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The fight between Ayr and Rocks D. Xebec was set for the next day.
After instructing the Ohara scholars to study the Poneglyph, Rocks turned and left.
Ayr and John both returned to the Rocks Pirates' main ship.
As soon as Ayr stepped on deck, he heard Golden Lion's mocking laughter.
"Jihahahaha! Ayr, it seems you won't get those three rewards so easily!"
At first, Golden Lion had been jealous when Rocks promised Ayr the three rewards.
But the moment the fight was announced, everything changed.
Golden Lion grinned.
He knew Rocks wouldn't recognize Ayr's strength so easily.
In other words—
Even though Ayr had retrieved the Poneglyph, there was a high chance he would walk away empty-handed.
"Ayr, maybe you should talk to Captain Rocks now," John added, his lips curling into a smirk. "There's still a chance to claim one of the three rewards. But if you fight tomorrow… you might get nothing."
John's mocking tone was clear.
But—
Ayr simply glanced at him coldly.
"John, don't forget… you still owe me one billion Berries."
John's face darkened immediately.
Back in the Sea Kings' lair, Ayr had seized all of John's treasures, leaving him with nothing.
Then, he had charged John another billion Berries just to board the ship.
With no money on hand, John had reluctantly agreed to pay once they returned to the Rocks Pirates' base.
Now—
Ayr was reminding him of his debt in front of everyone.
"You bastard!" John snapped, his fists clenching.
Before he could say more—
A new voice cut in.
"Billion Berries?"
It was Charlotte Linlin, her curiosity piqued.
She glanced between the two men.
"What are you two talking about?"
"Oh, it's nothing," Ayr said smoothly. "Just that when I found John stranded in the Sea Kings' lair, I kindly let him board my ship—for a small fee of one billion Berries."
Silence.
Then—
"Guhahaha!!!"
Kaido burst into laughter.
Even for the Rocks Pirates, one billion Berries was no small sum.
Back in this era, a billion Berries had insane purchasing power!
The fact that John had to pay that much just to get on a ship was…
Absolutely ruthless.
"John… you paid a billion Berries just to board Ayr's ship?!" Kaido asked, still shaking his head in disbelief.
"Tch. That's harsh, Ayr."
"Jihahaha! John, next time your ship sinks, come to me instead," Golden Lion grinned. "I'll only charge you 100 million!"
Golden Lion had been amassing wealth to build his own crew in secret.
Yet despite all his efforts, he still struggled for money.
Meanwhile—
Ayr had just casually made a billion Berries off John.
Golden Lion was jealous all over again.
"Pfft. 100 million? That's still too high!" Charlotte Linlin said, smirking. "John, if you come to me, I'll only charge you 50 million!"
John's eye twitched.
"Get lost, Shiki! Linlin!" he growled.
If he had a choice, he would have never paid Ayr anything.
But—
At the time, he had no choice.
It was either pay or die.
Golden Lion crossed his arms. "Tch. So, Ayr's billion Berries are fine, but my 100 million isn't?"
John groaned in frustration.
He didn't want to deal with this any longer, so he walked away quickly.
At that moment, Whitebeard stepped up beside Ayr, his expression serious.
"Ayr… are you sure you can win against Captain Rocks?"
Ayr shrugged casually. "Who knows?"
In truth—
He had no idea what it would take to earn Rocks' approval.
But—
He had to try.
Whitebeard sighed. "I hate to admit it, but… John might have a point. If you go to Rocks now, you might still be able to choose one of the three rewards—three billion Berries, eight Devil Fruits, and a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit."
"If you wait until tomorrow's fight, you might walk away with nothing."
Ayr smiled slightly.
"Edward… I'm a greedy man."
If there was a chance to take all three rewards, why would he settle for just one?
The ten Devil Fruits alone were too valuable to ignore.
Three billion Berries could buy even more Devil Fruits in the future.
And as for the Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit…
Even if Ayr didn't plan on eating it, it was too rare to let go.
He could always trade it later for more valuable treasures.
So—
His choice was obvious.
"I want everything," Ayr said simply.
Whitebeard sighed but didn't argue further. Instead, he asked:
"Tomorrow's your fight against Rocks. Do you need anything before then?"
Ayr's eyes gleamed.
"Yes. I do."
Whitebeard nodded. "What is it?"
Ayr's expression sharpened.
"How many Devil Fruits do you have in stock, Edward?"
Currently, Ayr had five Devil Fruits in his possession.
These five fruits would allow him to unlock the chakra of the Three-Tails (Isobu).
But—
That wasn't enough.
If he could unlock even more Tailed Beast chakra before his fight with Rocks, his chances of winning would increase drastically.
Whitebeard raised an eyebrow but didn't question Ayr's intentions.
Instead, he simply answered. "I have three."
Having been part of the Rocks Pirates for so long, Whitebeard had amassed countless treasures.
Among them—
Were three Devil Fruits, which he had never used.
"I'll buy them from you for a billion Berries," Ayr offered.
But—
Whitebeard just laughed heartily.
"Gurararara! We've only just met, and you're already talking about money?"
Then—
He waved a hand dismissively. "These three Devil Fruits are useless to me. If you want them, take them."
Ayr paused for a moment.
Then, he grinned.
"Really? Then I won't refuse. Thanks, Edward."
Despite their rocky relationship, Whitebeard had just handed over three Devil Fruits for free.
That earned him some respect in Ayr's book.
"Just buy me a drink someday," Whitebeard said, patting Ayr's shoulder.
"Deal." Ayr nodded.
Getting three Devil Fruits for free, just for a drink?
That was a trade Ayr would never refuse.
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