Legacy of the Six Paths Senjutsu

Ayr set sail not to chase fame but to refine his Sage Body, unlocking its secrets. He sought to enhance his strength further—scouring the ocean for Devil Fruits that could aid him in mastering the Nine-Tails' power.

But this was the New World, an era dominated by chaos and titans. The seas weren't kind to wanderers, no matter their intent.

Even though he didn't provoke others, any pirate who crossed his path instinctively treated him as an enemy.

Ayr was left with no choice. To survive, he had to fight back.

One battle turned into ten. Ten turned into a hundred. The bodies of fallen pirates piled up in his wake. Eventually, the Marines took notice.

They hunted him, forcing confrontations. And once the World Government set its sights on someone, there were only two choices—submission or rebellion.

Ayr chose the latter.

With a bounty on his head, he had no path forward but that of a pirate.

That had been Ayr's reality for the past year.

Even now, as he stood before Rocks D. Xebec, one of the most fearsome men in history, he wasn't sure how to explain his reasoning for becoming a pirate.

Silence stretched between them.

Rocks gazed at the sea, the moonlight casting sharp shadows on his face. His voice, when he finally spoke, was resolute.

"I became a pirate to conquer this sea. No—my ambition isn't bound to the ocean alone. My goal is absolute dominance over the entire world!"

There was no hesitation in his words. No doubt.

Rocks D. Xebec wasn't just strong—he was one of the most audacious and terrifying figures to ever live.

He wasn't just a pirate. He was a force of nature.

Even among legendary contemporaries—Whitebeard, Golden Lion, Charlotte Linlin, Kaido, Roger, Red Earl, Garp, Sengoku, Kong—Rocks stood at the peak.

Had he not succumbed to his own arrogance, had he maintained control over his crew, perhaps history would have been rewritten.

Perhaps the fateful battle at the Valley of the Gods wouldn't have led to his downfall.

Perhaps he truly could have overthrown the World Government and seized the throne of this world.

"So… Captain Rocks called me here just to say all this?" Ayr finally spoke, his tone carrying mild amusement.

Rocks' ambitions were undeniably grand.

But what did any of this have to do with him?

He had only joined today.

Did Rocks personally summon every new crew member to listen to his grand speech about conquest?

Ayr didn't get it.

He had no real aspirations right now. He was here to test his system's progress, mess around, and grow stronger.

"Since I became a pirate, I have seen the rise of countless monsters." Rocks' voice was deep and commanding. "But none have been worthy of my recognition. None have surpassed me."

His words weren't arrogance—they were fact.

"To this day, I have mastered supreme Armament Haki, supreme Observation Haki, and supreme Conqueror's Haki."

"My Observation Haki is so advanced that I can see into a person's heart… understand the very core of their being."

"That's why I personally invited you the moment I saw you, Ayr."

Rocks turned, fixing his piercing gaze on Ayr once more.

"I see something in you that doesn't exist in others. I don't know what it is—but I know you are different."

"You have the potential to become an overlord."

Ayr's eyes narrowed slightly.

Observation Haki strong enough to read hearts? To glimpse the origin of someone's power?

It made sense now.

Rocks must have sensed his Sage Body, his unnatural presence in this world. He couldn't identify it, but he knew it was something beyond the ordinary.

"What makes you special surpasses even the monsters like Edward Newgate and Golden Lion." Rocks continued. "If you reach your full potential, you may even stand above them in the future."

Ayr gave a small nod.

He wasn't surprised.

From the moment he had awakened his Immortal System, he had known—his future was inevitable.

All the so-called legends of this world would eventually become nothing more than stepping stones beneath his feet.

Rocks observed Ayr's reaction. His lips curled into a knowing smirk.

"It seems you already understand the power you hold."

"So, Captain Rocks—why did you summon me here tonight?"

"Work for me, Ayr."

Ayr raised an eyebrow, then laughed, spreading his hands.

"Aren't I already a member of the Rocks Pirates? Doesn't that mean I serve under you?"

Rocks shook his head.

"No. I don't know why you truly joined this ship, but I need more than just words, Ayr."

Ayr's eyes sharpened slightly.

"What do you mean, Captain Rocks?"

"You have immense potential. You've mastered a power even I cannot fully grasp. But right now—you are weak."

Ayr remained silent.

Compared to Rocks, compared to the true monsters of this world…

Yes. He was weak.

"I can make you stronger." Rocks' words carried weight. "I can train you personally. But in return—you must swear that until the day the Rocks Pirates disband, you will not betray me."

Rocks wasn't a fool.

He knew the truth.

Every member of this crew had their own ambitions. Their own agendas.

Even now, Golden Lion, Whitebeard, Linlin, and Kaido were preparing their own moves, gathering power for themselves.

Rocks had tried to change their minds, but he knew it was too late.

They were already beyond his control.

But Ayr was different.

Ayr was still young—sixteen, maybe seventeen.

He could still be shaped. Influenced. Controlled.

Rocks wanted to mold him into his ultimate weapon.

To train him, indoctrinate him, make him indebted.

So that when the time came—Ayr would be his most loyal soldier.

"So, Ayr… what is your answer?"

Ayr smiled. "As a member of the Rocks Pirates, I would never betray Captain Rocks."

His words were casual, but his mind was already calculating.

This was a golden opportunity.

Under Rocks' guidance, his growth would skyrocket.

This wasn't like serving under Golden Lion—where he would simply be another subordinate.

This was a direct apprenticeship under one of history's strongest figures.

And all he had to do was not betray Rocks.

But Ayr already knew history.

The Valley of the Gods loomed in the future.

When that day came, Rocks would die.

By then, Ayr would have already outgrown his use for him.

So why refuse?

Rocks thought he was manipulating Ayr?

How laughable.

Ayr had the system. He was the one playing the game.

And when the time came, he would step over them all.