The last echoes of battle had faded, replaced by the excited chatter of villagers. You watched them, a profound sense of responsibility settling over you. You'd just fought for these people, secured their temporary home, and now, it was time to celebrate. A feast, you decided, was in order – a way to lift their spirits and cement the fragile alliances you were building. But first, a quick check of the System. You knew you couldn't face the Multiverse unprepared, so you needed to find ways to grow stronger, fast.
Ducking into your shelter, you accessed the System. The holographic display shimmered before you, rows of items, abilities, and training methods scrolling past. One particular training manual caught your eye, promising immense strength and mastery over a new form of energy. It even boasted a hefty discount, but as you checked the price, your shoulders slumped. Even with the markdown, it was far beyond your current SP. You sighed, mentally bookmarking it for later. The feast beckoned.
The village square had transformed into a lively spectacle. Music, a mix of folk tunes played on a battered lute and rhythmic drumming, filled the air. Laughter mingled with the sizzling of cooking meat and the clinking of makeshift mugs. You found yourself grinning, a genuine, unburdened smile that felt rare these days. Tsunade, despite her usual stern demeanor, was chuckling over something Olivia said, a rare, relaxed smile gracing her lips.
Kaelen and his men, battle-hardened and weary, were already integrating, sharing drinks and boisterous stories with the villagers. They made their way over to your group, lifting their mugs. "To victory, Alex!" Kaelen roared, his voice hoarse but hearty. You raised your own, returning the sentiment, feeling a camaraderie that cut through the weariness. After a few more rounds of easy conversation and shared drinks, the evening deepened, and a comfortable buzz settled over the square. As the party began to wind down, you, Tsunade, and Olivia decided to take your drinks back to your temporary shelter, seeking a quieter space to unwind.
Inside, the atmosphere shifted, growing more intimate. Olivia, ever the instigator, suggested a few flirty games, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Come on, Alex, no holding back," she teased, her gaze daring you. As the games progressed, punctuated by laughter and the clink of mugs, Olivia's playful provocations escalated, subtly directed at you. She kept nudging you towards Tsunade, her glances suggesting unspoken possibilities, a smirk playing on her lips. Tsunade, meanwhile, was slowly succumbing to the effects of the alcohol, her usual sharp edge softening into a hazy warmth.
You felt yourself getting horney, Olivia's words and the close proximity of the two women stirring a primal urge within you. In a dazed, desire-fueled state, your usual control slipped. You gently pushed Olivia down, out of your immediate path, and lunged towards Tsunade, attempting to grope her and tried to steal a kiss, though no lip contact was made, a clumsy near-miss in your drunken haze.
Tsunade's eyes flashed open, a flicker of her usual intensity mixed with a sudden, unfamiliar jealousy. She was a bro-con at heart, and seeing your desire, even fleetingly, directed at someone else, stung. Olivia, ever perceptive, caught Tsunade's reaction. A knowing smile played on her lips. "Well, looks like someone's finally paying attention," she murmured to Tsunade, her voice low but laced with clear intention. She gave Tsunade a subtle push, her eyes urging her to act. "Go on, before someone else takes advantage of our naive boy, Alex."
With a newfound determination fueled by alcohol and Olivia's prodding, Tsunade took your hand, her grip surprisingly firm, and led you to the crude bedroom in your shelter. The door clicked shut, leaving the fading sounds of the distant party behind.
The morning sun, filtering through the gaps in the shelter's roof, cast warm streaks across the dirt floor. Tsunade was the first to stir, her muscles protesting slightly as she stretched. A deep, private blush crept up her neck as memories of the night flooded back. She glanced at you, still sleeping soundly beside her, a soft smile touching her lips. She remembered moments of unexpected passion, and a specific instance where she'd had you pinned down, her strength surprising them both. That memory, oddly, solidified a new desire within her—a yearning for you to take control, to dominate her in their burgeoning relationship. To reduce any potential awkwardness or pressure on you, she quietly slipped out of bed and began attending to some of her usual morning duties around the camp.
A little later, you groaned, your head throbbing slightly as you slowly woke. You blinked, eyes adjusting to the light, and then the memories hit you like a tidal wave. You were naked. You remembered everything. A mortified blush burned across your face, a mixture of embarrassment and a thrilling, almost disorienting, realization. You quickly looked to where Tsunade had been, only to find her gone, a pang of uncertainty hitting you. Had you messed up? Had you ruined everything?
Just then, a holographic notification shimmered into existence before you, cutting through your anxious thoughts:
"System Notification: Summon Status Upgrade Available!"
"Tsunade is now eligible to be upgraded from 'Summon' to 'Companion'."
"Companions are subordinate entities who have forged a deep enough bond with the Summoner to become eligible to become a Summoner themselves, unlocking new potential for growth and shared power."
You stared at the notification, a slow grin spreading across your face, replacing the blush. This was… more than you could have hoped for. Tsunade, a companion. That felt right.
After composing yourself and finding your clothes, you accessed the System again, a new sense of purpose driving you. You needed to get stronger, and you needed a solid base for your burgeoning crew. You navigated to the "Kingdom World" section, recalling the missions you'd skimmed before. To your surprise, the missions had been updated and altered, with new, intriguing rewards.
You studied the options carefully, your gaze scanning the details:
Mission 1: "Throne Reclaimed"
Objective: Save Ei Sei from exile and help him reclaim his rightful throne from his usurping half-brother. You must infiltrate Qin's political court, battle loyalists of the usurper, and ensure Ei Sei is crowned again.
Requirements: Defeat key enemy nobles and mercenary commanders; Rally loyalist factions; Escort Ei Sei to the royal palace.
Reward:
5000 SP (Upfront)5000 SP (Upon Completion)
Ring of Royal (+20 Charm + Leadership Bonus)
Royal Decree (Authority over one city and Authority to create a force of 1000 men army + 5000 Defence Force of fiefs)
Mission 2: "Unify the Seven Warring States"
Objective: Fulfill Ei Sei's dream—unify all seven warring states of China under Qin's rule. You must conquer or integrate Zhao, Wei, Han, Yan, Chu, and Qi, winning massive battles, outmaneuvering genius strategists, and negotiating fragile alliances.
Reward:
10000 SP (Upfront)
Conqueror's Banner (A powerful standard that provides significant buffs and boosts to the morale, strength, and resilience of all forces belonging to the banner's wielder.)
Unifier's Crown (Symbol of absolute dominance; unlocks "Emperor Authority," granting unparalleled administrative and military control.)
The "Unify" mission was tempting, a grand goal that resonated with your growing ambition. You understood that these were part of a progressive quest, with "Throne Reclaimed" being the crucial first step. You accepted the commission.
A countdown appeared before your eyes: "Commission Accepted. Commencing transfer to mission location in 10 min"
You quickly absorbed the accompanying information as the numbers ticked down. For the first six months of Kingdom time, time in the One Piece world would literally pause. After that, it would shift to a 1:5 ratio – for every day you spent in the One Piece world, five days would pass in the Kingdom world. Crucially, after completing Mission 1, you'd gain the ability to travel between the two worlds at will. This was huge.
(The 10-minute countdown has begun)
You found Tsunade completing her morning rounds, her expression serene despite the lingering blush you still felt on your own face. "Tsunade, men, prepare for deployment!" you announced, your voice firm, cutting through the morning calm. "We're moving into a war zone." Your gaze then shifted to Olivia, who was pouring herself a cup of water nearby. "Olivia," you said, your voice softer now, more inviting, "I'm heading into a new world, starting a new adventure, a mission. Would you consider joining us? Being a permanent part of our group?"
Olivia paused, looking at you with an unreadable expression. Her mind raced. There was the familiar, almost motherly caring she'd developed for you, a strange affection for this unpredictable young man. And then, there was the unsettling memory of last night, how you'd lost control, how you'd pushed her down and tried to… kiss her. It had been messy, clumsy, but something within her had stirred, a womanly side awakened by your raw, desperate desire. She studied you for a long moment, a soft smile finally gracing her lips. "Someone's got to keep you in line, Alex," she said with a laugh, her tone light but her eyes serious. "You'd probably mess everything up if I wasn't around. Fine, I'll join your little band of misfits."
Tsunade, nearby, caught Olivia's playful tone. A glint entered her eyes, assuming Olivia was simply up to a new prank or mischief, blissfully unaware that Olivia had, in fact, developed a burgeoning interest in you herself.
With the upfront 5,000 SP from the mission, combined with your existing funds (you mentally counted the 11,000 SP you had left over from previous endeavors), you now had a total of 16,000 SP. You wasted no time. You immediately purchased the training manual you'd coveted earlier, now available for 13,000 SP thanks to a massive 90% discount. This was a long-term investment, a path to true power. You then spent the remaining 3,000 SP on a "summon catalyst item: lesser dragon heart," a cryptic but promising artifact that hinted at new summoning abilities. Your SP balance hit zero.
The countdown continued, its rhythmic beeping growing louder, signaling the imminent transition. You looked at Tsunade, then at Olivia, a determined gleam in your eyes. "Let's go," you muttered, a thrill of anticipation running through you. Your first true Multiverse adventure was about to begin.