CHAPTER 28

"Let's go! We need to get out of here now. If the other Rocks Pirates show up, things will get ugly." Zephyr's voice carried urgency.

Without hesitation, Sengoku hoisted the gravely wounded Garp onto his back. He took a deep look at Ayr, memorizing his face, before turning away.

Seeing that Ayr had no intention of stopping them, Zephyr and Tsuru also chose to retreat.

"They're retreating? Good."

Ayr exhaled, relieved. The last thing he wanted was another fight—especially not against three top Marines. He had been waiting for them to leave, and now that they were gone, he had no reason to push his limits further.

"Ding! Congratulations, Host! The battle is over. You have gained 35 points of Sage Body progress!"

As the Marines disappeared into the distance, a system notification echoed in Ayr's mind.

Thirty-five points…

Ayr's lips curled into a small smirk. The fight with Garp had been tough, but this reward made it all worth it.

He took a deep breath, surveying the ruined battlefield. Craters, torn-up terrain, and splintered trees stretched as far as the eye could see. He sheathed his blade and sat down on a fallen tree, exhausted.

For the first time since he set sail a year ago, Ayr had pushed himself to his limit.

"Garp… you really deserve your title as Marine Hero."

Even though Garp was still young, his raw power and talent were undeniable. Ayr had won, but it had taken a heavy toll.

He closed his eyes for a moment, regaining his stamina.

Just as he was about to leave—

"Jihahahaha… So it was you who caused all this, Ayr?"

Ayr's eyes snapped open. He looked up and saw Golden Lion Shiki, cigar in mouth, hovering in the air.

"Shiki?" Ayr muttered.

Shiki landed gracefully in front of him, scanning the battlefield with narrowed eyes. "Who the hell were you fighting?"

The destruction was far beyond what an ordinary battle could cause. Deep fissures, massive craters—Shiki knew only a clash between powerhouses could cause something like this.

"Garp. Marine's so-called future star," Ayr answered bluntly.

Shiki raised an eyebrow. "Garp? That Marine brat who's being called one of the 'Four Rising Stars'?"

Although Garp had only recently arrived in the New World, his reputation had already begun to spread. He was being hailed as one of the Marine Headquarters' future leaders.

Shiki chuckled. "And you actually fought him? Hah, not bad."

Before Ayr could respond, another voice interrupted—

"I was wondering who was making such a ruckus… So it was you, Shiki."

Ayr and Shiki turned to see Charlotte Linlin—Big Mom—approaching.

"Linlin? What are you doing here?" Shiki asked.

"Hmph. With all this noise, of course I had to come check it out," Linlin scoffed. Her sharp eyes scanned the battlefield. "But… what the hell happened here? Why is this place in ruins?"

Shiki smirked, spreading his hands in mock innocence. "You've got the wrong idea. I just got here myself. I wasn't the one who caused this mess."

Linlin frowned. "Then who did?"

Her gaze shifted between Shiki and Ayr.

It couldn't have been Ayr, right?

Sure, Ayr was strong, but… this level of destruction?

This battle had shaken the entire island. The shockwaves had reached the center of the Rocks Pirates' territory!

This kind of chaos could only come from a fight between top commanders!

But Ayr? He had only joined the Rocks Pirates two days ago.

If he were really this strong, why would Rocks only make him a regular crew member?

"You're joking, right?" Linlin glared at Shiki. "There are only two of you here. If it wasn't you… it couldn't be…"

Shiki grinned knowingly. "Tch, Linlin, do you even need to ask? If it wasn't me, then who else?"

Linlin's pupils contracted as realization struck. She turned to Ayr, disbelief written across her face.

"No way…!"

Linlin knew Ayr's strength wasn't bad, but to cause this level of destruction?

It didn't make sense!

Had he suddenly skyrocketed to a level rivaling the top commanders… in just two days?!

No—that was ridiculous.

Even Rocks himself hadn't grown that fast.

Just then—

"Gu la la la… So it was Ayr, huh?"

A deep, rumbling laugh came from behind them. Whitebeard Edward Newgate strode onto the scene.

Moments later, three more figures appeared—Ochoku, Silver Axe, and Captain John.

Silver Axe scanned the scene, his expression serious. "Didn't expect everyone to gather here."

John's eyes narrowed as he focused on Ayr. "So it really was you…?"

He studied Ayr carefully, as if trying to see through him. "Did you hold back in your fight against Shiki the other day?"

Ochoku shook his head. "No. Ayr didn't hold back."

Everyone turned to him.

"If he had been hiding his strength, Rocks would have seen through him immediately. That means Ayr truly wasn't at a commander's level back then."

Silence.

Then—

"Wait… so you're saying… Ayr's strength reached this level… in just two days?!"**

The realization sent a wave of shock through everyone present.

Ayr had gone from a regular crew member to a powerhouse in less than 72 hours.

What kind of monster was this?!

---

As the crew was still grappling with the shocking truth, another presence entered the scene.

A commanding aura washed over them.

They turned—

And there he stood.

Rocks D. Xebec.

His piercing gaze locked onto Ayr, and a smirk spread across his face.

"Ayr… you didn't disappoint me."

Rocks crossed his arms.

"I had a feeling we were being watched… but you're the one who noticed first. You're the one who drove those Marines back."

—