Chapter 8: Key to the Forgotten Legacy

[Note: " * " : Indicates abilities that can be upgraded with practice, experience, or unique opportunities.]

> System inner voice ["speaking"] <

> Ash inner speech "speaking" <

{}

"WAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

The chaotic descent sent them and their boat spiraling through the air, the sheer force of the wind making it nearly impossible to move. Everyone clung tightly to whoever they could grab, their eyes wide with panic as they hurtled toward the land below.

Right at that moment, a familiar blue screen popped up in front of Ash.

Quest Updated: Legacy of the Forgotten Kingdom

Objective 1: Find and reach the Lost Island of the Ancient Kingdom. ✅

Objective 2: Uncover the island's hidden secrets and its lost history.

Rewards:

- ???

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Ash's eyes nearly popped out of his skull.

"Not the time, Celeste!" he mentally yelled.

In response, Celeste just giggles in his mind in response.

Just then—

"ASH, DO SOMETHING!" Nami screamed over the wind.

"I'M THINKING!" Ash shouted back, his mind racing.

The ground was approaching fast. Their boat, which had miraculously remained intact through the whirlpool, was now going to crash along with them.

Ash made a split-second decision. He launched himself into the air, limbs windmilling like a panicked octopus trying to fly. Somehow—against all odds—he reached the boat and slapped his hand against it. With a flash of light, the entire vessel vanished into his inventory.

"Alright, that's one problem solved!" Ash huffed. Then, he turned to Lucy. "Lucy! Now it's your time to shine again!"

Lucy, despite the panic, suddenly grinned. "Leave it to me!"

Taking a deep breath, she puffed up her cheeks and after yelling—

"GUM-GUM NO BALLOON!"

Her body expanded rapidly, inflating like a massive rubber cushion. Everyone scrambled to position themselves, desperately clinging to Lucy to minimize the impact.

Then—

BOOM!

They hit the ground with a heavy thud, bouncing slightly before sliding across the grassy terrain in a tangled mess. Dust and dirt kicked up into the air as they skidded to a stop.

For a long moment, there was only silence.

Then—

"Mmmph!" A muffled voice broke the stillness.

The crew groggily pushed themselves up, groaning in pain. Ace rubbed her head. "We… survived?"

Nami collapsed onto her back, panting. "Never… again…"

Ash, still catching his breath, let out a weak laugh. "Well… that was one hell of a landing."

Nojiko, still dazed, blinked and slowly took in her surroundings. "Where… are we?"

Before anyone could answer—

"AHH! GUYS, HELP ME!"

Everyone turned to see Lucy's legs flailing in the air—her head completely buried in the ground like an ostrich.

The girls gasped. "LUCY!"

They rushed over, grabbing her legs and pulling with all their strength.

With a loud POP! Lucy was yanked free, her face covered in dirt. She sprawled on the ground, gasping for air. "Ahh… thank you, guys."

The crew slowly stood up, dusting themselves off, and finally took a good look at their surroundings.

Before them stretched a vast, untouched land—lush forests swayed gently in the wind, towering cliffs loomed in the distance, and mist-covered mountains rose beyond the horizon. The air was thick with something indescribable, a strange, presence lingering in the atmosphere.

Despite the chaos of their arrival… there was an eerie stillness all around them.

Just then, Nami's eyes lit up as if something had clicked in her mind. Without hesitation, she reached into her inventory bag, pulling out the map to confirm her suspicion.

As she unfolded it, a strange phenomenon occurred. The parchment, which had previously shown only the sea route, began to shift.

Lines traced themselves across the surface as if drawn by an invisible hand. The vague, empty space started filling with details—an outline of an island slowly emerging before her eyes.

However, something was off. The map wasn't complete. Only a portion of the island was visible, while the rest remained untouched, as if refusing to update.

Nami gasped. "The map… it got updated!"

She quickly knelt on the ground, spreading the map properly. "Guys! Check this out!"

Holding the edges of the parchment to keep it steady, she glanced up at the others.

Everyone hurried over, forming a tight circle around her as they peered down at the map, in curiosity.

She quickly explained what had happened, despite the lingering shock. Ash studied the map thoughtfully, but before he could speak, Selene interrupted his thoughts.

"If the map updated… does that mean we're on the right path? Is this the island we were searching for?" she asked, her gaze shifting to Ash.

Then, a realization struck her. "Wait… is this why you stopped steering the boat? How did you know we'd find the island by going into the whirlpool?"

Ash shook his head. "Celeste was the one who gave me that suggestion. She told me to stop struggling against the whirlpool."

Nojiko furrowed her brows. "So, does that mean… the island we're standing on is related to the lost kingdom from the Void Century?"

Ash nodded. "It seems so. Nami did navigate us correctly, but unlike what we expected, the island wasn't on the surface—it was hidden beneath the sea."

Turning to Nami, he gave her a reassuring smile. "Didn't I say I believed in you? You brought us here just fine. The sea is vast Nami, and anything can happen on it. I hope from now on, you don't doubt yourself."

Lucy grinned. "That's right, Nami! As our navigator, we believe in you!"

The others joined in, offering their support.

Nami blushed, feeling warmth spread through her chest. "Thank you, guys…" she said softly, a small smile forming on her lips.

Looking around, Ash observed their surroundings carefully. His gaze drifted to all sides, and a realization hit him.

"This place… it looks just like how Fish-Man Island was described in my uncle's stories."

Uta tilted her head. "Really? How so?"

Ash turned to her, explaining, "From what I can tell, we're deep underwater—maybe more than 8,000 meters below sea level." He gestured toward the shimmering barrier surrounding them. "See? There's a massive dome around the island, just like the one protecting Fish-Man Island, just like how my uncle described."

The girls followed his gaze. Beyond the translucent barrier, schools of unknown fish swam lazily, their scales reflecting the distant light filtering through. Despite being in the depths of the sea, the area wasn't completely dark.

Lucy's eyes sparkled. "Sugoi~!" she squealed in excitement.

Ash smiled, nodding in agreement. "What's even more interesting is that sunlight still reaches this island, even at this depth…"

He pointed toward the sky-like view above them. "Fish-Man Island has a special feature that allows sunlight from the surface to reach it. There's something called Eve, a giant sun tree that draws in light from the surface and channels it down to the depths of the ocean. That's how Fish-Man Island stays illuminated."

Nojiko blinked in amazement. "Wait… so you're saying there might be something similar here?"

Ash crossed his arms. "It's possible. This island was hidden for so long from the time of the Void Century, so it wouldn't be strange if it had something like that."

Ash continued, "If my guess is right, then this lost kingdom might have helped in creating Fish-Man Island, or it may be the other way around. But of course, I'd like to verify that theory first."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Ash then pointed at the map. "Now, back to this… The map is showing us the island, but not completely. I think we need to explore more in order to fully chart it. Maybe there's also some way to disperse the fog covering the rest of the island."

He looked at everyone, his excitement growing. "So, what do you say? Ready for another adventure?"

The girls' eyes lit up.

"Yes!" they cheered in unison.

Lucy pumped her fist in the air. "Yosh! Let's go—"

GROOOOWL.

A loud, monstrous rumble echoed through the air.

Everyone paused. Their heads turned to Lucy, who stood frozen, her face turning red.

Lucy laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head. "Shishishi… I guess I'm hungry."

A moment of silence—

Then, laughter erupted from the group.

Ash grinned. "Alright then. First, let's fill our stomachs. Then we explore."

Lucy beamed. "Yay~!"

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

After a satisfying meal prepared by Ash, the group ventured deeper into the dense forest.

The air grew thick with moisture, carrying the scent of damp earth and something ancient. A strange silence surrounded them.

Towering trees loomed over them, their bark rough and cracked with age. Massive roots curled across the ground like sleeping serpents, forcing them to step carefully. High above, golden particles of light flickered between the thick canopy, casting an eerie glow.

"This is incredible…" Nojiko murmured, running her fingers along a massive tree trunk. "It feels like we've stepped into a forgotten world."

Nami's sharp eyes darted between the plants. "Some of these trees look familiar… but they're different. It's like we're seeing an ancient version of today's plants."

Selene knelt beside a cluster of broad-leafed plants that shimmered faintly under her touch. She shivered. "They feel… alive."

Uta's eyes sparkled as she scribbled mental notes. "A completely lost ecosystem…! We have to document everything!"

Gasps of wonder echoed through the group as they discovered glowing flowers, vines that pulsed when touched, and moss-covered stones shaped oddly like ruins.

Meanwhile, Ash remained focused. Carefully, he plucked a few unique leaves and odd-looking fruits, storing them in his inventory. "Even if I can't identify them now, my Herbalist skill might help with this later…"

Seeing him work, the others followed suit.

"We don't know what could be useful," Nami said, tucking a handful of strange seeds into a pouch. "This place is unknown—we might not get another chance."

Selene carefully placed glowing petals into a small container. "Yeah, It's better to be prepared."

Ace chuckled with enthusiasm. "We came to explore, but now we're turning into collectors."

Just as they were immersed in their adventure, a sudden laugh cut through the air.

"Shishishi~!"

Everyone froze.

Like a malfunctioning machine, their heads turned in slow, synchronized motion toward the sound.

There stood Lucy.

Her body swayed slightly, eyes unfocused, and a wide, goofy grin stretched across her face. She wobbled forward unsteadily, arms flailing as if fighting an invisible opponent.

Ash's eye twitched. "Oh no…"

"Lucy…" His voice carried a warning edge. "What did you do this time?"

The girls, who had been tense and alert just moments ago, now stared at her with identical expressions of disbelief.

"What did this idiot do this time?!"

Lucy didn't answer. Instead, she gasped dramatically, pointing at nothing.

"Ash! Look! The trees are dancing! The ground is moving! And—OH NO! The sky is melting!"

Ace blinked. "…What?"

Uta sighed, already rubbing her temples. "I knew it. She must have eaten something she wasn't supposed to." She pointed at a half-eaten, berry-like fruit lying on the ground.

Ash let out a deep sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Of course, she did…"

Meanwhile, Lucy kept spinning in erratic circles, swiping at the air like a lunatic.

Ash acted swiftly. With ease, he grabbed her flailing form, hoisted her up, and secured her to his back with a rope.

"Alright, that's enough for today." He muttered, tying a firm knot as Lucy continued to mumble nonsense against his shoulder.

Ace raised an eyebrow. "Uh… will she be, okay?"

Ash tested the rope's tightness before adjusting Lucy slightly. "For now, the effects seem harmless—just hallucinations. If it's only that, she'll be fine once it wears off. I'll keep an eye on her in case anything else happens."

His gaze then landed on the strange fruit Lucy had eaten. He picked it up. "So, this is the culprit…"

Without hesitation, he stored it in his inventory, making a note in his personal journal about the fruit since already seeing its effects for future reference.

With Lucy temporarily out of commission, the group pressed forward to find a place so they can take rest.

Once they found a perfect spot—where the moonlight bathed the clearing in a gentle glow—Ash took out his Sanctuary Tent.

The moment it was set up, a warm, inviting light filled the interior, offering an immediate sense of comfort and security. No matter what lurked outside, nothing could disturb them here.

Selena stretched with a satisfied sigh. "I can't wait to wash off all this sweat. A nice bath sounds heavenly."

"Yeah," Nami agreed, already making herself comfortable. "A bath and some proper rest after today's craziness? Absolutely perfect."

Uta giggled, nodding in agreement. "Mmm, finally some relaxation."

Nojiko stretched her arms. "And the best part? We don't have to worry about anything sneaking up on us while we sleep."

As they chatted, Lucy—still tied up and half-conscious—mumbled something incoherent before slumping forward against Ash's back.

Ash chuckled, shaking his head as he gently set her down. "Looks like she's finally coming down from her little trip…"

With that, the group settled in enjoying a refreshing bath before gathering for a well-deserved meal. The only one missing from the table was Lucy, who remained still asleep, lost in whatever strange dreams her mind had conjured.

As exhaustion finally caught up with them, one by one, they drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep as the leaves outside the forest whispering softly in the cool night air.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The next morning, Lucy found herself at the center of a scolding session from all the girls.

"How many times do we have to tell you not to eat something if you don't know what it is?!" Selina huffed; arms crossed.

Lucy, sitting on her knees, had her hands pressed together in apology. Her face was swollen from the "lesson" the girls had given her earlier. "I'm sorry…" she mumbled, looking pitiful.

However, just moments later, as if forgetting everything that just happened—"Ash, is the food ready?" Lucy asked with bright eyes and wide grin.

Everyone groaned, collectively dropping their heads in exasperation.

"Can you stop thinking about food for just a second?" Nojiko sighed.

Lucy pouted. "But I'm hungry! I didn't get to eat anything since last night!"

Ash chuckled, shaking his head as he placed the food on the table. "Alright, alright. Give her a break, girls. She understands, but let's be honest—she's just going to do it again anyway."

The girls could only sigh in defeat, knowing Ash was right.

"Come eat, Lucy," Ash called out.

Lucy instantly perked up, jumping to her feet. "Thank you, Ash! I love you!"

Ash chuckled, while Ace smirked. "More like she loves your food."

The girls shook their heads with amused smiles. No matter how much they lectured her, Lucy would always be Lucy… and they wouldn't change her for anything.

With that, they all settled in to fill their stomachs.

As they ate, Selina shot Ash a look. "You're way too lenient with her, you know."

Ash just smiled, laughing softly.

Once breakfast was done, they packed up and got ready to continue their exploration. After everyone exited, Ash stored the Sanctuary Tent back in his inventory, and with renewed energy, they ventured deeper into the forest.

{}

Ash and the girls continued their exploration, though Lucy was less than thrilled.

"No meat today, if you cause unnecessary trouble," Ash had warned her.

Lucy pouted but reluctantly behaved, sulking as they walked.

After a few hours of trekking through the dense forest, they stumbled upon a crumbling stone structure, half-swallowed by vines and time.

Towering pillars leaned at odd angles, and moss-covered carvings peeked out from beneath layers of dirt and decay. It might've once been grand—now, it looked like a stiff breeze could finish what the centuries had started.

"Whoa! This is huge!" Lucy's eyes widened in awe.

Ash took a careful look at what might might be temple before them, he turned to the girls. "Girls, spread out and look for any kind of entrance."

They nodded, splitting up to search.

After few seconds, Nojiko and Uta's voices called out. "Over here!"

Everyone gathered where they stood. Nojiko pointed at what appeared to be the entrance, but it was sealed shut.

"Looks like it's locked," Ace muttered.

Ash nodded. "Let's check around for any kind of mechanisms or levers. There has to be a way to open it."

Nojiko, Uta, and Selina started searching the surroundings for clues, while Ash and the rest examined the temple walls.

Meanwhile, Lucy stood in front of the door, hands on her hips, deep in thought. After a few seconds, she simply grabbed the edges and tried to pull it open with brute force.

"Nnnngh! Open up, you stupid door!" she grunted.

Before she could escalate to more extreme measures, Ash suddenly called out. "Guys I think I found something!"

Everyone rushed over to where he stood, near a large dragon head statue beside the entrance wall.

Ash pointed at the dragon's open mouth. "There's a lever inside."

Without hesitation, he reached in and pulled it.

A deep, rumbling noise echoed through the air as the sealed entrance slowly creaked open.

The moment the door fully parted, a strong gust of air rushed out from within, forcing everyone to shield their faces.

As the dust settled, they lowered their arms and stared into the darkness beyond the entrance.

Before Lucy could sprint into the temple, Ash swiftly grabbed her by the collar, stopping her mid-air like a cat caught misbehaving.

"Lucy, wait. We have to tread carefully," Ash warned, setting her back down. "There could be traps. We need to be cautious."

Lucy pouted, her excitement dimming slightly. "Fine…"

With slow, careful steps, they entered the temple.

WHOOSH—CLACK—SLIDE.

A sudden shifting of stone echoed through the chamber.

The once-dark room flickered to life as hidden mechanisms activated. Warm golden light illuminated the massive hall, revealing walls covered in intricate hieroglyphs—each etched with breathtaking precision, untouched by time.

Ash along with the rest stood frozen; eyes wide in awe.

The murals stretched across the entire chamber, painted in vibrant colors that had never faded. Scenes of unknown history unfolded before them.

Ash, his curiosity piqued, reached out and traced his fingers along the ancient carvings, carefully examining the details. Though he wasn't well-versed in deciphering such things, something about these images felt… significant.

Minutes passed as he tried to studied them, understand them, until his gaze landed on something that made him freeze.

Then, his hand stopped.

His breath hitched.

There, among the carvings, was a massive elephant with impossibly long legs—its towering form unmistakable. And atop its head, a lone figure stood, arms spread wide, laughing freely as if embracing the world itself.

Ash's eyes widened. "Zunesha…?" he murmured. His hand trembled slightly as he traced the image again, his mind racing. "Then… does that mean… the one on top is…"

A shiver ran down his spine.

"JOY BOY?"

The moment the words left his lips—

A sound.

Faint at first. Then, growing louder.

A rhythmic, mesmerizing drumming filled the air, reverberating through the chamber. It wasn't coming from the temple itself… it was as if the walls, the very air around him, remembered something which only ash can hear.

Ba-dum.

Ba-dum.

Ba-dum.

The Drums of Liberation.

A distant laughter—joyful, untamed, echoing through time—brushed against the edges of his consciousness.

Ash stood frozen, eyes locked onto the mural, his heartbeat aligning with the ancient rhythm.

Then—

"Ash?" A voice broke through.

Uta, watching him intently, called out. "What is it?"

Her voice snapped him back to the present. The girls, now noticing his strange reaction, turned toward him—curious, but also concerned.

Ash shook his head, clearing his thoughts before turning back to the others. His voice was steady but filled with certainty.

"This temple… it's definitely from the Void Century. That much, I'm sure of."

The weight of his words settled over the group, thick with unspoken significance.

Then, he pointed to the mural he had been fixated on. "I don't have the knowledge to decipher these hieroglyphs… but look at this." His finger traced the figure standing atop the massive elephant. "I think… no, I'm sure—this is form of Nika, the Sun God."

A heavy silence followed.

The girls stared at the carving in shock before their gazes slowly drifted to Lucy.

Lucy, feeling their eyes on her, blinked and scratched her head. "What?"

Everyone let out a collective sigh. But no one said a word.

Breaking the moment, Selina spoke up. "I found something too!" She pointed at another section of the mural. "It looks like a bird… no, an eagle… but it also has a lion's body. And its tail—" she hesitated, "it's a snake?"

Ash's brows furrowed. "A chimera?"

Ace, examining another part of the wall, called out. "I also saw something with three heads… looks like a giant dog."

Uta's eyes sparkled with intrigue as she pointed at her own discovery. "This one's a monkey, but it has a staff—like it's in a mid-leap."

Nami traced a carving with her fingertips, her expression unreadable. "There's someone here… holding lightning in their hands, almost like they're wielding it."

Nojiko, standing slightly apart, studied a different section. "The one I saw… looks like a fiery bird. Its wings are engulfed in flames."

One by one, Ash examined the murals they had pointed out. As he did, a realization settled over him.

Turning back to the group, he explained, "Selina, what you saw is called a Chimera—a mythical beast with the body parts of different animals. Ace, yours is Cerberus, a three-headed dog said to guard the gates of the underworld. And all of you…" his gaze swept across the room, "what you found are either mythical creatures or gods from ancient myths."

Ace folded her arms. "So… what does it all mean?"

Ash exhaled slowly.

Then, he turned to face them fully. "I think…" he hesitated, the weight of the revelation pressing down on him. "I think this temple is dedicated to the land of gods and myths."

A stunned silence followed.

No one spoke. No one moved.

Only Lucy, standing off to the side, looked thoroughly unimpressed—idly picking her nose.

Uta voiced her thoughts aloud, her curiosity shining through. "So… does this mean there were actual gods roaming around in ancient times?"

Ash shook his head slightly. "Maybe, maybe not. It could also be connected to Devil Fruit powers." He gestured toward Lucy. "I mean, look at her. She ate a fruit that represents a god mentioned in the Void Century. Even now, some people still believe in Nika's existence."

He crossed his arms. "Maybe these other figures weren't as significant or were simply forgotten over time. We just don't know."

Uta's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Wow… If what you're saying is true, then does that mean we're the first to uncover this piece of history?"

Ash chuckled. "Not all of it, Uta. But at least a small part— that's for sure."

While the others pondered the implications of their discovery, Lucy stood at the side, visibly uninterested.

Ash noticed and smirked. "Lucy, I know you're bored. But if you're really aiming to be Pirate Queen one day, you should at least know a little bit about history."

Lucy pouted and whined. "Ugh… But all this thinking makes my head hurt, Ash! That's why I have you, right?"

The group chuckled at her response, shaking their heads.

Ash sighed in amusement. "Alright, alright. Let's move on and see what else this temple has in store for us. So far, it looks safe."

With that, they delved deeper, their footsteps echoing through the ancient halls. They marvelled at the intricate structures and hieroglyphs, each marking telling a story lost to time.

After exploring different rooms for a while, they finally reached what seemed to be the temple's central chamber.

To their surprise, aside from the walls covered in hieroglyphs, there was only one thing of note—

A stone pillar standing in the middle of the room.

At its center was an etching of a handprint, as if inviting someone to place their hand upon it.

Ash moved forward, scanning the ancient chamber for any possible clues while the girls spread out, examining the walls and corners of the room.

Selena, also had a different task—dragging Lucy along so she wouldn't wander off or, worse, do something incredibly stupid while they weren't watching her. Lucy pouted in protest but didn't resist too much.

As Ash inspected the pillar, something on the ground around the pillar caught his attention. Another carving.

Kneeling down, he carefully examined the etchings. The image depicted a person standing before the pillar, placing their hand on the engraved print.

In the next scene, the same figure was holding a key, which they then used to open a door. Behind them, several people were shown entering and later exiting, their hands raised in celebration as if they had obtained something… something glowing.

Yet, the image didn't reveal what it was.

Ash furrowed his brows. "So, it all starts with placing a hand here…" he murmured.

Something about it tugged at his curiosity. He felt an unexplainable pull—like a whisper in the back of his mind urging him forward. He hesitated for a moment but, unable to resist the urge, slowly stepped in front of the pillar.

Raising his hand, he pressed his palm against the engraved handprint.

CLICK.

The sound echoed ominously through the chamber.

A deep rumbling followed as the entire temple trembled violently—as if an earthquake had struck.

"ASH! WHAT DID YOU DO, YOU IDIOT?!" Selena's sharp voice rang through the chaos.

Ace groaned, throwing her hands up trying to steady herself. "You told Lucy not to do anything stupid, and now YOU go and pull this?!"

Nami, clinging to the nearest stable surface, glared daggers at him. "Ash! If I die here, I swear I'll come back and haunt you, you absolute idiot!"

Ash blinked, opening and closing his mouth, struggling for words. "Uh… I—"

Before he could finish, the shaking abruptly stopped.

A tense silence followed. The group stilled, watching the pillar with bated breath, waiting for whatever was going to happen next.

Then—

CLICK.

The pillar made another noise, and slowly, it began descending into the ground.

Once it disappeared completely beneath the surface, a brilliant golden light erupted from the very spot it once stood. The radiant beam shot upward, illuminating the entire chamber as it reached the ceiling above them.

All eyes widened as something materialized from the golden glow—

A "KEY".

It floated gently in the air, crafted entirely of gold, with intricate designs spiraling across its surface. The craftsmanship was mesmerizing.

The key hovered at Ash's eye level, slowly rotating as if waiting—expecting to be taken.

Ash instinctively reached for it—Only to be stopped by Uta.

"Don't do something stupid again!" she scolded lightly, her hand gripping his wrist tightly.

Ash sighed. "I didn't do anything stupid! I just followed the carving on the ground!" He pointed to the image as proof.

Uta pursed her lips, then exhaled. "Fine. Even so… be careful, okay?"

The other girls gathered closer, all on high alert in case anything else happened.

With a deep breath, Ash slowly extended his hand again, stepping into the golden light.

As his fingers wrapped around the key, the radiant glow dimmed—then vanished completely.

The room fell silent.

Then, with another click, the stone pillar rose back into place from under-ground, as if nothing had happened.

Ash stared at the key in his hand, heart pounding.

Just then his mind was flooded.

A surge of visions, memories, and knowledge crashed into him all at once. It was overwhelming, suffocating, like an unstoppable tidal wave of information forcing itself into his brain.

His breath hitched. His knees buckled.

Then came the pain.

A searing agony shot through his skull, making him clutch his head as if trying to hold his mind together. His vision blurred, his balance wavered, and before he knew it, he was falling.

"ASH!"

The girls rushed to his side, catching him before he hit the ground. Their voices were filled with concern, but Ash could barely process them—his entire world was spinning.

Seconds passed. Then minutes.

Finally… the pain subsided.

His ragged breathing slowly evened out as the visions faded, leaving behind only scattered fragments of knowledge.

Dazed and exhausted, Ash slumped down, panting. His body trembled as he tried to comprehend what he had just seen.

The girls, still hovering around him, looked at him with a mix of worry and fear.

But Ash was too stunned to speak.

Ash took a deep breath, steadying himself.

Uta, still worried, asked again, "Are you sure you're, okay?"

Seeing the concern in their eyes, Ash managed a small smile. "I'm fine… Just got a load of info dumped into my mind, that's all."

Lucy, still worried, asked, "You sure?"

Ash gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Lucy. I'm fine now."

Selena, though still concerned, asked, "What happened when you took the key?"

Ash's smile slowly turned into a big smirk. "Do you guys remember what I said before? That I think this temple feels like it's dedicated to the land of gods and myths?"

Everyone nodded.

"It's some-what correct."

With a grunt, Ash pushed himself up to his feet.

Ash spread his arms dramatically. "What this place… is where a person becomes a god or a myth itself!"

Ace sighed, mumbling to Selena, "There he goes again… I think Ash's brain got fried from all that info dump."

Ash, who heard this, indignantly yelled, "My brain is NOT fried!"

That immediately sent the group into laughter.

Selena smirked. "Oh, sorry. Forgive Ace. Your brain was already fried to begin with."

The girls chuckled, making Ash pout.

"Fine, fine. Let me finish." He cleared his throat.

"You see, what we assumed about the hieroglyphs—the ones depicting gods and mythical beasts—is actually somewhat correct."

Ash held up the key in his hand. "This key allows me to send a person to take a trial. A trial that, if passed, grants them a devil fruit. A Mythical Zoan to be exact. Be it a model of a god… or a mythical beast."

Hearing this, all the girl's jaws dropped in shock.

Nami stuttered, "You mean to say… we can get something as powerful as Lucy's fruit?"

Ash smirked and nodded.

Then, glancing at Nami, he added, "And I know exactly what you're thinking—you're already planning to sell these fruits for a fortune, aren't you?"

Nami, whose eyes were already sparkling with beli signs, quickly blurted out, "NO!"

Ash chuckled along with the others before continuing, "Sorry to burst your bubble, Nami, but even if you pass the trial and obtain a fruit, only you can eat it. No one else can. And if you try to sell it, it won't work for the buyer."

The girls looked at him in confusion, and Ash smirked.

"Once you obtain the fruit, it becomes bound to you. If you try to give it away or leave it behind, it'll return to you—no matter where you are—until you eat it."

Ash then added, "Also, each person only gets three chances to attempt the trial. If they fail the first and second attempts, they still have one last chance. But after the third failure, they can never access the trial again."

He crossed his arms before continuing, "And once someone successfully completes the trial and obtains a fruit, they can't enter again for the rest of their lifetime. So, it's a 'one-fruit-per-person' kind of deal."

Nami groaned. "Why?! My money!"

But then, her smirk returned as an idea sparked in her mind. "Wait… even if I can only get one fruit, what if I just keep selling it? I can take the fruit, give it away for money, and when it returns to me, I'll sell it again! I can keep making money like that!" She was practically drooling at the thought.

The others chuckled, amused by how her mind always worked toward profit.

Ash sat down and teased, "Then eventually, everyone will figure out the truth about the fruit. And when that happens, not just bounty hunters, but even the higher-ups from Marines will start chasing you. You sure you're okay with that?"

Nami froze, her face paling as sweat dripped down her forehead. Slowly, she dropped to her knees.

"Why do you always have to say things like that? Can't you let me be happy for once?" she whined.

Ash and the other girls burst into laughter, watching as Nami sulked over her crushed money-making schemes once again.

Ash then, with a teasing voice, said, "Oh, okay then. Here, I thought you wanted to know where the treasure room is. Ah, it's fine if you're not interested."

Nami's mood did a complete 180-degree shift. In an instant, she threw herself onto Ash, wrapping one arm around him while batting her eyelashes seductively.

"Ash~ I knew you care about me. Can't you tell me where the treasure room is?" she purred, trying to butter him up.

Seeing her shamelessly switch tactics, the others burst into laughter.

Ash smirked and teased back, "Sorry, Nami, but you see... the treasure room is actually in a different part of the island, one we haven't gained access to yet."

Nami's hopeful expression twitched as Ash continued, "It seems certain conditions need to be met before we can enter other parts of the island."

Her face fell instantly, while the rest of the group chuckled at her misfortune.

Nami, indignant, pointed at Ash and huffed, "Ash, you cheat! You liar! Yo... yo... you tease! How can you play with the feelings of an innocent young lady like me?!"

Ash burst into laughter, joined by the other girls.

Nojiko, still chuckling, playfully patted Nami's head. "Aww, is my little sister being teased by big meanie Ash?" she cooed.

Nami, acting like a child, nodded while clinging to Nojiko for comfort.

Ash smirked. "If you're innocent, then that day, even snails will start running marathons."

Nami's pout deepened, but before she could retort, Ash continued with a mischievous grin, "Oh well, if you're going to act like that, then fine. I thought that once I gained access to the treasury, I could let you handle the treasure. But it seems like you don't want it anymore."

Nami immediately latched onto his arm again as soon as her mood took a 180-degree shift Again! her eyes sparkling. "Oh, I knew my Ash wouldn't forget me! I'll surely take good care of my tres... I mean, our treasure!"

The girls immediately yelled in unison, "You CLEARLY said your treasure!"

Ash laughed at Nami's failed attempt to cover up her greed. "No need to butter me up, Nami. This whole island belongs to me now—it looks like I inherited everything in full."

Then, with a warm smile, he added, "And what's mine is yours too. Besides, didn't we all find this place together?"

Hearing this, the girls softened. They all shared a look before hugging him together, feeling the warmth of his words.

Selina brows furrowed in thought. "Hey, Ash, I've got a question." She tilted her head. "You said that whoever passes the trial will get a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, right? But what if Lucy takes the trial and passes? She already has a Mythical Zoan… would she get another one?"

The group fell silent, turning their attention to Ash.

Ash closed his eyes, humming as if processing something. A few seconds passed.

Then, he opened them, a glint of understanding flashing in his gaze. "From what I gathered… she won't be getting another Devil Fruit," he said, crossing his arms. "But—" he smirked slightly, "—this trial might actually help her awaken her Nika Fruit much faster than normal."

The crew's eyes widened at the revelation.

"And that's not all," Ash continued. "Attempting this trial could also push our Haki to new levels. So even if we don't walk away with a fruit by failing the trail, we're definitely not leaving empty-handed."

A buzz of excitement ran through the group as the realization sank in. This trial wasn't just about a fruit—it was an opportunity.

Ash chuckled. "Alright then, what do you all say? Should we attempt the trial, or should we explore more of the areas we have got access to?"

Lucy stretched her arms with an eager grin. "Let's stop wasting time already! I'm itching for a fight, Ash!"

Ace cracked her knuckles in agreement. "Yeah! All this exploring, talking, and we didn't even get a proper battle. Kinda lame."

Selina smirked. "I'm with them. Ash, we're going to be here for a while, right? We can explore later, but this trial sounds way more exciting."

Uta, Nami, and Nojiko exchanged looks before nodding in agreement. "Let's do it," Uta said, her voice filled with determination.

Ash chuckled at their enthusiasm. "Alright, alright, fine."

He held the key in his hand and scanned the room, but before he could decide where to go, a strange sensation washed over him—an invisible force guiding his steps.

He didn't resist, simply following the feeling until he stopped in front of a door which is right of where they had first entered.

His eyes landed on a keyhole. Without hesitation, he slotted the golden key in, twisting it gently.

RUMBLE.

The door shifted with a deep groan, mechanisms clicking into place as the ancient stone parted. A shimmering golden portal surged across the entrance, its radiant glow pulsating with energy.

The girls stood before it, anticipation gleaming in their eyes.

Ash turned to them with a smirk. "Shall we?"

No words were needed. As one, all seven stepped forward into the portal.

The moment they crossed the threshold, a brilliant golden flash filled the chamber, blindingly bright.

WHOOSH.

The door shut itself behind them, sealing the room in utter silence.

And just like that—Ash, Uta, Lucy, Ace, Selina, Nami, and Nojiko vanished into the portal.

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Author's Note:A friend suggested I should add some R18 content to the story. I told them I'd let you guys decide.

So here's how we'll do it:

I've written a "Yes" and a "No" below.

• If you want R18 content, comment on the ["Yes"] (Here).

• If you don't, comment on the ["No"] (Here).

I'll follow what the majority of you choose. Thanks for being part of the journey!

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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. 😊