This is an inconspicuous small island on the Grand Line, named Asuka Island.
The people on the island are simple and kind, working diligently, and should have lived a relatively prosperous and peaceful life.
But in reality, this was not the case, because of an unconfirmed rumor, pirates visited the island almost continuously, bringing deep disaster to the islanders.
The houses on the island were built close together, a change made to defend against pirates who could attack at any time, but if one were to look down from above the island, a treehouse could be seen sitting alone in the forest, out of place with the overall atmosphere of the island.
At this moment, several thin figures appeared below the big tree, pushing and shoving as they walked over, seemingly none of them wanting to get close. Finally, a slightly older child gathered his courage and shouted towards the treehouse:
"Allen, the High Priest is looking for you!"
The sound of movement came from the quiet forest, and a handsome little boy poked his head out of the treehouse. In an instant, the naughty children below scattered like birds, leaving only panicked and terrified voices echoing in the forest.
"Run! The monster is out!"
"He saw me, I'm doomed, he must know I secretly ate the beast meat!"
"You scoundrel, you actually stole beast meat, that's too much... You didn't even call me!"
Allen's small face was very calm, as if he had long been accustomed to others' fear and rejection. He just gestured towards the treehouse and said, "Brother is going out for a bit, you be good at home by yourself!"
A lovely little girl, like a pink jade carving, poked her head out of the room and sweetly said, "Brother, Demi won't run around, Demi is the best!"
Allen felt relieved, closed the doors and windows, and directly leaped down from the nearly ten-meter-high treehouse.
Not long after, Allen arrived at the village temple. The High Priest, leaning on a cane, appeared at the right moment, looking ancient and frail, with wrinkled skin and white hair.
"Allen, I've called you here this time because there's a matter of life and death for our tribe that I need your help with," the High Priest said with a look of shame.
"High Priest, please don't say that. Just tell me what you need, and I'll do it," Allen's small face was filled with a serious expression.
A flicker of hesitation crossed the High Priest's eyes, but he quickly remembered something, and his gaze became firm again.
"This matter dates back thousands of years, Allen. Do you know that legend, the legend of the cursed holy sword?"
"I know it. I heard that those pirates also keep coming to the island because of this illusory legend," Allen replied earnestly, even though he didn't know why the High Priest would bring it up.
"Illusory? That's not just a rumor, it's true!"
"This... how is this possible?" Allen's small face was filled with shock.
"Legend has it that thousands of years ago, a red full moon appeared on our Asuka Island. Our ancestors believed that the red moon, which represented blood and evil, would bring disaster and misfortune, so that red moon was also called the Ominous Moon!"
"Therefore, the gods of Asuka, to protect people from disaster and anomaly, bestowed upon the King of Asuka three precious orbs as a shield, and a Seven-Star Sword as a spear."
"It's just a pity that over the long passage of time, the Seven-Star Sword gradually became tainted with darkness and ill omen, becoming a cursed holy sword. And the mission of our clan is to guard and suppress it, to prevent the Seven-Star Sword from being used by those with ulterior motives, and also to prevent the darkness of the Seven-Star Sword from invading the world."
Allen was puzzled, waiting for the High Priest's explanation.
"Every hundred years, when the red moon descends, it is when the seal's power is weakest. It requires the bloodline of a witch and the three precious orbs to re-seal it. However, the next generation's witch has not yet grown up, and I am already old and frail.
There is no one else in the clan who can complete the sealing. Once the Seven-Star Sword is unleashed, this sea will be enveloped in darkness!"
"So, you mean..." Allen's voice was low, as if he had already guessed the High Priest's meaning.
"Only by offering the most perfect sacrifice to the gods can their wrath be appeased and the seal of the Seven-Star Sword be reinforced again, and your talent... can almost be said to be a gift from the gods!"
Allen was very kind, kind enough to be willing to give up his life for the villagers who rejected and feared him, but he couldn't die. If he died, who would take care of his young sister?
Due to pirate invasions, life on the island had always been difficult. No one would be willing to bear the burden of an extra mouth to feed, and it was precisely for this reason that the precocious Allen revealed his value, just to secure food for his sister from the village.
As if sensing Allen's hesitation, the High Priest's old voice came out: "You don't need to worry about Demi. As compensation, I have already contacted a wealthy noble couple who have no children. They are very happy to adopt Demi. After you are gone, Demi will live better than everyone else."
These words undoubtedly touched Allen's heartstrings. Although he didn't mind the strange looks from others, he absolutely didn't want Demi to have the same experience. He hoped Demi could live a dream-like life, eating well and sleeping warmly every day.
"High Priest, I agree!"
"Good child, it's just hard on you!"
...
The High Priest's promise was quickly fulfilled. Although Demi's heartbreaking cries made Allen stop for a moment, he eventually steeled himself and left without looking back. Demi was still young; perhaps after a few years, she would forget her unqualified brother and live the life everyone dreamed of!
...
The scarlet moonlight was about to shroud the land. Allen followed closely behind the High Priest into the temple. Everything around them exuded an ancient aura, as if stepping out of ancient times.
In the lowest level of the temple, a simple stone coffin was placed. The ground was a hexagram array outlined with fresh blood. Allen stood in the center of the hexagram array. After the High Priest told Allen not to wander off, he fled as if for his life.
Although the surrounding environment was bloody and eerie, Allen felt no fear in his heart. Instead, he looked around curiously.
Suddenly, a soft hum echoed in the silent, dark room, like cicadas joyfully singing in the forest. A bit of black mist seeped into his body through his skin pores, and a highly seductive voice resonated in Allen's mind.
"Go... Open the stone coffin, take up the divine sword, and you will possess supreme power!"
Seeing Allen unmoved, the black mist continued to raise the stakes.
"...Power, wealth, fame... As long as you pick up that sword, everything will follow!"
However, Allen just mumbled softly, "Is this the gods' trial? It doesn't seem that difficult?"
The vibrating Seven-Star Sword stopped its humming. It didn't possess a complete consciousness, but like most cursed swords, it had a faint spiritual sense. Of course, its spiritual sense was definitely not comparable to the likes of the Sandai Kitetsu.
At this moment, if the Seven-Star Sword had intelligence, it would surely be extremely curious: how could someone's heart be so pure, without the slightest darkness?