"Boom!!!"
The Tailed Beast Bomb crashed head-on into Golden Lion's twin swords.
A second later, it was like a nuclear blast detonated.
A terrifying shockwave swallowed Golden Lion whole. The massive ship beneath their feet shuddered violently, creaking like it might snap in half. The very air howled like a wild beast, slamming through the deck and sweeping away any pirate unlucky enough to stand too close.
Every crew member on board felt it in their bones.
When the smoke cleared, their eyes locked on the aftermath.
Golden Lion's cloak was torn, blood streaked down his arms, and the deck beneath him, tens of meters wide, had been ripped open, the wood warped and ready to collapse with a single step.
"Good… strong!!"
"This guy's ability is insane!"
All over the deck, the Rocks Pirates grew restless, eyes flicking back and forth between Ayr and Golden Lion.
Even just watching, they'd felt the overwhelming force of that attack.
And Golden Lion, one of the strongest monsters on their crew, had taken real damage.
At the start of the fight, they had all expected Golden Lion to end it in five strikes.
Instead, Ayr was the one drawing blood. Twice.
"This is… terrifying."
"Interesting," Whitebeard muttered from the sidelines, arms crossed, voice heavy.
"This kid's stronger than I thought."
He'd felt it when the Tailed Beast Bomb was forming, that power wasn't normal. But seeing it hurt a swordsman like Golden Lion… even he had to admit, that was something worth praising.
Charlotte Linlin licked her lips with a greedy grin. "Strong one. I'd love to have someone like that under me."
"He can hurt Shiki? Heh… we've got another monster on board," Silver Axe laughed, resting his weapon on his shoulder.
"He's still just a brat," Captain John muttered coldly.
"Don't be so quick to judge," Ochoku replied, tone serious. "When we were his age, we weren't even close to this level. He's something else."
Ayr wasn't their equal, not yet. But they all remembered what it was like to be young and scraping by on the high seas.
At Ayr's age, they were running from marines and eating stolen scraps.
And yet here he was… drawing blood from the Golden Lion.
Ayr stood calmly at the edge of the torn-up deck, eyes on the damage. His lips curled into a small nod of satisfaction.
"That was decent."
He was only tapping into Kurama's power, barely accessing the tails. This wasn't even close to the full force of a true Tailed Beast Bomb.
And still, the destruction was massive.
He could imagine it, what might happen when more tails were unlocked. When he mastered Kurama's strength, at full power… a single Tailed Beast Bomb might level an entire country.
"Jihahaha… So I underestimated you," Golden Lion chuckled, blood dripping down his side. "Your strength's no joke."
He hadn't taken Ayr seriously. Why would he? A 100 million berry rookie against the legendary Golden Lion?
He didn't even use full power, not once.
That arrogance had cost him slightly, and now, the pain in his ribs reminded him of that mistake.
"Guess I'll have to get serious."
He gripped his swords tightly and stepped forward to resume the fight.
"That's enough, Shiki." The voice cut in sharp and cold.
Golden Lion stopped.
Rocks had spoken.
The pressure that had built up around Golden Lion slowly faded. He glanced back at his captain with a raised brow, a bit of irritation in his eyes. He was just getting excited.
Rocks met his gaze with a calm that allowed no argument.
With a sigh, Golden Lion sheathed Sakura Shi and Muku.
"Shame," he muttered, disappointed. "I was looking forward to a few more exchanges."
Even someone like him had to bow his head when Rocks gave the word.
Rocks stepped toward Ayr, a smirk forming on his face.
"Your name's Ayr, right?" he said. "From this moment on, you're no longer an intern. You're an official mate on this ship."
The rest of the crew stiffened.
Ayr had impressed him. His strength was more than enough to earn a place among the elite.
"Thanks, Captain Rocks," Ayr replied with a small grin.
A greater status meant more loot, more power, and more recognition. And with enough money, he could start buying Devil Fruits at the underground auctions scattered across the New World.
That was the real goal.
"Promoted straight to an Official mate?! Looks like Captain Rocks really values this guy!"
"With talent like that, he'll probably rise even higher."
"I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up like Captain Shiki one day… one of the First Mates!"
The Rocks Pirates had many mates, but only a few were First mates, the monsters among monsters.
"Rocks Pirates is the place where you'll rise," Rocks said, placing a hand on Ayr's shoulder. "Show your worth… and you'll never be treated unfairly."
That was the only rule aboard this ship: strength above all.
Break that rule, and you'd be thrown overboard. But live by it… and everything the sea had to offer would be yours.
Ayr's eyes gleamed.