Cherreads

Chapter 71 - Chapter 68: Welcome!

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Koneko shook her head. "No way. He'd have told us."

Then Ophis strolled in, her eyes locking onto me instantly. A wicked grin spread across her face. I begged her with a silent, desperate look—please, don't—but she didn't care.

"He's right here," she chirped, pointing straight at me.

All heads turned. Sona's glasses glinted dangerously, Koneko's glare could've melted steel, and Asia puffed out her cheeks in a pout. I sighed, dropping Sneak and Ninjutsu, and swung down from the fixture.

"Shiro, get down here," Koneko growled.

"Nope," I said, backing up. "You're gonna be mad."

"Oh, you're damn right we are," Sona snapped, crossing her arms.

Asia wagged a finger at me. "Bad boy, Shiro!"

"But it's not my fault!" I protested. "Azazel ga—" I clapped a hand over my mouth, but it was too late. Sona and Koneko's eyes widened like I'd just set off a bomb.

Sona leaned forward, voice dangerously calm. "Do you mean Azazel, the Governor of the Fallen Angels?"

Sweat beaded on my forehead. "Uh… maybe?"

"Shiro," Koneko said, her tone a warning all its own.

"Okay, fine, yes!" I blurted, throwing my hands up. "It was him. He dragged me into a secret mission, so I couldn't tell you guys."

Before I could brace myself, they tackled me to the floor in a pile of hugs—Asia clinging to my arm, Koneko pinning my shoulders, even Ophis jumping in with a smug grin. I flailed under the weight. "Also, uh, Sirzechs gave me a house! And I got new peerage members!"

Asia peeked up at me, eyes narrowing. "Shiro… are they girls?"

"Nope," I said quickly. "Why?"

"Good," she huffed, snuggling closer.

I blinked, then remembered. "Oh, crap—I forgot to give them their pieces."

Koneko smirked, still holding me down. "That's just like you."

Sona adjusted her glasses, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah, it is."

"Alright," I said, clapping my hands. "Who wants to meet the new guys?"

Every hand shot up—Sona's with a calm nod, Koneko's with a lazy flick, Asia's eagerly, Ophis's mischievously, and Frost's with a smirk.

Sona adjusted her glasses. "I'll have my peerage move our stuff to the new house. I picked the spot, but I haven't seen it yet."

I sweat-dropped, picturing her reaction. "Uh, if you're expecting something small, you're in for a shock."

Alucard's voice cut in from the couch, smooth as ever. "Mind if I tag along?"

"Me too," Frost chimed in, stepping up beside him.

"Sure," I said, grinning. "The more, the merrier."

I snapped my fingers, and in a flash, we all teleported into the castle's living room. Zoro and Sanji were still unpacking, bags and gear scattered across the floor. They glanced up as we appeared.

"Yo," Zoro said, giving a lazy wave.

Sanji smirked, leaning against a table. "Welcome to the Crap Café."

I snickered, barely holding it together. Zoro tilted his head, sizing up the group. "So, Shiro—which one's your girlfriend?"

Before I could answer, a chorus rang out: "All of us!" Sona, Koneko, Asia, Ophis, and Frost said it in unison, their voices overlapping.

Sanji and Zoro's eyes bugged out. I blinked, thrown for a loop. Wait, Frost too? Since when?

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Alright, let me introduce you to my… family."

Sanji raised an eyebrow at Sona. "So, you're in his peerage?"

"Not quite," Sona said, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "I'm one of his girlfriends."

"Me too," Koneko added, her tone flat but her eyes sharp.

Frost shrugged. "I'm his familiar."

"I'm his bishop—and his girlfriend!" Asia chirped, beaming.

Ophis grinned wide, practically glowing. "I'm the Dragon God of Infinity, and he's my mate. Or, y'know, girlfriend in simpler terms."

I waved a hand at Ophis. "She might look like a kid, but she's ancient."

Flick! A sharp sting hit my forehead as Ophis swatted me, her pout fierce. "Oww!" I whined, rubbing the spot.

Sanji cleared his throat, steering us back on track. "Anyway, we still need our evil pieces."

"Right," I said, shaking off the sting. I pulled the box from my inventory and spread the jagged pieces across the table. "Zoro, you're up first. Hold your hand over them—whichever glows is yours."

Zoro stepped forward, hovering his hand above the pieces. When it passed over the knight, it flared with a bright, steady light. I nodded—not surprised at all.

"Sanji, your turn," I said.

He did the same, and a pawn piece lit up, pulsing softly. I picked up the knight and pawn, holding them up like trophies. "Alright, let me break this down for you."

I turned to Zoro, knight piece in hand. "Zoro, you're a knight. Speed's your strength—makes you a glass cannon. You hit hard and fast, but you've gotta train your endurance and strength too. And your smarts. Don't just lean on quick feet—use your skills. Got it?"

Zoro nodded, smirking. "Yeah. It's not just about speed—it's the whole package."

"Exactly," I said, then held up the pawn piece for Sanji. "Sanji, you're a pawn. People think it's the weakest, but they're dead wrong. It's got insane potential. If I call an area enemy territory, you can promote yourself to any piece—knight, bishop, rook, whatever—except king. You're a wildcard. Understand?"

Sanji grinned, flicking his lighter open and shut. "Yeah. I've got the most room to shine in a fight."

"Spot on," I said.

I stepped up to Zoro, pressing the knight piece to his chest. My voice steadied, carrying weight. "As your king, I command it so. Roronoa Zoro, I ask you to be my sword, and I'll be your shield. Be my knight on this journey."

The piece glowed, then sank into his chest, a faint ripple of energy sealing the bond. I turned to Sanji, holding the pawn piece to his heart. "As your king, I command it so. Vinsmoke Sanji, I ask you to be my friend—my family—on this road ahead. Not just a pawn, but a brother."

The piece melted into him, the air humming with connection. I stepped back, grinning wide. "Welcome to the family."

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Hey guys if u like the fanfic and want to read ahead by 15+ Chapters or just want to support take a visit on my patreon.

(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)

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