Chapter 2: Awakening in the Pirate’s World

System inner voice ["speaking"]

Ash inner speech "speaking"

A New Beginning

The rhythmic sound of waves greeted Ashen as he drifted into consciousness. Sunlight filtered through the tattered sails above, making him squint. A salty breeze brushed his face, stirring his senses.

Groaning, Ashen struggled to sit up, his body aching with fatigue. The murmurs of nearby voices made him freeze. Slowly, he turned his head to see a group of strangers gathered around him.

"He's awake!" a cheerful voice announced.

Ashen blinked, his heart skipping a beat as he recognized one of the figures—a tall man with a mane of red hair and a familiar straw hat slung over his back.

"Shanks," Ashen muttered, barely audible.

The man crouched down, his grin wide and warm. "That's me! You've got good eyes, kid. Now, mind telling us who you are?"

Scrambling for an answer, Ashen forced a weak smile. "I… I'm Ash," he said finally. "I don't remember much… there was a storm, and then I was in the water."

Shanks studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Another shipwreck survivor, huh? Seems like the Grand Line's been giving people a hard time lately. Well, you're safe now. Rest up."

As the pirate walked away, Ashen's thoughts spiraled. This is real. I'm in One Piece.

Behind Shanks, a smaller voice chimed in. "Daddy, can I keep him?"

Ashen turned to see a young girl peeking out from behind the pirate captain. Her bright Purple eyes and striking red and white hair immediately caught his attention. In her hands, she clutched a guitar, her expression a mix of curiosity and excitement.

"Uta," Shanks said with a chuckle, "He's not a pet, you know. And you've already got me running around keeping you out of trouble."

"But he looks so lost!" Uta pouted, stepping closer. "Besides, I like his vibe. He could be my first fan!"

Ashen's mind raced. Uta… She was the daughter Shanks had adopted, with a voice capable of enchanting entire audiences. To see her here, alive and full of life, was a surreal moment.

"Don't mind her," Shanks said, ruffling Uta's hair affectionately. "She's got a big heart, but an even bigger imagination." He turned back to Ashen. "Come on, let's get you some food. You're safe now."

Bonds Begin

As the Red Force continued its journey, Ashen slowly adjusted to life among the crew. Their laughter, camaraderie, and energy were infectious, but his attention kept drifting to Uta.

She was often strumming her guitar, singing snippets of songs she was composing. Her voice was enchanting, and even the rowdiest crewmates would pause to listen. Ashen couldn't help but admire her enthusiasm and confidence.

"Hey," Uta said one evening, catching him alone by the railing. "So, what's your story, really? You don't look like a regular pirate."

Ashen hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "It's complicated. I'm still figuring it out myself. But… I'm not a pirate. Not yet, anyway."

Uta's eyes lit up. "Good! Pirates can be a bit much. But you seem nice. I think you'd make a good singer!"

Ashen chuckled despite himself. "Me? Sing? Not a chance."

"You don't know until you try!" She grinned mischievously. "Come on, I'll teach you. If you're gonna be on our ship, you've got to learn the anthem!"

He couldn't say no.

The System Activates

That night, Ashen sat on the deck, staring at the ocean and trying to process his new reality. The crew had been kind, and Uta's energy was refreshing, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something big was coming.

As if on cue, the soft voice of the system echoed in his mind:

["Hello, Ashen. I've been waiting for you to wake up!"]

Ashen jolted upright, glancing around. "What? Who's there?"

["It's me, your system! You can call me Celestia. I'm here to guide you in this new world."]

The voice was gentle but filled with warmth, almost reassuring.

"You're the voice from the void," Ashen whispered, his pulse quickening. "What exactly do you do, Celestia?"

["Oh, I do a lot! I track your progress, give you quests, grant rewards, and even chat if you're lonely. But let's not waste time—how about I show you your stats?"]

"Yes," Ashen said quickly.

[Status]

Name: Rafael D. Ash

Level: 1

Strength: 8

Agility: 10

Endurance: 7

Intelligence: 12

Charisma: 11

Luck: 6

Abilities: None (Locked)

Quests:

Befriend Shanks and his crew. (Incomplete)

Reward: Skill Unlock - "Basic Swordsmanship."

Gain Uta's trust. (Incomplete)

Reward: Special Ability - "Voice Resonance."

Inventory: Empty

Ashen stared at the translucent interface, overwhelmed by the amount of information. "So, where do I even begin?"

["Oh, I almost forgot!"] Celestia's voice brightened, brimming with excitement. ["As a new user, you get a beginner's gift pack. It's tradition, you know."]

"A gift pack?" Ashen repeated. "What's in it?"

["Let's find out! Opening beginner's gift pack now!"]

A new screen materialized in front of Ashen, showing the rewards from the gift pack:

[Beginner's Gift Pack Contents]

Skill: Calm Mind – Grants mental clarity and emotional control, even in stressful situations.

Lottery Ticket x1 – Try your luck in the system's lottery!

System Coins: 500 – Currency for the system's store and features.

Store Function Unlocked – Access to items, skills, and upgrades.

Lottery Function Unlocked – Spin for rare items, abilities, or bonuses.

Relationship Meter (Locked) – Tracks the strength and trust level of your relationships.

Ashen blinked at the display. "Calm Mind? That's... useful. What's this lottery thing, though?"

["The lottery is my favorite part!"] Celestia chirped, practically beaming through her voice. ["You can win anything—from common items to legendary treasures. And don't worry, I'll cheer you on!"]

"Sounds like a gacha game," Ashen muttered, his gamer instincts kicking in.

["Exactly! Let me know when you're ready to try it. But first, I recommend you activate Calm Mind. It'll help with... well, everything."]

"Good idea," he said. "Activate Calm Mind."

The system chimed. ["Skill: Calm Mind activated. From now on, your thoughts will remain steady, and your emotions won't cloud your judgment. This will be especially helpful when facing stressful situations!"]

Immediately, Ashen felt a subtle shift in his mind. The constant swirl of anxiety and fear dulled, replaced by a strange but comforting clarity.

"Wow," he murmured. "That's... actually amazing."

["Told you!"] Celestia said, her tone smug. ["Now, how about that lottery spin?"]

"Alright, let's do it," Ashen said, curiosity getting the better of him.

The First Spin

A colorful wheel appeared before him, filled with icons ranging from weapons and potions to mysterious question marks.

["Here we go! Spin the wheel!"]

Ashen hesitated, then reached out to touch the wheel. It spun rapidly, the icons blurring together. Celestia hummed a tune in the background, clearly enjoying herself.

A vibrant wheel appeared, its icons spinning in a blur. Ashen touched it, and the wheel spun rapidly. Celestia hummed a cheerful tune as it slowed, finally stopping on a glowing icon marked "Perfect Recollection."

[Congratulations! You've won: Perfect Recollection.]

"Perfect Recollection?" Ashen asked, his heart racing.

["It allows you to recall every moment from your past life with perfect clarity. Every memory, every lesson—it's all available to you instantly."]

Ashen took a deep breath and nodded. "Activate it."

A World of Memories

A sudden rush of information overwhelmed him—every moment of his previous life, every detail of the world he had left behind. Faces, places, and feelings flooded his mind with startling clarity. Among them, one face stood out vividly—the face of Daphne. The girl he had loved, the one he was supposed to protect, the one whose memory lingered most strongly in his heart.

The recollection of her warm smile, the way she had looked at him with such trust, and the promise he had made to always be by her side, no matter what… it brought a pang to his chest. His heart ached, and his mind struggled to hold onto that fleeting memory, fearing the uncertainty of his new life.

Her voice echoed faintly in his mind, as if from a distance: "I'm sorry, Ashen. I couldn't save you. I didn't even get to tell you that I loved you…"

His breath hitched. Daphne had been the last person to speak at his grave, her words filled with pain and love. "I'll carry our memories with me, Ashen. I'll make sure they're never forgotten. You were my hero, and I'll always love you." The weight of her words settled on his chest like a heavy stone.

His heart stuttered in his chest, a wave of raw grief crashing over him. Hearing Daphne's voice, faint but so unmistakably hers, felt like a jagged shard being driven into his soul. He clenched his fists tightly, as if he could hold onto the memory of her words, but the pain was unbearable. "I'll carry our memories with me," she'd said, and in that moment, Ashen realized that no matter how far he went, her absence would always haunt him like a ghost.

There was more. The little girl—the one he had saved from the wreckage. He remembered her face too, her innocent smile, the way she had looked at him as if he were her protector. His instincts had guided him to her in that chaotic moment, and he had sworn to keep her safe.

His thoughts became a whirlwind of emotions—his old life and this new world blurring together.

When the flood of memories finally subsided, Ashen staggered, gripping the railing for support. "This… this is incredible," he muttered, his breath shaky.

["Told you!"] Celestia's voice chirped, smug and playful. ["Now, you've got a solid foundation. You're off to a great start!"]

Ashen closed his eyes, feeling the weight of the past press on him. His thoughts turned to Daphne and the little girl. He couldn't afford to lose track of them—not now.

"Celestia," he said, his voice low but firm. "I need to know. Is Daphne safe? And the little girl I saved from the wreck—are they alright?"

["Rest easy, Ashen,"] Celestia's voice reassured him, warm and gentle. ["Daphne is safe, and she is carrying on in her own way, just as you would want. I've ensured that she has the strength to keep going. As for the little girl, her life is safe. You saved her, and she's in good hands now. You did what you could for her, and that matters."]

Ashen let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. The relief was palpable, but there was still an underlying weight. He could never stop worrying about them, especially not when he wasn't sure what dangers this world held.

"Thank you," he whispered, almost to himself.

["You're welcome,"] Celestia's voice came softly, almost like a quiet chuckle. ["Now, remember, your journey here isn't just about the past. It's about the future. You're not alone in this world, Ashen. But if you ever need reminders, just ask. I'll be here."]

Ashen nodded, a quiet resolve settling over him. He had a mission now, not just for himself, but for those he had left behind.

To be continued...

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