Chapter 1: A Hero's Final Moment

The bustling streets of the city were alive with the hum of cars and the chatter of pedestrians. It was a sunny afternoon, and Ashen stood nervously in the park, holding a small box in his hands. Inside lay a simple yet elegant ring. His heart raced as he rehearsed his lines in his head.

"You can do this, man. You've watched a million romantic anime. Just be cool," he thought, wiping his sweaty palms on his jeans.

In front of him stood Daphne, the love of his life since high school. Her smile could melt glaciers, and her laughter was his favorite sound in the world.

"Daphne," he began, his voice trembling slightly. She tilted her head curiously, her soft hair swaying in the breeze. "I… I've been in love with you for as long as I can remember. Will you…"

He dropped to one knee, presenting the ring. "Will you go out with me?"

Her eyes widened in shock, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze. But before she could answer, a loud honk shattered the tranquility.

"LOOK OUT!" someone screamed.

Ashen turned his head sharply to see a truck barreling down the street, out of control. People screamed and scattered, but one little girl stood frozen in its path, clutching a balloon, tears streaming down her face.

Instinct took over. Without a second thought, he bolted toward the girl, his legs pumping like pistons. "Daphne, wait here!" he yelled, handing the ring box to Daphne as he sprinted.

The truck's horn blared louder as it closed in, but Ashen didn't slow down. He reached the girl just in time, scooping her up and tossing her to safety.

"Run!" he shouted as the girl scrambled to her feet, her balloon floating away.

He had no time to move. The truck slammed into him with a deafening crash, and the world around him turned white.

The Void

When Ashen opened his eyes, he found himself floating in an endless void. There was no ground, no sky—just an infinite expanse of white.

"Where… am I?" he muttered, clutching his chest. There was no pain, no blood. He felt… weightless.

A soft, mechanical female voice echoed around him:

["Congratulations, Ashen. Your actions have earned you a second chance at life."]

He spun around, but there was no one there. "What? Who's there? Second chance?"

["You displayed selflessness and courage, qualities fitting for a hero. As a reward, you will be reincarnated into a world where adventure, danger, and opportunity await."]

"Reincarnated?" His mind raced. "Wait… what kind of world are we talking about? And what's this voice in my head?"

["You have been chosen to receive the System, a unique tool that will guide your journey and help you grow stronger. Your destination… is the world of One Piece."]

His heart skipped a beat. "No way… One Piece? Like the manga? The anime?"

["Correct. Prepare yourself. Integration will begin upon arrival. Good luck, Ashen."]

The voice faded, and the void around him began to collapse. He felt himself being pulled through space, his body twisting and turning as light and shadow engulfed him.

The Choice

Before the darkness consumed him entirely, the voice returned. ["Ashen, before you go… you must choose a name. Your identity will shape the path you take."]

Ashen blinked, confused. "A name? I've already got one, don't I?"

The voice was patient. ["In this new world, your name will carry weight. Choose wisely. Your journey will be influenced by this choice. You may take the name of a hero, or you may create your own destiny."]

Ashen thought for a moment, the weight of the decision sinking in. He could choose something powerful, something fitting for a hero. But what name would reflect the man he wanted to become?

His mind raced through options, but one name stood out. A name that would carry his past, his regrets, and his desires for a new beginning.

"Rafael… D. Ash," he muttered to himself. "Rafael, because it sounds strong… and it's a name that represents redemption. I've always wanted to be someone who could protect others. I want to live up to that name. And Ash… Ash is the part of me that will never change."

The voice sounded approving. ["Rafael D. Ash. A fine choice. Prepare yourself for the world of One Piece."]

A New Beginning

The sound of crashing waves jolted him awake. He groaned, blinking against the blinding sunlight. His body felt sore, his clothes damp. He was lying on a wooden plank, surrounded by debris.

"Where… am I now?" he muttered, sitting up slowly.

The ocean stretched endlessly in all directions, and the wreckage of a small ship floated around him. In the distance, he could make out a larger vessel approaching—a red-haired crew standing on its deck.

"Hey! There's someone alive out there!" a cheerful voice called.

Rafael squinted as the ship drew closer. A man with a straw hat and a red cloak stood at the helm, grinning.

"Shanks…?" he whispered in disbelief before darkness claimed him once more.

To Be Continued…

Daphne's Perspective:

The cemetery was quiet, save for the soft rustling of leaves in the wind. Daphne stood before Ashen's grave, clutching the ring box he had given her that fateful day. The weight of it in her hands felt like an anchor, pulling her into the past, into the moment she could never undo.

"I should have said it sooner," she whispered, her voice trembling with grief. "I should have been braver. I should have told you how I felt."

She sank to her knees, the tears falling freely now. The sun was setting in the distance, casting a golden glow over the gravestones. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt so empty, so lost.

"I never told you…" she began again, voice breaking. "I never told you that I loved you, Ashen. I never told you how much you meant to me. I should have said it when you were still here."

The ring box sat in her lap, its delicate contents a painful reminder of the life they would never have. The proposal he had planned, the future that would never be.

"I'm sorry... I was too afraid to admit it. I thought there'd be time."

She pressed the ring to her chest, as if hoping the gesture would reach him wherever he was, if he could hear her, if he knew.

"I'll carry you with me, Ashen. You may be gone, but I'll never forget you. You'll always be a part of me."

With one last lingering look at his grave, she stood up slowly, her heart heavy but resolute. The wind whispered through the trees as she turned and walked away, the ring clenched tightly in her hand—a symbol of the love she had never spoken aloud, but would always carry in her heart.

To Be Continued…