"You've really got some skills."
"Of course, just stay in your own place."
"Don't celebrate too soon, your NO.40 spot will be mine sooner or later!"
The numbers on them are proof of their status within the Hundred Beasts. They are the Numberers within the current Hundred Beasts Pirate Crew, and are among the most powerful besides the Three Disasters and other High-Level Officials.
Kaidou has plans for the top rankings, but for the rest, Arceus decided on a simple numbering system.
Those with superior strength qualify for a number, the smaller the number, the stronger they are, and the higher their status within the Beasts.
And the way to determine the number is simple: fight.
The one who wins gets the number. Even after becoming a Numberer, others can still challenge them.
Every month, there is a set time for the battle for positions, and the winner can take the loser's place.
However, to reduce meaningless time-wasting, ordinary members must limit their challenges to within 10 numbers. Only those who have achieved numbers 91-100 can challenge numbers 81-90.
Achieving a single-digit number grants the qualification to challenge the high ranks.
As for the complicated titles like Headliners and Flying Six, they have been abolished within the Hundred Beasts, now there are only 101 Numberers beneath the top ranks, and compared to the Three Disaster blades, these officials are the true foundation.
Divine Favorer and ability users are their ways of gaining power, and numbers determine one's status.
Of course, there are special officials like Shaina, Zeraora, and Greninja. Although they have no number and aren't considered disasters, they are under Arceus and share the status and power comparable to a Numberer or the Three Disasters.
"What is this... 40 and 41 they are talking about?"
"Those numbers. Those people are officials within the pirate crew."
Yamato explained what the numbers meant. This time, Ulti didn't say anything, but listened seriously. This kind of style was like a true pirate crew.
"The battle for positions isn't over yet, do you want to go watch in the afternoon?"
Kaidou had given them a day off in advance, and Yamato intended to form a closer bond with her new friends, so she suggested this idea following their lead.
...
After eating, Yamato took them to the second floor of Ghost Island, which was her observation deck. The first floor below had been entirely transformed into a massive martial arts arena, where a new round of dueling was happening now.
"Rotom! The next round, NO.16 Daifugo challenges NO.4 Babanuki! Rotom, begin the match!"
Babanuki had no hard feelings about his subordinate challenging him; this was a common occurrence within the Beasts. Both activated their abilities almost simultaneously, and the arena had turned into a battle between Slaking and Golisopod.
Ultimately, Babanuki defended his position as Warden, defeating Daifugo with a Body Slam. His armor was merely a shell, and against Babanuki, who was a brute force type, it meant little.
Yet his trait wasn't without perks; before receiving a fatal injury, he decisively admitted defeat, though he was still sent to the Pokemon Center for a health check.
Apart from these Divine Favorers, ability users also vied for numbers, their dazzling abilities leaving Ulti gaping. Luckily, her mask spared her the embarrassment of being noticed.
For those with basic Haki but limited talent, abilities were highly influential. The top ranks were mostly Divine Favorers, followed by ability users; few without powers could secure rankings purely on physical strength.
Those with such capabilities had long acquired special abilities through merit. This competition added more people to the Arceus Sect.
While some successfully guarded their status, others couldn't, which was where Smeargle came into play. Besides occasionally drawing tattoos for Yamato, Smeargle's primary role was marking their numbers.
Smeargle's paint didn't fade, offered many selections, and could be readily altered, perfect for the dynamic Numberers group.
"Numbers determine status?"
"Of course, though there are always special cases."
Observing the duels among "ability users" and the fact that numbers dictated status, Ulti seemed to have new ideas. Before reaching Ghost Island, Kaidou had casually revealed a lot of information to the sibling duo.
...
"Kaidou, Rotom said you've opened permissions for newcomers."
"Huh? Yes, Urent's children... they need some consideration after all."
"I warn you, those modified fruits are extremely potent types."
"I know, but fruits are meant to be eaten by people. As long as they're human, they can eventually develop their strength. Powerful abilities are crucial, but so is Haki."
Stealing from Ghost Island was no easy feat, not with its high security now, nor even in the original timeline.
Without Kaidou's approval, whether it was Yamato's Okuchi no Makami or the sibling duo's Ancient species, acquiring them wouldn't have been easy at all.
Especially not with the sibling duo obtaining two fruits shortly after arriving, climbing to the Flying Six, without punishment. Without Kaidou's nod, it would've been nearly impossible.
It's a different concept from fifteen thousand enemies sneaking into Ghost Island. Without Kaidou's tip-off, locating the fruits would've been a massive task for Ulti.
At this time more than ever, without Kaidou's permissions and hints to Ulti on the way, accomplishing such feats would be impossible.
Why do this? Although he's the rule maker, free to alter rules, the pirate crew's internal regulations must be adhered to. He can increase rewards based on preference but won't abolish them.
Those capable of obtaining it will obtain it. Privileged ones receive extras; absolute fairness almost doesn't exist. When personal interests are unaffected, most people can tolerate others.
You may give others more, but not give away what's rightfully ours.
Kaidou's notification to Rotom naturally couldn't be hidden from Arceus, as they were his creations.
Soon, Ulti and her brother received their identification cards; their residence was also in that big apartment, but as night fell, new conflict arose.
"He's a boy, he should share a room with me."
"He's my brother! He should definitely room with me!"