CHAPTER 24
The reason why Ayr could surpass Garp in sheer power…
Was his Sage Body.
Ayr had fully inherited the physical prowess of the Sage of Six Paths, and with his current mid-level advancement, his raw physical strength was beyond normal human limits.
Garp, a man who had mastered both Haki and brute strength, was now facing a true anomaly.
After being sent flying, Garp stabilized himself mid-air, landing with a firm stance. He dusted off his coat and let out a booming laugh.
"Hahaha… I really underestimated you, huh? You've got some insane strength!"
But rather than being frustrated… he was thrilled.
The more Ayr displayed his power, the more excited Garp became.
He had already thrown Sengoku's orders out of his mind.
A fight like this? He wouldn't miss it for anything.
Ayr, however, remained calm, gripping his blade tightly before lunging forward.
Garp met him head-on.
"Clang!!!"
Ayr's Haki-coated sword clashed against Garp's iron fist, the impact sending a violent shockwave through the battlefield.
But Garp wasn't just using one fist.
He immediately swung his other arm, attempting to land a devastating counterattack.
"Bang!!!"
Ayr reacted instantly.
One hand held his blade, while the other threw a punch right back at Garp.
The two forces collided violently, sending airwaves roaring in all directions, kicking up endless smoke, sand, and shattered rocks.
For a moment, the battlefield resembled a raging storm, with both combatants standing unmoved in the eye of the hurricane.
Their attacks clashed repeatedly, neither gaining a clear advantage.
Then, in an instant—they both leaped back, only to charge at each other again.
"Boom! Bang! Bang!!!"
Garp's fists, wrapped in Armament Haki, struck with the force of a machine gun barrage.
Ayr, wielding dual blades, expertly deflected and countered every single attack.
The battlefield was crumbling beneath them.
The very ground could not withstand the intensity of their fight.
Then, out of nowhere—
"Ayr! Join the Marines!!!" Garp suddenly shouted mid-fight.
Ayr's eyes narrowed slightly.
Garp had now fully recognized his strength.
A man like Ayr could change the very balance of the world.
If someone this powerful joined the Marines, it would shift the tide of history.
Garp was certain—Ayr would make an incredible Marine.
But Ayr only scoffed.
"You idiot."
He had never considered becoming a Marine from the moment he arrived in this world.
Why?
Because the Marines were nothing more than lackeys for the Celestial Dragons.
Why would someone like him, who had the potential to stand at the top of the world, serve under those corrupt aristocrats?
The Rocks Pirates were a better choice.
Yes, they were lawless and unpredictable.
Yes, Rocks himself was an overwhelming force.
But in Rocks' crew, Ayr had freedom.
He could grow stronger.
He had access to insane resources.
He had the chance to acquire powerful Devil Fruits.
The Rocks Pirates offered endless possibilities.
Why would he choose to be a Marine?
"What a waste." Garp exhaled, shaking his head. "If that's your choice, then you'll just fall to my fist."
Ayr chuckled.
"If you think you can, go ahead and try."
Was this guy delusional?
Ayr's power was limitless.
He had a system, and his growth had no cap.
Given enough time—
He would surpass anyone in this world.
Anyone.
"Bang!!!"
Ayr suddenly burst forward, veins bulging in his arm as he poured his full strength into his blade.
The impact sent Garp flying once again.
But this time—
Ayr didn't wait.
He lifted his arm, energy swirling wildly in his palm.
"Big Ball Rasengan!!!"
A massive white energy sphere took shape, expanding rapidly, radiating an aura that sent chills through the air.
This was an upgraded version of Rasengan, a technique developed by Naruto Uzumaki from the Shinobi World.
Unlike the standard Rasengan, this one required the power of the Nine Tails.
And Ayr had already unlocked the Nine Tails' chakra, allowing him to wield its power freely.
The swirling energy in his palm rotated at terrifying speed, its pressure alone shaking the battlefield.
The power contained within was equal to the impact of a falling meteor.
A technique of absolute destruction.
And yet…
For Ayr, this level of power was nothing.
His Sage Body had advanced to the mid-level state, meaning even with such a high-energy move, he felt no exhaustion.
From the distance—
The Marines were shaking.
They could feel the overwhelming sense of death radiating from Ayr's attack.
"H-He… he ate a Devil Fruit?!"
"That pressure… What kind of ability is this?!"
"Stop talking and run! If that thing lands, we're DEAD!!!"
"Colonel Garp! RUN!!!"
"COLONEL GARP!!!"
The entire Marine force was in panic.
Their instincts told them—this attack was beyond anything they could handle.
Yet…
Garp didn't move.
Instead, he grinned.
"Running from a pirate isn't my style!"
Even as the terrifying Big Ball Rasengan spun in front of him…
He did not back down.
He knew—
If he took that attack head-on without proper preparation, even he wouldn't escape unscathed.
So, in an instant—
Garp wrapped his entire body in Armament Haki.
From his feet to his fists—his body turned jet black.
"Come at me, Ayr!!!"
With a roar, he charged forward, fists ready.
Ayr raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.
"…What an idiot."
And yet…
He found himself grinning.
This battle…
Was far from over.
—