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Seventy artificial Devil Fruits had been created, ten of which were direct donations from Ayr's subordinates. Though most of his artificial fruits carried defects, the system separated them into high-grade prototypes and low-grade defective models, ensuring their value was never confused.
"Understood, Lord Ayr," Nagli said, bowing before turning to leave, but before he could reach the door, several pirates interjected sharply.
"Wait, Mr. Ayr. You're really sending others instead of going yourself to rescue Admiral Shiki at Marineford?"
They had misunderstood his intentions. When Ayr accepted the commission, they assumed he would personally lead the assault, and no one had considered that he would delegate the task. His subordinates were indeed strongâsome carried bounties exceeding 500 millionâbut Marineford was defended by the Admirals Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan. Without Ayr himself at the forefront, the mission seemed doomed from the very beginning.
"I've accepted the commission. No further discussion is necessary," Ayr replied coldly.
The pirates exchanged uneasy glances until one of them finally stepped forward and declared, "If that's the case, we're backing out. Return the Devil Fruits we gave you." They had paid with five high-grade fruits, but Ayr's indifference left them doubting whether the rescue had any chance of success. Sending mere subordinates against the might of Marineford was tantamount to suicide, and if Ayr refused to move personally, then they would rather forfeit.
Ayr's expression darkened. "Are you joking with me? The mission has been accepted, my forces are already in motion, and now you want your payment returned?"
"But you haven't dispatched them yet⊠right?" one pirate stammered hesitantly. Despite their reputations as feared outlaws with bounties nearing one billion berries each, men who ruled their own seas like kings, they could not mask their unease before Ayrâthe man infamous for slaughtering Vice Admirals with a flick of his wrist and whose awakened Rinnegan was spoken of in whispers.
"The commission is accepted. That's final. Leave," Ayr said, his calm tone laced with an invisible pressure that carried the crackle of Conqueror's Haki.
The pirates stiffened, muttered reluctant assent, and quickly withdrew. They understood Ayr had cornered them, yet none dared challenge him further, for provoking him meant facing something far worse than the loss of five Devil Fruits. As they departed, Ayr casually stored the fruits within Kurama's spiritual dimension, where his personal inventoryânow totaling twenty-twoâremained untouched and secure. What he awaited most was the system's next shop refresh, the moment when rare and special-class items might finally appear.
"Mr. Ayr, do we still send men to Marineford?" Nagli asked respectfully.
"Send a few. Honor still matters in business."
Nagli bowed and left the tavern to make the arrangements.
Before Ayr could relax, the transponder snail on his table buzzed with a distorted voice. He picked it up and watched as the bruised, bandaged face of one of his elite appeared on the snail's surface.
"S-Sorry, Lord Ayr⊠the mission failed."
"What happened?" Ayr demanded, his frown deepening.
The caller was a pirate valued at 800 million berries, renowned for his speed-based Kenbunshoku Haki and lethal dual-wielding techniques, and one of those entrusted to guard Dr. Vegapunk. His battered state could only mean disaster.
"Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan discovered the lab," the pirate rasped. "They struck fast. We lost nearly everyoneâVegapunk has been taken."
Ayr's expression hardened instantly. So that was why Vegapunk's latest shipment never arrived.
"You're the only survivor?"
"Yes⊠I'm sorry, Lord Ayr. Those monsters were beyond us."
"I understand."
Ayr ended the call without another word, his gaze turning glacial. Vegapunk was not merely a contractor but the cornerstone of his artificial Devil Fruit empire; losing him threatened everything. Worse still, the World Government would now discover that Vegapunk had been secretly working with him, a truth meant to remain hidden. For the Marines to move so boldly against him left only one path: retaliation.
He rose to his feet and strode to Nagli. "Prepare a ship. I'm heading to Marineford."
Originally, Ayr had little interest in Shiki's rescue, but with Vegapunk seized, the matter had become personal. Without the scientist, his supply chain of artificial fruits would collapse. If he wanted continuity, he would have to reclaim Vegapunk himself.
"Shall I come with you, Lord Ayr?" Nagli asked, unquestioning in his loyalty.
"No. Stay here and guard the fortress."
"As you command."
Nagli immediately sprinted off to ready the vessel, knowing full well the seas were about to boil with chaos once again.
---
Meanwhile, far away on Onigashima in Wano Country, Kaido sat atop his colossal throne within the skull-shaped castle, his furious roar echoing through the halls.
"What did you say?! That bastard Shiki is attacking Marineford?!"
Though their alliance, forged during the old days of Rocks, was fragile, Shiki and Kaido had long shared common enemies.
"Yes, Admiral Kaido," a trembling subordinate reported. "The Golden Lion is already en route to Marine Headquarters."
"That fool," Jhin muttered. "He's going to get himself killed."
"He's completely lost it!" Queen bellowed. "What kind of lunatic raids Marineford alone?"
Had Shiki not been their ally, they might have mocked his recklessness, but his actions risked dragging the Beasts Pirates into ruin.
"He doesn't understand the balance of the seas right now," Kaido growled, crushing a sake bottle in his fist after a long swig. The New World was no longer the same; Ayrâwith his Rinnegan, Susanoo, and overwhelming hakiâstood unrivaled, and his alliance with Whitebeard's forces only magnified his dominance. The seas were already unstable, and the Beasts Pirates could only survive through strength and carefully chosen allies.
If Shiki died at Marineford, their faction would lose a cornerstone, and Kaido knew bitterly that even he could not topple the world alone. To ignite the great war he longed forâthe one that would engulf the globe in fire and bloodâKaido needed Shiki alive. If the Golden Lion was captured or killed, then that dream would collapse into dust.
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