Kaidou, the strongest creature recognized by the world at large, has had many moments in life where he was angry. The fall of the Rocks Pirates and the betrayal of his home kingdom that almost led him to become a slave (well, marine but both are the same thing in Kaido's eyes) were two such moments, but this one?
Oh, this one will be for the ages as Kaido flies into Wano territory. Hearing the news that, as soon as he left, not only the marines but the Red Hair decided to attack his territory, do they look down on him so much?
Do those two think they can come and try to attack his base with NO repercussion?
The only good news he got was the fact that Markus, his greatest find since King, has somehow driven away that red mut. Sure, Kaido does not know exactly what went down, but he was glad for it nonetheless.
Or at least he would be, if not for the light beam in the distance. It was somewhat quite strong but it was clearly split on the origin. That bean let Kaido identify, with the help of his haki, the location of Red Hair who had actually dared to step foot in Wano.
Not only did he dared to do that, he stood close to downed Markus and Yamato. Sure, Kaido was not yet able to see the exact situation since he was just that far away, but what he saw was already enough to make Kaido all levels of angry.
"SHANKS! PREPARE TO DIE!" Kaido roared in such a way that everyone from one corner to the other of Wano heard him.
Shanks cursed as he saw this. The fighting this time took a huge toll on him. Not only was Susanoo incredibly strong, able to more or less match him based solely in physical might against Shanks's haki and swordsmanship, but what Markus has done made Shanks fearful.
First was that explosion, it was no less than how he felt back in the day when he challenged Bullet for wrestling while the two were drunk, and Shanks himself was 12 and Bullet 24. That alone was bad enough to make Shanks want to leave, but both the explosion and Susanoo were easy compared to the rest.
Shanks was feeling dizziness, his ears were buzzing, his nose was filled with mucus in such a way he could not breath through it, his throat and stomach felt like they were being partially corroded, his joints felt like if they had steel needles in them, he felt both entirely too hot and too cold at the same time, his heart rate was way, way too high right now, he was sweating far too much to the point he was feeling impossibly thirsty, and his vision was nearly all black with what light he could see feeling way too bright.
If not for his incredible physique and his battle instincts, he would be at a point where even a goon with a knife could kill him.
Facing Kaido right now, that was entirely impossible.
Even if Markus was right there, Shanks knew he had to run now or die. There is no in between there and, deep down, a shadow of doubt had started to show in his mind over if, even now, the scientist had something prepared to delay him further.
Using his remaining strength, Shanks did not hesitate to start running away. As to be expected from a fighter on his level, Shanks was incredibly fast. Even so, Kaidou was just faster and soon Kaido was close enough to where he could attack Shanks.
"BLAST BREATH!" Kaido shouted as a pillar of fire was launched towards Shanks. The man cursed and, with a deep breath, turned in the direction of the blast and swung his blade, barely managing to cut the blast.
He'd try to keep on running, but Kaido finally got close enough to where he turned back into his human-beast form. His blue scales shining all over his body as he stood menacingly in front of Shanks.
"You did something really stupid this time, brat." Kaido said, hands clenched tight in his mace as he swung at full power against Shanks.
The man cursed as he really was in no condition to fight Kaido, but he had little other choice. Pushing himself further than he usually could, the two started clashing over and over again, the skies over Wano flashing and parting every which way as the two behemoths of the sea showed their worth.
Unfortunately, Shanks really was in no condition for this fight. In a matter of moments the man began going further and further back. This was the point that, in other circumstances, Kaido would have stopped the fight as to not fight a worthy opponent while he was weakened… but the man was simply far too pissed off for that.
BANG
A shot could be heard, Kaido's observation haki warning him instantly before it reached his skull as he jumped back, stopping his onslaught against Shanks.
"Ben Beckman, huh." Kaido says, looking in the distance as a man with a flintlock gun was running here.
Kaido grew dignified as he observed this scene, no longer allowing his anger to cloud his judgment.
Shanks was incredibly weakened, but he was still by no means weak, especially if Ben Beckman, the strongest first mate and a man equal to a marine admiral in combat power, was standing as support. If he was to face both, this would be a tough battle but Kaido felt absolute confidence he can win.
Unfortunately, the thoughts of Kaido were for naught.
"Shanks, keep retreating. I will hold him back." Beckman said, standing before his captain even as he was a shooter and should have tried to take distance instead.
Shanks's eyes widened as he said.
"Wait, wait, if we fight together we might still win this. Why do you need to stay behind to delay Kaido?"
Beckman shook his head and answered.
"King has already returned and is already engaging with the others. The rest of the Beast Pirates that went out will return soon too, we can't beat them all now and you are in no condition to fight. Go back, I will go after you." Beckman says and Shanks grimaces hearing such before his face hardens.
"... I am counting on you."
Beckman smiled slightly at this.
"You can count on me."
"So, are you two done daydreaming?" Kaido cut them off and, without caring for what they had to say, re-engaged with the enemy before him.
Beckman used his gun to block Kaido's mace, the two entering close quarters combat which was to the immense disadvantage of Beckman, but there was no other choice. The man had to protect his captain's back, so the two could only clash then and there as things are, with Beckman needing to put his all to hold Kaido down as much as he possibly could.
However, even when he later tried to escape, he was not lucky enough to manage such a feat and, by the time the rest of the Beast Pirate fleet returned, Beckman could only smile with a sad expression.
Fate truly was a unique thing.
And so, this impromptu war between the Red Hair and Marines VS Beast Pirates would be drawn to a close. The results were the death of one vice admiral, destruction of several ships, thousands of New World Marine elites, and several Beast Pirates.
Not only that, the newest Yonko, Red Hair Shanks had to run away covered in injuries. Later the newspapers would spread the news that, by the time Red Hair Pirates managed to flee, three of their officers, Yasoop, Building Snake, and Gab were killed by the Beast Pirates's King.
That was news shocking enough to shake the seas, but it was far from the worst. No, the most shocking one, was that Kaido of the Beasts, on the following day, was seen in a picture with several bullet wounds on his body displayed proudly, one of his eyes being gone, while, on his hand, was the decapitated head of the world strongest first mate and greatest shooter in the world, Ben Beckman, being used as a fucking drinking glass.
Markus P.O.V.
"Ugh, did someone take the plate of the sea king?" I groan as I wake up in bed, slowly trying to get up only to feel like something is not quite right.
I stumble, feeling my body extremely exhausted as I try to move only to see it.
"Red Hair!" I shout in unadulterated fury at my now absent legs. As I look at them I feel the pain shooting through me all over again and soon two nurses came to help hold me down so as to not open the stitching.
Thankfully the medication they had available included some decent meds I helped with. Especially some really strong analgesic that could cut off the pain without needing to make someone groggy or less alert, all without any risk of causing dependency!
Funnily enough, not causing dependency was the hardest part to achieve since I got most of my inspiration from the world of Taimanin. Regardless, now that I no longer feel pain shooting through my body, I can finally think carefully.
"Did Susanoo survive?" I question the woman who shakes her head in the negative, making me clench my fists tighter. Susanoo may have been a weapon created by me, but he has sacrificed and done every single thing possible for me.
He deserved better than dying because of that asshole. Just another thing to get my just rewards over Shanks.
"Send others to look over the place, make sure to search for any fragments of a golden disk there." I tell the nurse who looks uncertain, making me glare at the woman. "I was not asking, move."
"Sir, yes sir!" She shouted as she scurried off, probably to tell the others about me waking up as well as get to do what I ordered.
The least I can do to Susanoo is give him a proper burial. Sure, those pieces might be something I can use in other ways, but he deserves rest after what he has done.
Still, before I go prepare my revenge against Shanks, I must find a way to restore my legs back to proper shape. I must make sure things work out and, damn my head hurts.
Wait, this pain, it feels like what I usually get when the forge gets a new perk but I do not instantly take it (I tried it out once, not recommended).
Closing my eyes again I focus inside the Celestial Forge. I see that several light clusters were caught this time… just how many points fighting Shanks and everything else I did gave me? I mean, yeah I realized that I got more points the more new things I produced as well as just with the passage of time, but something is weird here.
… Whatever, let's take this in and-
Industry Support (My Hero Academia) (600): Every hero currently running around out there has a costume of some kind like a full body badge, and equipment that complements their style or Quirk incredibly. Where did you think all that came from? When it comes to a career in support, it doesn't matter if no one has heard of you before, you're easily a top dog in the industry. Costumes and equipment alike are your forte and nobody can deny. Your costumes are form fitting, flattering, stylish and sturdy, easily standing up to the day in day out beating and stress that those who wear them put them through while keeping them looking amazing. More importantly, you're a flat out genius when it comes to this world's technology, making the various gadgets, machines and equipment that can take an okay Quirk to the next level. Elemental powers lacking in range or accuracy? You could design tools for that. Super strength, speed or some other physical ability putting stress on your body? You have the solution. If there's something someone needs to shore up a power's strengths or weaknesses, you can probably think up and build something over the weekend. You'll just need the tools, resources and a healthy dose of imagination.
I Know What We're Going to Do Today (Phineas and Ferb) (400): 24 hours just doesn't seem like enough time to get stuff accomplished, but you'd be surprised what determination (and this perk) can get you. You can now complete days and even weeks worth of work in just a few hours, and this effect increases tremendously when you have a few helpers, to the point where a small team can work with you to complete years worth of work in a simple afternoon.
Secret of Steel (History's Strongest Disciple: Kenichi) (400cp) An illustrated
guide created by the greatest master of weapons the world has ever known. It keenly details the techniques, methods and set-up required to create weapons using traditional Japanese techniques. This text goes beyond that however, and if the directions are followed perfectly it can be used to forge weapons, armor, and tools that are far better than anything that could possibly be made even with the most advanced metallurgical technology. Objects created—while still composed of steel—will be significantly stronger than steel and can withstand blows from a Martial Arts Master. Blades made using these techniques will be preternaturally sharp, able to cut through stone, steel and perhaps even more with proper strength and training. Such bladed weapons will almost never lose their edge and require virtually no maintenance. Armor made using these techniques is nearly indestructible and will never rust or corrode. Normal tools will work with such efficiency that even primitive tools can accomplish feats of scale equivalent to highly advanced modern technology. For example, a scythe made with these techniques could harvest an entire field in the same amount of time as a combine harvester or a simple hoe could do the work of a tractor-towed plough.
Education Capsules (-200 CP, I'm the evil overlord): A set of a couple dozen top of the line education capsules. These are machines made to enhance the physical aspects of a person, turning them into at least well beyond the natural peak human capabilities, as well as giving them the equivalent of several years of high education in a fraction of the time it would take to acquire it via traditional tutoring. This is a set only affordable for the highest ranking nobles, along with the accompanying facilities and staff needed to make the post-capsule rehabilitation and training. These are also a bit faster than the regular education capsules, needing a couple less years to perform at the same level.
Might of Science (Taimanin) (600 CP, Discount UFS): Look at the Demons, so proud of their innate strength over the common man,, of their magic and ancient lineages that they walk without fear in a world that is not rightfully theirs. Look at the Taimanin, so self-righteous of their duty to slay demons, of their great noble clans and control over Particles, that they don't see they are merely pailing out the water in a sinking ship. You however know the truth, just as your ancestors rose to dominance over the beasts of the world, you too will overcome your 'superiors' with humanity's greatest weapon, the power of the mind.
And what a mind it is, your knowledge and skill in the fields of cybernetics, engineering, weaponry, and robotics have few rivals, even within the UFS. If there is a piece of tech in the UFS, chances are not only do you know how to make it, but probably at a fraction of the time and resources that normal scientists could produce it. Designing hyper advanced weapons beyond the average UFS's soldier's gear? Maybe a lazy afternoon's work. Creating a loyal, and sexy, android capable of going toe-to-toe with some of the tougher demons or taimanin? Probably a week of hard work. Modifying a full-suite of cybernetic enhancements to a rogue taimanin which greatly increases her physical prowess, allows for full use (and even enhances) her Taimanin abilities, and is completely adaptable to future upgrades? Three weeks work, maybe a month tops if you are not in a hurry.
This, this is a lot. Like, seriously a lot. I am not sure, but is surviving or at least dealing significant damage in a fight against someone with a bounty enough to give me points?
I know that creating new things as well as the passage of time give me those, but this is still incredible. I can only lay down, trying to process everything I obtained from all those perks.
There is a lot here, heck just the first one is terrifying. Saying that I know how to improve the usage of a 'quirk' via equipment is putting things mildly. I have the entire knowledge of the world of My Hero Academia regarding how their hero support technology works as well as the general ideas of how to accomplish what they do.
Heck, out of the top of my head I can already think how someone like Yamato could benefit from one such suit that can allow her to use her ice through his punches, or if I go out of the left field and think on Buggy I could create a suit that can sprout sharp blades and more. Honestly, there is a lot here, but that perk is probably the least important one.
Taking a deep breath I shout.
"Someone bring me a pen and some paper!"
Not one minute later, someone came along to do just that. With those in hand I took a breath and touched the pen in the paper, my mind entering a trance as I was not able to control myself.
I just kept on writing more and more, faster and faster, until a little while later I finished it.
THE martial arts instruction book from the world of History Strongest Disciple Kenichi. With this little beauty in hand I get the notes and knowledge on weapon usage from most weapons masters across history in that world… and I will not be wasting my time trying to learn it.
Well, I won't waste my time trying to learn it normally. Why should I do such stupid muscle headed thing, when I can just build my Educational Capsule and have all this knowledge and everything else related to martial arts I can study crammed in a logical and instinctive way inside my brain. After all, my potential is not that huge to where I can achieve great results normally just by putting in the effort.
My talent is only at most equal to that of an ordinary general of the Empire in Akame Ga Kill, strong but nothing compared to the talented monsters in this world here.
Of course, before anything I need to build myself some temporary prosthetic legs before I go forge the truly best ones combining all I got. The Secrets of Steel, improving their power, turn them into a Teigu to make them stronger, the best of the best in technology for prosthetics in Taimanin world that would allow one to face demons by the tens of thousands, not to mention just plain old Gero floating and android technology, taking things one step higher.
Shanks, you better be prepared, because I am not only gonna ruin your whole career as a Yonko, but I'm going to kick you so hard in the balls that you would wish you had died when we first met.
3° Person P.O.V.
On Whole Cake Island, Big Mom was fuming in rage.
No, scratch that, she was irate. Not only was her territory raided by the Beast Pirates, several of her daughters including her most precious one, Pudding, were all captured and taken away by the Beast Pirates.
Those were all potential alliance tools which Big Mom has lost! Sure, it did not overly damage Big Mom's current power at the moment, but it caused her many future problems.
Right now it has been days since the raid they suffered and Big mom had called back every single force she had to decide what they should do.
"I still say we should go there and bring back those captured." Katakuri said with more than a tinge of frustration.
He was supposed to be the perfect big brother, the one all his siblings could count on and that could protect them in case anything happened, and now several of his sisters were captured and he was powerless to stop it.
"You are being too hasty, perorin. We have the records of what that new scientist of the Beast Pirates can produce, if we act carelessly we may suffer greater damage, perorin." Perospero, the oldest son of Big Mom said.
"I am with brother Katakuri, we should attack at once." Oven said, he was still angry over the injuries he obtained against the Beast Pirates and wanted his revenge.
"While I also want revenge, we must be careful. The Beast Pirates are much stronger than before. Who knows what else they have or can make." Smoothie said, still troubled after having faced Queen and seen how much stronger the fatso has grown.
"But would attacking Kaido even work? Knowing the bastard and those under him, they'd kill the hostages just out of spite." Cracker said, causing everyone to tense.
Katakuri on the side felt even more frustrated, but he did not dare to take the lives of his sisters lightly.
Big Mom was hearing this before coming to a decision.
"Bring me my denden mushi."
The homies present moving fast and soon a dendenmushi was presented to Big Mom.
Taking it in hand, Big Mom called a number and, a minute later, someone answered.
"What do you want, Linlin?"
"Kaido, we must talk." Big Mom said.
"I am not in the mood, old hag."
"Now, now, is that a way to talk with the woman you just raided the territory of?" Big Mom said, her face showing a hideous smile as she continued. "What, with how you act it almost makes me want to go and get a temporary alliance with the Red Hair to see how you like being raided."
"If you want to try, come any time. I will end you."
"Let's stop the fun talks. I want to talk with this Markus boy." Big Mom said and she smiled even wider as she saw the scowl forming in Kaido's expression.
"Don't push it too much, Linlin."
"Consider this part of the debt you owe me." Big Mom said, making Kaido grumble slightly before he turned off the phone.
The children of Big Mom around stared in wonder over what was going on and what was their mother intending to do, but they were wise enough not to release any sound and attract the woman's attention at this instant.
They waited for about ten or so minutes before the dendenmushi called back to them.
"Hello, I heard one of the Yonko wanted to talk to me." Came in Markus' voice, clearly tired as he answered on the other side.
"Yes, I want to ask you one thing. Would you be able to produce a gigantic drug?" Big Mom said, causing several of her sons to inwardly groan at that.
Big Mom's dream of making everyone as tall as her so she can talk with others at eye level, to have a party like that, was something that every child of hers knows well. It was a pointless dream, something that could never possibly be accomplishe-
"It is possible." Markus said on the other side, making everyone stop in their tracks. "I saw some research of similar veins in a visit I did with Caesar Clown and I am pretty confident I can accomplish something like that. Perhaps not a drug, but a weapon that allows someone to become a giant for a period of time would not even be that difficult."
"What is it you need, I want to hire you to do this!"
"Linlin, don't even try it." Kaido interrupted, making Big Mom scowl. "Markus is working for my crew right now, we need his skills for other things."
"And I need someone that can make me what I need. This is my dream Kaido, a dream I hold even dearer than the idea of becoming the next King of the Pirates. Don't try to stand in my way."
"And he is the key to make the great war I desire, a dream I desire just as much as you want this gigantification drug." Kaido said, his face stern and Big Mom glared back at him.
"Kaido, don't try to stop me now."
It was almost funny how both seemed to be having a glare contest through the phone, if not for their respective conqueror hakis being released in all directions right now.
Markus, not wanting to get things more complicated, said.
"Find me a few people and materials I desire and bring them here, and I will get this weapon you want. As for the cost, it won't come cheap as I do not sell our technology for others so easily." Markus said and Big Mom relaxed hearing this.
"Very well. Also, I want to buy my daughters back. What is your price?"
"Not gonna happen." Markus and Kaido said at once, making the bloodlust of all those in Big Mom's side to intensify.
That being doubly so for Katakuri whose anger and bloodlust was nearly materializing.
"... Keep the others, but I must obtain back Pudding." Big Mom said, causing her children to feel even more insulted and even angrier, but Big Mom didn't care.
She knew Kaido well. If she were to try and take her daughters back by force, he'd kill them first just out of sheer spite and probably film and send it her way. The man was brutal, but he was also not brainless and would likely accept such a deal.
Kaido was considering it, before Markus spoke up.
"Look, I am not in the mood to negotiate much right now. Fucking Red Hair just cut off my legs and killed a friend of mine, until I get my revenge and get things in order I will not discuss anything. The only good thing we got out of this whole debacle were the spoils against you, so we will keep everything right now. You want some back, we can discuss it later. Now get me the following if you still want your gigantification trinket." Markus said before he began speaking his list of demands for what he desired. "I need the Colossal Battleship, Sanjuan Wolf, the mob boss Capone Bege from West Blue, a man named Marshall D Teach that is sailing in Whitebeard's ship, and finally Golden Lion Shiki."
Hearing those four names, especially the last two, gave Big Mom a bit of a headache. Shiki was who knows where right now, the man was extremely elusive and he was once in the same crew as Big Mom and Kaido. To say nothing of capturing one of Whitebeard's sons.
"You ask for a lot." Big Mom said and Markus smirks.
"Find us all of those, and I can not only sell you the gigantification weapon, but five other items to enhance your crew abilities." That made Big Mom slightly more interested, especially when Markus continued. "Besides, as long as you spread the news that you found the Yami Yami no Mi that Teach will come for you, no need to fight with Whitebeard directly as he won't risk his whole family just because of a son who is already dead. As for Shiki, humph the man has grown weak and, if my research is not wrong, he must have lost his Haki abilities entirely or close to entirely. There is no need to fear him, he is a toothless lion right now."
Big Mom looked unsure of that. She remembers well the power that Shiki used to show before capture, it was no worse than her own and it was not something to be taken lightly.
Still, the allure of her dream being presented to her was such that she could only grit her teeth and go ahead with it.
"Very well, deal. But don't you dare try and cheat me." Big Mom said with some reluctance. She was about to turn off the phone when Katakuri spoke up.
"If we accomplish this, can you assure us you will not harm our sisters?"
Katakuri was not like his mother, he did not overly care about the giganticification project or even the thought of becoming king of the pirates. These were all inconsequential for him in the face of family.
Markus, on the other side, just shrugged.
"I promise we will not harm them if you do this. Heck, I can even let you meet my harem, brother in law."
At that, Katakuri's expression turned weird with a mix of murderous gaze and just finding the whole situation weird. As for Big Mom, she seemed to sag with some relief as her daughters seem to at least have done their duty to get someone strong closer to her Family. Sure, it was not how Big Mom would have desired things to transpire, and it was a bit wasteful for more than a single daughter to be used like this, but this was something Big Mom understood.
Hells, even the idea of just taking who he wants makes perfect sense for Big Mom as she did that for her nineteenth, twenty fourth, and eighth husbands. They were pirates, something like this was not unique or strange at all for Big mom.
"... I will kill you." Katakuri said, finally deciding to just hate Markus even if what he was doing was not too different from what his mom did in the past.
"Shanks tried and failed, you need to be stronger than him, stronger than him if you want to try that, brotha." Markus said with a chuckle before turning off the phone on his end.
Something inside him said he would enjoy teasing Katakuri more than he should. Oh well, that was a matter for the future as Markus was still trying to get himself back together while Big Mom and her forces started to move on their own end.
As for the chaos they would cause…