22. New Mark

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- Shadowkhans are cool, of course, but I don't want to wear this mask all the time… - I complained to the rumor, having finished checking the skills of my new soldiers.

The Shadowkhan have made excellent sparring partners as they are indeed very skilled and know how to fight to the advantage of their respective clan. Although, their small durability is indeed a serious weakness that does not allow the Shadowkhan to fully unleash his full strength.

But, fortunately, this is offset by their abundance. At a minimum, they can act as cannon fodder, able to distract strong opponents and take care of simple extras. Shadowkhan are too useful and have a huge number of uses, and I'm really glad that I got the power of the Shadowkhan King.

But, the problem is that in order to summon the Shadowkhan, I will have to wear this stupid mask, which, although it does not negatively affect me and even makes me stronger, does not suit me at all and covers my beautiful face with the ugly face of Tarakudo. And frankly, people will shy away from me if they see this demonic face.

- Eh, if only there was a way to summon Shadowkhan without wearing this terrible mask… - I muttered displeasedly, removing the mask from my head, holding it in my hands and examining it.

- Wait a minute… - I yelled, jumping up abruptly as Tarakudo's face helped me remember an interesting trick that might solve my problem.

Putting on the mask again, I summoned one Ninja Khan, and quickly writing a note, turned to Shadowkhan and, betraying it to him, I gave the order: - Search the island and find a girl dressed in the same costume as me. Give her the note, and when she's done with her business, bring it back here. Only she can take you for an enemy and attack, so be more delicate, don't frighten her with a sudden appearance.

Ninja Khan just nodded and faded into the shadows as he went looking for Bobby.

- I hope my idea works... - I muttered involuntarily, deciding to pass the time while waiting for Bobby to fetch the Fabricator, as I needed to stock up on missiles for the Quinjet.

In the end, I managed to create three rockets, and when I placed them in the arsenal, Ninja Khan emerged from the shadows holding a bunch of different packages, in the company of Bobby, who is already using my servant as a porter. She quickly adapted...

- Cool mask. - Bobbie praised as she took the grocery bags from the Shadowkhan and started unpacking them.

- Thanks. This is a new prize. - I said calmly, calling Shadowkhan away and removing my mask.

- Yes, I got it already. Although, when this weirdo showed up, I almost cut him open. Appeared directly from my shadow, I already got scared. Well, at least I immediately noticed a note where you explained everything, captain. - Bobby said as she sorted through a new supply of groceries.

'I warned him…' - I thought, shaking my head.

- So, what happened so urgently that you called me? I haven't visited all the stores yet. - Bobby asked as she put all the meat in the mini-fridge. Yes, there is one here.

'She's looking more and more like a housewife...' - I thought at first, watching Bobby's behavior, and then got down to business, saying: - I need your help.

- Something happened? - the android girl asked seriously.

- No, I just need your robot skills. Can you redraw this mask exactly on this piece of paper? - I asked, pointing to the Tarakudo Mask, betraying Bobby a pencil and a piece of paper, which she also bought recently.

- Sure, no problem. - not quite understanding why I need it, Bobbie said, with mechanical precision depicting Tarakudo's face on a piece of paper.

'As expected of a robot. I would never have done so beautifully.' - I thought, bemoaning my terrible drawing skills that even Dick's card couldn't fix.

- Ready. And why do you need it? - Bobby said as she handed me a piece of paper with the face of an Oni on the door.

- As far as I remember, if you put the image of this face on the body, then it will become a tattoo that cannot be removed and that allows you to summon Shadowkhan, even without my mask. - I briefly said, remembering how a similar trick was done in the animated series.

- And will it work? - Bobby asked a little skeptically.

- Now we will find out. - I said, rolling up the sleeve of his shirt and attaching the picture to my arm, just below the wrist.

When I did this, the drawing shone with an orange light and I felt a slight burning sensation, which soon passed, and the drawing was completely transferred to my hand, disappearing from the sheet.

Now, I am the proud owner of Tarakudo's face in the form of an indestructible tattoo that can only be removed with a special potion that I can never get.

- Indeed a tattoo, although it was more like a brand or mark. This is not dangerous? - Bobby asked, touching my arm and trying to erase the drawing, which of course she failed.

- Well, actually, it has a negative effect due to being connected to the Shadow Realms, which can turn me into a Shadowkhan myself. - I said awkwardly, but immediately added: - But, don't worry. Tarakudo's mask is completely safe, so his mark can also be used without fear. Probably….

- You should have made sure of that first before branding yourself with that ugly face. - Bobby said with an icy face, obviously angry at me for being so reckless.

- I know, but I got a little carried away and forgot about the possible side effects, ha ha ha… - I said awkwardly, turning my head to the side so as not to look at the enraged Bobby.

Without giving the girl a chance to yell at me, I quickly said to calm not only her, but also myself: - Anyway, I'm sure everything is fine. The gacha should allow this possibility, and they also took care of Tatoo's safety. Now, just need to check if it works.

- Oh, do as you please. But I hope you don't turn into a blue-skinned, red-eyed demon. - Bobby said waving her hand at me as she went about her business.

- Yes, me too ... Although, that would be pretty cool…. - I said softly, already imagining what I would look like as a Shadowkhan.

'No no no, this could end badly. I still like being human more.' - Shaking my head, I thought, and then decided to return to what I wanted to do.

- Shadowkhan, come to me!!! - I proclaimed pathetically, trying to appeal to unknown forces and do it, just like in the mask.

Tarakudo's Mark glowed blue, and as usual, one Ninja Khan surfaced from the nearest shadow, who completely obeyed me and waited for my further orders.

After sending him to fetch water for the Quinjet's reservoir (because neither I nor Bobby took care of it), I tried to summon a Shadowkhan from another clan, but this time no one answered my call.

After a few more failed attempts, I went back to summoning Ninja Khans and after a few checks, I was able to determine the limits of this tattoo, which was still vastly inferior to wearing the Mask.

- So I can only summon Ninja Khans and a maximum of fifty, right? - I muttered as I looked at the tattoo, from which I still felt no negative effects.

'Well, it's not that bad. If I need more, I can always wear a mask and get a power boost at the same time. In everyday life, Ninja Khans are enough. On the other hand, I finally solved the problem and can use some of the powers of the Shadowkhan King even without the mask.' - I thought, tucking in my sleeve and hiding the tattoo.

- Looks like you got it all right. - said Bobby, who had just been watching me all this time.

- Yes, now we have servants and we don't even need ordinary team members We can only collect fighters. - I said with a smile.

- This is good, but now I'm wondering, what will happen if I get such a tattoo? - Bobby asked curiously.

- Honestly, I don't even know. Obviously, to use a tattoo, you need energy and it is obvious that you must have it, since you have a reactor that feeds you. Perhaps this will be suitable for summoning Shadowkhan. Although, we can only find out if we check. - Thinking for a bit, I said.

- I'm ready. - Bobbiy said with determination, having already prepared a drawing of Tarakudo.

'Just a while ago, you scolded me for a thoughtless risk, and now you're beaming with enthusiasm, right?' - I thought, deciding to keep quiet and just watch Bobby get a tattoo on his robot arm.

- Shadowkhan, come to me!!! - parodying me, Bobby exclaimed and called on Ninja Khan, who appeared next to her on his knees.

- Everything seems to be working. Now you have helpers too. - I said, noticing also that I feel this Shadowkhan and can also control him. Perhaps because my tattoo is the first, I have a lot of power over them? Or because I'm the owner of the mask?

- Anyway, mind your own business, and I'll go train. - I said, drawing my Dark Saber, and noticing that the Shadowkhan sent for water returned with wooden barrels full of water. I wonder where he got them?

- Okay, then I'll take care of dinner. And you, help me. - Bobby said enthusiastically, pointing to her summoned Ninja Khan, who just nodded.

- Okay, have fun. - I said as I walked outside, thinking to myself: 'Oh, I hope Nelson calls tomorrow, I already want to go further.'

Find a quiet place, I activated the diamond form and continued to learn how to wield a lightsaber, which I did until dinner, and only then went to bed.

***

*Next morning*

Even though I got a nice dinner, Bobby was having trouble getting a new dish she wanted to make, so I didn't have breakfast and had to go to Maria's at 'Meshi'.

And so, now Bobby and I were sitting at a table in a cafe and waiting for Maria to bring my order, while I talked about how the conversation went with Nelson, who nevertheless called this morning. In general, it was he who woke me up.

- So the Marines are coming tomorrow? - asked Bobby, who came here not to keep me company, but to watch a professional chef work and copy his skills. She seems to be really frustrated by her unimpressive progress in cooking...

- Yes, fortunately, several ships of the 8th branch were nearby and Nelson took care of everything. Today they will take the Black Cat Pirates, and tomorrow they will sail here and take Kuro, along with my reward. - I said while drinking green tea.

- So, 7'000'000 for the Nyaban brothers, 9'000'000 for Jango and 16'000'000 for Kuro himself. As a result, it turns out, 32'000'000 belly. - by not tricky calculations, Bobby deduced the final sama.

- Yes, or four kilos of gold and four million, although they will round up and bring five kilos at once, thanks to Nelson. He uses his power to raise Kuro's bounty by three million because he fooled the Marines with his fake death. It turned out to be much more useful than I thought. - I said a little thoughtfully.

- Well, that's good. How long until your next ticket? - Bobby asked clearly trying to distract me from thinking that I brainwashed a person, although the method she chose was wrong.

- Another fifty-six kilos, or nearly four hundred million belly. - I said doomedly, and continued to complain: - To collect such a sum, I will have to catch all the pirates of the East Blue. We need to go fetch Eldoraggo right now…

- Yeah… Looks like you've become seriously addicted to this gacha, captain… - Bobby said shaking her head, still watching the chef's cooking.

- Eh, you could say something less obvious… - I said with a breath.

- Here's your order, bon appetit. - Maria suddenly appeared and put my breakfast in front of me.

- Thanks. - I said quickly and began to eat.

- Are you sure you don't want anything, miss? - Maria asked Bobby for the third time today.

- Not, thank. - Bobby answered automatically, looking even more intently at the cook, who felt her scrutinizing gaze, which made him all nervous, because he did not know what he had done to deserve such a thing. Poor guy...

- She's on a diet and doesn't eat anything until noon, sorry to bother you. - I said politely, thinking of the first excuse that came to my mind.

- Nothing, I understand everything, I myself was the same at her age… - Maria said with nostalgia in her voice, and then looking at her watch, she said with concern: - Something Usopp is late today. Did something happen.

- I met him yesterday and had an explanatory conversation, explaining that some things are not worth joking with. I think for a couple of weeks it will be quieter than the grass below the water. Although, then, most likely, he will take up the old, but at least you will get a short silence and rest. - I briefly said how did my meeting with Usopp go.

- Is that how? You shouldn't have... - Maria began to speak, but, nevertheless, realizing that it was still worth it, she already honestly said: - Thank you. Usopp is a good boy, he just doesn't have anyone left. We tried to help him, but he stubbornly refused everything and did not listen to anyone.

- Nothing, I understand everything. - I said with a smile, because I really understood Usopp's situation very well.

- Bon appetit, it's on the house. - Maria finally said and left us.

- Who is Usopp? - still ceasing to torment the poor cook, Bobby asked, turning to me.

- Oh yeah, I won't tell you. Generally…. - I said and began to tell the story of the guy and what he can achieve in the future, unless of course my appearance has already changed this.

Just when I finished explaining all the points, the bell sounded and a tall man in a black suit, with white, curly hair and ram's horns on his head, entered the restaurant. Can someone explain to me why he has horns?

- Hello, my name is Merry, I'm the butler of the Harrow family. - Merry said respectfully as he purposefully walked towards me, bowing slightly.

- Hello, how can I help you? - I asked politely, looking at the creator of the Going Merry and continuing to wonder about the horns.

- Lord Arthur is inviting you to dinner tonight to thank you for your help. - Merry replied, handing me an elegant envelope with an invitation.

- I can't refuse, can I? - I asked, looking at the invitation and remembering the man's stubbornness.

- I'm afraid it is not. - with an apologetic smile, said Merry, apparently also feeling my pain.

- But, I don't have a suit for an event like this… - I said, hoping that this will help me get away from an evening in the company of an aristocrat and his daughter. I don't like that kind of thing.

- Don't worry, I've got everything ready. And you can also take your girlfriend with you. - said Merry with the pride of a professional butler.

- Oh, okay, okay, I'll come. - no more excuses, I said.

- That's weird. I'm waiting for you at 17:30. - Merry said with a smile and quickly retreated.

- I will not go. - Bobby said instantly, without even giving me a chance to ask.

- But I don't want to go alone. He will again thank me and offer a reward, while wooing his daughter to me so that I stay here and become the defenders of the island ... - I complained.

- Well, think about how he could be useful to us. So to keep in contact with him, and he would think that this could be used to tie you to the island, but he would not be too intrusive and would not interfere with us. - Bobby said calmly.

- I already thought about it, but I couldn't figure out how the provincial lord could help me, even if with connections practically all over the sea. Do not sell to me through him ... Oh ... - I began to complain again, when it really dawned on me.

- Well, now, your problem is solved, so you can go to dinner by yourself. - Bobby said with a smile.

- Okay, anyway, there is no choice, now I need to talk to Arthur. Okay, I'll go train, will you stay here? - I asked, getting up from my chair.

- Yes, don't distract me. He's making some elaborate dessert. - Bobby said with a wave of her hand, continuing to watch the poor cook.

- Just don't torture him like that pawnshop owner… - I said shaking my head as I headed out the door.

Just as I reached the clearing where the Quinjet was, suddenly I felt a burning sensation in my hand and the Outsider's Mark spontaneously activated.

- Wow…. - I involuntarily said when I noticed that the world around me had lost its colors and seemed to slow down.

When that effect wore off, I used Outsider's Mark again and activated my new ability 'Bend Time', which was exactly what it was. The world turned gray again, and the surrounding world seemed to freeze in thick jelly. This effect was caused by time slowing down in a certain area around me, lasting exactly 12 seconds.

- Amazing ability… - I said sincerely, having understood what perspectives opens up the possibility of stopping time.

Although 'Time Bend' has just become available, apparently due to the fact that I have reached the required power, it still cannot fully freeze time, but only slow it down. But in the future it will be a complete stop, albeit a temporary one. In fact, already now these 12 seconds are enough for me, to do a lot, especially considering the recently learned Nuki Ashi. An unexpected gift, but certainly a very pleasant one….

- Eh, now I have to practice even more… - I said angrily, starting to practice my own homemade lightsaber style and 'Bend Time'. This is what I did before it was time to go to the Harrow family mansion.