Chapter 31

-One hour later.

"Participants with number 54, and 79 go to ring three."

"Participants with number 24, and 63 go to ring one."

"Participants with number 75, and 11 go to ring two."

"Participants with number 06, and 88 go to ring four."

Victor's first match started early, on the first. It was against a 26-year-old man name Souka. He was tall and burly, carrying a battle axe on his back.

"Souka is really unlucky… He met one of the three monsters on his first round."

Outside ring number four, some students looked at the man named Souka with sympathy.

"Start!" Shouted the refereeing soldier.

With a *VOOSH!!!*, Souka disappeared with a *SORU*, and appeared to right of Victor, swinging his battle exe coated with a thin layer of Armament Haki. Victor dodged the axe effortlessly, as the latter's movements were slow as a snail in Victor's perception.

Souka did not fret while repeating *SORU* followed by displaying a few more of Marine Rokushiki techniques, which, all missed to make contact with Victor.

Victor let Souka perform for a good five minutes, for good reasons; one was to let the high-ranking officials recognize Souka's abilities and the other was to let Victor's purpose be recognized likewise.

"The boy Souka is good, fast and has unlocked Haki…" One of the high-ranking officials at the powerhouse lineup spoke while observing the match.

"Indeed, but the boy Victor is more incredible. He can dodge those fast moves like a breeze, and I think he's purposefully letting Souka perform…" Another official responded.

"What a good kid…," Sengoku spoke in accordance, and at the same time, the rest nodded in agreement. Of course, except Garp.

Meanwhile, Victor listened to the high official's discussion using a little part of his nano suit, planted like a listening bug near the high-ranking officials' seats.

"Hmm… that should be enough…" Thought Victor, before speaking, "Sorry, Souka. I'll end this now. I'm sure the superiors have seen your strength enough to make a good evaluation."

Souka became confused, before his vision blurred. A shadow was immediately seen flying out of the ring, before crashing to the near wall of the training ground.

"…"

His *SORU* was much, much faster than any of the other recruits, even vice admirals, hence, not many people saw his movements, but only a silhouette blasted out like a cannon ball, out of the ring.

"Is that a win?" Victor asked, before looking at the gob smacked referee.

Hearing the question, the referee soldier immediately got rid of his daze and shouted," Winner #69, Victor!"

The other two, Borsalino and Sakazuki, also finished their matches, however unlike Victor, they did not let their opponents perform any ability.

They finished in an instant and qualified for the next round on the same day.

The match with Sakazuki was the most interesting, as his opponent directly admitted defeat before the referee even gave the signal.

The recruit had no guarantee to leave unscathed even if the rules had prohibited killing or crippling, after all, everybody had a common understanding, that Sakazuki was simply a brutal asshole.

The first five rounds of elimination were completed in nine days, and now, the remaining number had reached eight participants.

Coincidentally or not, in none of the matches were the three monsters matched against the other, but, most people had already concluded the final result.

Sakazuki, the lava Logia, Borsalino, the light Logia, and Victor, the physique monster were on a level of their own compared to the rest of the recruits participating in the matches.

It can be even said to be unfair, judging by the difference in strength of the three people from everyone else.

The other five that had passed were Lilly, Salah, Kylian, Lionel, and Zlatan.

Lilly was a master of four out of the six Rokushiki, as well as Observation Haki, while Salah, Kylian, Lionel, and Zlatan had mastered both Observation and Armament Haki, along with five out of six Rokushiki techniques.

There is no doubt that the eight people who had reached this point are the best of the best amongst all the participant recruits.

Ten kilometers away from Marineford, at a small island, many marine soldiers, as well as media personnel gathered, because today's the day that the marines would be holding the final rounds to select their elite of the elites and show the world their future potential.

This is not only a showcase of power, but a message, to those newcomer pirates, that marines are not decadent, rather, they too had fresh blood with unlimited potential, and are not to be undermined in the future.

Video Transponder Snails had already been set up to broadcast the event, all over the world. In the four seas, Grand-Line, and even some islands of the new world.

The island was not big, just around the size of three large football stadiums, and at the center, was a simple ring the size of one football stadium.

Surrounding the ring was a six-meters-tall, four-meters-thick concrete wall, and over the wall there were many staircase audience seats arranged accordingly that every audience member could clearly see the fight without their sight being interrupted by anything.

The marines had already hyped up the event via newspapers, and gathered enough interest from the public, and as well as from their enemies.

Therefore, all parties, either present here or watching via Transponder Snail are now looking forward to it, because according to what they had learnt, today's battles will be unparalleled, showing battle powers of destructive Logia Devil-Fruit ability users, and powerful physique masters.

At an island located in the second half of the Grand-Line, a large group of people gathered in front of a huge screen.

"The marines sure are hyping it this time…" A heavy, male voice spoke, neither loud nor too quiet. The crowd was making a lot of commotion, hence only the people gathered near heard the voice.

"They must have gotten some outstanding fresh-blood… to make this much of a ruckus…" Another voice answered.

He was a tall, well-built man with long black hair tied into a bushy ponytail, while two thin strands of hair fell over his face. He wore a pair of round-black sunglasses, a purple shirt and orange pants. There was also a pair of simple looking axes, somehow, held on his back.

"You think so, Gaban?" The first voice spoke with a question.

He was tall and a very muscular man with thick black hair and a short, thick neck. He had a curved black mustache, a fierce grin, and very intense looking eyes. He wore a long red captain's coat, and beneath his coat, he wore a blue shirt and a yellow sash around his waist. He wore a white cravat around his neck, dark blue pants, and what appeared to be black sea boots.

"He's right, Roger… They just want to show off…" A third male voice joined in.

He had clean cut strawberry blond hair, and a moderate amount of facial hair. He was muscular, broad chested and had a well-built body. He wore a purple t-shirt with an ornately decorated collar, black pants, and black sea boots.

"Rayleigh, you think so? Haahaa…" The first person who spoke, now named Roger, said followed by a unique laughter.

Meanwhile, all over the world, the civilians, government officials, and even pirates were all having different kinds of discussions about the marines move, that they had done for the first time, which is broadcasting to the world their new recruits battle strength.

At the same time, back at the island where the battles would occur, a lot of imposing looking men arrived, and sat at the most luxurious looking set of seats out of all.

Their location was also most convenient, as they had the clearest and closest view of the battle ring. They were, of course, the highest-ranking marines. The fleet Admiral, Admiral and Vice Admirals, along with other high-ranking posts.

Kong sat in the middle while to his left and right sat Garp and Sengoku. Then sat Zephyr and Tsuru respectively, followed by the Vice Admirals.

"Are you sure this is a good move, Sengoku?" Asked Kong.

"Hmm… The remnants of the Rocks pirates are getting more and more arrogant. I have a bad feeling, something big will happen within the next few years..." Sengoku responded.

"Those three boys aren't enough?" Zephyr asked.

"Not even close. They do have admiral potential, but, there aren't nearly as many for the many vice admiral vacancies we would need after… Say a decade later.

And this would be a perfect opportunity… By demonstrating our future potential, we would attract more attention. More people would want to join us… And don't forget, we're not that old yet! When people see that we already have our future covered, people's trust in us would grow even more, exponentially."

Kong, along with the rest of the marines listened to Sengoku's explanation. They all trusted his judgment, after all, he is known for his resourcefulness and brilliant thinking.

Letting out a *Sigh*, "I just hope it doesn't backfire, and create a bigger target on their backs, bigger than something that they can't handle." Zephyr spoke with a worried tone.

"That won't happen! We, their seniors, will make sure it doesn't happen!" Kong spoke resolutely, followed by the rest nodding in agreement.

"Participant #3 Lilly, and Participant #69 Victor, please come to the battle stage." A loud voice rang throughout the island, as well as from the many projection screens around the world.

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