.
"I've been harassed by guys from the underworld all these years. Recently, I've been dealing with them one by one. Dealing with one more is no big deal," Flash responded.
Bang thumped his slightly aching old back and joined the conversation:
"Young man Flash, are you a swordsman?"
"I am a Ninja. This is my beloved blade, shunsatsumaru."
"A Ninja, huh? That's quite a rare profession."
Watchdog Man opened his mouth and yawned,
Then looked at the strange ice sculpture on the volcano:
"Aokiji, is frozen lava edible?"
"Lava turns back into rock once it cools down, but I'm also a bit curious about what it tastes like."
It was a completely relaxed atmosphere, like a social gathering.
Not a single person showed any wariness toward the incoming enemies.
The old man inside the ice block silently closed his eyes.
Did you guys from Tsukuyomi see that? These people don't take you seriously at all.
To be honest, I don't have much confidence in you either.
Just let it end quickly.
It's too cold inside this ice block!
As if answering his heart's cry, four figures landed in unison.
They had almost identical faces, with four black stars connected on their foreheads, and they wore distorted, unnatural smiles.
Some strange-looking machines floated around them.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Aokiji. We sincerely invite you to join our organization."
One of them spoke first, his tone quite polite.
Another one picked up the conversation naturally.
"For the future of humanity, a powerful and rare Esper like you should join us to research power sufficient to bring true peace to the world."
"The great power you possess to stop natural disasters should not be selfishly kept to yourself."
While Aokiji, the person involved, hadn't reacted yet,
Flash's expression changed slightly, and a hint of wariness arose.
These guys clearly feel weak, and the energy fluctuations on them aren't remarkable. Why are they so confident?
The power that froze an erupting volcano even made me feel startled.
Could these small fry be hiding their true strength?
"Mr. Aokiji, what are your intentions?"
"I only accept direct hiring from the BOSS."
"...Huh?"
All four members of Tsukuyomi were equally confused.
Seeing that they didn't understand, Aokiji explained:
"Meaning you errand boys aren't qualified. Have your leader come and see me face-to-face."
The smiles on their faces became even more distorted.
Esper power fluctuated within them, and the floating machines were scattered and planted into the ground.
"You just want to trick our leader into coming out, don't you?"
"Since you lack the resolve, we'll have to help you. This is a necessary struggle for peace."
The machines placed around the area started up.
The 'wave' that Aokiji had previously felt from the firearms held by the assassins
Was now surging even more powerfully in the field!
"We have been modified and are unaffected, but you must be feeling very uncomfortable right now, right?"
"This is a wave discovered by our organization through years of research that can effectively suppress an Esper's Mental Energy. Even if the manifestations of Esper powers differ, their essence is interconnected..."
He spoke softer and softer until he fell completely silent.
He looked blankly at Aokiji, who showed no reaction.
Aokiji tilted his head and smiled:
"Keep introducing it. I'm quite curious."
Tsukuyomi was an organization that Aokiji had seen very little information about in the plot.
Currently, he only knew
That they were the organization that had imprisoned and researched Tatsumaki when she was a child.
They had also created Artificial Espers.
For what specific purpose,
And what research they had conducted,
These had not yet been mentioned in the original work.
Aokiji was also somewhat interested:
"Don't just stand there like idiots. Hurry up and tell me whatever intel you have. I like cooperative people like you."
The Artificial Espers: "..."
"We underestimated your potential. We didn't expect this Rank of..."
Before he could finish,
The Artificial Espers launched a sneak attack simultaneously!
They raised their arms, pointing their index and middle fingers together at Aokiji.
Veins bulged, the star patterns on their foreheads glowed with an eerie light, and their Esper powers were instantly pushed to the limit!
The Esper powers of the four seemed to be one,
Their Psychokinesis Fusion converged and enveloped Aokiji!
"Go!!"
The leading Artificial Esper shouted,
Intending to control Aokiji and fly away.
"So this is what it feels like. It's a bit like being buried in sand."
After Aokiji felt it carefully.
Armament Haki erupted!!
Just like the three Admirals joining forces to release Haki to block Whitebeard's shockwave attack.
This was an Advanced application of Armament Haki!
The condensed Esper power was instantly shattered!
Aokiji, who had only risen a few centimeters, fell back to the ground.
Bang and the others never moved.
Because they didn't think for a second that Aokiji would be defeated by these guys.
Flash finally realized it too.
So these people really were just purely overconfident!
The shattering of their Esper power caused a backlash, making them groan.
The leading Artificial Esper seemed to be talking to himself:
"Besides ice-type Esper powers, he also possesses another peculiar ability that easily broke through our Fusion Psychokinesis."
"What are you mumbling about?"
Aokiji flickered over and easily restrained them.
He didn't find any communicators or anything like that on them.
Was he really just talking to himself?
Or was it some strange method of communication?
While Aokiji was thinking,
The leading man suddenly spoke:
"Aokiji, you truly are a subject very much worth researching."
His tone was cold and devoid of warmth.
Completely different from his performance just now.
Aokiji didn't even need to think much to realize.
"So, you are the leader of Tsukuyomi, and you've taken over this person's body now, right?"
"That's correct."
'He' was entirely frozen in a block of ice, with only an expressionless head sticking out, looking somewhat comical.
However, 'he' didn't care at all.
He continued to speak in a cold tone:
"Your Esper power seems to be a brand-new mutation. Perhaps it can help my research be completed faster."
"According to your request, I am personally inviting you to participate in this great cause of saving humanity."
"Sounds nice," Aokiji nodded repeatedly.
"The goal is high-end, with a great sense of mission. It's also quite reasonable for a hero's ultimate goal to be saving humanity..."
"Daga Kotowaru!"
It was that same old saying.
Villains who want to destroy the world aren't scary.
It's the villains who want to save the world and save humanity that are truly terrifying.
No one knows how their brains work.
Maybe they'll decide to slaughter half of all life to conserve resources.
"Is that so? I understand."
There was no anger at being rejected; he remained calm.
"In that case, let's return to the most primitive and efficient solution."
"Since your actions exceeded expectations, many things prepared for you couldn't be transferred in time. We could only have these few bring the most portable suppression machines first."
"Calculating the time, the other things should be about..."
Thud—
A giant ball of twisted metal mixed with flesh smashed into the ground.
"Are you talking about these pieces of trash?"
The voice was youthful and cute, with a haughty and cold tone.
The newcomer floated in mid-air, arms crossed over her chest.
A fluorescent green Esper power enveloped her whole body. Her curly short hair and the split hem of her dress fluttered wildly. The deep black dress contrasted with her fair skin. Her figure was petite yet had a slight, soft fleshiness, and her clothes were so form-fitting they outlined the curve of her lower abdomen.
Her perfectly proportioned, smooth legs were slender yet shapely, balanced and flawless.
...
(Throw some stones)