Chapter 10 - Ten Consecutive Draws
"Is this the execution platform? It's higher than I thought."
Monkey D. Ash stepped onto the platform in Roguetown, a barrel of rum in his arms, raising a hand to shield his eyes from the blazing sunlight.
Swoosh!
With a flicker, his figure reappeared at the top of the platform. Calmly, he sat down, popped the lid off the rum barrel, and poured two glasses. His Observation Haki had already picked up the surrounding Navy officers hiding in ambush. The air was tinged with subtle hostility—a sharp feeling only those trained in Haki could sense.
Seconds passed like minutes.
Just as the final half-minute ticked down, Smoker appeared in the crowd below. Ash gave him a brief glance but remained seated, lifting his glass and pouring some of the rum over the wooden platform.
"To the Eternal Pirate King."
His voice was low, but clear. A crowd had gathered below, murmuring curiously.
"Hey, what did he just say?!"
"Who is that guy? How did he even get up there with booze?"
"Looks like another punk dreaming of treasure and fame."
The murmurs grew. Smoker waved, and Navy soldiers swarmed in, cordoning off the crowd. Rifles raised, fingers hovered over triggers.
In a nearby tavern, an old man spotted Ash atop the execution platform. Quietly, he lifted his drink and echoed the same words before turning back inside.
> [Ding! Congratulations to the host for checking in at the Execution Platform. Rewards: +1 Lottery Draw, +50 Points]
Hearing the system's voice, Ash grinned and chuckled.
"Hahahaha! Looks like I've drawn quite the audience. What's this? A tribute to the Pirate King too?"
Smoker narrowed his eyes, puffing a cigar as a swirling tendril of smoke coiled toward Ash. "That's enough, brat!"
BOOM!
Smoker launched himself up with his Smoke-Smoke Fruit, attacking from behind. The platform echoed with the clang of metal as the two clashed—blows fast and violent, sparks flying from their brief collisions.
"White Fist!"
Smoker's smoke-covered fist surged toward Ash's head.
"Wind Roar!"
Ash countered. With a muttered phrase, a violent gust of wind blasted the smoke apart, forcing soldiers below to shield their eyes. Smoker's expression hardened—was this a Devil Fruit power?
"Armament Hardening: Basic Punch!"
Ash's legs flexed and the platform cracked beneath him as he launched a punch at lightning speed.
CRACK!
Smoker was blasted backward, smashing through several walls before tumbling to a stop in a pile of rubble. Blood spattered from his mouth. He was stunned, overwhelmed.
"Colonel Smoker is down?!"
"Impossible! He's a monster! How can some kid hit him that hard?!"
Smoker pushed himself up, dazed.
"Haki…? In the East Blue?"
He was stunned. Haki was rarely seen, even among seasoned Marines.
"Who the hell are you?! Where did you learn that power?!"
Ash simply shrugged. "You mean Haki? From my grandpa, of course."
"…Garp?"
Same last name. Cocky attitude. Powerful fists. Smoker fell silent. It made sense.
"Some monsters are just born that way…"
"Boss! Hey, boss!" came a voice from the crowd.
A black-and-white panda-like creature named Tuan Tuan jogged forward with Gin and Carina, both panting.
"We said we wouldn't cause trouble!"
"Oops, my bad," Ash laughed, scratching his head. "I got carried away. Let's go!"
Before the Marines could react, the group vanished from sight, leaving behind stunned silence.
Smoker groaned, watching their figures disappear. This was his first major failure in Roguetown.
"Colonel Smoker, should we pursue?!"
"…Can you even catch him? Retreat."
---
Back at Marine Headquarters…
Admiral Aokiji answered a call, raising an eyebrow.
"…Haki? Garp's grandson? Looks like the seas are going to get noisy again."
Unaware of the report Smoker had sent, Monkey D. Ash and his crew were already sailing toward the Grand Line. Ahead loomed Reverse Mountain.
Standing at the bow of the Smiling Pirate Ship, Ash closed his eyes and murmured:
"System. Begin ten-draw lottery."
---
> [Ding! Starting Ten Consecutive Draws…]
[Ding! Congratulations! You have received:]
Navy Rokushiki Training Manual
Nine-Ring Golden Back Blade (Weapon)
1,000,000 Berries
Fake Nine-Turn Golden Pill
Word Spirit Pill x2
Barrett Sniper Rifle (Weapon)
Undersea Bubble Suit Maker
Golden Light Incantation (Skill)
100,000 Berries
Ash smirked. "Ten draws never disappoint."
Among all rewards, what stood out the most was the Fake Nine-Turn Golden Pill. Though not genuine, it could revive any living being that had died within 24 hours—essentially an extra life.
The Word Spirit Pills could make animals speak like humans, and the Undersea Bubble Suit Maker would allow deep-sea exploration by forming breathable bubbles around the user.
Ash's legend had only just begun…
---
To be continued…