[~1000 Words]
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The highest peak of Asuka Island rose like a lone pillar against the sky.
Halfway up its rocky slope lay a hidden cave—its entrance narrow, its interior shrouded in ancient silence, as if the mountain itself were guarding a secret.
Inside, illuminated by the faint green glow it emitted, rested a long sword on a central stone pedestal.
Its eerie aura pulsed gently in the darkness, waiting for the arrival of the fated one…
—or the next victim.
"Is this it? They hid it quite well~" Vivi murmured, eyeing the cave's interior curiously.
The moment James released a crackle of lightning, the entire cavern lit up as if it were midday, revealing murals, aged stone carvings, and the eerie green Sword.
Maya stepped forward timidly, her voice echoing softly through the cave.
"Lord God… that is the cursed holy sword, Shichiseiken. Grandmother says that any human who tries to wield it… loses their mind."
She swallowed.
"If no one is nearby, the wielder stabs themselves until they collapse. If people are nearby… they slaughter indiscriminately before turning the Sword on themselves."
Her voice shook slightly, but she did not cower. These words had been drilled into her since childhood; yet she had never seen the curse firsthand.
Robin, meanwhile, approached the carvings along the wall. Her eyes sparkled with scholarly hunger.
"Fascinating… These engravings may predate even the local legends," she whispered, fingertips tracing symbols older than Asuka's current civilization.
James let Maya's slender waist slip from his arm and stepped forward—
—but Maya's legs suddenly buckled.
"Ah—!"
James caught her immediately, smiling as he steadied her.
My fault, he admitted silently.
Maya's cheeks glowed pink. A strange heat coursed through her body—an unfamiliar mix of excitement and fluster that she could hardly control.
"I-I'm sorry, God-sama…" she whispered repeatedly, trying to compose herself.
James stroked her hair gently, amused by the fragile innocence she radiated. I should spoil her even more, he thought.
Then he approached the stone pedestal.
The Shichiseiken was magnificent.
A long, razor-sharp Sword with swirling patterns carved along its surface—like ancient runes that faintly glowed with a malicious green luminescence. It resembled the legendary swords of his homeland.
"Not bad," James said softly. "If nothing else, it'll look impressive in my collection."
Still…
Saga should have obtained it by now, shouldn't he?
James glanced over his shoulder.
"Maya, do you know of someone named Saga?"
Maya blinked. "Saga? Is that a food? A place? I don't know anyone with that name."
Her confusion was genuine, not an act.
James sighed inwardly.
So Saga doesn't exist here. That theatrical timeline truly has no overlap with reality.
It made sense. Shrine maidens were traditionally required to be pure—unmarried, untouched. No grandmother would let Maya meet a wandering swordsman destined for tragedy.
Saga's story… was nothing more than a distant dream.
-*-
Determined, James lifted his hand.
Red light flashed in his eyes as an oppressive wave of Conqueror's Haki erupted from him.
The sword responded immediately—its green glow intensifying, swirling like ghost fire.
The moment he grasped the hilt, tendrils of dark green energy clawed up his arm.
Glowing rune-like marks appeared—
—and then shattered instantly under the assault of his Haoshoku.
"Tch. Truly a demonic Sword."
He wrapped his hand in Armament Haki. The sword's corruption surged again but failed to breach even a fraction of an inch from the Sword.
James stepped outside the cave in a flash of lightning.
He swung the sword once.
A razor-thin green sword slash shot into the distance—
Whoosh—!
It was so sharp the air itself didn't make a sound.
Seconds later—
BANG!
A massive tree split cleanly in half, collapsing as green flames erupted from the cut. Within seconds, the entire trunk burned into nothingness.
"…It shoots green fire too? What kind of cheat code sword is this?"
James tried again, swinging the sword several more times.
Three small orbs of green flame shot from the Sword—
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Crater-sized explosions erupted across the clearing.
The power was impressive; for a mortal.
But for James?
"…Still not enough."
Perhaps a true swordsman could unlock more of its potential.
But as a cursed Sword, it could easily devour a weak-minded wielder.
Still…
"It looks cool," he decided. "Perfect for showing off later."
With a casual toss, he stored the Shichiseiken away in his collection, placing it beside legendary Swords like Autumn Water.
Then, in a flash, James appeared behind Maya and wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Oh~! God-sama!" Maya squeaked, flushed with embarrassment and joy.
She melted into his embrace, her face buried against his chest. The scent of ozone, warmth, and divinity filled her lungs.
While Robin examined murals and ancient symbols with scholarly delight, and Nami and Vivi poked around for hidden treasure…
James held Maya close, whispering gentle, intoxicating words in her ear, strengthening the bond between god and shrine maiden.
Maya's breath grew soft and uneven, her mind drifting as he stroked her hips…
—
Until a sudden cry shattered the quiet.
"Masaka!!?"
Nami's voice.
James, Robin, Vivi, and even Maya turned toward her.
Nami stood frozen in surprise—holding a Devil Fruit in her hands.
Its white surface curled in patterns reminiscent of Reiju's eyebrow swirls, and from its top sprouted six green stems, each ending in a small white heart-shaped leaf.
Everyone's eyes widened.
A Devil Fruit… hidden here?
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