Haunt 4: Father who Ghosted
-7 months later
For Adam, the months since joining the Fish-Man Dojo were a sort of hellish Heaven.
Anguin knew just how hard and where to push to get the best results out of his students, and with someone as physically monstrous, adaptable and talented as Adam, he had to constantly push him further and further.
Weight and resistance training were the most normal.
There was also skin toughening, insane stretching routines, muscle control exercises, psychological and willpower tests, and sometimes 'Fight till you drop sessions'. One can't forget the water manipulation exercises which ranged from meditation in extreme currents or crushing pressure, to 'see if you can learn this and not die'.
Adam was actually using all of it to recreate at least some of the Rokushiki, especially focusing on Tekkai and Seimei Kikan as foundations for his future growth. In his mind. They were simply the most important as the others were more special attacks which he could incorporate into his abilities later, with his opinion strengthened by he fact that he had already figured out his own version of Rankyaku and was honing it with his master.
But through the insane training regiment, which even Jinbe couldn't quite believe a small child was grinning through, Anguin also showed expert knowledge in how to craft a body and make sure it could take what he dished out.
Nutrition was a key aspect to maintain this level of training, which included Sea King meat thanks to it being the meat with the most nutrients and energy in the world, or at least the one with the most availability. The other was medicinal herbs used to help muscles recover and strengthen themselves exponentially faster.
Tami was initially conflicted over seeing her son come back home so tattered or exhausted everyday, but she couldn't bear to stop him when he excitedly talked about all the things he was learning and how fast he was improving. So instead, she did was she knew best, she used her acupuncture and medicinal skills to help him even more.
She obviously discussed these matters with her son's master to not cause any damages from two beneficial treatments clashing within his body, but this actually resulted in the old man becoming her client after he learnt of her skills and knowledge, while they worked out a mixture of their skills to earn the best results in Adam.
As a result of all of this, and his own unstoppable drive to improve, Adam was progressing by leaps and bounds in physical abilities and on the technical side of things.
And like the little monster he was, he had managed to properly awakening his Observation and Armament Haki right before his 4th birthday.
They weren't anything special now, but as soon as they awakened properly he began to spend every moment he could practicing with them.
Taking to walking and even training as best he can with a blindfold to improve himself, while he always has a layer of armament around his fingers as well. He could cover his fists, but Adam was focusing on more than simple coating and wanted to imbue himself inside and out with his Haki to obtain much stronger defensive properties, even if it would slow his improvements.
He didn't need to go that far with Observation because Adam was using his innate understanding of the Seas and Water to form even clearer images of his surroundings at all time, a bit like how Enel's Mantra was supercharged thanks to him being able to use the electromagnetic spectrum subconsciously as a medium for it, or Nami's predictive abilities with the weather.
Anguin, obviously, wouldn't let his student go in blind either, forcing him to clash against his own or Jinbe's Haki, also roping senior students and other teachers to add variety to the fights. He said battles were the best for Haki development as they trained the spirits and source of the power being used, anything else simply being control training usually.
But with his days pretty much set in a routine of training body, mind and spirit, the world also moved forward.
The newly crowned King Neptune had been hard at work securing the island and ensuring the continued peace, which in this case was the shocking introduction of his fiancé: the Goldfish Mermaid, Otohime.
She was rather... infamous in some circles due to her air trigger emotional states and her political activism, which did bring some instability within the royal palace with her very outspoken personality, but she was also generally seen as compassionate and down-to-earth.
Many had been worried over the lack of relationship and possible heir to the throne for quite some time, with numerous rumors having spread that maybe the, at the time, Prince simply batted for the other team due to how much time he spent with the soldiers and in the army. Luckily, this move helped relieve many tensions regarding that.
None really knew what to make of this future addition to the royal family, but they were hopeful.
"Adam! Did you hear? A really famous pirate crew is on the island! And they even have a fish-man!" Shyarly excitedly revealed to her best friend as she clutched her Crystal ball as usual.
"Really? Is it the Whitebeards?" Adam asked as he looked up from his reading.
Today was his day off from the dojo, something which he usually spends relaxing with Shyarly, helping his mom or reading.
"No, I think it's the Roger Pirates! The café's big sisters told me they actually had a big fight against Mister Whitebeard and his crew, and they ended in a draw!" She answered rather excitedly.
"Right... I did hear about that." Adam thought as he pondered the timeline for a few moments. "Want to go see them?"
"Really!? Wouldn't Tami not like that?" She asked, now feeing a bit hesitant.
"Not if we just go to the café. Everyone visits there when they come to the island." Adam smirked. "Well, those with enough money anyway."
"Oh! Do you think they'd want to have their fortunes taken?" Shyarly asked as her excitement returned with force.
"Maybe. It depends if they're the decent kind." Was Adam's answer as he shrugged, but he wasn't really worried. "Mom! Shyar and me are heading to the café!"
"Ok!" The response was heard a few moments later from downstairs. "Don't forget your belies! And don't cause trouble! I'll join you when I'm done!"
"Got it!" Adam simply shouted as he put his book away and the two kids got ready and headed out.
Tami rather trusted Adam to be sensible and strong enough to defend himself or flee, even with Shyarly with him. The fact was that his status as Grandmaster Anguin's direct disciple made things even better as it gave him some importance as well. So letting the two use a jet-stream to the café without supervision was ok to her.
Going anywhere else so far from home less so, but this was a simple trip they often did, especially Shyarly who headed there almost every other day.
Reaching the café, the duo greeted everyone and then Adam helped his friend set up her little booth. Shyarly was excitedly talking while her tail swished around, wearing her usual cloak, and Adam was reading a cookbook one of the Mermaids passed him to spend his time.
It took a an hour or two, but suddenly...
Dling daling*
The bell at the door alerting workers of a new customer rung out as rather loud and boisterous men walked in, excitedly talking about the great sights around the island and, of course, the mermaids they saw. Well, that was until, like any red-blooded male in this world, they caught sight of the ladies of the Mermaid Café and they immediately focused on that.
And then, he entered.
"Wahaha! Look at this Rayleigh! Truly a treasure of the sea!" A tall man wearing an extravagant red captain's coat coat over a navy shirt decorated with a white cravat and yellow sash around his waist, practical grey pants, black sailing boots and a read tricorn hat with the infamous Jolly Roger on it.
He looked fierce, but joyful and exuberant, with his unceasing grin decorated by a fabulous black mustache and small goatee on his chin, thick, somewhat wild medium length black hair under his hat, and a powerful gaze in his blue eyes.
Standing around 9' (2.74m), with a powerful body completely belying his sickness, and his famous Supreme grade cutlass, Ace, on his hip, the future Pirate King was here.
And beside him, looking far more serious as he glared at the present crew, making sure no troubles were brought in this sacred place for all men, with sleeked back strawberry blonde hair, sharp features on his roguish good looks coupled with a unique looking goatee made up of four even black bars and a great scar over his right eye, behind thin circular glasses, was Silvers Rayleigh, first mate of the Roger Pirates.
He was currently wearing a black button up shirt with a deep V neck and pop-up collar, matching black pants, and a double edged long sword on his waist.
"You are right Captain. Let's just make sure none of the boys try and steal this treasure. Wouldn't want to upset the entire sea after all." Rayleigh replied casually, but sent chill inducing glares around as a warning.
"Wahahaha! They know how to behave, but for now let's drink and eat with these treasures!" Roger exuberantly declared, causing his men to cheer.
Watching this unfold, Adam and Shyarly could only smile knowingly as this was far from the first time they had experienced such a scene. It was actually almost daily that a crew monopolized the café if they had enough money and were respectful to the girls.
So after seeing the Madame confirm things with the more responsible looking Rayleigh, his captain already getting served some alcohol while in the middle of his men, that they would be paying properly, things were settled on that front.
It was usually quite fun for the duo really, the atmosphere was merry and the energy pirates and sailors brought to the café was almost always a good one, especially when songs began being sung to their amusement as most tend to be rather drunk by the time they start singing.
"Oh? What are two kids like you doing here?" A sudden carefree voice casually questioned the young duo.
Looking at the source, they found a handsome young teen with wavy red hair reaching past his ears wearing a straw hat, with tanned skin from spending a lot of time on the open sea, wearing a normal white shirt and black sailor pants decorated with a blue sash and a cutlass.
Adam immediately recognized him as Shanks.
"Bah, who cares? They're just brats! They should go home and suck on their mommies tits rather than be here!" An extremely arrogant and dismissive voice cut off any answer.
"Buggy, that's not a cool thing to say to a local. Who knows if they might be related to one of the workers too." Shanks scolded the similarly aged teen with short blue hair covered by a green beanie, wearing an open shirt matching his hat, flashy yellow pants and sash, with his most obvious feature being the clown nose on his unimpressive face.
"Wow... didn't expect someone in a crew this strong to be so weak." Adam suddenly said, causing Shanks to blink in surprise and Buggy to immediately become angry. "Shyar is stronger than you and she doesn't train."
"Why you little!" Seethed the clown.
"Dahahahah!" Shanks burst out laughing, internally admitting that to pretty much any fish-man or merpeople, Buggy would be pretty weak, but he was also wondering how the young man could tell they were strong and being able to compare their strengths.
Maybe experience from seeing a lot of crews and fighters.
"Don't laugh you asshole!!" Buggy shouted at his companion, anger immediately being shifted to his usual source of it.
"What's an asshole?" Shyarly suddenly asked, with incredible innocence and a titled head.
Now that caused the entire room to freeze for a moment before the mermaids openly glared at the teen, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.
"Welp, time for you to sleep." Adam suddenly said before jumping slightly and tapping the teen's temple just right to cause him to faint standing up. "And that's a bad way of describing someone that should never be repeated in front of mom."
"Oh. Ok then. But why did he say that to his friend?" She then asked, at least understanding that Tami would punish them for cussing.
"Well... sometimes friends interact with each other in different ways than we do. I guess they might be more like rivals than friends." Adam carefully answered as the Roger Pirates had their brains return into working condition after seeing a 3 year old easily knock out one of their apprentices.
But a few present noticed something about said kid and became rather curious about a few things.
"That was really impressive." Shanks praised with a grin as he waved his hand in front of his friend's face playfully, finding the situation endlessly amusing as he already planned to tease him mercilessly for it later.
Even internally trying to remember where he could find something to draw with.
"Thanks. Mom showed me how to it." Adam grinned with pride, even if beating Buggy the Clown wasn't an impressive feat.
He just liked showing off how cool his mother was.
"But you've got more than that, don't ya?" The future Pirate King rhetorically asked as he suddenly appeared behind his two apprentices with gleams of interest in his eyes as he looked at the four present.
"Well, yeah. I'm always learning more too." The young hybrid casually answered as he looked the man directly into his eyes.
It was... a lot harder than it looked.
The way Roger seemed to see through his entire being and the weight he casually exerted were no joke.
Grinning even wider, he knelt down to the level of the duo.
"Wahaha! That's good! And since your mom is teaching this kind of stuff, what about your pops?" The future Pirate King questioned intently.
"Why would an honorless cur who ran out on my mom after taking advantage of her being drunk and stealing her virginity teach me anything?" Adam titled his head, his opinion of Oden really not having improved over time.
The answer caused Roger to still for a moment before vibrating slightly.
"Mom's words...mostly. Don't tell her I said cur." He then heard, causing him to drop to the floor and start laughing his head off.
"WAHAHAHAHA!!!"
"Is he Ok?" Adam asked Shanks with some doubts.
"Hm? Oh yeah. Not sure what the Captain found so funny, but he does that a lot." He shrugged with little care. "I'm Shanks by the way."
Taking the offered hand for a shake, "Adam, and this is Shyarly, my best friend." simply introduced himself and the little shark mermaid who said hello in a mix of shyness and excitement.
"So why do ya look different from most fish-men I've seen around the island?" The teen then asked out of curiosity.
"Cause I'm only half Fish-man. Mom's a Lion Fish Mermaid and, like I said, some scummy pirate took advantage of her being drunk and left, forcing her to raise me alone since she didn't have any family either." Adam explained, purposefully phrasing it in a way which would be most cathartic for his mother and himself later. "Luckily, she had great friends from having worked here and she managed to open her own acupuncture shop before then."
"Damn. Wonder why the Captain finds what you said about your pops so funny, but acupuncture eh? Sounds interesting. How's it feel?" Shanks continued to ask, displaying his innate curiosity and ability to intuitively get along with pretty much anyone as the two began to chat while Shyarly pitched in.
"What's got the capt'n so excited?" Silvers Rayleigh suddenly interrupted as he neared the little group.
"Dunno. He heard Adam's not so sunny opinion about his old man and dropped laughing." Shrugged Shanks. "You know why?"
"I might have a clue." Rayleigh smirked knowingly as he looked at Adam and Shyarly. "Nice to meet you two. I'm Rayleigh, but you can call me Ray-san.
I'm the first mate of this crew and the idiot on the floor."
"I'm Adam."
"And I'm Shyarly." She quickly followed up before gathering her courage. "Would anyone want their fortune told?"
"I'm sure we have a few who would love to, especially the Captain." The Dark King gently answered while giving her a head pat. "He loves seeing and experiencing new things."
"Ok!" She brightly answered, causing almost dopy smiles to appear on the faces of those looking on at the innocent happiness.
"Waha... ha... haaa. *Whew* That was a good laugh." Roger finally said as he finally controlled and caught his breath while wiping away his tears of laughter. "Someone get that idiot Oden! He's got some explaining to do!"
Hearing the suddenly rather serious order, a tall and well built man wearing a grey t-shirt, sporting long black hair tied in a bushy ponytail and circular sunglasses stood up.
"I'll go get him." He simply said as he strode out of the café.
"Is something wrong? I hope the children haven't upset you." The Madame suddenly asked as she did not want Adam and Shyarly to be hurt by pirates.
"Certainly not." Rayleigh easily answered. "Just a certain member of the crew needing to take some responsibility is all."
"In the meantime," Roger suddenly said before putting on a doting smile, "I hear ya can tell fortunes Shyarly-chan. How about telling this old pirate's future?"
"Ok!" Shyarly happily answered as she placed her Crystal ball on her little cushion and seated herself properly.
Closing her eyes, she thrust her hands over her ball and focused.
"I see... a really big elephant. Like huge! Bigger than Great Sea Kings! Hmmm...And... everyone laughing and crying together for some reason." Shyarly slowly revealed as Adam was once again impressed by her abilities.
"A big elephant?" Roger pondered as maybe it was going to be something he would fight, but he also remembered the dog and cat following the samurai and his family talking about their home being on a giant elephant or something.
"That's really impressive Shyarly-chan." Roger praised as he took out a few gold pieces to pay for the service. "What's the furthest thing you can see in that ball of yours?"
"Hm? I'm not sure... I haven't really tried before, but I can do it now!" She answered with a lot of determination.
"Then how about... when the Mermaid Princess will be born?" He decided to ask with some seriousness hidden behind his doting expression.
"Mermaid... Princess? Hmmmm... Ten Years! My ball says ten years!" Shyarly answered as she showed her ten fingers, causing Roger's eyes to widen a fraction before praising her and paying her a dozen more gold coins.
"Well then... now I feel bad that I'll miss it. Maybe I should leave a present." Roger softly grinned as he looked in the distance.
Adam knew he was likely thinking about his limited time, but it wasn't like he could do anything about it.
"Hey... can I see your Haki?" He decided to ask instead, not wanting to waste this opportunity.
"Hm? And why would you want that?" The pirate responded with a raised eyebrow from curiosity. "How do you even know about Haki? I thought even down here few knew about it."
"Cause I can do it and my master said it gets better when you clash against the Haki of strong people." Adam answered as he lifted his arm and a thin coat of armament appeared before the stunned looks of everyone present, but Roger was simply grinning wider and wider. "You took on Whitebeard and drew with his crew, so you're strong and you've got to know Haki.
I just want to see the Haki of someone that strong cause master said his isn't even close to the same level, especially with how old he is."
"Well, looks like we've got a little monster." He commented gleefully.
"How?!" Shanks cried out in dismay. "It took the Captain and Rayleigh months of beating me up to awaken my Haki, so why can a kid who didn't go through that hell do it?"
Now that caused the crew to laugh at the rare outburst from the usually laidback teen, but training with those two monsters certainly wasn't a joke either so they could understand having some trauma after a few months straight of it.
"Hm? Looks like we'll need to up the training now if being surpassed by a kid that young worries you." The Dark King grinned sadistically towards the teen who often skips out on his jobs around the ship to nap and cloud gaze, causing said teen to shiver instinctively.
"Hahaha!" He nervously laughed as he scratched the back of his head. "No, no, I'm thrilled that the next generation'll surpass the old one!"
"Old my... goatee." Silvers carefully said to not swear in front of a rather adorable mermaid child. "Just you watch, I'll make sure your Haki is up to snuff."
"Captain! Save me!" Shanks pleaded immediately.
"Wahahahaha!" Simply earning laughter for his efforts and realizing his error when he noticed a familiar gleam in the man's eyes. "Anyway, sure thing kid. Let me show you some spirit."
With that said, he raised his right arm as Adam's eyes glowed with his Observation Haki, focusing his being into only looking at Roger, surprising the man further with just how much talent and spirit such a young child could have. The clear will to improve and drive to do so being immense enough to achieve Haki at such a tender age was not something to underestimate.
It made him curious, but more-so... it made him excited to bear witness to the beginnings of one who would come after his passing like Shanks.
Starting with initial coating, he took it slowly as a little show for the child, building up the toughness while escalating beyond that and starting to have his Haki flow, earning clear excitement and desire from the child.
Roger couldn't help but chuckle fondly at the pure desire to attain what he showed.
But then he took it further as his Haki began becoming more aggressive and overbearing, nearby materials were starting to shake slightly, and Roger could feel his First Mate becoming a bit concerned, but he focused on the child who subconsciously moved in front of his young precognitive friend to take the brunt of the pressure emitted.
"So kid... you have all that will and spirit... what do you want to do with it?" He questioned as he brought his Armament and Conquerors Haki to their peak, this alone was placing enormous strain on someone so young and far behind in strength.
Adam was clearly struggling from it, earning worried looks from Shyarly behind him as he took on what would have hurt her, but instead of feeling despair... he began laughing.
"Hehehe...haha...Hahaha...HAHAHA HAAA!!!" Grinning madly as his spirit surged forward to meet this unofficial challenge to his will.
A question to his very being and driving force.
"I'm going to see it all." Adam answered wildly as his eyes grew red with intense Haki, his arms growing darker and darker as it surged through him unrelentingly. "I want to sail every sea. See every island. Experience the world and face everything it throws my way.
I WANT TO LIVE FREE!"
As if answering the heartfelt declaration he had known to be within him since his youth in his past life. Hearing his unwavering desire which even death couldn't come close to smothering, his spirit burned and erupted to meet the one daring to test it.
"WAHAHA! That's right! That's how men should live!" Roger ecstatically approved as he cocked his fist back. "NOW... Let's trade blows!"
Grinning wildly, Adam let himself loose with the sudden upsurge in spirit, pulling back his hand and focusing everything into it.
"Captain, Gaban-dono said you wanted to see us?" A voice suddenly asked from the door as a figure entered the café.
And then, they swung, clashing as a little Prince sought the approval of a supreme king, ending predictably as Adam flew out of the door and was slammed into the entering figure, sending both tumbling out of the place as Roger surprisingly avoided damaging the place impeccably.
"Wahaha! Perfect timing." He praised himself as he kissed his fist.
"Was that?" Rayleigh questioned.
"Yup!" Roger clearly answered.
"And did you?" Came next.
"Uh huh!" The Captain grinned.
"Roger-taichou, what has just struck my husband?" A clear voice politely questioned.
This turned out to be a tall woman with long green hair decorated by a golden flower ornament, of elegant beauty and clear blue eyes, wearing a short pink kimono decorated with Sakura patterns. She had a katana on her hip and two children in her arms, one was a toddler with a small topknot of black hair, and the other was a newborn still swaddled in a blanket.
"Hm? Oh Toki! That would be the start of his punishment!" Roger answered with his trademark grin becoming a bit more sinister.
"Punishment? What has my husband done to actually earn a punishment?" The surprised Toki asked as it was rather rare for their captain to give out straight up punishments to crew members unless they have made great mistakes.
"He had a kid!" He answered as he stepped past her.
"I am very well aware he's had children. I birthed them." She huffed with an eye roll.
"He means there's another one. Older too." Rayleigh clarified for the lady, earning a shocked look before it turned furious.
"Is there now?" She all too calmly replied. "Rayleigh-dono, could you please take care of Momonosuke and Hiyori for a few moments?" She requested as she carefully placed her children with arguably the most trustworthy individual in the crew. "I have some matters to discuss with a certain husband of mine."
"*Chuckle* And this is why I'll never marry." Rayleigh laughed softly in schadenfreude while rocking little Hiyori to make sure she stayed asleep.
Looking at ones who flew out of the café, one could find an odd scene as the larger one was groaning with confusion and the smaller one was giggling as he looked up to the sky.
"So that's the punch of one of the strongest?" Adam said aloud as he looked at the rapidly healing bruised hand he used to punch, clenching it with an excited smile. "I'll surpass it!"
With that declaration, he jumped up from the ground and looked around to the one he had collided with thanks to Roger having controlled the clash masterfully to avoid damaging the café and the girls. Adam would have to apologize for that later as he had lost himself in the excitement and rush of the challenge.
Nearby, was a man, taller and more muscular than Roger, wearing an orange kimono, leaving most of his legs exposed with a large purple and white nio-dasuki tied around his shoulders that ran down his back. His head had a unique hairstyle Adam immediately recognized due to wild black hair at the back resembling his own but with a large circular plateau at the top of it. And at his hip were two exquisite looking katana, one in blue and the other in white.
"What in the world was thrown at me?" The obvious samurai questioned as he scratched his head, looking around with his sharp black eyes, highlighted by red eyeliner, and topped by his high-arching eyebrows.
"Sorry about that sir." Adam apologized as this was kind of his fault and he did hit the man regardless of being thrown.
"Hm?" Kozuki Oden responded as he carefully looked at the child before him with gradually widening eyes. "Y-you-?"
""Oden-sama, nya!/Are you ok?"" Two youthful voices cried out of worry.
One was a tall, on the lanky side, dog mink with a brown coat of fur, a white muzzle showing his sharp teeth and flapping tongue, wearing a less extravagant kimono and shoulder cape.
The other was a stouter lion mink with a large bushy blonde mane, visibly sharp teeth and claws, wearing a white kimono with a brown stripped haramaki, and a large, extremely bushy stripped tail behind him.
"I-I'm fine you two." He answered with a bit of hesitation.
"That's good to hear, dear husband." A soft and sweet voice said, causing Oden to stiffen in fear as he jerkingly turned to see his beloved wife smiling kindly in the terrifying manner. "Because I will need you to carefully explain why there is essentially a younger version of your personage beside you."
The silent pressure behind Kozuki Toki was no joke a surprised Adam thought as anime wives truly receive wondrous power ups to deal with the acts of their husbands. Witnessing the fearless Kozuki Oden cowering before the sweetly smiling woman as the two future leaders of the mink tribe hid behind him was truly a sight to behold.
"W-well Toki... you see-" He tried to begin explaining, but...
"Adam! What are you doing with strangers outside the café and why are you so dirty?" Tami's voice questioned as she approached. "I know you like to fight those who cause trouble, but Master Anguin told you to take it easy during your days...off..."
While her slight scolding trailed of due to her finally noticing a very unique hair of hair she would never forget, her expression became extremely fiery as her spines erected themselves.
"Get away from my child you cowardly son of an spineless lamprey!" She roared as she threw poisoned spines at Oden who hurriedly dodged as cold sweat broke out on his back from recognizing the mermaid before him and all the pieces completely clicking for him.
"Hi mom!" Adam cheerfully greeted, ignoring that completely as he was still far too happy about trading fists Gol D. Roger himself. "That pirate over there is awesome! He helped me improve my haki and showed me how far I could push it!"
Her child's innocent joy certainly caused her to pause as she was torn between scolding, worrying, being happy and prideful.
"Please halt your hand." The green haired Wano lady requested. "While I understand your fury at my husband, and believe me when I say that he shall suffer for his actions, I would request that we discuss this properly."
Looking at the woman with a careful gaze, Tami was torn between finally castrating Kozuki Oden and setting a good example for her son mostly.
"Fine." She reluctantly replied as she put away her spines. "But keep him away from me."
"So that's him then?" Adam questioned is mother, obviously having long known the answer, but this would force Tami to finally 'reveal it' to him.
"Yes Adam. That philandering no-good deadbeat who calls himself a samurai is my rapist." She heavily sighed while really not holding her poisonous tongue back with her very negative opinion of the man.
"I am no rapist! I am an honorable samurai and all women I have bedded were very willing! You simply need to ask the harem I had back home!" Oden responded as if taking offense to her description of him, completely forgetting the situation he was in until both women's ires were burning brightly once more.
"Wow... he really is as stupid as mom said." Adam noted in mild surprise.
"Wahaha! This is going to be good!" Roger happily commented as he appeared beside the boy.
Having lost his and then building a new family through his crew, Roger heavily valued the concepts. So seeing the bastard of his own crew member, obviously not knowing his father because the man had been sailing with his rival and then taken by himself for the last few years, well he decided to orchestrate some measure of punishment.
That the mother of the child was a fiery tempered mermaid with impressive aim using poisoned spines and needles was just a bonus at this point.
So the young and old duo watched the one-sided beat down of the mighty Kozuki Oden with schadenfreude, with two minks cowering away from the wrath of the two women, abandoning their lord in his moment of need.
-15 minutes later
A small group composed of Toki holding her two children as she gave her husband the cold shoulder while sitting beside him, said heavily bruised and slightly poisoned husband with a swollen shut eye and swollen cheeks, sitting opposite of Tami as she protectively hugged her son from behind and had Shyarly sitting beside her while glaring at Oden, Adam who looked amused and Shyarly was a bit fidgety.
The toddler Momonosuke was looking around at the new faces, and his father's swollen one, with curiosity as he sat on his mother's lap similarly to his half-brother.
"Shyar, why don't you go and see which of those pirates wants their fortunes told while mom and I deal with this...situation?" Adam suggested, causing the little mermaid to nod and float away on her bubble.
"So... let us start with the obvious, my dear husbands seems to have created a dilemma with his unrestrained actions." Toki stated with a quick glare.
"*Scoff* As long as that deadbeat doesn't even think about taking MY child, then he can go and become sea king waste for all I care." Tami growled protectively.
"We wouldn't dream of separating the both of you. I would fight to the end if someone tried to do so with myself and my children as well. The problem is that little Adam, illegitimate or not, is a Kozuki." The green haired woman reassured with a sigh.
"Like hell he is!" Was the mermaid's response. "I carried him alone.
Gave birth to him alone.
Raised him alone.
And I'm eternally grateful to those who helped me do so. That means, I don't give a flying fuck about his sperm donor because Adam doesn't have a father in my eyes and any ties were severed long ago."
"If I had known, I would have never left you alone!" Oden countered earnestly.
"No, you would have instead forced me and my child to follow you in your selfish desires like her." Tami snorted derisively with a look towards his wife and two children. "You might have been lucky until now, but traveling the seas as with infamous pirates is no life for newborns!
Especially for a pregnant mermaid.
I wouldn't even be able to function properly on a normal ship, but that wouldn't matter to you as long as your 'honor' was satiated. Would it? Because I know for a fact that you wouldn't be able to stay and take proper responsibility otherwise."
The scathing words, filled with much of the grief and frustrations she had experienced due to him were clear enough to cause the usually tenacious man to wince and lower his head. He knew how he could come off as, but he usually never cared because of his desires to always act based on his will and as himself. The issue was that this wasn't about him, but about a person, two actually, that he had severely wronged. And as a man who wanted to do good by others after maturing somewhat, this was a heavy blow, especially after experiencing the joys fatherhood had brought him.
So being here and discovering he had a son, one who never knew of him nor desired anything from him and treated him like a stranger... it was difficult.
"Is there anything I could do to redeem myself? At least to our child." Oden almost pleaded as he bowed his head.
"MY child. And no. This isn't something a token act could just wipe away." Tami coldly replied. "You took advantage of me and then left. And even if Adam is my greatest treasure, I won't forgive you for that because you will simply leave again.
So just leave us alone and forget about us because I certainly will."
While her words were harsh, Adam could feel his mother's inner turmoil as she was almost shivering while holding onto him like an anchor. So he just hugged her, trying his best to comfort her as he silently told her that he was there, and would stay with her.
"*Sigh* We understand." Toki interjected before her husband could say anything. "But you must also understand that the Kozuki family is not a simple one.
You see...Oden is the heir to the ruler of Wano and will be its next Shogun."
"...You mean to tell me that, this buffoon is the next ruler to an entire kingdom?" Tami repeated to confirm the ridiculous revelation, earning a nod from the husband and wife. "Your country is doomed. Leave us out of it."
The complete rejection was actually heard by the entirety of the crew which had been not-so subtly listening in and caused them to burst out laughing all around them. This caused Oden to try and glare at them for not believing in him, but that just made them all laugh harder due to his swollen features and because Toki immediately glared at him to sit down and pay attention.
"I won't try and convince you otherwise, nor was it my intention to say to you two should join us in Wano, but you must understand that regardless of anything: Adam is of the Kozuki Clan. That means he does have royal blood, even if he is an illegitimate son, now having the highest claim after my own." Toki emphasized to get across the importance of the matter.
"Then how about I visit when I'm ready to travel?" Adam suddenly suggested rather easily.
He knew things wouldn't go well for the Kozuki clan in general, and by the time he was ready to sail, Kaido and Orochi would have taken over the country, eliminating any kind of issue his bloodline might cause for quite some time. And even if he tried to warn them, Oden and his men just weren't capable enough to stop any of it, with Adam himself being insignificant in the grand scheme of things right now.
"You can tell me about the Kozuki clan then, and I stay here in the meantime where only those present know where and who I am." He continued with a shrug.
This earned him a slightly tighter hug out of worry from his mother, causing him to look up at her and smile, easing them marginally. She always knew he wanted to travel, his reading selection was evident enough of that, but he was somehow mature enough to also realize he couldn't do so without great strength to defend himself against humans and the sea, not rushing the matter at all or being stupid about.
Heck, he studied a lot regarding cooking, medicine, navigating, survival, ship repair, and about the world, readying himself for it, and she wasn't stupid enough to not see the signs Adam wasn't bothering to hide.
"When you're old enough, you can do as you want as long as you always come back home when you need to." Tami responded as she looked into her child's eyes, pleased to see them sparkling in agreement.
"I think we can agree to this. Right dear?" Toki replied with a nod, prodding Oden for one with a look.
"Of course! I can show you the wonderful sights around Wano! I'm sure my retainers would very much love to clash against you at the time and so will I!" He suddenly burst with energy as he began imagining manly scenes of blades and fist clashing as he taught his sons together.
The two women deadpanned at him and his muscle-brained nature.
"Hehe! Fighting against samurai sure sounds fun." Adam giggled excitedly as his mother now looked at him and realized that Oden's blood was quite potent to infect her child so much even though he's very smart and thoughtful.
Toki on the other hand, looked down at Momonosuke in silent worry regarding the possibility of him also inheriting the desire for strength and combat of his father.
"Alright. I would like to meet up with the both of you at least once more before our departure to at least get to know my... step-son(?) and yourself. Maybe exchange some tips on raising children, I've mostly had to rely on our doctor, Crocus, and advice I manage to gain from the women found around the places we dock and visit." The green haired lady suggested hopefully. "We can have the children at least spend some time together as well.
Just because they don't have the same mother, doesn't mean they shouldn't somewhat have a bit of time together."
"I am... agreeable to it, as long as he stays away." The lion fish mermaid responded carefully. "Come by Lion Acupuncture in Waterwheel town anytime after 5 in the evening. That's when Adam usually returns from the dojo."
"Dojo?" Oden picked up on the familiar word with great curiosity.
Seeing his mother being hesitant to even speak to the man, Adam decided to step up.
"I was chosen as the disciple for the Grandmaster of the Fish-Man Karate/Jujutsu Dojo." He simply answered.
"Hoh!" Was the impressed sound which came out of Oden's mouth at the revelation, feeling rather proud as he had heard much about those arts from the Fish-men he had served with under Whitebeard and Roger.
And anyone capable of earning the title of Grandmaster in a place such as Fish-Man Island certainly wasn't a push over.
But before the samurai could ask more questions, Hiyori decided that she was hungry and stopped him in his track with her crying.
"I believe it would be best to end things for today." Tami said, earning a thankful look from Toki and an ugly pout from Oden.
He wanted to get to know his other son. A warrior just like him and one who already showed a similar desire to see the world.
But his situation was not one he could thoughtlessly jump into this time. He was in between two females ready to rip him apart if he stepped a toe out of line after all.
"Thank you. I will come by tomorrow and try to do so as much as I can before our departure. It will be nice to have another woman to talk to regarding matters." Toki said as she stood up, with Tami doing so with her son as well.
"I'll see you then. And if anyone, besides him, needs some acupuncture, please do stop by." The mermaid announced before gesturing for Shyarly to finish up with her fortune telling and come along to go home.
It had been an eventful day and she wanted to relax home with her kids.
Author notes:
Well, that was longer than I anticipated.
Lots of stuff to go through.
First, let's go through Adam and Haki.
•Armament: The reason Adam can achieve the basics with this type is due to his Fish-man heritage being geared towards combat while stacking his inherited power from Oden. This allows him to achieve the basic requirements to unlock it, which he did in his 'playtime' with his Master, having fully released himself and letting his spirit roar for the first time.
Spirit/willpower and a strong enough body are supposedly the requirements for this kind of Haki, thus Adam has it.
His encounter with Roger simply allowed him to fully unlock the 'coating' stage instead of the flimsier stage before hand.
•Observation: Adam has enhanced senses beyond most humans simply by being born part fish-man, but it was further boosted by how he's trained said senses, has an innate connection to the 'Sea' or 'Water', and then understood how to sense and use it properly.
At the moment, it is mostly the basic level, but he also already shows signs of specializing in 'seeing' people he's looking at and understanding them movements and bodies.
•Conquerors: This just awakened, mostly because, from what I understand, the only requirement for this is essentially to have a will powerful enough and the drive to achieve one's dreams. It needs to be will beyond pretty much any other human however.
My feelings are that if a child Doflamingo could awaken this, likely Linlin as well and a few others, then Adam, who's lived his whole past life as a sailor, fighter and adventurer, died and came to this crazy world in order to do it all again but on 'Insanity' Mode, then he can awaken Conquerors Haki under the prodding of Gol D. Roger.
Side note: Roger did not put Adam under his direct Conquerors Haki because there is no way Adam could have resisted. He was simply pressured from Roger having it flow into his Armament Haki and the two being that strong. Coupled with Roger's sheer presence, it was enough to let Adam awaken.
Now moving on to other things.
His training at the Dojo is not making him insanely powerful just yet, but the fact that he can understand the lessons at a much deeper level than even adults and has an insane growth and potential results in great results. Being knowledgeable regarding high tier techniques and powers, as well as abilities from other fictitious works also help him gain ideas for his development and future goals as a fighter.
He doesn't automatically know Seimei Kikan or Tekkai, but every little bit of mastery in those arts would be incredibly useful to controlling and enhancing oneself.
There is also no rush for Adam to try his hands at recreating the other 'powers' since he's still working on his base essentially.
Next up, I think having Acupuncture and Herbal medicine team up is a very good way for Adam to unlock even more of his potential and get more bang for his buck. Having his teacher become his mom's client just seemed fitting too since he is an old man and Tami is good at what she does.
Timeline wise, I'm doing my best to stay accurate.
It was stated at that the Roger Pirates came by Fish-Man Island after a 3 day and night fight against the Whitebeard Pirates, after which Oden and his family joined him on his journey which took what looks to be the same path as the Strawhats on their way to Wano and Zou to read the ponyglyphs revealed to be there by Oden's party.
That's when Roger really gets some of big clues that he and his crew came 'too early' as he learns of the Mermaid Princess/Poseidon being born in ten years from the Sea Kings and Shyarly's prediction, knowing full well he wasn't going to live that long.
I just decided to use this opportunity to make Oden and Toki aware of the man's true eldest son and bastard child, having some drama I hope I made both amusing and serious enough to be in the style of One Piece.
Still don't like Oden. Or Momonosuke really, but at least they try.
Tami really hating Oden and fearing that he would try to take Adam and she wouldn't be able to stop him. The kid is literally one of her biggest emotional pillars after a relatively rough life, so loosing him would break her.
That's partially why she's so supportive of him growing stronger and being knowledgeable. It severely lessens the chances of him being killed or making mistakes which could be costly. The only reason she hadn't allowed him to go to the dojo before being recruited by Anguin was because she just thought he was a bit too young, but even then she helped him train or learn.
She's a very good mom.
Also, I can't help trying to make young Shyarly adorable. It just flows out.
And finally, the meet up between Father and son was dominated by the women and they essentially just meet so Oden can be aware of his son. Something which will effect the Wano Arc obviously, but that's for later.
Now Oden is just quite proud that his son is so similar to himself and wants to try to at least leave something behind for him since he obviously will miss pretty much all of his life.
So yeah.
I think I did a pretty good job with everyone's personalities and behavior.
Made Roger secretly cunning with his timing and he was stated to really care for the family he lost and his crew.
Meeting Shanks and Buggy is also pretty good since Adam will pretty much be Shanks' Whitebeard or something.
Hope you enjoyed.