Training square, forced competition

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The naval commander retreated to the cockpit of the warship to report the unexpected development to his superiors via the transponder snail.

Meanwhile, Roja stood calmly between the two warships. The naval soldiers around him couldn't help but cast astonished glances in his direction. Despite their shock, Roja remained indifferent, his gentle smile giving the impression of a composed and approachable man.

However, the incongruity of his demeanor and his feats left them dumbfounded. This seemingly mild-mannered figure had effortlessly taken down pirates with bounties that reached astronomical heights. It was a reality they struggled to reconcile.

The report of Roja's actions quickly made its way up the chain of command, eventually reaching Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Having recently stepped into the role after the promotion of his predecessor, Sengoku had taken the helm of this promotion conference—a crucial initiative to demonstrate the Navy's might to the world.

In recent months, the Navy had been facing criticism following a series of humiliating incidents. A mysterious figure had disrupted operations, destroyed a Buster Call with a single strike, and even caused chaos at Mariejois, tarnishing the Navy's reputation. To counteract these events and restore faith in their strength, Sengoku saw this promotion conference as an opportunity to reinvigorate morale.

When Sengoku learned that among the pirate heads delivered by Roja was that of Evry, a notorious "Billion-Beli" pirate with immense strength and a user of the Strange Power Fruit, his interest was piqued. Sengoku remembered hunting Evry in his days as an admiral, knowing full well how cunning and powerful the man had been. Capturing him required either exceptional strength or meticulous planning.

After careful consideration, Sengoku approved Roja's unconventional entry into the promotion conference, allowing him to use the pirate heads as a form of "registration fee."

"Sir, Fleet Admiral Sengoku has granted permission for you to join the promotion conference. Please board our warship so we can register your information," the naval commander informed Roja. His tone had transformed drastically, now brimming with respect and fear. The casual disdain he had initially shown was replaced by deference, a testament to the weight of Sengoku's direct involvement.

Roja, however, remained unbothered by the shifting attitudes around him. After registering his details, he calmly boarded the warship and sailed towards Marineford.

As Roja stepped onto Marineford's soil, a familiar notification echoed in his mind.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have successfully signed in and obtained: Peak Mastery of the Navy's Six Powers! These techniques—Shave, Iron Body, Paper Art, Moonwalk, Tempest Kick, and Finger Pistol—transcend the limits of human physical capability and grant extraordinary power!]

A subtle smirk crept across Roja's face as the system's voice faded. This expression, though understated, managed to draw whispers from nearby female naval soldiers.

"Wow, he's so handsome!"

"Is it just me, or does his face look familiar?"

"And so gentle too..."

Ignoring the hushed conversations, Roja followed the naval commander to his temporary accommodations.

"Sir," the commander began hesitantly, "the promotion conference will begin tomorrow, so for now, you'll stay here. Based on your performance and eventual rank, your quarters will be reassigned accordingly."

With that, the naval commander excused himself, leaving Roja alone in the room. Roja wandered to the window, gazing at Marineford's imposing structures. Among them, he spotted a particularly grandiose building and mused silently, That must be Sengoku's office. I wonder if there's a way to score an extra reward by paying it a visit.

Meanwhile, Sengoku was reviewing the information Roja had provided during registration. According to the records, Roja hailed from Vermeio Island, the site of a massacre perpetrated by the Golden Lion Shiki. Roja had claimed he was traveling at the time and avoided the tragedy. However, witnessing the devastation of his home had fueled his hatred for pirates and his desire to join the Navy.

Although no tangible evidence remained of Vermeio's destruction, Roja's actions against pirates seemed to corroborate his story. The sheer number of criminals he had captured or killed left little reason for Sengoku to doubt him. Moreover, Sengoku was eager to see what surprises Roja might bring to the conference.

As dusk settled, Roja decided to leave his quarters for a stroll around Marineford. The atmosphere of the naval headquarters felt entirely different from that of the open sea. He wandered until he found himself at a sparsely populated training ground.

Among those training, one figure stood out—a tall, blond woman wearing glasses. At over 1.75 meters in height, she exuded confidence as she practiced the Navy's Six Powers with precision.

Roja's eyes lingered on her as he observed her technique. His interest was obvious enough to catch her attention.

The woman, noticing his lack of a uniform, approached him with a stern expression. "Unreasonable man! Why aren't you wearing your uniform in Marineford?" she asked, adjusting her glasses with a sharp gesture.

Her words and demeanor confirmed Roja's suspicion. This must be Kalifa, he thought, recognizing the future CP9 operative known for her catchphrases and unwavering adherence to propriety.

"I'm here for the promotion conference," Roja replied casually. "I just arrived today."

Kalifa frowned. "The promotion conference isn't open to just anyone. You must be lying."

Without warning, she launched a kick aimed at Roja. Her high-heeled foot sliced through the air toward him with impressive speed.

Roja sighed. "Seriously?" He raised his hand and effortlessly caught her ankle mid-kick, halting her attack.

Kalifa's face flushed. "Let me go! This is harassment!" she exclaimed indignantly.

Roja chuckled and shrugged. "As you wish."

He released her leg, and...

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