Onepiece:Ares

"Pirates?!"

Ares stopped in his tracks, his expression cold and unchanging as he glanced at the old man. His gaze then shifted to the group of pirates, as if addressing no one in particular:

"Are they pirates?"

There was no fluctuation in his voice or expression, no trace of emotion. His demeanor was so detached and mechanical that he seemed less human, more like a robot in a human shell.

The old man's desperate plea for help triggered laughter and ridicule among the pirates.

"Hahaha! Smelly old man, even if this guy is strong, we are the Rocks Pirates!"

"Does he really think he can save your pathetic village from us? That's hilarious!"

"Tsk, tsk... You must be dreaming if you think anyone can stand against the Rocks Pirates. Our name alone makes men tremble in fear!"

The pirates' mockery filled the air, each voice dripping with disdain. To them, the old man's hope seemed foolish, his desperation laughable.

As the jeers continued, Ares remained calm, his piercing gaze fixed solely on Rocks D. Xebec, who stood at the center of the group like a king among wolves. Then, to everyone's shock, Ares spoke:

"Do you know how to forge a man into the sharpest, hardest sword in the world?"

For a moment, the entire scene froze. Then, as if someone had flipped a switch, the pirates burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Did I hear that right? This kid thinks he can turn himself into a sword?!"

"What nonsense! The human body can't compare to the sharpness of a real blade!"

"He's got to be insane! There's no other explanation!"

The pirates roared with laughter, clutching their sides as if Ares' words were the funniest thing they'd ever heard.

Whitebeard Newgate, however, was intrigued. He grinned, his eyes shining with interest.

"Forge yourself into a sword, huh?" he muttered to himself. "The world has no shortage of madmen, but madmen who can break their limits... those are rare."

Whitebeard's thoughts lingered on the boy's potential. "I wonder if this kid can actually pull it off."

Golden Lion Shiki, still puffing his cigar, chuckled.

"Jihahaha! This is the first time I've heard such a crazy idea. Kid, no matter how much you train, your body will never match the Supreme Grade Swords."

As an owner of two Great Grade Swords, Oti and Kogarashi, Shiki knew the unmatched sharpness and hardness of such weapons. In his eyes, the human body couldn't possibly compare.

Charlotte Linlin, however, had a different kind of interest. Her eyes roamed over Ares' chiseled, bronze-skinned body.

"I don't care about swords," she said, her scarlet tongue licking her lips hungrily. "What I want is strong, capable offspring. This boy's body is perfect!"

Her lustful gaze lingered, unfazed by the conversation around her.

Despite the pirates' ridicule, Ares remained unmoved. His eyes stayed locked on Rocks, the man who radiated unparalleled authority.

Rocks suddenly burst into laughter, his deep, commanding voice booming.

"Hahaha!"

His eyes narrowed, gleaming with a dangerous light. "Fighting!" he declared firmly.

"Fighting?" A trace of curiosity flickered in Ares' usually blank expression.

Rocks nodded, his voice heavy with conviction.

"Only through constant battle can a man forge himself into an indestructible sword. Only by fighting can you grow stronger."

There was a glimmer of admiration in Rocks' eyes as he spoke. Ares' question, while absurd to most, revealed a singular determination that Rocks found intriguing.

"Fight..." Ares muttered, as if testing the word.

Then, his lips curled into a smile. His black-and-white eyes sparkled with a fire that hadn't been there before.

"Then fight me!" he declared, his voice hoarse with excitement.

A wave of raw, animalistic energy surged from Ares' body, radiating like a primal force of nature. His aura was wild and violent, like that of a predator who had lived among beasts for years.

The pirates recoiled at his words, their expressions shifting between shock and amusement.

"Did I hear that right? This kid just challenged Captain Rocks?!"

"Hahaha! Does he even know who he's up against? Our captain has a bounty of 3.5 billion—he's the most feared pirate in the world!"

"This guy is insane! Only a lunatic would challenge Captain Rocks!"

The air buzzed with disbelief and mockery as the pirates processed Ares' audacious challenge.

Whitebeard let out a hearty laugh, his appreciation for Ares growing.

"Ku la la la! What a gutsy kid. Reminds me of when I challenged Rocks myself."

Shiki, cigar in hand, smirked.

"This brat is interesting. Maybe I should recruit him into my squad."

Even Silver Axe, standing beside Ochoku, found himself intrigued.

"What do you think, Ochoku? Is this guy a monster like Linlin thinks?" he asked with a grin.

Ochoku didn't answer immediately, his eyes fixed on Ares.

Meanwhile, in the crowd of terrified villagers, a spark of hope ignited.

An elderly man, trembling but resolute, stepped forward. Tears streamed down his face as he cried out:

"Ares! Please, help us! Save us from these monsters!"

The old man's plea echoed through the tense air, a desperate cry for salvation.

End of the Chapter.

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