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 to manifest.

"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 stood still for a moment like dominoes before collapsing one after another. Only a few were able to keep their consciousness.

Raian began to tremble in front of the overwhelming aura from the two in front of him. Cold sweat covered his forehead, and he staggered slightly. Despite this, he still grinned with immense excitement on his face.

The clansmen rushed out upon sensing the clash, prepared to fight the person they believed was going against their patriarch.

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

Feeling the oppression from Enzo, he knew instantly that he was much weaker, but he didn't cower. He still had a Devil Fruit. Their Haki were almost similar in strength, and he figured that if he involved his Devil Fruit, then he would win.

Suddenly, the clash ceased, causing the surrounding area to fall silent—to the point that one could hear a pin drop from miles away. Then, Enzo and the patriarch laughed.

"Looks 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. Of course, you'll win."

As a teenager, he had left the Kure Clan due to a disagreement, deciding to become the top assassin in his own way. During the time when the Rocks Pirates dominated the New World, he had been contracted by the World Government to assassinate one of the top commanders, Silver Axe. He succeeded and, as a reward, acquired land far better than what his old clan had.

As the patriarch of the Kure Clan, he had once boasted incredible offensive fighting power, especially with his Devil Fruit. Even in his advanced age, he remained a lethal combatant. While he no longer possessed the strength of his youth, his use of weaponry, his Devil Fruit, and the Kure Clan's signature technique, Removal, allowed him to overwhelm and kill anyone with ease.

His Devil Fruit was called the Shakou Shakou no Mi. It was a Logia-type Devil Fruit that allowed him to manipulate any form of shadow, transform himself into a shadow, and use shadows as a linkage to the Shadow Realm, where he ruled.

This fruit was regarded as one of the most powerful Logia-type Devil Fruits, considering its ability to affect every being with a shadow and create an alternate Shadow Realm capable of plunging masses into oblivion. However, it shouldn't be confused with the Kage Kage no Mi or the Yami Yami no Mi.

He had encountered this Devil Fruit by pure luck on an island he had used as an escape after killing Silver Axe. At the time, he was being pursued by an enraged dragon beast. Fortunately, he had managed to devour the fruit and use it instinctively to disappear without a trace.

His name was only known to his clan and the World Government but was unknown to the rest of the world.

Kure D. Erioh.

"Whatever. How about it?" Enzo questioned, raising his left eyebrow in curiosity.

Erioh smiled, already forming an idea in his mind.

"I agree, on the condition that my grandson will fight your son in a duel 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 had found a way to ease his boredom. Adding to that, he felt that he was dying soon and needed to pass the mantle to his grandson. But before making the official announcement of his retirement, he wanted to see some excitement.

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

Enzo and Erioh shook hands, though it seemed like they were trying to hurt each other. However, neither succeeded in overpowering the other. Separating, the elderly man glanced at the teen next to Enzo, contemplating.

The Kure Clan, also known as "The Majin," was an ancient lineage of assassins. Raian, the boy in question, was somewhat unstable, demonstrating violent and psychopathic tendencies. He had an obsession with domination and killing.

He was also highly provocative, enjoying taunts and insults to stir conflict. This habit had gotten him into trouble many times with both his father and grandfather.

It was a fact that he was the black sheep of the clan, most likely due to his ruthless and psychopathic attitude. However, he was also considered the strongest of his generation within the Kure Clan.

'It is too risky to leave my grandson in the hands of Enzo, the infamous solo pirate. Oh well, let's just hope nothing happens to him.'

Erioh had already recognized the man the moment he had entered. However, he didn't care about his status. He was far more interested in Enzo's son, hence his excitement to see the outcome of their duel in three years.

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

The blonde teen grinned but didn't reply. He simply turned around, crossing his arms as he prepared to pack up and leave with Enzo.

"Ezekiel Eli Enzo, don't be surprised that I recognized you. 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 chuckled, surprised that he had been recognized. Nevertheless, he decided to heed the warning and leave once the kid finished packing. He hadn't planned on staying much longer anyway, having already gotten what he wanted. His grin widened.

"A Warlord, huh? Who are you talking about?"

"Donquixote Doflamingo, the 'Heavenly Yaksha,'" the old man announced, emphasizing the title.

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

"Oh, that's true. He's a rookie, alright. But his identity isn't that simple. It would be in your best interest 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. That's it, isn't it?"

The patriarch was dumbstruck. He hadn't expected Enzo to deduce that, but he quickly shook his head, assuming it was just a lucky guess. Unfortunately for him, Enzo had already used his Observation Haki to sense his emotions and confirmed that he was right.

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

Noticing the old man had changed the subject, Enzo let it slide and spoke about his son. However, he didn't reveal everything, as a small part of him remained cautious.

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{ 2 Months Later }

In the fog, a wooden raft about four or five meters wide and seven or eight meters long floated slowly on the sea. Two individuals sat on it, playing a card game called "Snap."

These individuals were Enzo and Raian. Having spent too long at sea with nothing to do, they resorted to card games.

Enzo placed a card onto the pile. It was the Ace of Spades, matching another in the stack. He quickly threw his hand atop the pile.

"Snap!" the middle-aged man exclaimed, seemingly enjoying the game.

With no cards left, Raian had lost. Frustrated, he punched Enzo's arm, though it did nothing due to the difference in their strength.

Raian was growing more furious by the second. He couldn't stand the boredom, nor the sea's bipolar nature. One moment, the sun shined brightly; the next, massive hail pelted them. He was sick of it.

Suddenly, Enzo spotted an island in the distance and informed Raian that they were close. Impatient, the blonde teen ripped off his t-shirt and jumped into the water, swimming towards Gigantic Island.