Chapter 4: Jungle Chase and Combat Chemistry
The humid jungle air hit Ayman like a wall the moment they stepped off the cobblestone streets and into the brush.
Leaves crunched underfoot. Tree branches reached low, grabbing at clothes and hair. Insects buzzed all around, but Ayman's focus was laser-sharp. He had three fugitives to chase and a brand-new summon ready to punch holes through mountains.
Android 18 walked beside him with her usual bored expression. "So, what's the job again?"
"Three pirates. Escaped custody. Probably hiding somewhere in the jungle," Ayman replied, scanning the trail for clues.
[System Scan Active]
[Tracking: Red Hammer crew remnants – Heat signatures detected northwest, 300 meters]
Elizabeth tightened the grip on her staff. "We need to catch them before they reach the boats on the other side of the island."
"They won't get far," Hana muttered, unsheathing her short katana. "I'll take the loud one. Always hated screamers."
Ayman smirked slightly.
[System Update: Active Summon Slot 3 – Android 18 Status: Synced]
[Bond Progress: Elizabeth (24%) | Hana (17%) | Android 18 (5%)]
As they moved deeper into the foliage, Ayman's mind raced with options. With Shikamaru scouting from the trees and Android 18 covering brute force, he had more flexibility than ever.
The trail led them to a clearing near a dried-up riverbed. The moment they stepped in—
BOOM!
The ground exploded beneath Ayman and Elizabeth, sending them flying back into the underbrush. A cloud of smoke erupted.
"Trap!" Shikamaru shouted from the treetops. "Clay mines! More ahead!"
Ayman landed hard, Elizabeth crashing beside him in the soft dirt. Her robe twisted awkwardly during the fall, and for a brief second, her long legs were fully exposed.
"Ugh…" she groaned, cheeks flushing. "I hate jungle traps…"
[Ecchi Trigger: Accidental Exposure – Elizabeth Affection +1]
Ayman looked away quickly. "You okay?"
"Fine. Just bruised my pride."
Meanwhile, Hana leapt forward with a grin. "That all you got, cowards?"
Three pirates stepped out from behind thick tree trunks—one carrying a spiked club, another with twin pistols, and the third holding a strange devil fruit weapon shaped like a coiled whip.
"Your bounty hunter days end here, pretty boy!" the gunman barked. "Red Hammer's crew always strikes back!"
Android 18 walked past the others, cracking her knuckles. "You done talking?"
She vanished in a blur of motion and reappeared in front of the pistol-wielder—then casually kicked him straight into a tree, snapping it in half.
[Enemy Defeated: Gunner Jack – Bounty 5,000,000 Beri]
The whip user hissed. "You'll pay for that!"
He swung the weapon at her, which turned into a living snake mid-air. Android 18 didn't even flinch. She grabbed the snake-whip by the throat, crushed it with one hand, and punched the man into the
[Enemy Defeated: Whip Fang – Bounty 4,500,000 Beri]
Only the last pirate remained—the big one with the spiked club and a devilish grin.
"You're not the only one with power," he growled.
Suddenly, his body bulked up, skin turning red. Steam hissed from his mouth as veins bulged all over his arms.
"Devil Fruit," Hana muttered. "Watch out."
Ayman stepped forward. "He's mine."
[System Boost Activated – Bond Triggered: Shikamaru Assist]
[Temporary Strategy Buff: Agility +2, Enemy Weakness Revealed]
Ayman vanished and appeared behind the brute, sweeping his legs with a sudden strike. The pirate fell, but rolled and smashed his club down—missing by inches. Ayman used his momentum to bounce back and slam a kick to the man's neck.
The pirate stumbled. Hana charged forward with a spinning strike, slicing across his leg. Elizabeth cast a quick healing spell on Ayman's bruised side.
"Let me finish it," Android 18 said coolly.
A single punch to the gut, and the pirate dropped like a ragdoll.
[Enemy Defeated: Steam Club – Bounty 7,000,000 Beri]
[Total Bounty Captured: 16,500,000 Beri]
[Reward: Summon Tokens +2 | System Points +5]
Ayman exhaled deeply. "That's all three. Good work, team."
Hana wiped sweat from her forehead. "Nice teamwork. You're better than I expected."
Elizabeth shot her a sideways glance. "He didn't need your help."
Android 18 snorted. "You two always like this?"
Ayman ran a hand through his hair. "They've only known each other a day."
Back at the bathhouse later that evening, the group gathered for some much-needed rest.
[System Message: New Summons Available – Tokens x2]
[Would you like to roll now?]
Ayman nodded. "Let's see what I get this time."
[Rolling…]
[Congratulations! You have summoned: Yoruichi Shihōin (Bleach) – Rare Tier – Role: Speed/Assassin]
[Summon permanently bound – Slot Reserved]
Light crackled in the room. A flash of purple and a voice echoed.
"Well, this is interesting," said Yoruichi as she stepped into view, yellow eyes gleaming. She wore her familiar orange top and black bodysuit.
"Oh no," Elizabeth whispered. "She's… really pretty."
Hana whistled. "She's got legs for days."
Yoruichi smirked. "I see I've been summoned by someone with taste."
Ayman just stared. "You're real. You're actually real…"
[Harem Route Triggered: "The Thunder Flash" – Yoruichi (Affection: 6%)]
[Ecchi Trigger: Arrival Pose (All girls flustered) – Group Dynamics Shifting]
Android 18 rolled her eyes. "Another one?"
Elizabeth crossed her arms. "We're not running a beauty pageant here."
Yoruichi walked over and poked Ayman's chest with one finger. "Don't worry. I'm not here to steal your thunder. Just to join the fun."
Ayman swallowed hard.
[System Alert: Emotional Load Rising – Suggestion: Cool down or distraction mission]
Elizabeth cleared her throat loudly. "I'll be in the bath again. Alone."
Hana snickered. "Not if I get there first."
Yoruichi stretched her arms. "Oh? Bath time already? I could use a soak."
As the three women walked off in different directions—glaring daggers at each other—Ayman sat down on the wooden steps of the bathhouse porch and stared into the night sky.
He wasn't sure if this was still a dream or the greatest life twist ever.
But one thing was certain.
This adventure was just heating up.