If Ayr wanted to push his Sage Body to the next level, sparring with someone on Golden Lion's level was necessary. Not only was Golden Lion strong, but the fight wouldn't threaten his life, that was rare, and more than that, Ayr wanted to see it for himself— just how far he'd come.
Boom!!!
A massive ladder slammed down onto the Rocks Pirates' ship, stretching over from the smaller vessel Ayr stood on. He stepped onto it without hesitation, each footfall echoing as he climbed. The deck loomed ahead, and as he walked across it, his eyes swept the scene.
So many faces he'd seen in the original story, now right in front of him, alive, breathing, and very much real. His shoulders felt as if they had gained another 20kgs as the weight of the moment set on him, he was walking among legends. And now, he would fight one of them.
Joining the Rocks Pirates… was already feeling like it had been the right call.
"Are you ready, kid? No… maybe I should say, are you ready, Ayr?" Golden Lion stood at the center of the deck, arms crossed, a confident grin stretching across his face.
"Bring it on." Ayr's voice was calm, and he drew his blade without fanfare, gripping it tight.
He'd carried that sword since his first voyage a year ago. He had already grasped the rhythm of the blade, hearing the breath of all things, and slicing iron with intent. Since then, his skill had grown. He could now unleash flying slashes, and send out blades of wind with every swing, but this was still only the level of a trained swordsman, not a great one.
At least not yet.
Still, Ayr didn't care about winning. He was here to learn, and he knew he'd walk away with something.
"Jiehahahaha… gutsy. I like that," Golden Lion laughed, amused by the look in Ayr's eyes.
Choke!!!
He drew his sword—and the air seemed to shift around it. A deep hum cut through the silence, as if they had gained space itself trembled around the blade.
"A black blade…?" Ayr narrowed his eyes. It wasn't just Haki, this wasn't some temporary coating, the blade itself had changed. It had been hardened through countless battles, and formed into a real Black Blade.
"Go on, take the first move," Golden Lion said casually, raising only one of his swords.
He didn't even bother raising the other, he didn't think he'd need to after all.
Ayr moved without hesitation, and his arms and blade were wrapped in thick Armament Haki—This was a real fight, even if no one would die.
He stepped forward.
Tread!!!
The deck cracked under his feet as he launched himself like a cannonball, blade first.
Clang!!!
Metal met metal as sparks flew and the wind exploded. The pressure of their clash sent a shockwave across the ship.
"He's even stronger than I thought," Ayr realized. He'd gone all in on that strike, sharpened his Haki and used all the technique he had to him, but Golden Lion's block hadn't even flinched. It was like striking a wall, this was the difference. One year at sea versus ten-year veteran, a raw blade versus a masterpiece.
Still… the gap didn't scare him, the grin spread further across his face
"Oh? Not bad," Golden Lion smirked, he had felt that, there was some power to the kid.
Dang! Dang! Dang!
They didn't stop.
Their blades clashed again and again, echoing like war drums. Each strike louder than the last. Ayr didn't back down, he was matching pace, and holding his ground. The air was thick with pressure, with slashes tearing through the wind and ripples spreading with every movement.
Ayr wasn't just swinging wildly, he was reading, studying every step, every shift of weight, but no matter how long they fought, Golden Lion didn't leave a single opening, every strike was tight. A level of swordsmanship built through blood and time.
A master of the blade, but not even a master was perfect.
Shhh!!!
Ayr twisted his blade and ducked low, using Observation Haki to predict the next strike, he slipped past Shiki's one arm swing and thrust forward.
Ziip!!!
His blade cut across Golden Lion's chest, and blood spilled.
Gasps filled the air.
"He hit him—he actually hit First mate Shiki!"
"Not even the Marines can land clean hits on him!"
"I thought he was barely surviving out there and he found an opening?"
Golden Lion stepped back, looking down at the red streak across his chest.
He laughed.
He wasn't disappointed or even angry, he was amused, a spark of excitement flashed through his eyes.
The crew around them stared in disbelief. The Golden Lion, Shiki, wasn't just strong. He was a top-tier swordsman, one of the best alive and while he hadn't gone all out, even half-serious Shiki didn't get touched by just anyone.
And now, everyone was watching.