"Open the properties panel."
With a simple command from Ayr, a translucent status window appeared before him—visible only to his eyes.
---
Host: Ayr
Abilities:
Armament Haki (100/2000)
Observation Haki (100/2000)
Conqueror's Haki (50/2000)
Special Ability:
Sage Body (200/2000) (Currently in mid-development. Progress can be gained through training or combat.)
(Note: Upon maxing out, the Sage Body will evolve to the next level, drastically enhancing physical attributes, combat abilities, and recovery speed. A special lottery chance will also be awarded.)
Unlocked Special Ability:
Sage Eye (Not yet unlocked. Requires further advancement of Sage Body.)
Tailed Beast Abilities:
Tailed Beast Bomb (Unlocked)
Tailed Beast Bomb – Four Tails Form (Unlocked)
Nine-Tails Chakra Mode (Unlocked)
Kurama Mode (Unlocked)
(Note: Each Devil Fruit sacrificed to Kurama will further unlock its latent power.)
---
Ayr took a brief glance at the panel before dismissing it. His power had grown. And just as he was about to leave the storage hold, an impatient voice called out to him.
"HEY! AYR!!!"
Ayr frowned slightly as he turned towards the source—Silver Axe.
"You bastard… what happened to those three Devil Fruits in your hand?" Silver Axe's voice carried clear suspicion, his eyes burning with greed.
Earlier, while looting, he had caught a glimpse of Ayr holding the three Devil Fruits. But in the blink of an eye, they had vanished.
Silver Axe scowled. "Don't tell me you already hid them."
Ayr remained unbothered. "Didn't Captain Rocks already state the rules? We both have the right to claim treasure. I found the Devil Fruits, so they're mine."
His voice was even, his expression calm, but the dismissive attitude only further angered Silver Axe.
"You think you can just keep them? Hand them over. Now."
Silver Axe took a step forward, his tone sharp. The power of a Devil Fruit was immense, capable of instantly changing a person's strength. And after his last clash with Captain Rocks, Silver Axe had realized his own limitations.
He needed more power.
If these Devil Fruits were suitable for him, he'd eat one immediately. If not, he could sell them for an outrageous sum.
Devil Fruits were the most sought-after treasures of the sea!
Even a basic Devil Fruit could fetch 100 million Berries, and some were worth several times more depending on their abilities.
That's why Silver Axe wouldn't let this go.
"Captain Silver Axe," Ayr said plainly, "are you trying to rob me?"
Silver Axe's grip tightened on his massive axe.
"I'll give you one last chance, Ayr." His voice dropped, becoming more menacing. "Hand over those Devil Fruits, or I'll take them by force. Have you forgotten the Rocks Pirates' real rules?"
The atmosphere turned deadly.
Two nearby pirates, hesitant to get caught in the crossfire, tried to mediate.
"Ayr… maybe you should just give them up. Silver Axe isn't someone you want as an enemy."
"Yeah, even though Captain Rocks favors you, he doesn't interfere in crew disputes. The Rocks Pirates are ruled by strength."
But compared to their reasonable approach, Silver Axe's subordinates had no such patience.
"Hand over the Devil Fruits, Ayr. You can't defeat Captain Silver Axe."
"You think you can go against him? Be smart. You'll lose."
"There's plenty of treasure left—just give up the Devil Fruits."
"If you don't hand them over willingly, you'll lose both the fruits and your pride when Captain Silver Axe crushes you."
The tension reached its peak.
"SHING—"
Ayr calmly unsheathed his Liangkuai Blade, gripping it loosely at his side.
"I'm sorry, Captain Silver Axe." Ayr's voice was unwavering. "I'm a man of my word. If fate had given these three Devil Fruits to you, I would have respected that. But it didn't."
The moment he finished speaking, Silver Axe's patience snapped.
"You arrogant brat! Has getting Rocks' attention made you forget your place?"
Silver Axe lunged forward, his massive axe raised high.
"Then I'll remind you—
—THE GAP IN OUR STRENGTH!!"
With thundering steps, he charged across the deck. His Haki-coated axe gleamed as he brought it down with devastating force.
"BOOM!!"
Ayr didn't back down. With a quick step forward, he raised his sword and met the strike head-on.
"CLANG!!"
The clash sent out a deafening shockwave, causing nearby pirates to stumble backward. Sparks of Haki-infused steel flew in all directions.
For half a minute, their weapons remained locked, neither side gaining the upper hand.
The deck beneath them splintered and cracked, unable to withstand the force of their clash.
"What… the hell…?"
The surrounding pirates, including Silver Axe's own men, watched in disbelief.
"No way… Ayr is actually holding his ground?!"
"How?! He's just an official crew member!"
"Captain Silver Axe should've crushed him easily—why is he struggling?!"
"Has Ayr gotten stronger?"
"Impossible! He's only been with the Rocks Pirates for a few months. Even if he trained nonstop, there's no way he could match Captain Silver Axe!"
Yet, before their very eyes, Ayr and Silver Axe were locked in a deadly stalemate.
Silver Axe's expression darkened. This wasn't right.
He was one of the Rocks Pirates' veteran commanders, a force only surpassed by the top figures like Whitebeard, Big Mom, Kaido, and Captain Rocks himself.
Ayr was just a new recruit.
And yet…
This battle wasn't one-sided.
This shouldn't be happening.
Ayr's lips curled into a confident smirk.
"You underestimated me, Captain Silver Axe."