Echoes of Ragnarok – Episode 12: The First Stop – Gearshift Island

Three years had passed.

The winds carried the scent of adventure as Kai stood at the helm of his small ship, now named the Roadster. His body had changed—stronger, faster, sharper—but his dream remained the same.

He had spent those years training, pushing his Gomu Gomu no Mi abilities to their limit, mastering new techniques, and refining his skills. Now, it was time. Time to set sail and carve his name into history.

With a final look at his home island, Kai adjusted his goggles and grinned. “Time to hit the road.”

With a strong gust of wind filling his sails, Kai left the island behind, sailing toward the unknown.

Arrival at Gearshift Island

After days at sea, Kai’s first destination appeared on the horizon—a massive, industrialized island filled with towering metal structures, winding roads, and roaring machinery.

Gearshift Island.

It was a land of speed and invention, known for its engineers, racers, and blacksmiths who crafted some of the fastest ships and deadliest weapons in the world. Massive steel bridges connected different parts of the island, and smoke billowed from towering factories. The streets were filled with mechanics, bounty hunters, and pirates looking for high-tech gear.

Kai docked his ship at a bustling port, stepping onto the island with a confident smirk.

“First stop… let’s see what this place has to offer.”

A New Rivalry

As he walked through the crowded streets, Kai noticed a loud commotion near a massive garage. A group of people had gathered around, cheering as two figures raced across the island on motorized skateboards, weaving through obstacles at insane speeds.

Kai’s eyes lit up. “Damn, that looks fun.”

He stepped closer, only for someone to shove past him.

“Out of the way, rookie!” a voice snapped.

Kai turned to see a tall, silver-haired man wearing a leather jacket and sunglasses. He carried a massive wrench over his shoulder and had a cocky smirk on his face.

“Never seen a street race before, kid?” the man sneered. “This is Gearshift Island. Only the fastest survive.”

Kai grinned, cracking his knuckles. “Sounds like my kind of place.”

The man raised an eyebrow. “That so? Then why don’t you prove it?”

He pointed to the starting line, where racers were gearing up for another round.

“You wanna roll with the big dogs? Get on a board and race me.”

Kai smirked. “Alright. But don’t cry when I leave you in the dust.”

With that, Kai grabbed a motorized board, stepped onto the track, and prepared for his first high-speed challenge.

His journey was just beginning.

Echoes of Ragnarok – Episode 15: The Bladed Storm – A New Crewmate!

Kai had been sailing alone for weeks after leaving Gearshift Island, his small ship, the Roadster, cutting through the waves. The sun burned overhead, and the salty breeze filled the air.

"Man, I need a crewmate," Kai muttered, lying on the deck. "Sailing alone is kinda boring."

Just as he closed his eyes, a loud explosion rocked the ocean. A massive plume of smoke rose from a nearby island.

Kai jumped up and grinned. "Well, that looks interesting!"

Adjusting his goggles, he steered the Roadster toward the action.

The Island of Blades

Kai arrived at a rocky island with towering cliffs and dense forests. The moment he stepped onto the shore, he heard the unmistakable clash of swords.

Up ahead, in a destroyed village, a lone warrior stood surrounded by dozens of armed men. The warrior was tall, muscular, and carried two swords—one in each hand. His long, messy black hair swayed in the wind, and his sharp, piercing eyes glared at his enemies.

“You bastards are getting in my way,” the swordsman muttered, tightening his grip.

One of the attackers sneered, "Just give us the sword, and we might let you live!"

The swordsman smirked. “Yeah? Try and take it.”

In a flash, he vanished, appearing behind his enemies. Steel flashed. Blood sprayed.

Ten men collapsed.

Kai’s jaw dropped. “Damn, that was cool!”

The remaining enemies hesitated, but their leader—a burly man with an axe—roared, “Kill him!”

Before they could attack, Kai leaped into action.

“Yo! You guys seem busy, but mind if I join in?” Kai grinned as he stretched his arms back.

“Gomu Gomu no… Shotgun Punch!”

His fists slammed into the crowd, sending enemies flying.

The swordsman raised an eyebrow. "Who the hell are you?"