The reason why Ayr could match, and even slightly overpower Garp, was simple.
He had the Sage Body.
Not just any partial inheritance, but the true and complete legacy of the Sage of Six Paths' physical strength. Now, after countless battles and training, his Sage Body had advanced to the mid-level tier.
In terms of pure physicality, Ayr was no longer someone to look down on.
And Garp, even as someone who specialized in physical combat and Haki, found himself unable to fully endure Ayr's blows.
After being sent flying, Garp skidded back and managed to stabilize his stance. He laughed heartily, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Hahaha… Looks like I really underestimated you!"
But instead of feeling threatened, Garp was thrilled.
The stronger Ayr became, the more excited he got. Sengoku's instructions from earlier had long vanished from his mind.
Ayr didn't respond. Blade in hand, he rushed forward again.
And Garp, still that same battle-crazed youth, welcomed the strike with a grin and hurled his fist toward him once more.
Clang!
Haki-coated knuckles clashed against the steel edge of Ayr's blade, ringing like two warships colliding.
Without pausing, Garp threw his other fist at Ayr's side.
Bang!
Ayr didn't flinch. He blocked the second strike with his free arm and countered with his own punch.
Shockwaves exploded from the collision. Dust surged like waves. Gravel blasted into the air. The two forces, equal and overwhelming, ravaged the battlefield.
Their attacks clashed again and again, strike after strike, blow for blow.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Garp, fists wrapped in thick Armament Haki, attacked like a living machine gun.
Ayr met him head-on, dual blades flashing, deflecting, countering, carving through the storm of fists with precision.
Even though the fight had only lasted moments, the ground around them was already torn apart.
Then suddenly, in the middle of battle, Garp called out:
"Ayr! Join us! become a Marine!"
The words caught Ayr off guard, but only for a moment.
He understood what Garp meant. A man like him, with this kind of power, could shake the world.
If he joined the Marines, Garp believed change was inevitable, and maybe for the better.
But Ayr only narrowed his eyes.
"You idiot," he muttered.
He never once considered becoming a Marine, not since the day he arrived in this world.
Why would he? Why would someone with real power bow to the World Government's lapdogs, the lackeys of the Celestial Dragons?
Rocks might be a tyrant, but joining the Rocks Pirates came with real rewards.
Guidance from Rocks himself. Endless battles to sharpen his strength, and of course, wealth and opportunity. Funds to buy Devil Fruits. Access to resources the Marines could never provide.
Besides, the Rocks crew had more Devil Fruits stashed than most nations.
From any angle, joining Rocks was far better than being shackled by justice.
"A pity," Garp said, cracking his knuckles. "If you won't join… then fall to my fists."
His eyes were sharp. He wasn't backing down.
To Garp, the sea was wild, and pirates were beasts. No matter how strong they became, Marines would hunt them down until the end.
And Ayr, younger than him yet already this powerful, was a threat.
If Ayr continued walking the pirate's path, then Garp knew… he might have to be the one to end it someday.
Ayr only smirked.
"Try me."
He wasn't afraid. He had a system. And as long as time was on his side, he'd surpass anyone in this world.
Bang!
Muscles tightening, veins bulging, Ayr poured raw power into his blade and smashed it into Garp, sending him flying again.
Then he raised one hand and muttered—
"Giant Rasengan!"
The air trembled.
From his palm, energy churned. White light spun rapidly, growing larger with every passing second. The sphere pulsed with dangerous force.
The Giant Rasengan, a powerful ninjutsu created by Naruto himself, was an enhanced version of the original Rasengan.
It usually required the power of the Nine Tails to unleash.
And Ayr had already unlocked that power.
In his hand, the Rasengan spun, massive and unstable. It radiated overwhelming pressure, as if a meteor was about to crash down.
Yes, the Hiant Rasengan consumed a lot of physical energy.
But his Sage Body was already mid-tier.
He could take this kimd of strain.
From a distance, the watching Marines were paralyzed with fear.
"This guy… did he eat a Devil Fruit?"
"Don't just stand there, run! If that thing hits us, we'll all die!"
"Colonel Garp! Colonel Garp! Retreat! We can't win this!"
"Colonel!!"
Panic spread through the ranks. No one dared to step closer.
But Garp didn't move.
Standing firm, he grinned again.
"A Marine doesn't run from a powerful pirate. That's not my style."
Even as he stared down the Big Ball Rasengan, he didn't waver.
His entire body surged with Armament Haki, forming a thick armor around him.
"Come at me, Ayr!!"
With a roar, he charged straight into the storm.
Ayr blinked, puzzled.
"…What a maniac."
He sighed.
But the smirk never left his face.