A faint breeze swept across the training ground, stirring a little dust from the earth, but doing nothing to ease the tension stretched to its breaking point.
Vice Admiral Yamakaji's face was flushed red, veins bulging across his forehead. With a violent tug, he tore off the coat symbolizing justice and honor and hurled it onto the hard ground.
The coat sent up a small cloud of dust, as if even it were trembling before the conflict about to erupt.
"I refuse to accept this!"
Yamakaji's eyes widened, flames of anger burning within them as he glared at the Seraphim standing as cold and motionless as statues.
His voice boomed across the spacious training ground.
"What gives these emotionless hunks of metal, capable of nothing but mechanically following orders, the right to stand above those of us who have flesh and blood and have fought for justice with our lives?
"Have they ever shed a single drop of blood for justice? Have they ever struggled along the boundary between life and death as we have?"
Sengoku sat upon the raised platform, his face as unmoving as an ancient stone carving. It seemed as though nothing in the world could shake his mountain-like composure.
Only his fingers moved, tapping the armrest in a slow, deliberate rhythm. Each tap seemed to strike directly against the nerves of everyone present.
After a long silence, he finally spoke in a low, commanding voice.
"The match is approved. It will take place immediately in Training Ground Three."
At Sengoku's order, the Seraphim known as Eagle slowly stepped out of formation.
Its mechanical body gleamed with cold metallic light, while its artificial wings folded neatly behind it like a cloak.
Its dimly glowing electronic eyes swept over Yamakaji with calm precision.
"Target confirmed. Identity: Marine Vice Admiral Yamakaji. Comprehensive system assessment places combat capability at B-rank."
"Don't look down on me!"
Yamakaji's anger erupted at those words.
With a furious roar, he drew the famed blade Burning Mountain from his waist.
Armament Haki surged over the sword like a raging tide, instantly coating the blade until a faint blood-red sheen appeared along its edge.
Gripping the hilt tightly, Yamakaji fixed the Seraphim with a fierce, determined stare.
"Today, I'll show you the strength of a true Marine officer!"
The whistle signaling the start of the match had barely pierced the silence—
Whoosh!
The sound was soft, almost like Death's scythe cutting through the air.
A dazzling streak of white light flashed across the arena like lightning.
Its brilliance was so intense that everyone's gaze was drawn toward it, their vision briefly overwhelmed by the glare.
Yamakaji remained frozen in his charging stance, still filled with fighting spirit.
The anger had not yet faded from his flushed face, and the fierce defiance in his eyes remained.
Then his body began trembling faintly.
He slowly lowered his head.
A thin line of blood had appeared across his chest, winding over him like a narrow red snake. Crimson blood gradually seeped from the wound, soaking into his uniform.
"Im… possible…"
He struggled to force the words from his throat, every syllable filled with shock and disbelief.
Then his renowned blade, Burning Mountain, released a crisp cracking sound.
The sword snapped into two pieces and fell helplessly to the ground, kicking up a small cloud of dust.
Eagle had somehow appeared behind him without anyone noticing.
A single drop of blood slid slowly down the laser blade in its hand, gleaming strangely beneath the sunlight.
Its expression remained blank.
"Assessment confirmed. B-rank combatant. Elimination time: 0.7 seconds."
That icy voice seemed to rise from the depths of hell itself.
The entire training ground fell into deathly silence.
Time appeared to stop, and the air became unbearably heavy.
The Marine officers stared in stunned disbelief as Yamakaji's massive body slowly collapsed.
Fear, shock, and confusion filled their eyes.
The medical team reacted immediately, charging toward Yamakaji like soldiers responding to an emergency order. Their equipment and medicine were already prepared as they rushed to save the gravely wounded Vice Admiral.
"Next."
Eagle's mechanical eyes slowly swept across the training ground.
No one dared meet its gaze.
Its voice rang out again with unquestionable authority.
"Does anyone else wish to verify the combat assessment?"
Kizaru's mouth tilted into his usual crooked smile.
"Ooh… What a frightening youngster~"
There was both admiration and caution in his gaze.
Aokiji's expression remained grave, and ice crystals unconsciously began spreading around him in response to his emotions.
"That speed… It's already beyond even the strongest Vice Admirals."
His voice carried unmistakable shock.
Vice Admiral Tsuru trembled faintly.
She slowly closed her eyes as though unable to face the brutal reality before her.
"The World Government… What kind of monsters have they created…?"
Her whisper was filled with fear and concern.
Sengoku slowly rose to his feet.
In the eyes of everyone present, his figure appeared especially imposing and resolute.
His voice was pained, yet firm.
"Does anyone still question their rank?"
The words struck every heart like a hammer, forcing them to reconsider the situation before them.
Across the training ground, the Marine officers silently lowered their heads, complicated emotions churning within them.
In the shadows, the electronic eyes of the twelve Seraphim glowed with bloodthirsty red light.
They stared like the eyes of demons, silently warning that even greater battles awaited them in the future.
...
The atmosphere inside the great hall was oppressively heavy.
Sengoku climbed the platform symbolizing the Fleet Admiral's supreme authority with steady, powerful steps.
Every stride seemed to carry an immense burden, landing against the floor with a deep, heavy sound, as though announcing his resolve to the entire world.
He raised his head slightly.
His deep, piercing gaze swept across the Marine officers standing in neat formation below like the edge of a sharpened sword.
Every officer stood tall and solemn, their eyes showing respect and loyalty toward their Fleet Admiral.
...