Ash let out a long sigh of relief as he looked at the three bags of Senzu Beans and the two Devil Fruits in his hands.
"Whew… that was close. I thought my luck had completely run out. Guess my character isn't that bad after all."
He had spent sixty-nine of the lucky draws he'd been saving up and ended up with nine Senzu Beans and two random Devil Fruits.
Devil Fruits were categorized into three major types — Logia, Paramecia, and Zoan.
Even though they were considered top-tier power systems in the One Piece world, their weaknesses were just as prominent — especially their vulnerability to the sea. Because of this risk, they were treated as "Black-Tier" items in the system.
Ash had drawn two Paramecia-type fruits — and surprisingly, they were exactly the same.
Normally, only one unique fruit ability could exist at a time. Yet now there were two.
The system had outright broken the laws of that world.
"Two Yellow Spring Fruits… definitely useful, but that weakness to water is no joke." Ash frowned slightly. Whether to eat them was still up in the air.
The Yellow Spring Fruit granted no powers during life.
But after death — the user's soul could re-enter their corpse and resurrect fully, even if the body had rotted down to bone. The recovery ability relied on newly-absorbed calcium to regenerate destroyed parts, and even severed limbs could instantly reconnect. Along with that came a unique soul-based combat ability and the chilling Yellow Spring power said to freeze anything.
However—Resurrection could only be used once.
"It's a powerful fruit, no doubt… but with my current strength, I don't really need it."
Ash shook his head and stored the two fruits back into his system inventory.
"Better to keep them as emergency trump cards. If things ever get too dangerous, eating one could save my life."
Now that he had Senzu Beans as well, he felt more secure than ever.
There was comfort in having a backup plan — even a costly one.
Feeling satisfied with the results of his draw, Ash lay back in his rocking chair, eyes half-closed, enjoying a rare moment of peace.
－
"…Hmm?"
His relaxed smile suddenly vanished as his expression tightened.
He felt a presence.
A gaze locked onto him.
"Hey… did he just notice us?"
"Stay quiet. Even if he sensed us, he doesn't know where we are.
Still… for him to detect us at all — this kid is strange. No one has ever noticed us before."
Not far from Ash's location, a plant-like form surfaced from the ground — a shape akin to a giant pitcher plant. It opened, revealing a black-and-white human face emerging from the shadows.
It was Black Zetsu and White Zetsu — a unique being from the Naruto world capable of using Wood Style and earth-shifting, making their stealth the strongest in their world.
"The masked one was right. We spent a long time searching for this boy," White Zetsu muttered, annoyed that Ash had been hiding so close to Amegakure the whole time.
Ash slowly stood, Aura flaring as he scanned the environment.
"Someone's here… but they haven't attacked. Doesn't feel hostile… yet," he said.
He couldn't pinpoint the exact location — which meant the enemy was either much better at hiding or matched him in sensory skill.
"As expected of Ash Ketchum… Your strength isn't exaggerated in the slightest."
A voice rose from beneath the ground.
Ash narrowed his eyes and activated his Mangekyō Sharingan.
The moment he saw the strange figure emerging, he relaxed a little — now understanding how they stayed hidden. Their infiltration ability was indeed top-class.
That didn't mean he felt threatened, though.
"Member of the Akatsuki. Name's Zetsu. A pleasure to finally meet you," Black Zetsu spoke, voice low and raspy like a hiss through a cracked throat.
Ash frowned slightly.
"What business does Akatsuki have with me? I don't recall reaching out to you."
Although he was willing to join Akatsuki eventually, he still needed to maintain his cover.
Ash's knowledge of Naruto's plot only extended through Pain's assault on Konoha — so he wasn't entirely sure what Zetsu truly was. But he knew enough to be wary.
Especially of the masked man behind the scenes.
There were too many unanswered questions.
"Relax. With strength like yours, we're hardly here to threaten you." White Zetsu spoke with an easy, unsettling smile. "We've come to invite you—to join the Akatsuki."
Ash's eyes narrowed.
"Join you? No thanks. I'm enjoying my freedom. I don't feel like being tied down by any organization—so leave."
Of course, he doubted they would simply walk away.
His Mangekyō Sharingan alone would draw the interest of that masked man… and his power was far more than Akatsuki would ignore. As long as Nagato knew of him, there was no way they'd just let him slip away.
Black Zetsu continued calmly, voice rough like a whisper through broken stone:
"We don't restrain our members beyond essential missions.
Outside of that, you are free—do whatever you wish.
We can even provide information and resources far beyond what any bounty guild could ever offer you."
He tilted his head.
"So? Why not at least consider it?"
His tone showed no surprise at Ash's rejection.
The strong were always proud—an immediate yes would have made Ash suspicious in return.
...
TN:
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