章 19: Store and Dragon's Wrath

( Vanze POV )

After dinner, the girls took charge of helping Yamato settle into one of the guest rooms. Robin led the way, while Hancock stayed close in the living room, assisting where needed. Meanwhile, Azel and I exchanged a brief look before heading back to our nearby rooms.

Once inside my room, I could finally breathe. I closed the door behind me, feeling the weight of exhaustion pressing down on my shoulders. But there was something more pressing on my mind. The reward. The system had promised something interesting, and I was eager to see what it had in store.

"Hehe, alright, Seele. Let's see what we've got," I muttered under my breath, excitement bubbling up despite my fatigue.

[ Alright, I'll show you the Store and I'll explain it, so don't interrupt me. ]

The holographic interface materialized before my eyes, shimmering in the dim light of my room. I stared in awe as rows of items and skills appeared, each one categorized by color—white, blue, red, purple, and gold. The vibrant hues illuminated the space around me like a kaleidoscope of endless possibilities.

[ Store:

White:

An ordinary sword *10 ¢

How to flirt for a beginner book *50 ¢

1kg sea king meat *100 ¢

Ichigo hollow mask *100 ¢

A remote control BIM *1000 ¢

Satou Kazuma steal skill *5000 ¢

..... (More+)

Blue:

Breathing technique book *10,000 ¢

A blue ticket *20,000 ¢

A power card *20,000 ¢

A random summoning crystal *30,000 ¢

Iron man suit mark III *50,000 ¢

Flying thunder god jutsu Minato ver *100,000 ¢

..... (More+)

Red:

A red ticket *200,000 ¢

A power card *200,000 ¢

A random summoning crystal *300,000 ¢

Astral Express *800,000 ¢

DenLiner *1,000,000 ¢

An unawakened zanpakutō *2,000,000 ¢

..... (More+)

Purple:

A purple ticket *10,000,000 ¢

A power card *10,000,000 ¢

A random summoning crystal *20,000,000 ¢

Ryujin Jakka *30,000,000 ¢

Ōtsutsuki bloodline *50,000,000 ¢

..... (More+)

Gold:

A gold ticket *100,000,000 ¢

A power card *100,000,000 ¢

A random summoning crystal *200,000,000 ¢

Mystic eyes of death perception *1,000,000,000 ¢

..... (More+)

¢ coins: 50,000 ¢ ]

[ As you can see, the store rarity is still divided into the same colors as the gacha but without the black one. ¢ coins can be obtained from missions, and you can buy gacha tickets here or sell them for more ¢ coins. You can also sell the trash collected from the random gacha, but don't expect to get rich from it.

Now let's talk about power card, it is an item capable to enhance your skill limit. For example, you can use it on Robin devil fruit to cleanse the curse in it while also make the limitation for the fruit to go even higher. Just imagine if Robin devil fruit capable of making a wooden golem like Hashirama, but remember, the card is not an instant power up. Also, you can't use the blue power card to enhance the skill from a red section, so you need to buy it from the red one.

Lastly, it is a summoning crystal. Just thinking it is the same as FGO summoning servant but the different is you can randomly summon everything from other multiverses. Their loyalty is not guaranteed though so you need to work hard for it, but at least they will not kill you the moment they are summon. Oh, and the 50.000 ¢ you got is a gift for opening the store. ]

.....

I blinked at the screen, trying to process everything. My head felt a bit heavy from the sheer number of options, especially as the prices climbed into the gold section. It was painful to even look at those numbers. How the hell was I supposed to afford something like Shiki's Mystic Eyes?

'Sigh… well, let's sell off the trash in my inventory first, Seele. No point in keeping the useless stuff.'

I scrolled through my items, most of which had just been collecting dust. I decided to hold on to the cool things like an MP3 player and Vegito's outfit, I mean, come on, who wouldn't? The rest of the random junk? Gone.

[ Ding!

You've got 94.900 ¢ for all of the item you sell. Your total coins is 144.900 ¢ now. ]

"Not bad," I muttered, feeling a bit better about my financial situation. Still, the best part was yet to come.

'Seele, what's the deal with the rainbow ticket?' I asked, unable to hide my excitement. The rainbow ticket felt like the holy grail of gachas, and I had been itching to use it ever since I got it.

[ Now, this is a surprise even for me. You can only obtain it from high-risk, high-reward missions. It's essentially a guaranteed pull from the top rarities—purple, gold, and even black. But it's not just random; it gives you what suits you the most. It might be a skill, or it might be an item—something perfectly tailored to your need. ]

I could feel my heart racing. 'So, whatever I pull… it's meant to be the most suitable for me, right?'

[ Correct. It's not just a lucky draw; it's meant to align with your abilities and your journey. ]

[ So, do you want to use it now? ]

'Why did you even need to ask, Seele? Let's roll it right fucking now!' After I choose to use it, I keep staring at my system with a gaze similar to an addicted gambler and keep rubbing my hands together.

When suddenly, a bright rainbow light blinds my eyes. 'This is it!!!'

[ Ding!

Congrats, You've got:

Black:

A black sword (???) ]

I blinked at the notification, trying to process what I just saw. Another black item? This time it was a sword. The black rarity always gave off a vibe of mystery and also danger.

'Seele, can you show me the description for it?' I asked, feeling that familiar sense of suspicion creeping up. Something about this felt... off. Just like back then...

[ Uh… okay. ] There was hesitation in her voice, which immediately put me on edge.

'Why does she sound unsure?' I thought to myself.

[ Ding!

A black sword (???)

It is a sword born from void energy, a fragment of the owner's soul, and €°§•~|×∆

Skill: ??? ]

'What the hell…?' My mind raced as I stared at the screen, unable to make sense of the cryptic text. It felt like the first time I got Blackie, that strange and unpredictable gem that had become an integral part of my life. This sword... it had that same eerie energy.

"The fuck does that even mean? What's with these symbols?" I muttered, running a hand through my hair in frustration.

[ Um... I'm also not sure, Vanze. But I can confirm it is indeed made from the rest of the void energy inside the system and a piece of your soul that the system also took a long time ago. ]

I froze. A piece of my soul? The implications sent a shiver down my spine. 'So, this sword... it's a part of me?'

"What about its capabilities?" I asked, my voice low, a bit shaken. The fact that the sword was tied to my soul made it feel too personal, too intimate.

[ I don't know exactly. It's yours, so you'll need to discover its abilities on your own. But based on the materials it's made from, it should be more powerful than any ordinary sword. ]

'Sigh… of course. Why can't things ever be straightforward?' I thought, feeling a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. Why not give me a zanpakutō instead...

There would be time later to figure out its mysteries. For now, I needed to let this simmer. I had been through too much today, and my mind was still buzzing with everything that had happened.

There was also the treasure I looted from Kaido's palace. I hadn't even sifted through the riches yet. And then there were the poneglyphs I had to give to Robin. That would be a huge gift for her.

As I leaned back into my chair, feeling the weight of exhaustion creeping in, a thought crossed my mind. 'Oh right, I almost forgot.'

'Seele, purchase three blue power cards for the girls. I want to make sure they can push their Devil Fruits further and not be shackled by the curse anymore.'

[ Ding!

You've purchased 3× blue power cards! They're in your inventory.

¢ coins: 84,900 ¢ ]

A sense of satisfaction settled over me. With those cards, Robin, Hancock, and Yamato would be able to break the boundaries of their Devil Fruits. No longer would they be at the mercy of the sea or the dreaded sea-stone. More importantly, the fruit's potential is leveled up.

'Nice... that should ease some of the worries for now,' I thought, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

As the night deepened, the house was quiet save for the soft hum of the winds. I glanced outside the window, where the moon hung high in the sky, casting its silver glow. The stars were out in full force tonight, twinkling like tiny, far-off fires in the vast darkness, but for the moment, it was peaceful.

I lay back on my bed, arms behind my head, staring up at the ceiling. 'There's still so much to do. So much to learn. But for now... I need rest.'

My mind replayed the events of the day—meeting Yamato, raiding Onigashima, barely escaping with our lives, and now this cryptic black sword.

'Sigh, Whatever...'

.....

( 3rd POV )

Onigashima

In the early morning sun bathed the crumbling ruins in an eerie glow. The remnants of a fierce battle lay scattered across the island—shattered stone, splintered wood, and the lingering scent of smoke hung heavy in the air.

The Beast Pirates, bruised and battered, were hard at work cleaning up the aftermath of the bombing that had ravaged their stronghold just the day before. Despite the damage, their movements were quiet and tense. Everyone knew that they fucked up and the big boss is angry.

Among the ruins, Sasaki, one of the future Tobiroppo, had been found unconscious the previous night, bloodied and broken. His injuries painted a grim picture of the enemy they had faced. Even now, as they scoured the wreckage, the Beast Pirates were haunted by the knowledge that their invincible home had been infiltrated.

Not far from the ruins, in a large clearing, a colossal figure stood, his massive kanabo resting heavily in his hand, its spiked head poised to strike. Towering over a kneeling figure, Kaido, the Beast, is radiated with fury. His muscles tensed, his face twisted into an expression of pure rage.

"I'll ask you one last time, Ushimaru," Kaido growled, his voice a low rumble that seemed to shake the very earth. His eyes blazed with anger.

"Who the fuck is letting you out and bombing Onigashima when I was gone!?" The massive figure inquired with a tone filled with wrath.

The man kneeling before him, Ushimaru, even with his severe injury, glared up at the future Yonko. There was no fear in his eyes, only hatred. He spat blood onto the ground and sneered "Ptoui!!! I will never give you the answer you bastard. Watching your home burn to the ground is the most happiest moment in my life, especially when your only daughter is also got kidnap by him. It's all retribution, Kaido!!!" The leader of the samurai from yesteday said.

Kaido's grip tightened around his kanabo, his fury rising to new heights. His daugh— SON, Yamato, kidnapped. The insult cut deeper than any wound. "Then die!!" he roared, swinging his kanabo with terrifying speed and strength.

"Raimei Hakke!!"

The weapon crackled with dark lightning, imbued with both Haoshoku and Busoshoku Haki. The air itself seemed to split apart as the kanabo collided with Ushimaru's body. The impact was so violent that it sent the samurai flying, his body disappearing into the distance like a ragdoll.

The ground where he had knelt was shattered, leaving a deep crater. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that Ushimaru's survival was impossible.

As Kaido stood there, breathing heavily, a figure landed beside him with a soft thud. A tall, imposing man with black wings and flames flickering on his back—King, the right-hand man of Kaido and one of the few remaining Lunarians.

"Kaido-san," King began, his voice calm but laced with urgency. "Sasaki's awake. He gave me the information about the man responsible for all of this."

Kaido's gaze snapped to King, his rage still simmering. "Who is it, King!? Who the fuck dares to invade my territory and even kidnap my SON!!!" Kaido even let out his Haoshoku Haki running wild, showing how enraged he is at the moment.

King's expression darkened as he spoke. "The attacker was a single individual, wearing a strange white outfit and a mask. From what we gathered, he's highly skilled in the Rokushiki techniques. Sasaki was injured by a technique called Rokougan. Queen also examined the bombs and said the technology was incredibly advanced. He even suspects they might have been made by Vegapunk."

King revealed all the information he had gathered after investigating for a whole night. He stared at Kaido with a knowing look.

Kaido's eyes narrowed, his fists trembling with fury "White outfit, a mask, Rokushiki technique, even advanced technology... Only one organization fits all of this. The damn CP-0 from the World Government! Do they think I'm dumb? That I am a coward!? They even dared to kidnap my most valuable heir, Yamato. Wororororo, it looks like we need to pay them a friendly visit, King." His laughter echoed across the island, a sound filled with madness and rage.

Kaido's Haoshoku Haki pulsed around him, causing the air to distort, and weaker pirates nearby collapsed from the sheer pressure.

"King, ready the armada. Once we rebuild this place, we're going to pay the World Government a little visit. They'll give me back my heir, or I'll raze every last one of their strongholds to the ground!"

King nodded, his eyes glinting with shared hatred for the World Government. "Understood, Kaido-san. I'll inform the others. And what of Queen?"

Kaido's eyes glowed with malevolence. "Tell Queen to hurry up with his virus research. I want enough of those weapons to wipe out every Navy branch in the New World. Let's see how they handle this… Wororororo."

With a final nod, King took off, his wings unfurling as he soared back toward the Beast Pirates' camp, leaving Kaido standing alone in the clearing.

The Yonko turned his gaze toward the horizon, the weight of his fury bearing down on the air around him. His Haoshoku Haki continued to pulse uncontrollably, bending the very sky above him.

"Wororororo… The World Government wants a fight? I'll give them a war."

But amidst Kaido's blinding rage, neither he nor his crew were aware of the true source of their troubles. The masked figure they believed to be CP-0 was none other than Vanze, whose mission to Onigashima was little more than a whim.

The true instigator of this chaos remained unaware of the consequences of his actions. The misunderstanding would lead to a catastrophic conflict between the Beast Pirates and the World Government, a storm that neither side saw coming.

.....

Meanwhile,

On a quiet, sun-kissed beach, the morning air felt calm and serene, a stark contrast to the chaos they had faced just days prior. The soft rustling of waves meeting the shore provided a soothing backdrop, while the golden rays of the sun bathed the sandy coast in a warm, welcoming glow.

Vanze, standing tall in his Vegito outfit, glanced over his companions. Next to him stood Azel, the Lunarian who carried a fire within both his body and spirit. The girls—Yamato, Robin, and Hancock—were clad in sportswear, a simple but functional design reminiscent of Vanze's old world.

Yamato, in particular, looked eager, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she stretched her arms in preparation for what promised to be a grueling session of training.

Before they began, however, Vanze cleared his throat, a subtle signal to gather their attention. He produced three small, glowing blue cards from his inventory.

"Before we start, I have something for each of you," Vanze said, "These are power cards, one for each of you who has eaten a Devil Fruit." He held them out, his hand glowing faintly from the system's interface. "Take them."

The girls exchanged curious glances before each cautiously took the card from him. Robin, with the sharp-eyed of archaeologist, was the first to voice her suspicions. "Is this something from that so-called store you mentioned?" she asked, her brow raised in curiosity.

Vanze nodded. "Yeah. I got these from the store last night. They're not just any cards—they can lift the Devil Fruit curse. More than that, they'll enhance the potential of your powers, allowing you to push further." His explanation was met with wide eyes from the group.

"All you have to do is press the card against your body and think about your Devil Fruit." The girls widen their eyes after learning the true purpose of the power cards.

Suddenly, without any hesitation Yamato slaps it directly toward her body after listening to his explanation. For a brief moment, her entire body was enveloped in a thin blue light that flickered across her skin before fading away.

She blinked, moving her arms in confusion, testing her body as if expecting some immediate change. Robin and Hancock watch this curiously and also hope it will work.

"I don't feel any different, Vanze," Yamato admitted, her voice puzzled as she looked at him, searching for reassurance. "Is it broken?"

Vanze couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Why don't you try touching the seawater, Yamato?"

Her eyes lit up with excitement. Without a second thought, she sprinted toward the shoreline, her powerful legs kicking up sand as she dashed to the water's edge. Robin, Hancock, and the others watched with bated breath, curious to see if the card had truly worked.

Yamato dipped her bare foot into the water tentatively, bracing herself for the telltale weakness of the Devil Fruit curse—but nothing happened. Her eyes widened in shock as she waded deeper into the water, submerging her feet entirely.

"It works!" she yelled back, a wide grin spreading across her face. "Vanze, you're amazing! I can even swim now, hahahaha!" Yamato's laughter was pure and infectious, and she danced along the water's edge, kicking up playful splashes as the reality of her newfound freedom sank in.

Hancock crossed her arms, her voice laced with skepticism. "Are you sure about this? What if it's some kind of scam?"

Vanze rolled his eyes at her doubt, though he couldn't help but smile. "Just try it. It's not a scam, look at Yamato."

Sure enough, Robin and Hancock followed suit, each placing the blue card against their bodies. Like Yamato, their figures were briefly surrounded by the same blue light before it dissipated. They exchanged glances, waiting for something to feel different.

Hancock frowned, inspecting her hand as if the change would be visible. "I don't feel anything either."

"Give it a try in the water, just like Yamato," Vanze suggested.

Robin was the first to move, walking calmly to the shore. She dipped her fingers into the ocean, her calm expression giving way to one of relief as she felt no adverse effects from the water. "It works," she murmured, smiling softly. "The curse is lifted."

Yamato's infectious joy continued as she danced along the beach, her laughter carrying on the wind. "I can't believe it! I'm free of that stupid curse! Hahaha!"

With the Devil Fruit curse behind them, the group reconvened. Vanze's expression shifted to something more serious as he addressed them.

"Before we begin training, there's something else I need to tell you." He turned to Robin, his voice steady but laced with importance. "Yesterday, when I looted Kaido's treasury, I found two poneglyphs. After we're done today, I'll hand them over to you."

Robin's eyes gleamed with interest. "Two poneglyphs? That's quite the find. Thank you, Vanze." Her voice was soft but tinged with admiration. The idea of getting closer to deciphering the True History always thrilled her.

Vanze turned his attention to Azel next. "I also found a bunch of Devil Fruits, but I don't know their types yet. I'm waiting for my Kami Gigan to improve before identifying them. I don't want to give you something mediocre."

Azel's sharp eyes burned with gratitude and determination. "Thank you, Vanze-san. I'm in no rush. My focus is on strengthening my foundation first."

"Ara~ thank you so much for the gift, Vanze-chan. It looks like I need to give you a reward later, fufufu." Robin replied with her usual laugh, while teasing Vanze at the same time. Regarding this, Vanze just rolled his eyes and ignore her teasing.

"And lastly, because all of you already agreed to join my guild, you can access your own status in your mind provided by my management system. It will help you to monitor your current strength and progress; only a member of our guild can see their own status. You can just focus your mind while thinking about status, and it will appear."

Seele tells this piece of information after he wakes up. Vanze is surprised by the function because it can help the others to see their progress when they're training. As expected, when they try to see their status, it appears on their minds, and each of them has an astonished look on their faces.

"Woah... It is so cool! I can see my strength and skill in my mind. I'll take back my word, your Devil Fruit is awesome, hahaha." Yamato says while closing her eyes to focus on seeing her status. Vanze also could see her status, and it turns out she is the most powerful beside him in this group.

Robin had already opened her eyes and is contemplating her status after seeing it. "My strength and speed are at C-, but just like I expected, my endurance is bad. I need to focus on training my stamina later."

"What!? You already reached C in your status? How can I lose...!?" Hancock seems frustrated after hearing Robin say her status. She doesn't like how weak she is compared to Robin; her pride as the owner of Haoshoku Haki won't let it be easy.

"Ara~ Ara~ are you jealous, Hancock? I already trained with Vanze three years earlier than you after all, so it makes sense for me to be stronger than you, fufufu." Robin teases Hancock when she looks at Hancock's expression. She even mentions her time with Vanze just to further irk Hancock.

"I will definitely get stronger than you later, hmph...!!!" She flicks her black silky hair to the side when declaring those words to Robin.

She radiates an aura of a queen for a second there, but it immediately vanishes, and only Vanze senses it. He watches the two women bickering with a smile.

Meanwhile, Azel just closes his eyes in silence until he opens them, and we can see a fire of determination burning in them. He looks more eager to start the hellish training now. "Vanze-san, let's start the training."

"Hahaha, of course. Let's start; first, the girls need to....."

The others stop what they are doing and start listening carefully to his instruction. Despite one of the reasons for them joining is also for hoping to get stronger for each of their purposes, they also don't want to become a burden to him after hearing how hard his fight in Onigashima is.

They want to share his burden, so that's why they will train harder until they're ready to set sail in the future.

.....

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A/N: Please donate your power stones and leave more reviews for my story, I appreciate it and thank you for your support!