After more than two hours of eating and chatting, the Kuzan family made their way to the dome Goro had mentioned. The complex resembled the USJ, but on a smaller scale. Inside, Aokiji saw a large open space filled with various training devices. One section had a massive block of metal supported by a pillar, likely for strength training, while another section was a vast open field. This was where the Kuzan family headed, intending to test the intensity of Aokiji's quirk.
"Can you use your quirk to its full extent? Don't worry about us — just go all out," Fubuki said.
Goro activated his quirk, enhancing his body to the point where the cold wouldn't affect him.
Aokiji, hearing his mother's words, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He focused inward, concentrating. Suddenly, he exhaled, and a chilling frost spread from his breath. Ice rapidly spread across the entire dome, covering everything within a 1 km radius. The frost crept up the walls, scaling them until the ceiling was also encased in a thick layer of ice.
Fubuki and Goro watched in awe, stunned by the sheer intensity of their son's quirk. But their amazement was cut short when they noticed Aokiji gasping for air, his breathing labored as if he had just run a marathon.
"Are you okay, Aokiji? You look exhausted," Goro said, concern evident in his tone. From their perspective, Aokiji was still panting heavily, struggling to catch his breath.
"Yeah, Dad. I think I just overexerted my quirk," Aokiji said, his breathing gradually slowing. "I just got it earlier, so I'm still getting used to it. But don't worry, I'm feeling better with every second."
Goro exchanged a glance with Fubuki, a knowing look passing between them. Fubuki nodded subtly, her expression thoughtful.
"Let's wait until you recover for a minute," Fubuki said, her tone firm but gentle. "But remember, if you want to become a hero, you have to push yourself. Villains won't wait for you to catch your breath."
Her words carried a weight of experience, a lesson she had learned during her time as a pro hero. Aokiji listened attentively, nodding seriously. Despite only being in this world for a few hours, his new reality still felt surreal. Yet, even with the lingering sense of disbelief, he knew one thing for certain — he had to become strong enough to protect himself and his family.
Drawing a deep breath, Aokiji steadied himself and released another wave of frost. This time, the range was noticeably shorter than before but still far larger than Todoroki's original reach. He repeated the action, over and over, each time feeling his stamina gradually improving.
Goro and Fubuki watched in silence as Aokiji continued to push himself, his breath forming visible puffs of cold air. The frost spread farther with each attempt, his stamina growing with each release of power.
Aokiji couldn't help but think that maybe his endurance was being boosted by the body template he had inherited from Aokiji, the former Marine Admiral. The more he practiced, the more natural it felt, like his body was slowly adjusting to the power it was meant to wield.
Next, Aokiji was instructed to test his strength. Goro led him to a large, cube-like structure designed for weight training.
"Get ready," Goro said. "Touch the box when you're ready to lift."
Aokiji took a deep breath, preparing himself for the challenge. Once he signaled that he was ready, Goro released the support pillars holding up the cube.
At first, the weight was set at 200 kg, a load Goro could easily lift over his head. Goro then gradually increased the weight in 100 kg increments, carefully observing Aokiji's reaction.
When the weight reached 5 tons, Aokiji began to feel the strain but still managed to hold it steady. Goro pushed it further, increasing it to 10 tons, and Aokiji started to struggle, his arms trembling as he tried to maintain his grip. Finally, Goro deactivated the device, allowing Aokiji to release the weight and step back, panting heavily.
Goro smirked at Fubuki, a triumphant look in his eyes. This was a win for him, as he had bet that Aokiji would inherit both his strength and Fubuki's ice powers.
Fubuki just shook her head, crossing her arms. "I told you, Goro. The Kuzan family has always passed down ice powers, no matter who we marry. But I suppose Aokiji is... unique."
Aokiji then proceeded to test his quirk in various scenarios, including a room that simulated the USJ's climate zones. In one area, the air was nearly devoid of moisture, a challenge for ice users. Yet Aokiji still managed to activate his powers, creating ice without difficulty.
He also attempted to create an ice skateboard, inspired by Marvel Comics. He managed to form one but found it difficult to maintain balance and control, causing him to slip several times. Despite the struggles, he was determined to keep pushing himself.
The tests continued for another two hours, with Goro and Fubuki carefully monitoring Aokiji's progress and taking notes on his capabilities.
Finally, a familiar figure entered the training dome — Aokiji's uncle, who looked almost identical to Fubuki, with similar white hair but sporting dark, heavy eye bags that indicated extreme sleep deprivation.