Chapter 7: Climb or Die – Reverse Mountain Madness!
The sky was no longer blue.
Thick clouds hung low over the sea, swirling like the wrath of gods. Ayman stood at the bow of the Waifu Maru, staring at the monstrous wall of water in the distance.
(A\N: Waifu Maru Ship Name)
Reverse Mountain.
A towering current spiraled upward between jagged cliffs, leading to the Grand Line. The sea churned violently, with whirlpools on either side, ready to swallow any ship that strayed even an inch off course.
Ayman gulped. "So… this is the entrance."
Beside him, Yoruichi cracked her knuckles. "Oh yeah. This is where most newbies die. Fun, huh?"
Behind them, Esdeath stood calmly with her sword drawn, eyes narrowed at the mountain.
"We must go full speed and align perfectly with the current. One mistake, and we'll be shattered."
Ayman turned to the ship's wheel, which was comically small for the situation. "Why didn't we install a bigger rudder?!"
Yoruichi chuckled. "You wanted to save money for ramen."
He slapped his forehead. "Curse my noodle priorities!"
[Main Quest: Climb Reverse Mountain]
[Objective: Survive the Ascent]
[Bonus Reward: Gacha Token x1 + 25,000 Beli]
[Warning: Death Possible]
Ayman gritted his teeth. "Let's do this!"
---
The *Waifu Maru* launched toward the current, catching the edge of the upward stream. Instantly, the ship lurched forward like a rocket.
Waves smashed the sides. The entire vessel trembled.
"RAISE THE SAILS!" Esdeath shouted.
Yoruichi leapt up the mast, adjusting ropes with lightning speed. Her toned legs wrapped around the mast as she flipped and kicked the tangled knots loose.
Ayman fought the wheel, rain pelting his face.
"STAY CENTERED!" he yelled.
The ship groaned under pressure, but it held.
The current was insane—rushing upward in defiance of gravity, dragging them higher and higher. To their sides, jagged rocks jutted from the cliffs like death's teeth.
"IF WE SLIP, WE'RE DEAD!" Ayman screamed.
Yoruichi grinned. "We always knew that!"
A bolt of lightning cracked the sky—followed by a massive wave slamming into the starboard side. Water crashed onto the deck, sweeping Ayman off his feet.
He slammed against the railing.
"AYMAN!" both girls shouted at once.
[Emergency: Activate Dual Mode?]
[Yes/No]
"Yes!"
[Dual Mode Activated: Flash Step + Ice Armor (3 minutes)]
Frost spread across his skin as he shot upright, racing across the slick deck in a blur. He caught a falling barrel, righted the mast, and grabbed the wheel again—breathing hard.
"We're not dying here!"
The ship tilted dangerously as the current twisted near a sharp bend in the mountain.
"Brace!" Esdeath shouted, stabbing her sword into the deck and summoning a barrier of ice along one side of the hull.
The wave hit.
CRASH!
Ice shattered. The ship shuddered—but stayed upright.
They were halfway up.
"Power! We need more speed!" Yoruichi yelled.
Ayman clenched his fists.
"I can share your power, right?"
Esdeath nodded. "Take it."
A rush of cold flowed into him as he absorbed more of her energy. A second layer of ice armor formed across his chest, and a sharp edge covered his right arm.
Then he turned to Yoruichi. "Ready to sync?"
She smirked. "Oh, you know I am."
He took her hand—electric energy rushed into him. His legs felt weightless.
Ayman blurred from the helm to the mast and back in seconds, reinforcing ropes, patching a small crack, and tightening the sails—all while the ship raced upward like a bullet.
They were nearing the peak.
"FINAL STRETCH!" he screamed.
The water exploded around them. The sound was deafening. Behind them, a whirlpool began forming—pulling everything backward.
Ayman gritted his teeth, vision blurring. "Come on… just a little more!"
The ship hit a ramp of water—and soared.
Time slowed.
They flew into the air for a brief moment, the peak of Reverse Mountain behind them, the Grand Line waiting on the other side.
Then—
They crashed into the downward current.
"AAAAAAAHHH!"
The ship flew downward at breakneck speed, sails flapping wildly, the hull screaming under the pressure.
Ayman held onto the wheel, wind tearing at his face.
"BRACE FOR LANDING!"
Yoruichi wrapped herself around the mast, laughing wildly.
Esdeath froze the base of the mast and grabbed Ayman with her free hand.
"Impact in 3… 2… 1—"
BOOM!
The ship crashed into calmer waters, splashing like a cannonball. The masts bent, but held. The Waifu Maru groaned and bobbed in the water.
Silence.
Ayman lay on the deck, eyes wide.
"We… survived?"
Yoruichi sat up, hair wild and wet. "Hell yeah we did!"
Esdeath stood up, brushing debris from her shoulder. "Of course."
[Quest Complete: Reverse Mountain Conquered]
[Reward: Gacha Token x1, 75,000 Beli, System Upgrade Unlocked]
[Gacha Summon Unlocked: Spin Now?]
Ayman grinned weakly. "Spin it…"
The familiar golden interface appeared in his vision as a roulette wheel spun rapidly.
[Summon Acquired: Tsunade (Naruto)]
[Role: Combat Healer / Sake Addict / Punch of Doom]
A flash of light burst from the deck—and there she was.
Tsunade, busty, imposing, and looking slightly hungover, appeared with her hands on her hips.
"Where the hell am I? Why do I smell ocean and idiots?"
Ayman blinked.
"Welcome aboard."
Tsunade looked around, saw the soaked ship, and frowned. "You better have sake. Or I'm punching someone."
Yoruichi whistled. "She's got attitude."
Esdeath tilted her head. "She may prove… useful."
Ayman smiled weakly. "Or she might kill me."
[New Quest: Survive Drunk Tsunade and Reach the First Island of the Grand Line]
He slumped to the deck as Tsunade cracked her knuckles and stormed toward the cabin.
"Well… we made it."
Yoruichi winked. "Just barely."