[Note:
" * " : Indicates abilities that can be upgraded with practice, experience, or unique opportunities.]
> System inner voice ["speaking"] <
> Ash inner speech "speaking" <
{}
The portal shimmered open within the chamber, swirling with a soft, radiant glow. From its center, seven beams of light shot out, spiraling as they descended slowly to the ground. The lights twisted and shifted, each forming a distinct human shape.
As the brilliance faded, the figures of Ash, Uta, Lucy, Ace, Selena, Nami, and Nojiko were revealed — all unconscious, each holding something in their hands.
In every palm rested a Devil Fruit... except for Lucy, whose hand clutched a glass bottle filled with a swirling, rainbow-colored liquid, gripped tightly in her fist.
The chamber was silent for a few moments — until Ash stirred first, groaning lightly as he sat up, his vision slowly adjusting to the chamber's light.
Then Lucy moved, then Uta... and one by one, the others began to wake up.
Ash blinked a few times, then looked around at the group, noticing the fruits still in their hands.
"So," he muttered, rubbing his temples, "looks like... everyone got their own devil fruit, huh?"
Ace stretched her arms, grinning slightly despite the fatigue. "Yeah... looks like that. I've gotta say, that was intense."
Selena rolled her shoulders with a proud smirk. "Not just that — I feel stronger. And I've got few ideas... to train our both Observation and Armament Haki. I hope it might work."
Nami rubbed the back of her neck. "What did you guys even go through? I had to wander through some weird maze full of monsters and fog. It was a nightmare."
Uta gave a tired smile. "Mine was like... I don't know. A cult. Seriously. Bloody guys came out of nowhere just because I was humming. Can you believe that?"
They all chuckled lightly — satisfied, proud, worn out... except Lucy.
She sat quietly, still pouting, staring down at her bottle like it had betrayed her. Her cheeks puffed slightly in frustration; eyes narrowed at the swirling liquid inside.
Ash raised an eyebrow. "Girls, how about this — why don't we all share what we faced in our trials? What we did, what we learned. Could be a good experience for all of us."
The girls looked at one another for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
Nojiko stepped forward first. "I'll start, then," she said calmly, and began recounting her trial.
Then came Selena, Ace, Nami, Uta, and finally Ash himself — each telling their story.
All the while, Lucy's pout only deepened, her frustration growing as she listened to everyone else's exciting or brutal trials... while she stared at her glass bottle like it had personally offended her.
As Ash finished recounting his own trial, a brief silence fell over the group — broken only by Lucy's exaggerated sigh as she continued glaring at the glass bottle in her hand like it had somehow insulted her.
Everyone noticed but it was Selena, who broke the silence, "Lucy, what are you pouting for? It's your turn to tell us about your trial. Honestly, I thought you'd be the first to start talking. But you've just been glaring daggers at that bottle like it did something to you."
Lucy's cheeks puffed up, lips tight as she turned away with a dramatic huff. After a few seconds, she sighed and spun back around, still puffed up.
"I faced that guy Ash used to talk about... the one who used be the owner of the Devil Fruit I ate!"
There was a beat of silence.
Then six jaws hit the floor.
Ash nearly choked. "Wait... wait... wait—you're saying you faced Joy Boy? The Joy Boy?! And defeated him? What are you even pouting for, idiot?! You faced the guy who's basically a legend!"
Lucy huffed harder. "Noooo... I didn't defeat him! He defeated me! Then he gave me this stupid bottle!"
She held it up, shaking it with mild fury. "I didn't even get a rematch! Before I could say anything, I was dragged away! It's not fair! You guys got to beat your opponents, and I—!"
She threw her arms up in frustration... then sat back down and resumed full pout mode, cheeks puffed like a grumpy squirrel.
The rest of the group exchanged looks, gears turning fast. Nami blinked. "Wait, Lucy... slow down. Start from the beginning."
Lucy groaned theatrically but gave in. She began pacing the chamber, throwing her arms around, mimicking voices, acting out every moment in classic Lucy fashion — half rant, half reenactment.
She recounted what happened in her trial — the pressure, the shadow, the overwhelming power — and how she felt like she was being judged from the moment it began.
"And then, when I asked for a rematch," she finished, stomping dramatically, "he just gave me a thumbs up like I did something great — even though I lost! Then BAM! I was pulled back here!"
She stood still, bottle in hand, chest rising and falling as she pouted harder than before plopping down as she sat.
"It's so unfair…"
A long pause followed. The silence wasn't confusion because of confusion.
Ash's thoughts spun, only one thing cutting through the silence:
"Idiot… you're upset because you lost and didn't get a rematch — but you faced Joy Boy or whatever's left of his consciousness… and he acknowledged you."
Ash sighed to himself.
The others were thinking the same thing. They'd heard few stories from Ash — old tales, half-warnings, vague myths. But now they all had same thing running through their mind: "This idiot will not change."
Lucy then immediately turned to Ash, asked him — more like demanded him. "Ash, I want to fight him again! Let me go into that golden circle thingy!"
Ash gave her a flat look. "Lucy, I already told you — once someone wins or gets approved, the trial ends for them. You can't enter again."
"No, no, no!" Lucy cried, dropping to the floor in a dramatic heap. "It's not fair!" She even faked tears like a kid throwing a tantrum.
Ash sighed and looked to the others for help. Ace rolled her eyes, amused. "Just let her try once, Ash. When she sees for herself, she'll stop asking."
Ash sighed again. "Fine. Come on, Lucy."
Lucy immediately sprang up. "Really?! I knew it, Ash. You are the best!" she beamed.
Ash just chuckled, walking to the trial column. He took the key that had been hanging from his neck and inserted it. The golden portal reappeared, flowing like liquid light.
Ash turned to Lucy and showed her calmly, "Look, Lucy. I can't enter anymore — see?" He extended his hand toward the portal to demonstrate—
But before he could finish, Lucy leapt straight into the portal.
Everyone blinked. Ash froze, and stood looking at the portal blinking like an idiot. "What the—how—why—" His brain broke down. His brain isn't braining.
A moment later, Lucy flew back out of the portal, crashing to the ground.
"Owww..." she groaned, then she got up and charged back again immediately — only to be launched right back out, face-first into the dirt.
Suddenly, the golden portal shimmered and turned pure white. Now, all of them could see inside.
And then... that's when they all heard it.
Da-dum... Ba-dum... Da-dum... Ba-dum...
Da-dum... Ba-dum... Da-dum... Ba-dum...
Da-dum... Ba-dum... Da-dum... Ba-dum...
Da-dum... Ba-dum... Da-dum... Ba-dum...
Ash recognized it instantly. It was "The Drums of Liberation."
Goosebumps rippled across everyone — except Lucy, who was just getting up, still groaning.
Inside, a shadowy figure danced, jumping around like it didn't have a care in the world. When it turned to them, they saw glowing red eyes and a full grin — white teeth stretching impossibly wide. The drums beat in their ears, sinking into their chests.
Lucy's eyes lit up. "HEY YOU! Idiot! How dare you throw me out again! Come on! I want my rematch! This time, I'll beat you!"
Ash and the others snapped to her in sync, eyes wide, fangs baring at her.
"SHUT UP, IDIOT!!" they all yelled. "Do you even know what you're challenging?!"
Ash stared hard back at the shadow. The shape... the way it moved... it was familiar. There were traces of Nika, of Gear 5 — the way it grinned, the way it danced, wild and free.
The figure then looked at Lucy, slowly raised a finger, shaking it side to side — no.
Then, grinning wider, it pulled its lower eyelid down with the same finger and stuck out its tongue — taunting her.
"YOU—! YOU IDIOT!" Lucy screamed, baring her sharp fangs. "I will punch you so hard you won't forget it!"
Nami, bawling her eyes out, immediately tackled her legs as she saw Lucy ready to go inside again. "YOU RUBBER-BRAINED IDIOT, STOP! DON'T POKE THE DRAGON'S NEST!!"
Nojiko lunged from the front, blocking her path, while Ace, Uta, and Selena clung to her arms and shoulders like anchors and hold her down as she fell on ground.
Lucy, flailing wildly, kept trying to crawl forward, dragging the entire group with her inch by inch as they desperately held on — limbs tangled, voices yelling over one another, a chaotic mess of bodies fighting gravity and one determined idiot.
Ash finally shouted and bonked her head, "Lucy, THINK! Any of us cannot enter except you and you are being thrown out as soon as if enter again. Maybe it's telling you to come back when you're stronger! Right now, you're not ready to fight it at full strength!"
The shadow nodded from inside, as if agreeing with what Ash said.
Lucy froze, holding her head as a bump formed got up, puffing out. "...Fine! Once I'm stronger, I'll be back! You better not run away!"
The shadow clapped like a child, bouncing in approval of the challenge.
Then it turned to them again, smirked wide cheekily — and snapped its fingers.
A crushing wave of Haki blasted through the chamber from the shadow through the portal.
It was unlike anything they had ever felt. The Haki — it was heavier, more intense, thicker. Words couldn't describe it.
Each of them fell to the ground, gasping, knees hitting stone, struggling to stay conscious.
And as if the shadow itself commanded it, the portal slammed shut, cutting off the vision inside — cutting off the sound of the drums.
All seven remained there, kneeling, struggling to catch their breath.
Once all of them got their bearings right, Uta said, "That was... that was—I can't describe it. I thought my heart would stop for a second."
Ace nodded. "I agree with that."
Selena added, "Even Uncle Dragon's presence isn't this intense."
Nami shuddered. "Like Ash said... if that was even a remnant of the real deal, just imagine what kind of monster the person must've been."
All of them visibly shudders at the thought.
Lucy, however, had a wide grin. "Yosh! I can't wait to fight him back!"
Except Ash, all the girls snapped at once, shark-like fangs bared, voices overlapping: "SHUT UP, IDIOT! WE DIDN'T ASK YOUR OPINION!"
Lucy just laughed, "Shishishi."
Ash, still heaving and sweating, leaned on the nearest pillar and chuckled. "Now do you get what kind of monsters we might have to face in the future? This is why I wanted you all to understand the situation. I want us to be ready by the time we finally set off on our actual journey."
All the girls nodded solemnly.
Lucy, being herself, just smiled and said, "Leave it. Whatever it is, we'll face it together. We've got each other—and we believe in you. With you here and all that planning, you'll take care of everything, no?"
Ash chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. Of course, Lucy. You guys are my family. As one of the future captains of our crew, I had to prepare you. But you are also going to be captain, so you should also learn to plan sometimes... Lucy."
Lucy pouted. "But Ash! Thinking makes my head heat up. I'll leave that to you while I take the tougher guys!"
Ace immediately countered, "No way! I won't let you hog all the stronger opponents—I want to fight them too!"
Their bickering kicked off again, back and forth, fiery and competitive— but the sheer familiarity of it all made the rest laugh and shake their heads. This happened so regularly, it almost felt comforting.
Ash raised a hand. "Alright, alright, you two—we'll decide when the time comes. For now, I want to talk about the trials we faced... and the Devil Fruits we got."
With that, the group sat around in a circle.
First, Ash turned to Lucy.
"Lucy yours first," he said. "That shadow gave you an elixir — from what I can gather, once you drink it, may it is to help your Devil Fruit and your synergy with it might increase dramatically. It'll start developing faster, and… I think some side effects or strange symptoms might disappear. That's what the info I got for now."
Lucy tilted her head. "Like what?"
Ash shrugged. "I don't know — maybe you'll instinctively understand your powers better. Control them more naturally. You said the shadow used different ways of your power, right? That might've been its way of guiding your growth. And what you might expect?. You will only know after you drink it."
He paused, expression serious. "And also, you felt that Haki it released, right? I think you get it that didn't even fight you at full strength during trail. Not even close."
"And lucky for you — if you get strong enough, you might be able to face the shadow of Joy Boy again. Not like us. We can't enter the trails anymore." Ash said to her hoping lucy understood the opportunity laid before her.
Everyone fell silent for a second, realizing just how rare and strange that opportunity was.
Ace suddenly huffed. "Tch... I'm envious of this idiot. She gets to go again."
Lucy just grinned. "Shishishi. Sorry, Ace~." Then she turned back to Ash. "Should I drink it now?"
Ash quickly shook his head. "No, no — not now. Wait until we leave this place. Then you can drink it. I think you'll need to train your Devil Fruit first after you drink it and adjust to whatever power-up you might get. See what's changed. What's improved."
Lucy nodded, then carefully placed the bottle inside her inventory bag, securing it with care.
Ash pulled out his personal Devil Fruit encyclopedia — the original edition. "Alright, next up..." he said, flipping it open. "Let's find out what we've got."
The group leaned in, curiosity lighting up their faces.
Ash read the entries one by one, with the girls gathered around, helping skim through the pages. Their eyes widened with each reveal:
•Ash: Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Ares
•Uta: Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Divine Siren
•Nojiko: Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Divine Valkyrie
•Nami: Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Hermes
•Ace: Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Ra
•Selena: Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Sun Wukong
Ash blinked at the list once they confirmed the names and skimmed through the descriptions and powers they might expect.
"Mythical Zoans... all of them," he thought to himself. "Just like the key hinted."
He scanned the list again thinking to himself. "Though it seems not all of them are purely God-type. Looks like they're either gods or demi-gods. Uta and Nojiko's seem to be demi-gods, based on the names and powers — but still with divine traits. The rest of us... clearly God-class."
All of them sat in stunned silence for a beat.
Then, one by one, the girls' faces lit up with excitement as they read more about their Fruits. The awe... the pride... was written all over them.
Each of them now held something legendary — something powerful. And for a moment, none of them spoke — just quietly letting it all sink in.
Ash says, "Okay, girls, I hope you've got the names of your fruits now. I think the trials we faced and the fruits we received are all based on our characters and goals. I feel these fruits align with who we are."
The girls looked curious. Selena asked, "How?"
Ash smiled slightly. "Well, Selena, your fruit's model — Sun Wukong — from what I know he wasn't even born a god initially. He was said to be just a stone monkey who defied the heavens and chose his own path. He fought fate, challenged the gods, and earned the titles 'Monkey King' and 'Great Sage Equal to Heaven.'" This surprised Selena and rest.
Ash continues, "I think you are somewhat similar like him… the way you defied your father, turned your back on a noble life, and chose to become the person you truly want to be."
Selena's eyes widened like the rest. "So that's what the three guides meant, huh?"
Ash just gave a shrug at that.
He turned to Ace. "And Ace — Ra — is said to be the god of the sun. The one who brings light to the world and fights through darkness every night just to rise again. I think this fruit chose you because you want to be that kind of fire. You want to prove yourself, to become strong — not just for your own sake, but to protect others… to shine in your own right."
Ace raised an eyebrow. "Wait… Ash, didn't you tell us Lucy's fruit is also a sun god? Nika? Then how can mine be a sun god too?"
Ash nodded. "Yeah… but they're not the same. You see, gods can share a domain — like the sun — but that doesn't mean their power or purpose is identical. Ra and Nika both represent the sun, sure, but they reflect it in very different ways."
"Ra is the sun god of strength, light, and rebirth. He is said to descend into darkness every night and rises again without fail. He stands for order, resilience, and the will to endure. While Nika — the sun god— he's the god of freedom and hope. He laughs, he dances, and brings hope even to those in chains."
"Same domain, different spirit. Nika's power exists to free and uplift people's hope. Ra's power is to protect that freedom — to burn down anything that threatens it."
Ash looked at them calmly. "And it's not just Ra and Nika. There are other gods too, who share the sun domain — but each one reflects it through their own nature. And this isn't only true for the sun. Across every domain, different gods hold similar powers, but their purpose and spirit can be very different."
The girls nodded quietly, understanding the meaning behind his words.
Ash smiled at Nami. "And Nami—your fruit is Hermes, right?". Nami nodded, curious.
Ash continued, "Hermes is said to be the messenger of the gods—swift and clever, often shown with wings on his ankles and helmet, flying freely between worlds. He's also the god of thieves, commerce, travelers, and trickery."
"Quick-witted, cunning, and adaptable, he uses speed and strategy to get ahead. Some even mistake him as the god of medicine because of the caduceus—his staff with two snakes wrapped around it—which is often related with medical symbols."
"Now, you might wonder—Hermes isn't exactly a god of weather, so how does that fit with your navigation skills?"
"Well Hermes is also said to move between boundaries, shifts through worlds and chaos without getting lost. Just like you, navigating storms and seas with instinct. You've always had a natural feel for reading the skies and finding your way… but you're also a thief other side."
"And since you're not usually a frontline fighter, this kind of power suits you perfectly. You're the type who needs to outsmarts enemies, dodge danger, and turns chaos to your advantage."
"As a messenger god, Hermes is also the symbol of swift communication. With that power, maybe you could even send messages to us over long distances—something incredibly useful in the kind of battles and situations we face."
"His cunning and thievery aren't just about stealing—they're about seizing the moment, outthinking your opponent, and always being one step ahead. Just like how you read the skies and 'steal' the upper hand from nature…"
Ash smirked. "…and from your enemies too."
"In a way, your fruit gives you the freedom to move through the chaos of nature and battle with grace, precision, and control—just like Hermes himself."
Nami smiled, eyes sparkling and blushing. "Stop it, Ash, you're making me blush."
Everyone laughed.
Ash then turned to Uta. "And now, Uta — yours is the Divine Siren, according to the description in the book."
He continued, "I do know a few things about sirens. Sirens were said be beautiful beings — part human, part fish — who sang enchanting songs to lure sailors to their doom. Their voices were powerful, hypnotic, sometimes dangerous… they could bend even the strongest wills."
He glanced at her thoughtfully. "But Divine Siren... that's a first for me. I've never heard of it before. Maybe your fruit is a more advanced or purified form of a regular siren — one that attained divinity. It might even be a demi-god type."
Ash smiled faintly. "Whatever it is, I think it suits you. You're already the user of the Uta Uta no Mi — this might blend really well with it. It could enhance your musical and singing abilities far beyond what you can currently do. The synergy between the two could be insane."
Uta puffed her cheeks and pouted. "Yeah, but I still can't eat it until you find a way for us to have more than one fruit."
Ash nodded, understanding. "Yeah, I know. But until then, you can keep improving your current fruit. And now that you're finally free from the Tot Musica curse, you can focus on your own power—at least until I get something from Celeste."
Uta looked down for a second, then nodded softly. "Yeah... I'll keep working on it."
Ash turned to Nojiko. "And finally, Nojiko — yours is the Divine Valkyrie. I know a few things about Valkyries."
He met her gaze, speaking steadily. "Valkyries are said to be sacred warrior maidens who serve a highest god — Odin, the All-Father. They descend onto battlefields to fight, guide the souls of fallen warriors, and choose that worthy of an honorable afterlife."
"But... they're more than just warriors. They're also protectors, judges, and messengers of divine will. They fight for justice, for those who can't."
Ash's expression grew thoughtful. "But Divine Valkyrie... that's something I've never heard of. Maybe it's a higher, transcended version of a Valkyrie — possibly even a demi-god similar to Uta's Divine Siren. A guardian with divine authority."
He smiled gently. "You've always wanted strength — not for power's sake, but to protect. You even joined us to help save your village, bring Arlong to justice, and guide your people toward freedom."
"You and Nami continue enduring so much under his tyranny, and even chose to wait until the time was right. You decided to sail with us, not just to protect Nami, but to help others, just like your village."
Ash's voice softened, "Even your trial reflected that. You protected a kingdom and its people from endless waves of monsters. You freed their souls — lifting the burden they carried for so long. Their souls waited for someone worthy to inherit that power… and in the end, that someone came in the form of you. That says everything."
Nojiko looked down at the fruit in her hand, her expression quiet but resolute. "So that's what the queen meant, huh? … She thanked me for breaking their curse and said they'd pray for my success… even beyond the stars. I can't wait to train with this."
Ash nodded. "With the right training and discipline, I believe you'll unlock its full power. I... we believe in you."
Nojiko smiled — calm, but with a new fire in her eyes. "Then I'll make sure I never let you guys down."
Uta tilted her head, curiosity in her eyes. "Ash, you've been explaining all our fruits. But what about yours? You never said much about it."
Ash glanced down at the fruit resting in his hand, fingers curling around it as he exhaled slowly. "Well… I think I understand why I got this fruit."
"Ares is said to be the god of war — but not war for its own sake. He's the fury, the bloodlust, the chaos that erupts when everything's on the line… but also the courage to charge into that chaos when no one else can. He's raw instinct — the will to protect what matters, no matter the cost."
He looked up at them, eyes steady. "People fear him because he's not calm or noble like other gods. But sometimes, the world doesn't need calm. Sometimes it needs a shield that won't break. A weapon that won't hesitate."
A faint smile touched his lips. "I think this fruit chose me not because I love to fight… but because I'm willing to. If anything, ever happened to you guys — my family — I'd go to war with anyone if need rises. No hesitation."
His gaze swept across each of them, steady and warm. "And I've always felt it. The journey we're on… the dreams we're chasing — they'll lead us into battles we never imagined. The kind where we either stand strong together… or fall."
The girls smiled, pride and understanding in their eyes.
Lucy crossed her arms with a confident smirk. "Don't worry about it, Ash. Whoever we face — we'll do it together."
Ash chuckled softly. "Yeah, Lucy. We will."
But just as he took a breath to speak again, he paused — his hand slowly rising to his forehead. A flicker of something sharp crossed his face. The moment lingered long enough for the others to notice.
"Ash?" Selena stepped forward, concerned. "What's wrong?"
Ash rubbed his forehead, eyes narrowing faintly — then blinking it off. "Ugh…It's nothing. Just… I'm fine now."
He looked at them again — then smiled, just a bit too casually. "Anyway… who wants to explore the island a bit more?"
The girls exchanged quick glances. Lucy was the first to speak, grinning. "Sure! Let's go!" she said, laughing as she jumped with joy.
Nami raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "You're changing the subject."
Ash grinned, a little too playfully. "Maybe. Or maybe not… I've got a surprise to show you girls."
He turned, heading toward the temple's exit. "Come on. Trust me… you're gonna want to see this. And I promise, it's worth it."
To be continued...
Hey everyone! I'm always looking for ways to make this story even better, and I'd love to hear your ideas. What powers do you think should be available in Ash's store? Maybe you have some cool concepts for abilities, weapons, or items that could make the adventure even more exciting!
Feel free to drop your suggestions in the comments, and if there's anything specific, you'd love to see in future chapters, let me know! I might even integrate your ideas into the story.
Also, don't forget to give some Power Stones if you're enjoying the journey! Your support means the world. 😊