From trying to kill each other to having a feast, yep this is the One Piece world alright. Kaizo is now having the usual exchange with Alero about what's happening on the island.
"So, my brother, Aster, did a coup against me when I defeated him in the battle for the family leadership *Alero started explaining* Since then he's been gathering strength across the jungle and has moved around 30% of my forces off the jungle area." Alero.
"That's rough buddy, what do I do and where's the strongest foes?" Kaizo.
"His strongest allies are always near him, which is why most of the work is delegated to other executives. You won't be unlucky, or lucky in your case, to meet one of his top men during these first attacks." Alero.
"Any information? Devil Fruits? Strengths?" Kaizo.
"And here I thought you weren't a fan of planning." Alero.
"I am, I just wing it when I choose to. Now, information please?" Kaizo.
"My brother, to my knowledge, hasn't eaten any Devil Fruit, 3 of his executives have though."
Gyoro, a tall man with a muscular body ate the Muscle-Muscle Fruit, which allows him to strengthen his whole body to an unimaginable degree. Also, all the damage received to his ligaments seems to heal extremely fast.
Vyra, a woman of slender body and tribal tattoos ate the Wing-Wing Fruit, which is pretty self-explanatory. But I've heard that the wings can't carry her long distances.
And finally, there's Wez, he's a lean guy with a knack for insulting people. He ate the Monkey-Monkey Fruit Model: Gorilla. Again self-explanatory.
"Would you rather fight 100 gorillas or…" Kaizo.
"Stop. *Alero stops him since every time he explains Wez' fruit people ask him the same question* I've heard that one before. So, you satisfied with this?" Alero.
"Sure, what's the first "commission" of this partnership?" Kaizo asked with a hint of excitement.
"Fist thing's first. I need you to attack this factory on the outskirts of Rivas, right near the jungle area. You want to rattle the beehive you better attack the workers after all and this factory is where they process their food for their army." Alero showed Kaizo a map.
Seeing the simplified area he was going to attack he wondered something.
"Are there going to be civies at the factory? Because as much as I like fighting people I also like not involving anyone who's unaware." Kaizo asked with concern.
"If what you're asking is if they're innocent then no, at minimum they've all killed at least 1 innocent person each so, there's no need to give mercy." Alero.
Kaizo glared at him.
"I'm honest here." Alero raised his hands in defense.
"I know, I was just thinking of something else." Kaizo.
"Oh? Pray tell what it is?" Alero.
"Although I'm strong and all, taking a whole factory this big by myself is pretty challenging. I mean, I could do it but I'd rather know if there's backup." Kaizo.
"Color me surprised, and here I thought you were planning to hog all the fun for yourself. Yes, you'll have some backup from my meant the north entrance, your job is mostly make a diversion at the south entrance as we power through, the attack is in two days, savvy?" Alero.
"Savy, now, can I pick someone to co-op with me during this mission?" Kaizo.
"Sure why not, how many do you need? 10? 20?" Alero.
"Nah, I just need Mr. Mugs A Lot over there." Kaizo pointed at Monterrey.
"Me?" Monterrey.
"Monty? Only him?" Alero was equally surprised.
"Well, let's just say that he piqued my interest and I'd like to see his fighting style." Kaizo.
Alero thought for a while and looked back at Monterrey, who was not so discrete with his refusal to go, and nodded.
"Alright, Monty will follow you at the diversion point." Alero.
"A-Aniki!" Monterrey cried.
"You brought him here, might as well make yourself responsible of him." Alero stated as he prepared to leave.
"Oh, I forgot to say something." Kaizo spoke as he also got up.
"Hm? What is it?" Alero didn't bothered to look back.
"If you cross me, make sure to not fail. Because I'll kill you for it." Kaizo said as his gaze sharpened towards Alero.
The killing intent filled the room; many grunts couldn't move under the pressure but Alero smiled.
"Don't worry, I won't...fail." Alero looked back at Kaizo's sharp eyes and left.
It is a simple reminder that regardless of circumstances they were still strangers to each other. Their trust is solely based on pros and cons, no room to negotiate.
Monterrey was planning to sneakily leave as well but Kaizo grabbed him by the shoulder.
"So, wanna talk about that fancy trick you pulled off earlier?" Kaizo asked excited.
"What are you talking about loco?!" Monterrey swiped Kaizo's hand off his shoulder.
"When you charged at me, you managed to change direction easily without losing speed. What's that?" Kaizo explained.
Monterrey sighed in defeat and looked at Kaizo.
"That's something most Long-Legs tribesmen can do." Monterrey.
"You're a Long-Leg? *He looked at Monterrey's normal length legs* They look normal to me." Kaizo.
"Yeah, because my mother was a normal human, I don't have the length but in return my leg muscles are denser than others. We use a special muscle that lies at the tendons." Monterrey started to explain.
"To support the added weight that the legs carry, our tendons have added ligaments and even some extra bones that reinforce the base of the feet, when moving at high speeds and we need a sudden change of direction the small bones relocate the strength we use to run and allocate it to help us move towards the desired direction."
"There's zero to none waste of speed when making the change but, it does put a lot of strain on our feet. Of course I've been practicing this skill since I was Chiquito so, it barely do anything to my tendons at this point." Monterrey finished explaining.
He looked at Kaizo and saw him with an uninterested expression as he was lying on the couch.
"Ah? So it's a bloodline thing? Boring. Imma go sleep at my inn." Kaizo left with a yawn and closed the door.
Monterrey was left alone in the room with a tick mark on his forehead as he heard Kaizo's uninterested tone.
"You were the one who asked me Jo de Puta!" Monterrey.
(With Kaizo)
'Figured that was some bloodline bullshit type of skill. Such a letdown.' Kaizo thought.
He's read the books, he knows that whenever the word "bloodline" is present in an individual he must have some game changing skill. Like the Uchihas with their Sharingan, the Zenin with their Ten Shadows Technique, heck, even the Saiyans have their color-changing hairs due to their race.
Point is, there's always some OP bullshit related to the word Bloodline, and Kaizo no like it. Why?
Because it doesn't matter if you're strong as an individual when the opponent can shroud itself in a bone armor Susanoo.
Or summon a Shikigami with a perfect adaptation ability.
Or just say shit like "this is my final form" that's just longer blonde hair that SOMEHOW makes you stronger and made clear that humans and Namekians are useless in life or death situations.
There's no technique, there's no effort, just an OP skill to do your shit without you ever having to move an inch.
And those types of developments were disliked by Kaizo.
Unfortunately there's so little mangas in the world that have some relevant martial arts insight. Heck, despite its bullshit factor, Baki at least has some "believable" moments.
Regardless, it was time to sleep and Kaizo did pay for the entire fee at the inn so, he climbed the window, cleaned the room up and slept.
(The Next day)
Kaizo woke up at 5:00 AM sharp and did his morning routine, some stretches, some exercises and he washed himself up before dressing up.
He's wearing a casual plain white shirt and blue shorts and some straw sandals.
As he leaves the inn, he finds Monterrey waiting for him across the building.
"Sup~" Kaizo greeted.
"Don't you 'sup~' me pendejo. You must've chosen me for the "thing" so you could know more about my skill, you now know so take me out of it." Monterrey.
"Yeah, ya see, there's going to be a problem regarding that." Kaizo said casually as he started walking across the street.
Monterrey followed him.
"What 'problem' exactly?" Monterrey.
"Well, I know I beat your ass a bit too hard yesterday-" Kaizo.
"Please rephrase that." Mont.
"But I'm still a newbie here, I figured you'd show me around so that I don't get lost when not needed." Kaizo.
'That's...… actually a very sound and reasonable excuse. But it pisses me off that he's making me his tour guide!' Monterrey thought.
Monterrey sighed as he knows there's no way out of this since Alero himself ordered to keep an eye out for Kaizo.
"Fine, where do you want to go first?" Monterrey.
"Some stores where I could buy or do these things." Kaizo hands Monterrey a list.
The Tombo looks at the list and then back at Kaizo with an exasperated look.
"Why would a knucklehead like you wants to learn sewing and knitting?" Monterrey.
"Because sometimes it's cheaper to create new clothes out of torn ones and believe me, that'll happen a lot so get to it." Kaizo.
And so, Kaizo and Monterrey started their tour throughout Rivas. Kaizo would learn some inquiries about sewing, knitting, and many other miscellaneous abilities for the rest of his journey.
The two of them eventually stopped at a ramen shop to eat.
"Hey, Monty, why did you joined Alero?" Kaizo suddenly asked.
"Don't speak so casually about those things! Don't you know there's ears everywhere?!" Monterrey.
"Bro, you're the one yelling." Kaizo.
Monterrey realized that and sat back before he sighed.
"I really don't like talking about my business with anyone but if I had to say, it'd be because Alero is a friend." Monterrey.
"Boring, I was expecting a nice sad backstory with a hint of revenge issues." Kaizo.
"Shut your trap. It's not like I've asked you where you come from or anything, so leave me be." Monterrey took out a newspaper and started reading it in silence before his eyes saw a headline.
[Devil Child: Nico Robin, kills in cold blood an entire Marine Squad with her Devil Fruit powers. When the marine forces were about to capture her, she crashed one of their ships into a nearby dock. The crash of the ship ended up in the destruction of a part of the port, it is estimated that over 30 people died in that crash including civilians. For these crimes, her Bounty has been raised to 84.000.000₿.]
"Geesh, who would've thought this Chica is this crazy. Women, am I right?" Monterrey looked at Kaizo.
The Martial Arts ignored him and fantasized about someday bring Robin to one of these restaurants.
Without much delay, Kaizo and Monterrey ate their ramen and prepared themselves for the assault the day after tomorrow.