Kaido awoke to the soft hum of machines and the faint glow emanating from Vita's advanced healing chamber. The sterile scent of antiseptic mingled with a subtle, almost imperceptible pulse of energy that vibrated in the air. He sat up slowly, the rhythmic whirring of the machinery a constant backdrop to his reawakening. His eyes, still adjusting to the light, blinked against the unfamiliar, pearly-white ceiling. He ran a massive hand over his shaved head, a faint frown etching itself on his brow before slowly pivoting, taking in the sterile environment.
Vegapunk stood beside a complex, glowing console. Wires snaked out from the machine like metallic vines, connecting to various instruments that blinked and beeped in a chaotic symphony. The scientist turned to face him, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of curiosity and triumph. "You're awake." It wasn't a question, but a statement of fact, laced with a hint of self-satisfaction.
Kaido grunted a low rumble that resonated in the enclosed space. He swung his impossibly large legs off the edge of the bio-bed, the movement surprisingly graceful for a man of his size. His body felt… different. Lighter, yet paradoxically stronger. As if every muscle fiber had been meticulously refined, and ushered to its absolute peak. Almost too perfect. He clenched his fists experimentally, the raw power thrumming beneath his skin a tangible sensation. "What the hell did you people do to me?" The question was laced with a dangerous undertone, a warning that his patience was thin.
Vegapunk, unfazed by the threat, merely smirked. "Your body is fully regenerated. Stronger than ever. Damaged tissues are repaired, and latent potential is unlocked. I upgraded your physique—it should be around level 60 now." He tapped a few buttons on the console, displaying a swirling array of data across the holographic screen.
Kaido raised a scarred eyebrow, a gesture that accentuated the intimidating ridges above his eyes. "Level 60?" The term was foreign, its meaning wholly lost on him. He knew power, he was power, but this… this was something else entirely.
Vegapunk glanced at Juno, a silent deference in his eyes, and a subtle shift in his posture. He was a scientist, not an explainer of esoteric concepts. Best to leave that to the architect of this new world.
Juno, who had been observing the exchange with a calm, almost ethereal stillness, stepped forward. His presence radiated an aura of quiet authority, a stark contrast to Kaido's brute force and Vegapunk's eccentric brilliance. "That's something you'll understand in the future. A metric that will become relevant soon enough. For now, come see the world I'm building." His voice was smooth and reassuring, yet carried an undeniable weight of conviction.
Still skeptical, his senses on high alert, Kaido followed them out of the healing chamber. The sterile environment gave way to a breathtaking vista. Outside, the vast landscape of Vita stretched in every direction—lush, seemingly untouched forests, golden skies painted with impossible hues, and rivers that shimmered with an internal, otherworldly light. Artificial, yet undeniably alive. It was a carefully crafted paradise, a stark contrast to the war-torn world he knew.
Kaido frowned, his gaze sweeping across the simulated landscape. He looked up at the simulated sky, a perfect imitation that lacked the unpredictable beauty of the real thing. "This place... what is this?" His voice was low, a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
Juno answered, his eyes fixed on the horizon. "A world that hasn't been ruined yet. A sanctuary, a foundation for something greater."
They walked together along a pathway meticulously crafted from polished stone, lined with ancient-looking pillars etched with symbols that seemed to hum with inner energy. Finally, they reached the central dome—Juno's command hall, the nexus of this artificial world. Within it, a holographic projection bloomed into life, filling the space with swirling images: detailed geographical maps, intricate data on various sentient races, and complex strategic plans that shifted and reformed with impossible speed.
"This is the future," Juno said, his voice resonating with unwavering conviction. "The World Bank will unify all economies, creating a stable and equitable financial system. The Guild System will connect every soul on the sea, fostering cooperation and shared progress. And the Council will oversee it all, ensuring fairness and justice."
Kaido furrowed his brow, the concept of fairness and justice a foreign, almost laughable one in his experience. "Council? What's the name of your organization?" He used the word organization lightly, knowing this was so much more. This was a bid for world domination cloaked in altruism.
Juno nodded, acknowledging the unspoken question. "You could say that. Once the Guild System is online, the Council will shape the rules, define responsibilities, and ensure a robust, sustainable structure. It will guarantee that every guild is run properly, without corruption or abuse, and serves the greater good."
Kaido crossed his massive arms, his eyes narrowed in contemplation. "The Guild System, huh? Sounds like a lot of… cooperation." The word tasted like ash in his mouth.
Juno smirked a hint of steel in his eyes. "With it, even the poorest island can prosper. Greedy nobles or ruthless pirates will no longer control trade. Every person will have a voice, a network, and a way to grow stronger together. And the World Bank will back it all—with real gold, with tangible value, not empty promises or fleeting power."
Kaido raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. "That kind of structure… it'll change the seas forever. It'll break the old order."
Juno nodded, his gaze unwavering. "That's the point. We're not just building strength. We're building a new era. An era of unprecedented progress and prosperity for all."
Kaido's eyes narrowed further as he watched the hologram shift, displaying images of various races coexisting: proud Giants, enigmatic Lunarians, fierce Minks, adaptable Fishmen, and countless others. Each race represented another piece of the puzzle, another potential source of strength.
"With your strength and my vision," Juno continued, his voice gaining intensity, "we can reshape evolution itself. We can unlock the hidden potential within every race, sculpt a future beyond anything imaginable."
A slow grin spread across Kaido's face. "Heh. A world without weaklings? A world where strength reigns supreme? Count me in." As a strength supremacist, a believer in the ultimate power of the individual, Kaido decided he would support Juno with all his considerable might, eager to unlock new levels of power and witness the dawn of a new, stronger world.
Juno tapped a panel on the console, and another projection appeared: microscopic images of cells merging, genetic traits evolving, and the body undergoing a radical transformation. It was the blueprint for a new lifeform, an entity designed for greatness.
Vegapunk stepped in, his eyes alight with scientific fervor. "Your Oni bloodline opened a new door, Kaido. A gateway to untapped potential. We're going to collect the strongest genetic factors in the world. Merge them. And with Juno's Visionary Device, create something never seen before. Something… transcendent."
Kaido's grin widened, revealing rows of sharp, predatory teeth. "You're telling me… you're going to create the ultimate creature? The pinnacle of evolution?"
Juno nodded slowly, his eyes glowing with a strange light. "A new race. A being that can breathe underwater like a mermaid, possesses the brute might of a Giant, the primal instincts of a Mink, the unparalleled adaptability of a Lunarian… a being that embodies the best of every world."
Kaido's tone grew serious, and all traces of amusement vanished. "And only I get to see it happen? Only I get to witness the birth of this… god?"
Juno smirked a hint of something unreadable in his eyes. "No. You'll help make it happen. Your strength, your power, your very being will be instrumental in its creation."
Kaido paused, a thought striking him. "Is Tera also a member of your organization? You've spoken quite a bit about NETRA, but I haven't seen her." As a loyal user of Netra, he talked to Tera every day, relying on her insights and guidance.
Juno said, his expression carefully neutral. "Yes, she is—but she isn't here now. She's… working on a project offsite." He had already moved Tera's main body to a different dimension, accessible only to him. Not because of Kaido, but as a safeguard for the future. Now that someone else had stepped into Vita, who's to say others wouldn't follow? What if spies came, or betrayal happened? It was better to be cautious, to protect his most valuable asset.
Kaido stood at the edge of a cliff, overlooking a vast valley bathed in the ethereal light of Vita's artificial sun. The wind whipped around them, carrying the scent of synthetic flowers and manufactured ozone.
"So... where to now?" Kaido asked, his voice resonating with anticipation.
Juno joined him, his eyes fixed on the horizon, a distant smile playing on his lips. "We start collecting. Rare bloodlines. Forgotten powers. The lost strength of the world. We scour the corners of the earth, seeking out the individuals who possess the keys to unlocking our vision."
Kaido grabbed a massive bag of booze, easily the size of a small man, and slung it over his shoulder. The clinking of glass echoed in the air. "Lead the way, Guildmaster. Let's find some strong bastards and see what they're made of."
Juno turned to face a shimmering wall of energy that pulsed with an inner light. A portal, leading to the unknown. "Tera, destination anchored island. A place where forgotten legends still linger."
The machine responded with a soft chime, its voice a soothing, artificial whisper. "Coordinates locked. Portal ready. Safe travels, Guildmaster."
Kaido cracked his knuckles, a predatory glint in his eyes. "Let the hunt begin."
Together, they stepped into the light, the promise of battle and discovery pulling them forward.
The blinding glow faded as Juno and Kaido emerged onto a snowy island. The air was frigid, biting at their exposed skin. A cold wind howled around them, carrying the scent of pine and smoke, a stark contrast to the manufactured scents of Vita. Snow crunched beneath their boots as they stepped into the quiet white expanse. The silence was broken only by the rustling of the wind through the snow-laden trees.
Just as Juno was about to stroll around and take in the scenery, his senses on high alert for any signs of unique bloodlines or hidden powers, a cacophony of screams pierced the tranquil air.
"Pirates are coming! Run!"
"They're heading for the village! They'll take everything!"
"Hide the children! Get to the shelters! Now!"
"They have cannons! The whole town could be destroyed! We're defenseless!"
"Someone, please help us! We can't fight them off! We're doomed!"
Juno paused, his brow furrowed slightly. This wasn't exactly the strategic quest for knowledge he had envisioned. He glanced at Kaido, an unspoken question in his eyes.
Kaido raised a single, scarred eyebrow, his expression a mixture of amusement and bloodlust. "Shall we take a look? Or are we above helping these weaklings?"
Juno smirked a hint of ruthlessness in his eyes. "Why not? Let's see what kind of trouble's worth screaming about. And perhaps, we'll find something... interesting along the way."
With that, the two walked toward the source of the commotion, their footsteps silent in the snow, snowflakes swirling in their wake. The contrast between their calm demeanor and the desperate cries of the villagers was unsettling, a prelude to the storm of violence that was about to erupt. The hunt had begun, but not in the way either of them had initially anticipated.