"Why are you doing this again?" Kisame would ask Stede as he watched the man begin to shave the head on his head, having already shaved everywhere else.
"Yes, I need not only a new look but I also need to train. Look at me, Kisame. I've gone soft and complacent, I need to beef up before I go to New World. And also I need to go visit Jaya." Stede would tell Kisame as he would finish shaving his head, now completely bald. He would rub his smooth head now, as he'd miss his hair. But the upkeep was getting annoying anyway so he was fine with it gone. He stood directly in front of a mirror as he did this, staring at himself hard. Only article of clothing he had on being a thong, but soon he would remove that. Which would cause Kisame to look away, as he couldn't look at Stede's manhood.
"Well, I will stay at the port gathering more things." Kisame would say before he would head out of the room. Where they currently where was at a Inn.
"They should meet me around midnight, tomorrow." Stede would say as he would grab nothing, but a den den Mushi and head out. Not caring that he was naked at all, as he was just like he was when he came into this world. He would begin to walk the streets, Haki pushed out to it's limit as he didn't trust anyone at this moment. With him about to enter a new stage in his life he didn't want anyone getting him his way, and if they would try even in the slightest he would strike out in a magnificent fashion, that would consume any and everything. As that was the type Stede was. Someone that didn't have time to play games with anyone whatsoever. He was the Shichibukai, the most powerful, and was currently on Alabasta. And a decent amount of people knew he was on the Island, but not where he was at on the Island. Nanohara was where he was leaving from, quickly making his exit from the city limits and into the harsh desert, with only a den den mushi on his shoulder. It wasn't hot it was scorching outside, the hottest it's been all year. Even with Stede's fortitude he was sweating bullets, but he didn't slow at all. He actually enjoyed it as it pushed him to keep going no matter what. And the crazy this is that it is only four am in the morning and it is this hot, so the heat hasn't even reach it's peak. Stede wished that Kisame could've came, but he knows that Fishman will rather stay in water than on land, on this Island. Honestly, Stede needed to find more allies to build up his force. That wasn't the only thing that he needed though, as he needed land of his own. He needed to head to Jaya, or the area it used to be. Once there he could claim it and build something that will attract attention and also increase his money flow.
A few hours passed and Stede would be in the middle of the desert, alone. And if anyone came near him within the time span he was waiting he'd strike them. But that was already stated and won't need to be again. Without having any clothing on his entire body was exposed to the elements. As he stood there his Den Den Mushi would begin to go off, and quickly Stede would answer it. "Hello?"
"We actually never expected you to come, Black Caesar. But, we are extremely thankful that you did. We will come at the designated time to perform the ritual. But, during that time you will face off against three great warriors seeking what you want." After they would speak they would hand up. Stede would then have a large grin on his face. As he had only free time on his hands right now, so he would have to do something. So, he would begin to stretch every part of his body. He was about to fight three guys, and they had to be strong.
How Stede got into this should be brought up, so that there is some back story here. It was around a week ago after the event with Lady Vinsmoke and that Celestial Dragon. Stede was approved by a strange women that called him weak. He didn't think much of it and just laughed it off.
"So i'm weak?! HA! The Shichibukai Black Caesar!? Foolish old women, I am above even the YONKO!" He would ask her. Where he currently at was a bar, everyone all around him as he drunk and had a good time. Kisame also was there sitting in the corner not paying attention, until he would hear a large thud. Stede was put on his ass by the old women, and everyone was shocked at this.
"Well, I spoke too soon." Stede would mumble to himself as he would lay there, confused on his he was put on his ass. Yes, when he reached out to grab her he didn't think she'd counter him so quickly. That was his fault though. He shouldn't have taken here lightly, as no one should be taken lightly within the Grandline. Slowly Stede would stand up and look at the old lady. "Maybe I underestimated you. But don't call me weak, Old Lady." He would tell her, towering over her.
"I can help you, Black Caesar. But you will have to change, you are not as strong as you can be. So I want to help you, but you must grow a bit more. So here take this and read it alone." She would say as she place a enclosed envelope on the table and begin to walk away. Stede wouldn't say anything but take the note and begin to read it. But as he did so he would send something out, that would consume everything and everyone here. Beside Kisame and the Old Lady, who would head outside right before he would start. He couldn't let the rumor of him being defeated by some Old Lady surface, as that would tarnish his reputation greatly.
Now we head back to the present and Stede could see someone heading toward him, a Giant. He hadn't fought one of those in awhile and see him from this far, he could tell that he was a tough cookie, but he wouldn't be the first threat. As it seemed as if the Giant would stop in it's tracks. It being so far that Stede couldn't even see the guy's face, but rather just his silhouette.
It was now that fateful night and waves of enemies had come, and fallen. Stede was the only survivor, "So was that my test?" He would ask as the lady from before would now be before him, with a torch along with other.
"Follow me." She would tell him, and Stede would. And then they would begin to walk, walking for hours till they came to a temple. It was in the middle of nowhere. It was old and run down, something he never seen before.
"A temple in the middle of a desert, crazy." Stede would say. He would see that there was a altar int he room they went to. Stede also would see there was a table, where people could lay on. It being a outline of a person, so he would lay their. Then they would restrain him.
"You have these horrible marking, we will remove them. And then add our own. Prepare yourself. Is all she would say to him.
A couple days would pass and Stede would arrive back to the town he had left, but he was clad all in black. So that his appearance wouldn't be recognized. Stede has changed into something more. How and why will also be revealed late on once he challenged his rival.