---
The sun had barely risen, casting the first light of dawn over the jagged peaks of Onigashima. Inside the grand hall, Black Maria stood in front of the imposing figure of Kaidou. His large frame towered over her, even as he reclined on his throne-like seat. His expression was one of curiosity mixed with simmering excitement, though it was tempered by his usual gruff demeanor.
"So, you're saying he's here?" Kaidou rumbled, his voice like the distant sound of thunder. "The man who crushed Marineford, beat Akainu, and swatted away Sengoku like he was nothing? Xpovac?"
Black Maria nodded, her calm, sultry tone matching her confident posture. "Yes, Kaidou-sama. I made contact with him at the festival last night. He's here in Wano, calling himself 'Xertz,' though it's clear he's not trying very hard to hide who he really is. I'll keep an eye on him and keep you updated on his movements."
Kaidou's lips curled into a grin. The idea of fighting such a powerful opponent was tantalizing, a spark of excitement that broke through his usual boredom. "He sounds like a challenge I've been waiting for. But let's not rush things," he said, his voice rumbling with controlled anticipation. "We'll give him a week to settle in, see what he's up to, then I'll pay him a visit myself."
"Understood," Black Maria replied. She bowed slightly before leaving the room, a satisfied smirk spreading across her face. She had made contact and drawn the attention of the strongest man in Wano. Now, all she had to do was keep the game interesting.
---
Back at the outskirts of the Flower Capital, Xpovac and Swampert were deep in the midst of a sparring match. Xpovac darted around his partner with fluid movements, his strikes quick and precise. Swampert retaliated with powerful water-based attacks, sending bursts of water crashing towards his trainer. But no matter how hard the Pokémon tried, Xpovac was always a step ahead, easily evading the blows and countering with playful, yet effective strikes of his own.
"Come on, buddy! Is that all you've got?" Xpovac taunted, a grin plastered across his face. "You can do better than that!" He laughed, leaping into the air and delivering a light but firm smack to Swampert's head as a form of "punishment" for last night's prank.
Swampert growled playfully, shooting a jet of water at Xpovac, who dodged it effortlessly. The sparring continued for another twenty minutes before Xpovac declared victory, patting Swampert on the head. "That's what you get for knocking my mask off in front of her," he chuckled. Swampert rolled his eyes but accepted his defeat, appreciating the bond they shared.
---
An hour later, Xpovac and Swampert lounged on the porch of their temporary home, enjoying a cool drink as they recovered from their training. The sound of cicadas filled the air, and the sun was warm but not overbearing. Xpovac let out a satisfied sigh, leaning back and closing his eyes.
The moment of peace was interrupted by a ringing sound. Xpovac's eyes snapped open as he heard the Den Den Mushi given to him by Black Maria buzz with life. He quickly went to answer it, lifting the receiver to his ear.
"Hey, 'Xertz,' are you free right now?" Black Maria's voice came through the speaker, smooth and slightly teasing.
Xpovac froze, his thoughts briefly scrambling. It took him a good five seconds before he stammered out a response. "Y-Yeah, I'm free."
"Great. Meet me in the Flower Capital in two hours," she said before promptly hanging up.
Xpovac stood there for a moment, still processing what had just happened. Then, shaking off the surprise, he returned to the porch and informed Swampert about the unexpected invitation. The Pokémon snickered, clearly amused by his trainer's situation.
"Yeah, laugh it up," Xpovac said, chuckling. "But you're staying here this time."
---
With an hour and thirty minutes left before the meeting, Xpovac decided to get ready. He donned a black kimono with striking purple lightning outlines that traced along the fabric, giving it a touch of elegance and edge. His Zanpakuto hung securely at his waist, a symbol of his strength and skill. He tied his hair back into a neat ponytail, slipped the same mask onto his face, and took one final look in the mirror.
"Alright, time to see what this is all about," he said to himself before heading out.
The walk to the Flower Capital took about ten minutes, leaving him with plenty of time. He spotted a food stall selling meat skewers and decided to grab a quick snack while waiting for Black Maria. As he stood munching on the grilled meat, he saw a familiar tall figure approaching.
---
"Well, 'Xertz,' you're quite early, huh?" Black Maria said with a laugh as she came closer, her height and presence commanding attention.
Xpovac felt his face heat up slightly, and he rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah, I was a little hungry, so I figured I'd come early and grab a snack."
The two began walking through the bustling streets, blending in with the crowd as they explored the vibrant atmosphere of the Flower Capital. They browsed various shops, sampled local treats, and even watched a few street performances. It was a lighthearted and casual experience, far removed from the intense battles and dangerous situations Xpovac was used to.
At one point, Black Maria noticed the sword at Xpovac's side, the aura around it faint but discernible to someone as perceptive as her. "That's quite the weapon you're carrying. I can feel the power from here," she remarked, her eyes studying the blade's hilt.
"Ah, it's just a normal sword," Xpovac replied with a laugh, though he knew she wasn't buying it.
As their time together continued, Black Maria's curiosity about his masked appearance grew. "You know, you've been wearing that mask since we met. Why not show me your face?" she asked, a teasing edge in her voice.
Xpovac chuckled. "Well, it's so people don't get scared when they see me," he joked. Then, after a moment, he added, "But sure, it's not like you didn't already see my face last night." He reached up and removed the mask, revealing his features.
Black Maria's eyes sparkled with recognition and amusement. "Xpovac, Lord of the Beasts," she said, a hint of playful admiration in her tone.
"Yeah, that's me," Xpovac admitted, scratching his cheek. "To be honest, I don't know why I bothered with a fake name."
Maria laughed, her gaze lingering on him. "The bounty poster made you look quite good, but in person… it's even better," she said, her tongue briefly running over her lips.
The subtle, yet bold, gesture sent a shiver down Xpovac's spine, a feeling he wasn't used to when it came to interactions outside of battles. He glanced at the darkening sky and cleared his throat. "It's getting late," he said. "I had a great time, but I should be heading back."
"Alright," Black Maria agreed with a nod. "But I'll call you again tomorrow, so be ready." There was a hint of promise in her voice that Xpovac didn't quite know how to interpret.
---
Xpovac returned to the outskirts of the Flower Capital, where he found Swampert snoozing peacefully on the sandy shore. He smiled at the sight, reaching down to lift his partner gently. "Come on, let's get you inside," he said softly.
After placing Swampert in the house, Xpovac took a quick shower and enjoyed a light dinner before heading to bed himself. As he lay there, staring up at the ceiling, his thoughts wandered back to Black Maria and the day they had shared. It was a different kind of excitement, one that left him both curious and cautious about what tomorrow might bring.
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