Aside from Kaido and Whitebeard, Charlotte Linlin and the Golden Lion had also set sail toward the nation of DeRosta after receiving the explosive news.
Charlotte Linlin, though once defeated by Ayr Shenhai, had survived.
However, except for Whole Cake Island, all of her territories had been flattened by Ayr's hand.
---
A few days later, in the New World, deep within the wreckage of the nation of DeRosta:
Though over 70% of the country had been obliterated in the recent battle—when Ayr and Rocks clashed with the five great pirates—the remaining 30% still stood among the ruins.
Despite this, Ayr showed no intention of abandoning the country or relocating.
Instead, he had ordered his pirate subordinates to begin rebuilding DeRosta, brick by brick.
At the same time, he sent squads to seize the territories previously owned by Captain John, Silver Axe, Ochoku, and Byrnndi World.
Now, in a dimly lit tavern at the heart of DeRosta's last standing district, Ayr and Rocks D. Xebec sat side by side, drinks in hand.
Rocks lounged in his seat, swirling a goblet of rare wine, a subtle grin playing at the corners of his lips.
"It's been such a short time, Ayr," he said with a chuckle.
"How long do you have left, Rocks?" Ayr asked quietly, watching him.
"If my body holds... maybe just today." Rocks exhaled deeply.
Though his return to the world of the living was real, it was also temporary. Barely a week had passed since his resurrection via the Outer Path: Rinne Tensei, yet the effects were already waning.
His life force was slipping away.
He could feel the weakened thrum of his heart, slower than normal. His limbs, once brimming with might, now felt heavy, tired. He was fading.
"A week…" Ayr muttered under his breath, displeased.
He had originally intended to resurrect a formidable undead army, using the forbidden Six Paths technique he acquired through the system.
But the reality was disappointing—the revived could only survive for a week. It was far too short for any lasting use.
"Even if it's short," Rocks said, leaning back in his chair with a peaceful smirk, "these days have brought me more joy than I ever expected."
Rocks' heart had died back at God Valley.
To be revived, even briefly, by someone like Ayr—it had given him closure.
To laugh again, to drink, to feel the wind in his lungs—it was a fleeting miracle.
"I only wish…" Rocks added, face growing somber, "that I could witness the day you sit atop the world… as its true king."
Rocks, now loyal to Ayr, yearned to see him fulfill what he himself had failed to do—reach the throne above all.
But his body wouldn't last.
His bones would return to dust long before Ayr's destiny unfolded.
After a long pause, Ayr finally replied.
"When I do ascend the throne, I'll bring you back again, Rocks."
Though Ayr technically could use the Outer Path: Rinne Tensei again after Rocks died, the system had unknown limits on how many times it could revive a soul.
He had no idea whether resurrection was capped at once per person.
So reviving Rocks again now, while he still hadn't reached the peak, would be a waste.
No. When he truly sat at the top, when the world bowed to his name—then and only then, he would bring Rocks back.
Rocks laughed heartily. "Hahaha! It's a promise, then, Ayr!"
"Of course," Ayr nodded, a rare smile on his face.
Though they had spent only a week together, this version of Rocks was someone Ayr deeply appreciated.
He now found himself wondering if there might be another way to bring Rocks back—permanently.
Just then, the tavern door creaked open.
Several pirates entered, each holding crates in their arms.
They strode up to Ayr, placed the boxes on the table, and bowed respectfully.
"Lord Ayr, these are the Devil Fruits we recovered from the territories of John, Ochoku, Silver Axe, and Byrnndi World. There are fifteen in total."
After all, those four had been giants of the New World. Their treasure hoards were legendary.
Now, they were dead, and Ayr had claimed everything—their crews, their islands, their powers.
"I see. You're dismissed," Ayr replied, waving his hand.
The men nodded and left.
"You really are full of surprises, Ayr," Rocks said, sipping from his cup. "Even after all this time together, I still can't see through you."
From the moment Ayr had stepped aboard his crew long ago, Rocks had known he was different.
But how different? He had never been able to tell.
He only sensed an enormous power buried deep, one that broke every rule of the pirate world.
In this world, a human could only eat one Devil Fruit.
Yet Ayr… was different.
Rocks was convinced that Ayr had a unique body, one that allowed him to consume and wield multiple Devil Fruits, each with full mastery.
"Everyone has secrets, Rocks," Ayr said calmly, eyes glinting.
"But your secret," Rocks replied with a grin, "if the world knew… they'd tremble."
Rocks knew he had reached the ceiling of human strength. There was no higher level for him.
But Ayr?
Ayr was still climbing—breaking past limits even Rocks could never imagine.
This kind of anomaly had to be tied to a secret so earth-shattering that if it were revealed, the balance of the world would collapse.
"Maybe so," Ayr said with a subtle smile, revealing nothing.
Just then, a mechanical voice echoed in Ayr's mind.
> Ding! Congratulations, Host. The system store has been refreshed with new items!
"The system store... refreshed?" Ayr paused, momentarily stunned.
It hadn't been long since the last refresh—just after Loguetown.
Usually, years passed before the system changed its inventory.
Ayr blinked. "That's… unusually fast."
He had waited half a decade for the last refresh.
Was this some kind of shift in the system's behavior?
Though he mentally grumbled about its inconsistency, he still opened the store interface without hesitation.
Even Rocks noticed the flicker in Ayr's gaze but said nothing.
Ayr was a mystery—even to death itself.
And now, new power was just a click away.
{🥳 The Fanfic is now fully completed! 🎉
You can access 300+ advance chapters right now on Patreon—available for subscription or purchase! ✨
👉 patreon.com/Oreski
🥰 Your support keeps me motivated and eager to create even more amazing stories! 💖}