Third-Person POV
In a darkened room, a gathering of 11 people could be seen; these were Orochi's Oniwabanshu, his personal bodyguards loyal to the Shogun, led by Fukurokuju.
Fukurokuju: "Tell me what you think of this, Senji-dono," he asked his subordinates.
???: "I suspect," said one of them.
???: "If he appeared out of nowhere and with such accomplishments, perhaps they are fake and this is all to gain power and extract information from Orochi-sama," said another woman wearing a full-face mask.
???: "Yes, I've never heard the surname Senji; I don't think they're an ancient clan from Wano," said a woman who looked quite serene and refined.
???: "Or maybe he just wants status and prestige," said another woman wearing an Oni mask.
???: "We can't rule out the possibility that he's a spy for them; some are still alive, and there's always the risk of another attack somewhere." Said the man wearing the mask covering his nose and mouth.
Fukurokuju: "Well, what you do know is that we must watch him closely to see his actions and behavior; that way, depending on what he does, we can act accordingly. Also, tomorrow there will be a show of force by Senji-dono; that way, we can see how strong he is and how true those rumors are."
Everyone nodded at what their leader said and continued to plan countermeasures for Dante in case of emergency.
...
Dante's POV
I was currently on my way to where I was meeting Kyoshiro for a proper katana fight.
It turns out that when you know you're going to be the commander-in-chief of a large squad of cowardly guys with no self-esteem, they don't accept anyone who can outsmart them, especially a nobody like me. Some even said that everything they said about me was false.
Orochi didn't care how strong I was; I confirmed that with Kyoshiro, but what he wanted was another wall that could take a shot for him, even if it wasn't out of mere loyalty. More than strength, he wanted someone who could command attention, and I was superb at that job. They only had to see my face and most would run away. If I turned out to be super strong, it was a plus.
That's why I agreed to let him learn Advanced Armament Haki; I believed he could keep me bound by his rules one way or another.
In the end, we met outside the Flower Capital to fight Kyoshiro; this way, I would prove I have the power and status for the position. If it weren't for learning Haki, I wouldn't do this, but part of me also wants to know how much of a difference in strength there is between me and Kyoshiro.
...
It had taken a few days, but Ororchi prioritized doing something so I could demonstrate my strength and make it comfortable for him and his geisha.
In front of me was Kyoshiro with his katana drawn, looking at me happily. I just looked at the audience: many people from Orochi, who would be under my command from now on, and several geisha, including Komurasaki, near Orochi. What a shame for the girl to be next to such a monster; I don't know how they endure so much.
Also, some beast pirates; I was surprised to see two familiar characters from the series, Ulti and Page One. Why they were here, I have no idea; they must be seeing my strength. Ororchi had to talk to Kaido about me so they could teach me advanced armament haki.
Finally, there were the two geisha I'd been spending the last few days with since I settled in the flower capital.
Dante: "I'd like to ask you to use all your strength, because I plan to go all out." At first, I thought of something merely demonstrative, but then I thought about wanting Kaido to try to join him, and since he wanted to learn Advanced Armament Haki, he would send someone with great strength and knowledge for this and thus bring me to his side. This came to mind when I saw the two Tobiroppo in the stands.
Kyoshiro: "No problem, I'll use everything I have, Murasama-dono." He said, getting into a fighting stance.
He looked confident, something that made me feel like I should break him, something he always did when working with hitmen and gang members in his past life. I just laughed at my destro for thinking about that and what I was going to do. And I was going to make sure my power was left deep in their skulls.
I heard a guy who wasn't paying much attention call the match to start; Therefore, I placed my palm, generating the horned skeletal mask that my transformation lacked. Then I took a giant step forward, shattering the floor in several areas along with a giant wave of Conqueror's Haki.
This made everyone stand so still they even stopped breathing; even Kyoshiro stood still in shock at what he was seeing.
I didn't stay still, stretching my other foot back; I took the Murasama and slowly unsheathed it, revealing its crimson blade in all its splendor, combining it with all the Armament and Conqueror's Haki it radiated.
And from one moment to the next, I ran to where Kyoshiro was standing, shattering the floor with every step I took, only to be in front of him and use Soru to disappear from his perception.
I realized he came out shortly after the shock of all this, and if I cut him, I'd most likely split him in two because of how mentally disoriented he was; in other words, he wouldn't dodge. So instead of using his sword, he placed it next to him.
By the time he noticed me, it was too late. With the hand holding my sword, I grabbed his arm and with the other, punched him in the face so he wouldn't faint or break his face—just a normal punch. Then I let go and kicked him lightly in the stomach, sending him flying.
I saw him roll on the ground and kneel, staring at the ground, holding his mouth and nose, from which blood was starting to flow out in torrents. He looked at me with bloody eyes only to see me raise my sword and press down on my finger.
Dante: "Simple slash," I said, then released it, and it made a sweeping arc, generating an energy attack that cut through the entire place. I made sure the attack didn't pass through anyone or a town.
The energy outage could have been seen all over the country; obviously, I'm exaggerating, but not much.
(Note: There are different ways to say these "energy attacks," such as flying attacks or something else, but I decided to call it that because it makes more sense to me. I don't know if it's the same thing for anyone, but I think the idea is clear and there's no need to change it.)
Once the smoke cleared, you could see how my attack generated a large cliff, something that would make that cliff-generating bastard proud every time he fights someone.
Beside it, Kyoshiro was lying on the ground, staring at my face in panic. I never aimed the attack at him, but if I had, maybe it wouldn't be one Kyoshiro, but two.
Dante: "I think there's nothing more to prove," I said, undoing my skeletal mask. No one said anything, and I didn't care. I came to create chaos, and that's what I did; now I was leaving with my bread already broken. And so I went back to the residence Orochi had given me, which was next to his, to rest.
...
Dante: "Checkmate," he says to Sakura, who was staring at the chessboard with resentment and surrender after making the move that won her the match.
Sakura: "I don't like this game; I'd rather play Monopoly," she said, stepping back as she looked at me and Akiko.
Akiko: "That's only because the last time we played, you won, but it was barely, since I was almost bankrupt. If it weren't for my master losing first, you wouldn't have won," she said as she combed my hair behind me.
Sakura and Akiko are the two geisha I bought when I met them at the Orochi party, where he proposed the position of commanding general to me.
Right now, I'm detransforming in front of them. During this time, I've built a bond of trust and servitude with them; I did this mostly because when I sleep, I lose my transformation, and I need someone here to cover for this.
They know who I am, where I come from, and why I'm here. They're both very devoted to me, as if they were the most loyal servants I have. Of course, there's nothing sensual between us, since they know I'm married and all that. I decided not to hide anything from them and to have a strong sense of trust with these two women, especially since they're taking care of me and helping me so much.
The best part is that they're both very down-to-earth, so I haven't had any problems with them.
It's been about seven months since I arrived in Wano, and my progress has been limited, but I've made some progress.
During this time, I've dedicated myself to being locked in my room; I only go out for three things: training new soldiers to serve Orochi, very important missions that require my presence, and practicing my Armament Haki. The rest of the time, I spend playing, drinking, eating, or watching something interesting with the two of them.
The most interesting thing that happened with the missions was that I was sent to Ringo, a snowy area of Wano. There, there was a giant monk protecting a bridge; on the other side, there was a place where several weapons were stored; I saw this after defeating the monk.
As I remembered, these weapons would be used against Kaido and Orochi in the future.
I had few men with me, so I killed them all and returned alone to Orochi, telling him that there were many cursed things, since when the others touched them, they were cursed and died dramatically.
I did this mainly to avoid further problems with the red scabbards; My relationship with Kyoshiro had already become extremely bad, and Komurasaki hated me so much that he tried to blame me for things I didn't do. Obviously, no one did anything, not even Orochi, because of the fear and respect he inspired. Orochi wasn't foolish enough to want to get rid of his guard dog for bad things he didn't care about.
It's worth noting that Sakura and Akiko fought a lot with Komurasaki when he defended me.
During this time, I've been recording and taking notes on Orochi's palace, along with his most loyal men. Skills, characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. I'll most likely give this to Hitetsu. This is how I pay for all the allies I've killed during this time.
While I was mentally reviewing what I've been through these past few months, I heard someone knocking on the door, and Akiko went to see who it was.
It was one of the beast pirates staying in the Flower Capital; I already knew what he wanted, but I waited to see what Akiko would say.
Dante: "Who was it?" I asked more out of politeness than anything.
Akiko: "The message from the beast pirates. They came to tell you about a change in the date of the weekly training."
Dante: "Are they going to delay it?"
Akiko: "No, they're going to move it up."
Dante: "Did he say why?"
Akiko: "Something about Kaido being busy next week, that he wouldn't be on Onigashima."
I see. He wants to make the proposal again before he leaves again.
During this time, I've been to Onigashima to train Armament Haki, and during this time, I've met several of the Beast Pirates. The only ones I haven't met are Queen and some other Tobirropo, but I don't know if that's because they're not there or if I haven't seen them by chance.
During this time there, I did the same thing I did with Orochi's property and man, but this time with Kaido.
Every time I go to Onigashima, Kaido always offers me to join his crew, something I've always rejected, but he's never given up during this time. He always offers me things, and apparently he holds me in high regard, most likely because of King's comments.
Speaking of King, he's been helping me develop my Armament Haki further, to reach the advanced level. Once a week, I'll fight him, using only sword skills and Armament Haki.
Now, since Kaido wasn't going to be here, he must be guarding the base, so he can't keep up with my training, so he asked to do it before Kaido leaves.
Dante: "Did they say when they want me to go there?"
Akiko: "Tomorrow, if possible."
Kaido might have already left, and since I have a somewhat odd schedule, I'll probably do it as soon as possible.
Dante: "I'll tell that jerk Orochi in a bit so he doesn't ask me for tomorrow."
Sakura: "Don't say that, my lord. What if someone hears you?" she said, laughing a little at the situation.
Dante: "What does it matter? No one would say anything to me. What would Orochi do, kill me? He doesn't have the balls, especially when Kaido just wants me to join him. It's better if he doesn't do anything that makes me reconsider my options."
We talked behind all these people's backs, laughing and exchanging jokes about our day, even though we spent almost the entire day here.
...
The sound of sword clashes echoed as I faced King during our weekly training session. We weren't fighting seriously, but we weren't even touching each other with tongs either.
Using my swords, I braced myself more firmly and pushed King away. The difference in size was annoying, but I'd gotten used to it, not to mention that, despite my strength, I was stronger and faster than him.
I launched three energy slashes in a row, dodging them in the air—the advantages of flying, once again. I still hadn't shown much of my Devil Fruit abilities, but I could see how King had 10 lifelines, with only one already destroyed, most likely due to the experiments he'd undergone before he met Kaido.
In passing, I looked at Murasama, covered in Haki; I felt I was almost ready; just a little more was needed, just a little more, and he'd be ready.
Dante: "Hey, King, let's finish this. I feel like I'm almost ready. I just need one more push."
He just looked at me through his mask; he just nodded without saying anything. He flew higher, a good distance away.
King: "Then don't focus on this attack," he said as fire appeared around him. I felt the temperature of the room rise drastically.
I looked away; there were the Tobiroppo, including Jack. Whenever they trained with King, they looked on to watch; they said it was to learn, but I knew it was just because they were bored.
Dante: "You better stay back a little further; there's no telling how this will end, it's just so you don't have to go to the infirmary for a missing limb," I jokingly told the spectators.
Page One: "I think we should listen to him," he said, a little fearfully, knowing the power level we both had.
Ulti: "Don't worry, as long as your older sister is here, nothing can touch you." Emphasizing her status.
Black Marie: "I think we should take a few steps back, just in case. Don't you think so, Jack?" she said to the giant Fishman at her side.
Jack: "There's no need to move; they won't be able to get past my defense."
I stopped listening to him at that point, as I couldn't let them argue all the time about whether they were going to do something or not. So I focused on King's next attack, which was almost ready.
I positioned myself ready for the counterattack, meditated, and concentrated my Armament Haki and everything I'd learned; I couldn't fail here; it was now or never.
King launched himself at me at full speed, covered in fire, as if he were a meteorite. I just stared in total concentration; I felt the energy flowing inside me, ready to come out: the enhancement, the hardening, the imbuing, the emission, and finally, something I felt there but couldn't get out.
And when King was already upon me, performing a vertical slash, my eyes lit up with Haki, and I responded in kind, with the same slash, but putting everything I had into this attack.
The impact shattered the entire floor where I was standing, the temperature rose exponentially, and the shockwave even moved the spectators far away. The one who moved the least was Jack, taking only two steps back.
I felt it, ready to come out; before, they tried to force it out, but now I decided not to force it and let it flow on its own, like a current. I felt it cover my entire arm, all the way to the sword, and with all my strength, along with everything I had, I deflected King's slash, winning the contest of strength. With my new Haki activated, the attack reached my opponent, throwing him far away, damaging him internally in the process.
Unconsciously, I had performed an energy attack with internal destruction, which is why he wasn't damaged externally, but he was damaged internally. I didn't use much energy on that cut, so I didn't do much damage; I just saw blood gush out of his mask, not to mention he wasn't expecting it.
At that moment, I received a system notification.
[Congratulations, you've developed all three types of Haki from intermediate to advanced; your reward is 500,000,000,000 LP.]
I was somewhat lost, as I didn't remember him having learned Advanced Conqueror's Haki. It must have been something unconscious from using it. At what point, I have no idea; I remember several fights in which I used it, and I can't think of one in which I was able to reach its advanced level.
(Note: It should be noted that Dante's development of Conqueror's Haki is something natural and pure talent, similar to what happened with Trini with Observation Haki, given that she developed her Haki to the advanced level in less than 5 years since awakening it, and when she met Dante, she was at the intermediate level, and in a year and a half, she reached the advanced level.)
Dante: "Sorry, I got carried away at the moment and went on to perform an energy attack."
King: "No matter, what's done is done; now, with this done, I have to go to Onigashima to see Kaido's work, so if you'll excuse me." And just like that, he left.
The poor man. I've seen how he spends all day busy doing his and Kaido's work when Kaido isn't around or when he's drunk; that goes to show his loyalty, since I've never heard him complain about it. So don't take his decision as a cop-out, but he really had a lot of things to do, and doing this was delaying him a lot, which is why he agreed to finish everything in one fell swoop when he proposed it.
I watched the spectators argue among themselves upon first seeing King injured, wondering if any of them would be capable of the same feat. I just looked away and headed back to the Flower Capital, since with all this done, I no longer needed to be in Wano. Now I just had to tie up some loose ends before leaving and, while I was at it, do something they'd remember me by forever, just to mess around a little.
Thinking about that, I started laughing like crazy; if anyone had seen me, they would have thought I was crazy, and maybe I was, if they knew what I was going to do.