Before the demonstration of King was even finished, Usopp couldn't help but slam his hand down on King's name.
Genrou could only watch as it happened.
In this Heroic Spirit Space, while he could explain the power of each Heroic Spirit to the others, he couldn't interfere with their final decision.
At that moment, Genrou regretted not explaining King's details to Usopp earlier.
Maybe then, he wouldn't have picked King.
[Ding! Usopp has made his choice and obtained the King template. King's initial skills unlocked. Additional Heroic Spirit template skills can be gained through training and growth.]
[Note: Using a Devil Fruit on a crewmate can accelerate Heroic Spirit skill mastery and even unlock Ultimate Skills!]
[Congratulations to the Host for acquiring both the King and Robin Hood templates, and unlocking all associated skills.]
[Note: Host can comprehend all Heroic Spirit template skills, but actual usability depends on personal strength.]
[Ding! Heroic Spirit King detected as too weak. Initiating emergency revision!]
[Revising… Revision complete!]
[Heroic Spirit: King]
Skill 1: Teiou Engine (Emperor Engine) – Heartbeat becomes a thunderous drum, generating fear in enemies. Upon awakening, may evolve into Haoshoku Haki (Conqueror's Haki).
Skill 2: U-Turn Sprint B-Key Escape – King-style ultimate escape move. Increases movement speed when fleeing.
Ultimate Skill: Purgatory Supreme Explosive Heat Cannon – Massive energy blast fired from both hands. Devastating destructive power.
'What the hell?!'
'The Emperor Engine can evolve into Haoshoku Haki? Does that mean Usopp might awaken Conqueror's Haki one day?'
'But I already have Haoshoku... so this part's useless to me?'
'And what the hell is B-Key Escape?'
'That last move—Purgatory Supreme Explosive Heat Cannon—wasn't that something the people in One Punch Man made up about King?!'
'So… his imaginary moves got turned into Noble Phantasms?'
Genrou's eyes bulged. The system's sudden updates were a bit too much to take in all at once.
But then again, in the world of Type-Moon, it wasn't uncommon for Heroic Spirits to wield Noble Phantasms created from rumors or belief.
'Still… no Saitama summon as an Ultimate? Guess the system was afraid I'd break the world if that were allowed.'
Genrou shook his head, turning to look at Usopp. At once, the details of Usopp's Heroic Spirit template became visible to him.
'So far he's only unlocked Emperor Engine and B-Key Escape. Nothing else.'
'To make him battle-ready, I'll have to either power him up with a Devil Fruit, or wait for him to train.'
His thoughts drifted to the Bubble-Bubble Fruit and the Color-Color Fruit sitting in his suitcase.
'The Color Fruit might be good bait for Sanji—can't use that yet.'
'As for the Bubble Fruit… I wonder how Kalifa's doing in Water 7.'
'If she knew I'd defected from CP9, she probably wouldn't be happy.'
'Guess I'll just have to apologize when I see her. Maybe this Bubble Fruit from the original series will be enough to earn her forgiveness.'
Genrou sighed.
During his time in CP9, Kalifa had helped him a lot.
He hadn't forgotten that.
If it weren't for being promoted to CP0 and witnessing too many twisted things… he might've really stayed in CP9 forever—just for her.
—
"Hey, Usopp! You okay? You've been frozen this whole time!"
"Come on, tell us—what kind of power did you get from King?"
Luffy jumped in front of Usopp, staring at him with gleaming eyes.
"Power? Heh… What power? That guy's a fraud—a giant fraud!!"
Usopp clutched his head and fell to his knees, crying in agony.
"What's up with him? Genrou, shouldn't Usopp be happy?"
Luffy scratched his head in confusion.
"Better if you see for yourselves."
Genrou smirked and activated the playback feature from the system.
The projection of King reappeared, but this time, instead of showing off his imposing aura, it displayed all the scenes of King being timid, panicked, and full-on lying.
Luffy and Zoro's eyes bulged.
They couldn't believe the man they just thought was a terrifying powerhouse… was actually a bluffing coward.
And yet… he'd somehow scared off a monster just with his presence!
"This is… wow. I've been humbled."
"To think even I could misjudge someone… I've still got a long way to go."
Zoro shook his head, looking at King with newfound pity.
Now knowing the truth, Zoro basically considered King's Heroic Spirit template worthless.
Which meant Usopp had just thrown away a golden opportunity to grow stronger.
"Shishishi! That King guy was hilarious! I can't believe I fell for it!"
Luffy doubled over laughing, ignoring Usopp's betrayed glare.
"Even if King had no real power… he still led that giant centipede away to protect others."
"And he stood up to all those monsters, even if he was scared."
"Sure, he started off a fraud. But in the end, he became someone brave."
"Big Liar, Coward, Brave Warrior—it fits all three of King's attributes."
Nami exhaled and spoke thoughtfully.
For no reason, she imagined King standing in front of Arlong's crew, activating Emperor Engine...
"Come on, Usopp, don't get so down."
"Maybe King wasn't strong in the usual sense, but he faced his fears."
"If he can, why can't you?"
"Think about your dream."
Genrou dismissed the Heroic Spirit Space and helped Usopp to his feet.
"My dream?" Usopp blinked.
"Yeah—your dream! You went out to sea for something, didn't you?"
"I… I want to become a brave warrior of the sea!"
Usopp clenched his fists, the scenes of King's bravery still fresh in his mind.
"If he could do it, so can I! I'll be brave too!"
"Lying or not, the great Captain Usopp will use Emperor Engine to scare the crap out of the Black Cat Pirates!"
He took a deep breath—and suddenly, his heart began to pound.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
"Eh? What's this pressure?"
"Didn't we already figure out the Emperor Engine was fake?"
Zoro frowned and glanced at Luffy, who nodded in confirmation.
"Huh? You two are still affected by it?"
Even Usopp was confused. He turned to Genrou, seeking an answer.
"You're not imagining it, Usopp."
"The Emperor Engine you gained isn't a joke. When you activate it, your enemies really do feel pressure."
"Unless their strength far exceeds yours, they'll feel it."
"Also—your Emperor Engine qualifies you to awaken Haoshoku Haki."
"Whether or not you actually awaken it depends on future opportunities. But now, get a feel for what it's like."
As he spoke, Genrou released his Haoshoku Haki, cloaking Usopp in its pressure.
Simultaneously, a pounding thump-thump-thump echoed from Genrou's chest—his version of the Emperor Engine.
Even though he held back, the combined pressure of Haoshoku Haki and Emperor Engine made Usopp and Nami both tremble with unease.
"Shishishi… Genrou is so strong. He's just like Shanks with that aura."
Luffy brushed his hat with a grin.
"So this is what an 800 million Beri bounty feels like."
Zoro clenched his fists, realizing just how far he still had to go.
'My Haoshoku's definitely grown stronger and easier to control.'
'Looks like the Emperor Engine really does have some value.'
'I wonder if I can develop it like Red-Haired Shanks—maybe even achieve Kenbun-shoku Killer level suppression.'
Genrou withdrew his Haki with a sigh of relief.
"Usopp, what you just felt was Haoshoku Haki. Most people faint just from being exposed to its peak intensity."
"That power's incredible! It makes Emperor Engine look like a joke. This'll definitely scare the Black Cat Pirates!"
"Don't get cocky yet, Usopp. Awakening Haoshoku isn't that easy. Also—there's one more thing you should know."
"Go on, Genrou. I can handle anything now."
"Actually, King's Heroic Spirit template comes with an Ultimate Skill. And let me tell you—it's crazy powerful..."
(End of Chapter)
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