[Note:
" * " : Indicates abilities that can be upgraded with practice, experience, or unique opportunities.]
> System inner voice ["speaking"] <
> Ash inner speech "speaking" <
{}
Uta snapped her fingers in front of his face. "Ash? Hey—Ash!"
He blinked, finally snapping out of the daze. All of them stared at him, confusion written across their faces.
Ash steadied his breath. "Selina, take the helm for a bit, yeah? I… I need to talk to Celeste. I'll be back soon."
Before they could ask anything, he slipped past them and rushed into the cabin, just in time for Lucy to bump right into it with a soft thud.
"Owww—Ash! Seriously!"
Uta placed a hand on her shoulder. "Let him go. I'm sure he'll tell us what is it once he comes out."
Inside the cabin…
Ash shut the door behind him and immediately called out in his mind, "Celeste."
Celeste's voice chimed in with a teasing lilt in it: ["I'm here. I knew you'd call."]
Ash exhaled sharply running his hands through his hair. "What happened just now? I suddenly have two system interfaces. You never said anything about this. What is this 'Voyager Link Interface'?"
Celeste replied, already expecting this reaction: ["You can think of it as… a sub-system. A branch of me created specifically for you."]
Ash frowned. "A sub-system? Why now?"
["Because now you can finally bring others into the system, Ash. You've wished that for a long time. You always asked for a way to share things with the girls… without breaking the restrictions placed on you."]
Ash rubbed his forehead. "Yeah, but you said I couldn't reveal you. Or the truth about me. All those restrictions — you said I couldn't break any of it. That's why I had to make up stories about you too."
Celeste hummed softly. ["And that's still in effect. I'm restricted, and since you're connected to me, you're restricted too. Nothing changes there."]
Ash stayed quiet letting her to continue.
Celeste continued, ["But now you can bring them into the system. Back then, I didn't have the authority to create this interface. Now… I can."]
Ash's heartbeat quickened. "And the reincarnator thing—?"
Celeste cut in quickly, ["Still forbidden to reveal. Even with this subsystem."]
Her tone turned matter-of-fact. ["Coming to the V.L.I. It has similar features to mine, but it doesn't have consciousness like me. They will be able to see the interface more like a sub interface… but they still can't talk to me."]
Ash ran a hand through his hair. "So… does that mean I'm the bridge between you and the girls?"
Celeste answered teasingly without hesitation, ["Well, you already were — even without the sub-system. So, there's no real change there."]
Ash snorted despite himself. "…Yeah. Alright… so what else can you tell me about this VLI?". He glanced back at the golden interface shimmering faintly.
["First — It only works for your crew. And only we decide who gets access to this interface and who doesn't."]
The screen shifted as Celeste took control, scrolling smoothly.
["Here — you can see the crew list. When you tap someone's name, their individual interface appears. Anyone with access to the VLI will see the same."]
Ash watched as the layout appeared, almost identical to his own main system:
Name
Age
Race
Level
Title
Attributes: STR | AGI | END | INT | CHR | LUC
Unallocated Stat Points
Ash eyes narrowed. "…Title? That's gone be a problem." The concern hit immediately.
"Celeste, won't the girls end up seeing all my titles too? Including—y'know—the reincarnator one? That'll be a disaster."
Celeste responded calmly, ["You're right to worry, but relax. They cannot see that title. Not until your restrictions are lifted."]
["And—since we control this VLI. So, anything we hide stays invisible to others, but the benefits still apply."]
Ash let out a breath of relief.
"Alright… then hide all my titles except the new one I just got 'Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates.'"
He added quickly, "And hide unallocated points. If they see those, they'll dump everything into attributes without thinking. I fear someone might take it too lightly."
Celeste chuckled softly, ["Good call. Already done."]
Ash then noticed a strange icon beside each skill name. "…What's this little symbol next to every skill?"
Celeste explained, ["That's the Sync function. Your crew can temporarily borrow skills or stat boosts from each other for one hour. After using it, the ability goes on a one-day cooldown. Also, they won't see passive or active type classifications — only the skill names and short summaries."]
Ash nodded slowly, taking everything in.
Ash scrolled through the golden interface, noticing another section right under the skill list. "There's… a Devil Fruit tab too?"
Celeste responded instantly, ["Yes. If a crew member is a Devil Fruit user, they can view their fruit, progression, and growth — just like your main system. And this also have same sync options."]
Ash nodded. "Hmmm. Nice. What else?"
Celeste went on smoothly, ["Next, access to the shared inventory linked to the main system — but again, only the items you choose to make visible, or anything they personally store. Same rules apply to the shop. They'll see the Daily Selection, the Exchange section, and even your Store Coins and Berries too… but again only you can make purchases."]
Ash smirked, letting out a short laugh. "Good. That'll stop Lucy from impulse-buying anything stupid."
Celeste let out a soft laugh herself and continued, tone lifting proudly, ["And I added something extra. Inspired from your previous life — a cart system. Like online shopping."]
Ash blinked. "…A cart? Seriously?"
["Yes. They can add items they want to the cart. Their names will appear next to each item. You can decide later when to want to buy it."]
Ash chuckled. "Celeste… you went way beyond what I expected. This is too good."
He narrowed his eyes at the interface. "But I don't see the lottery anywhere. Is it exclusive to the main system?"
["Correct."]
Ash hummed and kept scrolling — then froze at the bottom. "…What's this locked part here?"
Celeste's voice stayed calm, ["That's the Fleet Section. It opens once you form your own pirate fleet. Every fleet you command will appear there."]
Ash nodded.
Celeste continued, ["Fleet commanders can be given access to the VLI from you — but not their entire crews. Only the commanders, unless you approve otherwise."]
Ash leaned back. "Hmmm... I want to see how it works when it is time for it. Nice."
Then her tone softened slightly, ["And one last thing. Once someone is registered in the VLI — whether main crew or future fleet — a Crew Synchronization Modifier activates."]
Ash lifted a brow. "Meaning?"
["Meaning they gain experience and skill proficiency faster simply by being part of your system."]
Ash let out a low breath, half stunned. "…Damn, Celeste. This subsystem is insane."
Celeste replied with a proud hum, ["Well, I know. I outdid myself."]
Ash shook his head, smiling at her shameless boasting.
Celeste added, ["Oh, one more thing — Let me link the interface directly to the tattoo on your arm. Anyone who receives the emblem from you will automatically gain VLI access unless you don't want to give access."]
A sudden heat flared on Ash's arm — his tattoo glowed briefly.
["There. It's done."] Celeste said. ["Now you can easily give access whoever you want."]
Ash rubbed the glowing mark lightly. "Thanks for that. Anything else I should know?"
Celeste teased, ["Maybe. Maybe not. Don't you think you should discover some things on your own? Where's the fun if I tell you everything?"]
Ash sighed, half amused. "Fine, fine… be mysterious. Now I just need to figure out how the hell I'm explaining this to the girls."
Outside the Cabin….
Lucy sat cross-legged on the cabin roof, hands cupping her cheeks. "What is he doing in there? It's been half an hour! How long does he talk to Celeste!?"
Uta giggled softly while tuning Ash's guitar she borrowed. "Relax, Lucy. If it's taking this long, it must actually be important."
"Mmmmm…" Lucy groaned dramatically, then flopped backward like a dying starfish. "I'm gonna diiie of boredom!"
Selina snorted. "You die of boredom!?"
Then—
CLICK.
The cabin door opened.
Lucy's head snapped toward it instantly.
"AASSHH!!—"
She didn't even finish the name before she launched herself with rest them following her rushed toward him—but Lucy got there first, tackling Ash with a full-body cling.
Ash staggered back, choking. "L-Lucy—?! AIR—!!"
She squeezed tighter. "What took you so long!? What did Celeste say!? Tell me, tell me, tell me!!"
Ash pried her off like peeling a stubborn gum. "Lucy—stop—just let me breathe—!"
The other three finally caught up, surrounding him, but equally curious eyes while chuckling at this.
Ace crossed her arms. "Well? You gonna talk?"
Ash scratched the back of his head, laughing nervously thinking how he to explain what happened.
Ash spent nearly an hour explaining everything they needed to know about the VLI — in the simplest way he could manage.
He introduced it as an advanced form of technology Celeste made specifically for them, far beyond even the relics they'd seen in the Lost Isle.
When they asked about the things displayed on their screens — attributes, titles, the small sync symbols — Ash walked them through each part with small demonstrations and easy examples.
He explained how their attributes reflected their natural strengths… how titles were like special merits they earned… and how the "sync" feature let them temporarily borrow each other's skills, stats, and even Devil Fruit abilities for an hour each day.
He also went over their limited access to the shared inventory linked to his, and how the shop and exchange worked in the store — including the new cart feature.
As expected, Lucy immediately tried to buy and exchange nothing but meat, only for Ace to bonk her back into sense.
Finally, Ash told them about the Fleet Section —which is locked for now, meant to open only when the time came for their future fleet — and finally about the Crew Synchronization effect that activated through the VLI, helping everyone grow faster simply by being registered as a crew.
By the time he finished, the girls had a solid grasp of the basics… except maybe Lucy. Ash could practically see "???" floating over her head every time she stared at the screen.
So, he sighed, smiled, and explained it to her separately — in her way.
Ash, after clearing everything, reached into his inventory and pulled out five familiar blue-silver fruits.
The moment Lucy saw them; her eyes went huge. "WAIT—!! Is that what I think it is!?"
She leaned forward with puppy-dog eyes that honestly shouldn't be legal.
Ash laughed as the others snickered. "Yeah, Lucy. I think it's finally time. Take it. Once you eat this, you can stop wearing those sea-stone bands and forget the weakness of the sea for good."
He tossed each of them a fruit, keeping one for himself.
Lucy caught hers—and swallowed it whole in one massive bite before anyone else even reacted.
"DONE!!" she announced proudly. She dug out her sea-stone bracelet from her inventory bag and held it in her hand.
A few seconds passed. Her eyes widened.
Then her face exploded into joy.
"HAHAHAHA!! IT DOESN'T MAKE ME WEAK!! I FEEL NOTHING!! I'M FREEEEEE!!"
She tossed the bracelet away—Ash casually caught it mid-air and slipped it back into his inventory for future use.
Lucy then leaned over the side of the boat and dunked her entire head into the sea, bubbling for a moment before coming up for air laughing.
"BAHAHAHA!! I'M STILL FINE!! THE SEA CAN'T STOP ME ANYMORE!!"
The others burst out laughing and followed her lead, ate their own fruits. A soft glow washed over each of them finally free of the devil fruit weakness.
Just like that, they became the first Devil Fruit users in the world immune to both the sea and sea-stone.
Ash clapped his hands lightly. "Alright, we're immune to seawater now… but we still can't breathe underwater for long.... except maybe Uta."
Uta blinked. "Well… maybe. But I've never stayed underwater long before. I had the same weakness as all of you. I have to test how it is now."
Ash nodded. "Then take it slow for time being. No need to rush."
Uta smiled softly. "Got it."
Ash looked around at the tiny boat. "Anyway… time to plan our next move. The boat we are now won't last a minute in the Grand Line. So, our first priority: get ourselves a proper ship. Luckily, we saved enough money. I hope it'll be enough."
Lucy raised her hand like a kid in class. "Also—we need a musician."
Ash chuckled. "Yes, Lucy. We'll get a musician. Promise."
Lucy gave him a proud thumbs-up, as if she just secured the future of the world.
Ash continued, "And before anything else, we need our navigator. Nami said she'll meet us at Shells Town. So—first stop: Shells Town. Ready to go pick her up?"
Ace, Selina, Uta, and Lucy all shouted in perfect chaos—
"YES!!"
"LET'S GO!!"
"YOSH!!"
Then—
GGRRRMMMMBLLL.
All five stomachs growled at the same time.
Then the entire deck shook with laughter after a beat of silence.
Ash rubbed the back of his head, smiling. "Maybe… after a small meal first?"
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
To be continued...
Thanks for reading this chapter!
I'd love to hear your thoughts — not just on the plot, but the journey itself. Is the pacing feeling right to you so far? Too fast, too slow, or just, right? Are there any moments, themes, or dynamics you feel are missing or could be explored more — like deeper character bonds, world-building, emotional scenes, or even new twists? Anything.
Also, is there anything you'd love to see added that could make the story even more exciting or satisfying? Whether it's a kind of power, a dramatic reveal, or just a character moment — your feedback really helps shape this story into something better.
Let me know in the comments! I read every one. 💬
And as always, if you're enjoying the ride, feel free to drop a Power Stone — it means a lot. 😊