Chapter 228 - CHAPTER 228:Laozi Has Always Been Tough In Business

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"Do you think we'd be afraid of him?" Akainu's tone was icy, laced with scorn. Garp, Sengoku, Zephyr, and Tsuru—the stalwart titans of the Marines who once trained under the celestial scrutiny of the Holy Land Mariejois—had now completed their elite retraining. These four living legends, now stationed at Marineford, reinforced the Naval Headquarters' strength to a terrifying degree. Akainu wasn't just unafraid of Ayr—he welcomed his arrival. He wanted Ayr to appear, only so he could personally erase him from existence.

"Ayr may be strong," Kizaru said lazily, hands tucked into his sleeves in his signature relaxed posture, "but he won't come to save you. And if he does show up, he'll die here. That's a guarantee." Their minds flashed back to those chaotic days at Mariejois—Ayr, alone, facing down five of the Five Elders... and killing three. The ultimate power he unleashed etched a permanent scar in their memories. But what they later learned shifted their understanding. That destructive might had been temporary, borrowed, unsustainable. Since then, time had passed, and they, too, had grown stronger. Now, with the Admirals and the legendary veterans all gathered, they were sure—that form of Ayr could not be replicated. And so, with confidence hardened by both knowledge and arrogance, they no longer feared him.

"No... he will come," Vegapunk said calmly, adjusting his high-tech monocle. His contact with Ayr had revealed one thing clearly—Ayr needed Devil Fruits. Desperately. And in this world, only Vegapunk possessed the technology and intellect to create them synthetically. That made him valuable. "Hmph. If he comes, good. Erasing a monster like Ayr would be a tremendous victory for us."

"You Marines are doomed if you think you understand him," Vegapunk sneered. "You're all underestimating a creature who defies logic." He wasn't worried, not when he had seen Ayr's terrifying aura, a fusion of Rinnegan-style ocular dominance and Devil Fruit power that defied the laws of chakra and Haki alike. Vegapunk believed in his own value to Ayr. That belief made him fearless.

"We've seen what Ayr can do," said Aokiji, arms crossed, ice crackling faintly under his breath. "But even so... if he dares set foot here, he'll be met with death."

"You're placing too much hope in him," Kizaru added nonchalantly. "The Marines are preparing to storm the New World. We're mobilizing against the Four Emperors. What's one pirate—Ayr—compared to all of them? No matter how much he treasures you, I doubt that man will risk everything to save just one scientist."

Despite all the talk of Ayr's monstrous strength, the admirals—Kizaru, Aokiji, Akainu—discussed him with unshaken calm. After all, they were no longer the Marines of old. Marineford was no longer vulnerable. With Garp, Sengoku, Zephyr, and Tsuru all stationed here, they believed their combined force could now match or even defeat the Five Elders. If Ayr came, he would fall.

"Then let's wait and see," Vegapunk said coldly.

---

Meanwhile, in the New World—inside a lavish tavern deep within the island kingdom of DeRosta, Ayr sat with his legs crossed, sipping wine, a slight frown creasing his brows. "It's about time for the scheduled shipment... why hasn't Vegapunk sent word?" The artificial Devil Fruits, which Vegapunk had been supplying every few months under their secret agreement, were overdue. Ayr's tone was casual, but his eyes glinted coldly.

"We already sent word, but there's been no response," the pirate replied nervously. "We're not sure if something happened."

"An accident?" Ayr leaned forward, interest piqued. That was unexpected.

"Don't worry, Lord Ayr," the pirate said quickly. "We've dispatched scouts to investigate. You'll have answers soon." Today, Ayr's influence spanned nearly every corner of the world. From the Grand Line to the chaotic islands of the New World, his subordinates were embedded like shadows. "Go," Ayr waved, and the pirate hurried away.

Once alone, Ayr entered Kurama's spiritual space. Before him lay rows upon rows of glowing fruits—dozens of artificial Devil Fruits gleamed in neat rows, seventy in total. Each of these could be refined into one high-grade fruit via exchange. Beside them, ten authentic Devil Fruits shimmered, hard-earned through years of conquests, betrayals, and bloodshed. In total, Ayr now possessed the equivalent of seventeen exchangeable fruits.

He glanced toward the property panel in his system interface. Still no refresh on the special items in the mall. It had been stagnant for some time now. But Ayr remained patient. The system was unpredictable... but it always rewarded persistence. Sooner or later, the next breakthrough would come.

Suddenly, a pirate burst in, bowing low. "Lord Ayr, the Flying Pirates have arrived outside. They request an audience."

"Flying Pirates?" Ayr murmured. That name was no stranger. Now, with Roger's execution imminent, what were they doing here? "Bring them in," he ordered. He wasn't sure what they wanted—but the Flying Pirates were notorious for trafficking Devil Fruits. He suspected their visit wasn't empty-handed.

Moments later, the tavern doors creaked open and a group of rugged pirates entered, five Devil Fruits held reverently in their arms. Their leader stepped forward, placed the fruits before Ayr, and bowed deeply. "Lord Ayr, we bring a request on behalf of Admiral Shiki."

Due to the proximity between their ships and Ayr's island, they had arrived swiftly.

"What request?" Ayr's tone was even, but his eyes narrowed.

"Our captain—Shiki the Golden Lion—is preparing to launch an invasion on Marineford. He requests your assistance in the rescue operation."

Ayr raised an eyebrow. Shiki's solo invasion was a bold, reckless move. Charging the Navy's stronghold alone was as good as suicide. But with Ayr? They believed the impossible became... possible.

"Very well," Ayr said after a pause. "I'll accept the task."

"Thank you, Lord Ayr!"

"Nagley!" A commanding voice echoed, and Nagley, the infamous New World pirate, entered moments later. He was once Luffy's first mentor as a child and one of the rare few to awaken Conqueror's Haki naturally. After losing to the Roger Pirates, he'd thrown his lot in with Ayr.

"Yes, Lord Ayr?"

"Send a detachment to Marineford. Recon only. Extraction if possible." Though Ayr had accepted the Devil Fruits, he had no intention of risking himself in this rescue mission. It was most likely a suicide run. Still, appearance had to be maintained. He'd accepted the Flying Pirates' offerings—and would provide a symbolic response.

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