S-Class Defeat

Olvia and Robin's injuries weren't serious.

In just a short while, Stella had completely healed both of them.

After her injuries were healed, Robin also woke up quickly.

Having experienced the recent events, she looked at Olvia with coldness, a hint of hatred in her eyes.

Olvia pretended not to see the gaze, instead hiding in Ross's embrace, not daring to meet Robin's eyes.

She didn't believe she had done anything wrong.

But ultimately, she felt she had failed Robin.

Ross didn't pay attention to Olvia's small movements, even finding some enjoyment in it as he let her soft body rub against him.

If there was one thing to say about Olvia, her figure was quite good.

Holding her in his arms gave one a sense of conquest.

"Saint Ross!"

Not long after, Sakazuki returned to the ship.

Without Ross needing to ask, just by looking at his ashen face, one could roughly guess the outcome.

Sakazuki wasted no words. In front of the entire crew, he knelt on one knee before Ross and said in a deep voice:

"I, Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Sakazuki, admit defeat to Saint Ross!"

As he spoke, he raised his right fist without hesitation, instantly coating it with Armament Haki.

Sakazuki's greatest strength lay in his development of the Magma-Magma Fruit, but the power of the Magma-Magma Fruit wouldn't harm him. Thus, punching himself would be meaningless.

BOOM!!!

Under everyone's horrified gaze, Sakazuki's right fist slammed heavily into his own abdomen.

With just this single punch, the entire warship began to shake, and the sea behind Sakazuki churned with massive waves.

This was the full power of an Admiral, even the residual shockwave of a single Armament Haki punch could cause unparalleled destructive force.

"Oof!"

Sakazuki himself wasn't spared. Armament Haki could break through the passive elementalization of Logia Devil Fruits, and the damage to him was very real.

Furthermore, he hadn't put up any defense. His own full-power strike was enough to inflict a serious injury on him.

But facing this, Sakazuki didn't even frown.

A bet is a bet, and no one could be blamed.

There were still too many corrupt officials in the Marines.

[S-Class Defeat Completed!]

[Strength +500000]

[Special Reward: Armament Haki (A-Class)]

"Stella!"

Ross's lips curved slightly as he motioned for Stella to come forward and heal him.

[Host: Ross]
[Strength: 1315132/2000000 (B-, Headquarters Vice Admiral)]

The rewards from this round were not unexpected for Ross.

After all, Sakazuki was an Admiral. Even just the defeat reward was comparable to that of a Giant Vice Admiral.

Giant Vice Admirals held a somewhat special position within the Marines. Their strength was slightly higher than elite Vice Admirals, but when facing Shichibukai-level opponents, they were basically crushed.

They were considered the weakest A-Class in terms of strength ranking.

This was mainly because the Giant race possessed innate physical advantages, but their techniques were too broad and unrefined. Against opponents of the same level, they could only rely on their physical gifts to wear them down.

But when facing opponents who had reached the Shichibukai or Yonko Commander level, weren't they all monsters with incredible physiques?

Against such monsters who possessed both skill and physique, the Giant Vice Admirals were at a significant disadvantage. Their massive bodies would actually create more openings. Even some Giant warriors who were proficient in combat couldn't compare to a normal Shichibukai.

However, there were exceptions. Relying on their racial advantages, many Giants still possessed true Yonko Commander-level strength.

"Sakazuki."

Ross looked at Sakazuki, who was currently being treated. "After this incident, I will still propose to the Five Elders that you be appointed as a Marine Admiral."

"I have accomplished nothing."

Sakazuki shook his head and refused. He had simply lost a bet, and he wasn't someone who couldn't handle losing.

Ross had initiated this bet, and he could have taken advantage of the situation to accept this favor.

But now that he had lost, he couldn't have it both ways. This was his principle.

"How can you say you've accomplished nothing? There's still one last mission left to complete," Ross said meaningfully.

"You mean..."

Sakazuki's expression flickered as his gaze drifted towards the silent Ohara not far away.

All personnel on Ohara had already been evacuated, but without Ross's order, no warship would fire the first shot.

"How can a warship's cannon compare to the strongest offensive Devil Fruit of the natural type."

Ross walked up to Sakazuki and personally helped him up:

"I will request permission from the Five Elders to conduct a world broadcast, allowing the world to witness the might of the new Marine Admiral."

"As you command!"

A hint of excitement flashed in Sakazuki's eyes.

Ross's intention was already very clear: let him unleash his full strength and destroy Ohara with his individual might.

If he revealed this during a world broadcast, it would be enough to prove his strength to the world.

The boost in reputation he would bring to the Marines alone would be enough to secure his position as an Admiral candidate.

And it was foreseeable that his official promotion to Admiral wouldn't be far off.

Sakazuki refused Stella's offer to heal him again; it was just a minor injury from one punch, nothing a monster like him couldn't handle.

To kill a monster like him, even someone of the same rank would need three days and three nights of battle.

What he wanted now was to vent his frustrations to his heart's content.

However, before that, he needed Ross to set the stage for him.

Ross understood this as well. Seeing Sakazuki's eagerness, he first waved away the onlookers, leaving only himself and Sakazuki. Then, right in front of Sakazuki, he contacted Saint Stan, who was far away in Mary Geoise.

"How did things go?"

The moment the call connected, Saint Stan's steady voice came from the other end.

"Grandfather, the matter is nearing its end. Historians like Clover and Willen have all been eliminated, and the Marine traitor Sauron was also killed by my own hand. Only the mother and daughter Olvia remain, whom I have taken as slaves."

Ross reported truthfully, only modifying the identity of Olvia's mother.

Only by treating these two as his slaves could the World Government cancel their bounties.

"Very good!"

Saint Stan's voice was filled with satisfaction. Ross had done a great job this time. As for taking two historians as slaves, it was a big problem for others, but Celestial Dragons didn't care.

Did Ross intend to rebel against them?

Not a few Celestial Dragons knew about that history; as long as it wasn't spread, it wasn't a major issue.

"I'm calling now because I want to ask for your permission, Grandfather." Ross got to the main point.

"What permission?"

"Permission for a world broadcast. I propose that Vice Admiral Sakazuki display his strength and personally carry out a Buster Call to destroy Ohara Island, showcasing the might of the Marines and the might of the World Government." Ross didn't mention the Admiral position; letting Sakazuki display his strength was already a clear indication of pushing him towards Admiral.

Otherwise, there would be no need for an ordinary Vice Admiral to display his strength.

Saint Stan pondered for a moment, seemingly communicating with someone.

After a full minute, Saint Stan gave his reply:

"Granted!"

Upon hearing this answer, Sakazuki's face lit up with joy.

The position of Admiral was secured!