章 17: scouting
[Shaka POV] I had embarked on a mission assigned by the Assassin's Guild to gather intelligence on the newly emerging Theocracy. My god had sensed a divinity that greatly intrigued him, one related to shadows, from the place where the recent clash between the new Theocracy and Klaruth had occurred. My mission was clear: gather information about the kingdom and the god who wielded this shadowy power. The potential of this newfound power was not lost on me, and I began to envision how it could take the abilities for myself and perhaps even ascend to godhood.
However, my treacherous thoughts were interrupted as I delved deeper into my reconnaissance. The kingdom's governance structure was peculiar, with all authority held in the church. Additionally, there were several influential noble houses in the region, adding layers of complexity to the political landscape.
The most prominent among them were the Uchiha, Senju, and Hyuga families, who held the titles of Archdukes.
The Uchiha family seemed to serve as the kingdom's "police enforcers" rather than traditional guards. Their eerie pitch-black eyes gave Shaka an uncomfortable sensation, as if they were constantly scrutinizing his every move. Their presence had restricted his ability to venture deeper into the kingdom.
The Senju family played a crucial role as the primary healers and medical practitioners of the kingdom. Their expertise in medicine and healing seemed to be highly regarded.
In contrast, the Hyuga family possessed unique white eyes that appeared to see through everything. Their purpose was unknown to me as of yet, suggesting a significant contribution to the kingdom's military power.
While there were many other noble houses, Shaka had yet to gather extensive information about them. The new Theocracy, which had grown several times larger than its predecessor, the Klaruth kingdom, was rapidly evolving. Construction of various structures, including adventurer and merchant guilds, was already underway. This presented an enticing opportunity to establish a black market, a matter that Shaka knew he had to report to his superiors.
Shaka's primary mission posed a significant dilemma for him. Having obtained the divine scriptures from the church, he was well aware of the divine powers held by the members of the pantheon. The explicit nature of these divinities raised red flags in his mind. Antagonizing this kingdom was out of the question unless he had the full backing of the entire assassins' guild.
During his exploration of the kingdom, Shaka had also stumbled upon explanations of Haki and Chakra in the library. This information, he believed, should have been kept hidden. It dawned on him that the Goddess of Magic and her Pantheon of energy-based gods might not take kindly to the existence of these two new forces of power.
With these concerns weighing heavily on his mind, Shaka decided to leave and deliver whatever information he had gathered to the guild. A sense of urgency pushed him to complete his mission and collect his payment. It had been a while since he had drunk himself to sleep, and the stress born of his new mission required some form of release. Perhaps a visit to a brothel would help him wash away the burdens that had accumulated.
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[POV - Caribbean]
Amid the tumultuous sea, a scene of chaos unfolded. Ships wrecked and sank, some were ablaze, and the desperate cries of sailors filled the air. In the midst of this bedlam, two ships confronted each other defiantly: The Black Pearl and a formidable brown vessel bearing a jolly roger adorned with the image of a bear. A dramatic standoff played out on the turbulent waters, with four individuals standing at the forefront.
Jack Sparrow, with Mary at his side, faced off against a burly man with a dark beard, his face twisted in rage. Behind him, a group of about thirty men brandished their scabbards, ready for battle. The man's voice thundered across the sea as he addressed Jack.
"Jack!!! You bastard!" he roared, his anger palpable. "You all have the blessing of a god, don't you? You dare call yourselves pirates when you grovel at the feet of those...those divines..." He paused, choosing his words carefully. Insulting the gods was a perilous proposition, and he had no intention of tempting fate. His disdain for the divine was evident, but he refrained from direct blasphemy.
Jack surveyed his crew, a sly grin dancing across his face in response to the man's tirade.
Jack Sparrow's crew was an eclectic mix of individuals, each possessing unique and extraordinary abilities. Mary, his vice-captain, had the power to produce and control chains. Another crew member could envelop himself in flames, while someone else possessed an uncanny ability to sense everything within a ten-mile radius. The crew also included members with abilities like creating and controlling translucent shields, making them a formidable and unconventional group. To outsiders, these powers were often attributed to divine blessings or the legacies of legendary figures.
As Fadra's frustration grew evident, Jack maintained his nonchalant demeanor, reveling in their banter. He chuckled heartily in response to Fadra's comment about their pirate freedom. "Hahahaha, we're pirates; we can do whatever we want, Fadra. You decided to send a ship to attack me; I decided to attack your base. It's a simple trade-off, hahaha."
Fadra's irritation became apparent as his teeth sharpened and brown whiskers sprouted on his face. Despite the tension, Jack couldn't resist adding a touch of humor. "Though I didn't expect you had a fleet here, hahaha. Hey, Mary, why don't I have that?" He gestured to Fadra's fleet of drunken ships.
Mary responded dryly, "Because instead of recruiting crew members, you decide to party and copulate, sir."
Jack shrugged and flashed a mischievous grin. "Ah, yes, that's why, hahaha. I regret nothing." He then turned his attention back to Fadra, his expression momentarily befuddled. "Why are we here again?"
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Fadra had had enough, and his roar echoed across the tumultuous seas. As his anger intensified, his body underwent a dramatic transformation. Hair sprouted all over him, and he grew into a burly, muscled figure resembling a fearsome bear. His once-human appearance was now overtaken by his beastly form.
Behind him, his crew members also underwent a transformation, albeit to a lesser degree. Their arms and legs morphed, and they sprouted whiskers and oval-shaped, brown or black ears. The crew's changes were enough to startle even the ever-unperturbed Jack Sparrow.
Jack turned toward his crew with a bemused expression and delivered a chiding remark, "You see what happens when lost forest men get desperate?" Laughter erupted among his crew, but Mary interjected with a frantic warning, "They are clearly part Beastmen, you idiot!"
Amid the banter and commotion, Fadra leaped from his ship and quickly ascended above the Black Pearl, his imposing bear-like form casting a shadow over their encounter.
In the nick of time, a burly crew member, with a cigar hanging at the corner of his mouth, raised his hand. A translucent barrier materialized right in front of Jack, just in time to intercept the clawing strike from Fadra.
Jack's initial nonchalance gave way to surprise, "Woah!" He quickly retreated. The newfound confidence that came with his godhood had momentarily caused him to underestimate the situation, but now he remembered that he was merely a clone.
A screeching sound reverberated as Fadra's attack left a few scratches on the surface of the shield. Fadra, realizing he couldn't push through, momentarily halted his advance and instead began circling the shield, his determined gaze fixed on Jack. He had seen this shield tactic before and didn't want to get ensnared in it.
Mary, taking charge, shouted a warning, "Watch out!" She prepared to face the transformed Fadra.
As Mary's warning echoed through the chaotic scene on the sea, the crew members on the Black Pearl turned their attention to the incoming group of 30 adversaries who were leaping onto their ship. The battle was about to escalate, and the crew braced for the impending conflict.
Meanwhile, in the depths of the abyss, the 950th floor had undergone a remarkable transformation. It now resembled a civilized kingdom within the otherwise savage realm of the abyss. The indigenous demon species inhabiting this floor had embraced and appreciated the changes Raven had introduced. Despite their abyssal nature, they appeared peaceful and held no ill will toward her. Raven couldn't help but wonder why these beings, seemingly born of darkness, displayed such yearnings for light and civilization.
Over time, she had developed a deep attachment to them, recognizing their potential, particularly in the realm of dark magic. Raven had taken it upon herself to train them in her own magical arts, an act that further solidified their loyalty to her. The bond between them was undeniable, and she cherished it.
With her control over the 950th floor firmly established, Raven felt prepared to challenge the demon lords who ruled the deeper abyssal layers. However, this time, she knew that intimidation by her malevolent aura would not be enough. She was ready for a real battle, one where she would have to prove her strength.
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