บท 124: Chapter 124: Participate in the Admiral Selection Test
"Yo~ I have been demoted and is no longer an Admiral!"
At this moment, on the New World's War Island—the world's recruitment site— Vice Admiral Kizaru surveyed those present and spoke in a mocking tone. According to the World Government's punishment, he had indeed been demoted, but within the Navy, his actual status hadn't changed. The only difference was that he no longer held the rank of Admiral.
In comparison, what bothered him the most was the salary deduction—ten years' worth! Though the Navy Headquarters wouldn't truly dock his pay, the thought alone was infuriating.
"Admiral Kizaru, please don't joke. After Admiral Akainu became the Fleet Admiral, the Navy's reputation rests on your shoulders!" said the Navy captain who was guiding Shiro and the other three, his tone full of flattery.
Kizaru, however, ignored him, turning his attention instead to Shiro and his companions.
"What a terrifying presence. Four young ones... Are you here to run for Admiral?" Kizaru asked, his eyes sharp despite his usual lazy demeanor.
Although he was only there on patrol, he had seen Shiro in disguise before, and the group's aura had captured his interest. These four young people seemed anything but ordinary.
"Yes, the World Government is recruiting strong fighters from across the sea. The best among them can become an Admiral. Is there some special rule preventing us from participating?" Shiro responded calmly.
He wasn't seeking attention, but to achieve his goal, he needed to participate in the selection of the Admiral. Only through this process could he engage with the other powerhouses drawn by the World Government's conscription, such as Fujitora. If Shiro's sole intent had been to disrupt the recruitment, he wouldn't have bothered entering so openly. But this was all part of his broader plan—one that required more than just subtlety.
Shiro's voice hadn't even faded when the atmosphere in the World Recruitment Registration Office grew tense once more. Many applicants and active Navy officers looked on with doubt and derision. Did these brash youths really think they could become Navy Admirals through the World Conscription? To achieve such a rank, one had to be among the strongest in the sea. It wasn't just a foolish dream—it was outright madness.
"Yo~ Such bravery. Well, go ahead and register. But you'll have to pass some minor tests first. You can sign up over there," Kizaru said, his face impassive, before turning away.
Watching him leave, the Navy looked flustered but didn't dare stop him. He was about to report to his superiors when a tall man wearing a white turban appeared, staring him down and causing him to freeze in fear. Swallowing his words, the officer hurriedly escorted Shiro and his group to the registration area.
Kizaru's statement seemed to remove all obstacles, and Shiro and the others were quickly allowed to sign up for the Admiral selection. However, before they could officially register, they needed to pass a test—after all, not just anyone could run for Admiral.
Back when Shiro was still part of the Navy, during the era when Sengoku the Buddha was the Fleet Admiral, all Headquarters affairs were relatively straightforward. Now, with Akainu in charge, that remained unchanged. Anyone who wanted to run for Admiral had to pass a test first. Failure meant the candidate would be relegated to the selection for Vice Admiral, Rear Admirals, or others.
The test itself was simple: a battle against a Navy Headquarters Vice Admiral or a powerful Rear Admiral. Victory meant passing, failure meant disqualification.
One year before Shiro left the Navy, he had served as an assessor for the promotion from Rear Admiral to Vice Admiral. Not a single Rear Admiral had passed that test, earning Shiro the title of the strongest Rear Admiral in Navy. Back then, some of those participants were nearly as strong as Vice Admirals, but Shiro was still too young to be given a higher rank.
Now, Shiro didn't expect to be participating in the Admiral selection himself. Although it was part of a greater plan, having once been a Marine for ten years, even a brief tenure as an Admiral would bring closure to his naval career.
"Alright, let's start the test!" the examiner called out. Shiro, now under an alias, was led to the test site, while three commrades, including Hancock, were taken to their separate challenges.
For Hancock and Enel, Shiro had no concerns, even without their usual powers, they could handle any strong Rear Admiral. Robin, however, might struggle against a powerful Vice Admiral, but she would manage.
What truly caught Shiro off guard was his own test opponent—a familiar face who had no business being there: Tashigi! A serious and earnest expression still adorned her face, as if nothing had changed. Shiro nearly laughed. Tashigi had been stationed at the G-5 base with Smoker after the war. Although it was expected that the Navy would call in reinforcements from G-5 for the World Conscription, Shiro hadn't expected to meet Tashigi as his opponent.
"Hey, don't just stare. You look like a swordsman with that sword on your hip. Let's not waste any time—let's begin!"
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The fanfic is finished on p@treon/tambeerg
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