Chapter 5: Rebirth of the Sun's Vessel

[Note:

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

> System inner voice ["speaking"] <

> Ash inner speech "speaking" <

Foosha/Windmill Village – Makino's Party Bar

The bar was alive with laughter and chatter as Shanks and his crew revealed in their usual high spirits. Lucy sat at one of the tables, her tiny legs dangling as she nursed a tall glass of juice. Uta was beside her, her eyes sparkling as she hummed a melody in sync with the rowdy pirate tunes echoing in the bar.

"Let me join your crew!" Lucy shouted again, puffing out his chest with childlike bravado.

Shanks grinned, ruffling her hair. "You? A pirate? You're too young, Lucy! Maybe in ten years."

The room erupted in laughter, but Lucy pouted, "You'll see," Lucy declared, puffing out her chest. "One day, I'm going to be a great pirate—than you, Shanks!"

Shanks grinned at her, raising an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? Pirates don't drink juice, you know. You sure you're ready for the sea, Lucy?"

"You're so mean! Shanks!" Lucy retorted shark tooted, clutching her glass defensively. "I'll be the best one, and you'll regret laughing at me!"

Uta giggled beside her. "You've got to admit, Lucy, juice isn't exactly pirate material."

"I'll prove you wrong!" Lucy huffed, determined.

The door swung open, and a group of rough-looking men strode in. It was Higuma, the mountain bandit, and his crew. The bar fell silent as Higuma approached the counter, slamming his hand down the table in front of Makino.

"We've come for some drinks, barmaid. Give us sake—now," Higuma demanded.

Makino stepped forward; her voice polite but firm. "I'm sorry, sir, but we've run out. These men bought the last of it."

Higuma's eyes narrowed as he turned to Shanks. "So, you're the so-called pirates causing a ruckus here. Must be nice, having all this booze while men like me go thirsty."

Higuma's eyes narrowed as he turned to Shanks and his crew, who were still laughing over a joke. "You drank it all, huh? Do you know who I am?" he sneered, holding up a bounty poster. "I'm Higuma, the mountain bandit. I have an 8,000,000 bounty on my head. A big deal in these parts."

Shanks chuckled, reaching for a sake bottle on the counter. "Well, that's unfortunate. We really enjoyed the last of the sake." He held the bottle out to Higuma. "But here, you can have this. It's still clean."

Higuma snatched the bottle from Shanks' hand, examining it with a sneer. "This is all you've got to offer? Cheap swill?" Without warning, he smashed the bottle over Shanks' head, causing glass and liquid to spray everywhere.

Uta gasped, gripping Lucy's arm as the bar went still.

Glass and sake sprayed everywhere, but Shanks didn't flinch. He simply sat there, soaked, with an easy-going smile. Shanks merely chuckled, shaking the alcohol from his hair. "No need for that. There's plenty of booze to go around."

The rest of the bar watched in shock. Lucy jumped to her feet, but Uta held her arm, silently urging her to wait. Shanks waved his hand dismissively at the crew, signaling them to stay calm.

The bandit's face twisted with contempt. "Spineless. What kind of pirate are you? You're not worth my time." He turned on his heel, motioning for his men to follow.

Once the bandits were gone, Makino rushed over, worried. "Are you okay, Shanks?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Shanks replied, laughing as he cleaned himself off. "No need to make a fuss over spilled sake."

But Lucy was furious. "Why didn't you fight back?!" she shouted. "They humiliated you!"

Shanks turned to her; his tone gentle. "It's just a bottle of sake, Lucy. No need to risk anyone's life over that."

Lucy's face turned red with frustration. "You're supposed to be pirates! How can you let someone walk all over you like that?"

Shanks' smile softened. "Being a pirate isn't about fighting every battle, Lucy. It's about knowing which battles are worth fighting."

Still fuming, Lucy stormed toward the bar counter. Uta followed to calm her down, but lucy's attention shifted to a strange wooden chest sitting open nearby. Inside was a peculiar purple fruit with swirling patterns etched into its surface.

Driven by anger and curiosity, she grabbed it and took a bite.

It was the worst thing she'd ever tasted.

"Blegh!" Lucy spat. "This thing is disgusting! What kind of fruit is this?"

The entire bar froze as Shanks turned to look at her, his eyes wide in shock. "Lucy… Do you know what you just ate?"

Lucy looked at him, confused. "That weird fruit. Why?"

Shanks bolted to her side, grabbing her shoulders. "You ate the Devil Fruit! The Gomu Gomu no Mi! Do you have any idea what you've done?"

"Devil Fruit?" Lucy asked, tilting her head.

At that moment, the door creaked open, and Ash stepped inside. "What's going on here?" he asked, noticing the tense atmosphere.

Shanks turned to Ash, his usual humor returning. He pointed a finger at Lucy and said with mock solemnity, "This genius just ate a Devil Fruit. Now she's made of rubber and can never swim again."

Ash's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, what?! Lucy, you—"

Shanks explained, his voice serious for the first time. "A Devil Fruit gives you incredible powers—but in exchange, you'll never be able to swim again. You'll sink like a stone in water."

Lucy's eyes widened, realization dawning on her. "Never swim again?" she whispered. Swimming was one of her favorite things to do in the village.

Suddenly, her body began to stretch unnaturally. Her arm extended as she tried to grab her cup of juice, causing it to knock over. She yelped, waving her elastic arm around in a panic.

Makino gasped. "She's stretching like rubber!"

Shanks sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "That's the power of the Gomu Gomu no Mi… Her body is now made of rubber."

Ash immediately noticed Lucy's panicked state as she tugged at her stretchy arms, her confusion evident. He stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Lucy, it's okay," he said with a reassuring smile. "We'll figure this out together."

Lucy looked up at Ash, her eyes glistening with uncertainty. "But I can't swim anymore... How am I supposed to be a pirate?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Ash crouched slightly to meet her gaze. "You don't have to do this alone. I'm here to help, and we'll work on how to use your powers. It might feel strange now, but it'll get better. You're still you, Lucy."

Uta chimed in from beside them, her usual confidence shining through. "Ash is right, Lucy. This doesn't change who you are—it just means you have something new to master. And guess what? I'll be here to cheer you on and help too."

Lucy wiped her eyes and managed a small smile. "You guys really think I can handle this?"

"Absolutely," Shanks interjected, walking over with a warm grin. "It's a big adjustment, but with their support—and mine—you'll get the hang of it in no time. Besides, having Devil Fruit powers makes you unique. You've got something special now."

Lucy nodded slowly, the fear in her eyes replaced with a flicker of determination. "Alright... I'll try my best."

Ash gave her a thumbs-up. "That's the spirit!" Meanwhile, Uta wrapped an arm around Lucy, pulling her into a gentle side hug. Together, their united support made Lucy feel she could take on any challenge.

Ash uses Observe on lucy to see the new stats as she ate the devil fruit and wants to check if there is any change in her stats.

Name: Monkey D. Lucy

Age: 7

Level: 7

Title: Avatar of the Sun's Flame

Status Effects: None

Stats:

Strength: 30 -> 42

Agility: 29 -> 40

Endurance: 34 -> 50

Intelligence: 15 -> 17

Charisma: 24 -> 30

Luck: 9 -> 12 

Skills/Abilities:

- "D" Willpower: [Passive](Unlocked)

- Fighting Spirit: Level 12 (Rare; Beginner) *

- Hand-to-Hand Combat Basics: Level 14 (Rare; Beginner) *

- Unorthodox Movement: Level 1 (Uncommon; Novice) *

- Combat Reflexes: Level 1 (Uncommon; Novice) *

- Basic Grappling Techniques: Level 1 (Common; Novice) *

Devil Fruit: Hito Hito no Mi (Human – Human Fruit) Model: Nika (Mythical – Zoan) – Early Stage

Affiliation: None (Pirate Aspirant)

Equipment: Soul Bind Bracelet

After seeing Lucy's stats are updated ash is not surprised but, Ash notices her title has changed to "Avatar of the Sun's Flame." He is slightly surprised but quickly understands the reference, drawing on his knowledge as a Reincarnator.

The title likely refers to a powerful or divine connection with the sun, aligning with her new abilities and role in the story. It could hint at a deeper, symbolic or literal connection to the Sun God Nika, adding an extra layer of significance to her transformation.

Over the next few days, Lucy, with Ash, Uta, and Shanks by her side, gradually adjusts to the power from her Devil Fruit. Each of them offers their own perspective, helping her better understand the extent of her abilities. Through their guidance, Lucy learns to control her newfound strength, starting to feel more at ease with her new powers.

The Village Square Confrontation

The bustle of the village square was interrupted as Higuma, the leader of the mountain bandits, marched in with his gang. The villagers parted nervously, whispering to one another about his violent reputation.

At the center of the square, Lucy seeing them return back to village after their last confrontation couple of days back at Makino's bar, stands with her fiery determination, stood alone, glaring up at Higuma. Her small fists were clenched as she shouted, "Apologize for what you said about Shanks!"

Higuma smirked and crossed his arms. "Oh? That cowardly pirate who drinks and laughs while hiding in the corner? Why should I apologize for telling the truth?"

Lucy's voice rose, shaking with fury. "Shanks isn't a coward! Take it back!"

The villagers gasped as Higuma raised his hand, striking Lucy hard enough to send her sprawling into the dirt. "Brat. You should know your place."

From the edge of the square, Ash had been watching. His sharp eyes tracked every movement, his hands twitching toward the hilts of his daggers. But before he could act, Shanks' familiar laugh cut through the tense silence.

The Red-Hair Pirates entered the square, their captain leading the way. Shanks' usual carefree smile was in place, but his eyes held a dangerous glint. He bent down, helping Lucy to her feet. "Hey Lucy you, okay?" he asked, brushing the dirt off her shoulder.

Lucy looked up at him, tears welling in her eyes. "Shanks, you shouldn't have come! They're calling you a coward!"

Shanks chuckled, ruffling her hair. "It's just words. No need to get worked up over something so small."

"Small?" Higuma's voice boomed as he stepped closer. He waved his wanted poster mockingly. "Do you even know who I am, pirate? I'm Higuma the Bear! I've got an 8-million-Bailey bounty on my head. My name rings fear in this region. But you? You're just some nobody with no bounty."

He sneered. "So, tell me, what's a washed-up pirate like you going to do about it?"

Shanks smiled, unfazed. "You can spill drinks on me, insult me... I'll laugh it off every time. But if you hurt my friends..." His tone grew cold, the shift making everyone present tense up. "...there won't be a next time."

The villagers fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in. One of Higuma's lackeys, emboldened, stepped forward and pulled out a pistol, aiming it at Shanks.

Shanks turned to the man, his gaze sharp and piercing. His calm voice carried over the square:

"Pistols aren't for threats. They're for actions. If you're going to point it at someone, you better be prepared to use it—and risk your life in the process."

The bandit's hand shook, and before he could react, Benn Beckman's cigarette flared as he stepped forward. With a swift motion, Beckman disarmed the man, the pistol clattering to the ground.

"Captain," Beckman said, his voice even, "these fools aren't worth dirtying your hands over."

Shanks smiled again. "Maybe, but they hurt Lucy."

The Red-Hair Pirates moved as one, swiftly taking down the bandits with practiced ease. Higuma, seeing his gang overwhelmed, grabbed Lucy as a hostage, pressing the blade of his sword against her neck. The villagers gasped in horror as he began retreating towards the forest.

Ash, who saw this immediately disarms and knocks his opponent, stepped forward. His voice was sharp and calm, yet filled with menace. "Higuma. If you value your life, let her go."

Higuma sneered, dragging Lucy closer. "Stay back, or I'll kill her!"

Ash's sharp eyes narrowed, and his hand hovered over the hilt of his dagger. He glanced at Shanks, who nodded subtly. Without a word, Ash broke into a run, following Higuma into the forest. The villagers stood in stunned silence as Shanks gestured for the rest of his crew to stay put. "Leave this to us," he said before following Ash.

The Shoreline Showdown

Higuma burst out of the forest, dragging Lucy toward the shoreline. His breathing was ragged, his desperation mounting. "Stay back!" he shouted, brandishing his sword as Ash and Shanks emerged from the trees behind him.

Ash stepped forward first, his tone calm but deadly. "It's over, Higuma. You've nowhere left to run."

"Shut up! I'll kill her!" Higuma screamed, pressing the blade tighter against Lucy's neck. The young girl winced but kept her eyes fixed on Shanks.

Shanks, his voice calm and composed, took a step forward. "Higuma, let her go. This fight isn't worth your life."

Ash, flanking Shanks, moved slightly to the side, his hands ready to draw his weapons. "You don't stand a chance, Higuma. Release her, or I'll make sure you regret it."

Higuma laughed nervously, trying to keep control of the situation. "You think I'm scared of you? I'm not some lowly pirate—"

Before he could finish, the water behind him rippled, the sound of waves growing louder. The massive form of a Sea King surged from the depths, its gaping maw opening wide.

Lucy screamed, and Higuma froze, his grip faltering. Ash, seizing the opportunity, dashed forward, using his dagger to disarm Higuma. In the same motion, Shanks rushed in and pulled Lucy away from the bandit's grasp, shielding her with his body.

The Sea King lunged, and in one swift motion, Shanks pushed Lucy toward Ash. "Take her and go!"

Ash hesitated for only a moment before nodding. He grabbed Lucy and retreated to the safety of the treeline. They turned just in time to see the Sea King clamp its jaws down, tearing Shanks' arm away.

The massive creature paused, Shanks' Haki radiating with an intensity that froze the Sea King in place. The creature, overwhelmed by his presence, recoiled and disappeared into the depths.

Shanks stood on the shoreline, blood dripping onto the sand, his one remaining hand resting on his knee. He turned back toward Ash and Lucy, his usual grin returning. "It's just an arm. You're safe. That's what matters."

Capturing Higuma

As Higuma tried to scramble back into the forest to escape, Ash moved quickly. He caught up to the bandit and delivered a swift strike with the blunt side of his dagger, disarming and incapacitating him. The bandit collapsed, groaning in pain as Ash tied his hands behind his back with a length of rope he carried.

"You're not going anywhere," Ash said coldly, his grip firm on the rope. He glanced back at Shanks and Lucy, ensuring they were unharmed.

Shanks walked over; one hand pressed to the stump of his arm to slow the bleeding. Despite the obvious pain, his smile never wavered. "Good work, Ash. Let's take him back to the village."

Lucy looked up at Shanks, her voice trembling. "Shanks... your arm..."

Shanks ruffled her hair with his remaining hand. "It's nothing, Lucy. You're safe, and that's what matters."

Returning to the Village

The group returned to the village square, where the Red-Hair Pirates had already subdued Higuma's crew. The bandits were tied up and guarded by the pirates, who greeted Shanks with a mix of relief and concern.

Benn Beckman, noticing Shanks' injury, frowned. "What happened, Captain?"

Shanks chuckled, waving his remaining hand dismissively. "Just a Sea King, that's all. It got hungry, so I gave it a snack."

The crew laughed, though it was tinged with worry. Lucky Roux patted Shanks on the back. "That's why you should let us do the fighting. You're not supposed to lose bits of yourself, you know."

Shanks grinned. "Well, I figured I had one arm to spare."

The villagers gathered around, murmuring in shock at the sight of Shanks' injury. The village doctor hurried over, guiding Shanks to sit on a crate so he could tend to the wound. The pirates remained true to their nature, joking and laughing even as the doctor worked.

Yasopp grinned, lighting his pipe. "Guess you're gonna have to work twice as hard to swing that sword now, Captain."

Shanks laughed heartily. "Or maybe I'll just use it as an excuse to be lazier."

Makino approached with wide eyes, her hand over her mouth. "Shanks, are you okay? What happened?"

Shanks gave her a brief rundown, explaining how the Sea King attacked and how he lost his arm protecting Lucy. Makino's face softened as she turned to Lucy, who was trembling beside Uta.

Comfort and Reassurance

Makino knelt and pulled Lucy into a gentle hug. "It's okay, Lucy. You're safe now. Shanks did what he did because he cares about you."

Lucy burst into tears, burying her face in Makino's shoulder. "It's my fault! Shanks lost his arm because of me!"

Shanks, overhearing her, waved a hand. "Hey, now. Don't go blaming yourself for something I chose to do. My arm's a small price to pay to keep you safe, Lucy."

Uta joined them, wrapping an arm around Lucy as well. "Shanks is right. You're family to us, Lucy. We'll always protect you."

Ash stood nearby; his arms crossed as he watched the scene. "Shanks is reckless, but he's got a point. You don't need to carry this burden, Lucy. We're here for you."

Lucy looked up at them, her tears slowly stopping as she nodded. "Thank you, all of you..."

Makino smiled and stroked Lucy's hair. "You're strong, Lucy. And you're not alone."

The crew's light-hearted banter continued as the doctor finished bandaging Shanks' arm. The atmosphere, though tinged with sadness, was filled with warmth and camaraderie, showing the bond that tied everyone together.

Ash's Request

Ash stood with his back to the group, deep in thought. He had been eyeing the captured bandits. His gaze shifted toward the village's mayor, Woop Slap, who was nervously observing the situation, trying to make sense of the recent events.

"Hey, Mayor Woop Slap," Ash began, walking up to the mayor, "is there a nearby Marine branch around here?"

The villagers looked at Ash curiously. Shanks and the crew, overhearing the question, exchanged glances before Shanks chuckled and asked, "What's this about, Ash? You looking to cause more trouble?"

Ash turned back toward Shanks, a serious look on his face. "Not exactly. I want to collect the bounty on these bandits—Higuma and his gang. If you don't mind, of course."

Shanks laughed heartily, the sound echoing across the village. "You're a man of business, huh? Sure, go ahead, take the bounty. It's all yours."

Ash nodded, appreciating the freedom to act. He turned back to Woop Slap, waiting for his response.

Woop Slap, still a little stunned by the recent chaos, scratched the back of his head. "Uh, well, there's a Marine branch a bit to the east, but I don't know if it's open or if anyone's even there right now. It's a small post... but I think it's the closest one."

Ash raised an eyebrow, the wheels turning in his mind. "How far is it?"

Woop Slap scratched his chin thoughtfully. "It'll take a few hours to get there. Maybe four, five hours if you hurry. But you might be able to make it by tonight if you leave soon."

Ash glanced back at Shanks and the crew. "Alright then, I'll go. I want to be back by nightfall. Can anyone help me get there quickly?"

The crew exchanged looks, and Benn Beckman spoke up. "If you're serious about going, I can help you with directions and make sure you stay on track. But we're not coming along. We've got our own things to tend to."

Ash nodded in agreement. "That works. I'll get there, collect the bounty, and be back before dark."

Woop Slap then offered his help. "I know a guy who lives nearby, a former Marine. He could guide you. He's a bit of an oddball, but he knows the area well."

Ash's eyes sharpened. "Sounds perfect. Lead the way."

The group quickly gathered their things, Ash preparing to leave with Woop Slap's guide. Shanks gave him a wave as he set off. "Good luck, Ash. And don't forget to come back in one piece!"

With that, Ash and Woop Slap's guide began their journey toward the Marine post, determined to complete the task quickly and return before nightfall.

At the Marine Base

Ash arrived at the small Marine base on the east side of the island, having followed Woop Slap's guide. The base was modest, but well-maintained. A few Marines were milling about, seemingly on routine patrol. As Ash approached the gate, one of the guards raised an eyebrow, clearly noticing him.

"Hey, who are you?" one of the Marines asked, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "What brings you to our base?"

Ash smiled and nodded, setting the captured bandits down on the ground in front of the Marines. "I've brought you some bandits. These guys were causing trouble in the village not far from here. Thought I'd help the locals out and bring them to you."

The Marines exchanged looks, clearly unsure of the situation. "You've got the bandits, sure. But how did you capture them? And who are you exactly?" the lead Marine asked, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

Ash glanced around, taking in the surroundings before offering a casual shrug. "We defended ourselves. The villagers have been getting stronger lately. They put up quite a fight against these guys. They were planning to rob the place, but we didn't let them get away with it."

The Marine officer nodded slowly, buying the story. "Alright, we'll take them from here. But you'll have to answer a few more questions. Any other involvement with these bandits, or were you just passing through?"

Ash kept his tone steady, maintaining the façade. "Just passing through, like I said. I've got no business with them beyond giving them to you. I don't even know who they are."

The officer studied him for a moment before nodding. "Fine. We'll take your statement and process them. Don't leave the area just yet."

Ash stood by patiently as the Marines took the bandits into custody and began their usual paperwork. After a short wait, the Marine officer returned, pulling out a bag of berries. "Here's your bounty," he said, handing it over. "For bringing in the criminals. Thanks for your help, civilian."

Ash accepted the bag without hesitation, bowing his head slightly in thanks. "I appreciate it." He glanced back at the base's entrance, ready to head back to the village. "I'll be on my way now. Don't need to stick around any longer."

The officer gave a short nod. "Safe travels. If you're ever in the area again, feel free to stop by."

With the bounty secured, Ash turned and made his way back to the village, eager to return before nightfall.

As Ash made his way back to the village, the sounds of laughter and music filled the air. Bright lanterns hung from the trees, and people danced in the streets. It was a celebration, and it was clear that the villagers were in high spirits. Ash couldn't help but smile, realizing that the party was likely being thrown because of Shanks and his crew. As was typical with Shanks, any small victory or reason to celebrate turned into a grand party.

As Ash approached the crowd, his return didn't go unnoticed. The villagers cheered, their excitement bubbling over as they saw him walking into the village. Some called out eagerly, others waved their hands in anticipation, asking, "How much bounty did you get?"

Ash grinned, feeling the weight of the bag of berries still at his side. "12.5 million Belis," he replied, his tone light but with a hint of pride.

At the sound of the large sum, Uta and Lucy turned toward him, their eyes widening in surprise. "12.5 million?" Lucy echoed, blinking in disbelief.

Lucy's gaze then shifted downward, a mischievous smile spreading across her face as she started to think of her favorite things. "With that much, I could buy enough meat to last us for days!" she exclaimed, excitement sparking in her voice.

Ash couldn't help but laugh at her reaction, the sound echoing across the village. It was a classic Lucy response. Despite everything that had happened, despite the difficult day, her love for meat never wavered. She had started to accept the support and care from the crew, even if the memories of that day had started to fade with the joy of the present.

"Maybe we should stock up on some special treats, huh?" Ash teased, his smile widening as he watched Lucy already dreaming of her next feast.

Uta giggled softly, looking at Ash with a knowing smile. "Looks like we're going to need a bigger storehouse."

The sound of laughter filled the air as the party around them continued, and Ash couldn't help but feel a warmth in his chest. It was moments like this—simple, carefree, and full of joy—that reminded him why he kept going, why he continued to fight and their future.

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. 😊