The Admiral Returns, Facing Shuzuo!

Marine Headquarters, 1:30 PM.

Combat training was a standard exercise for almost every organization. Ron had participated before, but back then, without using the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, he stood no chance against his peers in hand-to-hand combat or swordsmanship. Setting aside experience and technique, their physical prowess alone was enough to create a gap. His foundation was weak and incomparable.

However, things were different now. Even without using his Devil Fruit abilities, the strength within his body was enough to make new recruits despair! Compared to someone who solely relied on their Devil Fruit, Ron was someone who prioritized physical development over his Devil Fruit. He would rather let his physique drive his Devil Fruit development than become a useless person with nothing when his fruit was gone!

Challenging himself was not simply about pursuing destruction…

When Ron arrived at the plaza, the spectator seats were already filled with people who had come to watch the test. It was worth noting that they had all changed their orientation. The seats that had formed a circle around the testing platform during the Power Level test in the morning were now split down the middle and stretched to the sides, forming an arc that embraced the plaza ahead, which could hold a hundred thousand people!

The plaza was immense, with towering platforms. On each platform stood an instructor, legs apart, hands clasped behind their backs, overseeing the area. They were responsible for protecting the new recruits from fatal injuries during combat training and also served as referees, judging the outcomes.

When the new recruit squad entered, led by Zephyr, cheers erupted to the heavens!

"Go get 'em, you brats!"

"Remember, hit 'em where it hurts! Hit 'em where it hurts!"

"Hahaha! Ron, I'm rooting for you!!"

Besides the cheers, officers of various ranks were privately discussing which new recruits were worth paying attention to and trying to win over… The Marines were a united front to the outside world, able to set aside all internal conflicts when facing pirates – that was an ironclad rule! But internally, there were factions. The hawk and dove factions were just broad categories; more significant were the various powerful Marine families, vying against each other, recruiting talent for their families and seeking profits.

The Marines and the World Government had similar histories, standing tall for centuries, with generations serving in the Marines. It would be a joke if there were no factions.

And in this world where strength reigned supreme, true rising stars, like Ron, a genius Logia who might one day ascend to the Admiral position, would bring immeasurable benefits to a family if they befriended him.

"Hey, Stein, what do you think of that Zoro?"

"He's certainly got potential, but he's been a bit listless lately, I don't know why…"

"Has Ron arrived? The Quest family's kid will definitely go to support his father. If we could…"

"Save it! Given the Fleet Admiral's attention on Ron, how could he possibly allow us to recruit him!"

"Tsk, true! Then we can only try to make a good impression…"

"Who isn't saying that!"

The Fleet Admirals throughout history couldn't have been unaware of their subordinates forming cliques, but they never suppressed them excessively. Because they knew that even in this world belonging to the strong, not all problems could be solved with fists… like a mosquito on someone's face.

As long as they didn't touch what they shouldn't, Sengoku wouldn't bother.

For example, it was obvious to anyone that Ron's future was incredibly bright. Such a person couldn't take sides within the Marines. Sengoku and the World Government wouldn't allow him to take sides and become the banner for a particular family, leading to that family dominating.

Moreover, controlled disputes were more conducive to rule than subordinates united as one.

Regardless of good or evil, this was simply the wisdom of those in power.

When Sengoku took his seat at the head table, a Captain stepped onto the stage and began to explain the rules. The rules were largely similar to the usual combat training, with only three major changes.

One, intentionally killing is forbidden. Violators will be expelled from the Marines and never re-employed!

Two, underhanded tactics and bribing opponents are forbidden. Violators will be expelled from the Marines and never re-employed!

Three, intentionally interfering with other people's matches is forbidden. Violators will be expelled from the Marines and never re-employed!

During regular combat training, there were no severe penalties like expulsion from the Marines and permanent non-re-employment. For the same offense, the maximum punishment was imprisonment. This was purely because the occasion today was too serious, and the Marines needed stronger discipline!

After a brief explanation, the Captain announced, "Now… the combat test begins!!"

"Well then… I'll go first…"

Ron glanced around. Under the twitching gazes of the new recruits, he transformed into lightning and moved at high speed. Ordinary people could only judge that something had flown past by the lingering afterimages on their retinas.

Even without having learned the Marine Six Powers, Ron's movement speed was terrifyingly fast!

"What is that…?"

"It's Ron! I didn't expect him to go up first!"

"Going up… that's fine! It's just sitting around anyway…"

"Hahaha! That's true, these little guys have no way to deal with a Logia!"

There were hundreds of new recruits in the New Recruit Camp. If they were to fight one by one, they wouldn't get anything done today and would just sit there watching matches! Therefore, the combat match procedure had been adjusted. In summary, it was a… high platform grab battle!

The duration was two hours, with 30 platforms. Those still standing on a platform when time ran out would be the top thirty in the New Recruit Camp. Afterward, fifteen groups would be formed into pairs for combat, and so on, until the first place was decided, which would be around eight or nine o'clock.

"Wait! Something's not right!"

Someone with sharp eyes suddenly spoke up. They carefully counted the number of platforms and then exclaimed, "Why is one missing? There are only 29 platforms?!"

"Nani? Hiss… you're right!"

With only 29 platforms, it meant there would only be 14 winner-vs-winner matches?

And one person would either get a bye and advance directly, or…

"Hey, hey, could it be…"

Looking at Ron's laid-back expression, it was clear he had also noticed this. The onlookers who had come to watch the show turned to look at Zephyr, and the man stretching his muscles beside Zephyr, their mouths twitching…

This was going to be good!

"Pffft hahahaha!!! Kid who discharges electricity, you have days like this too!!!"

Garp's signature hearty laughter echoed in the quiet area for the higher-ups, his voice deafening. Sengoku raised an eyebrow and snorted, "Quiet down, Garp!"

"Oh..."

Casually picking his nose, Garp turned to look at Ron and "pfft" again, spraying donut crumbs all over the ground.

"Hahaha! But... but... it's too funny!!!"

"Ara, ara, what's so amusing, Mr. Garp?"

Suddenly, a figure slowly walked onto the high platform. He had fluffy black hair, was tall and lanky, wore a white vest and a blue shirt, with a suit jacket casually draped over his shoulders, exuding an aura of "lethargy."

"Huh?"

Hearing the voice, Garp turned around and smiled, "You're back already, Kuzan?"

That's right!

The newcomer was none other than Kuzan, codenamed "Aokiji," one of Marine Headquarters' strongest forces and one of the Three Admirals out on a mission.

"Yeah, I thought it would be a big trouble, but I didn't expect... Ugh!"

Mid-sentence, Aokiji stretched and let out a huge yawn. Then, rubbing his eyes, he said to Sengoku, "You were overthinking it, Fleet Admiral."

"It's good that there's no big trouble! This world needs peace!"

Sengoku replied calmly. He paused and added, "After watching the match, bring me your report immediately. What's with being lazy all day, understand?"

"Hai, hai, I got it..."

Aokiji shrugged, unfazed. His lazy demeanor bore no resemblance to the imposing Marine Admiral.

With an Admiral like him around, it was no wonder Sengoku didn't care about Ron's personality issues... Compared to Ron, he was the most normal one!

After greeting Garp and the others, he went to the seat designated for Admirals and sat... sprawled. Kizaru next to him leaned in and said with a lewd grin, "Yo, Kuzan, you look tired. Want to bet on your next mission opportunity?"

"Hm? Sure... but what are we betting on?"

Aokiji flipped over and replied lazily.

"Just betting on how long that kid can last..."

Kizaru pointed with his chin towards the quietest high platform in the center of the arena, a smirk on his face. "Sakazuki says he'll only last half an hour, I say an hour. How long do you bet?"

"Huh?!"

Aokiji's previously listless gaze suddenly brightened as it landed on the high platform. He rubbed his chin and said in surprise, "The opponent is Brigadier General Shuzuo? Is this kid that strong?"