Chapter 6: One Ship, Two Waifus, and a Mountain of Trouble
Morning sunlight broke over the ocean, painting the sky with streaks of orange and pink. The salty breeze rustled the sails of Ayman's modest schooner, now rechristened Waifu Maru, thanks to Yoruichi's suggestion.
Ayman stretched on deck with a yawn. "Alright. Time to prepare for Reverse Mountain."
[Main Quest: Enter Reverse Mountain]
[Objective: Reinforce Ship, Stock Supplies, and Train with Summons]
[Time Limit: 5 Days]
[Reward: System Upgrade + 50,000 Beli]
"Five days, huh? That's not much time," he muttered, scratching his head.
Behind him, soft footsteps approached.
Esdeath appeared in a neatly pressed white blouse—two sizes too small—and short navy shorts that definitely weren't regulation. She'd tied her hair back in a high ponytail, and a faint scent of lavender floated around her.
"Ayman, I've reviewed the charts. We'll need to reinforce the hull. I recommend ironwood panels along the keel and a secondary sail for stability."
Ayman blinked. "You sound like you've done this before."
"I've studied naval tactics."
"Of course you have," he whispered.
Then a louder thud came from above as Yoruichi dropped from the mast, landing in a tight tank top and spats, stretching lazily.
"You're still talking about wood while I've been working my abs. Priorities, captain."
"Yeah," Ayman said, trying not to look as both of them bent over the map table at the same time. "So... let's divide duties. Esdeath handles the hull upgrades, Yoruichi checks the sails and ropes, and I'll… do the hard stuff."
Yoruichi grinned. "Like napping?"
"No! I'll… shop."
[Side Task: Visit Shell Town Shipyard and Marketplace]
[Required: Food Supplies, Weapon Oil, Reinforcement Materials]
[Bonus Reward: 10,000 Beli for Bargaining]
Esdeath stepped close, a little *too* close. "Do you need an escort, Ayman? I don't want you harmed."
Yoruichi snorted. "You just don't want to leave him alone around other girls."
Esdeath's eyes narrowed. "He is mine."
Ayman held up his hands. "I'm no one's! I mean—I'm everyone's—I mean—I'll go now!"
He jumped into the dinghy and rowed ashore as fast as he could, leaving the two women glaring silently behind him.
---
Shell Town's shipyard was bustling with hammering sounds, sparks flying as workers reinforced ships heading toward the Grand Line.
Ayman browsed through materials, picked out thick planks of ironwood, resin barrels, and a special salt-resistant varnish. He haggled hard—channeling the energy of every anime protagonist forced into budgeting hell.
[Negotiation Success: Saved 5,000 Beli]
[Bonus Acquired: Emergency Sail Kit]
As he finished loading the cargo onto a rented cart, a young woman with blue hair and round glasses bumped into him. She wore a blacksmith apron over a modest dress, but her generous curves pressed dangerously close as she apologized.
"Ah! Sorry, I wasn't looking—are you okay?"
Ayman's nose nearly bled. "I'm fine! Totally fine! Not flustered!"
The girl giggled. "You're kind of cute when you panic. I'm Lissa. You new to the seas?"
"Uh... yeah."
She leaned in. "Be careful near Reverse Mountain. Boats that aren't reinforced get split in half."
He gulped.
Then—
*CRACK!*
A sheet of ice suddenly formed beneath his feet, freezing the wheels of the cart.
Esdeath appeared behind him, expression cool and deadly.
"You were gone too long."
Yoruichi dropped down from a rooftop, sipping a juice box. "He's got a type, huh?"
"W-What are you both doing here?!"
"Guard duty," Esdeath said, not taking her eyes off Lissa, who was now backing away nervously.
Yoruichi added with a smirk, "And making sure you don't accidentally build a harem in the middle of town."
Ayman: ×_×
---
Back aboard the Waifu Maru, the real chaos began.
Day 1:
Yoruichi practiced on the deck in a sports bra and short-shorts, stretching in impossible positions that Ayman tried very hard not to look at. Every time he slipped, she smirked and gave him a teasing wink.
"Eyes on the waves, captain. Unless you wanna fall overboard."
Meanwhile, Esdeath installed metal braces inside the cabin. Bent over a beam, her shorts rode up to dangerous levels.
Ayman nearly tripped walking in. "Why is everything in this world ecchi?!"
[Warning: Blood Pressure Critical.]
Day 2:
Esdeath insisted on personally cooking breakfast—an ice-themed meal served with deadly precision. Yoruichi made pancakes in the shape of cat faces.
Ayman tried both. Yoruichi fed him a piece playfully, while Esdeath fed him from a spoon with silent intensity.
He choked on an egg.
That night, both insisted on sleeping in the same room.
"Choose one side," Yoruichi said.
"Middle," Esdeath said firmly.
Ayman muttered, "I'll sleep in the cargo hold…"
Day 3:
Training.
Yoruichi taught him agility, flipping him into the ocean "accidentally" five times.
Esdeath taught him how to channel Ice Armor, freezing a dummy solid.
Then they sparred with each other—turning the deck into a battle zone.
Yoruichi's legs wrapped around Esdeath mid-spin. Esdeath countered by freezing the ropes and sliding behind her.
Ayman sat watching, soaked in seawater, nose bleeding slightly.
"This is the best worst timeline…"
---
By Day 4, the ship was reinforced, supplies were stocked, and Ayman had learned to share powers from both summons.
[Power Sync Achieved: Dual Mode Unlocked]
[Dual Mode: Ayman can activate both Ice Armor and Flash Step for 3 minutes]
[Cooldown: 6 Hours]
He tested it immediately—blurring across the deck while his body shimmered with frost.
Esdeath clapped politely.
Yoruichi wolf-whistled. "Hey now, you're getting cool."
"I've been cool!"
"You've been awkward with abs."
Ayman laughed. For once, he felt ready.
[Main Quest Updated: Prepare for Reverse Mountain – 1 Day Remaining]
As the sun set, the ship rocked gently.
Ayman lay on a hammock as both girls sat on either side, one braiding his hair (Yoruichi) and one massaging his shoulders (Esdeath).
"This is nice," he murmured.
Yoruichi whispered, "Don't get used to it. We're hitting a death current tomorrow."
Esdeath added, "I will protect you."
He closed his eyes.
"I really hope I don't die before this becomes a full-on harem."
[Next Stop: Reverse Mountain]