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"That's why I said before, John—your wish will not come true."
Ayr placed the historical text back in a secure spot, his gaze indifferent as he turned toward John.
John, however, wasn't backing down. "Ayr, whoever lays eyes on it first, it belongs to both of us! That means Captain Rocks' reward should be shared!"
Ayr scoffed. "You're joking, right?"
John had been obsessing over Rocks' reward for months, convinced that the little clue he had found would lead him to the historical text and bring him great riches.
But now, that very prize sat on Ayr's ship.
Ayr smirked. "Since when does just seeing something mean you get half the reward?"
He wondered if John's brain was still damaged from when he had barely survived a battle against the Marines' main forces a few months ago.
John's expression darkened. "You really think you can just take that historical text back to Rocks without a problem?"
"You're welcome to try."
Ayr's hand moved to his waist, and in a single, fluid motion, he unsheathed Demon Slayer.
Although he no longer possessed the power of the experience card, his raw strength had grown immensely.
Even now, he didn't take John seriously at all.
If John wanted to steal from him, then Ayr wouldn't mind sending his body sinking to the ocean floor.
John met Ayr's gaze, measuring him. After a moment of tense silence, he spoke again.
"Ayr, I know you collect Devil Fruits. I have three in my possession right now. What if we make a trade?"
If possible, John preferred to avoid a fight.
Ayr was known as the most talented cadre of the Rocks Pirates, a rising monster whose strength was undeniable.
Even John wasn't completely sure he could defeat Ayr in a direct confrontation.
But Ayr just laughed. "Do you really think that bringing Rocks the last piece of Uranus' historical text will only earn me three measly Devil Fruits?"
Rocks D. Xebec had one ultimate goal—to rule the world.
And Uranus, one of the three Ancient Weapons, was key to achieving that dream.
By bringing back the historical text, Ayr was handing Rocks a pathway to Uranus' location.
Did John really think Rocks would reward that with just three Devil Fruits?
John gritted his teeth. "Fine. I'll add one billion Berries on top of that. Think about it, Ayr.
"None of us actually know what Rocks' reward will be.
"But I can offer you something now—one billion Berries plus three Devil Fruits!"
Ayr snorted. "Are you an idiot, John?"
If John was willing to offer that much, then he must know that Rocks' actual reward was worth far more.
Ayr wasn't stupid.
He had just made one of the biggest contributions to Rocks' grand plan.
There was no way he would trade it away for something so trivial.
John's expression turned cold. A flicker of killing intent flashed in his eyes.
"If you refuse to trade… then I'll just have to take it from you."
Ayr's grip tightened on his blade. "You can try."
While Ayr didn't know John's exact power level, he was certain of one thing—
John, Silver Axe, and Ochoku were roughly equal in strength.
Back then, Ayr had overpowered Silver Axe with raw power alone.
And though everyone in the Rocks Pirates was improving at an insane rate, Ayr knew he hadn't fallen behind.
The tension on the ship rose, and murmurs spread among John's crew.
"Are they really gonna fight?"
"Captain John… Can he really beat Ayr?"
"I don't know… A while ago, Ayr killed an Admiral on Beehive Island!"
Ayr's infamous battle record had been etched into the minds of every Rocks Pirate.
He had stood alone against two Marine Admirals, even killing one.
His terrifying combat power was undeniable.
But not everyone on John's crew was nervous.
Some sneered in disdain.
"Tch, don't overhype Ayr."
"Remember what Captain Whitebeard said? Ayr's Devil Fruit ability can only be used once. That means he can't fight at the same level as he did at Beehive Island."
"And don't forget—we're at sea."
"All we have to do is sink Ayr's ship. If we do that, we win."
Everyone knew that Devil Fruit users' greatest weakness was the ocean itself.
If Ayr fell into the water, it was over.
John's eyes flashed. "Captain Rocks has a rule—cadres can't kill each other. So I won't kill you today, Ayr…"
"But I will make sure you sink to the bottom of the ocean."
Ayr narrowed his eyes. "Then let's see you try."
John clenched his blade tightly, his Armament Haki surging, coating the steel in a thick black sheen.
His aura spiked, radiating a chilling pressure.
"SHING!!!"
With a sudden burst of movement, John swung his sword.
The blade hummed as it tore through the air, the sheer speed creating an almost musical vibration—as if the very fabric of space was being sliced apart.
"Demon Slash!!!"
A massive shockwave of sword energy erupted from the blade, carving through the sky, carrying devastating power.
The air trembled as the attack raced toward Ayr with terrifying force.
John was not weak—
He was one of the strongest swordsmen in the Rocks Pirates, and a future New World legend.
Though he was not yet at Whitebeard's level, he was still a force to be reckoned with.
And now, the battle for the historical text had begun.
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