One Piece: Journey to the New Dawn

Author's Note:

Hey everyone! 🙌 After a week of waiting, Volume 3 is finally here! 🎉 I'm so excited to share this with you, and I hope you enjoy it just as much as the first two!

If you're enjoying the story, please take a moment to leave a review and rate it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Your ratings help new readers decide to give the story a chance. And whether your review is positive or negative, every opinion matters! Knowing your thoughts also helps me improve and make the story even better!

Thank you all for your support—I truly appreciate every comment, review, and rating! 💙 Let's continue this adventure together! 🚀🔥

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[Note:

" * " : Indicates abilities that can be upgraded with practice, experience, or unique opportunities.]

> System inner voice ["speaking"] <

> Ash inner speech "speaking" <

{}

2 Years Later...….

Ash stood at the edge of a cliff, the sea breeze brushing against his face. His hair danced with the wind as he closed his eyes, letting the salty air cool him—a quiet moment before the days ahead.

Turning, Ash smiled as Uta bounded toward him. She grabbed his hand without hesitation, tugging him toward the village.

"Come on, Ash! Everyone's waiting!" she exclaimed, her smile looks lighting up the morning.

Ash chuckled, allowing himself to be pulled along. When they reached Dandan's house, the rest of the girls were already gathered.

Spotting Nojiko, Ash asked, "Nami's not here yet?"

Nojiko folded her arms. "No, she left the village a few days ago. If she's on schedule, she should be with us this afternoon. Today's a big day, after all." With a smirk.

Lucy's face lit up as she clapped her hands. "That's right! I'm finally 11! This means we're officially heading out to sea!"

Selina grinned. "From tomorrow, we'll be bounty hunting. I can't wait!"

Ace smirked, leaning against the wall. "Finally, some real action. Training every day is so boring."

The group nodded in agreement; couldn't hold their excitement.

Ash then asks Nojiko if anything happened in these days in the village.

Nojiko shook her head. "Nothing major. The tribute was paid a couple of weeks ago. Since then, a few of his fishmen have come by, making their usual remarks about us 'weak humans. Genzo-san done his best to keep the peace, but..." Her voice trailed off, and her expression darkened.

The atmosphere grew tense. Lucy clenched her fists. "Ugh! Ash, when are we going to deal with that fish-brained jerk? I'm itching to give him a beating!"

Ash's face darkened, but his voice was steady as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Lucy, we've talked about this. People from the Grand Line are on a different level on top of that he is a fishmen. We're not ready yet. But don't worry," he added with a evil laugh, "Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold."

Lucy's anger shifted into mischievous amusement, and she cackled alongside Ash.

Selina sighed, rubbing her forehead. "There they go again."

Ace grinned. "Honestly, I agree with them, though."

Uta nodded in agreement.

Nojiko raised her hand. "Hey, get in line! We're the one's who owes Arlong the most. I'll make sure he gets my gift before you two." Her voice dripped with venom; her fists clenched as she thought about him.

After a moment, Ash straightened up. "Alright...Alright, forget those depressing things for now. Let's head to Makino's. Can't keep the birthday girl with us and make her late for her own party."

Lucy's mood flipped, and she jumped with joy. "Yes! Let's go!"

The group laughed together and started to walk toward Foosha Village and Makino's bar, their spirits lifted high for the celebration ahead.

Reflections on the Past

As the group walked toward Foosha Village, Ash's thoughts drifted to the past, reminiscing about how much had changed over the last two years.

He smiled as he recalled how he had helped improving the girl's skills along with his own. Each training session was challenging but rewarding, and the visible improvement in their abilities was worth every effort.

He smiled to himself, recalling the chaos of their early days. Nojiko had joined them shortly after Nami, traveling with the suitcase Ash had provided to make the journey to Mt. Colbo.

Nami, meanwhile, as planned had navigated her way flawlessly by sea—a testament to her budding talent as a navigator, despite it being her first long voyage.

And then there was Garp. Ash remembers about the chaos that ensued when Garp met Nami and Nojiko. Ash chuckled quietly at the memory of Garp's reaction when he learned about Arlong's tyranny after meeting both.

The Vice Admiral's face had turned red with fury, and he had slammed his fist into a nearby boulder, reducing it to rubble. "That fish-faced idiot dared to claim the East Blue as his playground?!" Garp had roared. "I'll turn him into sushi myself!"

The image of Garp readying to march toward Cocoyashi in a rage was still fresh in Ash's mind. It had taken Nojiko and Nami's combined efforts along with the girls—and their best pleading puppy-dog eyes—to calm him down.

Even then, it was a struggle to convince him to let them handle Arlong in their own time after hearing their plan, emphasizing their desire to reclaim their home through their own strength.

"Fine," Garp had relented, though not without grumbling. "But you'll train until you're strong enough to send that oversized guppy flying back to the Grand Line!"

Ash winced as he remembered the grueling training sessions that followed. Garp's methods were as usual merciless, but they delivered required results. Over time, even Garp had come to respect Nami and Nojiko's resolve and came to see them as his grand-daughters.

One particularly vivid memory was of Bellemere's arrival. Garp had insisted on meeting her after hearing about the sister's plight, and their private conversation had left him unusually subdued.

"The Marines lost another damn good one," Garp had muttered afterward, shaking his head.

Ash had pieced it together quickly: Bellemere must have revealed her ties to the Revolutionary Army.

To everyone's surprise, Garp had offered to help with the tribute money for Arlong, his expression uncharacteristically serious as he said, "Make sure that fish idiot regrets ever crossing paths with all of you."

Before leaving, Garp had leaned in close to Ash, his grin laced with mischief. "And don't forget to call me when you're done with him. I'll want a full report."

The memory of Garp's parting words brought a smile to Ash's face. His mutterings about "lazy disco balls" had left Ash wondering who exactly he was referring to—but he had a good guess.

{}

Ash also remembers, for the first month, Nami trained with them under Garp's intense regimen, then announced that she would spend alternate months at sea to study and chart islands to avoid Arlong's suspicious. The group agreed, understanding, because her situation cannot be compromised so easily.

Similarly, Nojiko decided to train alternate weeks between training and staying in Cocoyashi Village also to avoid raising suspicion among the Fish-Men.

The group's training continued steadily, with help from both Garp and Dragon. Thanks to the linked suitcase with dragon ash sent through Kuma, they travelled easily to Baltigo when needed.

Nami, however, often returned to Foosha Village to access the suitcase through sea leaving Cocoyashi under watchful eyes of fishmen, which Ash had entrusted to Makino.

Nojiko, on the other hand, would make the journey to Baltigo directly from Cocoyashi whenever they are training with dragon.

When Nami got see the New World for the first time she had many questions, so she frequently bombarded Dragon with all her questions about weather patterns, leading him to introduce her to some of his skilled navigators.

Ash smiled as he taught of Nami's growing knowledge of the Grand Line's climate. Despite her eagerness after her initial surprise, she admitted she wasn't ready yet, but her curiosity was boundless.

With their guidance, Nami's understanding of navigation improved by leaps and bounds. "When the time comes, Arlong won't know what hit him," he thought, a small smile playing on his lips thinking all their training.

As they walked along the path to Foosha Village, Ash's thoughts drifted back to his past birthdays, particularly his 11th. He could still recall the moment he received the unexpected gift.

Even now, thinking about it brought a flicker of surprise. The nature of that gift had been far beyond anything he could have imagined....

Just as Ash's mind began to revisit the specifics of that day, he was abruptly jolted out of his reverie.

"Ash!"

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"Ash!" Lucy's cheerful voice rang out, and before he could react, she pounced on him from behind. "What are you doing? You're being silent and boring!"

Ash chuckled, regaining his balance as he turned to her. "Nothing much," he said with a soft smile. "Just thinking about how much has happened over the last couple of years. It's been a wild ride."

Lucy tilted her head, grinning. "Well, stop thinking so hard! Today is special—it's my day!"

"True," Ash replied, his smile widening. "But don't forget, today's not just your special day. We've got something else to do, too. Remember?"

Lucy blinked for a moment before a spark of recognition lit up her eyes. "Oh, that! Yeah, but we can take care of it after the party, right? There's no rush!"

Ash nodded in agreement. "That's the plan. I even asked your dad to be on standby in case we run into complications."

Selina chimed in with a reassuring smile. "See? You've thought of everything. So why are you worrying? This is a happy occasion."

"Yeah, Selina's right," Ace added with a smirk. "Quit overthinking and just enjoy the day."

Ash exhaled, nodding as he looked at the group around him. "You're right, all of you. I guess I'm just overthinking things. Sorry for bringing the mood down."

Before anyone could respond, Uta stepped forward and wrapped him in a warm hug. She didn't say a word, but the gesture spoke volumes. Ash smiled and patted her shoulder.

With the mood lightened, the group resumed their journey. As they reached the outskirts of Foosha Village, the sound of bustling activity from Makino's bar grew louder as they near, signalling the lively celebration that awaited them.

As they reached Makino's bar, she greeted them warmly at the door. Her eyes landed on Lucy, and she teased, "I thought you might not show up!"

Lucy laughed, flashing her signature grin. "I wouldn't miss my own party, Makino! Shishishi!"

Ash stepped forward, asks the question on his mind. "Makino-san, did you...?"

Makino smiled reassuringly and answers before he could ask his question. "Don't worry, it's safe. I've kept it in my room. Anyone coming through will stay there, and I'll check every half hour to make sure no one gets suspicious."

Ash nodded. "Thank you. That takes a load off my mind."

Makino chuckled. "You've got enough to handle today without worrying about that."

Soon, the party started. Bellemere and Dragon arrived quietly, using the suitcase in Makino's room to make their appearance. Even Garp was there, already laughing boisterously in the corner.

When Nami arrived in the evening, the girls rushed to greet her, hugging and chatting as though they hadn't seen each other in years leaving him alone. Their bond over the past two years had only grown stronger.

Meanwhile, Ash sat alone at the bar, swirling a drink in his hand. He muttered to himself, "I really need to find some male friends…" His thoughts drifted to how often the girls ganged up on him, leaving him with no chance to argue.

Makino, serving a glass nearby, overheard and smirked. "Trouble keeping up with the ladies, Ash?"

Ash's eyes widened in alarm. "No, Makino-san! Please don't tell them I said that!"

Makino laughed, her voice light with mischief. "Relax, your secret's safe with me."

Ash sighed in relief but shot her a mock-glare. "Makino-san, you tease me too much sometimes."

She shrugged playfully. "It's fun. Besides, you seem a little scared of them."

Ash stammered, his face turning red. "No! It's just... survival instinct!"

Makino burst out laughing. "Sure it is, Ash."

Before he could respond, the girls returned, and Uta eyed him curiously. "What were you two talking about?"

Ash froze, a nervous smile plastered on his face as he stammered, "N-nothing! Just talking about... stuff!" He rubbed the back of his neck, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple.

Uta narrowed her eyes in doubt not believing him, while Ace with a teasing smirk on her face. "My ears are itching... Were you saying something bad about us?"

Ash waved his hands in panic spoke in squeaky voice. "No, no, of course not!"

Makino, seeing his plight, stepped in to rescue him. "Relax, girls. We were just talking about some plans for later. Nothing to worry."

Ash shot her a grateful look as the conversation shifted back to the party.

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The party went on with laughter and joy, filled with dancing, delicious food, and an assortment of different dishes. The atmosphere was lively, with everyone celebrating and cherishing the moment.

As the party drew to a close, Garp stood up, stretching and letting out a hearty laugh. "Well, I'm off. My vacation's over, and duty calls!" He looked at Ash and the girls, his expression turning serious for a moment. "You lot, take care of yourselves—and stay out of trouble. Got it?"

Lucy grinned mischievously. "No promises, Grandpa!"

Garp's brow twitched, but he ignored her, adding, "Go make a name for yourselves in bounty hunting. Build a good reputation—maybe it'll help you get into the Marines someday!"

That was the spark that lit the fuse. Lucy immediately shouted back, "We're not joining the Marines! We're going to be pirates!"

Garp growled, his tick mark pulsing. "Brat! What did you say?!" The two launched into their usual shouting match, the rest of the group laughing at their antics.

Eventually, Garp huffed and ruffled Lucy's hair roughly. "You're as stubborn as your father, you little rascal." Dragon who is beside him mock shouts at him to which he ignores.

Then, with his signature Fist of Love, Garp bonked each of them on the head in turn, muttering, "A bunch of troublemakers, every one of you."

Ash and the girls rubbed their heads in unison, groaning. "Why do you always do that, old man?!"

With a tick mark still on his forehead, Garp barked, "I told you to call me grandpa and you need to toughen up! And listen to this: if anything happens to you, I'll make sure you feel my wrath! Get hurt, and it's double training for all of you!"

The warning sent shudders through Ash and the girls, who could only nod in reluctant agreement.

Satisfied, Garp grinned. "Good. Now, don't forget what I said. Take care of yourselves!" And with that, he turned and left, muttering under his breath about stubborn kids and foolish dreams.

After the party, guests began to leave one by one, the once-bustling bar gradually quieting down. Eventually, the only ones left were Ash and the girls, along with Bellemere, Dragon, and Makino, who were tidying up and exchanging light conversation in the bar's cozy atmosphere.

Following the conclusion of the party, Ash and the group made their way deep into the forest near Mt. Colbo, far from the villagers to avoid drawing attention.

Makino, having learned about the purpose of the gathering, insisted on accompanying them, wanting to be present for what they were about to undertake.

Dragon stood ready, maintaining a vigilant stance to ensure everyone's safety. Ash had confided in him about Celeste and some of the other secrets, knowing Dragon's assistance would be crucial for what lay ahead.

With Bellemere also staying behind to support them, the atmosphere grew tense with anticipation as they prepared for the next step in their plan.

Ash then retrieved a shimmering crystal from his inventory, holding it up for everyone to see. The crystal radiated a soft, pure glow. Everyone present here—familiar with Ash's unique abilities—watched with quiet anticipation.

Selina and Nojiko stepped forward to help Uta remove her bracelet, inventory bag, and pendant as a precautionary measure. They wanted to ensure her safety for what was about to happen.

Uta's nervousness was evident, though she tried to mask it with a brave smile. Ash, noticing her unease, handed the purity crystal to her with a reassuring look. The moment had arrived for Uta to use it, and as per its description, she was now strong enough to harness its power.

Ash approached Uta, his gaze steady as he asked gently, "Are you feeling nervous?"

Uta nodded, her fingers trembling slightly around the crystal. "I am," she admitted, her voice soft but resolute. "But I'm determined to get rid of this curse."

In a moment of quiet reassurance, Ash hugged her. "We're all here for you, Uta. Nothing will happen to you as long as we're here."

The group collectively echoed their support, each offering Uta words of encouragement before stepping back to give her the space she needed.

Standing some distance away, Uta held the purity crystal tightly in her hand. She took a deep, heavy breath, steadying herself for what was to come. With determination blazing in her eyes, she broke the crystal.

A burst of pure, white light erupted around her in a circle, enveloping Uta completely. The intensity was almost blinding as her silhouette became barely visible within the radiant glow. Then, piercing through the brilliance, her scream rang out, sharp and filled with pain.

The deafening scream of Uta pierced through the air, even her Devil Fruit power spiraling out of control but not fully.

The shockwave from her voice hit everyone with unrelenting force, causing each of them to clutch their ears in agony. The sound was unbearable, stretching across the forest, echoing through the surroundings.

Even with the piercing scream still ringing in their ears, Lucy, Ace, and Selina tried to rush toward Uta. Their concern for her can be seen clearly, but Makino and Bellemere held them back, with a firm grip. Despite their own concern for Uta, they steadied themselves, gathering their bearings.

Nami and Nojiko were also determined to reach Uta, but Ash quickly intervened, stopping them with a gentle but firm grasp.

Even Ash's heart ached, torn between the urge to protect her and knowing she had to face this challenge on her own. Though the urge to rush to her side was overwhelming, he forced himself to remain composed.

"Stop it, girls!" Ash shouted above the noise, his voice breaking through the chaos. "She has to fight this herself! Only then can she truly rid herself of the curse!"

His words, though nearly drowned out by the relentless scream, carried an undeniable strength. Everyone, despite their worry and struggle, understood the gravity of the situation.

Hearing Ash's words, the others reluctantly stopped, their frustration and helplessness apparent. Lucy clenched her fist, the weight of being unable to help Uta pressing heavily on her heart.

Ash, sensing her turmoil, gently reached for her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. His silent support conveyed more than words could express, reminding her that sometimes, the best way to help was to trust Uta to overcome this on her own.

After what felt like an eternity, Uta's piercing scream slowly faded, her body wracked with spasms before the intense light surrounding her began to dissipate. As the glow faded, dark, swirling smoke began to escape from her body, curling outward in a slow, menacing stream.

Uta's body slumped, unconscious, as the last of the black smoke escaped her, swirling into the air. Beneath her, a glowing circle with inscriptions appeared on the ground.

The black smoke formed a thick sphere above her, pulsing ominously. As the circle glowed brighter and brighter, the sphere began to writhe in pain, releasing an eerie, low-creaking sound.

The form of Tot Musica began to take shape from the smoke. Its monstrous, ethereal silhouette grew, struggling to break free from the circle and released a wave of pressure.

The pressure it exerted forced everyone around it to kneel, except for Dragon. He released his Conqueror's Haki, clashing with the entity's dark power, creating a tense battle of wills.

Ash gritted his teeth, struggling against the overwhelming pressure of Tot Musica and Dragon's Conqueror's Haki. Though Dragon was consciously controlling his Haki to protect them, the pressure from Tot Musica was too great.

For the first time, Ash felt the weight of Conqueror's Haki and understood why so many collapsed under it.

He looked around—Nami, Nojiko, and Makino who had already fallen unconscious, unable to bear the strain. Selina and Ace were holding on, but it was clear they were losing the battle.

Bellemere, surprisingly, seemed to be holding her ground, looks like due to her experiences in the Revolutionary. It seems she already got see and feel this before hand.

Lucy, like Ash, fought to resist the pressure, but time felt stretched, each second dragging. Minutes passed like hours, and finally, Selina and Ace could no longer keep their composure, falling unconscious.

Dragon increased the intensity of his Conqueror's Haki, focusing it on Tot Musica as the monstrous being struggled harder. The oppressive pressure rose further, pressing down on everyone like an unrelenting force.

Suddenly, faint threads of light emerged from the glowing circle beneath Tot Musica. The threads wrapped around the creature, restraining it with the circle, while Tot Musica thrashed violently, its movements became more desperate, as if its very existence were at stake.

Ash, drenched in sweat that poured down like a river under the pressure, noticed something peculiar—white cracks began forming along Tot Musica's massive form. The creature's pressure spiked again, causing the ground beneath them to crack and shatter under the strain.

Lucy, trembling but unyielding under the immense pressure, pressed her fists into the ground. Slowly, she gritted her teeth and forced herself to rise. Her legs wobbled under the weight of the overwhelming force, but her fiery spirit refused to be extinguished.

"You ugly idiot!" she shouted, staggering to her feet. "I won't let Uta get hurt because of you again!" Her voice was raw with emotion, carrying her defiance like a battle cry.

As her words echoed, a sudden surge of untapped power erupted from her being. Lucy's Conqueror's Haki flared uncontrollably, its wild, raw force slamming into everything around her.

The ground cracked beneath her, and the intense pressure forced Ash and Bellemere to stagger, both struggling to hold their ground against the added amplified pressure.

Bellemere, caught off guard by the sudden eruption of Haki, recognized it and was surprised just before collapsing.

Dragon, who was locked in a fierce contest of wills with Tot Musica, briefly widened his eyes in surprise seeing this. His lips curled into a smirk, pride flashing across his face as he adjusted to the new pressure.

Ash, watching Lucy's defiance and feeling the weight of her Haki, began to falter. His vision blurred, his knees buckling under the combined pressure of Tot Musica, Dragon's and Lucy's uncontrollable surge.

He could feel himself teetering on the edge of unconsciousness when a strange sensation welled up inside him, as though something deep within him was begging to be released.

Just as his body was about to give in, Celeste's voice echoed in his mind: ["Don't fall unconscious now, Ash. You got stay awake, come on you can do this. Stand and fight."] Her encouragement reignited a spark within him.

Gritting his teeth, Ash dug his fist deep in the ground, forcing himself to resist the overwhelming pressure. The strange sensation grew stronger, more insistent, like a dam about to burst. The air around him grew heavier, crackling with an unseen force.

For a moment, time seemed to stretch as Ash felt as if something trying to claw its way to the surface. It feels primal, as if an undeniable force waiting to break free.

With a roar, Ash forced himself to stand, his body trembling but resolute. "Die, you idiot monster! Leave my Uta!" he bellowed, his voice filled with determination. At that moment, the dam broke.

A massive wave of Conqueror's Haki exploded from him, wild and unrefined. The ground beneath him trembled as his Haki collided with Tot Musica's oppressive presence along with Lucy's and Dragon's haki, creating shockwaves that rippled outward.

The battlefield turned into a storm of clashing wills. Tot Musica's grotesque form began to crack, fractures spreading like lightning across its body.

The monstrous entity shrieked in rage and agony, trying to resist the onslaught. The glowing white circle beneath it pulsed more brighter, and more thin threads of light snaked upward, binding the creature even tighter as if chocking.

With one final cry, Tot Musica's body shattered into countless fragments like glowing particles, releasing a powerful shockwave that rippled through the forest, shaking the earth and scattering debris and nearby trees from its roots.

Lucy's strength finally gave out, and she collapsed onto the ground, unconscious.

Meanwhile Ash, his body trembling and barely able to hold himself upright, fell to his knees. His vision started to blur, and his breaths came in ragged gasps. In the distance, he could see Dragon approaching, carrying Uta in his arms.

Ash's arms buckled, and he slumped forward, his cheek pressed against the cold, cracked earth.

As the last of his strength faded, he faintly heard Dragon's voice, calm and tinged with admiration: "You two brats never cease to surprise me." And with that Ash finally falls unconscious exhaustion claiming him.

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. 😊