"Is this really a good idea?" one of the Marine instructors behind Zephyr asked, frowning.
He understood very clearly just how strong these young pirates were. Some had already carved out reputations in the brutal New World. Letting the cadets witness that level of power firsthand could deal a serious blow to their confidence.
"To face the strength of pirates directly is also a form of growth," Zephyr replied calmly.
"But…"
Before the instructor could finish, Zephyr cut him off.
"If they cannot even endure something like this, then they are nothing special. Better they handle logistics than die at the hands of pirates later," he said coldly.
The surrounding instructors fell silent. They understood what this meant.
The Elite Training Camp was about to undergo a major reshuffle. Those who could not withstand this reality check would be removed. After all, this camp existed to forge the Marines' future elite. It had no place for the weak.
Meanwhile, inside the Battle Pyramid, the free-for-all was about to begin.
On the seventeenth floor, the mechanisms in the conference hall activated. Sections of the floor sank while the surrounding walls rose, opening the space so the audience below could clearly see the figures seated above.
One by one, the seats filled.
The Four Emperors, the Dark Emperor Teach, and the core members of each pirate crew took their places, looking down over the arena like kings observing a battlefield.
Opposite them stood ten glass cases.
Inside were Devil Fruits.
Some cases held several, others only one or two. Together, they totaled thirty-four Devil Fruits. Their combined value easily surpassed ten billion Berries.
Countless greedy eyes locked onto them.
Yet not a single person dared to act.
This was the territory of the Nightfall Pirates, and those prizes belonged to the Four Emperors and Teach himself. Any attempt to steal them would end in instant death. Under the watch of such monsters, the chance of success was nonexistent.
Right on cue, the host stepped forward and raised the microphone.
"I believe everyone here can't wait any longer! Next, let us welcome the contestants of this grand free-for-all!"
The entire arena erupted.
Cheers crashed like waves, shaking the very structure of the Battle Pyramid.
On the arena floor, five sections opened simultaneously. Circular platforms rose from below, carrying the contestants upward.
"From the Big Mom Pirates, Smoothie and Highfat!"
Highfat appeared clad in armor, gripping a massive greatsword. His towering build hinted at raw strength.
Beside him stood Smoothie.
Tall, elegant, and unmistakably of the Longleg Tribe, her legs seemed impossibly long. A hat and scarf framed her face, while her long white hair fell all the way down to her calves, partially covering one eye. She carried a spiral-sheathed longsword across her back, her pink patterned boots standing out against the arena floor.
Her presence alone drew attention.
"The opponents are strong, Highfat. Be prepared," Smoothie said coldly. "Mother's targets must be secured. If necessary, you will be sacrificed."
Highfat stiffened.
"With your strength, you can rank high. No one would go for the ordinary fruits, right?" he said nervously.
Smoothie glanced at him.
"There is no 'right.' I must rank high to eliminate uncertainty. Or would you prefer Mother's punishment?"
Highfat fell silent, his body trembling slightly.
"The Flying Pirates' Wolf-Tiger Brothers, Kuroro and Kururu!"
The two brothers stepped forward.
Their clothing bore distinct animal patterns, one lean and sharp-eyed, the other stocky with a deceptively simple expression.
"First, eliminate the biggest threats," said the elder brother, Kuroro, his tone low and calculating.
Kururu nodded. His gaze shifted toward the Nightfall Pirates' side.
"Whitebeard Pirates' Haruta and Izo!" Haruta clenched his teeth, eyes burning.
"We'll settle the score this time."
He had not forgotten his humiliation at the hands of the Nightfall Pirates.
Izo, standing beside him, remained calm.
"Be careful. Their strength is not something to underestimate."
He had already gathered information. Kaguya and Clemons were monsters in their own right.
Even their bounties told part of the story.
"Beast Pirates' Kreeler and… Mina!"
Kreeler stepped forward, calm and composed.
Beside him stood a small figure wearing a horned mask. Her entire body was concealed beneath loose clothing, making her identity impossible to discern.
Despite her size, the spiked club resting on her shoulder exuded a terrifying presence.
Yamato looked around excitedly, clearly enjoying the cheers.
"Remember the plan," Kreeler said quietly.
"Of course! We take out the Nightfall Pirates first, then clean up the rest," Yamato replied without hesitation.
Kreeler smiled faintly.
"Because they are the strongest."
"Nightfall Pirates' Kaguya and Clemons!"
Kaguya stood silently, his expression unreadable.
Clemons crossed his arms, his massive frame radiating confidence. His bare chest revealed bulging muscles, with the character for "burial" tattooed across it. Prayer beads hung around his neck, clinking softly as he shifted his stance.
The moment the ten fighters faced each other, the air itself seemed to freeze.
"Let the free-for-all… begin!"
Steel walls rose instantly, sealing the arena.
And then it happened.
Without hesitation, every pirate crew except the Nightfall Pirates moved at once.
Their targets were the same.
Clemons and Kaguya.
"Jiehahaha! Teach, are your people about to be eliminated first?" Shiki laughed loudly from above.
His voice echoed throughout the arena.
Teach simply chuckled.
"Impossible."
He leaned back slightly, watching with calm confidence.
"This outcome is expected. They won't fall so easily. The ones who should worry… are the others."
Then, as if remembering something, Teach glanced toward the Marines' section and smiled.
"Kaguya and Clemons have the potential to become Admirals."
A wave of laughter spread across the audience.
The Marines' faces darkened instantly.
Back in the arena, Clemons cracked his knuckles and grinned.
"Perfect. Saves me the trouble."
He leaned forward and burst into motion.
Kaguya twisted his neck slightly. From his palms, bone matter rapidly formed into two sharp blades.
"I'll defeat all of you."
His voice was calm, almost indifferent.
Clemons and Kaguya split apart.
One against four each.
Clemons faced Smoothie, Highfat, and the Wolf-Tiger Brothers.
Kaguya faced Kreeler, Yamato, Haruta, and Izo.
"Muscle Expansion!"
Clemons's body swelled grotesquely as his muscles expanded.
"Muscle Compression!"
In the next instant, those same muscles compressed violently, condensing into a denser, more explosive form. His body returned to near-normal size, but now radiated terrifying power, his skin flushed a deep crimson.
Then he moved.
"Together!" Smoothie shouted.
The Wolf-Tiger Brothers transformed instantly into their hybrid forms, flanking Clemons from both sides.
Smoothie charged straight ahead, her blade ready.
The three formed a perfect triangular formation.
Clemons did not slow down.
He crashed straight through the center.
His arms lashed out simultaneously.
The brothers' eyes widened as the impact hit them like steel beams. Both were sent flying backward, barely managing to stabilize themselves before slamming into the steel walls.
Before anyone could react, Clemons was already in front of Highfat.
A massive hand grabbed his head.
With a single motion, Clemons lifted him into the air, spun him around, and slammed him into the ground with overwhelming force.
The arena trembled.
Highfat's helmet shattered. Blood sprayed from his mouth as his weapon slipped from his grasp.
He tried to rise.
Clemons's grip tightened.
His skull creaked under the pressure.
Then, without ceremony, Clemons flung him aside like garbage.
Highfat slammed into the wall and collapsed.
"Highfat!"
Smoothie's voice rang out.
But her eyes were cold.
She had already accepted his role.
She leapt into the air.
"Water-Splitting Sword!"
A glowing pink slash tore through the air, descending toward Clemons.
He dodged at the last second, crouching low.
Then he jumped.
Like a cannonball, he shot upward toward her.
Smoothie reacted instantly. "Water-Splitting Sword!"
Another slash, stronger than before.
The air around her dried rapidly as moisture was forcibly drawn away.
From above, Kaido nodded. "Linlin, that's a fine daughter."
Big Mom grinned, stuffing another dessert into her mouth. "Mama! Of course she is."
Mid-air, Clemons roared.
"Muscle Punch!"
His right arm swelled again, coated in black Armament Haki. His fist collided with the slash.
The attack shattered.
But the force stalled his ascent.
He fell back to the ground as Smoothie landed as well, both now watching each other carefully.
The Wolf-Tiger Brothers regrouped.
All three faced Clemons again.
But this time, there was caution in their eyes.
And behind them, Smoothie adjusted her stance.
She would support from a distance.
And when the moment came…
She would eliminate them too.