More Equal

Year Four, Month Four

"I expect big things from you boy, very big things."

I rolled my eyes as I watched the man hobble his way into the boat.

"Yes, yes, I'll be sure to do things that the Elemental Nations have never seen before."

Gato snorted, the sound getting slightly lost amidst the crashing of waves and cries of seagulls, the calls of men to board other ships, and the hustle and bustle of the port.

"I'm only going to be gone for six months boy. Don't get cocky now and think that you can make a large difference in that time."

It was my turn to snort. "It's not cockiness. It's confidence."

Now, it was his turn to roll his eyes. "Right," he then turned to my side, "Kitami, ensure that my son doesn't get in over his head while I'm gone."

Kitami Hiro, elite samurai and bodyguard extraordinaire, turned to me, his eyes indicating that he was not quite appreciating his new employment as a babysitter. "Yes… Gato-sama."

"Well, now that all of that is settled," a grin came upon the man's face as he turned around and yelled into his luxury boat "Where the hell is my bottle of sake, and the exotic geishas I ordered?"

I shook my head, and in my peripheral vision, I noticed Kitami doing his best to avoid snorting. Instead, we merely watched the boat eventually pull out from the docks, letting out a large honk of its horn, as it slowly, but certainly, began to trail out into the distance, far away from where my line of sight ended.

Then, a massive grin eventually spread on my face.

"You seem to be rather happy about your father's departure."

Oh, rats, I forgot that my baby-sitter was still here.

"I am."

The man rose an eyebrow at me.

"And why exactly would that be?"

I turned my gaze around, and stared at the port. "Let's just say… I'm not certain my father would approve of my methods of… management."

He stared at me oddly for a long bit, before I grinned and then smiled at him.

"Don't worry about it Kitami-san," I said, gesturing my hands into my pockets, but actually withdrawing from my Inventory, a small wad of notes "Just go get yourself a beer, or two, or get yourself the whole bar if you want. I'll be at the mansion for the rest of the week – by next Monday though, I'll be needing you around."

The man looked at me, and looked back at the money, before he shook his head and let out a sigh.

"It's your funeral kid."

I watched him leave and resisted the urge to immediately begin a string of long, maniacal laughter, easily worthy of Doctor Heinz Doofenshmirtz.

Let the first phase begin.

On getting home, the first thing that came to my mind was to immediately attribute the special points I had recently gotten, as well as to check up on my stats.

Name: Gato Junior

HP: 100/100

CHK: 10/10

Level: 2

Age: 4

Rank: Civilian

Title: Little Cutthroat

EXP: 2521/3000

Money: Approx. 60,000,000,000 Ryo

SPECIAL

Strength: 4 (-2) [E– Rank]

Perseverance: 6 (-2) [E– Rank]

Endurance: 6 (-2) [E– Rank]

Charisma: 2 (+20) [D– Rank]

Intelligence: 4 (+20) [D– Rank]

Agility: 4 (-2) [E– Rank]

Luck: 0 [F Rank]

Status

Buffs:

N/A

Debuffs:

(Malnourished: -2 penalty to Strength, Perseverance and Endurance)

Foils:

(Strong Civilian Heritage: Possesses less Chakra than the average human, 60% harder to increase Chakra reserves)

(Son of the Monster: –50% Reputation Gains with Civilians.)

(Machiavellian Principle: –50% Reputation Gains with Honorable or Good Characters, +50% Reputation Gains with Amoral or Evil Characters)

Boons:

(Arithmetic Prodigy: Grants +20 to Intelligence)

(Utilitarian Principle: Grants +20 to Charisma)

(Size Matters: Grants Perfect Chakra Control if Chakra reserves are less than or equal to available Health Points.)

Bio

Gato Junior, or Gat, or Junior, is the son of the prominent, but often amoral Business Tycoon Gato, and the sole heir to the Gato Shipping Conglomerate. Possessing a brilliant mind, a flair to be overly dramatic and pointlessly deep, he believes himself to be a genuine psychopath who will take over the world, enslave its women and become a God-Emperor.

(You have seven (7) undistributed Spec points.)

Yes, that was indeed, sixty billion that was there. Effectively meaning, that the income I got from the shipping business was instantly accessible to me via my gaming abilities. Regardless, I focused instead on my spec points, and without hesitating, I dumped all seven of them into Charisma, bringing it up to a total of 9 points, but actually 29 when added with the boons.

Most people would consider me crazy for wasting points on Charisma of all things, but it was essential, as everything else, Strength, Agility, Endurance and Perseverance could all be increased by future training. I was still four years old, so right now, unless I intended to get into fights, the most useful skill for me was my Charisma.

My charisma was also useful in certain other senses.

"A-are you sure about this Gato-sama?"

I ignored the slightly uncomfortable rope which bound me to the bed in favor of turning my attention back to the maid.

"Please, I'm not my father, call me Junior instead. Or Gat."

The maid, standing across me in the room, clad in black leather, couldn't help but frown.

"Junior-sama, are you sure about this?"

I sighed, before subvocalizing a brief observe under my breath as I gazed at the woman. Information about her name and everything else immediately entered my mind.

"Riko," I started, causing her to be startled in surprise at the realization that I knew her name "This is perfectly fine. I want you to use that whip and hit me as much as you can, as many times as you can, and mix in some pleasure with it so it doesn't get boring."

"Junior-sama, if your father found out that I actually hit you –"

"He'd probably give you an award, considering how often he loves to whip out his belt and smack me."

Still, she seemed slightly distressed. "Junior-sama, as much as I am flattered by the fact that you consider me attractive enough to make this request…"

Which was strangely true. She was hot.

"…you are four years old! I can't sexually whip a four year old!"

"I'll give you four million ryo."

Silence.

And then –

SMACK!

"You've been a naughty little boy J-u-n-i-o-r~!"

Ah, money answereth all things.

[Physical Endurance has levelled up! Level 4 – Level 5.] – [Reduces Damage done by Physical Strikes by 5%]

Part of me felt strangely proud, and another part of me felt strangely amused, that I had effectively gotten a woman to beat up, kiss, and then later give a blowjob to a four year old boy, simply for what was, to me, a paltry sum of money.

I had the body of a four year old, but the mind of a nineteen year old, hence, to me, the sexual act was nothing new. Of course, Riko didn't know that, and from her perspective, she had become a pedophile for cash. Though, considering that I had asked her to do it, did it really count?

Meh. It didn't matter. This wasn't "Earth" with its fixed rules and morality.

I needed my Physical Endurance skill to go up, because my experience with playing a particular game called Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, once had me with a character that was nigh-invulnerable thanks to an enchanted armor set which reduced all physical damage by 80%. The only thing that gave me trouble in that game had been enemies that used magic to attack, rather than physical strikes.

The results, after one week of our "sessions" had proved to be fruitful, as it came threefold.

[Physical Endurance (Passive) Level 62] – [Reduces Damage done by Physical Strikes by 62%]

The first, was the eventual increase of my Physical Endurance to a total proud level of 62, and the ultimate reduction from the amount of pain I now felt overall. Of course, seeing as how I now felt 62% less pain from being hit or cut or whipped or stabbed – it had made it intensely more difficult to increase the skill any further, as Riko's energetic whip against my back and all her spanking had ultimately began to feel nothing more than love-taps.

The level cap for the Physical Endurance skill was probably hundred, and I did not want to imagine just how much pain I would need to get it to that level. Of course, considering the life which I intended to live, something told me that I would be levelling it up one way or another.

The second result of the one week of Fifty Shades of Shotacon, had come in the surprise of a new boon.

From repeating certain pattern of actions, you have unlocked a new boon!

Serial Masochist

20% of All Damage Taken is Converted to HP

Yes, I had become a masochist. I could care less about labels, when the benefits were directly in front of me, in the form of always regaining health whenever I was attacked. This, in collaboration with my increased physical endurance, absolutely guaranteed that I would survive any and all assassination attempts and/or lynching attempts by any angry mobs.

Yes, what I had planned in mind was dangerous enough for me to need that precaution.

Finally, the last, and arguably most rewarding thing about getting whipped nonstop for a week, had come in the form, of the SPEC boosts.

For getting the Physical Endurance Skill to Level 10, your endurance has gone up by one! Your Perserverance has gone up by one! You have gained permanent +5HP and +1CHK!

For getting the Physical Endurance Skill to Level 20, your endurance has gone up by five! Your Perserverance has gone up by three! You have gained permanent +10HP and +5CHK!

For getting the Physical Endurance Skill to Level 30, your endurance has gone up by ten! Your Perserverance has gone up by five! You have gained permanent +15HP and +10CHK!

For getting the Physical Endurance Skill to Level 50, your endurance has gone up by fifteen! Your Perserverance has gone up by ten! You have gained permanent +20HP and +15CHK!

31 Endurance, 19 Perseverance, 50HP and 31CHK – all for allowing a woman whip me.

I was tempted to rush back and tell her to continue, if only slightly, but this had been a one-time thing, and my Physical Endurance skill would grow no higher. And there was also the fact that she had skedaddled out of the Land of Water the second I handed her the promised four million Ryo. Smart woman, she was. A shame though, because I would have loved to turn things around and have her be the one I whipped.

With all of this now present, I took some time to glance over my stats once more.

Name: Gato Junior

HP: 150/150

CHK: 41/41

Level: 2

SPECIAL

Strength: 4 (-2) [E– Rank]

Perseverance: 25 (-2) [D Rank]

Endurance: 37 (-2) [C Rank]

Charisma: 9 (+20) [D Rank]

Intelligence: 4 (+20) [D– Rank]

Agility: 4 (-2) [E– Rank]

Luck: 0 [F Rank]

As it stood, I had C Rank Endurance, which meant I, a four year old boy, had as much Endurance as the average Chunin. The D Rank Charisma and Perseverance also indicated that I had the average stats for an average Genin, which was good. It meant that I could now outlast Academy students in a fight if need be – though, with my pitiful Strength and Agility scores, they would have no problem overpowering me.

I wondered if there were any shortcuts like I just used that would help me raise my Strength and Agility very quickly? Shaking my head, I realized that it didn't matter, for now. Instead, I turned my attention towards my D Rank charisma, and I realized that if I got one more point in it, I'd get it to D+ Rank, which meant, I would have more Charisma than the average Genin, being sort of like a squad leader in that sense.

Being as charismatic as a Genin might seem like something completely menial, but, that was only if you forgot to take into account the roles that Genin played in the Shinobi Villages. They were hired by the people, gained rapport with them via helping them with certain tasks and menial chores, increasing the people's sense of pride and trust in them.

Why?

Because when an enemy village attacked, or in times of war, who stayed behind to help the civilians evacuate?

Who rushed the civilians to the shelters and stayed there to protect them from possible intruders?

Who ensured that people were accounted for, and that no one had gone missing or straggled off in their time of danger and need?

While the Chunin and Jonin focused on repelling the attackers, the Genin focused on saving and protecting the Civilians. Hence, the average Genin was far more charismatic and commanded more appeal and authority than the average civilian. And having the Charisma of an Elite Genin, would likewise increase how I could influence the civilians around me, and get them to listen and obey my orders or instructions.

This meant… I was finally ready.

"Why exactly did you ask us this again, Gat-sama?"

There, in the dead center of Waterlily Town, I stood.

"Because if it failed to occur to you, I'm a bit on the small side, and the people wouldn't be able to see me without the podium."

Kitami rubbed his nose. "I meant, why are we building a podium in the middle of the town square?"

I smirked, easily noticing the numerous eyes that were on my form. "Simple. To draw the people's attention and get them to gather round."

Kitami growled. "And why do you want the people," he said this with his left hand threateningly placed on one of his blades, particularly as the gathered crowd grew larger and larger "to gather round, Gat-sama?"

My smirk grew wider, as I immediately put one hand to my ear and gestured. "Just… listen."

And so… he did.

"Isn't that –"

"The boy who stopped those men –"

"He stood up for Qin's mother –"

"I heard he killed four, fully grown men who wanted to harass her –"

"I heard it was eight! And they were all armed, but he charged in valiantly –"

"I thought it was sixteen? And weren't they shinobi –"

Kitami's eyebrow rose, but his voice lowered. "It appears rumors of your deed have grown… rather exaggeratedly too."

"Of course, I had absolutely nothing to do with how fast it spread. But the people, they want to believe in a hero, now don't they?"

I failed to resist the tug on my lips, and Kitami's eyes widened.

"You didn't –"

I nodded, whispering. "You'd be surprised what a few well-placed ryo here and there can do."

Reputation with Kitami Hiro has gone up!

I blinked at the notification, before realizing that the man was actually smiling for once, even as he shook his head.

"Unbelievable. Simply – unbelievable."

"Well then, get ready to become a believer."

I walked up to the center podium, the whispers and murmurs growing larger and louder, until, all at once, I rose my hand.

{25/29} Charisma Check Passed!

The manner in which silence overcame everyone was almost bone-chilling. Maybe it was because I had worn my good clothes today. Maybe it was because of how my eyes were sharpened like razors and needles, and my posture was straighter than trees and rulers. Regardless of what it was, I could also feel myself get more confident.

And so, I began.

"Who amongst you, gathered here today, is free?"

Silence. Then, some mutterings came out and about, some grumblings, some people arguing that they were not slaves.

"If you believe, that you are free, that you are not bound or enslaved to anyone, that you have no masters and no lords, and that all the choices you make are solely yours and yours alone, then, raise your hands."

To no one's surprise at all, a large number of hands went up.

Then, slowly, I nodded, before clapping my hands.

The rest of my father's thugs and hired muscle that had been building the podium all gathered round, completely encircling the crowd, amidst gazes of confusion and uncertainty.

"Kill everyone whose hands went up."

Utter. Silence.

Then, the sounds of several blades unsheathing echoed into the air like the cries of the Shinigami himself. Several men and women several men and women were immediately seized and shocked, frightened yells rang out, before –

"Stop."

All movement stopped.

"Sheathe your weapons, and move three feet backwards."

The instructions were followed, to the letter.

"I ask again," my voice coming out crisply "Who amongst you, gathered here today, is free?"

To no one's surprise, absolutely no hands went up.

"Now, I ask, who amongst you, wants to be free?" I walked forward, to the very edge of the podium, ignoring Kitami's wary looks.

"Who amongst you here, wants to experience wealth? Who amongst you, wants to stop sleeping in the ditches? Who amongst you, wants to stop whoring out your bodies for a paltry sum?"

Murmurs. Whispers. And so, I increased my voice.

"Who amongst you, wants to wear fancy garments? Who amongst you, wants to eat the best food the world has to offer? Who amongst you, wants to experience wealth and riches that would make the Daimyo himself look like a schoolboy with pocket change?"

The murmurs grew louder, the whispers did as well, gathering, coalescing, even as I could feel my voice getting slightly hoarse.

"My father might be a tyrant, but I am not my father. No, I am not here to rule over you, nor am I here to gloat or lie. I am here, because I am angry."

I turned my glare to the crowd.

"I am angry at all of you. I am angry at your wasted potential. I am angry, angry at the pitiful excuse you call living. I am angry, at seeing how so many people who could become much more, are here, suffering, dying and wasting away. I AM ANGRY!"

I panted.

"And you should be too."

Complete. Silence.

I shook my head. "For those of you here, who wish to become something more, who are angry with how your lives have been so far, with your poverty, with your struggles, with scraping day after day to get a meal – then, tomorrow morning, be here, ready, strong, and determined to make a difference. To change your lives."

I turned around.

"And to those who are not ready. Who are happy with their chains of oppression and desperately lick the heels of their oppressors – then you may continue as you always have, and perhaps the Shinigami may find such an empty soul unworthy of ever reaping."

And like that, I walked off the podium, even as Kitami trailed behind me silently, and the thugs lined up and marched in front of us.

I didn't bother looking back, because merely the sound of the uproar alone, was immensely satisfying.

Special Event Completed!

Freedom and Anger

Reputation with Kitami Hiro Greatly Increased!

Reputation with the Fourteen Gates Greatly Increased!

Reputation with the people of Waterlily Port Town Increased!

Fame Increased!

Infamy Increased!

For successfully delivering a speech, your Charisma has gone up by ten!

You have gained 400EXP!

"I don't ever say this often but… I'll say it. Kid, I'm impressed."

I ignored the urge to grin, especially considering the fact that doing so in front of the thousands or so people who had showed up would look very, very, wrong. Waterlily Town Port had a total population count of just a little under 2500 people, and though only about 100 people had been around for my speech yesterday, according to my Economic Observation, there were now one thousand seven hundred people present here, ready and eager to listen to what more I had to say.

"Thank you Kitami-san. To be honest, I'm a little impressed with myself as well."

Who knew that imitating and twisting Cersei Lannister's words and actions would work so well?

New Territory Attained!

Waterlily Port Town

The town connected to a major port that has been under Gato's control for over six years, and as such, has greatly suffered due to the incredibly high taxation rates, and the sheer malevolence of Gato's apathy.

Statistical Information:

Taxation Rate: Ludicrously High

Illiteracy Rate: 91.9%

Poverty Rate: 93.7%

Unemployment Rate: 82.5%

Birth Rate: 42.4%

Death Rate: 71.5%

Environmental Cleanliness: 11%

Populace Satisfaction: 4%

[Note: Low ratings of Environment Cleanliness equal higher frequency of diseases and illnesses, and potential spreads of viruses/epidemics.]

Infrastructural Information:

No. of Hospitals: 0

No. of Schools: 0

No. of Industries: 0

No. of Casinos: 0

No. of Geisha Houses: 0

No. of Brothels: 1

No. of Hotels: 0

No. of Hot Springs: 0

No. of Tourist Attractions: 0

Well, I definitely had my work cut out for me. I cursed Gato under my breath, at the realization of just how much damage this man could do to a place without even trying. Who knows just how much worse it would have been if he was actively trying to run this place to the ground?

Craning my neck and my knuckles, I turned my gaze back to the gathered masses, where my Job Dissemination skill immediately supplied me with the appropriate knowledge of just what exactly needed to be done.

First, these people were still poor and uneducated, which meant that as they were, they were still malleable. They were like clay, easy to be molded into the shape I wanted, so that once I did eventually give them the enlightenment they so desperately needed, what they knew and believed would be so indoctrinated in them, that they would never once consider how it could be wrong.

To that end, I needed to make a cult.

"This meeting shall now commence. Henceforth, when we gather, we shall remember the saying: All men are born equal –"

"All men are born equal –"

I smiled.

"But some men, are more equal than others."