Onepiece:Ares

Ares' intense training session left his body glowing red, like iron fresh from a forge. His sweat evaporated in the heat radiating off his muscles.

As he walked out of the training room, a group of pirates stood frozen, their eyes wide with disbelief.

When the door shut behind him, the silence broke into a cacophony of exclamations.

"My god, where did this guy even come from?!"

"Is he even human? His training methods would kill the rest of us!"

"With a body like that… even the wildest women wouldn't survive him!"

"Survive? I barely survived! Do you know how many times he punched me during sparring? TEN THOUSAND TIMES!"

"Tsk… Our crew just gained another monster. He's going to be a nightmare for rival pirates and even the Marines!"

The pirates shook their heads in disbelief. Watching Ares train was like witnessing madness itself—a self-imposed torture no sane person could endure.

After replenishing his energy with a meal, Ares walked out of the cafeteria. His presence was enough to leave the other pirates stunned.

Being an official crew member of the Rocks Pirates meant Ares was entitled to free meals, unlike the newcomers who had to fend for themselves. Many newcomers were essentially grunts, performing menial tasks like carrying supplies or cleaning, all while vying for the chance to officially join the crew.

But Ares? He had already claimed his spot as an official member.

Later, in the Skull Castle, complaints reached Captain Rocks himself.

"Captain! That guy is going to eat us out of the crew!!"

"Do you know how much he consumes in one meal?!"

"The chefs are collapsing from exhaustion cooking just for him!"

The pirate relaying the complaints looked utterly exasperated. Even Rocks, the most infamous captain on the seas, seemed a bit taken aback by the sheer absurdity of it.

Shakky, a woman with short black hair and a cigarette holder perched between her fingers, stepped forward. Her tone was sharp as she exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Do you even understand the cost, Rocks? That boy Ares eats enough to rack up over 100,000 Beli per meal."

She pointed at Rocks with her cigarette holder, her voice rising.

"That's over a million Beli a month just on food! Add the cost of labor, and we could be feeding hundreds with what we're spending on one person!"

Rocks, unfazed by Shakky's scolding, simply grinned.

"So it's a million Beli? That's nothing. I'm very optimistic about that kid."

He waved his hand dismissively. "Spend what's necessary. Recruit more chefs if we need to. He'll bring much more value to the crew in the future."

Shakky snorted, unimpressed. "Fine. It's not my money. Do what you want."

She turned and left the room, leaving Rocks alone.

Rocks walked to the window, gazing out at the vast world beyond. His deep, ambitious eyes gleamed as he murmured to himself:

"Talent is more valuable than gold. Once I become the ruler of this world, I'll have all the wealth I could ever want."

He grinned, his tone resolute. "I don't care for money. What I want… is the world itself."

Elsewhere in Skull Castle, Ares knocked on the door of Golden Lion Shiki's room. His massive hand slammed against the door, echoing through the hall.

Inside, a commotion erupted.

"Hurry up and leave through the back!" Shiki hissed at MISS Buckingham Stussy , his tone panicked. "You'll get your 50 million Beli, just go!"

Miss Buckingham Stussy her tall, curvaceous figure draped in hastily thrown clothes, smirked as she grabbed her payment. "I'll hold you to that, Shiki!"

As she slipped out the back, Shiki lit a cigar, took a deep drag, and composed himself.

When Shiki opened the door, he was surprised to see Ares standing there.

"Ares?! What brings you here?"

Without hesitation, Ares got straight to the point. "Mr. Ochoku said you're the best swordsman on the ship. I want to know if there's a way to forge the human body into a sword stronger than the Supreme Grade Swords."

His burning, copper-bell eyes locked onto Shiki, full of curiosity and determination.

Shiki sighed inwardly. This wasn't the first time he'd heard that question. When Ares first joined the Rocks Pirates, he had asked Rocks the same thing. Rocks' answer had been simple: Fight.

Since then, Shiki had heard rumors of Ares' past—of how he'd relentlessly questioned the villagers of his home about how to turn himself into a sword and undergone "hellish" training in pursuit of that goal.

Shiki took another drag of his cigar, thinking carefully before answering. After a moment, he smirked.

"A human body can never compare to a Supreme Grade Sword… but there is a way to make your body like one."

Ares' eyes lit up with excitement as Shiki continued.

"A swordsman can temper their blade into a black blade using their Haki. Similarly, you can use Armament Haki to strengthen your body, making it as hard as steel—or even harder."

He paused, leaning closer. "If you master Armament Haki, your body can surpass even the strongest weapons."

Ares' voice trembled with excitement. "Armament Haki?! What is that?!"

Shiki grinned, recognizing the determination in Ares' gaze.

"This kid's obsession might just take him further than anyone expects," Shiki thought to himself.

End of the Chapter.