Chapter 31: Steel and Haki, Time and Dreams - Pirate: My Piltover Tech Is Light-Years Ahead

This Blitz is not that Blitz.

It's just that the name is the same; it's not the same Blitz as the one on the continent of Valoran. The same name is just for convenience.

Blitz's model was originally a mass-produced robot, but Blitz's birth was an accident.

It was Viktor who discovered the discarded robot in a severely damaged state.

Viktor saw potential within the robot's cold exterior. Inspiration struck. Viktor began a series of experiments, attempting to introduce new elements to improve the robot and elevate it to new heights.

Hex Crystals made this possibility a reality, but Viktor couldn't replicate the results of the experiment no matter what. It all seemed to be a coincidence.

Oran did replicate Blitz, but he used technology from the Project Universe, a possibility that exists in the world of Valoran, a special parallel dimension where highly advanced artificial intelligence had pushed robot development to a new level.

"Is this an illusion? Why do I feel... it's different from when it first activated?"

Kate looked at Blitz, who stood at attention and saluted, feeling a strange, unexplainable sensation.

Kate wanted to wait for Oran to answer her questions, but it was Blitz who spoke.

"Miss Kate, you are correct. I am different from how I was just now."

"Oran, what... what change has occurred?"

"A slight upgrade. They are both robots, but the definition of a robot is also different. The most ordinary robots are tools. Besides being more intelligent and convenient, they are no different from inanimate objects like hammers."

Oran re-examined Blitz's parts and then closed the energy core compartment.

"But machines can be upgraded. Besides being controlled, machines can also operate themselves. This is artificial intelligence. The standard for the most basic artificial intelligence is logical response.

Programs can make logical reactions based on predefined rules. Such programs are rigid but safe. But Blitz is different; it can think."

Completing the final check, Oran disconnected the various wires connected to Blitz and walked out of the workshop with it.

"Think? Robots can think too?"

Looking at the robot, which was even taller than himself, Bear began to ponder what Oran meant by thinking.

"Yes, it thinks like you do, achieving self-compilation beyond the scope of its tasks. This gives it stronger growth potential. However, the current conditions are limited. Otherwise, it would be a robot imbued with emotions, which is the highest level.

I'll upgrade it slowly in the future. This current state is sufficient."

Blitz raised its mechanical arm above its head, carefully observing the butterfly that landed on its palm, and then gently let it fly away.

The machine lacked the sensation of flesh and blood, yet it had completed its first contact with life.

"Emotions... it sounds a bit... incredible. Is that why you told me before that the inner soul is fundamental?"

"Yes. When it possesses joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, although its body remains cold, its inner self is also an intelligent being.

Moreover, this sea is too dangerous. To achieve future goals or simply to survive, some form of protection is needed.

Strengthening the body takes time, and talent limits one's growth. At this point, something is needed to break through those limits."

Oran had also been training during this time. Although he wasn't a combat-type, he couldn't fall too far behind. Otherwise, even if he created powerful weapons, they could be exploited.

"But according to your habits, Oran, shouldn't you have just made the best one?"

Oran was a semi-perfectionist. Unless the situation was urgent, he would never lower his manufacturing standards, especially for things he used himself.

"It's due to limitations. One's own abilities can only be fully utilized with complete facilities. To create a truly perfect creation that can rival a nation, I would need the cooperation of hundreds of related professionals and thousands of supporting factories, and at least a visionary ruling class.

So far, I haven't seen any country capable of doing this."

"I'm sorry, it's just that I'm learning too slowly..."

"It's not your fault, Bear. This isn't something you can solve alone. The environment in the Kingdom of Sorbet is inherently like this. Starting from here is no different from starting from scratch.

Blitz is currently like a newborn infant. You can try to grow with it. I can't be sure how far it will develop."

Actually, Oran had another experimental project, but he couldn't explore it yet: the experiment concerning Haki.

The root of Haki's power lies in the heart, and it's not just humans who can use Haki; animals can too.

So, if steel were imbued with a soul, could it develop the power of Haki? That became an unknown.

At least, this research couldn't be carried out yet. Oran himself hadn't figured out the method of Haki cultivation. Although the most basic training method for this thing was to constantly get beaten while strengthening the body, it wasn't just about being beaten.

Not everyone who gets beaten is called Luffy, and not everyone who beats others is called Kaido.

Currently, Oran himself is still primarily focused on physical training.

Circumstances force maturity. Ginny and the others still had childlike hearts. Blitz, this giant robot, immediately piqued their interest upon its birth, especially when Oran said Blitz needed to grow.

At night, Kate and the others had fallen into a deep sleep, but Blitz was outside alone, gazing at the starry sky. It, or rather, he, was now trying to understand what friendship was.

Oran had also entered his dreams, but his dream was somewhat unusual.

The lush green land was covered by the night, and the stars in the sky were shining. Oran, however, felt a familiar aura. A few fluffy tails brushed past his face.

"What a rare guest. You actually came to my place."

A seductive voice reached Oran's ears. The voice, which could melt ordinary people, didn't cause any emotional fluctuation in Oran.

"Ahri, you should know this is not something I can control. And these tricks won't work on me."

Turning around, Oran's gaze met a pair of violet eyes. The purple color faded, and a human-like Nine-Tailed Fox stood behind Oran, attempting to tease him with its tail, but it was ruthlessly blocked.

"So boring, you're still the most special man I've ever met. Sometimes I wonder, how many interesting stories are there in your memories?"

"Stolen memories are never your own."

"I know, so this time, do you have any interesting stories you want to tell me? I'm curious about how mysterious the idol singer version of me you mentioned before was."

"We'll talk about that later. Let me confirm one thing first: when was the last time we met?"

Calculating the positions of the stars in the sky, Oran found something was wrong. It seemed not much time had passed here.

"A week ago. What happened to your proud memory? How could you forget even this?"

"A week... It's been several months since I left..."

Oran was a semi-perfectionist. Unless the situation was urgent, he would never lower his manufacturing standards, especially for things he used himself.

"It's due to limitations in the environment. One's abilities can only be fully utilized with complete facilities. To create a truly perfect creation that can rival a nation, I would need the cooperation of hundreds of related professions, thousands of supporting manufacturers, and at least a visionary ruling class.

So far, I haven't seen any country capable of achieving this."

"I'm sorry, it's just that I'm learning too slowly..."

"It has nothing to do with you, Bear. This isn't something you can solve alone. The environment in the Kingdom of Sorbet is inherently like this. Starting from here is no different than starting from scratch.

Blitz is currently like a newborn baby. You can try to accompany it as it grows. I can't be sure what kind of being it will become."

Actually, Oran had another experimental project, but he couldn't explore it yet: the experiment concerning Haki.

The source of Haki's power lies in the heart, and it's not just humans who can use Haki; animals can too.

So, if steel were given a soul, could it also cultivate the power of Haki? That remained an unknown.

At least, this research couldn't be carried out yet. Oran himself hadn't figured out the method of practicing Haki. Although the most basic cultivation method for this thing was to constantly get beaten while strengthening one's physique, it wasn't just about being beaten.

Not everyone who gets beaten is called Luffy, and not everyone who beats others is called Kaido.

Currently, Oran himself was still focused on strengthening his physique.

Environments force people to mature. Ginny and the others still had childlike hearts. Blitz, the giant robot, immediately sparked their interest upon its birth, especially when Oran said Blitz needed to grow.

At night, Kate and the others were fast asleep, but Blitz was alone outside, gazing at the starry sky. It—or rather, he—was trying to understand what friendship was.

Oran had also entered his dreams, but his dreams were a bit unusual.

The lush green land was covered by the night, and the stars in the sky were shining. Oran, however, felt a familiar aura. Several furry tails brushed past his face.

"What a rare guest. You actually came to my place."

A charming voice reached Oran's ears. The voice that could melt ordinary people didn't stir any emotional ripples in Oran.

"Ahri, you should know this isn't something I can control. And these tricks don't work on me."

Turning around, Oran's gaze met a pair of violet pupils. The purple color then faded, and a humanoid Nine-Tailed Fox stood behind Oran, trying to tease him with its tail, but it was ruthlessly blocked.