Change in Assessment

Senga sat bored in the spectator seats, his eyes slightly closed as if he were asleep. He didn't need to participate in the upcoming matches.

Don't misunderstand, it wasn't because he was eliminated. The assessment rules had changed. Due to Senga's strength being completely on a different level from everyone else, the higher-ups decided to classify him separately, and he would no longer participate in the competition.

Chris, who had the misfortune of facing Senga in the first round, would be able to compete again.

Senga's assessment was changed from sparring with other trainees to being assessed by a Vice Admiral dispatched from Headquarters. Before this, Headquarters had already inquired about Senga's opinion, as this was certainly unfair to him.

However, regardless of Senga's performance in the fight against the Vice Admiral, Headquarters had decided to give him a Devil Fruit.

Senga had no objections to this arrangement. It saved trouble and avoided the awkwardness of eliminating acquaintances.

Today was the third day of the competition. The final four trainees who advanced from groups A, B, C, and D were Ain, Smoker, Binz, and Graves.

Ultimately, Graves was eliminated. Smoker, Binz, and Ain took first, second, and third place, respectively.

Smoker did not choose a Devil Fruit or a Great Fast Sword. He made his own request: a ten-hand weapon embedded with Seastone.

Marine Headquarters agreed. After all, Smoker was a Logia Ability User and the first-place winner of this competition, even though Senga hadn't participated in the final matches.

Binz chose a Great Fast Sword with a green hilt, named Green Vine Luo.

Puzzlingly, Ain, as an Ability User, chose a Devil Fruit. Since she was third, she could only choose an unknown fruit not listed in the catalog.

Ain returned to the spectator seats holding a Devil Fruit, and her roommate beside her immediately asked why.

Ain pursed her lips, recalling a conversation she had with Senga before the assessment.

"What reward are you hoping for in this assessment? Anyway, I can't imagine anyone other than you winning first place."

"A Devil Fruit, perhaps. It holds special significance for me."

"Special significance?"

"Heh heh, it's a secret. I can only say it will greatly help my strength increase."

"You're going to eat it?"

"No, if I eat it, I'll become a landlubber!"

"...Who are you calling a landlubber?"

"Uh, sorry."

"Never mind if you don't want to say. It's your secret, but I think I know."

"Know what?"

"Hee hee, it's a secret."

"..."

Putting her thoughts away, Ain turned and smiled at her roommate, saying, "It's because there's really nothing else I want. A Devil Fruit might be worth money later on."

Her roommate thought about it and felt it made sense. She didn't dwell on the issue anymore and continued, "Alright, you're still a little money grubber. Let's watch the match. The main event is coming up next – the duel between Uchiha Senga and a Vice Admiral from Headquarters. Tsk tsk, this is an unprecedented situation. This Uchiha Senga is truly a monster, on a completely different level from us."

Hearing her roommate call Senga a monster, Ain gave her a playful glare. The roommate then remembered that this person was practically a fangirl of Uchiha Senga, and she had been caught red-handed.

She gave an awkward laugh and quickly said, "Oh my, oh my, let's watch the match, it's about to start!"

Ain wasn't truly angry. She put away the Devil Fruit in her hand and quietly waited for the next match to begin.

By this time, the arena had been mostly cleared and repaired. Tokikake, wearing his Justice Coat, appeared on stage. Today, he wasn't wearing that black suit underneath; instead, he wore comfortable brown casual wear.

Tokikake held a microphone, cleared his throat, and announced to the surroundings, "Next will be the battle between trainee Uchiha Senga and a Vice Admiral from Headquarters. Given the gap in strength between trainee Uchiha Senga and other trainees, this arrangement has been specifically made and has obtained his consent."

Everyone in the arena already knew about this news, so there were no particular reactions. Seeing the calm scene, Tokikake continued, "In this match, regardless of victory or defeat, trainee Senga will receive a Devil Fruit as a reward. Furthermore, if he wins, then..."

At this point, Tokikake deliberately paused to pique the audience's interest. To his surprise, the audience didn't buy it. In a short while, many banana peels and eggshells appeared beside Tokikake. Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Tokikake no longer delayed and quickly said, "If trainee Senga wins, he will receive at least the rank of Commodore upon graduation!"

As soon as this was said, the arena erupted. Even the top-ranked trainees in the elite training camp had only received the rank of Captain at most before. The gap between a Captain and a Commodore was an insurmountable chasm. One had to know that a Commodore was already halfway into the upper echelons of Marine Headquarters. This Uchiha Senga was only 17 years old this year, right? A 17-year-old Commodore?

However, on second thought, the prerequisite was defeating a Vice Admiral, which made it even more outrageous. Vice Admirals in Marine Headquarters were genuinely part of the upper echelons of Marine Headquarters. Although their performance in the anime was a bit lackluster, they still possessed strength.

Perhaps the higher-ups at Headquarters were just dangling a carrot on a stick as a gimmick, everyone present thought.

It wasn't just the audience; many high-ranking Marines on the platform also thought so, except for Zephyr and Sengoku.

Upon hearing the news, Tsuru looked at Sengoku in surprise and asked, "Sengoku, what's the point of doing this? Just to add a gimmick?"

Other high-ranking Marines also looked at Garp, as this was the question they wanted to ask.

Sengoku shook his head, his gaze fixed on the audience below, and said, "I have confirmation from Zephyr that Uchiha Senga currently possesses at least Vice Admiral-level combat power."

"What?!"

Sengoku's words were like a bombshell, stunning everyone. They looked towards Zephyr, who nodded with a serious expression.

This growth rate is truly astonishing. Given Zephyr's personality, he wouldn't joke about such a thing. So, at 17 years old, Senga already possesses the combat power of a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral?

Gion, sitting next to Tsuru, had her legs together and hands clasped on her lap. Her peach blossom eyes gazed at Senga in the spectator seats with a subtle expression.

Senga, on the spectator stand, seemed to sense something. He looked up towards the high platform, his gaze locking onto Gion, who was watching him.

Senga smiled slightly and mouthed a few words to Gion. A blush spread across Gion's face. With her abilities, she could see and understand Senga's words clearly.

"Don't forget our promise, Gion-nee."

Gion certainly wouldn't forget. She remembered it more clearly than anyone. She also mouthed her reply to Senga.

"Of course, I haven't forgotten. But are you getting a little too carried away? Are you that confident you can take down that Vice Admiral?"

Senga offered no further explanation, merely mouthing three words again.

"Trust me."

Receiving Senga's reply, Gion ceased communication with him. She had already received the answer she most desired.

Although she didn't know the specifics of Senga's strength, she always felt a sense of security from him. It was this feeling that had captivated her. She murmured softly, "You're really going to do it, Senga."

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.