(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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At the very least, if he ended up at least beating a Rear Admiral, that wouldn't be too bad for his age.
With Garp's endorsement, if Naruto's strength was truly up to par, the promise given by Sengoku doesn't seem exaggerated.
The rest had seemingly agreed with Sengoku and his decision, as it made sense to them. After all, at any rate, they were getting a promising talent to their ranks…
But then they heard what Naruto said…
Was this kid serious? Or was he just the funny type who likes to joke all the time?
"What did you just say?"
Sengoku, stunned, couldn't believe his ears and asked again.
"I'm going to challenge that guy in the red!" Naruto declared, his gaze fixed on Akainu, eager for the fight.
Naruto couldn't help but compare this policy to that of Konoha, thinking it was much better.
Reflecting on his past struggles, Naruto was filled with sadness.
Even becoming a Chūnin required a written test, teamwork, and a final combat evaluation.
Jōnin, and especially Kage ranks, were even more demanding.
After Colt's departure, the five villages had united again for another joint Chūnin exam.
With Sakura's help, Naruto managed to get to the third round of the exam once more.
But, in an effort to show his strength, Naruto accidentally used sage arts, violating the rules of the exam.
Once again, his dream of being promoted to Chūnin was shattered…
So, technically, he was still a genin…
'It's better with the Marines!' Naruto thought.
'As long as you have the strength, you can be promoted immediately.'
Naruto's burning gaze landed on Sengoku, making the seasoned general slightly uneasy.
"Naruto, if you want to challenge Sakazuki, it's fine by me, but he has to agree himself, I can't make the decision for him," Sengoku said, trying to shift the conversation while glancing at Akainu for approval.
After all, he couldn't force an Admiral to accept the challenge.
Naruto's boldness, however, had already made Akainu irritated.
Snuffing out his cigar, the Admiral grunted.
"You don't know what you're getting into. Let me teach you a lesson, brat. Not everyone will go easy on you like Vice Admiral Garp."
Akainu strode out of the conference room, and word of the upcoming battle spread quickly through the Marine Headquarters.
Soon, crowds of Marines gathered, eager to witness the fight.
Not every time would you see an admiral fight. And if the rumors were true, then they would soon have a new admiral candidate among their ranks, everyone was excited to witness that.
"Are you serious, Sengoku?" a strong, purple-haired old man, known as Zephyr, grumbled.
Once an Admiral, Zephyr had become a mentor at the Marine training camp, training elite Marines.
And that was including even the current Admirals.
At the time, he heard about this, he was still overseeing a new group of recruits when Sengoku suddenly requisitioned the training grounds for this duel.
"You're letting Akainu fight a seventeen-year-old brat? Is this Garp's influence?" Zephyr complained.
Sengoku shook his head, his gaze fixed on Naruto, who was already on the field, excitement evident in his stance.
"This kid was recommended by Garp. Let's see what he's got."
Zephyr wanted to argue further, but the battle had already begun.
"Dark Hound!" Akainu wasted no time, launching his magma-enhanced fist toward Naruto.
Preemptive strikes were always his preferred strategy.
Naruto, without hesitation, met the attack head-on.
He remembered Luffy telling him that dodging in a fight was something that only low-level pirates did and assumed it was the same for the Marines.
"Big Ball Rasengan!" Naruto countered, and the two powerful forces collided, causing a massive explosion.
Sengoku quickly activated his Buddha Form, using his shockwaves to hold back the falling magma from Akainu's attack.
"Everyone, fall back! It's going to get dangerous!" Sengoku warned.
He was now starting to see what Garp was talking about.
Without needing further instruction, the Vice Admirals and other onlookers quickly retreated to a safe distance.
Sengoku began to regret allowing this fight to happen at the Marine Headquarters.
A battle between a Logia user and someone with such strange energy would certainly leave the training grounds in ruins.
"Hmph! This is just the beginning!" Akainu called out confidently.
And Naruto replied with the same confidence.
"Show me your full power, Magma Uncle!"
Naruto's nickname for Akainu infuriated the Admiral, who unleashed another wave of attacks.
Despite this, the two fighters seemed evenly matched.
Akainu's relentless assaults were continuously blocked by Naruto, who even outperformed him in terms of physical/close combat.
If not for Akainu's Logia abilities, he would have been injured several times already.
"Garp, you've really found a monster this time," Sengoku admitted, watching in awe.
"But what exactly is this strange energy he's using? Is it some kind of Devil Fruit power?"
Garp laughed, pleased with Sengoku's acknowledgment.
"Who knows? But it's working, right?"
Outside the training ground, more Marines had gathered to watch the intense fight.
Akainu, aware of the growing audience, felt a surge of irritation.
He was an Admiral, and yet he was being held up by a mere teenager.
"Great Eruption!" Akainu's fist transformed into magma launching into the sky, and then it divided and rained down toward Naruto like volcanic bombs.
"What a strong Fire Style," Naruto thought, momentarily reminded of Sasuke, who had once used a similar attack.
His thoughts briefly drifted to his old friend, wondering where Sasuke was now…
'I'll surpass you Sasuke…'
But the oncoming attack quickly snapped Naruto back into action.
With a surge of chakra, Naruto summoned the golden chakra of Kurama, forming a massive, nearly 100-meter-tall chakra fox.
The demon fox effortlessly swatted away the volcanic bombs like they were mere pebbles.
The fox then looked up to the sky and let out a powerful roar.
"ROAR!"