"The candidates have been decided. No need for further discussion." Rocks' sharp gaze swept over Golden Lion and the others.
Hearing this, Golden Lion let out a small sigh, his expression laced with frustration.
He had never imagined that his reluctance to take on a troublesome task would cost him a billion Baileys!
"Tsk tsk, a billion Baileys?"
Ayr clicked his tongue, letting out a chuckle.
Initially, he had only wanted to step away from the suffocating atmosphere of the Rocks Pirates for a while.
Now, he was coming back with a billion Baileys in his pocket.
With this kind of wealth, Ayr could head straight to the New World auction and bid on a powerful Devil Fruit.
The thought of it made him smirk as he opened his status panel.
---
Host: Ayr
Abilities:
Armament Haki (900/2000)
Observation Haki (900/2000)
Conqueror's Haki (850/2000)
Special Ability:
Sage Body (1200/2000) (Currently in mid-stage. Progress can be gained through training or battle.)
(Note: When the Sage Body reaches full progress, it will advance a level, granting a significant boost to physical strength, combat skills, and regeneration, as well as unlocking a special lottery draw.)
Unlocked Special Ability: Sage Eye (Not yet enabled. Requires an advanced Sage Body to unlock.)
Tailed Beast Abilities:
Tailed Beast Bomb (Unlocked)
Tailed Beast Bomb – Six-Tails Form (Unlocked)
Kurama Chakra Mode (Unlocked)
Kurama Mode (Unlocked)
(Note: Sacrificing more Devil Fruits to Nine Tails will further unlock its power.)
Warehouse:
Kurama Chakra Mode Experience Card (Valid for one hour.)
---
Ayr's eyes gleamed as he reviewed his progress.
His Conqueror's Haki and Sage Body had improved significantly.
More importantly, within the past year, he had acquired two Devil Fruits—both of which were fed to Kurama.
As a result, he had unlocked the Six-Tails state!
And after attaining the Six-Tails transformation, the system had rewarded him with something special—
A Kurama Chakra Mode Experience Card!
Though he could only maintain Six-Tails Form naturally, activating this card would let him directly enter Kurama Chakra Mode, unlocking all of its abilities for an hour!
That single hour could be a lifesaver in a dangerous situation.
---
As Rocks dismissed the crew, he handed Ayr and Charlotte Linlin a map.
"I've already gathered intel," Rocks said. "The Roger Pirates should be somewhere in this region."
With this map, they wouldn't have to wander aimlessly searching for Roger's crew.
Once they reached the designated sea, they could gather information and pinpoint the Roger Pirates' exact location.
With their orders clear, Ayr and Charlotte Linlin set sail, heading toward their destination.
---
The day was bright and clear.
The sun blazed high in the sky, while the salty ocean breeze drifted over the deck.
"Hah…"
Ayr let out a sigh, feeling an invisible weight lift from his shoulders.
Being away from the Rocks Pirates for the first time in a while, he finally felt relieved.
At that moment, Charlotte Linlin approached him, her towering figure and fiery red hair casting a shadow over him.
A smirk curled on her lips.
"Ayr, do you think Captain Rocks will ever rule the world?"
Ayr arched an eyebrow at her, pausing for a few seconds before responding.
"Who knows?"
As a traveler from another world, Ayr already knew the fate of Rocks D. Xebec.
No matter what happened, Rocks was destined to fall in the Valley of the Gods.
That outcome was inevitable.
Even if Ayr wanted to change it, the very foundation of the Rocks Pirates was already too fractured to mend.
This crew wasn't united—they were a ship full of rivals, each with their own ambitions.
Unless the entire crew unconditionally submitted to Rocks' rule—which would never happen—he would never achieve world dominance.
"Rocks is powerful, no doubt. But the world's ruler? No chance."
Charlotte Linlin let out a soft chuckle.
Most of the Rocks Pirates' commanders harbored their own ambitions.
They weren't loyal to Rocks the man—they followed Rocks the opportunity.
When they first joined, it was to gain power, riches, and influence.
Now that they had amassed fortunes and infamy, some were already plotting their own paths.
Many wanted out but feared Rocks' overwhelming strength.
They knew that leaving the crew might mean dying by Rocks' own hands.
"Is that so?" Linlin said, her tone thoughtful.
Ayr simply smiled and didn't confirm or deny it.
Charlotte Linlin studied him for a moment before asking,
"So… if the Rocks Pirates disbanded, what would you do?"
Ayr turned his gaze to her, narrowing his eyes slightly.
Her wording was strange.
It wasn't 'if we lose' or 'if we fall'—it was 'if we disband.'
She already foresaw the end of the Rocks Pirates.
Ayr let out a low chuckle.
"The Rocks Pirates haven't disbanded yet," he replied simply.
Charlotte Linlin stepped closer, her lips curving into a cryptic smile.
"If that day comes… have you ever considered following someone strong, Ayr?"
Ayr sighed, rubbing his temples.
"Linlin, our mission is to recruit the Roger Pirates—not talk nonsense."
"Are you playing dumb… or are you really this dense?" she murmured to herself, shaking her head with a wry smile.
She had expected this.
Charlotte Linlin had volunteered to accompany Ayr not because she cared about Roger's crew.
She had one goal—to recruit Ayr for herself.
But doing it onboard the Rocks Pirates would have been too dangerous.
If Rocks caught wind of her true intentions, she would face serious consequences.
Now that they were alone, she had seized the opportunity.
But from Ayr's response, she could already tell—he wasn't interested.
Sighing, she dropped the topic and took a seat nearby.
---
Several days later…
After navigating across the New World, they arrived at the marked location.
Following some careful inquiries, they finally pinpointed the Roger Pirates' whereabouts.
Now, their ship sailed directly toward the island where Roger's crew was temporarily stationed.
Their mission was about to begin.
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