CHAPTER 35

"CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!"

"Zzzt—Chirp!"

"CRACKLE!!!"

The battle intensified.

The sheer force of their Haki-infused strikes sent shockwaves across the ship, and their weapons clashed dozens of times within seconds.

Their fierce battle caused gold, silver, and precious jewels to be flung into the air, sliced apart by the sheer force of their attacks.

Silver Axe gritted his teeth.

"You bastard… your strength… Has it actually grown stronger?!"

His voice was laced with both anger and disbelief.

Every single one of his attacks—attacks that should have cut Ayr down—was being blocked.

This wasn't right.

He had watched Ayr fight the Golden Lion not long ago.

Back then, Ayr was strong, but nowhere near the level where he could survive a full-power blow from him.

Later, Ayr had clashed with Vice Admiral Garp, causing massive destruction in the process.

Even then, Silver Axe hadn't taken Ayr seriously.

After all, sheer destruction didn't equal true strength.

And when they boarded the Getley Pirates' ship, Silver Axe had still dismissed him.

How much could someone grow in just a few short months?

But now… now he was feeling it firsthand.

Ayr's power was real.

His movements were sharper. His Haki was stronger.

And his presence… felt monstrous.

"What the hell are you?"

Silver Axe's instincts screamed at him.

For the first time since the battle started, he felt something akin to dread.

Was Ayr's rate of growth… even greater than Rocks himself?

Ayr's expression remained calm.

"Your strength hasn't improved much since Rocks defeated you."

Silver Axe's face darkened.

It was true.

Months ago, Rocks had crushed him.

Since then, he had trained harder than ever, determined to become a main commander in the future.

And yet… compared to Ayr…

His progress was laughable.

"YOU BASTARD! ARE YOU LOOKING FOR DEATH?!"

Silver Axe roared, his rage exploding.

His attacks became even faster. Even deadlier.

His axe carved through the air, infused with lethal Armament Haki.

Ayr gritted his teeth.

Even with his enhanced strength, the difference in combat experience was showing.

Silver Axe was a seasoned veteran of the Rocks Pirates—he had fought and killed for years.

And now, his ferocity was overwhelming.

Ayr was forced back.

"Tch… This pressure…"

Silver Axe grinned.

"What's wrong? Tiring already?"

Ayr's stance wavered.

Silver Axe's subordinates immediately cheered.

"Hah! I knew it!"

"There's no way Ayr could defeat Captain Silver Axe!"

"He's strong, but at the end of the day, he's just a regular crew member!"

"No matter how much talent he has, he can't bridge the gap yet!"

Their confidence returned as Ayr was continuously pushed back.

The battle seemed one-sided again.

And then—

"CLANG!!!"

Silver Axe raised his massive weapon and unleashed everything.

His Haki surged violently as he brought his axe down with full force.

"DIE!!!"

"BOOM!!!"

Ayr blocked, but the force sent him flying.

He smashed into the storage room wall, splintering it on impact.

Ayr exhaled sharply.

Damn… That one hurt.

Silver Axe approached, grinning.

"Still refusing to hand over the Devil Fruits? This is your last chance, Ayr. The next time I swing… you won't be standing up again."

Despite his words, he didn't actually intend to kill Ayr.

Not out of mercy.

But because Rocks had taken interest in Ayr.

Killing him would be a dangerous move.

But breaking him? That was fair game.

"This is where it ends."

He lifted his axe again.

But then—

Ayr smiled.

"You really think… you can kill me?"

A chill ran down Silver Axe's spine.

There was something different about that smile.

Something unnatural.

Ayr slowly stood up.

"Fine. You wanted this, right?"

He closed his eyes for a brief moment.

And then—

"Tailed Beast Mode."

A deep growl echoed.

Silver Axe froze.

What… the hell… was that sound?

Then—

Kurama's eyes snapped open.

A deep red light engulfed Ayr's body.

And then—

"BOOM!!!"

A violent shockwave ripped through the ship.

The entire deck cracked.

Gold, silver, and treasure chests flew into the air before crashing into the sea.

And then—

A massive shadow rose.

A monstrous, crimson figure.

With four tails swaying violently behind it.

A tailed beast.

A demon.

Kurama's form had manifested in full.

"W-WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!"

Silver Axe's crew was frozen in terror.

"A-Ayr… What the hell kind of Devil Fruit did he eat?!"

"That thing's bigger than a damn Sea King!"

"The ship… It was destroyed just by its presence!"

Silver Axe clenched his axe tighter.

The pressure in the air was suffocating.

"It's just an illusion…" One of his subordinates stammered. "Captain Silver Axe is far stronger. He'll win. Right?"

Someone else scoffed, trying to calm his nerves.

"Of course. Captain Silver Axe is a veteran. Ayr's still a rookie."

"Exactly. Ayr might have power, but he doesn't have the experience."

"This thing might look terrifying, but it's probably just for show!"

"Captain Silver Axe will end this monster!"

Despite their bravado—

Their eyes betrayed their fear.

And Silver Axe?

He wasn't so sure anymore.

As he stared into Kurama's glowing eyes…

For the first time since the battle started—

He felt it.

True, primal fear.

And Ayr?

He simply grinned.

"Scared?"

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