The afternoon sun lazily bathed the villa district, filling the air with a strange blend of luxury and comfort.
Every plant was meticulously trimmed, every tile polished to a shine. This didn't look like a naval base; it looked more like a king's private garden.
A young orderly named Kaigara pushed a gold-plated cart piled with white uniforms, walking nervously along the shaded path.
He was a fresh recruit, quick with his hands and honest-looking (meaning he didn't seem like the type to slack off). Because of that, logistics assigned him a special task:
Delivering uniforms to the newly promoted "monster commanders."
"Phew… I'm so nervous…"
He wiped sweat from his forehead.
Each uniform represented a terrifying powerhouse: "Ghost Sword" Blake, "Iron Fist" Balg, "Desert Fang" Galorn…
Just thinking about them made his legs tremble.
"When I delivered to Lord Blake earlier… he was slicing the air with a wooden sword… he ignored me, but the pressure was terrifying…"
Taking a deep breath, Kaigara pushed the cart to the edge of the district, to the most overgrown villa.
It had once been European-style.
Now? It was completely swallowed by vines, giant flowers, and towering trees, like a miniature jungle.
Even the "Do Not Disturb" sign had been half-eaten by a carnivorous plant.
This was the residence of the most mysterious and terrifying contestant,
"Aramaki."
"Um… Lord Aramaki? I'm Kaigara from logistics…"
He rang the "doorbell", by pulling a vine.
Rustle
The door didn't open.
Instead, tree roots forced it apart.
A wave of fresh plant fragrance hit him.
Then came a lazy, annoyed voice:
"What is it? Can't you see I'm photosynthesizing?"
Kaigara gulped and walked in carefully.
Inside, a man with curly black hair lounged on a giant sunflower-like plant.
Shirtless. Sunglasses on. A cigarette in his mouth.
Sunbathing.
"R-reporting, Commander Aramaki!"
Kaigara snapped to attention.
"I'm here to deliver your G-5 special-issued Marine headquarters uniform!"
"Oh? Uniform?"
Aramaki lifted his sunglasses slightly.
Kaigara hurriedly presented the pristine white suit and coat with "Justice" on the back.
"Made from premium South Blue cotton, designed by-"
Snap.
Aramaki flicked the collar with one finger.
His eyes landed on the insignia:
Two bars, four stars, commander
His expression darkened instantly.
"Hey, kid."
His tone turned cold.
"Did you mess something up?"
"W-what? No! According to the list, you're a commander."
"Commander?"
Aramaki shot upright.
The surrounding plants reacted, writhing violently.
"I'm Aramaki! A Logia user of the Woods-WoodsFruit!"
"On that volcano island, I crushed that Rear Admiral!"
He pointed at the uniform in disdain.
"That loser wears a rear admiral coat."
"And me? The one who beat him?"
"I get this cheap trash?"
"Are you insulting me?!"
"N-no! It's the rules! Everyone starts as a commander."
"Rules?" Aramaki scoffed.
With a flick, Slash!!
A vine lashed out.
The uniform was shredded into pieces instantly.
"I hate rules the most."
He stepped on the torn fabric, barefoot, arrogant.
"Go tell that fat manager, or that Renzo guy."
"This outfit doesn't match my strength."
"Either bring me a vice admiral uniform… or at least near-admiral level…"
"Or-"
He grinned.
"I quit. Plenty of places would take me."
Kaigara turned pale.
Destroyed property.
In G-5, that was a serious crime.
"Still not leaving?"
Aramaki waved impatiently.
Thorny vines slithered toward Kaigara.
"STOP!!"
A thunderous roar exploded from the entrance.
The air shook.
Leaves fell.
Aramaki paused and turned. A round figure in a flashy silver suit, gold chain swinging, walked in aggressively.
Rehn.
His face was pitch black with anger.
He picked up a torn sleeve; his heart ached.
That was money.
"ARAMAKI!!"
Lightning crackled in Rehn's narrowed eyes.
"Do you know what you've done?!"
"This uniform costs 50,000 Beli! With design, transport, and labor."
"You just destroyed 100,000 Beli worth of G-5 property!"
"And you threatened staff! That violates Article 18 of the G-5 Code!"
Aramaki crossed his arms, unimpressed.
"Who are you? The flattering fat butler?"
He smirked.
"100,000 Beli? I'll pay a million. Now shut up."
"And don't look at me like a subordinate."
He stepped forward.
The ground surged, lifting him higher.
"I came here for power. For the Dark-Dark Fruit. For a future."
"But only if I get respect."
He pointed toward Shelby's villa.
"That guy I crushed is a rear admiral."
"Why am I just a commander?"
"Because I'm new? Screw your rules, I don't accept them."
Rehn laughed coldly.
"Don't accept it?"
Lightning began crackling across his body.
"You think being Logia makes you invincible?"
"You think aside from Lord Renzo and Mihawk, no one here can handle you?"
"Isn't that true?"
Aramaki narrowed his eyes.
Plants twisted behind him.
"I suggest you don't provoke me, fat man."
"When I lose control… even I'm scared."
"What if I drain you dry for fertilizer?"
"Drain me?"
BOOM.
Lightning exploded skyward.
Dark clouds gathered instantly.
"You overgrown cabbage…"
"Big talk."
"Today I'll teach you-"
"Who sets the rules in G-5!!"
Their auras collided.
Golden lightning vs green forest.
Destruction vs life.
Even without striking, the pressure alone cracked the ground.
The air exploded.
"What's happening?!"
"That aura… Aramaki's place?"
"And that lightning, Rehn?!"
Officers rushed out.
Watching.
Shelby stood on a wall, wine in hand.
"Hmph. That brute challenged Chief Rehn?"
"Someone's about to suffer."
From the shadows, Blake spoke calmly.
"Not necessarily."
"Aramaki is strong. If Rehn underestimates him…"
"Absorb lightning?" Balg laughed.
"If he can do that, he's a monster."
Nearby, Trebol snickered.
"Fight! Fight! Both get hurt, perfect!"
"Quiet!" Perona floated, annoyed.
"If Renzo wakes up, we're all dead."
Still, she floated closer to watch.
Within minutes, a crowd formed.
Everyone watched.
This was a test.
For Aramaki, his status.
For Rehn, his authority.
Rehn raised a lightning spear.
"Last chance."
"Pick up the uniform."
"Apologize."
"Pay the fine."
"Or else-"
"Or what?"
Aramaki removed his sunglasses.
Slammed his hands into the ground.
RUMBLE!!
Massive roots erupted.
Forming a monstrous wooden dragon behind him.
"Forest Manifestation, Wood Dragon!!"
He laughed wildly, "Come on, fat man!"
"Let's see if your lightning can burn my forest!!"
"YOU ASKED FOR IT!!!"
Rehn turned into lightning and struck.