Hi guys Azza here!
100k Version 3.0 is now installed for your reading pleasure.
But for real though 100K! Again! And do you know what's crazy is that this is only the third Arc of the story so far we've got so much to go yet its not even funny and that didn't even occur to me until I was at the end of writing this.
So again thanks for all the support of you guys be it PM's or reviews you guys always have good feedback or suggestions for me and even just reading a lot of what you guys have to say is always a treat so in return for getting this far from this chapter onward I'm doing something to add a little extra to each chapter beyond the main story.
So basically this is an idea I'm actually taking from Oda, the creator of One Piece himself, and incorporating into my story. Basically Oda tells side stories for his world through the manga covers right now obviously this isn't a manga but what I can do is tell little side stories in written form.
Now how it will work is that at the end of each chapter instead of the usual hope you guys all enjoyed etc the side stuff will begin. This is so that if you don't care about it you don't have to read it because it's not gonna be centric to the plot but it does occur within my verse so to speak.
Now many people have kept asking me for more Aizen and Salem with the Newspaper so I've decided to make that the first set of shorts. Now keep in mind these aren't going to be massive they might be around 1k words or so but that's kind of the point of them.
Now even if the main chapter is only 5k, 8k or even 10k it doesn't matter I'll still put one of these at the end until I finish the miniseries so to speak then I'll either begin another I have in mind or not include one if I haven't got any ideas for them yet so if any of you have a God or Devil we've seen before that you want in a miniseries thing once you get the idea of how they work then feel free to suggest it!
Anyway that's basically all the news I have hope you guys keep reading and enjoying the story!
On with the story!
I do not own Fairy Tail, One Piece or the Nasuverse.
God's Divine Judgement
/Luffy's POV/
"Zoro, Sanji, you guys alright?"
"Just a few scratches," Zoro replied dismissively as the trio met up across the small cloud river near the ship. "Guess we all won eh?"
"Yeah unfortunately I'm stuck with the burden of seeing your stupid moss covered head around the ship for a little while longer it seems," Sanji replied prompting Zoro to scowl as he took several steps forward.
"You think that I don't have enough energy left to put you in the ground you perverted cook!?"
"Go ahead and try moss infested bastard, go get lost again and fall off the damn cloud!"
"Both of you shut it," Luffy snapped back. "Something's wrong here …"
"What do you mean," Zoro asked sending one last glare in Sanji's direction.
"Hate to agree with the moss head but what are you talking about Luffy I mean sure the ship is pretty beat up but-?"
"Just shut up and think for a second Sanji, where is everyone if this is supposed to be the meeting point," Luffy said with a frown prompting both Zoro and Sanji to pale slightly.
"You don't think that God Enel …"
"Would you put it past him," Zoro said prompting Sanji to look away with a furious expression before kicking the tree next to him in frustration.
"We were too slow, even rushing our fights we didn't make it back fast enough to help everyone," Sanji snapped before the pair turned to see Luffy's reaction.
"What's the plan Luffy?"
"Luffy?"
Both Zoro and Sanji saw the look in Luffy's eyes as he looked upward to the highest cloud, not even flinching as an explosion rocked the area opposite them with a man landing right in front of them missing half of his face.
"Heh, a right feral one that girl is," the man grinned as his fully exposed right eye moved around to observe the trio. "Well now isn't this amusing-!"
The man was silenced as two shadows emerged from the ground around him, pinning him to the ground like a thick blanket as Seilah emerged from Luffy's shadow.
"Your game has gone far enough Assassin, you know what I want to know so you might as well spill it!"
"Demand it all you want but I'll never speak girl, Enel has your friends and will use them to draw Dragneel right into his clutches!"
"You are a fool if you think Enel can beat Natsu," Seilah shot back as she kicked him in the face. "Now this is your last chance to tell me what I need to know or else I'll tear it from your mind!"
Assassin simply chuckled darkly before bursting into laughter prompting Seilah to kneel down and grab the Servant by the face with her eyes flaring from their usual colour to Crimson Red.
"What do you think she's doing," Zoro asked after several minutes of intense staring.
"What do you think she's doing moss for brains she said she'd tear what she needed to find out from his mind, question is what is it?"
"Probably where Enel took the others I'd say," Luffy said surprising the pair as Seilah began to rapidly blink.
"Hehehehe, so now you've seen the true me," Assassin said with an almost animalistic smirk. "Now you understand why I couldn't ever tell you hmm?"
Former Leader Of The Oniwabanshu
The Forged Blade
Jiraiya (Assassin)
"You've already seen it haven't you, Enel's endgame," Jiraiya said with a sadistic smirk. "I played my part in distracting you and now Enel is ready to commence the final phase of his plan."
"And what plan would that be?"
"Natsu," Seilah gasped just as the deafening sound of thunder and lightning forced everyone to look up into the darkening sky.
"This is it," Jiraiya crowed bursting into laughter. "You'll all be dead soon enough!"
"Oi what's going on," Sanji snapped. "What the hell is this bastard on about!?"
"H-he's-!"
A bright light drew everyone's attention back toward the sky however Seilah quickly turned back to speak to Natsu only to find him gone.
"Damn it," Seilah hissed as the shadows rolled up to Jiraiya's neck and with one swift motion decapitated him only for his form to fade away revealing it to be a fake. "We need to move, now!"
/Enel's POV/
"Ya hahaha! You mortals were fools to come here, look at what your coming as brought to the poor residents of Angel Island," Enel jeered mockingly as he flew up into the sky whilst raising a golden staff above his head.
"You can't do this," Nami screeched whilst struggling against her bindings. "Those people didn't even do anything to you!"
"Foolish girl, Life and Earth belong to me for I am God! Now, I shall show you all Divine Judgement!"
"You're insane-!"
"Be quiet Nami."
"B-but Mordred-!"
"He's doing this to bait Natsu away from that things he's got built over there, let him do it."
"And kill all those people!?"
Mordred looked up at Enel whose gaze now rested solely on her. Though she was still worn out from her fight with Alphonse she had enough strength left to break her binding as she shakily rose to her feet.
"Go ahead Enel, go ahead and try your little scheme! You might think that just because you wield such power you can't be stopped but Natsu will show you different, you'll learn soon enough that you are far from the strongest thing out there!"
"As expected from the Servant of Natsu," Enel said as he slowly descended to Mordred's level before hitting her across the face with his golden battle staff. "Such devotion though to one's Master is rather interesting however you shall soon understand why I am God whilst he is naught but an abomination."
Mordred began to chuckle as she looked up at Enel, spitting on his foot which brought a sneer to the Aura user's face.
"Many have called him an abomination yet none of them lived to tell the tale; you'll be the next in a rapidly expanding list of people who fell to their own hubris by his hand. By all means though please continue with this farce you call judgement, Natsu will have you broken soon enough."
"Enel," a voice roared across the area prompting the God to freeze in place. "Stop toying with this trash and execute the Angels!"
"Wh-what was that," Chopper asked shakily prompting Nami to cling to the young reindeer in fright.
Mordred however almost immediately recognized the being that spoke, how could she not after living Natsu's memories through the Master/Servant bond. Rapidly paling she watched as Enel wordlessly rose high into the sky and made a forward motion with his staff.
"This is the Advent Of Thunder, the judgement of God," Enel's voice boomed all across Angel Island as the sky began to darken. "God has decreed you unfit for existence, rapture has come!"
The clouds above Angel Island parted revealing a monstrous attack easily larger than several islands put together. A black sphere full to the brim of Lightning was slowly descending toward the Angel Island as everyone in the Sky Island region watched on in shock and horror.
"This is the power of God, this is true Divine Judgement made manifest! Rumble Rumble: Raigo!"
/Angel Island/
Panic reigned supreme as the Angels fled for their lives from the slowly descending sphere that promised their obliteration. The resident police force, the White Berets were able to do nothing to try and keep the citizens calm with their Captain himself even coming to accept the end.
The sky continued to darken as many of the fleeing Angels found themselves slowly ceasing their mindless charge to escape as the reality of the situation set in. Even if they managed to get onto the Waver Ships the attack Enel had launched would likely engulf not just Angel Island but the majority of the White White Sea as well.
"So this is the power of God," McKinley sighed bitterly. "Curse you God Enel, you are nothing more than a false God if you could dare condemn so many innocents in such a manner."
"Captain … Captain what should we do," one of the White Berets asked only for McKinley to shake his head.
"You can see the sphere bearing down upon our home, Enel has decided to end us and there isn't a thing any single one of us can do about it."
"So you just plan on giving up, letting Enel walk all over us!?"
"And what would you have me do, Enel is far beyond anything we could even fathom," McKinley sighed as he turned around to face a very pissed off Conis.
"Well we can't simply sit around and wait to die; we've got to do something, anything to show that he will never break us!"
"Conis …"
"How disgraceful that you and the White Berets, protectors of the Angel Islanders and the peace are being upstaged by mere Blue Sea Dwellers who even now fight against God's Army! How can you call yourself a man of justice, a man of farcical truths more is a far more fitting name I should think!"
McKinley simply gave Conis a sad look knowing that this was the poor girl's way of venting her frustrations at the current situation, her laboured breathing and glistening tears cutting him far deeper than any of the words ever could.
"C-Captain!"
"What is it Beret?"
"Th-the sphere, Enel's sphere is being held back!"
"You know I don't know what it is about these young ladies and their tears but I find myself compelled to act to fix whatever brought them about in the first place."
Spinning around Conis was mere inches from Natsu who stood tall with both hands held upward, a thick purple aura surrounding his form as he projected a Gravity Field around the entirety of Angel Island.
"Y-you," Conis gasped as Natsu flashed her his usual grin.
"You sure told off Captain Stickler For Rules over there Conis but even I have to admit that it was a tad harsh," Natsu said as Conis blushed slightly in a mixture of embarrassment and awe.
"Y-you're one of the Blue Sea Dwellers," McKinley gasped in shock. "How are you holding back Enel's attack!?"
"Listen up Captain Stickler because I don't really have the time for the Q and A right now, despite how easy I'm making this look it's actually quite draining for me. This is your chance to get as many people out of here as you can before this thing hits the surface."
"Y-you're going to help us!"
"I don't stand by and let innocents come to harm if I can help it even if they are sheep, just isn't my style."
"B-but you'll surely be killed if you stay here," Conis said as Natsu lowered his right hand and gently gave her a pat on the head.
"Then the sooner you all get out of here the sooner I can escape myself."
There was utter silence in the area which quickly began grating on Natsu's nerves as a scowl began to form on his face.
"Well what are you all standing around for, RUN YOU IDIOTS!"
"You heard the man people let's go," one of the Beret's shouted whilst performing their signature salute reigniting the previous rush with renewed vigour as thousands scrambled to the boats to try and escape the near certain death that had previously awaited them all.
To his annoyance however both McKinley and Conis stayed behind with him in what he assumed was moral support.
"Before you yell at us for staying I just want to say save your breath for holding back Enel's sphere attack."
"It's a Lightning based bomb-wait a minute don't try and distract me with that you two literally don't need to be here!"
"Perhaps not," McKinley sighed. "But at this very moment you are doing more for the people of Angel Island than Enel has done in the last century. Also I'll admit that I was rather harsh on you when you and your friends arrived here, Enel's policies have forced us to show hostility toward outsiders and as you can no doubt tell keeping Enel happy kept away … that."
"Looks like Enel has screwed this place up pretty good hasn't he, guess you lot wouldn't mind having your old God back huh?"
"If only it were that simple," Conis said only to gasp as bolts of lightning began to rain down from the sphere onto the city below.
"Still feel like hanging around," Natsu asked as Conis tried and failed to hide her fear of the lightning all around them.
"Y-yes!"
"And what about you then Captain Sticker?"
"It's McKinley and yes I too shall stay behind."
"You know the older I get the more I tend to find myself wanting to sigh and say something along the lines of 'you mortals' but at the same time I know I'd do the same thing in their place."
"Trust me by the third or fourth century it'll be second nature, just wait for the whole non ageing thing to really hit home around the one fifty mark and you'll no longer classify yourself as a mortal for any reason."
Sighing to himself Natsu looked up at the slowly descending orb and frowned before looking at Conis, her shaking form betraying the stern face she was putting up before him.
"Both of you get over here now," Natsu snapped with Conis practically diving into his side whilst McKinley looked at him confused. "If you stick close to me you won't get fried by a stray bolt of lightning from that thing. Of course you don't have to cling to me like Conis is just stand next to me and move whenever I tell you to."
"Oh, I see …"
"No you don't but get over here anyway," Natsu said shaking his head as McKinley moved closer to him with Natsu's Crash Barrier flaring up around them in a small dome moments later.
"Just how many abilities do you possess!?"
"Quite a few," Natsu replied with a smirk. "Now let me focus on keeping this sphere up there for as long as I can alright!"
/Enel's POV/
"Ya hahahaha! It is exactly as I predicted, Dragneel has taken the bait," Enel boasted gleefully as he descended back down to the ground where the Straw Hats and Mordred were being held. "What say you now Servant, still hold confidence in your Master in dealing with that!?"
"Yes," Mordred replied instantly wiping the smirk off of Enel's face as he moved to strike her again with his staff.
"Good grief things have gotten out of hand haven't they, what a sorry sight this Angelic paradise has become!"
Mordred was surprised as Caster appeared before her simply catching the blow from Enel's staff in his right hand, cracking it moments later with a bit of applied pressure prompting Enel to jerk it away in response.
"So you've finally come crawling back have you Netero," Enel sneered prompting Netero to shake his head in response.
"I did not come 'crawling back' as you so imply it rather I have been given a direct order to eliminate you."
"He has the Servant Marking on his hand," Robin noted as she motioned toward Netero's right hand. "Someone has formed a contract with him it seems."
"You refused to form a contract with a God yet you went and formed one with one of those lesser beings, I find myself quite offended," Enel snarled prompting Netero to chuckle in amusement.
"Oh Enel, foolish fledgling Enel. You shall soon learn why one never underestimates the mortals of this world. Natsu started out mortal, all Heroic Spirits and even the being sealed within the tablet over there was once mortal flesh and blood. There is a power within all mortal beings that simply lays dormant until it is truly necessary."
"And who is going to teach me this lesson Netero, you? Last I checked you were a mere Servant whilst I am God! You might be stronger than the average Servant however the title says it all, SERVANT!"
"I know you are rather drained from what your Spirit Origin just went through Saber however do you believe that you can get the others out of here safely," Netero asked prompting Mordred to cock her head to the side in confusion.
"My Spirit Origin, that can't have changed? I'm tired because I fought Saber Alphonse earlier, I'd know if my Spirit Origin had shifted in some way."
"Hmm, perhaps it is not yet time for you to know," Netero hummed to himself. "Never mind what I said, get yourselves out of here as quickly as you can."
"You better not die Caster I've got questions for you after all this shit is done," Mordred said as she used Clarent to slice the others free.
"I'm sure you will," Netero replied before turning around to face Enel who seemed wholly unimpressed.
"Do you really think I'm going to let you all leave this place?"
"You won't have a choice Enel," Netero said as he became coated in a Galaxy Blue Aura shocking the supposed God.
"Impossible, how could you possibly-!"
"The weakling God Gan Fall," the voice roared shaking the entire area. "You should have killed him the moment you deposed him Enel you fool!"
"So he's managed to gain control over his power because his Master is a God as well," Enel mused as his own God's Aura flared to life around him along with a shower of Galaxy Blue sparks. "So what, I am the supreme God, you are a mere pretender!"
"Today you shall learn a harsh lesson Enel," Netero said as he brought his palms together as a solid figure wearing a golden crown with clothing reminiscent of a monk. "God's Aura: 21 Type Tara Bosatsu!"
"What the hell is that," Nami screeched as the massive construct began to exude an enormous pressure that felt like Natsu's manipulation over Gravity.
"Doesn't matter what it is," Mordred replied as she hoisted Chopper onto her shoulder. "We've gotta get the hell out of here!"
"Mordred is right, we're all in the way here," Robin said as she hoisted Nami to her feet as the group took off toward the exit.
"I did not give you mortals' permission to leave my presence," Enel snapped as he vanished and appeared in front of them in an instant. "Goro Goro: 10 Million Volt Bari!"
Enel fired a massive blast of lightning at the group however Netero appeared in front of them seemingly glowing with the golden light the strange deity from earlier had been exerting and redirected the attack off into a cloud nearby.
"You will not harm them Enel, you will not harm anyone else ever again!"
"Is that right old man," Enel sneered as the Straw Hats used the opportunity to flee. "Then let us see just how far your power as a mere Servant can stretch hmm?"
Dashing forward as his lower body turned into a bolt of lightning Enel's right fist became coated in lightning as he moved to strike Netero. The moment his fist was about to connect however the same construct from earlier appeared behind him however this one matched Netero's height perfectly and used the back of its hand to block the attack as Netero moved to deliver a punch of his own.
"Fool, I am a Lightning God," Enel jeered as Netero's punch went right through him leaving a fist sized hole in Enel's body. "I am immortal, invincible for I am God!"
Enel wasn't prepared for the construct to deliver a punch to his gut which sent him flying backward, flipping through the air before skidding to a stop whilst murderously glaring at the Caster Class Servant.
"You dare strike God!?"
"You aren't any more a God than I am Enel," Netero replied shaking his head. "You are simply a being who has let his power corrupt him, one who no longer understands the basic principles of life that govern all living things."
"You will pay for this Netero," Enel snarled. "The Raigo has almost hit Angel Island and soon Dragneel shall understand his foolishness in challenging a real God, soon the trap shall be sprung in its entirety!"
"And what makes you think that I would allow that to happen?"
"Well probably the fact that you are here right now being the key factor in preventing you from doing anything," Enel replied only for Netero to smirk.
"Oh there is one other Servant left in the game remember, one you dismissed as inconsequential."
"The Avenger? The weakling who couldn't even use his own Noble Phantasm? You think he can stop my Raigo!?"
"The thing you have yet to figure out is that quite a large number of Servants like myself and Assassin are situational Servants. Our power is great but only in select situations; mine has now revealed itself to be when paired with one of Divine influence it seems."
"And you think Avenger's will now reveal itself in this same way?"
"Oh I know it, in fact it's about to happen at any moment," Netero said as he motioned toward Angel Island as Enel closed his eyes and stretched his eyes out over it to find Avenger approaching Natsu and two pathetic mortals.
/Angel Island/
"It seems like the people are getting far enough away," Natsu said grimly to McKinley and Conis. "However now it is time for the both of you to leave, what comes next you'll only get yourselves killed if you stay behind."
"You plan on detonating that thing before it hits Angel Island itself don't you," McKinley said prompting Natsu to nod.
"By doing that it will save much of the White White Sea and the surrounding islands, my advice for all of you people is to head to the Upper Yard since that will be the only real safe place for the foreseeable future."
"How do you plan on making that attack detonate before it reaches the ground though?"
"Not sure yet, Enel thinks he's clever but I can sense the God's Aura coating the attack which would prevent me from directly penetrating the attack with anything less than one of my stronger attacks."
So nothing can be done?"
"I never said that but you two do need to leave now," Natsu said as he opened up a portal next to them. "Whatever I do decide to do it'll definitely cause some serious damage to this place and the two of you stand no chance of survival."
"Will you?"
"Probably," Natsu replied with a shrug. "We'll just have to see what happens won't we?"
Before either of the pair could protest Natsu forcefully shoved them through the portals and closed them, sighing as he shook his head.
"Natsu."
"I thought it strange when I first sensed your presence here, I'd ask how you got here but I doubt we'll have much time for that."
"Is it true?"
"Is what true?"
"That you can … make it move?"
"What are you talking about," Natsu asked as Avenger walked through his Crash Barrier to join him. "You mean that gun of yours?"
"Yes."
"Who told you I could do that?"
"Caster."
"Hmm. Well if he thinks I can do it then I most likely have done it in what would be our future so did he say how I could do it?"
"Focus your unique power into the core of it and apparently it would give it the spark to begin moving," Avenger said bluntly prompting Natsu to nod.
"I'm guessing since you came you're offering to help deal with that massive attack above us so I'll jumpstart it for you, assuming Caster wasn't lying of course."
Avenger lifted the golden cylinder up slightly as Natsu placed a hand on its surface, feeling a heartbeat from within as he began pushing Hybrid's Aura into it. A sudden glow began to emit from the top half of the cylinder prompting the man's eye to widen slightly.
"It has moved …"
Natsu stepped back, dropping his Crash Barrier so that it didn't interfere with Avenger's attack as he raised the cylinder out in front of him. A shuriken like object shot out from its front and began spinning wildly.
"Soil is my power!"
"Oh man I never got to see this in person last time," Ahnkseram said in awe as the cylinder began to break down into small cubes.
The cubes quickly began recombining into a large triple barrelled gun with a black beating heart behind the chambers which was sealed inside a glass case. Natsu had of course seen this weapon before back in the Elemental Nations when it was used to stop Nightmare, a Berserker Class Servant who was minutes away from destroying the Hidden Sand Village.
"The Magun … has thawed," the man said as the wind died down.
Looking downward toward his belt for a moment the man seemed to be contemplating what to do before suddenly looking up at Enel's massive attack and pointing at it.
"The soil charge triad to use on you has been decided!"
Opening up his pouch the man pulled out one of the many strange looking bullets used as a type of ammunition for the massive gun.
"The Light That Dictates The Time Of Eternity – Luminous Silver!"
Flicking the bullet it popped straight into the first chamber as the same pressure Natsu had felt last time began to build.
"The Darkness That Dictates The Time Of Destruction – Demolition Black!"
As he flicked the bullet and it popped into the second chamber the pressure in the area effectively doubled however there was still one more to go making Natsu wonder just what Avenger had planned.
"And finally, The Moment That Dictates The Time Of Extinction – Steel Grey!"
The moment the third bullet was sealed into the final chamber Natsu felt that familiar power from last time however this one was practically bursting with God's Aura, probably sapped from the power he had injected into the weapon to get it to start. Watching closely as Avenger raised the Magun Natsu eagerly awaited to see what would be the end result the various elements plus the Aura.
"Penetrate! I Summon You – Odin!"
Pulling the trigger all three rounds were fired at once quickly spiralling around one another as the lightning bolts raining down upon them began to gradually get sucked into it. What followed was a final bolt of lightning which seemed to create an armoured being riding a large horse holding a massive lance.
The figure radiated God's Aura as he charged toward the attack, his whole being sending out sparks of lightning as he entered what Natsu assumed was a ready stance before crashing right into the attack.
"Go."
Looking at Avenger in confusion the sudden pressure in the air was all the hint he needed as Enel's sphere doubled in size.
"What about you?"
"Don't worry about me, just go."
"Are you sure?"
"I must stay and make sure the summon runs its course, I cannot leave."
"I see, thanks Avenger," Natsu said as he vanished from the area leaving Avenger to watch the results of his attack.
The sphere itself which had doubled as a direct result of whatever Odin had done suddenly began to distort rapidly with its size and shape stretching around before suddenly growing smaller to the size of a small rock.
What followed was an explosion that started off being the size of the rock but quickly expanded to the size of Angel Island, obliterating not only it but the clouds around it leaving a massive hole as if a pillar of lightning had struck the area.
Natsu, who had reappeared not far from the blast, was shocked at how contained the blast was. Sure he could have detonated it himself but quite a large section of Skypeia would have been blown away so this was an outcome for the better.
He was also surprised to feel Avenger's signature simply vanish at the exact moment the blast went off. He didn't warp away or dodge at the last moment rather he simply ceased to be at that exact moment which left several questions running through his mind.
"Perhaps it's a failsafe for situations such as this Natsu? What if his power prevents him from killing himself so he is whisked away to a safe location?"
"Its plausible but how would that even work?"
"Who knows," Ahnkseram replied with a shrug. "But now that we aren't under that do you feel those two powers clashing against one another?"
Narrowing his eyes he was surprised to feel Enel's power clashing with Caster's own, the two seemingly butting heads. However there was a third power somewhere nearby their location which was slowly rising upward, what it was however Natsu couldn't make out due to how scrambled it felt.
"What do you think that weird signature is up there?"
"Something Enel has on ice no doubt to unleash should we run in there trying to slap him around like the fool he is."
"So do you think we should investigate it?"
"Nah let's just leave it be," Ahnkseram replied mockingly. "Of course we should look at that first!"
"No need to be an ass about it," Natsu sighed before suddenly snapping his neck toward the bottom of the cloud base Enel and Netero were fighting on. "Oh you've got to be kidding me …"
"He's your friend I didn't invite him."
"Shut up Ahnkseram," Natsu snapped back. "What the hell is he doing!"
"Something reckless like you usually do. He's just going to try and rescue his friends, nothing different from what you always do."
Rapidly scaling the cloud platform Luffy was clearly gunning for Enel and it was a fight Natsu was almost certain he couldn't win.
"Maybe you should give the kid a chance?"
"Are you fucking retarded, Enel would obliterate that kid in an instant!"
"Would he really though," Ahnkseram replied calmly which gave Natsu pause.
"What are you getting at?"
"Just watch and you'll see what I mean Natsu, just watch."
Natsu sighed knowing full well that at some point he was going to end up regretting listening to Ahnkseram however something in his gut also said he was right. His gut instincts were often on point so he would take the risk as he sat down to observe the fight between Netero and Enel.
'It is their world first and foremost so I suppose I may as well see how things go.'
Tales From The Tale Verse
Aizen And Salem's Great Media Empire Expansion I
Aizen's Naturally Exquisite Idea
/Aizen's POV/
The Equilibrius Newspaper Of News was an idea born out of boredom, a spot of flirting between two Devils who hated each other's guts and a rather enjoyable afternoon throwing rocks at passing cars in a drunken stupor.
Had anyone ever dared to suggest that said Devils, who by the way hate each other very very much no they didn't start acting like they didn't stop asking, agreed to start up the newspaper after waking up from a rather sizeable hangover in the same bed stark naked well … naturally there would be consequences.
And it was these very issues one Sosuke Aizen currently faced as a little brat sat before him daring to make such outrageous suggestions. Aizen was above everyone especially that pig faced Co Owner of the paper Salem, how dare such a scandalous accusation be made against him.
Yet here was an aspiring Devil, Rory Mercury, not even an Arch Demon Class to boot trying to blackmail him into getting a cushy job with the paper. Such a notion was simply inconceivable; the great and powerful Aizen himself being blackmailed by a nasty little brat was something he would forever find great shame in.
"So you want a job in exchange for silence?"
"Yep!"
"Why?"
"Well the Council decreed that all Gods and Devils must have some kind of job here so that we are all putting in our fair share to keep the peace, you guys don't have any employees or anything which means I'd be the only other person here!"
"You do realize no one works here because we don't need anyone to work here right? Salem and I are able to get all the information we need for the paper ourselves."
"Yeah I figured you'd say that so that's why I came here with an idea to give me a job," Rory said cheerfully as she used her massive axe to casually push everything off of Aizen's desk knocking it into an untidy pile on the floor.
Slamming a piece of paper onto the table Aizen couldn't help but smirk at the child like drawing etched onto it.
"Don't laugh, not all of us are artists!"
"I legitimately cannot read this Rory, what does it even say?"
"You idiot it says Equilibrius Entertainment Enterprises," Rory snapped prompting Aizen to raise an eyebrow. "Newspapers are so last century; didn't they have things like tv, radio or the damn internet from whatever place you came from?"
"Yes they did, why?"
"Then why the hell would you just stick to a damn paper, you've got every last God and Devil in this place under your thumb being the only news source around here yet you don't even try to tighten it even further!"
"So your proposal is that we expand beyond a simple paper?"
"Yeah!"
"But why?"
"Why else would you do it but to get the hearts and minds of the weak, feeble and gullible under your thumb!"
"I don't know about this, I kind of enjoy not having to do much of anything but sit here and read all day. It's a lot better than actually having to put in effort."
"Don't tell me you aren't jealous of all the attention Salem gets though?"
"What do you mean," Aizen asked as his eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Well since we've already established that the two of you are like this behind closed doors," Rory said whilst making certain motions that made Aizen want to Hado 90 the whole building. "She gets a lot of attention from everyone leaving you in the dark, alone and unwanted like the kicked and whipped puppy."
"Excuse me!"
"You might not actually be like that but the public sees things differently, seeing Salem as the face of the business with you being the cowed Co Owner who does whatever Salem wants."
"I most certainly do not bow to her!"
"Then prove it, create this and become the head broadcaster and you'll show everyone that you two are on even footing."
"You know what," Aizen said practically launching himself out of his chair. "I'm going to do it! I don't know what it'll be called yet, what it'll even have for content or even if I'll care about it tomorrow but I'll do it!"
"Great," Rory cheered. "Now you just have to hire me!"
Aizen's joy was brought to a screeching halt as he turned to look at Rory, the gears in his head beginning to turn as the cunning Aizen returned full force. He'd been getting soft over the last few centuries thanks to Salem but there were times where he could still be a real bastard, the time was now!
"Yes I think I have the perfect thing for you," Aizen said as a contract appeared in his hand which he placed on the desk. "Just sign there and you'll never have to worry about the Council getting on your back again."
"Done and done," Rory chirped signing the paper without even looking at it only for Aizen to begin chuckling darkly. "Aizen …?"
"Let it never be said that one could ever get one over on me Rory Mercury, Sosuke Aizen isn't one to take being blackmailed lying down."
"Wh-what do you mean?"
"You didn't even read what I just made you sign did you," Aizen laughed as Rory picked up the paper and began to read it, paling with each and every line.
"WHAT THE FUCK!"
"Welcome to your new job my little Intern, now go and fetch me my lunch from the cafeteria."
"YOU TRICKED ME!"
"You got what you wanted though didn't you Rory, you wanted to work for me and now you are my personal Intern. Now run along and fetch me my lunch whilst I go over plans for my new Media Empire that I came up with.
"You're a real asshole you know that!"
"You were several centuries too young to try and blackmail me Rory, be grateful I didn't ruin you by forcing you to sign your very being over to me."
Rory huffed as she stormed out of Aizen's office at the same time Salem walked in with both her lunch and Aizen's hovering beside her.
"Angering little brats again I see, am I not enough for you anymore!?"
"Shut up," Aizen scoffed as he handed Salem the contract whilst she placed Aizen's food down in front of him.
"Is this legitimate?"
"Indestructible and all," Aizen replied with a smirk as Salem tried to stifle her giggles.
"Sometimes I forget how much of a piece of scum you used to be Aizen, this has your handiwork in every last line. But what's this about some Media Empire thing?"
"The girl had a good idea and I've decided to run with it, the newspaper is one thing but creating something that gives us a twenty four seven window to drill whatever we want into the fools around here is nothing short of pure genius!"
"So we're going to expand to what, news broadcasts?"
"Yes and I've got just the idea on how to go about setting up these broadcasts," Aizen said rubbing his hands together in glee before digging in to the food Salem had brought.
Had he cared to remember he sent Rory out to get the exact same food he might have avoided the later tantrum however right now Aizen's mind was again beginning to move as the old Sosuke Aizen's greedier side began planning his new rise to greatness!
Hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!