Aokiji stared at the sleep-deprived man standing in front of his mother. His father, Goro, was grinning widely, clearly pleased to see the newcomer.
Aokiji recognized him instantly. This was Kuzan Toshiro, his uncle — the man who had played a pivotal role in his parents' relationship. He knew the story well, as the memories he had inherited painted a vivid picture of the tension between Toshiro, Goro, and Fubuki's father.
Their father had wanted Fubuki to marry Enji Todoroki, aiming to create a powerful quirk combination of fire and ice, similar to how Shoto's quirk had manifested. But Fubuki had refused, insisting she would only marry someone she truly loved — and that someone was Goro. Despite being the Number 1 Hero in Brazil, Goro's status hadn't been enough to sway Fubuki's father.
During that tumultuous period, it was Toshiro who had stood by Goro, supporting his sister's choice and convincing their father to accept the marriage. Over time, their father eventually relented, but the tension lingered, a scar in the family history.
Now, Toshiro stood before them, his white hair messy and unkempt, dark eye bags prominent beneath his tired eyes. His quirk was exceptional — he could generate intense cold within a body, freezing targeted tissues with surgical precision. It was a power that made him one of the most sought-after doctors in the hero field. Toshiro could freeze and eliminate cancer cells and anomalous tissues without harming the surrounding healthy cells.
Additionally, he was renowned for his ability to heal muscle soreness and inflammation, allowing heroes to recover quickly and return to duty faster than usual. Despite his impressive quirks and skills, the demands of his profession took a toll on him, evident in his perpetually exhausted appearance.
Goro approached Toshiro, giving him a playful nudge. "Hey, Toshiro, you look like a zombie. When was the last time you slept?"
Toshiro grunted, rubbing the back of his neck. "When was the last time you stopped eating everything in sight?"
Goro chuckled, unfazed by the jab. Meanwhile, Fubuki walked up to her brother, her expression softening. "Thanks for coming, Toshiro. I know you're busy, but Aokiji just awakened his quirk today. We need you to run the official tests."
Toshiro's tired eyes finally focused on Aokiji, and he offered a slight, almost apologetic smile. "Well then, let's see what the little ice prince can do."
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Toshiro repeated the exercises Aokiji had performed with his parents, but this time in a controlled testing environment. He also brought out a recording device to document the tests, ensuring that every aspect of Aokiji's quirk was properly assessed and recorded.
For the next hour, Toshiro methodically observed Aokiji, taking notes and measuring the intensity of his quirk. With each test, Toshiro's eyes widened a little more. The results were far beyond what he had anticipated.
Finally, he instructed Aokiji to release his maximum output.
Aokiji nodded, closing his eyes and focusing. This time, he attempted to use the Ice Age technique, the powerful move he had seen Kuzan use countless times in his past life. As he activated the move, the temperature in the dome dropped drastically.
Within moments, everything in the dome was frozen solid. The ice crept up the walls and even penetrated the other rooms, which were supposed to be sealed off from outside interference. Frost covered every surface, and the air became frigid enough to see every breath.
Aokiji stood in the middle of it all, his breath visible as a frosty mist. Half of his body was encased in a thin layer of ice, his eyes narrowed in concentration.
Fubuki, Goro, and Toshiro were also caught in the freezing blast. Goro was the first to break free, shattering the ice that had formed around him with sheer strength. Fubuki and Toshiro followed, using their own ice-based quirks to thaw themselves out.
Despite their resistance to cold, both Fubuki and Toshiro felt a chill they had never experienced before, a biting cold that penetrated even their defenses.
Goro, on the other hand, was visibly shaking, his muscles twitching as he tried to maintain his bravado. "S-See? I-I'm n-not c-c-cold," he said, his teeth chattering uncontrollably. "I-I'm j-j-j-just s-shaking from e-e-excitement!"
Toshiro's gaze remained serious as he turned to Fubuki, who was now deep in thought.
"As a professional," Toshiro said, his tone firm, "I strongly recommend homeschooling Aokiji for now. Until he gains full control over his quirk, sending him to a regular school is too dangerous. A single mishap, and every child and teacher in the vicinity could end up frozen solid. Not everyone has our constitution, after all. Even Goro is struggling, aren't you, Goro?"
Goro continued to shiver violently, his arms wrapped around himself. "Shhhh-shhhut u-up, T-Toshiro!" he said, trying to play it off. "I-I'm f-f-fine! J-Just... s-s-so excited!"
Meanwhile, Aokiji retracted the ice, absorbing the frost he had released to prevent further discomfort to his family. Fubuki remained silent, her eyes fixed on her son, her expression serious.
She knew that Toshiro was right. If Aokiji lost control of his quirk in a crowded school, the consequences would be catastrophic. She couldn't afford to take that risk. She had to make a decision.