Guided carefully by Nagley, Ayr walked toward the intruder who dared challenge him.
Suddenly—crack!—the vines under Ayr's feet shattered with a crisp snap.
As he took another step forward, a violent Conqueror's Haki burst outward from his body like a wave of thunder. The ground trembled.
In one smooth motion, he drew his Supreme Grade Sword, Zhan Shen, from his waist and casually swung it once.
A streak of white light—faster than lightning—flashed across the air.
The challenger, Aramaki, barely caught the blur. Even with his instincts, he couldn't grasp what had just happened.
The technique was beyond anything he'd ever seen. Too fast. Too sharp.
He blinked, stunned. What... was that?
Ayr didn't bother to answer the unspoken question. He simply let the silence speak for itself.
"You're lucky," Ayr said coldly. "I'll let you live."
Aramaki's heart pounded like a war drum.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
He could barely stand under the pressure of Ayr's overwhelming aura. The suffocating Conqueror's Haki still weighed heavily in the air.
Ayr's crew—previously withered and injured—were now regaining their strength. The color returned to their faces. Their eyes sharpened.
Thanks to Aramaki's Devil Fruit power—his ability to manipulate and absorb life force through vegetation—the damage he caused was easily reversed.
Fortunately, he hadn't killed any of Ayr's men outright.
Ayr stared coldly at him. "Heal them. All of them. Now."
Aramaki gulped and obeyed. He extended his hand, drawing in life energy from the surrounding plant life, transferring it into Ayr's fallen subordinates.
The once-tangled vines unwrapped from their bodies as strength returned.
"You're lucky they survived," Ayr said. "Or this would've ended differently."
Around them, the once-bright sky dimmed into heavy clouds. The wind shifted.
The mood darkened.
Even as he complied, Aramaki couldn't help but shiver. What terrifying power… is this what it means to be a Sea Emperor?
But he wouldn't back down.
"I-I'm not retreating!" he shouted, fists clenched. "I won't run away just because I'm scared of you! I came here to fight! To prove myself!"
"I will become a Marine Admiral—no matter what it takes!"
Ayr didn't respond. His silence was more menacing than words.
"Today… I'm going to kill you!" Aramaki roared, pushing his fear down and unleashing vines again from the ground.
But this time, instead of draining life, he used the energy to fuel Ayr's recovery—an unintentional act of submission.
He trembled as sweat dripped down his face. His voice wavered despite the bravado.
"I am Aramaki! The man who will rise to the top of the Marines! Remember that name!"
Around him, thick vines surged once more from the ground, twisting with intent—but Ayr remained still.
He tilted his head slightly, eyes cold. "What's your name?"
"Aramaki," he repeated, swallowing hard.
Ayr narrowed his gaze. "You talk too much."
The black lightning of Conqueror's Haki burst out again, this time more violent. It surged directly toward Aramaki like a beast unleashed.
His knees buckled.
Ayr's sword arm barely moved, but another blinding slash tore through the air—a warning, not a kill.
Aramaki couldn't even see it happen.
How do I fight someone I can't even follow with my eyes...?
He tried to stay upright, but his legs trembled.
Ayr didn't say another word.
He simply watched.
Aramaki's bravado faltered, but he held his ground. "I'm not afraid... I swear it...!"
Still, Ayr's presence was overwhelming.
From behind Ayr, his crew stood recovered, watching the scene unfold in silence.
Even they were surprised—Ayr hadn't killed him.
Finally, Ayr spoke with quiet finality:
"You won't have another chance."
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