This Blitzcrank was not that Blitzcrank.
He merely shared a name with the Blitzcrank on Valoran; they were not the same individual. Using the same name was simply convenient.
Blitzcrank's model was a mass-produced robot, but Blitzcrank's creation had been an accident.
Viktor had discovered a robot discarded because of the extent of its damage.
Viktor had seen potential beneath the robot's cold shell. Inspiration struck, and he began a series of experiments, attempting to introduce new elements to improve the robot and take it to new heights.
A hex crystal had made that possibility a reality, but no matter what Viktor tried, he could not reproduce the experiment's results. It all seemed to have been a coincidence.
Oran had indeed recreated Blitzcrank, but he had used some technology from the Project Universe-a possible version of Valoran's world, a special parallel reality where highly advanced artificial intelligence had taken robot development to a new level.
"Am I imagining things? Why do I feel... he's different from when he first powered on, meow?"
Kate watched Blitzcrank stand at attention and salute, an indescribably strange feeling stirring within her.
Kate waited for Oran to answer her question, but Blitzcrank spoke instead.
"Miss Kate, you're correct. I'm no longer the same as I was a moment ago."
"Oran, what... exactly changed in him?"
"A little upgrade. They're all robots, but that term can mean different things. The most basic robots are tools. Aside from being smarter and more convenient, they're no different from inanimate objects like hammers."
Oran checked Blitzcrank's components again, then closed the compartment housing his energy core.
"But machines can be upgraded. Besides being controlled, a machine can also operate on its own. That's artificial intelligence. The standard for the most basic artificial intelligence is a logical response.
A program can follow predetermined rules of logic and produce a logically consistent response. Programs like that are rigid, but safe. Blitzcrank is different, though. He can think."
After completing the final checks, Oran disconnected the various cables attached to Blitzcrank and led him out of the workshop.
"Think? Robots can think too?"
Looking at the robot, who stood even taller than he did, Bear began wondering what exactly Oran meant by thinking.
"Yes, thinking just like you're doing now. Recompiling himself beyond the scope of his assigned tasks gives him greater potential for growth. Our resources are limited right now, though. Otherwise, he would be a robot endowed with emotions-the highest level of all.
I'll gradually upgrade him later. For now, he's good enough as he is."
Blitzcrank raised his mechanical arm above his head, carefully studying the butterfly that had landed on his palm before gently letting it fly away.
A machine lacked the touch of flesh and blood, yet he had made his first contact with life.
"Emotions... that sounds a little... unbelievable. Is that why you told me back then that the soul inside was what really mattered, Oran, meow?"
"Yes. Once he can feel joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, he'll be an intelligent life-form on the inside, even if his body remains cold.
Besides, these seas are too dangerous. Whether we want to achieve our future goals or simply survive, we need some safeguards.
Strengthening the body takes time, and the limits of natural talent restrict a person's growth. That's when we need something that can break through those limits."
Oran had also been training during this time. Although he was not a combat specialist, he could not afford to be too weak. Otherwise, even if he made powerful weapons, someone could exploit that weakness.
"But knowing your habits, Oran, wouldn't you make the best version right away?"
Oran was something of a perfectionist. Unless circumstances were urgent, he would never lower his manufacturing standards, especially for things he used himself.
"It's simply a matter of limited resources. My abilities need proper facilities to reach their full potential. To create something truly perfect, something capable of rivaling an entire nation, I'd need cooperation across hundreds of relevant specialties and thousands of supporting manufacturers. At the very least, I'd need a ruling class with foresight.
So far, I haven't seen a single country capable of that."
"I'm sorry. I've been learning too slowly..."
"This has nothing to do with you, Bear. It isn't something you can solve alone. Conditions in the Kingdom of Sorbet are what they are. Starting here is hardly any different from starting with nothing.
Right now, Blitzcrank is much like a newborn baby. You can try helping him grow. Even I can't be certain how far he'll develop."
Oran actually had another experimental project in mind, but he could not investigate it yet: experiments involving Haki.
The power of Haki originated in the heart, and humans were not the only beings capable of using it. Animals could use it too.
Whether steel endowed with a soul could train to develop the power of Haki was therefore an unknown.
At least for now, he could not begin that research. Oran had yet to figure out how to train Haki himself. Although its most basic training method involved constantly taking a beating while strengthening the body, it was not simply a matter of getting beaten up.
Not everyone taking a beating was Luffy, and not everyone handing one out was Kaido.
For now, Oran still focused primarily on strengthening his body.
Circumstances could force people to mature, but Ginny and the others were still children at heart. Blitzcrank, the enormous robot, had captured their interest the moment he came into being, especially when Oran said he needed to grow.
That night, Kate and the others were sound asleep, but Blitzcrank stood alone outside, gazing at the stars. The machine-who should now be called "he"-was trying to understand what friendship meant.
Oran had also entered a dream, though his dreams were somewhat different.
Night blanketed the lush green land, and stars glittered in the sky. Oran sensed a familiar presence as several fluffy tails brushed past his face.
"Now, this is a rare visit. You actually came to see me."
A sultry voice reached Oran's ears. Though it could have melted an ordinary person's bones, it stirred no emotion in him.
"Ahri, you should know this isn't something I can control. And tricks like that don't work on me."
Turning around, Oran met a pair of violet eyes. The purple glow faded, revealing a humanoid Nine-Tailed Fox standing behind him. She tried to tease him with her tails, only to be mercilessly rebuffed.
"How boring. You're still the most unusual man I've ever met. Sometimes I wonder just how many interesting stories there are in your memories."
"Stolen memories will never be your own."
"I know. So, do you have any interesting stories to tell me this time? I'm curious about how mysterious that idol-singer version of me you mentioned before really is."
"We'll talk about that in a moment. Let me confirm something first. When did we last meet?"
Calculating the positions of the stars overhead, Oran noticed something was off. It seemed that very little time had passed here.
"A week ago. What happened to that memory you're so proud of? How could you forget even that?"
"A week... but I've been gone for several months..."
Before you continue