After everyone finished eating, Ashveil leaned back, rubbing his stomach with a satisfied sigh.
"Hey, hey, you two," he said lazily, "didn't you mention something about gifts? Hurry up and bring them out. I've got things to do and games to play." He waved his hand dismissively, his tone carrying no trace of formality.
"Yes, Ashveil-san!" Golden Lion Shiki and the former Admiral Zephyr immediately perked up, their faces lighting with excitement. Without hesitation, both men dashed out to retrieve their offerings.
Ashveil yawned, watching them leave.
Less than a minute later, they returned, panting and sweating, each carrying a large package as if their lives depended on it.
"Alright, Shiki, you first," Ashveil said, crossing his arms. "Let's see if your gift can catch my interest."
Golden Lion Shiki swallowed hard. His heart hammered in his chest. This was the moment that would decide his fate.
He knelt and opened his package carefully. Inside were several game consoles, stacks of game discs, and a few comic collections from the North Blue—the most famous among them being those featuring Germa 66.
"How is it, Ashveil-san?" Shiki asked, his voice trembling slightly. "Do you find these acceptable?" His expression was filled with anxious hope.
Ashveil gave the contents a casual glance. "Hmm… these comics will keep me busy for a while," he said thoughtfully. "But I already have a computer now. The consoles aren't really that appealing anymore."
That single statement made Shiki's blood run cold.
What?
His expression froze as panic clawed at his chest. Was this rejection? Could he really be that unlucky? Just a few days ago, Ashveil had mentioned that he wanted game consoles to pass the time, and now… now they no longer interested him?
Shiki's eyes flickered with desperation as he looked up at Ashveil, his gaze pitiful and pleading. Around them, the Whitebeard Pirates exchanged looks of sympathy.
Whitebeard himself sighed quietly. Once, Golden Lion Shiki had been a mighty name—the very embodiment of pride and dominance, a lion who ruled the skies. Now he stood trembling before a young man, begging for a place beneath him.
Even Donquixote Doflamingo and Boa Hancock, who stood nearby, felt a cold shiver of relief.
They had joined Ashveil earlier, when his attention was easier to earn. If they had delayed even a few days like Shiki, the chance might have slipped away.
The world of pirates was cruelly competitive, and Ashveil's growing power made him untouchable. Had they waited, even they might have been denied.
Ashveil looked at Shiki again and sighed softly. "Alright," he said finally, "I'll take a look at your game discs. I might not need more consoles, but I'm still short on discs."
Hope flared instantly in Shiki's eyes. He had gone through incredible lengths to collect these. He'd used his Devil Fruit to kidnap the kings of two kingdoms—just to get a few rare discs.
That had, of course, drawn the attention of the World Government. Garp, Kong, and several Vice Admirals had personally led the pursuit that forced him into hiding.
Now, holding his breath, he watched as Ashveil picked up the discs and turned toward his quarters. The others followed, eager to see whether Shiki would succeed in earning Ashveil's acknowledgment.
Inside, Ashveil inserted the discs one by one into his console, playing each for a few minutes. With his experience, he could quickly gauge their quality.
Most were mediocre—nothing special compared to the technology of his previous life. The graphics were rough, the mechanics clunky.
Then, he slid in the final disc.
A familiar tune echoed through the speakers, and a spark of recognition flashed in his eyes.
"Wait… this music…" he murmured, leaning forward.
Could it be… Contra?
A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth as the title screen appeared. Though slightly altered, the resemblance was unmistakable—the same side-scrolling shooter, the same sound effects.
He tested a few more. Snow Bros.... Super Mario.
Nostalgia washed over him, pulling memories from a life long gone. For the first time in a while, Ashveil's usually indifferent eyes softened with warmth.
Golden Lion Shiki noticed the shift in his expression and felt his heart leap. His tense shoulders finally relaxed. It seemed he had managed to strike the right chord.
"Ashveil-san… about my gift…" Shiki began timidly, rubbing his hands with an awkward grin.
Ashveil looked up, mildly amused. The man's smile was so forced it almost made him laugh.
"Alright," Ashveil said finally, his lips curving slightly upward. "I've played most of these before, but seeing them again isn't bad. From now on, you're part of the Whitebeard Pirates—under my Zero Division."
For a moment, silence hung in the room.
Then, Shiki's face erupted into pure joy. The Golden Lion who once terrified the seas now looked like an overgrown child who'd just been praised by his hero.
"Magnificent! Truly magnificent!" he exclaimed, almost trembling. "It's my greatest honor to serve under you, Ashveil-sama! I'll help you conquer the world if you wish!"
Ashveil waved him off. "Conquering the world?" He snorted. "Not interested. If those fools at the World Government hadn't broken their word and come after me, I wouldn't even bother holding territory."
Shiki's excitement dimmed slightly, but he still nodded furiously, grateful just to have been accepted.
Beside him, Zephyr shifted uncomfortably. Shiki had succeeded. If he failed now, it would be humiliating.
"Ashveil-san," Zephyr began quickly, "you've already seen Shiki's offering. Please, allow me to present mine."
Ashveil turned toward him, his tone calm. "Alright, let's see if you brought anything worthwhile."
Zephyr's lips twitched, but he forced a smile. Deep down, he felt confident. He had gone to Germa 66 himself and obtained something their scientists claimed was special—an accessory meant to enhance computer connectivity.
He opened his package, revealing a neat assortment of items: a few comic books, some Den Den Mushi, and several small tools. Ashveil glanced at them without much interest—until two sleek, silver cables caught his attention.
He reached for them, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"...These look familiar," he muttered.
The texture, the connectors—they were nearly identical to the network cables from his old world.
Ashveil's interest sharpened. "These… could actually be useful," he said thoughtfully.
Zephyr's heart leapt at those words.
If the man who had crushed two Yonko fleets in a single battle was even mildly impressed by his gift—then perhaps, just perhaps, his fate would be sealed as Shiki's had been.
Ashveil set the cables aside carefully, his expression unreadable, and leaned back in his chair.
For now, he said nothing further.
_______
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