Time flew by, and seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
It was November 22, Marineford Year 1509. Starting today, the week-long New Year celebration would begin, and its main event—the Annual Tournament—would take place at the same time!
The winner of the Annual Tournament would receive not only an unimaginable amount of prize money, but also glory and opportunity.
After repeated discussions among the Navy's senior officers, this year's prize would be Vegapunk's latest technology: a method that could help people awaken Armament Haki and Observation Haki.
Anyone who made it into the top ten would have a chance to receive this opportunity!
It was easy to imagine just how fierce this year's Annual Tournament would be, with the chance to awaken Haki at stake.
Talented Marines who had spent years stationed at other Navy Branches flocked to Marine Headquarters.
"Hey, Koya, you're already a Rear Admiral. Why are you entering the Annual Tournament? That's cheating, you know?"
"What Rear Admiral? My promotion doesn't take effect until after the New Year. I'm still just a colonel, so of course I can enter the Annual Tournament!"
"Y-you're just twisting the facts!"
"Hmph, say whatever you want. I'm claiming that chance to awaken Haki!"
The competition's registration area was surrounded by throngs of Marines, and the clerks responsible for recording their information were drenched in sweat.
"Good grief, how shameless. Guys on the verge of becoming Rear Admirals are trying to snatch our opportunity too. Looks like making the top ten will be tough!"
Hina gritted her teeth and cursed the shameless old hands under her breath.
"I heard it's a special serum that stimulates the body's potential, and the supply is extremely limited. Even tenth place might not be safe. We have to aim for a higher ranking!"