One Piece: Journey to the New Dawn

[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 is relaxing at the house with the girls, the door suddenly opened with a surprising slam. Standing in the doorway, a familiar face appeared—Makino, accompanied by Woopslap. The sight startled the trio, but their surprise quickly turned into joy.

"Makino!" Lucy shouted; her voice filled with excitement. She immediately rushed forward, pulling the older woman into a tight hug. Uta, equally excited, followed suit, wrapping her arms around Makino as well.

Makino chuckled softly, returning the embrace warmly. "It's been too long!" she said, her voice full of affection. "It's good to see you both so healthy!"

Ash watched the reunion with a smile, but his curiosity soon got the better of him. "What are you doing here? And how did you know we are here?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Makino stepped back a little, still smiling. "I found the place with help from Garp-san," she explained, giving the man's title a respectful tone, her voice warm but also carrying a hint of reverence. "He's the one who directed me here."

Ash's eyes widened slightly at the mention of Garp. "Is he here now?" he asked, hoping for a chance to see the man again.

Makino shook her head. "No, he's not here yet. He'll be coming soon, but he didn't say exactly when," she replied.

Lucy wiped the sweat off her forehead in dramatic relief. "It's good that Grandpa isn't here," she muttered, letting out a long sigh.

Uta, noticing Lucy's reaction, chuckled. "You always get so nervous whenever his name comes up."

Selina, curious, tilted her head. "Why does Luffy get so tense when her grandpa is mentioned?"

Ace, standing nearby with her arms crossed, just grinned knowingly, but said nothing.

Ash, unable to resist adding to the mystery, smirked. "You'll understand when you meet him," he said cryptically, glancing at Selina. He chuckled along with Uta, both clearly amused by Lucy's unease.

Before Selina could press further, Makino stepped forward, breaking the moment with her cheerful tone. "I brought some food for everyone," she said, holding up a bag brimming with snacks and small packages. "And a few gifts for you three," she added, looking at Ash, Lucy, and Uta.

Lucy's eyes sparkled at the sight of the treats. "Thank you, Makino!" she exclaimed, her excitement radiating as she eagerly grabbed one of the snacks. Without wasting a moment, she started gobbling them down with unrestrained enthusiasm.

Everyone burst into laughter at the sight, even Selina and Ace, who couldn't help but be drawn into the light-hearted atmosphere. Makino watched fondly, her warm smile reflecting how much she cared for the group.

Makino spent the entire day with the group, her warm presence making everyone feel at ease. She shared stories from the village, helped out with a few chores, and even started taking measurements for Ace and Selina.

"I'll bring clothes your size next time I visit," Makino promised, a gentle smile on her face. "Just like the ones I brought for Uta and Lucy."

Ace stood awkwardly as Makino took her measurements, her cheeks gradually turning a bright shade of red. She couldn't help but notice Ash leaning against the doorframe, smirking as he watched the scene unfold.

"What are you smirking at, you idiot?" Ace growled, her voice rising in irritation. "Get outside, you pervert! What are you still doing here?!"

Ash chuckled, clearly enjoying her flustered reaction. But before he could get in another word, Makino turned her sharp gaze on him, her usually kind expression replaced by a rare glare.

Ash froze under her look, stammering, "A-Alright, I'm going!" He shuffled toward the door, hands raised in surrender.

As he passed Uta, she didn't let the opportunity go to waste. With a playful but firm knock on his head, she left a noticeable lump. "That's for being annoying," she said with a grin.

Ash winced, rubbing his head as he walked out. Behind him, the sound of laughter filled the room, lightening the mood.

Makino even cooked for everyone, her dishes filling the house with a mouthwatering aroma. Lucy, ever enthusiastic, began talking about how she was going to become a pirate. She beamed as she explained how Ace and Sabo had also joined her crew, her excitement contagious.

Woopslap, however, frowned at her declaration. "You brats!" he grumbled, crossing his arms. "All you ever think about is becoming pirates. Do you want to bring shame to our village?!"

Ash chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. "Don't worry, Mayor. I'll be there with them. I'll make sure nothing bad happens."

Woopslap turned his frown toward Ash. "You brat, you've joined them too?! Unbelievable!" He started mumbling to himself, something about troublesome kids and reckless dreams.

Lucy just laughed, carefree as ever. "Shishishi!"

Makino, sensing Woopslap worry, spoke up with her usual calm demeanor. "Mayor, you don't need to worry. Lucy and others will surely achieve their dream one day." Her supportive words seemed to lighten the mood a bit.

Woopslap sighed heavily. "Makino, don't encourage them! These kids are already troublesome enough."

The conversation eventually drifted to lighter topics as everyone sat down for lunch. During the meal, Ace hesitated before turning to Makino with a serious expression. "Makino, can you help me with something?" she asked, her voice quieter than usual.

Makino tilted her head curiously. "Of course, Ace. What is it?"

Ace glanced down at her plate, her cheeks slightly red. "I… I want to know how to properly thank someone."

Makino smiled warmly. "And who is it you want to thank, Ace?"

Ace hesitated again, then replied, "When we go to sea, if we meet Shanks, I want to thank him… for saving Ash and Lucy, and for protecting Uta until now. Because of him, I got to learn about some truths, have a family, and meet good sisters like Uta and Lucy."

Her words left everyone silent for a moment, the sincerity in her tone touching them deeply. Then, Makino's soft laugh broke the silence. "That's very sweet, Ace. I'll teach you how to thank him properly when I come back next time."

Ace nodded, her face flushed from pride and embarrassment at admitting something so heartfelt. The room filled with warm laughter,

They enjoyed the whole day together, laughter and chatter filling the air as Makino and Woopslap spent time with the group. As evening fell, Makino and Woopslap prepared to leave, the latter still grumbling. "You brats never listen to your elders," he muttered under his breath.

Makino smiled warmly, ignoring his complaints. "I'll be back again soon," she said gently. "Take care of yourselves, alright?"

Everyone waved and called out cheerful goodbyes. "Bye, Makino! Bye, Mayor!" Lucy shouted, waving enthusiastically.

As they disappeared into the distance, Ash turned to Ace with a teasing grin. "So, Ace, you're happy you met me, huh?"

Ace's cheeks flushed bright red. "You idiot!" she snapped. "I'm happy I met Lucy and Uta—not you! Who would ever be happy to see you?!"

Before Ash could retort, Uta twisted his ear, grinning mischievously. "You flirt! You started as soon as Makino left."

Ash winced in pain. "Ow, ow! Uta, let go! I wasn't flirting!"

Everyone burst into laughter at Ash's predicament, their spirits high as the sun set over the horizon.

The next day, Selina, Ace, Uta, and Lucy headed near the Grey Terminal while hunting local mountain animals for meat, eager to have Ash cook something delicious for them later. After a successful hunt, they prepared to leave, Ace packing their haul neatly into her inventory bag.

Just as they were about to depart, the sound of crunching leaves and snapping twigs echoed around them. They froze as more than fifty pirates emerged from the shadows, surrounding them along with them are the guards of the kingdom who also stays at the great gate.

At the center of the group stood a man dressed far too elegantly for someone in such a place. He wore a cloak draped over one shoulder, covering much of his fine clothing. His expression was one of disdain, his eyes scanning the group as though they were insects beneath his notice.

Beside him stood a tall man with a rugged appearance. His hair was short and striped on top, flowing down the sides in a long, unkempt manner. Half of his molars seemed to be missing in an alternating pattern, giving him a fearsome, jagged grin. He wore a traditional captain's jacket over a plain white shirt, the garment looking worn yet commanding. His stance and cruel gaze made it clear this was Blue jam, the infamous pirate captain of the Grey Terminal.

The group tensed as the two men stepped forward, their pirates smirking and closing in on all sides.

Blue jam, the infamous pirate captain with a 14-million-Beli bounty, stood before them, his grin widening maliciously. Without giving them any chance to react, he lunged forward and caught Selina, locking her firmly in his arms.

"Selina!" Lucy shouted; her voice filled with fury. "You ugly idiot! Who are you? Release Selina now!"

Before anyone else could respond, Ace stepped forward, her expression livid. "You're the captain of the Blue jam Pirates, aren't you? Blue jam?"

Blue jam let out a cruel laugh, his grip on Selina tightening as if to taunt them further. But before he could utter a word, a haughty voice interrupted him.

"Stop this nonsense, you lowlifes."

All eyes turned toward a man standing with them with an air of superiority. Selina's father, Outlook III, stood tall with an arrogant sneer. He pointed a finger toward Ace, Lucy, and Uta, his tone dripping with disdain.

"You three urchins! Selina is my blood, and it is the duty of every child to live their life according to their parents' wishes. How dare you convince her to run away from home? You pieces of trash—are you after my money?"

Ace's fists clenched at his words. She couldn't handle the insults thrown at her and the others. Her voice erupted with anger. "What the hell did you just say?!"

Meanwhile….,

Ash who is at Dadan's house, helping out with some chores. Suddenly, the bracelet on his wrist began glowing an ominous red. His eyes widened as a warning flashed in his mind—the girls are in danger.

Before he could fully process the situation, a rope-like projection emerged from the glowing bracelet, pulsating in a vivid crimson hue. Ash stared at it in shock, realizing that it was visible only to him. The rope seemed to point in a specific direction, almost as if it were guiding him.

Not wasting a moment, Ash sprang into action. His heart pounded as he ran out of the house, following the glowing line. He could feel the urgency in every step, the path leading him straight toward the trash heap near the Grey Terminal. Determined to reach them as quickly as possible, Ash used Soru, his figure blurring as he pushed himself to the limit.

With the girls….

When Ace angrily retorted to Outlook, a pirate suddenly lunged forward, aiming to knock her down. But before the attack could land, Lucy intervened, swiftly punching the pirate with one devastating strike. Blood sprayed from the pirate's mouth, some droplets even landing on Outlook's cheek. His face contorted into a mask of disgust.

"Disgusting! You urchins and pirates!" he growled, wiping the blood off his cheek, his tone filled with revulsion. "I have to clean this filthy blood after going home."

Selina, seeing her father's disgust and the attack on her friends, shouted in defiance, "Leave them! I left home because of you!" Her voice was full of anger and desperation.

Outlook's eyes narrowed as he barked back, "Shut up. I'll hear no more words from you."

Turning to Blue jam, Outlook scowled, "I can't stay in this trash any longer. You pirates deal with them."

Blue jam, still holding Selina, released her to the city guards. "Don't worry about these urchins," he told Outlook. "I'll handle them. You've paid us well after all. They won't be bothering your girl anymore."

As Selina was dragged away, she shouted to her father, "Don't do anything to them! I'll do what you say! They are more than just my friends; they are my sisters!" Tears streamed down her face as she begged him, but her cries fell on deaf ears.

Outlook ignored her pleas, coldly saying, "These low lives? Your sisters? Forget about these urchins." With that, he continued dragging Selina away, the city guards following obediently behind.

Ace, Lucy, and Uta cried out for Selina, but she was powerless to stop her father. She looked back at them, her eyes filled with sorrow and tears as she was pulled away. The three girls shouted her name, but there was nothing more they could do. As the distance between them grew, Selina had no choice but to leave with Outlook, her heart heavy with the pain of not being able to protect the friends she had come to love as sisters.

Blue Jam Pirates Base…...

Blue jam looked down at the girls as they were brought into his base. His expression was a mix of disdain and contemplation. After a moment of silence, he spoke, his voice dripping with arrogance.

"Being born noble is not something anyone can achieve," he began, his tone haughty. "You only have to be born under some kind of lucky star. If I had the chance, I'd change places with that kid, and be born as a noble."

There was a brief silence, the weight of his words lingering in the air. He smirked before continuing, "So, one of the legendary duo is a noble, huh? To think she would come down from the elite district and live in this trash heap. She must have looked down on all of you. I bet she thought you were beneath her the entire time."

Lucy and Uta snapped back, their voices laced with anger. "Stop spouting nonsense, you ugly idiot!" Lucy shouted; her fists clenched. "She's, our sister! She's not like that! She hates living as a noble"

Ace also stood her ground, her voice fierce. "Don't think you can convince us to hate her with your words! We know her better than you ever will!"

Blue jam simply grinned, lifting his hand in a gesture that looked like he was accepting defeat. His smirk didn't waver as he began to speak, his tone dripping with feigned benevolence.

"You brats, forget about her from now on. Otherwise, I'll have no choice but to kill you." He paused, his grin widening. "It's called kindness... You'll understand when you grow up."

Porchemy, standing to the side, gritted his teeth, the fury clear in his eyes as he glared at the trio. Blue jam glanced at him briefly before continuing, his voice steady but with an edge.

"I still have a grudge to settle with you for what you did to Porchemy," he said, his smirk never faltering. "But I'll let bygones be bygones... for now." His eyes flickered with a hint of amusement. "You kids are strong, though. I like that."

Porchemy, unable to contain himself, shouted in frustration, "Captain, why are you still talking with these brats? Let me handle them!"

Blue jam shot him a cold glare and commanded, "Silence, Porchemy." Turning back to the trio, his expression shifted to a smug grin as he addressed them.

"I'm actually a little short on hands," he said, his tone mockingly casual. "Why don't you guys lend me a hand with a small task?"

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a worn map, unfolding it with a flourish. "This is the map of Grey Terminal…" he began, but his words were cut off mid-sentence.

Out of nowhere, a sharp air slash hurled through the air, striking one of Blue jam's pirates. The unfortunate man let out a strangled cry as the force of the blow sent him sprawling to the ground, a deep gash marking where the attack had landed.

Blue jam's eyes widened in fury as he stood abruptly, his chair screeching against the floor. "Who the hell is that?" he bellowed, his voice echoing with anger.

Meanwhile, with Ash –

Ash sprinted through the dense forest, his heart pounding as the red glow of his bracelet urged him onward. Along the way, several wild beasts lunged out on his way, forcing him to pause and deal with them. Though they slowed him down, Ash dispatched them quickly, his mind focused on reaching the girls.

When he finally arrived at the Blue jam Pirates' base, his sharp eyes immediately took in the scene. The girls were surrounded by a group of pirates in a large room.

Thinking they might be in trouble, Ash didn't hesitate. With a burst of power, he used Geppo to leap high into the air and unleashed a precise Rankyaku, the slicing air attack striking one of the pirates and sending him crashing to the floor.

A voice shouted angrily, the words echoing through the room. Ash recognized it instantly—it was Blue jam. Without wasting a moment, Ash landed gracefully in front of the girls, his presence a protective barrier between them and the pirates.

Present …...

After the dust settled, all eyes turned to the figure standing boldly between the girls and Blue jam. It was Ash, his gaze steady and unwavering.

Seeing him, Ace, Lucy, and Uta shouted in unison, "Ash, you finally came!"

The three of them began talking at once, their voices overlapping in a chaotic flurry of explanations. Ash held up his hands, interrupting their chatter with a firm, "Stop talking all at once! I can't understand a word you're saying."

Uta quickly stepped forward, taking the lead in explaining what had happened. As she recounted the events, Ash's expression darkened with realization—he had been too late to prevent Outlook from taking Selina away.

Ash's eyes narrowed slightly as he recalibrated his approach. He turned his attention to Blue jam, his tone steady and laced with disdain.

"So, you're the infamous Blue jam of the Grey Terminal?" Ash began, his words deliberately slow and cutting. "I thought you'd be an ugly idiot, but you look worse than that."

A vein bulged visibly on Blue jam's forehead; his face contorted in anger. "Who are you, brat? And how dare you speak to me like that, without fear? Do you know who you're talking to? Everyone here fears me!"

Ash gave a fearless grin, his eyes unwavering as he addressed Blue jam. "You don't need to know who I am," he said calmly, yet with an edge that sent a chill through the room. "Just know this—if you value your life, I suggest you let the girls go, turn tail, and never come back."

Lucy burst out laughing at Ash's bold declaration, her laughter echoing through the tense air. Ace and Uta, however, immediately got into battle stances, their instincts telling them Blue jam wouldn't back down so easily.

Blue jam's face turned a shade of crimson, veins bulging in fury. "You brat!" he spat, his voice trembling with rage. "I was going to spare those girls and let them live after they planted the boxes of explosives and oil around the Grey Terminal..."

He paused, realizing he had just blurted out his plan in his anger, but he doubled down, a twisted grin spreading across his face. "But you just sealed your fate. You and those brats are going to die here, right now!"

Ash smirked, standing tall and unfazed. His voice carried a quiet strength as he said, "I don't fear death. I've faced it before and come back alive." His words carried weight, though their full meaning remained a mystery to those around him.

His gaze sharpened as he continued, "I won't let them die on my watch. They're my family, and I made a promise to protect them."

Then, with a booming laugh, Ash threw his arms wide and declared, "If I can't even do that, how can I call myself the future King of the Pirates?"

Lucy's eyes sparkled with admiration, and she blurted out excitedly, "Sugoi! Ash, I didn't know you could talk this cool!" even in the tense situation.

Uta promptly bonked her on the head and scolded shark tooth. "Understand the situation we're in and don't joking around!"

Lucy rubbed her head even though she didn't feel any pain, pouting. "But Uta, Ash looked so cool!"

Uta sighed, trying to keep her focus. "Not the place, Lucy. Focus!"

Everyone let out a collective sigh. Ash turned toward Lucy, and for a moment, it seemed like he might scold her. Instead, he grinned and said, "Lucy, you shouldn't disturb someone when they're trying to act cool. It messes up the flow of the dialogue." He explains Lucy like this some kind of important information she should know about.

The room fell silent for a beat before everyone, including Ace and Uta, shouted in unison, "SO YOU WERE JUST TRYING TO ACT COOL?!"

Lucy laughed, scratching her head with her signature grin. "Shishishi, sorry, Ash."

Ace and Uta, sporting matching tick marks on their foreheads, stormed over to Ash and gave him simultaneous, resounding bonks on the head, leaving two sizable lumps. "BE SERIOUS, IDIOT!" they yelled in unison.

Lucy just chuckled, enjoying the moment despite the situation.

Meanwhile, the pirates around them roared angrily, "STOP DISCUSSING LIKE WE'RE NOT STILL HERE, YOU BRATS!"

The comedic exchange stood out even amidst the tension as Ash and the girls maintained their resolve.

Blue jam, his face now a deep purple from sheer rage, roared, "You brat! Do you think I'm some kind of clown? I'll torture you, kill those three brats right in front of you, and then finish you off myself!"

As he made his declaration, one of the pirates cocked his pistol and aimed it at Lucy, who stood closest to him and asking them to surrender or he'll kill her.

Lucy lowered her head, her straw hat casting a shadow over her eyes. Her voice was calm but carried an ominous weight. "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."

Ash smirked at Lucy's words, his hand already gripping Kashu's hilt. In a flash, he used Soru, closing the distance in an instant. His blade gleamed as it sliced clean through the pirate's hand, causing the pistol to clatter to the ground. Ash didn't stop there; with one fluid motion, he slashed the pirate across the chest, sending him collapsing to the floor as blood gushed out.

Ash, Lucy, Uta, and Ace instinctively formed a circle, their backs pressed firmly against one another. The tension in the room was palpable, every pair of eyes locked on them as the pirates closed in.

Blue jam, now livid, pointed his finger at the group and bellowed, "Catch those brats and bring them to me!"

As his shout echoed through the room, every pirate present roared in unison, charging toward the four.

Ash tightened his grip on Kashu, its blade gleaming menacingly.

Beside him, Uta held her pendant aloft. It shimmered briefly before transforming into a sleek, harp-like instrument with sharp edges—a weapon as beautiful as it was deadly.

Ace reached into her inventory bag, quickly equipping the blaze repeater, the weapon's fiery design perfectly matching her fierce determination.

Lucy, meanwhile, clenched her fists, willing her steel gauntlets gleaming under the dim light. A confident grin spread across her face as she shouted, "Let's go!"

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. 😊