CHAPTER 36
"You bastard… You were hiding this deep, Ayr?!"
Silver Axe's pupils contracted violently as he stared at the colossal form of Kurama.
His expression darkened.
He wanted to convince himself that this massive beast was just an illusion, an intimidating transformation without real substance.
But his Observation Haki told him otherwise.
This wasn't just for show.
The raw power emanating from Ayr's form was real.
It was monstrous.
"Do you still want to continue, Silver Axe?" Ayr's voice boomed, his eyes locked onto his opponent.
His voice was calm, but there was an undeniable weight behind it.
"I haven't mastered this transformation yet. If something happens to you, I won't be responsible."
Silver Axe's face twisted in fury.
"DON'T GET COCKY, AYR!!! I'M SILVER AXE!!!"
He was one of the strongest men in the Rocks Pirates.
He had fought beside Rocks, Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido.
He would not be looked down upon!
"Tch… Fine. Have it your way."
The moment Ayr spoke, he vanished.
"Fast—!!"
Silver Axe barely had time to react before Ayr closed the distance instantly.
But he wasn't one to back down.
With a fierce battle cry, Silver Axe coated his entire body in Armament Haki.
"BRING IT ON!!!"
His muscles tensed as he gripped his massive battle-axe with both hands.
Black lightning crackled around him as he jumped forward, swinging his axe down with full force.
And then—
"BOOM!!!"
The impact shook the world.
Ayr's fist met Silver Axe's blade.
The force erupted outward, sending out a shockwave that tore through the sky.
The ocean roared, as if a tsunami had been unleashed.
Waves over 100 meters high crashed into the sea, the sheer force of the collision creating ripples that spread for thousands of meters.
The entire battlefield trembled.
Nearby pirates were blasted off their feet, sent flying into the ocean.
"WHAT THE HELL?!?!"
"THE POWER—IT'S UNBELIEVABLE!!!"
Cold sweat trickled down Silver Axe's forehead as he struggled to resist the crushing force of Ayr's punch.
He had expected Ayr to be strong.
But this…
This level of power—this wasn't just Haki.
This wasn't just Devil Fruit strength.
It was something else.
Ayr's four-tailed form exuded an overwhelming, primal force.
And in that moment—
Silver Axe realized he couldn't overpower it.
"DAMN IT—!!"
Ayr pushed forward.
"BOOM!!!"
Silver Axe was sent flying.
His body was launched nearly 100 meters away, crashing into the sea with a massive splash.
The battlefield fell silent.
And then—
"C-Captain Silver Axe!!!"
His men froze in horror.
"WHAT THE HELL?!?!"
"HE WAS SENT FLYING LIKE A DAMN ROOKIE!!!"
"WHAT KIND OF MONSTER IS THIS?!"
Pirates stared in disbelief as Ayr's massive four-tailed form loomed over them.
"How… how can this be real?"
"Silver Axe was dominating just moments ago… And now he's…!"
"This guy only joined the Rocks Pirates a few months ago! How can his strength be this terrifying already?!?!"
Some of Silver Axe's crew shivered as they gazed at Ayr's form.
The power radiating from him…
It was beyond human.
This wasn't just strength.
It was a force of nature.
And the worst part?
Ayr was still young.
He was only going to get stronger.
"This… This is no bluff."
One of Silver Axe's men whispered, his voice trembling.
"That's not a trick. It's real power."
A few others exchanged glances of pure dread.
"This guy… This guy is a monster among monsters."
"Even in the Rocks Pirates, where monsters gather… Ayr stands out."
Another pirate swallowed hard.
"If he's this strong now… Imagine what he'll become in the future."
A chill ran down their spines.
"He… he might become the next Rocks…"
"Or maybe… something even worse."
Ayr, meanwhile, looked down at his own hands.
"Tch… Not bad."
He smirked.
Compared to when he first joined the Rocks Pirates, he could now enter a true Four-Tails form.
The difference in power was immeasurable.
And yet…
"How much more power can I draw from Kurama?"
Ayr wondered.
"If I go even further… If I unlock full control…"
His eyes gleamed.
"What would that feel like?"
Then—
"SPLASH!!!"
A movement from the sea.
A figure emerged.
Silver Axe dragged himself back onto the battlefield.
His body was soaked in blood.
"Tch… Damn it…"
Despite the damage, he was still standing.
Still breathing.
Ayr raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? You're still alive?"
Silver Axe gritted his teeth, his hands shaking.
"AYR, YOU BASTARD!!!"
His eyes blazed with fury.
Ayr's expression remained calm.
"Are you going to keep going?"
He flexed his claws.
"Because the next hit… I won't hold back."
Silver Axe's jaw clenched.
He knew.
He knew he was outmatched.
And yet…
He couldn't just give up.
Not in front of his men.
Not in front of the other officers of the Rocks Pirates.
If he backed down now…
He'd be mocked for years.
He couldn't let that happen.
He had too much pride.
And so, even though he knew…
Even though he knew the next blow might end him…
He tightened his grip on his axe.
And prepared for one last attack.
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