Chapter 84: Want to Go a Round?
Above the villa area, a petite figure was floating in a crouching position, chin resting on her palm.
Her dress was slightly wrinkled, the slit of the skirt covering the most private areas; the contrast between the ink-black fabric and her fair skin was quite eye-catching.
"Why did I end up at this Ice Cube Bastard's place..." Tatsumaki muttered with a hint of annoyance.
This annoyance was directed at her own subconscious behavior.
Just because she was a bit conflicted after being persuaded by Fubuki, she had actually run over to find Aokiji, wanting to hear his advice.
Doesn't this mean she's relying on this guy?!
Realizing this fact...
...made Tatsumaki, who had always only trusted her own power, very uncomfortable.
She whispered to herself, as if trying to convince herself:
"No, it's just, it's just... I'm just making use of that guy, I just think the methods he proposes are quite useful..."
When it came to being honest with herself, Tatsumaki might never manage it in this lifetime.
After a bit of self-persuasion, Tatsumaki regained her usual confidence and arrogance, gracefully descending toward the ground.
She originally intended to land directly in the villa's backyard, but the nearby mountain suddenly opened up, revealing a massive passage.
Tatsumaki shifted her gaze toward it.
This wasn't here before.
Did Aokiji make this too?
Tatsumaki didn't care at all if this strange thing held any traps or dangers; after all, nothing could pose a threat to her.
So, she calmly flew inside with her arms crossed.
The space was larger than she had anticipated, almost like a giant's underground castle.
She flew to what appeared to be a common area.
There were many passages leading to other areas around it.
Aokiji was there waiting for her.
"My base was just finished today, and you're already here for a visit?"
The conversation with Fubuki needed to be kept a secret.
Aokiji asked, pretending not to know why she was there.
"Hmph! A secret base or whatever, you're too childish." Tatsumaki landed and mocked him unceremoniously.
"You're just like an elementary school student."
"An elementary school student..." Aokiji repeated the words, looking her up and down.
"Indeed, very similar."
"I'm talking about you, you bastard!"
Tatsumaki retorted exasperatedly.
Feeling his gaze sweep over her body, she uncomfortably shifted her posture, her arrogant arm-crossing turning into a slightly wary protective stance over her chest.
Aokiji was quite puzzled by her reaction:
"Is there any need to cover up? I've already seen the uncensored version."
"Shut up!!" Tatsumaki shouted, her face flushing red.
She glared at Aokiji in shame and anger.
Then.
She seemed to have thought of a comeback.
Tatsumaki put on an arrogant, mocking smile again and said:
"I'm so sorry for looking like an elementary school student~ Then anyone who can feel lust for me in this state must be a super perverted, erotic lolicon!"
Oh?
She's made some progress, learning how to use a strategic retreat as an advance.
It seems her train... teaching is actually somewhat useful.
However, one must know the limits of a strategic retreat, otherwise, one might retreat until there's no way back.
Aokiji walked toward her slowly.
The two of them were extremely close, their body heat transferring through their thin clothing.
Tatsumaki couldn't figure out his move and was a bit flustered, but she still stubbornly tilted her head up to stare at Aokiji.
Her eyes were cold and sharp.
Yet her earlobes were tinged with a translucent crimson.
Aokiji lowered his head and said with a lazy smile:
"Oh? To think there's such a pervert out there, how terrifying."
"You definitely wouldn't want that kind of person around you, right? Then let's test me to prove I'm innocent."
Innocent my ass!
And a test... Do you think I don't know what kind of "test" you're talking about?!
Tatsumaki retreated repeatedly in shame and anger, but this annoying bastard in front of her followed her step by step.
"Get lost! The perverted erotic maniac I'm talking about is you!!"
Tatsumaki raised her hand to block him.
Her palm pressed against his well-defined, chocolate-bar-like abdominal muscles.
"Really? I don't have any recollection of that at all." Aokiji tilted his head in confusion.
"Then let's prove it, let's do a test."
"Shut up, shut up, shut up!!"
Psychic Power swirled around her, and her curly green hair moved without any wind.
Tatsumaki was flushed red all over.
Even though it had already happened... twice, she still had this reaction; one can only say that being a tsundere is an instinctive nature that can't be overcome.
She almost couldn't help but explode, but fortunately, Tatsumaki finally remembered the purpose of this trip.
She floated up and said through gritted teeth:
"Fine, you pervert, I'm not talking about this with you... Anyway, I have something to ask you!"
Aokiji shrugged: "Go ahead, it's not like anyone's stopping you."
As soon as he said this, Tatsumaki stared at him suspiciously.
She always felt like this pervert was implying something.
"Hmph!" Tatsumaki crossed her arms again, her small chest puffing out slightly.
"It's about Fubuki running out that night..."
She began to explain bit by bit what Aokiji already knew.
Her expression became more and more conflicted, her delicate little face scrunched up.
"...And finally today, Fubuki talked to me again about using the Tsukuyomi technology."
"I... actually think what she said this time makes some sense?!"
Wiping out the enemy and then squandering the legacy they left behind didn't seem wrong.
But remembering what that guy said at the end, wanting the technology they researched to be preserved, made Tatsumaki very unhappy.
It's like when a person has already decided to do something, like cleaning up.
But as soon as someone speaks up at that moment and reminds them, "Don't forget to sweep the floor"...
...an inexplicable resistance arises in the heart.
It feels as if one's actions are being arranged by someone else, and even if they do it, the credit goes to the other person.
"Now that the technology is in your hands, what do you think is best to do?" Tatsumaki asked.
"Then let Fubuki use it."
"But," Tatsumaki frowned, "I'm really annoyed!"
"Then don't use it."
"...But Fubuki has a point. Why should we discard our spoils of war just because of something someone else said?"
"Then use it."
"Hey, you!" A vein popped on Tatsumaki's forehead.
"Can't you have some of your own opinions! I didn't come here to listen to you be a fence-sitter!"
Aokiji spread his hands and said:
"I'm fine with either, the final decision depends on your own thoughts."
"Are you an idiot! I'm asking you because I'm conflicted!"
Tatsumaki flew closer and, in her irritation, kicked him with her low-heeled shoe.
He reached out to intercept.
Aokiji grabbed her slender ankle.
"Since you're conflicted about the second option, doesn't that prove you've already made a choice, but just don't have enough reasons to convince yourself?"
"Why do I need so many reasons? This isn't a detective movie where everything needs to be listed clearly."
"...I get it now." Tatsumaki exhaled through gritted teeth, "Let go of my foot first! You pervert!"
A warm heat transferred from his palm, and the sensation of her ankle being firmly held made her recall certain shameful... It is said that the differences between men and women are also reflected in their memories.
When recalling a memory...
...men only remember what happened and what emotions they felt.
Similar to a text note in a diary: "Tuesday, I was very angry today."
After remembering it, they don't produce much emotion.
But for women's memories...
...the emotions from that time reappear along with the memory.
In simple terms, when recalling something that made them angry, the anger from that time will completely rise up again.
It's like data; it's the same when it's retrieved as it was when it was recorded.
Tatsumaki was currently experiencing exactly this.
The thoughts and emotions she felt while doing certain things flooded back into her heart with clarity.
Aokiji let go.
She immediately pulled her leg back, her Psychic Power surging.
"I know what choice to make regarding Fubuki's matter."
Tatsumaki's face was once again covered in an oppressive shadow and a slight flush.
"Now, it's time to deal with you, you pervert!!"
"Is that so?" Aokiji pointed to the ground.
"There's a Training area below, which can also be used for combat."
"Want to go a round?"