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Golden Lion's eyes gleamed dangerously as he turned toward John. "John, if you don't pay up when the time comes… you know what happens next." His voice carried an edge of menace.
John scoffed, folding his arms. "Hah! I've got 2.1 billion Baileys to spare… but you're the ones who'll be paying!"
With an arrogant smirk, he raised the stakes again—an additional 400 million Baileys.
At this point, the total bet had skyrocketed to 2.1 billion Baileys.
If John won, he'd walk away with an unbelievable fortune.
But if he lost… he'd be in debt to some of the deadliest pirates on the seas.
Despite the risks, John remained full of confidence.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Ayr adjusted his posture, rolling his shoulders as he steadied his breath.
He muttered under his breath, "Damn… what a monster."
Ayr knew he wasn't weak—far from it.
But against Rocks D. Xebec? It felt like standing in front of an unstoppable force of nature.
Rocks approached him at a slow, deliberate pace, exuding absolute dominance.
"Is this all you've got, Ayr?" Rocks asked, his voice laced with amusement. "If so… then forget about the rewards. Those three billion Baileys, the eight Devil Fruits, and the Mythical Zoan Fruit—none of them will be yours."
Ayr narrowed his eyes. "Then tell me… what do I need to do to earn your approval?"
Rocks smirked. "It's simple."
He stopped a few steps away, looking down at Ayr.
"Leave a wound on my body."
The statement was delivered casually, yet it sent shockwaves through the onlookers.
Ayr clenched his fist. "…A wound?"
That was it? He didn't have to defeat Rocks?
Leaving a mark sounded far more manageable than outright winning.
"I can do that."
Without hesitation, Ayr closed his eyes and focused inward.
He reached into the spiritual space, where a massive, towering presence stirred.
A deep, rumbling voice echoed in his mind.
"Finally calling on me, huh?"
"Lend me your power, Kurama."
A massive torrent of chakra surged through Ayr's body. His aura exploded, shaking the ground beneath him.
"Kurama Mode!!!"
Golden energy burst forth as Ayr's body was engulfed in the overwhelming might of the Nine-Tails' chakra.
His hair flared upwards, forming distinct horn-like spikes. His cloak morphed, displaying the six-tomoe pattern across his chest.
Most significantly—a full tailed beast cloak materialized, wrapping him in its raw, primal energy.
This wasn't just the basic Kurama Chakra Mode.
This was Kurama Mode—full synchronization with the Nine-Tails' power.
And unlike before—Ayr had already absorbed the chakra of One-Tails through Five-Tails.
Now, all that power fused into him.
The Ayr who now stood before Rocks wasn't the same as before.
He was several times stronger.
A Shocked Battlefield
The entire battlefield trembled from Ayr's transformation.
"W-What the hell just happened?!" one pirate shouted in disbelief.
"His aura… it's completely different!"
"Is this a Devil Fruit ability?! But his Devil Fruit can only be used once, right?!"
"No… this is something else."
Even from afar, the pressure from Ayr's presence was overwhelming.
Golden Lion grinned as he puffed on his cigar. "Jihahahaha… That's the power. This is what he used back on Beehive Island to fight two Marine Admirals and kill one of them!"
John's face drained of color.
"WHAT?!"
His pupils contracted violently.
If Ayr was using that power… then there was no doubt about it.
Rocks was going to acknowledge him.
Which meant—John would lose the bet.
"Damn it…" he cursed under his breath.
The realization was crushing.
Not only was he going to lose his entire fortune, but he would owe an additional 2.1 billion Baileys.
"No way…" John gritted his teeth. "That power was a one-time thing! Whitebeard even said so! Are you telling me he's using it again?!"
Silver Axe, standing nearby, narrowed his eyes. "Something's different… His form isn't exactly the same as before."
Charlotte Linlin rubbed her chin, intrigued. "Mamamama… Yes, this isn't exactly the same as the Beehive Island incident. There's a difference in his chakra's nature."
Whitebeard nodded. "Gurararara… Yeah, the power's stronger now. This isn't just him reusing his old transformation. He's evolved beyond that."
Golden Lion grinned at John. "Face it, John… Ayr's getting acknowledged by Rocks, and you're about to be broke."
John refused to accept it. "Shut up, Shiki! The fight isn't over yet!"
But no matter how much he denied it—deep down, he knew the truth.
Ayr was a monster.
The Clash Begins
Rocks let out a booming laugh, watching Ayr's transformation.
"Hahahaha… so this is your true power, huh?"
His eyes gleamed with pure excitement.
"Good. Let's see if this form of yours can actually make me feel threatened."
Ayr frowned slightly.
As soon as Rocks said those words, a faint killing intent flickered in his gaze.
Ayr felt it immediately.
With his heightened senses in Kurama Mode, he could instinctively detect malicious intent.
And right now—Rocks was considering eliminating him.
Not out of hatred.
But because if Ayr proved to be too strong, Rocks might see him as a future threat.
Ayr exhaled. "Tch… figured as much."
He glanced down at his Great Grade Sword, Demon Slayer.
It had been with him for a long time now.
Like Zoro's Enma, this blade could absorb Haki and energy, amplifying its destructive potential.
But unlike Enma—Demon Slayer was known as the 'Lord of Hell', an even more terrifying weapon.
Ayr tightened his grip. "Let's do this."
His Advanced Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki flared violently.
The blade devoured his energy, pulsating with an ominous, bloodthirsty aura.
Rocks smirked. "Come, Ayr!!!"
BOOM!
Both of them launched forward at the same time, swords raised.
Just before their weapons clashed—
A massive shockwave erupted.
A sphere of raw force expanded outward, splitting the clouds, shaking the island's foundation, and sending lightning streaking through the sky.
The earth-shattering battle had truly begun.