Ayr's subordinates stood ready, eager to perform the Ageless Surgery that would make him immortal.
The selected pirate — now the user of the Op-Op Fruit — stepped forward.
Once Ayr and the surgical ROOM were stabilized, the procedure could begin.
But the Ageless Surgery wasn't just any operation.
It was a mythical feat, even among Devil Fruit powers — and possibly an exception in its own right.
"Wait until you are completely familiar with the fruit's abilities," Ayr said calmly. "Then perform the surgery on me."
"Yes, sir!" the pirate responded without hesitation.
Under the guidance of Nagli and the close supervision of the crew, the pirate who had consumed the Op-Op Fruit began training and experimenting — quickly becoming more adept at using its powers.
Ayr listened in silence, watching the process while forcing his body to remain relaxed. He had to be ready.
Later that day, led once again by Nagli, the surgeon returned to Ayr's side.
A glowing, circular ROOM formed next to Ayr — shimmering with a light blue hue that distorted the space inside it.
"Sir…?" the pirate looked at Ayr, unsure.
"Don't be nervous," Ayr replied.
"This is a necessary procedure before the surgery," the pirate explained nervously, trying to maintain composure in front of his captain.
Truth be told, the Ageless Surgery — said to bestow immortality at the cost of the user's life — had always been shrouded in mystery.
It was hard to believe it was anything more than a rumor.
But now, faced with the real possibility of eternal life, even the seasoned pirate had to control his breath.
Strange, incredible sensations filled the room — sensations Ayr had never felt before.
At times, it felt as though he were being frozen by ice older than time itself.
Other times, he felt like flames were dancing along his nerves.
And yet, in the middle of it all, he smiled.
This was the price of power.
Ayr endured.
"As expected from a man like him," the pirate thought.
"Lord Ayr will definitely get what he desires."
The surgery was long — it lasted a full day.
Outside the sealed chamber, Nagli and the others waited with bated breath.
Inside, the pirate worked tirelessly.
Only Ayr and the surgeon remained in the surgical ROOM.
The pain Ayr felt was unbearable — a slow burning that engulfed his entire body.
And yet, he didn't cry out.
At times, his body went numb — as if separated from the world itself.
Other times, the pain surged back like a tidal wave. But Ayr refused to flinch.
The pirate looked at his captain with admiration.
This was not an ordinary man — this was Ayr.
Just the physical force of Ayr reacting to the pain could have obliterated a weaker person.
But the surgeon pressed on, straining against his own limits.
Ayr had told him before:
"You should practice first. Become familiar with the Op-Op Fruit."
Now, he was putting that training into action.
Ayr felt his own life force shifting — not diminishing, but being rewritten.
The demon factor of the Op-Op Fruit began to react with Ayr's exceptional vitality, and it was terrifying in its power.
This was what Ayr had feared — that the inexperience of the user could cause something to go wrong.
But even now, as his cells were being reconstructed, Ayr raised a hand.
"Wait," he said.
The pirate hesitated.
"Why would he stop now?" he wondered. "We're so close to immortality!"
Ayr's body had instinctively tensed, on the verge of rejecting the energy flowing through him.
Even now, Ayr resisted the urge to fight back — not out of weakness, but discipline.
Even in the face of immortality, Ayr chose restraint.
Safety came first.
"No," he said. "Not yet. I need to be sure. Your body… your mind… you must master it completely first."
The pirate was sweating, trembling, but he nodded.
He knew the weight of what was at stake.
Outside, Nagli looked at the closed door, his face solemn.
"This operation… it's not just surgery," he whispered. "It's a rebirth."
The pirate smiled through exhaustion.
"My lord… this time, I am 100% certain. I will not disappoint you."
The operation would wait — just a little longer.
Immortality was near, but Ayr knew: true power must never be rushed.
The ROOM faded, and Ayr's body slowly lowered back to the ground.
For now, the legend remained mortal — but not for long.
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