Shaarib flew in and out of the city without any trouble. Some soldiers did begin to swarm the streets but none of them seemed to be close to the Embassy. He could only hope nothing happened to them. Hajib and Vlad were strong enough to protect the Embassy while Troya and Ayol were smart and vicious enough to hold the General hostage. Shaarib had 2 or 3 hours to go and come back. He had promised to deliver Yuki's body to Li An but he feared the court would ask for the body as a proof. The trials were over so Shaarib hoped the kid would reward him.
Shaarib was unimpeded in his last flight, and was able to return to the temple without issue. The ancient building was easy to spot from the sky, it looked newly renovated. Every plank of wood glistened with a magical sheen, the paint looked fresh and masterfully done. The opulence was immediate. He could feel a boom of energy as he crossed into its territory. The trees were larger, and their branches curled in any way they fancied, the leaves painting the treetops shimmered in a mystical fashion (as if very small being were dancing atop them)...
Shaarib arrived at the Temple and gaped at the sight of it. The decrepit building full of cracks, holes and mold was brand new. The wood was glowing, the paint looked majestic. As he entered into the territory, Shaarib felt the strain leave his body. Trees sprouted from the ground and the old ones regained their glory. The Vice-Admiral lost his Phoenix Form and opened the gigantic doors of the temple. With all the energy around, Shaarib was having goosebumps.
Shaarib did not see the kid. As usual she kept fucking with him but he had kept his side of the bargain and the Temple's spirit needed to comply to their part.
Cletus had fallen, abruptly snapped away from the alternate reality conjured up by the female ghost. Gritting his teeth in anger, the Lunarian looked down as his tall figure freefalled towards the jagged rock of the cliffside below. Travelling through them, the hungry waves of the sea crashed against the cliffside, threatening to swallow him whole in an instant.
"You damn brat! You had this planned from the beginning didn't you!!" Cletus roared.
The Lunarian held his tongue, calming himself down before looking around him. In the distance, he would notice a sunken city, bits and pieces of it would be slightly hidden by a light fog, surrounded by the beautiful illumination of daybreak.
"I'll go there!"
The lunarian would ignite his feet, kicking off of the air using flaming explosions. Cletus flew in the direction of the Sunken City, intending to regain his bearings and figure out a different way to the Temple of Seiryu. If he went back to the top of the cliff, he would risk being caught in another stupid illusion, and the Lunarian did not have enough patience to deal with that again.
------------------------------------------------
The residents of Gongmen would only stare at KG in response. Some seemed confused, while othere were mute with fear. Atleast until a young boy raised his hand, he wore a wide-brimmed straw hat, with a piece of straw hanging from his mouth, the attire of a farmer.
"I know someone like that." He said with confidence before being quickly nudged off by one of the dock workers.
"Not if you all arrived at night." Said the docker-worker, "It's forbidden to roam around at night."
The giant bent down, extending his arm over blocking the boy from leaving the area.
"Now, now what's the hurry little man? Tell me where you know him from. And as for you..." KG said, turning his head in the direction of the dock worker. "Why is it forbidden? There was no danger at all here, we've been here the entire night."
KG remained silent from here on out, waiting patiently waited for both of their answers.
Shaarib returned, ready to be done with this nightmare; ready to bring home what remains were left and hopefully be done with this. The trees blurred by beneath his feet as he soared along; as he came into view of the temple he was blown away.
He soared down to the beautifully renovated entrance, complete with a repaired courtyard and a babbling brook moving downhill.
Shaarib did not see the kid. As usual she kept fucking with him but he had kept his side of the bargain and the Temple's spirit needed to comply to their part.
Lanterns grew in intensity as Shaarib entered through the large, whimsically-carved doors. The Skypiean was met with a wave of energy from the newly invigorated temple. "Thank you, Shaarib." The voice came from down the hall, a large room was alit behind the doorway at the end of the hall. "You've repaid your debt to my home."
In that room, the spirit awaited next to doorless doorway. "Beyond here you will find her body." She said. "As well as the priest's body."
"These girls are free because of you." She smiled. "If nothing else, know you did a good for these girls, and all the people of Chongqing."
She looked fondly over the young man and then nodded to the doorframe reassuringly.
The doorframe called to Shaarib, Yuki was nothing but a charred skeleton and some ash when he last saw her. The priest was going to kill him when last they met. The answers were locked behind a seemingly endless night of torment and struggle against horrid visions and emotions.
Finally, he was looking at the opened door...
Meanwhile back at the marine embassy in the heart of Chongqing, an entire platoon of Chongqing soldiers were tied up and their mouths bound with clean rags. The general remained untied and ungagged, should he awaken the binds would not hold him. Instead he wore a pair of sea-prism cuffs behind his back.
Some of the soldiers were awake already, struggling against their bindings; others remained unconscious (including the general). Commander Stein had taken the effort, running around and waking all his sleeping allies. Mina was up and moving, assisting in any way she could.
The entire building was on high-alert...Over the chorus of mumbling (muffled by rags) a firm set of knocks was heard at the doors of the embassy. The mumbling grew louder in response, hoping to get attention.
Stein's heart sank and he nervously looked to Hajib for guidance...
The lunarian would ignite his feet, kicking off of the air using flaming explosions. Cletus flew in the direction of the Sunken City, intending to regain his bearings and figure out a different way to the Temple of Seiryu.
Being cheated into a deadly situation by the spirit, Cletus reoriented himself with a few curses as he turned his free fall into flight using a serious of burning kicks that gave off crackling booms of fire. The hybrid-man soared in the direction of the sunken city once known as the Dragon City.
The newly emerging sun was a welcomed sight, its warming glow cast upon the mist-shrouded ruins.
Far below Cletus, swimming through the ruins, a shadow-cloaked figure of Jack Hammerhead looked up at the burning streak in the sky. The fishman chuckled to himself. "I didn't think that pipsqueak would have the nerve to come back here." He remarked, mistaking Cletus for someone else.
"Wait 'til the boss gets a load of this." He guffawed, turning downward and launching himself to the sunken building that the crew lounged around in.
As Cletus travelled nearer and nearer, deeper into the beautiful mist, he was able to make out more and more of the time-forgotten buildings sitting in the ocean. Stone dragon carvings peeked out of the water, perhaps an ancient shrine to the dragon god?
...
The giant pirate took interest in the rural boy's comment, but the dock-worker tried to interject once more.
"Now, now what's the hurry little man? Tell me where you know him from. And as for you..." KG said, turning his head in the direction of the dock worker. "Why is it forbidden? There was no danger at all here, we've been here the entire night."
"-The boy doesn't know what he's talking about, mister." He explained. "No, no. That's exactly what the ol' man looks like...Tall, white hair, tails. He's got a red-face though-!" He was interrupted by the adult placing his palm flat atop his head. "-But, it's true."
The dock-worker kept his hand on the boy's head while he locked eyes with KG. "There's a curfew in Chongqing." The bald-headed man said to the giant aboard the glistening warship. "It's strictly enforced by the Emperor's men."
"If your friend was moving around at night, nobody would've seen him but the night patrol." Other dock-workers began to hesitantly overlook the situation.
The sun bared its face, bathing this Sunken City in it's light. Cletus drew closer, kicking on the air with his flame clad feet observing the ruins in awe. Finally penetrating the mist, he could make out more of the worn structures structures that resided in the oceans of Chongqing.
"This place looks like it's been around for centuries, I wonder what happened here?" Cletus questioned as he drew nearer.
It wasn't long before he took notice of the dragon statues, peeking out from the water's surface. Could this be a shrine to their god? Surely he would be able to find some answers there. With another kick, the Lunarian propelled himself towards the disheveled temple, landing on its roof top with a heavy thud.
"I wonder how KG and the others are doing? I haven't contacted them in a while have I?" Cletus said, as he reached into his pocket and took out his Den Den Mushi.
----------------------------------------------------------------- "-The boy doesn't know what he's talking about, mister." "No, no. That's exactly what the ol' man looks like...Tall, white hair, tails. He's got a red-face though-!"
KG scratched his head in confusion at the boy's description. He didn't remember Cletus having a red face, and deduced that the kid was talking about someone else. The Dock Worker kept his eyes locked on KG, his bald head reflected the rays of the sun back into the giants eyes, to his dismay.
"There's a curfew in Chongqing. "It's strictly enforced by the Emperor's men. If your friend was moving around at night, nobody would've seen him but the night patrol."
KG sat down, shaking the entire vessel thanks to his weight and size.
"Hmmm, he said he was gonna tag along behind a Marine. Ain't no way he got himself captured, right?" Right on que, KG's Den Den Mushi would go off. It was Cletus, finally able to contact his friend.
"Hey there buddy!" The Lunarian said in a cheeky tone.
"Don't 'hey thea buddy' me motherfucker! Where ya been!?" The giant said audibly annoyed.
"I got caught up in a game of Hide and Seek, now I'm in what looks like a Sunken City."
"Sunken City!?" KG exclaimed, unintentionally loud enough for the people on the dock to hear. "Hide and Seek? I thought you was going to the Temple of Seiryu, now you out hea playing games and exploring an underwater city? If I knew you was gonna be doing this much, I woulda left yo ass here."
"Now, now don't be like that! I don't know when I'll be back or if that Marine is still around. He was one of the Vice Admirals present at the Pirate Festival. It's best for you if you pull away from the docks and lay low." Cletus replied.
"What bout you?" "I'm still busy here, I'll contact you for pick up when I'm finished." With that, the Lunarian hung up and the Den Den Mushi went to sleep yet again. KG blew off in annoyance.
"Damn, while he out thea having tha time of his life, while we here bored and not getting any action. This sucks!"
# Shaarib after a thoughtful pause, released a sigh. He was relieved, he had been running all night long. He let the kid some advance, a huge one. He wanted to observe the new temple as he crossed the room.
He could feel one of his eyebrows slowly rise. The kid was more than a spirit haunting the temple. The ghost had a certain aura around it.
Shaarib was a curious bird, but even he knew some questions were not supposed to be asked. Or answered, at the end if the day, it was the same. Shaarib had needed proof of his victory against the Jiangshi. For that he had accepted the spirit’s offer. He could feel it as he accomplished the deliveries. The kid was growing in power. The high monk had trapped it for a reason.
The kid could be a threat to the Country and Shaarib could not care more. He came to fight and kills some pirates, not be caught into some magical conspiracies.
Shaarib focused on the door, it was the answer to all his questions. Last he had seen Yuki, he had carbonized her. Last he had seen the Priest, the old zombie was about to kill him. Something happened and going through the door will reveal everything.
_____
A knock on the door surprised everyone. The world government’s soldiers began to whisper to each other. The empire realized their general was missing. Shaarib left hours ago, and still didn’t come back. During this time, most of the workers he had knocked out woke up. Zhaoxun despite being healed, was still unconscious.
The commander had put a gaggle on each of the empire soldiers. Their muffling sounds wouldn’t be heard by anybody.
The Vice-Admiral stood in the same position he had been. He had spoken to the 169th, bit still hadn’t decided anything. Shaarib’s men wanted to plant bombs everywhere in the port. They trusted their leader but wanted to be prepared. Hajib was old, he wanted more from the mission. He wanted to destabilize the country but not by waging war with Chongqing.
Shaarib’s grandfather, walked to the main door and slid the Judas peephole in the door. With a deep voice he spoke.
- « Who is it ? »
OOC : On my cellphone, will do the modifications later
Shaarib focused on the door, it was the answer to all his questions. Last he had seen Yuki, he had carbonized her. Last he had seen the Priest, the old zombie was about to kill him. Something happened and going through the door will reveal everything.
As Shaarib moved for the doorway, the spirit gave one last piece of advice to the marine. "Beyond this doorway is beyond my domain at the moment. It has remained unchanged since you were last here."
"The soul of Song Wuji is no more, but his dark magic still draws its source from the room beyond."
In the dark room, there was still a smell of stagnate seawater. The immense pool of seawater that Shaarib had produced previously had reduced to a huge puddle that filled the entire room and rose no higher than his feet. The vice-admiral's watery footsteps echoed throughout the dark room, the light from the doorway was not strong enough to illuminate the room properly.
Niang-Niang did not enter with Shaarib, but waited at the exit and watched as Shaarib ventured into the cursed, cavernous room.
The answers awaited on by the marine beckoned to him, calling him into the darkness. If the catacomb-like room was truly unchanged, he would recall where both Yuki and the high priest's bodies remained; up on the raised section of the floor.
The only thing easily made out with this lack of lantern-light, was the giant husk of a jiangshi devourer rotting away at his feet. The same one Wuji was utilizing in his fight against the phoenix-man.
...
Stein's stoic expression was dripping with sweat, after all these preparations he saw to he was exhausted and afraid of the worst. The knock at the front doors sank his heart like a stone in a pond. He looked on nervously as Hajib Hassan took initative:
On the other-side of the doors were two pompous-looking high class citizens of the Chongqing. The thinner man wore a shirt with feathers that looked freshly plucked from a peacock, the fatter and shorter man wore a formal-robe of similar fashion. They were muttering amongst themselves and pointing to the damage dealt to the embassy's outer wall when Shaarib attacked the Azure City's general.
When the question came, they looked up to the doors and the thin, tall man cleared his throat:
"aHEM- it is I, Kain. I served as envoy as promised, our Emperor, in his divine wisdom, has personally tasked me with the duty of informing you: your request for an expediated meeting with Our Emperor has been heard. You are requested at the palace at earliest convenience..."
The pudgier man's eyes were locked on the ground most of the time, occasionally glancing over at the huge slice in the wall.
The heavy impact resulted in a few pieces of loose stone debris to topple from the interior ceiling, alerting the pirates within to someone or something being atop the building. King Shark, who was eating his breakfast within, looked up suspiciously just as one of his trusted underlings, Jack Hammerhead, rushed in: "Hey boss, the kid is back." Jack said with a slight chuckle.
King Shark rose from his lounging position with an ominous smile stretched across his rubbery skin. "DUNADUNADUNA! Go tenderize him for me." The captain responded. "I'll be out for my dessert when I finish up here."
With that, Jack Hammerhead rushed back out of the base and hurried back to meet the marine from before in combat.
The kid, successfully scurrying away left the bald dock-worker alone with the pirates. He waited until their conversation ended and then piped up: "I'd be careful messing around in the Sunken City. The Leviathan Pirates call that their home, they're notoriously territorial." He offered the warning in a blasé manner before lifting a barrel and moving about with his business.
...
Cletus ended his snail-phone conversation with his colleague and mentally prepared to explore this place for any help in his journey to take the dragon god's trials. Nearly any time passed at all before a collection of watery bullets, coated with invisible haki, shot from the misty surface of the water! They were heard before seen, the audible crack released upon exiting the water's surface alerted Cletus to projectiles. Sure enough, the attack was meant for him...
Yabusame (literally meaning "Arrow Military Shark"): The user first wets his arm, then he uses his massive strength to throw many drops of water, which are converted into deadly arrows through mere kinetic force. Requirements: 81 Mastery, 41 Strength Destructive Potency Rank: A
GATCHA. Cletus ended the call and pocketed his Den Den Mushi. Looking around, he intently took in his surroundings not even sure where to start first. What was the place? Why was it buried beneath the waves? Is the Temple of Seiryu really here? So many questions, very little answers to be given. He decided to enter the building he stood on through the massive opening in the roof.
"Dragon statues near the entrance, this seems like the best place to start..." He said to himself.
As the Lunarian attempted to enter the building, the sound of projectiles breaking the water's surface met his ears.
"Huh!?"
Too little too late, he turned around only to see spears of water shooting forward in his direction, before piercing through his body like butter.
Cletus' Durability:
101-119: 6. City Level
Enemy attack=120: 5. Town Level + Rank: A (+3 DPR) + Haki (+1 DPR) = Total: 9. Small Country Level Result: DPR 2 or more higher than dura: super effective
The Vampirate's body was sent careening backwards from the force of the blows, blood spurted all over the old rooftop before he landed inside the building with a thud. Coughing up blood, he cried out in agony.
"I'd be careful messing around in the Sunken City. The Leviathan Pirates call that their home, they're notoriously territorial." The bald dock worker replied after listening in on the conversation between the two pirates.
The giant turned to face the man as he continued carrying out his duties. With a raised brow he pressed further. "Who are they? Neva heard of em. I ain't even know a place like this had pirates. Ain't there a Marine Embassy stationed hea? We came through Gongmeng specifically to avoid em."
As he spoke, the pirates on deck quickly made preparations to leave the port, as per Cletus' orders. They had no intentions of staying any longer than they needed to, until their commander called for them.
As Shaarib moved for the doorway, the spirit gave one last piece of advice to the marine. "Beyond this doorway is beyond my domain at the moment. It has remained unchanged since you were last here."
"The soul of Song Wuji is no more, but his dark magic still draws its source from the room beyond."
Shaarib listened carefully, one last hurdle remained. The spirit, despite its evolution, still needed to be at 100% of its capacity. It wouldn't be able to help Shaarib during the trial. Song Fuji was no more but his evil stained the room. Shaarib took a deep breath and penetrated the room.
In the dark room, there was still a smell of stagnate seawater. The immense pool of seawater that Shaarib had produced previously had reduced to a huge puddle that filled the entire room and rose no higher than his feet. The vice-admiral's watery footsteps echoed throughout the dark room, the light from the doorway was not strong enough to illuminate the room properly.
Niang-Niang did not enter with Shaarib, but waited at the exit and watched as Shaarib ventured into the cursed, cavernous room.
The answers awaited on by the marine beckoned to him, calling him into the darkness. If the catacomb-like room was truly unchanged, he would recall where both Yuki and the high priest's bodies remained; up on the raised section of the floor.
The only thing easily made out with this lack of lantern-light, was the giant husk of a jiangshi devourer rotting away at his feet. The same one Wuji was utilizing in his fight against the phoenix-man.
One step in and Shaarib's feet were already under the water. The birdman did not forget about their fight, the smell was already making memories coming to the surface, he had submerged the whole room. He was having flashes, his life force left him, and when he lost consciousness, he sank to the bottom of it.
The Vice-Admiral could feel some of his life force leaving his body but he kept stocking it until it was ready to release. Shaarib let go of it and was expelled toward the back. He closed his eyes as he began to feel consciousness leaving his body. He sincerely hoped not to fall into the water. He could breathe in it, but could he survive the electricity surging through it ? He was already regretting his choice but it was the only way to pass through Wuji's haki. A closed attack could be dodged but not a ranged attack from the magnitude.
From one of his pockets, he took his water dial and vacuumed everything. It did not take long for the Vice-Admiral's eyes to acclimate to the darkness. The little lantern was not doing enough for the Skypiean. He could transform into a bird and get to the platform but his Devil Fruit did not help once during all the trial, why would it work now. He took a big detour to not get near the Devourer and jumped on the platform. He wa ready
On the other-side of the doors were two pompous-looking high class citizens of the Chongqing. The thinner man wore a shirt with feathers that looked freshly plucked from a peacock, the fatter and shorter man wore a formal-robe of similar fashion. They were muttering amongst themselves and pointing to the damage dealt to the embassy's outer wall when Shaarib attacked the Azure City's general.
When the question came, they looked up to the doors and the thin, tall man cleared his throat:
"aHEM- it is I, Kain. I served as envoy as promised, our Emperor, in his divine wisdom, has personally tasked me with the duty of informing you: your request for an expediated meeting with Our Emperor has been heard. You are requested at the palace at earliest convenience..."
The pudgier man's eyes were locked on the ground most of the time, occasionally glancing over at the huge slice in the wall.
The Vice-Admiral cleared his throat. He scratched his beard and he began to toy with different answers.
- " What a fortunate news ! We are profoundly honoured by said answer. We will prepare right away. We might need to wait for one of our envoy. We cannot appear in front of his Majesty without an Imperial gift. Thank you for your work... " said Hajib before shutting the Judas off.
They had to wait for Shaarib. Hajib looked around and began to give out instructions. The 169th had developed quite a coffer from their adventure under the Sea, offering one of them to the Emperor would appease him. If the Skypiean didn't come back in the next hours, they wouldn't have any choice but to comply with the Emperor's orders. Hajib would probably go alone with Stein and his trusted soldiers. Nobody what could happen there.... His grandson would never forgive him if one his great-grandchildren died because of him...
From one of his pockets, he took his water dial and vacuumed everything. It did not take long for the Vice-Admiral's eyes to acclimate to the darkness. The little lantern was not doing enough for the Skypiean. He could transform into a bird and get to the platform but his Devil Fruit did not help once during all the trial, why would it work now. He took a big detour to not get near the Devourer and jumped on the platform. He wa ready
Shaarib moved through the dank room with a sense of somberness, not oft seen worn on his face (aside from this night in particular). His form moved through the dark carefully, but with a sense of purpose in each step he took. The damp floor still rippled in places, but the pool had been largely returned into Shaarib's Skypiean technology.
The marine hopped up onto the raised section of the ground, and prepared himself for what awaited him. His eyes, beginning to settle into the room's darkness scanned for a moment before making out two separate lumps. One of ash and bone, the other of sloughed and soggy flesh; Yuki and the high priest.
Shaarib could feel it, that evil he was warned about. It felt like cold breath down one's back, a creeping sense of dread and malice; then in an instant the feeling was gone from the air. The quiet returned into the chamber and Shaarib looked on at the corpses...
"grooooOOOOOOAOAAA--!" Came a burbling roar from behind Shaarib's shoulders. The water-logged enormous husk was standing, no...It was moving. The giant zombie was moving through the air, leaving a mixture of saltwater and ichor in its own wake.
The familiar claws of a Jiangshi Devourer were presented to to the Skypiean in a shocking display of speed. Even in this blur of movement, Shaarib's eyes were faster. Something unavoidable stared at Shaarib; the fire in the pits of the monster's stomach...It was green... A familiar green. An evil green...
Lièfèng (裂缝)- The beast brings a single claw down on its smaller opponent, slicing and crushing the skull of its opponent. DPR: A (61 Strength, 61 Chinese Kenpo)
101-119: 5. City Block Level + 3 (DPR: A) = Mountain Level!!
- " What a fortunate news ! We are profoundly honoured by said answer. We will prepare right away. We might need to wait for one of our envoy. We cannot appear in front of his Majesty without an Imperial gift. Thank you for your work... " said Hajib...
The two men looked at each other, then the closed peep-hole, then to the slash in the wall, then back amongst themselves. They nervously nodded to each other in silent agreement and hurried off, pleased with themselves (still glowing after getting to speak directly with their emperor).
Commander Stein, standing nearby the captive soldiers of Chongqing looked over to Hajib. "So, we wait then." He said with an understanding nod; it seemed he was on page with the vice-admiral without the plan needed to be told to him. He nodded to Mina. "I have a plan in the meantime, be right back." He said scurrying off into the backroom for something.
The shimmering water-comprised bullets blurred through the misty surroundings and pierced straight through Cletus's torso, streaks of blood fused with the ocean water came twirling out through the back in a shade of violent crimson. The momentum of the unexpected projectiles knocked the young pirate from his feet and into the fallen-in section of the decayed, tile roof.
The hammerhead shark fish-man watched the silhouette from the water below as it took every single bullet then toppled backwards out of view of his animalistic eyes. Jack couldn't help but grin as he launched up from the water's surface to the rooftop where Cletus once stood.
The Vampirate's body was sent careening backwards from the force of the blows, blood spurted all over the old rooftop before he landed inside the building with a thud. Coughing up blood, he cried out in agony.
Jack Hammerhead looked down on the mangled, monkey-like body sprawled on the ground far beneath him. He didn't get a good look at the guy, but this isn't what he expected. A confident chuckle erupted from his lips nonetheless.
Cletus body had taken a significant hit and was suffering greatly, focus was hard to maintain in this moment. Around the pirate were loose bricks and stone blocks, his own blood decorating the stony litter around him. Jack Hammerhead's laughter continued, wordlessly daring Cletus to stand back up. The powerful opponent allowed sea water to harmlessly drip from his webbed-hands all the way down to Cletus's head.
As a sadistic smile took hold of a Jack and he looked ready to fire another projectile, a booming voice cut him off- "I said TENDERIZE the meat, I DIDN'T SAY PULVERIZE IT!" Came a reminder from a distant (yet loud and clear) voice. "I can smell his blood from here!"
Cletus' assailant looked away and apologized to the source of the voice before glaring back down to the bloodied Vampirate. "You shouldn't have pushed your luck." Jack said down at the man he still thought to be the cocky marine. "The Leviathan Pirates are in a league of their own."
"I'm coming, hold your seahorses." Called out the burly voice of King Shark, pushing past Jack Hammerhead and looking down at Cletus. He grinned for a moment, but then a look of confusion crossed his face.
The captain leapt from the edge of the roof and landed squarely next to Cletus, cracking the ground beside him and digging up dust and shattered clay. The looming mass of muscle and shark-skin looked down on the invader, unwavering confidence plastered across his fishy face.
"...Now now...Who the hell are you-?" Asked King Shark in a low growl, his hairless brow raised curiously. The heavy breaths of the menacing brute pushed and pulled the fog with every movement of his lungs.
The giant turned to face the man as he continued carrying out his duties. With a raised brow he pressed further. "Who are they? Neva heard of em. I ain't even know a place like this had pirates. Ain't there a Marine Embassy stationed hea? We came through Gongmeng specifically to avoid em."
The dock worker came to a stop, without putting his barrel down. He turned his head to meet the gaze of the giant pirate, standing tall amongst his bustling underlings. "Call it a symbiotic relationship." The bald man remarked, before turning back and moving off, leaving the pirates to the bustling sound of their own work. The smell of foreign foods began to greet the noses of the pirates aboard the warship, as well as the sound of music meeting their ears. The sleepiness seemed to be wearing off on the people of Gongmen Town, at least the ones just beyond the view of the the docked pirates, all this to juxtapose the slow-moving cautious dock workers surrounding Cletus' band of criminals.
The lunarian's body had been riddled with holes by an unknown source. All Cletus could do was writhe in pain as the blood began leaving his body slowly but surely. It wouldn't be long before he felt the heavy weight of his attacker landed onto the old rooftop, chuckling menacingly as it approached. He made his way towards CletHus' damaged body, laughing sadistically while allowing the water from his webbed hand drip all the way down to the lunarian's head. A Fishman. The Vampirate glared at the hammerhead fishman, refusing to back down, however thanks the damage he sustained from that surprise attack he could barely keep his focus, let alone move.
Suddenly, the lunarian heard a voice in the distance. "I said TENDERIZE the meat, I DIDN'T SAY PULVERIZE IT! I can smell his blood from here!"
His attacker apologized to the booming voice before exchanging glares with Cletus yet again. "You shouldn't have pushed your luck. The Leviathan Pirates are in a league of their own." The lunarian would only spit in the fishman's face as a response, keeping his body as still as possible in an attempt to recover a bit from the recoil of the damage. However, the blood loss made it difficult for him to keep focused.
The burly voice called out again, pushing past the hammerhead fishman before looking down on the lunarian. This Fishman was a massive mass of muscle and confidence and with a raised brow, questioned Cletus' identity.
"...Now now...Who the hell are you-?"He asked with a low growl.
But he would not get an answer. Having grown numb to pain to an extent, the lunarian suddenly pushed off of the ground with his body ignited in flame. He cocked back his arm before delivering a haki clad flaming punch to the fishman's abdomen,, with the intentions of knocking him out while burning him to a crisp.
"Ifrit's Comet!"
Ifrit's Comet: Cletus fully ignites his body and flies towards his target. He then delivers either a punch or kick to his opponent, setting their entire body ablaze and dealing great damage to them. He generates a grand amount of fire as a result. Requirement: 91 Mastery 91 StrengthModerate burn: using the burned parts hurts and will cause slight extra damage each turn (D rank). lasts for 3-4 turns. Requires at least 51 mastery
101-119: 4. City Block Level+4(DPR S)+3(Haki)=11. Small Continent Level
The dock worker stopped for a moment before turning to answer KG, referring to the reason for the pirates taking residence in the Sunken City as a symbiotic relationship between them both, before continuing his work. The smell of foreign food filled the nostrils of the Vampirates as the city finally became alive. However, with a grim face, the giant signaled to the crew to pull up anchor and set sail. KG couldn't but shake this bad feeling he had.
Shaarib was angry, this was the incipit. A repetitive one, but still the most accurate one. Shaarib had felt tired, mentally and physically. He knew something was coming for him since he entered. And it happened. As soon as he touched the platform, the Jiangshi came to life. In front of his eyes, he could see two big lumps. One he could see and understand, it was Yuki. He had burned the body and reduced it to dust. But the other one was just a ball of rotten flesh. Was it the remnants of Song Fuji ? The roar of the devourer roar had made him cringe. When will he be left alone ? The zombies were supposed to be dead, Shaarib turned and looked at his assaillant. The Jiangshi was not disturbed by the water anymore, its body was still rotten but something else caught the Skypiean's eyes. What made him angry was the green in the beast’s eyes and belly. He could feel the bad intents, the one that had been haunting him since the attack on Hajib's ship. That evil stench belonged to Song Fuji. The old monk was still present and Shaarib's job wasn’t finished, he had lost the first bout but he was going to win the second one.
In a blink of an eye, the Vice-Admiral appeared some meters above the beast, his left leg already extending and somewhat fuming ? By using the momentum of the Soru, Shaarib’s leg ignited and he let go of it in the form of an air blade covered in fire. The only threat to the devourer. The birdman couldn’t repeat past mistakes. He had made an hole through the roof and burned half o the Temple with it. He had used too much power by following his heart instead of his mind. And it was mainly what caused his defeat. If the Devourer survived, he would kill it methodically by using his superior speed.
- « Rankyaku Firebird ! »
[ Another combination move where the user dashes forward with soru while extending their kicking leg. By using the momentum one can afterwards deploy a technique that combusts high air pressure by grinding the ground during the dash. The user can guide the fire created by kicking it towards the enemy. A Rank(71 Mastery, 61 Strength, 61 movement speed ) ] ==> 5 + 3 + 2 ==> 10. Large Country Level
So, we wait then." He said with an understanding nod; it seemed he was on page with the vice-admiral without the plan needed to be told to him. He nodded to Mina. "I have a plan in the meantime, be right back." He said scurrying off into the backroom for something.
By using the momentum of the Soru, Shaarib’s leg ignited and he let go of it in the form of an air blade covered in fire. The only threat to the devourer. The birdman couldn’t repeat past mistakes. He had made an hole through the roof and burned half o the Temple with it. He had used too much power by following his heart instead of his mind. And it was mainly what caused his defeat. If the Devourer survived, he would kill it methodically by using his superior speed.
The air-blade seared through the foul air with a shadow-purging glow; it quickly found purchase on the giant Jiangshi, and with a small eruption of smoke and steam from the place of impact, the heavyset formed rocked back and then corrected itself. The slash carved into the beast and the charred wound ignited for a moment, before sizzling out against the damp material. No sooner did the tear in the monster's flesh appear, that so too did begin the familiar, howling prologue to the zombie's horrid song. The awful beast looked back to Shaarib and did something unlike anything he had ever seen before...
The Jiangshi Devourer smiled at him, a twisted smile filled with hatred. This soulless flesh-golem was being imbued with something vile and cruel; something that could only be recognized at the will of its seemingly deceased master. The soggy seams in the Jiangshi's face flayed with the unfamiliar mouth movement; pieces of flesh aglow with fiery green peered out from beneath.
Kū (哭)- The beast passively begins emitting a horrible sound capable of rending those within earshot with the "Scared" status effect. The beast can still continue using other abilities while the screams continue :: The screams will not stopped until the beast is slain. DPR: n/a | Scared: affected is nauseated, has reduced observation Haki and finds it hard to concentrate on anything but the thing scaring them. lasts for 3-6 turns. Requires at least 71 mastery
Without hesitating and or acknowledging the taken damage, the monster flew into the air with a mighty leap. What must have been pounds gallons of water fell from the monster as it lifted into the air to meet Shaarib. The hideous song grew closer and closer as the undead, ogre-like being buckled its shoulders mid-air and charged into the phoenix-man, the hideous green glow serving as a constant insult to Shaarib.
Cōngmáng(匆忙)- The giant Jiangshi buckles its shoulder and launches itself forward into a catastrophically powerful flying tackle. DPR: A (61 Strength, 61 Speed, 41 Chinese Kenpo)
6. City Block Level + 3 (DPR: A) = Mountain Level!!
Niang-Niang, the helpful spirit fettered from the room and unable to assist, but able to watch it all through the building itself, viewed the fight with anticipation and silently encouraged the visiting marine.
The towering fishman peered down on the bloodied body of the unfamiliar invader. His dark eyes seemed to grow suspicious as he awaited the answer, the shark inhaled to say something more, but the unannounced representative for the Silver Vampirates leapt from his position on the ground with a flourish of bright flames. Shadows danced around them as the Ryuo haki-enhanced attack streaked through the darkness like a meteor through the night's sky.
But he would not get an answer. Having grown numb to pain to an extent, the lunarian suddenly pushed off of the ground with his body ignited in flame. He cocked back his arm before delivering a haki clad flaming punch to the fishman's abdomen,, with the intentions of knocking him out while burning him to a crisp.
The beady eyes of King Shark widened with surprise as his large arms quickly came up to block the unexpected attack from the man he thought to be dying. An audible pop, similar to that of a small cannon firing, echoed out from the impact against King Shark's attempt to block with his arms (armored with a haki coating of his own). The burning fist pushed into the leathery arm, further and further until a huge release of clashing tension occurred; King Shark was went back in a fiery shockwave.
101-119: 4. City Block Level+4(DPR S)+3(Haki)=11. Small Continent Level ==> 8. Island Level + Haki (+2 DPR)= 10. Large Country Level Results: DPR 1 higher than dura: quite effective = 6. City Level damage to King Shark
The hefty body of the fishman was lifted and pushed off into ocean. The faint smell of cooked fish now radiating in the misty air surrounding the tailed-man.
Jack Hammerhead, looking down from the rooftop, went cold. A sweat bead rolling down the side of the peculiarly shaped fishman head as rage built inside of the pirate.
"Alright, asshole!" He barked, with a scowl forming now. "You're done for!"
The fishman jumped from the roof with intent of slaughtering Cletus, as he fell downward through the air his body twisted and contorted to build torque for an impending kick that he planned to launch out and allow the enemy's collarbone to break his fall for him.
Nanasenmaigawara Mawashigeri (literally meaning "Seven Thousand Tile Roundhouse Kick"): The user performs a roundhouse kick, which is strong enough to block the gigantic Wadatsumi's punch and break one of his fingers. Requirements: 61 Mastery, 61 Strength Destructive Potency Rank: A
Strength: 101-119: 4. City Block Level + Rank: A (+3 DPR) + Haki (+2 DPR) = Total: 9. Small Country Level!!!
As the kick's trajectory neared closer and closer to Cletus, the Vampirate crewman would be able to see the shimmer glistening across the fishman's haki-coated leg. "Seven Thousand Tile Roundhouse Kick!"
Azure City #23 @Einsauer
Sent on a wild game of hide and seek by a cheeky ghost. Attacked by noise making demons. Tricked into falling off a cliff. Now riddled with holes from a surprise attack. The Lunarian hybrid was fed up and it was time to blow off some steam. He brought forward a flame clad punch, enhanced by the highest level of Haki he had access to. A new power unlocked during his training with Vidarr.
In the realm of the god of vengeance, Cletus and Vidarr sat across from each other fatigued and groggy from their battle. What was but a day in the mortal realm was a week in Vidarr's domain. The god's body was riddled with injuries, the lunarian had done good damage. On the other hand, Cletus was far worse for wear, with an arm missing, and a gaping hole in his torso. On his left leg, a massive gash that bled furiously as he panted fighting for his life. All he could do was try his best to keep his balance as his precious fluid leaked from his body. Nonetheless, Vidarr was impressed.
"I guess you have what it takes after all, Cletus D. Sol!" he exclaimed in satisfaction. Cletus chuckled and coughed up blood.
"Fufufufufufufufufufu...This isn't my victory yet! You aren't beaten!" He replied, still prepared to push his body past it's limit against the deity. But to his surprise, Vidarr would lay down his blade and shake his head. "You've shown me enough. Suddenly, with the wave of his hand, Cletus' injuries directly to his soul would disappear, replenishing him to his original figure. "Wha-?"
"You've displayed the power you were missing since the Festival. Rage." He paused to let his words sink in before continuing, "As a spirit of vengeance, this is your strongest asset. It made you capable of damaging even me. I needed you to tap into it, hence why I took away you're lunarian power. And you passed with flying colors."
The Vampirate opened his palm, staring at it for a moment before clenching it tightly to form a fist. "Rage, huh...But I thought this was a bad thing and why I needed to fuse with Ansel?"
The god shook his head, casually stepping towards to lunarian. "No. You're rage was not the issue, it was the fact that you were becoming primal and out of control that was. Ansel was always apart of you since what happened to you in the past. Your body was in a state of deterioration due to the changes made to you. On top of that and trauma, you would have been no different than my past heralds of vengeance. Mindless and lost."
Cletus eye's widened in shock, before he grit his teeth in anger. "Vegapunk...."
Vidarr touched his shoulder, turning the lunarian's focus towards him. "Worry not, we still have another lesson for you to learn." The god would clench his fist, hardening it and coating it in a demonic red aura. A power he had used throughout their fight. Cletus smiled in satisfaction.
"I'm ready when you are!" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Present....
Ryo! A level of armament haki that flows the user's haki outwards from their body, without making physical contact. Laced with this newly found power, Cletus' attack illuminated the darkness and flew dangerously towards fishman. Managing put up his guard just in time, the area echoed with the sound of the impact as he was sent flying blackwards with a fiery shockwave, falling back into the ocean as a result of it's power. The smell of roasted fish filled the air, but Cletus could not celebrate yet. There another. Activating his Kenbunshoko Haki, he detected his initial attacker on the roof of the building.
"Alright, asshole!" He heard the voice exclaim in anger. "You're done for!"
The Fishman launched himself off the roof, preparing another attack of his own. However, his element of surprise was long gone and he was deeply in the range of his precognition.
Reaction speed is two or more brackets above Jacks attack speed, you will basically see them in slow motion.
"Fufufufufufufu..A kick aimed at my collarbone. Too slow." As the fishman drew closer and closer, it was as if he was moving in slow motion. Using the tips of his feet, he pushed off the to left avoiding the haki coated kick completely. Following the dodge, the lunarian would gather a massive amount of flame and Ryo into his palm, before throwing his arm forward aiming to slam it into the burly fishman's body with crushing explosive force!
Maximum Fire Bomb
Cletus generates a large Fire Bomb in the palm of their hand and slams it into an opponent. The fireball's explosion generates extensive damage on the target.
The explosive force could be used to crush the target against a surface and could also be thrown at a target.
Mastery 100 Mastery 100 Strength DPR: S+
101-119: 4. City Block Level+S+(5)+3=12. Large Continent Level
[Made a mistake last turn. DPR is exact but base str is 4 and Haki is 3. He did not use hybrid last turn, my bad ]
Shaarib, as he feared, realized his attack did nothing to the Devourer. Either it did and the zombie brushed it off or the monster wasn't weak to fire anymore. The Vice-Admiral shook his head and his weird mohawk followed. Instantly, the room got illuminated by the blue flames covering Shaarib's body. His wings turned into dust, and his arms elongated and turned into wings made out of the same flames. The birdman flapped his wings once to be in a stationary position and for the second one, he waited a bit before releasing it. He timed it to meet the Jiangshi. When he flapped his wings, he released a blast covered in Haki strong enough to stop the beast in its path and then send it flying back downward into the water it had let previously fall on the ground.
- " Transmigration ! "
Flaps his wings and blast his opponent away
DPR: S, requires 81 mastery and strength ==> 5 + 4 + 2 => 11. Small Continent Level > 6. City Block Level + 3 (DPR: A) = Mountain Level! by 4 so it's Attack is 4 or more DPR higher: Overwhelms the weaker attack and is largely unaffected.
The birdman spun on himself and turned into a phoenix. The blue bird followed its prey. Song Wuji made a mistake by trying to fight Shaarib's in the air. The bird let itself fall and covered itself with its wing. The phoenix's beak began to shine and Shaarib as he caught to the Jiangshi hit it at three separate locations with the intent to separate the head from the belly.
- " Picore ! "
Picore - The user attack 3 times with his beak
DPR: ==> 5 + 3 + 3==> 11. Small Continent Leve
"Fufufufufufufu..A kick aimed at my collarbone. Too slow." As the fishman drew closer and closer, it was as if he was moving in slow motion. Using the tips of his feet, he pushed off the to left avoiding the haki coated kick completely. Following the dodge, the lunarian would gather a massive amount of flame and Ryo into his palm, before throwing his arm forward aiming to slam it into the burly fishman's body with crushing explosive force!
A look of shock washed over Jack, as his attack was seemingly called out preemptively. The hammerhead-shark fishman intended to carry through with his attack, but the nimble Lunarian effortlessly weaved out of the leg's path. Jack Hammerhead didn't even have time to react as Cletus prepared and launched his attack!
A streak of fire was the last thing Jack Hammerhead witnessed before he was engulfed and subsequently sent soaring away in a fiery explosion.
With only a single blow, the fishman was defeated and sent through an intact section of the roof and still further more, burning like a shooting star. A stream of smoke marking his line of ascent back up through the, slowly clearing, fog. The fishman had made a crucial mistake leaving the water to fight Cletus, this underestimation proved fatal.
King Shark, burnt (but still plenty alive), watched the dispatch of his underling and took great offense to it. This honorless runt sucker-punched him then brutally murdered his ally from his perspective, still he couldn't help but chuckle at the Lunarian's tenacity; this kid was definitely a pirate. "Dunadunadunaduna!" Chortled the mighty King Shark. "Alright, kid. Looks like I had you confused with another burning brat."
"That doesn't change what I'm gonna do!" He barked loudly from the ocean. "I'm gonna destroy you, RUNT!"
The pirate captain seemed to gather the ocean in his arms before sending forward a collection of heavy water globules that formed into a pack of vicious sharks. While only soulless creations of salt-water, they seemed keenly intent on biting through Cletus with haki-clad teeth (bestowed by their creator's use of offensive hardening; ryou haki).
With a flap of his burning wings, Shaarib suppressed the opponent's attack and forced the Jiangshi into the ground. The beast's song rang out all the while, a haunting melody that now had whispered words being chanted by the collection of many souls, led by one in particular.
No escape from endless chase...
ㅤㅤㅤA wicked grin, a twisted face...
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤIt feasts on terror, thrives on dread...
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤA swarm of souls, forever dead...
The familiar voice was there, but swimming in a sea of scared and angry souls; all of the souls being conducted to obey their undead overlord. The gust alone was nearly enough to rip the hulking beast apart, but Shaarib dived in a corkscrew fashion with intent of severing the Jiangshi Devourer's head.
The marine came down hard and impacted into three vital spots on the monster's neck. As planned, the head seperated from the rest of its hulking mass and rolled a short distance, the burning green fire in the eyes sizzling out, but a twisted smile remained on the inanimate head. The headless body wasn't done fighting; the claws slashed upwards at the marine; green hellfire erupted from the giant crater where the monster's head once was.
Lièfèng (裂缝)- The beast brings a single claw down on its smaller opponent, slicing and crushing the skull of its opponent. DPR: A (61 Strength, 61 Chinese Kenpo)
101-119:5. City Block Level + 3 (DPR: A) = 7. Mountain Level!!
The song continued burrowing its way into Vice-Admiral Hassan's damaged psyche all while he was forced to deal with the oncoming, sludgy, blood-smeared blades. This thing that Shaarib was fighting was merely a puppet made of human souls and body parts, it was (now more than ever before) very apparent. Even though its head sat on the ground away from its body, the monster fought more viciously than any Jiangshi that Shaarib had fought up until this point nonetheless.
The Lunarian's Maximum Fireball slammed into the burly fishman's body, sending him flying away in a fiery inferno through the roof of the building. Cletus watched as his body disappeared into the distance followed by a stream of smoke. Pieces of tile chipped away and fell to the floor rom the newly made hole in the roof as he turned around with a sigh.
"I'm outta here, this thing was a bust. This is just what happens when you try to cheat your way to strength. I have to find another method of getting stronger..."He said as he ignited his feet in preparation to kick off and search for KG and the others. However, the voice of the massive Fishman from earlier boomed loudly from the ocean behind of him.
"Dunadunadunaduna! Alright, kid. Looks like I had you confused with another burning brat. That doesn't change what I'm gonna do! I'm gonna destroy you, RUNT!"
The intimidating aura of the pirate captain made Cletus' body to react on instinct. He instantly activated his Observation Haki. Then the attack came. Constructs manifested from the ocean itself, with enough power behind them to tear his body apart like paper.
"Projectiles from behind! They're fast, but I can keep up!"
Reaction speed is equal to opponents attack speed, able to react to most of their moves.
Cletus kicked off the flooring with explosive force, flying right through the newly made opening in the roof and the massive sharks would tear the building to pieces, showing the lunarian what was in store for him had he not managed to evade in time.
"Too strong!" The Lunarian said with a massive grin.
No escape from endless chase...
ㅤㅤㅤA wicked grin, a twisted face...
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤIt feasts on terror, thrives on dread...
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤA swarm of souls, forever dead...
During his fall Shaarib, began to understand the gibberish the monster ushered. The souls were not yelling anymore. He caught on one precisely " It feasts on terror, thrives on dread..." Shaarib was not one to fear, he was not impressed by the zombies. The would shouldn't be worried. He would destroy the Jiangshi with his beak
The marine came down hard and impacted into three vital spots on the monster's neck. As planned, the head seperated from the rest of its hulking mass and rolled a short distance, the burning green fire in the eyes sizzling out, but a twisted smile remained on the inanimate head. The headless body wasn't done fighting; the claws slashed upwards at the marine; green hellfire erupted from the giant crater where the monster's head once was.
Shaarib was caught by surprise, he had gotten too cocky. He could see the claws coming, his wings could protect him form it. But he let it hit him. Blood gushed from the bird's torso. The bird knew the damage it was goign to do. He would probably be under some charms but Shaarib did not care a bit. He was going to get hurt anyway. The bird made out flames opened its beak and let out a highly concentrated cry. Sounds waves transmitting a song full of emotion, a song carrying all the sadness Shaarib felt. A song that became strong enough to destroy things around him. A burst that would blast the Jiangshi and turn it into dust.
- " Tristesse ! "
In his phoenix form, he let out a cry which create a burst that blast things around him.
AOE
DPR: S+, requires 120 strength, 100 mastery, 100 speed Destructive Potency Rank: S ==> 5+ 5(S+)+ 3(CoA) => 13. Moon Level
Shaarib took a stray slash from the hefty brute zombie, the injuries reflexively igniting with blue fire. The young marine soldier didn't allow the disorientating attack dissuade him from his goal:
Sounds waves transmitting a song full of emotion, a song carrying all the sadness Shaarib felt. A song that became strong enough to destroy things around him. A burst that would blast the Jiangshi and turn it into dust.
Shaarib let loose a war-cry that incinerated the remains of the beast, a cacophony of spirits crying out as they disappeared upward into thin air. Leaving only sludge, ash and burnt bone shards in the monster's place; Shaarib incinerated the threat.
The warm, damp room was filled with an ominous quiet now; it was filled with a quiet that offered no peace to the marine. The feeling was still very much present in this room despite his destruction of the Devourer, but it seemed Shaarib was granted a moment of calm to consider his options.
Before him still rested the corpses of both Song Wuji and Yuki, the sacrificial maiden.
The nearer he was the to them, the stronger their spirits felt in particular.
Cletus's honed instincts made him a tricky target to pin down, with a spark of his haki the Vampirate crewman leapt into the sky in order to avoid the torrent of crafted pseudo-sentient sharks. The deadly assault had missed their mark.
Cletus kicked off the flooring with explosive force, flying right through the newly made opening in the roof and the massive sharks would tear the building to pieces, showing the lunarian what was in store for him had he not managed to evade in time.
"Too strong!" The Lunarian said with a massive grin.
King Shark looked up at the burning light in the sky and responded to Cletus' grin in kind, multiple rows of teeth revealing themselves. "The Azure City's been getting a lot of tourists lately-" The pirate captain remarked while his meaty hand gripped onto the water's surface. "-can't say I'm a fan personally!" He barked while throwing his handful of haki-hardened water bullets up at the beacon overhead.
Yabusame (literally meaning "Arrow Military Shark"): The user first wets his arm, then he uses his massive strength to throw many drops of water, which are converted into deadly arrows through mere kinetic force. Requirements: 81 Mastery, 41 Strength Destructive Potency Rank: A
Strength (boosted in water): 6. City Level + Rank: A (+3 DPR) + Haki (+3 DPR) = Total: 12. Large Continent Level!!
Figures could be caught moving beneath the surface, two fairly humanoid, but one enormous serpentine shadow looming in closer from the distance. Blood was in the water and the Leviathan Pirates were now on alert, eager to take the tailed pirate out of the sky should he remain in attack range.
The hulking fishman captain looked down and around at his gathering crew in the depths then his beady, black eyes returned to Cletus. "DUNADUNA!" He chortled out confidently despite his burns. "You're not running off on us already, are ya'!?"
He gestured around ominously at the dark waters containing his small army of powerful pirates. "Looks like the crew was excited to meet you."
Heavy, excited breaths could be heard leaving the terrifying, smiling jaws of captain.
With the aid of his honed Kenbunshoko Haki, Cletus had cleanly avoided the barrage of projectiles thrown by King Shark, feared captain of the Levianthan Pirates.
The Lunarian and the Fishman exchanged toothy grins, the battle had only just began. What was once a search for a legendary temple, had turned into a deathmatch on a disadvantous playing field.
"The Azure City's been getting a lot of tourists lately.....can't say I'm a fan personally!" The fishman practically spat as he grabbed the surface water, before throwing throwing a handful of haki imbued water projectiles at Cletus, in the form of bullets instead of sharks. The Vampirate would answer with another dodge, explosively kicking off of the air to the left, narrowly escaping the water droplets as they sped past him at practically lightspeed. Dodging this time was harder than before, his movements dulled by blood loss. However, Cletus' smile would not falter.
"Fufufufufufufufu...Honestly I'm a little disappointed. The lack of hospitality is astounding!"Cletus said sarcastically.
He would watch as two humanoid figures closed from beneath the water's surface, while the shadow of an enormous, more serpentine shaped figured drew closer from the distance. Drawn by Cletus' blood, the rest of the Levianthan Pirates had gathered around their captain, intending to shoot the injured Lunarian out of the sky.
"DUNADUNA! You're not running off on us already, are ya'!? Looks like the crew was excited to meet you." The burly fishman said confidently, geturing around to his newly arrived army of fishman. His heavy, excited breathes could be heard audibly by Cletus even from the sky.
"Fufufufufufufufufu!! Maybe once I would have considered this a waste of my time! But, something in me has changed. I don't want to leave before wiping that FILTHY grin off of your face!" Cletus shot back with an insane grin of his own. Let the games begin. Ready. Set. Go.
..................
Unknown to him, his Den Den Mushi had fell from his pocket. Sinking slowly towards the depths of the sunken city. It's ringing heavily muffled from being submerged.
"Hmmm strange, he isn't picking up. We were all supposed to meet up once I brought you guys."
"Maybe something happened to him? We should tear the country apart and get some answers! NINININININI!!!" replied a feminine voice. Another figure, male, scoffed in response, annoyed by her remark.
"I will not allow you to hurt innocent people when we don't have to. I don't care if we are supposed to be comrades, I will strike you down!"
"Calm down both of you! We'll just have to ask KG what's up. If anyone will have the answers in regards to Cletus, it'll be the Big Ticket."
Shaarib for an instant, had used his voice to block the ambient noise. The bird's cry had turned the Jiangshi into dust. The song full of sadness kept being hooted into the night. Song Wuji's words were bouncing in his head, and Shaarib was still troubled. The bird stopped singing and let himself land on the platform. The Vice-Admiral turned into a ball of flame and he took back his human form, mohawk flying in the air, all traces of any wounds gone. Having no glasses or goggles, you could see his eyes perfectly. Piercing red with dark bags under it. Our hero was tired but his job was finally accomplished. Here in front of him were the corpses of the priest and the woman, Yuki.
Shaarib could feel the energy coming from both the bodies. He knew something fishy would happen, but he still took steps forward, he advanced to the decrepit old men. It was his prized possession, the World Government's future in Chongqing depended on it. The Skypiean stopped moving abruptly. His head was ringing, The words were getting louder as he approached the high priest. The vile energy in the air was consuming him. He fell on his knees and clutched his head. Shaarib could not hear anything else. Song Fuji was prying into his most profound complex, fears, doubts, and dreams. Promises were being made and Shaarib wanted to said yes. With the zombie's powers nothing would resist him. It would be just a little power-up, like having two fruits. With the Jiangshi's occult energy, he would make the pirates kneel before him. He would stop all the criminals, nobody would suffer anymore, no kids would suffer anymore like him. He would lead them, the Marine, the World Government, the Tenryubitos.....Emperor Hassan.
- " What am I saying ?" said Shaarib panting
He never wanted world domination. He had been a firm member of Absolute Justice but it faded. He was getting better. He was the Hero of the Festival. He had gotten the respect of his peers when he prioritised saving the soldiers instead of going after Bullet. He wanted strength for one thing, more than recognition, he wanted to be free. He wanted to do what he wanted, when he wanted. Song Wujii was putting words in his head, the frail old man wanted a new receptacle but our hero was stronger. He came to where he was with his fists; if he ended like Hajhib, he would accept it. Never should he bend before anyone besides the Goddess.
The birdman got up, took his Eisen dial and captured the zombie in an iron coffin. He went on to do the same thing with Yuki and if it took more time than necessary or if the kid saw tears on the Vice-Admiral's face as he put the woman delicately in her coffin, nobody would speak about it. Shaarib exited the room with two coffins linked to his waist. He was ready, they awaited. It was time to resolve this mess and go after the Leviathan Pirates.
- "I need to thank you... I realize you were the one to save me. After all the damage I did to you and your home, you are why I'm still alive kid. I do not know your name nor am I waiting for you to show yourself. I will be back soon. In one or two days. The n we will time to meet each other." whispered the Marien before flying to Azure City, sun beaming.
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