Markus huffed as he sat cross legged in the middle of the field unleashing his Conqueror's in increasingly stronger bursts to counter Shisu's own Haki. He had been training for almost two weeks, quickly making progress but not enough with his Conqueror's. He had quickly leveled up in Armament and was already halfway in Observation but he had just hit a third of the way in Conqueror's.
He was annoyed by his slow progress but his teacher kept reminding him that any progress was still progress. Markus also noticed a serious problem with his Haki running out much faster now that he could use all three Haki types. He tried to find a balance between Haki usage and the outcome trying to use only the amount needed.
He found through his own training that while each Haki was essentially the same they were slightly different which gave them their different effects. Armament was liquid and solid based, Observation was more gas based, while Conqueror's was more solid causing the literal wave that usually indicates King's Spirit being unleashed. When using one of these Haki his energy will take on the form best suited while trying to convert that already converted energy into another was much harder.
Markus let his Haki slowly spread out to be as thin as possible and take up as much space as possible. His Haki covered the entire field and beyond with ease as he quickly refined his Observation even further. He quickly moved on to Armament.
His Haki took a more malleable form before coating his body in thick armor. He tried to thin out some Armament and force it forward but it would just disperse. He already knew fine control was necessary for External and Internal Armament but he just realized how fine it actually needed to be. He suspected for Internal he would need cellular levels of Armament control.
After another few hours he moved back onto Conqueror's Haki. He unleashed his Haki all around him causing a gust of wind before Shisu's clashed with his. He gained experience and practical use much faster while Clashing and Shisu already knew Clashing was a great way to strengthen one's Haki as long as they don't suffer an overwhelming loss.
Markus spent the rest of the week finally reaching level 2 Conqueror's able to now select his targets within thirty meters. He found it hard at first even with the constant clashing with Shisu, but thanks to wild beasts he gained experience even faster. With his Conqueror's level two he spent the last week training his Swordsmanship and learning Shisu's "Advanced" techniques.
With the week coming to an end it was almost time for Markus to leave. Markus and Shisu were currently in Shisu's wooden home eating and drinking.
"So what do you plan on doing next?" Markus had his face stuffed with food and looked up.
"Eh- Arm graha-*gulp* head to the next island and start looking for my crew!" Shisu was surprised.
"You already have a crew?" Markus seemed confused.
"What? Of course not. I need strong people to help with my ambition so it should be best to start looking now. I think no more than like twenty, maybe thirty should be good enough." Markus nodded to himself while Shisu smiled thinking how similar he was when he was younger.
"Smart kid! Make sure to get a good navigator mine learned along the way but the beginning sure was rough HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Markus laughed with Shisu before they had already finished eating and even cleaning up. They took a walk around the destroyed village in silence for a while before Shisu cleared his throat. "You're probably interested in why the village is destroyed."
"Kinda yeah. I assumed it was yours so I was interested how it got like this." Shisu sighed.
"Yes it is… why did you never ask?" Markus shrugged and picked his nose with his pinky.
"None of my business you'd just tell me anyways if you wanted me to know." Shisu chuckled before bellowing with laughter and smiled at Markus.
"78 years ago I was born on this island as a little runt that just wanted to be a pirate to make money but shortly after I left the island was raided… I came back a few months later with my crew just to find it destroyed… the marines wanted to find information on me so they destroyed my innocent village." Shisu looked solemn, having long stopped walking while looking around at the old rubble of the village. Most of it was actually gone, it was just spread out.
"I couldn't even bring myself to fix it besides my house. Maybe one day I'll be able to let go and finish cleaning it but for now I live every day with the memory of my arrogance. If I had stayed one more day…" Markus looked around at the village in contemplation and hesitated slightly before speaking calmly.
"My village and family were killed in front of me a few years ago. I trained everyday to hunt the pirates just to finally kill them all and be arrested by corrupt marines that wanted the pirates' treasure before escaping and coming here. I may not have lived long enough to overcome my mental trauma. I have to say you seem to be handling it better than I probably will. Thank you for everything, Master." Markus bowed to Shisu who just laughed with his head back hiding his tears.
Eventually they made their way to the training area. Once there Markus looked upon Ascalon and focused. His face hardened as his eyes sharpened. Markus walked up to Ascalon and unleashed all his Haki trying to show what he can do to the Sword. He felt slightly awkward but just knew the Sword was judging him.
He walked up to the sword and slowly raised his hand and moved it closer. It seemed he was about to grab the sword when it let off red lightning that actually clashed with his own Conqueror's. Markus was surprised but steadied himself and backed up. He sighed before walking towards Shisu.
"I will be back. I will be worthy." Shisu nodded while Markus sighed in slight self hatred at not acquiring another safety net. Markus walked with Shisu all the way to the other side of the island with another beach similar to where Markus washed up. This one however had a dock even though it was pretty banged up with only one working port.
Shisu and Markus sat at the dock and talked about his Advanced technique's when they spotted a ship in the distance. Markus noticed a no flag at the top indicating it was a civilian ship. Markus stood up with a smile and rested his left hand on the handle of his blade before smiling at Shisu.
"Thanks for everything Old Man. I'll see ya whenever I'm worthy of Ascalon so I'll see you then. I'll bring my crew." Shisu smiled.
"Ascalon will be waiting for you brat. Have fun young man. Good luck." Markus chuckled as the ship docked and a man stepped off. "This is Tony. Son of my former Vice-Captain. He's a good kid and you can get basically anything in the South Blue from him. Protect him well Markus. Tony, this is my student Markus. He's a brat but a good kid. A pirate but don't worry I trust him." Tony was an ordinary, yet very tall and large, looking man with an oversized mustache that laughed making his belly shake.
"Hey! Any student of Old Su is good with me!" Markus laughed.
"I like this guy! Okay old man! I'll see you!" Markus boarded the ship with a smile. The people on the ship were all nice and seemed to respect Markus while they unloaded a bunch of supplies in minutes before getting back on the ship. Tony and Shisu talked for a few minutes before Tony got on the ship.
"We'll be heading around the South Blue for a few weeks. You're welcome to join and stop on any island but we won't stay on an island longer than eight hours at a time so be mindful." Tony made sure to be clear Markus was welcome there.
"Thanks man and don't worry I'll hop off at the first island to start my adventure! HEY OLD MAN!! DON'T FORGET ME!! MY NAME AND CREW WILL BE AWESOME AND KNOWN EVERYWHERE! DON'T EVER FORGET MY NAME! MARKUS!!! CAPTAIN OF THE CELESTIAL DRAGON PIRATES!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!" Markus's Haki erupted violently causing the ocean waves to become more intense.
[Living out a blasphemous dream! First to create a crew! +5 Legacy points! Increased Mental Fortitude!]
Markus kept laughing not minding the heart attack everyone was having or the strange message. How could he have been the first to create a crew?
"YOU CAN'T SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT!!/FUCK WE GOT A CRAZY MAN ON BOARD!!/CAPTAIN TONY!! PLEASE DON'T LET US DIE!!/WE'RE GONNA GET BUSTER CALLED!!!! EVERY MAN FOR THEMSELVES!!!" Tony recovered first and yelled at his crew to settle down before awkwardly looking from Shisu to Markus. Shisu broke out of his seizure and glared at Markus unleashing his own Conqueror's to clash.
"YOU DAMNED BRAT!!! DON'T SAY SUCH THINGS SO LIGHTLY!!" Markus laughed harder.
"Don't worry old man! I got this!" Shisu looked at Markus's blinding confidence and grinded his teeth before he calmed down. He looked at the sea before up at Markus.
"You are one crazy kid! You better not die or I will make fun of you forever you Celestial Pig!"
"Hahahaha! Don't worry Shisu! I'll slaughter every Celestial Pig in the world and become the king of the world! I'll live a peaceful and happy life at the top!" Shisu started laughing at Markus's declaration.
"You truly don't disappoint boy!! GO!! TURN THIS WORLD UPSIDE DOWN!" Markus laughed madly as the boat started taking off. Tony had told Markus he supported him but couldn't take him too far if he was going by the Celestial Dragon Pirates not wanting that type of attention from the World Government.
[Crew Established!
Celestial Dragon Pirates - F
Captain - Markus Lv. 40
Increases all stats of crew members by 1%!
Increase Crew rank by recruiting members and reaching higher levels!
E-Rank Requirement:
0/2 Crew Members Level 50/ 1/20 Crew Members!]
Markus smiled and sat on the figurehead of the ship with a smile. He couldn't help but consider who he would meet. A huge purple giant, a small dwarven swordsman, a long armed chef, or a lying sniper. He was thinking of all possibilities, the next one always exciting him more than the last.
Markus eventually rolled backwards off the figurehead and drew his sword before he started practicing. The merchant crew looked at Markus with fear since his crew's name was announced but watched with admiration as he practiced non-stop for the four days they sailed. Markus didn't mention he was a little disappointed he couldn't train Armament or Conqueror's without harming the crew so he refrained and only practiced his sword and Observation though he almost always had his Observation on now.
He trained hard until he saw land and with childlike enthusiasm he hopped onto the figurehead. He watched in excitement as an island with twin mountains on the left and right.
"Wow!" Tony walked up and looked at the island.
"Cavern Islands. You can't see the other four islands from this side but they are close enough to see on the coast of each other connected by large caverns under the seas. Be careful on this island." Markus raised an eyebrow and smiled at Tony that gave him chills.
"Well… um there is a pirate crew that actually runs the island."
"Oh? No marine involvement?"
"The previous kingdom that ruled wasn't affiliated with the World Government so they let them take it…" Markus nodded.
"So why should I be careful again?" Tony looked stunned.
"Huh? Didn't you just hear me?! Ah!" Tony was about to question him more but remembered his Crew's name and gulped. "You aren't going to do anything… bad right?"
"Hahahahaha! Good! Bad! That's all for the winners to decide! They sound interesting so I'll check them out if I decide to kill them then that's for future me to worry about! For now I need to find a crew damn it! Land Ho! Full speed ahead!" Markus unleashed some Haki as he laughed. The crew shook their heads but listened while Tony sighed, feeling helpless with Markus.
They quickly landed with Markus jumping off first yelling a bye to Tony before running off. Markus quickly got lost but kept looking around in wonder with a smile. Markus quickly found a bar and walked in for a drink and food. The old woman at the bar didn't even question Markus as she served him. He took a simple Sake with some Braised Pork along with twenty of the same order.
Markus ate quickly stunning the woman before sipping Sake and smiling at her.
"So Madame I was hoping you could answer a question or two of mine." The woman seemed to "lock in" as her personality did a 180o. He slid her a berri note that she took without looking.
"What do you wanna know?"
"Everything you can about the pirates in charge." The woman seemed hesitant but Markus slid 10,000 berri, he stole from the merchants, over making her start talking.
"The Steel Gut Pirates led by "Steel Gut" Tadado with a 26 million berri bounty came and killed the King overnight over a decade ago. Not much changed except they overcharge everything and kill anyone that complains. They are a pretty large crew but the main six enforcers you need to worry about."
"Blah blah blah typical bad guy bull shit! Give me the juicy stuff you know." Markus slid another berri making the woman sigh.
"I've heard rumors they overwork men in the mines to protect their families."
"What are they mining?" The woman looked around before leaning in.
"I heard they found a seastone vein. But I don't know because I thought that stuff was only in the grandline for marines." Markus was surprised. 'Seastone? Interesting…' Markus slowly slid one more berri.
"So… anyone strong and interesting that lives around here?" The woman looked confused but Markus just leaned in with a smile and a berri in his hand. "Just someone that is strong or might be considered… Unique?"
The woman seemed to think deeply before taking the berri.
"A young man lives straight north near the northern entrance to the caverns. Just turn right out of here and head straight you'll eventually find it." Markus smiled and left another Berri for his meal before leaving. Markus bounced on his feet as he headed North.
Markus kept his smile already knowing he was being followed. Markus ignored the two nosy nancys and sped up to reach his new crew mate. He knew nothing about this man but was already interested in meeting him. Markus ran all the way through the city before hitting a forest. He walked through it following a dirt trail until he reached some sort of cave entrance. He looked around in confusion before shrugging and closing his eyes.
He expanded his Haki but froze seeing people in chains below him. He thought for a few minutes before expanding his Haki further before reeling it back in. He headed in a direction through the trees and rocks reaching a shack. Markus' smile widened viciously sensing a powerful aura.
2500~ Words