Chapter 15

• Conflict

{ Twelfth Year Of The Great Age Of The Pirates }

"Are you suggesting that you can train him better than us?"

The elderly man questioned slowly, his voice carrying a cold murderous intent.

Enzo was instantly dumbstruck. He didn't mean to offend him but he didn't back away and stood up for himself as his aura started appearing.

"Don't be ridiculous. You know what I meant."

Almost in an instant, the nearby clouds were severely affected and the civilians of the Kure Clan's main city became stood still in a single spot for a moment like dominoes, they began to fall down one after another and only a few were able to keep their consciousness.

Raian began to tremble in front of this powerful aura by the two in front of him, his forehead was covered in a cold sweat, and began to stagger. Despite this, he was still grinning with immense excitement on his face.

The clansmen rushed out seeing this clash between the two and were about to fight the person they thought is going against their patriarch.

"Stand back!" ordered the patriarch, grinning sinisterly despite cold sweat appearing on his forehead.

Feeling the oppression from Enzo, he knew instantly he was much weaker but didn't cower as he still had a [Devil Fruit]. Their [Haki] were almost similar in strength and so he gathered if he involved his {Devil Fruit] then he will win.

Suddenly, the clash ceased causing the surrounding area to silence to the point you could hear a pin drop from miles away. Then Enzo and the patriarch laughed.

"Look like round one goes to me, old man." Enzo smiled cheekily as he rubbed his head.

"Well, what can I do? I'm an old man. Course you'll win."

As a teenager, he left the Kure Clan due to a disagreement and decided to become the top assassin his own way. During the time when the Rocks were dominating the New World, he was contracted by the World Government to kill one of the top commanders 'Silver Axe' which he succeeded in and acquired land far better than his old clan used to have as a reward.

As a patriarch of the Kure Clan, he can be assumed to have once boasted incredible offensive fighting power, especially with his [Devil Fruit]. Even with his advanced age, he still remained a lethal combatant. While he no longer possessed the strength from his youth, his use of weaponry, [Devil Fruit] and Removal allowed him to overwhelm and kill anyone with ease.

His [Devil Fruit} was called [Shakou Shakou No Mi]. The [Shakou Shakou No Mi] is a [Logia-type Devil Fruit] which allowed him to manipulate any form of shadow and himself to shadow, as well as use it as a linkage to the Shadow Realm where he leads.

This fruit is regarded as possibly one of the most powerful [Logia Devil Fruits], considering its ability to manifest every being with a shadow, as well as create an alternate Shadow Realm to plunge masses into oblivion. Though, it shouldn't be confused with [Kage Kage No Mi] or [Yami Yami No Mi].

He had encountered this [Devil Fruit] by pure luck on an island he used to escape into after killing Silver-Axe as there was an enraged dragon beast pursuing him. Luckily, he managed to devour and use it quite easily to disappear quietly.

His name was only known to his clan and the World Government but unknown to every other denizen of the One Piece World. Kure D. Erioh!

"Whatever. How about it?" questioned Enzo as he raised his left eyebrow in curiosity.

Erioh smiled as he has just an idea of what he can do about this.

"I agree on the condition that my grandson will fight your son in a dual here. There will be a festival in exactly three years. I trust that you'll be here with him, right?"

He was overjoyed that he found a way that would be able to tone down his boredom and add to the fact that he felt he was dying soon. He needed to pass the mantle to his son, but he wanted to see some excitement first before announcing the news to his clansmen about his retirement.

"I like that offer. Alright then it's settled, old man."

Enzo and Erioh shook their hands, though it seemed they were trying to hurt each other which didn't make any success for both. Then they separated as the elderly man glanced at the teen next to Enzo in contemplation.

Kure D. Clan, also known 'The Majin', is an assassin from Kure Clan. He was a somewhat unstable individual who demonstrated violent and psychopathic tendencies, manifested in his obsession for domination and killing.

He was also a testy individual that enjoys taunts, insults, and provoking people to get a rise and stir conflict which got him in many troubles with his father and grandfather.

However, it was a fact that he was a black sheep of their clan, most likely because of his psychopathic and ruthless attitude. He was practically the strongest person in his generation in the Kure Clan.

'It is too risky that I leave my grandson to Enzo, the famous solo pirate to his fate. Oh well, let's just hope nothing will happen to him.' mused Erioh as he already recognized the man ever since he entered.

Though he didn't care about his status and he was especially curious about the man's son, hence the excitement and curiosity to see the result in a dual in three years.

"Well, you already heard us. Aren't you going to pack up and leave?" questioned Erioh, with an amusement expression on his face.

The blonde teen grinned in advance and didn't reply as he turn around crossing his arm, intending to pack up and leave with Enzo.

"Ezekiel Eli Enzo, don't be surprised that I already recognized who you are. After all, I am an assassin. Anyway, you need to leave tonight. I have a meeting with one of the Seven Warlords. You probably wouldn't want to meet him. I promise you that."

Enzo laughed as he couldn't deny being surprised that he was recognized. Nevertheless, he decided to listen to his warning once the kid finished packing up and leaving as he didn't plan to stay any longer since he had already come and got what he wanted causing him to grin.

"Seven Warlord, huh. Who are you talking about?"

"Donquixote Doflamingo, the 'Heavenly Yaksha'!" announced the old man as he put an emphasis on the title.

"Interesting, I still don't see why you want me to stay away from him though. From what I heard from people and the newspaper, he's just a rookie pirate."

"Oh, that is true. He's a rookie alright but his identity isn't that simple. It would be in your best interests to leave him alone. Though, that's entirely your choice. Just know that I warned you, son."

"You make it sound like he comes from an influential family. I bet that is the case, right?"

This made the patriarch dumbstruck as he didn't expect this deduction but shook his head as he assumed it was just a guess. Unfortunately, Enzo quickly used his [Observational Haki] as he sensed his emotion and came to the conclusion that he was right.

"Not really. Anyway, tell me about your son in the meantime."

Noticing that the old fellow changed the subject, though he didn't mind it as he then told the elderly guy about his own kin. But he didn't tell him everything due to a small part of him being immensely cautious.

{ 2 Months Later }

In the fog, a wooden block that is about four or five meters wide and about seven or eight meters long is slowly floating on the sea. Located in it were two individuals that seemed to be playing a card game called 'Snap'.

These individuals were Enzo and Raian. They were on this ship in the sea for too long causing them to play a card game as they didn't have anything to do.

Enzo pulled the card and put it on the piles of cards. On the card was the color black and Ace similar to another card. He quickly threw his hand atop the piles.

"Snap!" exclaimed the middle-aged man, seemingly having fun with this game.

With no cards left, Raian automatically lost the game and instantly punched the man's arm without inflicting pain to him due to his weak strength. At the moment, Raian was furious as he could not stand this boredom and the sea's bipolar behavior.

One day, the weather was shining brightly, and later on, it was running massive hails. The blonde teen was starting to get tired of it and never wanted to struggle with this ever again, not knowing he probably might again.

Suddenly, Enzo could see the island with his own eyes and informed the child that they were much closer this time. Being impatient, Raian took off his t-shirt and jumped off the boat to swim all the way to Gigantic Island.

{ 20 Minutes Later }

On the shore of the island, Raian could be seen waiting as he was leaning back on a ridiculously gigantic tree. He was grinning as he basks in the sunlight.

"You brat, why would you swim? You could have encountered Sea Monsters and died by them," said Enzo with an annoyed expression on his face.

Instantly, the ground below Enzo trembled a bit causing him to become alert as he stared toward the misty area nearby. What caught him off guard was the unexpected monster thrown toward him making him accidentally punch using his full strength, obliterating the beast.

Another beast was thrown in the direction of Raian causing him to dodge and pissing him off as he didn't exactly like his resting time being interrupted. He looked around, looking around who have dared do this.

"Why would you do that, Cain?" questioned Enzo with an annoyed expression on his face.

Cain stepped out of his hidden spot and exposed himself to them. Directly ignoring his father, he glanced at Raian with a curious expression on his face.

"Welcome to my humble abode! My name is Cain!"

Raian didn't reply back and slowly started to leak out his murderous vibe. Despite smiling, the outsiders could tell that he was very furious.

Raian instantly flashed toward Kane as he punches at his chest which Cain caught with his left hand causing him to punch back making Raian grab the hand with the other hand as well.

They were in stand-hold for a moment as they stared eerily acknowledging they were strong and suddenly separated away from each other.

Cain activated his mink transformation causing his white fur to appear, blue eyes shimmering, growing bigger with his claws out as he growled with his sharp canine exposed.

On the other hand, Raian activated his technique 'Removal' with immense purple veins crawling inside his physical body as his aura flared with an intense bloodlust. And his black sclera darkened like a deep black hole.

Once again, they flashed with loud noise following their behind as they bellowed dangerously as they were about to attack with the intent to kill.

Just as they were about to destroy each other, Enzo swiftly flashed in between of them like he teleported and abruptly took their wrist as he spun them expertly making them fly away helplessly.

"You two are not allowed to fight each other yet and that's an order as of now!"

Enzo had known this was gonna happen from the beginning but didn't think it would happen at their first meeting.

'What a drag?'

Cain landed on the ground like a gymnast without a problem and reverted back to his own base that he prefer which was a Large Human with a hint of fur. He was only large if you think about his own age as he is ten years old and yet he was at the average height of teenagers 5'6.

"What do you mean I can't fight this barbaric child? Isn't that the only reason why you brought him here?" said Cain, insulting Raian as he questioned his father.

"The fuck did you just say? You're the barbaric one that threw the beast at us in our first meeting." retorted Raian, crossing his arms as he stared at him with a disdained expression on his face.

"His grandfather requested me that you shouldn't fight until you two fight in the festival in exactly three years. It wouldn't be fun if there was a winner right now."

Enzo went straight to the point as he sensed they were about to get into a ridiculous argument which make them fight once again.

"Are there any consequences if I lose?" said Cain as he intensely gaze at his father with a serious expression on his face.

"Nah but when that time comes, you can maybe ask his grandfather what you desired if you beat this kid."

"That's interesting. I just got the right idea of what to do with him if he loses."

Raian frowned as he couldn't help but gathered an unsettled feeling in his chest. Ignoring it, he pointed his finger and exclaimed at Cain with such declaration.

"What makes you think you'll win, bakaa? I know you ain't got anything to interest me. So instead, I'll just rather kill you happily!" laughed Raian, holding his belly as he stares at Cain with a provoking face.

Enzo glared at Raian with an annoyed expression on his face since he couldn't believe that the kid has the audacity to announce he'll kill his child in front of him. Though, he passed it off as he then glanced at Cain to see his reaction only for him to slap his forehead.

Cain's instincts were flaring intensely as if it was in rage making him pant heavily as he tried to compose himself since he didn't want to do this now. He somehow always react madly whenever someone provokes him as he took it personally.

Looking at this, Raian was amused as he came to the assumption that Cain had a weak mentality for taking his insults personally and became excited assuming he would fight him. Unfortunately for him, his body went limp and his mentality went to sleep due to a chop to his neck.

Enzo knocked him with ease as he knew it wouldn't bound well for the kid if he fought back. Cain at the moment was too strong for him whenever he entered in rage state.

Despite this, Cain absentmindedly roared like a monstrous beast as he darted at Enzo with his claws at his face.

This time though, Enzo didn't hold back as he hit Cain's chest causing him to spit out and then quickly smack at the side of his head with the back of his palm.

Cain crashed a few trees continually without a hint of stopping, finally stopped by a gigantic hill becoming stuck in T figure in an unconscious state.

He could tell that if he had held back, Cain would still get back up which wasn't good for him and knocked him out for his own good.

He had experienced this multiple times and he got used to it. It seemed like Cain's anger was part of him for an unexplainable reason, it also seemed like Cain was fine with this and has embraced it with open arms.

Enzo didn't like that as he thought of it as a weakness since any being that couldn't control themselves can easily be beaten with the right strategy and power but he honestly couldn't deny the fact that Cain's power heightens when he's in that state.

Though, he couldn't help questioning his son as to why he wouldn't make any change to at least try to control his anger and become rational. Cain's response was a ridiculously simple answer that made him speechless and confused.

"Simply because that's too long and I like the anger inside me. Add on the fact that being rational isn't really helpful since I'm an overthinker. I don't like hesitating."

Enzo sighed as he was tired mentally and snapped back to his sense, immediately flaring his aura out calling his other son to come to his spot...

{ A moment later }

Enzo finally could see his son has arrived. He smiled but quickly changed into a disgusted expression on his face since he was disturbed by what was in front of him.

Silver has arrived with a monkey that seemingly pleading for help as it holds Silver's hand tightly screeching with pain. Silver's index finger was burrowing deep inside the monkey's organ of sight as he smiled amusedly.

"You haven't changed at all. You need to stop this habit of yours. It's getting out of hand now. How is this benefiting you?" questioned Enzo.

"Because it quenched my boredom. Do you have a problem with that? Because as far as I recall, I don't judge anything you do so you do not have that right."

Irritated by his father's question, Silver burrowed deeper inside the monkey's eye socket causing it to screech in immense pain for a moment until it became silent and went limb.

Confirming its death, he took his index finger out of the organ of sight with it completely covered in gore dripping down like tap water on the ground.

The teen spread his [Observational Haki] around the area as he noticed the unconscious figure as he didn't recognize him, knowing he was a newcomer. He also noticed his younger brother glued to the hill.

"What a mess. Look like Cain went all berserker once again. What happened this time?" questioned Silver as he walked toward the hill to get Cain out.

After a while, he returned to Enzo with a curious expression on his face as Cain hang over his shoulder wanting to know what had happened this time.

"For starters, they just don't like each other and fought immediately on their first meeting. Cain went crazy because the newcomer provoked him so I knocked them out for their own good. Before you go, I want you to try your best to not let them find each other. They are not allowed to fight for three years. It's important."

Enzo explained as he picked up the blonde kid, hanging him over his shoulder as well as he glanced at Silver.

"Why are they not allowed to fight for three years?"

"Ask him when he wakes up. Now leave me!" exclaimed Enzo, exasperated thick in his voice.

Silver nodded as he decided not to push it anymore and rotated around as he jogged deep inside the Jungle with Cain over his shoulder.

'This is gonna be a drag. I'm too old for this shit. No more picking up people for me. It's time for my retirement' ponder the middle-aged man as he scrunched up his face when he noticed the child was still grinning unnaturally.