Chapter 15 – The Festival of Sounds and Idiotic Contests
The morning sun bathed Stonebell Island in golden warmth, and for once, there were no explosions, no hidden dungeons, and no mysterious yodeling orbs threatening everyone's sanity.
Just birdsong. Bells chiming softly in the breeze.
Peace.
"Hey Captain, wake up! There's a festival today!" Yoruichi shouted, standing above Ayman with her foot nudging his ribs.
Ayman groaned. "How can you be this energetic this early?"
"It's 11 a.m.," she deadpanned.
He peeked outside the window and saw the town square decorated with colorful streamers and dozens of stalls. Children danced with ribbons while musicians tuned odd-looking instruments that resembled wind chimes strapped to guitars.
[System Notification: Local Event Detected – "Festival of Sounds"]
[Optional Participation Rewards Available. Recommended: Don't Embarrass Yourself.]
"Too late for that," Ayman muttered.
Downstairs, the mayor beamed as he explained the festivities.
"Every spring, we celebrate the harmony of music and life," he said. "Contests, food, dancing… and the bell-toss challenge, of course!"
Ayman blinked. "Bell-toss?"
"You throw a bell. You catch a bell. You try not to break your nose in the process," the mayor said proudly.
"And the winner gets a mountain-sized fruit tart," a baker chimed in from behind.
That got Tsunade's attention.
"I'm winning this," she declared.
An hour later, the crew joined the festivities. Ayman wore a lightweight yukata someone forced on him, and it was just loose enough for the wind to constantly try and flash his legs.
"Stop pulling it down like a pervert," Yoruichi teased.
"You try wearing this thing with dignity!"
Android 18 had already hacked a local vendor's drum game and was collecting coupons like a demon. Esdeath was sipping tea in the corner, looking like a queen of calm while townspeople gawked at her icy beauty.
And Tsunade… had entered every contest.
Eating contest? She devoured 37 skewers of grilled eel and won a handmade sash.
Arm-wrestling? She nearly dislocated the village blacksmith's shoulder. Twice.
Music composition contest? She composed an off-key haiku on the spot:
"Bang bang boom boom – eat fish, punch rock, drink all sake – I am strongest girl."
The judges were too scared to criticize it and gave her first place.
Meanwhile, Ayman found himself roped into a three-legged race with a very confused goat and a blindfold.
"WHO DESIGNS THESE GAMES?!"
Yoruichi was rolling on the floor laughing. "This island is the best."
Later that afternoon, a music parade marched through the town, featuring bizarre instruments: flute-banjo hybrids, bagpipes shaped like ducks, and a man playing a bass drum with a cooked fish.
"I feel like I've eaten something hallucinogenic," Ayman muttered.
"That's just the atmosphere," Android 18 replied. "Also, don't eat the pink octopus dumplings. They scream."
As the sun dipped low, the festival reached its peak. Lanterns floated into the sky, and a large stage lit up in the center of town.
The mayor stepped forward with a microphone.
"Tonight, we honor the travelers who uncovered our sacred vault—Team Ayman!"
The crowd erupted in cheers. Ayman blinked, stunned.
"We have a team name now?" he whispered.
"Apparently so," Esdeath said. "Though I prefer 'Idiots with Explosives.'"
"You wound me."
"Not yet," she replied with a soft smile.
The mayor continued. "As a token of gratitude, we invite you all to take part in the ceremonial bell dance!"
The crew exchanged confused glances.
Minutes later, Ayman was dressed in a ridiculous silver robe with bell-tassels attached to his sleeves, ankles, and even his forehead.
"I look like a disco scarecrow."
"Be grateful it's not the bikini version," Tsunade said, grinning.
The bell dance was a ridiculous routine involving jumping, twirling, and controlled jingling. Ayman tried to follow the rhythm, but the bells on his ankles had other plans. They tangled, tripped him, and he face-planted in front of half the town.
Then the bells on his head fell off and hit a chicken.
The chicken got angry.
The chicken attacked.
"WHY DOES THIS FESTIVAL HAVE A COMBAT CHICKEN?!" he screamed as he ran.
Yoruichi and Tsunade were dying from laughter.
Eventually, the chaos died down. They sat together on the rooftop of their inn, watching the last of the lanterns float into the sky.
"Today was kind of perfect," Ayman said, leaning back.
"No enemies. No creepy caves. Just fun," Yoruichi agreed.
Tsunade hiccupped from too much sake. "And food. Don't forget the food."
Android 18 looked up at the stars. "Days like this make everything feel… lighter."
Even Esdeath, normally so composed, allowed herself to smile in the moonlight.
Ayman stretched, arms behind his head. "Y'know, I could get used to this kind of adventure. No fighting, no dying, just living."
[System Notification: Bonding Bonus Achieved – "Crew Affection Increased"]
[System also recommends: Cherish these moments before the inevitable chaos.]
Ayman blinked. "Wait, what?"
"Nothing," Yoruichi said quickly. "Let's enjoy the quiet while it lasts."
The wind blew gently.
Somewhere beyond the island, waves whispered promises of new challenges ahead.
But for tonight…
It was just laughter, stars, and the soft sound of bells in the breeze.
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[A\N: If You Want Spacial Chapter You Can Sent→ Power Stone. I Will Add More Spacial chapter__ Enjoy ★_★ ]