There lived a Buddha in this world.
Or that's how Alan had warned Black right after switching the Random World.
"No matter what," the Captain of the Storm Pirates warned, "don't match gazes with him. Among all of us, he's the only one who has been to the most timelines, including the ones from other Random Worlds.
"If he senses any evil inside you, there isn't a man who can stop him from converting your faith to Buddhism. Of course, your old man can squeeze the back of his neck. So nothing to worry about, I guess."
Black's mouth twitched.
However, deep in his heart, a sudden feeling was rooting itself.
By now, Black had realized one thing. The ones who truly stood at the Peak of Absolute Power in the Multiverse weren't Contestants, but Characters.
These weren't the puppets bound by the shackles of the timelines.
These were the monsters who had surpassed all boundaries, going beyond, and shattered the very concept of timelines' restrictions.
Perhaps that's why there can't be Main Missions regarding them anymore, Black thought, the Ad Infinitum backing up his reasoning. Instead of sending Contestants to their deaths, Chaos and Order just send them to the World of Cartoons.
If he senses any evil inside you… Black repeated his father's warning with a deep sense of foreboding.
He looked up and saw his father talking with the Ghost of Uchiha as if they had spent hundreds of years together, laughing and jesting. On the other side, Julius Novachrono kept pestering Acnologia to show him some new magic. Yhwach was standing silent, his eyes closed.
Black licked his lips.
The power gathered around him was suffocating his thoughts.
Suddenly, their heads snapped toward the east.
They were standing on the top of a hill, surrounded by a dense forest.
Black could neither sense Mana nor Spirituality here. Not at least beyond the average. Otherwise, it could have given him a hint of where his father had brought him.
Perhaps, the incoming golden trail of light would reveal the identity of this Random World.
There was no sound. No boom. No bang. No hum at all.
The source of the golden trail landed on the ground in front of the Storm with the lightest touch of his toes.
Alan Stormborn took a step, putting himself between the man and Black.
In white, Buddhist robes, Isaac Netero looked like a helpless old man with a wide smile on his face. He was emitting no threat. He showed no concern. There was no hostility or friendliness to be perceived in his posture or gaze.
As he stood there, Netero seemed to melt in his surroundings.
Black blinked and his heart skipped a beat.
Netero's palms were already in a praying posture.
"Amitabha!" he prayed. "Lord Meruem have been expecting you all. Please follow me."
Black's heart skipped a second time. This monster isn't a member of the Storm?! What?!!
From the way his father had put himself between him and the old monk, Black had thought this man was of the same level as his father's other… friends. There could be no explanation for his behavior, otherwise.
But, from what Netero said, it was Lord Meruem who had been waiting for their arrival.
Black's face became hard and he looked at his father's huge back.
Alan looked over his shoulder and down at him and smiled.
So nothing to worry about, I guess… Now Black knew why his father's words lacked the confidence.
This member, this Meruem, might as well be the strongest member of the Storm Pirates.
…
People were gathering around a colossal Buddhist Temple atop a high mountain.
With one glance, Black put their number close to ten million. They all were wearing simple robes, their faith lying deep in Buddhism.
The Storm Pirates, following Monk Netero, stopped midair before they could enter the space directly above the mountain.
Netero turned around. "As Lord knew you would be coming," he said, smiling, "he has already invited a guest to help you out."
Not her… Alan's brows twitched. Goddammit, Meruem, not here!
Netero looked at Alan and smiled.
"Fuck!" Alan cursed.
Julius looked from Alan to Netero to Alan and realized something. "Hahaha!"
Madara Uchiha frowned. Yhwach smiled in plain sarcasm. Acnologia looked up at the sky, detached from all and everything; lost in profound Sadness.
As they continued, they entered an enormous, golden hall within the temple.
There were monks seated on the floor in a meditative posture, chanting Buddhist Sutras.
And right in front of them, atop a high platform, was him, wearing saffron robes. A golden light was oozing out of him in all directions, blinding not only his eyes but the stray thoughts lingering in all hearts. The world drummed around him, calming the mind, and the very existence played the music, nudging the mercy hidden within.
"Alan," the Buddha said without opening his eyes, "it's been a long time, old friend."
Alan Stormborn's bones tightened, his muscles became taut, his teeth rubbed against each other, and his blood boiled. He casually blew out the smoke and laughed, "Haha! Stop trying to convert me… ant!"
Black's head was down. He was barely holding onto his senses, shutting down everything using Ad Infinitum.
Yet, when he heard his father's words, a chill ran down his spine, his mouth gaping.
Black had expected the monks reciting Sutras to erupt in anger and attack right there and then. He had expected Netero to burst out with a power beyond his wildest imagination. Hell, he had expected something to happen.
Instead, the silence persisted for a while before it shattered against a smile.
Lord Meruem opened his eyes, his purple irises shining golden. "Nothing like a friend who shows you your true nature," he preached. "Your words are well received, old friend."
Netero's palms were already together. "Amitabha!"
The monks thundered. "Amitabha!"
Black's Source shook, blood seeping out from the corners of his mouth.
"Hahaha!" Alan guffawed, putting a hand on Black's shoulder. "Stop trying to convert my son… fool!"
Lord Meruem closed his eyes and the golden light dimmed around him.
Alan sighed. "Meruem, it isn't the time for all this," he said gravely. "I need your help. We need your help."
The Buddha smiled. "It's a futile effort, old friend," he told them. "Only death is awaiting us, even if you gather all of us. One can't just go against… Him and survive."
Madara Uchiha had had enough. "Coward!"
Yhwach's dual pupils blurred in and out of existence. "Are you coming or not?"
Acnologia grabbed a few golden lights and squeezed them into his palms, and yet the Sadness persisted in his heart.
Julius blinked near the Buddha. "Amitabha-Amitabha! Haha! Any new magic?!"
Suddenly, the sounds of giggles echoed throughout the hall.
"Oh, he will join us," a feminine voice echoed against the golden walls, "or I will overturn this entire Random World. Hehe!"
She had blue eyes, long blonde hair styled in two buns with flowing pigtails, and a golden crescent moon on her forehead. She wore a white flowing gown with a bust defined by a row of golden beads. Trailing at the back, was a white gauzy bow with long fluttery ribbons. She also wore golden spiral earrings and a golden beaded bracelet on her right wrist.
She looked older than her main storyline appearance.
Much older. Much mature. Much vibrant.
Alan's face paled. "Hey…" he stuttered. "Cough! Hey, likewise. Usagi."
Princess Serenity, the Sailor Moon, the only female member of the Storm Pirates, smiled at Alan. Then her gaze fell upon Black and her smile widened. "Is he your son, Alan?"
A force propelled Black to look up, open his eyes, and meet her gaze. Nothing could prevent him from doing so. Not even Alan, who just stood there like a statue with a wry smile on his bearded face.
The Princess walked slowly toward Black and ruffled his hair, standing on her toes.
"Your father is such a shameless man," she complained, pouting. "Even after I gave birth to our child, he refuses to marry me. Help me convince him to marry me. OK?"
Black's jaw dropped.
Standing behind him, Alan Stormborn pulled his hat down on his face.
**************
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