No one in the outside world yet knew that Sengoku had emerged from seclusion after becoming a Buddha.
The military's main focus remained on the Full-Army Combat Power Assessment.
Many powerful yet low-ranking individuals had stood out through challenge after challenge.
On May 9, the event once again concluded amid fervent excitement.
And when the morning sun rose.
The atmosphere at the Army and Navy Headquarters nearly reached its peak.
Because today was the final day of the combat power assessment.
The challengers and challenged had reached the thrilling level of Vice Admirals and Admirals.
After that would come the Paramount War of challenging Admirals.
On the lunar surface where Marine Headquarters was located.
The aerial dueling arena above Island Cloud No. 103 had become one of today's focal points.
On one side stood Vice Admiral Budo, draped in a white Coat of Justice.
He was broad and powerfully built, with a face as resolute as iron and eyes as imposing as a tiger's.
His entire body exuded the iron-blooded aura of a seasoned battlefield veteran and an unquestionable dominance.
He had once been the highest commander of the Qin Empire's military in the Teigu World.
Along with Esdeath, he had been known as one of the "strongest," bearing the title of General Budo.
After joining the World Government's Navy, he had long served as the adjutant of Admiral "Golden Lion" Shiki.
Six years.
He had integrated all manner of powers into himself.
He had mastered numerous Armament Haki and Observation Haki techniques, including Coating, Hardening, Emission, Ryou, perception, and prediction.
He had also cultivated Life Return to the second realm.
His use of the Six Physical Arts—Soru, Shigan, Rankyaku, Tekkai, Paper Arts, Geppo, and Illusion—in their basic, extended, and combined forms had reached a level of perfection.
But Budo's