Chapter 9: Myth and Might: Into the Trials - I

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Author's Note:

Hey guys! I've noticed that only a few of you have responded to the vote about including R-18 content. It's not urgent, and there's still time to decide, so I'm still waiting to hear from more of you—just a simple yes or no will do.

That said, if I reach the point in the story where it's time to introduce that kind of content and I still only have responses from those few people, I'll go ahead and respect their input and take it into account. I already know from which chapter I'd start and how I'd introduce it—but I won't reveal that just yet. 😉

Thanks again for all the support! You guys are awesome and really keep me motivated.

Hope you enjoy the chapter!

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[Note:

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

> System inner voice ["speaking"] <

> Ash inner speech "speaking" <

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ASH'S TRAIL:

A gust of wind rushed past as Ash stepped through the portal, his confidence unwavering. "Alright, let's finish this. What do you say, girls?" he said with a smirk.

His smirk faded as he didn't hear any response. The turns and notices others were gone. His gaze swept over the vast plains stretching endlessly before him. There were no signs of life, no structures, not even the sound of wind rustling the grass. A heavy stillness settled over the landscape.

"Looks like the trials are done solo" he muttered. He hoped the others were safe, wherever they were.

Before he could take another step—SWISH!

Ash twisted his body in last second, barely dodging as an arrow whizzed past, grazing his cheek. A sharp sting followed, and a thin trickle of blood dripped down his face. His body tensed, and his Observation Haki flared. Yet—nothing. No presence.

Seconds passed. Ash stayed alert, keeping his Observation Haki active at all times. He could hear the faint rustling of grass, but his senses only warned of an attack—not the enemy itself.

Then—

SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

More arrows rained down. Acting immediately, Ash raised his scabbard, deflecting them in rapid succession. Metal clashed against wood as he knocked them aside, his eyes darting frantically. Still, no enemy in sight.

His Observation screamed a warning—too late! A dagger struck his back—but he activated Tekkai taking the attack. The blade failed to pierce his skin. A smirk tugged at his lips. "Got you."

His gaze flickered downward. A single footprint pressed into the grass. Without hesitation, he swung Kashu. The blade sliced through the air—

A sharp cry echoed.

A figure suddenly appeared, collapsing to the ground. It was humanoid but bore wolf-like features, clad in dark armor. A bow and arrow rested on its back, with two wicked daggers.

Ash frowned. "Half-beast?" He reached out to call Celeste—but there was only silence. His checks interface which still functioned also his inventory worked, but she seems unreachable.

"So, I'm on my own, huh?" he muttered. He crouched down, stripping the creature of its weapons. The bow, arrows, and a dagger — just in case.

As he stood—the body of the half-beast cracked. His eyes widened as it crumbled into dust, vanishing into the wind. "What kind of trial was this?"

Before he could dwell on it, a strange pull tugged at his senses. He exhaled decided to follow the pull trusting his gut.

Finally, he arrived at what looked as an ancient ruin. Cracked stone pillars, shattered walls lined the path, and the place looked like remnants of a lost civilization lay in decay.

As soon as he took a cautious step forward—

SHWIP-SHWIP-SHWIP!

His Observation flared—too late again! Arrows pierced his arms and legs.

"Tch—Damn it!" A sharp cry escaped as pain lanced through him. He ripped them out, blood dripping onto the stone. Even with Tekkai, the sheer volume of bows speed had overwhelmed his defense.

His eyes snapped up, scanning the ruins with Observation Haki. Nothing. No life signs. His frustration spiked. "Enough hiding! Face me!!"

Instead, only more arrows rained down in reply.

Ash swung Kashu with full force, slicing through them mid-air. The few he missed; he dodged at the last second. His expression hardened. " It seems with my current Observation Haki isn't high enough to detect these guys…"

Ash realized their stealth is more advanced. He thought this was his only chance and decided to use them to overcome the bottleneck he was facing in his Observation Haki.

The world slowed as he concentrated closing his eyes. The distant rustling of leaves, wind blowing as if speaking, even his own sweat, falling from his chin, seemed suspended in time. The air around him shifted.

With unwavering focus, Ash tried to expand his Observation Haki beyond its limit.

As another wave of arrows came. He can clearly see them. Every arrow and it's motion, every shift in the air.

His body moved fluidly, standing in place—deflecting every single one with Kashu slashing and deflecting them not even opening eyes believing only in his haki.

Not a single arrow touched him. Around him, arrows littered the ground, some broken from his flawless defense. Still standing with his eyes closed, he tried sensing his opponents. "Found you idiots….."

In one smooth motion, Ash slid Kashu back into its scabbard and instead grabbed the bow he had looted earlier. He notched an arrow—and fired.

A sharp cry. Something flickered into visibility. He fired again. And again. Even if the shots weren't fatal, they struck true, weakening them—forcing them out of their stealth.

Then—they emerged as he opened his eyes. Over twenty half-beast warriors, snarling, daggers drawn. They rushed at him—faster, deadlier than the first one he faced.

Ash exhaled deeply and drew Kashu once more throwing away the bow and arrow.

Ash met their charge head-on, keeping them at bay, but their agility outmatched him. They weaved through his slashes, dodging effortlessly.

Gritting his teeth, Ash too adapted. He combined Tempest Kick with Kashu, sending compressed wind slicing through the enemies. Some fell back, wounded, but before he could press his advantage—

Just then, more arrows rained down on him again.

Ash reacted instantly, slashing down two half-beasts and using their bodies as shields. The remaining warriors hesitated, retreating to avoid the deadly volley.

Panting, Ash closed his eyes, tried pushing his Observation even further. His senses increased stretched outward—few kilometers away. His eyes snapped open in surprise.

"Damn… they were sniping me from that far?!"

He tossed aside the body he had used as a shield which vanished to dust and moved using Soru at his full speed!

Taking Kashu in hand and his sharpened Observation guiding him, he blurred across the battlefield, closing the distance on the fleeing enemies. The moment he reached them; his blade tore through their defenses.

Some half-beasts tried to block with daggers—Kashu shattered their weapons on force of his impact. One by one, they fell, their bodies crumbling into dust.

Then, without pausing, Ash rushed toward the ones he had sensed earlier. Sand and dust swirled around him as he came to a sudden stop. His eyes scanned the battlefield.

More than forty stood before him. And at their center—a silver-plated half-beast. His presence alone felt different. Stronger.

Ash exhaled, sizing him up who looks like the leader. He tightened his grip on Kashu. Ash clenched his sword and yelled, "Who the heck are you guys?!"

The silver-plated half-beast stepped forward, responding in a language Ash couldn't understand. The words were gibberish to his ears, his brows furrowing in confusion. But before he could attempt to make sense of it, the beast barked an order.

Immediately, the archers fired another volley, while the remaining warriors charged at him head-on.

Ash can see these guys are stronger than him. From the very start, he unleashed everything at his disposal, using every skill and resource he had. His blades clashed, his kicks tore through the air slashing them, his body moved in perfect sync.

He was attacked relentlessly. His Observation Haki sharpened under the constant onslaught even his defense improved, pushing him beyond his limits as he parried, dodged, and struck back.

One by one, they fell, until only the silver-plated beast and a few remaining archers stood. But instead of keeping their distance, the archers drew their daggers, joining the fray in close combat. Their leader followed, attacking without hesitation.

Ash focused on eliminating the subordinates first. Even as the silver-plated beast tried to interfere, he cut down the remaining first, ensuring there were no distractions. When the last one fell, only the two of them remained.

Breathing heavily, Ash stood his ground, his body covered in cuts, bruises, and blood. A drop trickled from his brow, sliding into his eye, stinging, turning his vision red and blurred with irritation. Yet his determination never wavered.

The silver-plated half-beast smirked, as if mocking him. Ash tightened his grip on Kashu. Without a moment's pause—

BOOM!

Their blades clashed, sparks flying as Kashu met the beast's weapon in a fierce struggle. Neither backed down. Blow after blow, their battle raged on, each strike pushing Ash further, forcing him to adapt.

Slowly, he began reading his opponent's movements, finding openings, countering them.

Time blurred as the two warriors exchanged blow after blow. Their bodies bore fresh wounds, yet neither backed down. They finally separated, standing a few feet apart, both smirking despite their exhaustion.

The half-beast spoke again, more of that incomprehensible language. Ash still didn't understand the words, but he understood the intent. Deciding to finish in single move they both lunged at each other.

The beast lunged first.

Ash also took a deep breath. Channeling everything into a single strike, he roared—

"Storm Fang: Final Crescent!"

With a sudden burst of speed, Ash surges forward, his blade cutting through the air in a seamless motion. In a single, fluid stroke, he swings Kashu, carving a perfect crescent-shaped slash.

With a single, devastating slash from each of them, their bodies blurred past each other. Both landed, standing still with their backs facing each other.

Ash was the first to drop, falling to one knee as a fresh wound slashed across his chest, blood trickling down his torso.

His body felt numb from taking the attack, but he was glad he had managed to maintain his Tekkai for so long. Gritting his teeth, refusing to collapse, he lifted his gaze toward the half-beast.

The silver-plated half-beast gave a faint smirk tilting his head looking at Ash, murmuring something Ash couldn't quite grasp—almost like respecting him. Then, without another sound, he fell onto his back and crumbled into dust mid-air before his body touched the ground.

Ash exhaled heavily, gripping his sword for support. His voice was low but firm.

"Damn… you're the only opponent that forced me to go out like this." He let out a tired chuckle. "Thanks… for helping me pushing me to my current limits."

As the last traces of dust scattered into the wind, something caught his eye—a small parchment lying where the beast had fallen.

With a grunt, Ash forced himself to his feet, staggering toward it. He dropped onto the ground, catching his breath, Kashu planted into the earth beside him as he leaned slightly on it for support. His fingers curled around the parchment, gripping it tightly.

Ash unfolded the parchment, his eyes scanning the rough markings. He quickly recognized the ancient ruins he had just crossed. But at the very center of the map, beyond where he is standing now, a temple-like structure is drawn.

His gut told him—that's where the real trial begins.

Clicking his tongue, he muttered, "What the hell… if that guy wasn't the main boss, then how strong is the real one?"

Frustration mounting, he threw his arms up and yelled into the empty sky.

"Oi! At least give me some damn information before shoving this crap in my face!"

No response. Just the eerie silence.

Ash exhaled sharply, shaking his head. Complaining wouldn't change anything. If the real fight was at that temple or whatever that was, then that's where he was going.

But first—

Reaching into his inventory, he pulled out an Advanced Healing Potion and downed it in one go. Warm energy coursed through his body as wounds sealed, blood replenished, and pain faded. He followed up with food, restoring his stamina.

Next, he opened his status screen. He really wanted to allocate all his unassigned points to increase his stats but he hesitated.

Even though he knew it would be a massive gap between him and his next opponent, he wanted to test his limits.

But his eyes landed on another item—a Random Stat Boost Elixir.

"Well, no harm in pushing a little further. The points might help in real world besides even if I fail I still two chances left."

Thinking that he only drank random stat boost elixir, feeling a surge of energy. Checking his stats, he noticed his Endurance had increased. A smirk tugged at his lips seeing that was enough for now.

Then, his gaze fell on another item— Training Boost Elixir.

Smirking, he muttered, "Oh man, I'm not going to waste this opportunity."

Without hesitation, he drank it. And with a huge smirk, Ash vanished in a blur, using Soru, racing toward the temple.

Ash arrived at the scene in a few minutes and immediately took in the overwhelming sight before him.

A massive army of wolfmen—the name he had given them on his way here—stood in formation. At least over 500-600. Every single one looked stronger than his current self and also strong as the silver-plated wolfmen he faced.

Unlike the ones he had faced earlier, these warriors carried weapons—swords, shields, spears, axes—each wielding a different type. At the back, archers stood ready, all looked as if prepared for war.

Ash narrowed his eyes, scanning further.

At the highest point of the temple, something caught his attention—a faint glow. His gaze sharpened, and his eyes widened in realization.

That's… a Devil Fruit! His reward. But his focus shifted once more.

Just below the glowing fruit, a throne embedded on a platform, sat a dominant figure. Unlike the others, this one radiated a different level of power. A massive longsword was plunged into the floor beside him, as if claiming his authority.

Ash assumed he was the King or Leader of the Wolfmen. His fists clenched, already feeling the weight of the battle ahead.

Then—he unleashed his Conqueror's Haki, his will exploding outward, daring them—challenging their dominance.

The moment Ash unleashed his Conqueror's Haki, a ripple of invisible force exploded outward, crashing into the army before him.

Some of the wolfmen slightly faltered, their bodies trembling under his will. A few even stumbled, their instincts screaming at them to submit.

But then—

A deep, guttural chuckle echoed from the temple's peak.

Ash's eyes snapped up just in time to see the Wolf King smirk—a sharp, knowing grin that sent a chill down his spine.

BOOM!

A counterforce erupted from the throne like a storm, slamming into Ash's Haki with equal, if not greater, intensity. The Wolf King released his own Haki, shielding his warriors from Ash's overwhelming will.

Their Conqueror's Wills clashed. The ground beneath him cracked, and the very air trembled under the weight of their dominance.

For a split second, Ash's surprise flickered across his face— then, it twisted into a feral smirk, mirroring the Wolf King's own savage grin.

"Now we're talking…" he muttered, eyes burning with exhilaration.

Deciding not to falter, he activated Tekkai, and on top of that, coated his body with Armament Haki for extra defense.

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The Wolf King barked—a deep, commanding sound. The language was still gibberish to Ash, but the meaning was clear.

With a collective roar, the entire army charged at him in waves.

BOOM!

The battlefield erupted as every warrior rushed at him. Ash too moved towards them facing them head on.

The first wave reached him—swords, axes, spears all swinging toward him from every direction.

Ash met their attack head-on, weaving, parrying, and countering in a relentless storm. He ducked under a blade, spun into a kick, then slashed through three enemies at once with Kashu. Blood sprayed, and bodies turned to dust, but more filled their place.

A shield bashed into his ribs, sending him staggering—only for another warrior to bring down a massive axe toward his head.

CLANG!

Kashu met the strike, sparks flying as Ash twisted his grip, redirecting the axe's momentum into another enemy. He barely had a moment to recover before arrows rained down from above.

"Shit—"

He kicked off the ground, twisting mid-air with Geppo, while snatching a fallen shield to block. THUD! THUD! Arrows embedded into the metal, but one slipped through.

He gritted his teeth as it lodged into his shoulder. Snarling through the pain, he yanked it free—and with a flick of his wrist, stabbed straight into a nearby enemy's eye with roar. Just then a spear lunged for his gut.

He twisted— but not fast enough.

SLASH!

A deep gash cut across his side because his concentration slipped and went through his defence. Pain flared, but he gritted his teeth, retaliating with a whirling slash of Kashu, carving through a dozen foes.

But more replaced them. The battle was a relentless storm, and Ash immediately used Tekkai and covered his body in Armament again.

He didn't hesitate. Soru! His body blurred, vanishing and reappearing behind an archer—using Shigan! His finger pierced through the wolfman's skull like a bullet.

Another warrior lunged—a massive hammer swinging at him.

Ash met him halfway, Kami-e allowing him to flow past the strike like paper in the wind. Before the wolfman could recover, Ash caught his wrist, twisted the weapon out of his hands, and sent it crashing into another enemy's skull and slashed him.

He then flipped backward, using Geppo to launch himself higher.

"Tempest Kick Barrage!"

Dozens of compressed air blades shot down like a storm of destruction, cutting through shields, weapons, and bodies alike.

But the wolfmen also adapted. Their shields interlocked, forming a solid wall.

Ash smirked. Perfect.

He shot forward with Soru, vanishing in a blur. The moment he reappeared; Kashu was already swinging.

A clean horizontal arc— just as the shield were down and weapons they used to defend shattered, blood spraying in the wake of the blade.

He immediately switching back to hand-to-hand combat, slamming his palm into a wolfman's chest before whipping Kashu upward to slice through another's neck.

He grabbed another arrow mid-air and drove it straight through an enemy's chest.

The ground beneath him was soaked in blood, his own included.

Ash fought like a demon—every movement pushing him to his limits, every attack forcing him to adapt, every moment an onslaught. The battlefield was chaos, yet he thrived in it, his instincts sharpening with every clash.

The archers never ceased, their arrows falling like death itself. His Observation Haki burned, guiding his movements, allowing him to evade most, but still not all.

An arrow pierced his shoulder. Another scraped his thigh. A sword gashed across his chest, blood staining his torn clothes. Yet—he did not stop.

Even with every wound, he tried moving his body faster. His footwork became sharper. His reactions quickened. His blade strikes carried more precision. Every attack he received, he learned from, evolving mid-battle.

And then—

BOOM!

With a burst of Soru sent him tearing through the enemy ranks. Kashu flashed. Bodies fell. The once-overwhelming army had thinned, but the battle was far from over.

Above it all, the Wolf King watched, seated upon his throne, a wide, feral grin baring his fangs still not joining the battle.

The enemy's numbers had dwindled to less than 200, yet Ash stood among them, his body covered in blood—both his and his opponents'.

A deep roar tore from his throat.

"ARRRRGH!"

The sheer force of it sent a shiver through the remaining wolfmen. But Ash didn't even pause. His battle-fueled mind gave him no time for rest. With a BOOM, he launched forward once more into the fray, his grin widening as if he were enjoying this.

The fight dragged on; his movements became even ruthless but then Ash shifted his focus. First—the archers. They had been a constant headache, and now, it was their turn to fall.

He threw Kashu into the air, spun, and kicked it mid-flight—sending it tearing through three archers skulls in a single strike. Before their bodies even hit the ground, he vanished with Soru, reappearing just in time to yank Kashu free, blood dripping from the blade.

But these archers weren't defenseless. Even with their bows discarded, they drew daggers, lunging at him with ferocity. Their close combat skills were formidable as their long range, forcing Ash to remain on guard.

And even while dealing with them, the other warriors refused to give him a moment of rest.

Ash could also feel his Haki improving. He gave a chilling scream at them as he pushed further. To take full advantage, he also kept his Conqueror's Haki unleashed, forcing enemies to falter—even for a second. A second was all he needed to exploit their hesitation.

At the same time, he pushed to coat Kashu in Armament Haki, but he wasn't quite there yet. However, his mastery over his body's Armament was improving, the layer of hardened Tekkai beneath it increasing his defense steadily.

Even as his body screamed in exhaustion, even as the blood dripped from his wounds—he kept pushing forward.

Ash stood amidst the aftermath of battle, his body aching, his breath ragged. But his grip on Kashu never wavered. With a final step forward, he twisted his body, shifting his weight into the strike. One clean, decisive slash.

SHING!

The last wolfman froze.

For a moment, it was as if the world itself had paused. No movement, no sound—just an eerie stillness hanging in the air. Then—a thin line of red traced down its body. Its form split apart, severed cleanly from head to toe.

The two halves drifted apart, by the time they hit the ground—there was nothing left. The pieces dissolved into dust, scattering into the air like they had never existed.

Ash remained motionless. His back was now turned to where his final opponent had once stood, his body bathed in the fading embers of battle. Kashu hung loosely at his side, streaked with blood.

A single crimson droplet slid down the blade, clinging to the very tip before dripping onto the ground, lost among the battlefield already painted in red.

His chest rose and fell. Every inch of his body burned. His wounds screamed for rest; his arms heavy from the endless onslaught. And yet—his eyes never dulled.

Ash had to give it to these guys these guys not only strong there are many among them who can use armament and even coated their weapons thereby they could inflict this much damage on him.

And he wasn't finished yet. He turned and lifted his gaze—because one remained.

The Wolf King.

He had watched it all. Never once had he moved, never once had he interfered. He had simply remained on his throne, observing, waiting. And now, as Ash stood before him, bloodied but unbroken, the Wolf King met his gaze.

No words were exchanged. They didn't need them. There was no fear in his eyes. No anger, no hatred.

Only respect.

Ash's presence at this moment—his stance, his battle-worn figure, the way he stood defiant even after an overwhelming fight—any weak-willed soul would have crumbled just looking at him. But the Wolf King?

He smirked.

With a slow, deliberate motion, he rose from his throne.

His massive frame loomed, carrying the weight of absolute power. With a clawed hand, he reached for the longsword beside him, the weapon still embedded deep into the stone floor. With a single, effortless pull—he lifted it.

The sound of steel scraping against stone echoed through the silence.

Then—without warning—

BOOM!

The floor he stood shattered as he jumped.

The Wolf King landed in-front, earth-quaking impact, a crater bursting beneath his feet, cracks splitting on the field. Dust and debris erupted into the air, sweeping around him in a powerful gust.

Ash exhaled, tightening his grip on Kashu. His arms were screaming. His body wanted to collapse. His instincts—his mind—urged him to reach for his inventory, to grab a potion, to restore himself before facing what was undoubtedly the strongest opponent yet.

But he didn't. He wouldn't. This was the world of One Piece. In this world, true strength wasn't granted. It was earned.

If he wanted to break past his limits—if he wanted to stand among the strongest—then he had to face this battle head-on.

The exhaustion in his body was there, but so was the fire in his soul. His lips curled into a grin—one filled with nothing but sheer, thrilling anticipation.

Because he wasn't stopping. Not until the last enemy had fallen.

The dust from the Wolf King's landing hadn't even settled—and he already started moving.

BOOM!

The ground cracked beneath him as he lunged forward, closing the distance in an instant with a feral grin on his face.

Ash barely had time to brace himself. He gritted his teeth, gripping Kashu tightly, bringing it up to defend.

CLANG!

The impact was monstrous. A raw, overwhelming force.

Ash's feet skidded backward—then lost all control.

His body lurched through the air, crashing onto the ground. He rolled—once, twice, thrice—each impact jarring his bones, his muscles screaming in protest.

But he didn't even stop due to force.

With a sharp yell, he slammed Kashu into the ground, the blade dragging deep into the ground. His momentum slowed, but still, he kept sliding—until he gritted his teeth and threw out his free hand.

His palm dug into the dirt, armament coating his skin as he scraped against the ground, forcing himself to a stop.

The moment his body finally halted; his breath came ragged as he stood again. His palm stung. His arm throbbed.

And the Wolf King… was already coming again refusing to give Ash even a second to breathe.

Ash gritted his teeth and surged forward with Soru, meeting him head-on. He focused, whole time recalling Dragon's words—to feel the weapon as an extension of his body, to find the flow.

The whole time while he was fighting the army Ash repeatedly tried coating his Kashu with his Armament.

And for the first time, Ash had fully coated his sword in Armament Haki. And then, in that crucial instant—he did.

CLANG!

The impact sent shockwaves through the battlefield, hurling both fighters backward. Ash's feet skidded across the ground; his grip still tight on Kashu.

For a brief moment, he felt it—true harmony with his sword. Kashu became an extension of him.

But then his control slipped. The coating wavered, then vanished. The moment was gone, but he knew—he had done it.

Before he could dwell on it, the Wolf King roared and lunged at him again, his attacks coming harder, faster. Ash had no time to think.

Ash could do nothing but defend, his movements barely keeping up with the relentless assault. The Wolf King's strikes were relentless, forcing him back step by step, leaving no opening for a counterattack.

Even as he parried and blocked, Ash struggled to focus—to recapture that fleeting sensation from before. The feeling of making Kashu an extension of himself.

Then—he felt it.

With a sudden burst of instinct, Ash lashed out with a powerful kick, catching the Wolf King off guard and creating some distance.

He exhaled sharply; gripping Kashu tighter. And then—the blade once more, fully coated in Armament Haki again still the coating is invisible at this stage.

The Wolf King smirked; his sharp eyes gleaming with something akin to respect after seeing Ash's break through. Not even giving a gap he moved even faster.

Ash's eyes widened as the massive warrior blurred from sight. His Observation Haki flared desperately, struggling to keep up. He barely managed to react in time, forced back into pure defense once more.

For a brief moment, a thought crossed his mind—was the Wolf King pushing him on purpose? Was he forcing Ash to break past his limits?

He shoved the thought aside. Now wasn't the time.

Blow after blow rained down on him, the weight behind them monstrous. Ash gritted his teeth, muscles burning as he blocked with Kashu.

And he realized—if his sword hadn't been fully coated in Armament Haki, it would have shattered by now.

Slowly, Ash began to read the Wolf King's movements, his Observation Haki sharpening with each exchange. What had once been blurs of motion became clearer—each attack, each feint, each shift in stance.

And then—he countered.

Their blades clashed again, but this time, Ash wasn't just defending. His strikes began to flow, slashing and piercing through the openings he could now find his observation guiding him fully at this point.

The battlefield became a whirlwind of steel and speed, the two moved so fast they were nothing but blurs to the untrained eye.

The fight stretched on, feeling like an eternity. Neither backed down. Neither slowed.

And as the battle raged, Ash improved. His movements refined mid-fight, his reactions sharpened, his attacks became deadlier. He didn't care about the pain. He didn't care about the exhaustion gnawing at his body.

He only pushed forward—harder, faster, beyond anything he had ever done before.

The battle dragged on, neither side giving an inch. The air was thick with the scent of blood and sweat, the clash of steel ringing.

Finally, a powerful strike from the Wolf King sent them both flying apart, thrown to the ground. Ash landed hard, his knees buckling as he planted Kashu into the earth to support himself. Blood dripped from his lips as he coughed, the pain searing through his body.

The Wolf King, too, knelt on one knee, his breaths ragged and strained, his own wounds clearly visible. He looked at Ash with a mixture of respect and exhaustion, speaking in his language—a language Ash couldn't fully understand.

But in the Wolf King's actions, Ash somehow understand the meaning: You've reached your limit, warrior. It's over.

Ash gritted his teeth, the words stinging. He refused to accept. With a ferocious growl, he forced himself to his feet, his body trembling with the effort. His Conqueror's Haki erupted once more, unleashed unwillingly as if to defy his own limitations.

"I'm not done yet," Ash snarled, his voice rough but unwavering. "I still have the strength to take you on."

The Wolf King's eyes glinted with newfound respect, his lips curling into a grin. He stood, slowly, lifting his massive longsword with one hand and pointing it at Ash. The air crackled with the intensity of their final moments.

The Wolf King surged forward, closing the distance in an instant. Ash, filled with determination, pushed past the pain and rushed toward him, his own blade raised.

Slowly, the Wolf King began to falter, his attacks growing lighter as Ash relentlessly targeted his vital points. With each strike, Ash pressed his advantage, pushing the Wolf King further toward exhaustion. His attacks began to wear down his opponent.

Ash, now completely immersed in the battle, moved on pure instinct, his body reacting before his mind could even process. His blade never stopped, cutting through the air with deadly intent.

The Wolf King was forced to block, barely managing to keep up with Ash's relentless pace, but each time he did, it became clearer: Ash was gaining the upper hand.

Then, with a final surge of energy, Ash drove his foot with a yell into the Wolf King's stomach, the force of the kick sending the massive warrior flying through the air. The Wolf King crashed hard against the base of the temple, grunting in pain upon impact.

Ash immediately used Soru, rushing toward the fallen Wolf King to build momentum. In a flash, he jumped high into the air, using Geppo to soar perfectly above the crumpled form of his opponent.

As he reached the peak of his jump, he twisted his body, bringing Kashu covered in Armament holding with both hands.

With a second burst of Soru in mid-air downwards, he descended like a falling star. His body spun, creating enormous force with each rotation, building momentum.

The air around him vibrated as the sword gathered power, forming a deadly storm of energy. He came crashing down upon the Wolf King, with a yell:

"Storm Fang: Meteor Strike!"

Ash's attack descended with a full force. The moment the tip of Kashu made contact with the Wolf King's sword, which he had lifted at the last moment to defend, the force was so intense that it shattered the Wolf King's longsword into pieces.

The impact created a shockwave, even sent Ash sprawling across the battlefield.

The Wolf King, still sprawled on the ground, coughed up blood as the crater beneath him expanded.

Ash sprawled on the ground, heaving, his clothes burned from the last move. The Wolf King was in the same condition—exhausted, battered, and barely holding on. For a time, neither of them moved, the battlefield silent but for the sound of their laboured breaths.

Finally, Ash grunted as he pushed himself up, Kashu in hand. He slowly made his way toward the fallen Wolf King, who, noticed his approach, lifted his head. With a grunt of his own, the Wolf King struggled to rise. He leaned heavily against the wall of the temple he had fallen at.

Ash, seeing this, instinctively readied Kashu. The Wolf King raised his hand in surrender, gesturing as if to say he accepts defeat and speaks in his native language.

Even though Ash couldn't understand a word of it, he could somewhat grasp his intention through his gestures. The Wolf King had deemed him worthy of the reward.

Ash, still doubtful, asked, "Really? Just like that?" His tone was filled with exhaustion, the weight of the battle catching up to him.

The Wolf King spoke again, and through his gestures, Ash understood that they were protectors of the fruit, guarding it until a worthy individual came to claim it.

With a grunt, the Wolf King slowly got up, walking toward Ash. He gave a light fist punch to Ash's chest, as if to say he considered him worthy. Then, stepping aside, he gestured with his hand, as if telling Ash to claim his prize.

Ash laughed at this situation, and gives a light fist bump to the Wolf King as if accepting his gesture. "I want to thank you for what you did during our battle," Ash said, his voice filled with gratitude. "I can feel what you were trying to do—helping me push past my limits. I really appreciate it."

The Wolf King simply nodded understanding Ash, a smirk tugging at his lips. Ash returned the gesture, both of them silently acknowledging the respect they now had for one another.

Ash walked up the temple steps with a grunt of pain and exhaustion, each step feeling heavier than the last. He was already beyond his limit, his body screaming for rest. As he reached the top of the temple, he came face to face with the floating devil fruit.

From his vantage point, he looked down one last time at the Wolf King, who stood at the bottom of the temple.

The Wolf King looked up at him, offering a salute with a smile, his fist punching his chest in a final gesture of respect and good bye. And then, just like that, the Wolf King vanished into the dust.

Ash turned to the devil fruit with a smile as the Wolf King vanished. Ash took not of how the fruit looked for the first time so close.

The fruit had a broad, heavy shape, its body segmented like a pomegranate. The skin was a deep, scorched crimson — darkened near the edges like metal tempered in flame. Coiling across its surface were thick, jagged swirl patterns — glowing faintly in molten bronze. These spirals weren't smooth or elegant, but raw and gouged, like scars. From its crown jutted a circle of blunt, blackened spikes — not leaves, looks like remnants of a shattered helm.

It gave off a heat like a forge, and the air around it pulsed with a weight that demanded reverence. It looked more like a molten lava rock which is hardened.

With his last strength, he lifted his hand and reached out to touch the floating fruit.

As soon as he took the fruit, he fell unconscious. Just then, the temple trembled. The ground beneath him cracked, and Ash began to fall, unconscious along with it, the devil fruit still in his hand. The whole area illuminated, a brilliant light radiating from the surrounding trail.

In an instant, everything disappeared. Ash vanished along with the light, leaving only the bright glow covering whole place.

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. 😊