Chapter 15 - 500 vs. 1?

"Everyone… all at once?"

Richard wondered if he had misheard.

But when he saw the astonished expression on his superior, Rear Admiral Adilla's face, he realized he hadn't.

If anyone else had said such a thing, Richard would have dismissed them as a lunatics, desperate for attention.

Today, there were over 500 participants in the recruit selection.

Among them were some notable bounty hunters, boxers, martial artists, and hunters from the North Blue.

There were even military captains from various kingdoms who wanted to join the Navy and make a name for themselves.

Any one of these individuals alone could give Richard, a branch lieutenant, a run for his money.

Let alone having all of them go at once.

But the person who made this statement was Admiral Akainu, the highest battle power of the Navy Headquarters!

To Richard, words from such a high-ranking individual were law.

So, this meant that Admiral Akainu believed that this North Blue fellow named Rosha could take on 500 new recruits by himself!

"My fellow countryman is quite terrifying," Richard thought, taking a deep breath, and looked at Rosha with a different gaze.

Adilla swallowed hard, his eyes glinting with excitement as he scrutinized Rosha. "Could it be that this is another monster akin to the genius Rob Lucci of CP9?"

This thought made Rear Admiral Adilla quite excited.

Since Admirals Akainu and Kizaru had left the North Blue, no notable genius had emerged from this sea in years.

Let alone a monstrously talented one.

In recent years, there have been very few monsters among the new generation of Navy Headquarters officers.

In contrast, countless renowned individuals had emerged on the pirate side.

The Shichibukai were famous and ruled their territories.

Supernova pirates kept emerging, bringing fresh blood to this dark era of pirates.

Though the Navy loathed to admit it, they couldn't deny that there was a generational gap in their new recruits.

Three years ago, when Adilla visited the Headquarters, he heard Instructor Zephyr lament this issue.

How can justice be firmly defended?

Only with the constant emergence of monstrous talents like Akainu and Kizaru.

There were too many monstrous pirates in this sea.

Only monsters could fight monsters!

If the North Blue could produce another monstrous Navy genius…

Adilla's breathing grew heavy, and he smiled widely.

"If Brother Sakazuki has this much confidence in that kid named Rosha, then so be it."

Adilla's interest was piqued.

In Richard's shocked gaze, the base commander himself walked into the crowded lineup.

Rear Admiral Adilla's voice boomed like thunder as he announced:

"All new recruits participating in today's selection, listen up. The rules for the exceptional selection have been temporarily changed."

The line of recruits, already impatient from waiting, erupted into chaos at these words.

Especially those with decent strength, who showed clear signs of anger on their faces.

Why had they traveled so far to Chi Iwa Island?

Wasn't it for this exceptional selection opportunity?

Those confident in their abilities certainly didn't want to spend years as grunts in Branch 177, washing decks, cooking, and doing laundry every day.

Some had significant backgrounds themselves; why would they come here?

It was to leverage their skills to jump several ranks through this selection process and become officers in the North Blue branch.

Now that the opportunity was right before them, the Navy said the rules had changed.

Were they joking?

Fortunately, although disgruntled, no one dared to be the first to oppose.

Because in the North Blue, there were three forces that no one ever dared to provoke.

The Germa 66, the Donquixote Family, and the 177th Navy Branch were right in front of them!

"Don't worry, changing the rules doesn't mean taking away your chance. On the contrary, this new rule will more quickly and efficiently select the best among you. The longer you last, the more exceptional promotions you'll receive, and you might even become a Branch Lieutenant directly."

Rear Admiral Adilla scanned the crowd, fully aware of what the recruits below were thinking.

But he didn't care.

The North Blue never lacked troublemakers.

If anyone wanted to walk away, they wouldn't utter a single word to stop them.

As expected, hearing this, the previously indignant recruits were now confused and did not understand what Adilla was planning.

Adilla ignored their confusion and looked directly at Rosha in the distance, shouting loudly:

"Recruit Rosha! Step forward and receive your orders!"

"Yes, sir!"

In the distance, Rosha shivered, quickly leaving Doss behind, who was chattering away. He cut through the curious crowd and ran to Rear Admiral Adilla, snapping to attention with a sharp salute.

"Third-Class Soldier Rosha, reporting for duty! Awaiting orders, sir!"

"Very good! Full of spirit!"

Rear Admiral Adilla praised, then pointed at Rosha, announcing to all the recruits:

"The new selection rule is… all of you will take him on together. Whoever defeats him will be heavily utilized by the 177th Branch and receive exceptional promotion, possibly even directly becoming a Branch Lieutenant!"

"What?"

Adilla's announcement threw the entire area into an uproar.

Not only did the recruits start whispering and arguing, but even the 177th Branch officers responsible for registration looked at their commander in shock.

Everyone questioned if they had misheard.

"Everyone against Brother Rosha alone? Why?"

Hibari's cotton candy suddenly lost its sweetness.

She frowned, looking puzzledly at Rear Admiral Adilla.

Was Uncle Adilla targeting Rosha?

But why?

"Exactly! This is the only way to stand out from a group of trash!"

Doss, standing nearby, had bright eyes and a face full of approval.

"Whose side are you on? That many people against Brother Rosha, even he…"

Hibari looked at Doss, displeased.

But before she could finish, Doss interrupted.

"You have no idea how much potential that kid has."

Doss said mysteriously, with a fanatical look that sent chills down one's spine, murmuring like a madman.

"A terrifying body talent comparable to the absolute monsters of the New World, like a young Charlotte Linlin. That kind of inhuman strength is beyond ordinary understanding."

Doss's eyes gleamed as he watched Rosha step onto the spacious arena.

"The talent of Steel Bone is not inferior to that old woman's Steel Balloon!"

"Show them what a monstrous talent is!"

"Rosha!!"

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