The atmosphere shifted dramatically as soon as Bedori's arrogant words echoed across the room. The ten Marine newcomers stared in disbelief.
"What did he just say? All of us—together?"
The insult sank in like a heavy stone. How could this one man think they were so easily beaten? These ten recruits had clawed their way to the top, outclassing over a hundred others in their rigorous training. Each was a star in their own right, leaders in their small teams, admired by peers. But now, they stood side by side, fists clenched, veins pulsing with rage.
"Good," Bedori said, his voice calm but cutting. "I see you're angry. That's good. Anger can make you stronger—though, it won't change your fate."
He smiled, a faint curl of the lips that ignited the fury even more.
"Who does this guy think he is?" one of the recruits shouted. "I've never seen someone so full of themselves!"
"He's only a few years older than us!" another chimed in. "What right does he have to act superior?"
"Strong or not, no one humiliates us like this!"
Bedori's expression remained unchanged. "You misunderstand. This isn't humiliation. It's just a fact."
The recruits roared in anger, their voices filling the room. The examiner looked on, caught between the furious recruits and Bedori's calm arrogance. What was he supposed to do? On one hand, these were the rising stars of the Marine Academy. On the other, Bedori was the nephew of Vice Admiral Stolo Berry, a man no one wanted to cross.
The examiner glanced toward Sengoku, the revered admiral watching from a distance, seemingly disinterested. Sengoku waved a hand lazily, giving his silent approval.
"Fine!" the examiner announced, his voice carrying over the commotion. "The assessment will change. All ten of you, versus Bedori, no rules. Begin!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Bedori lifted a single finger, beckoning the group. "Come at me. All of you."
A heavy silence fell. The recruits exchanged glances, their pride too bruised to back down. They surged forward with a battle cry, charging in unison.
Boom!
Within seconds, the battle was over. One by one, the recruits crumpled to the ground, clutching their bruises and moaning in pain. Bedori hadn't even broken a sweat. He stood tall, barely ruffled, as if the ten had never stood a chance.
The spectators, a mix of Marines, admirals, and vice admirals, burst into applause.
"Hahaha! Bedori's got real talent!" one vice admiral said, clapping proudly. "The future of the Marines looks bright with him around!"
"Rear Admiral material, for sure!" another agreed. "Maybe even admiral one day!"
All the while, Stolo Berry basked in the praise. His chest swelled with pride as he accepted the compliments pouring in. But then his eyes wandered, and he noticed Garp—one of the Marine legends—dozing off nearby. His blood boiled. How could Garp, of all people, show such disrespect?
Beside him, his trusted subordinate, Rear Admiral Stephen, leaned in, speaking in a low tone. "Don't be too upset, Vice Admiral. Garp's just jealous. He doesn't have a brilliant protégé like Bedori."
Stolo Berry's anger softened. "You're right. Garp's legacy is...well, a bit of a mess."
He smirked, recalling Garp's troubled family history—his son, a revolutionary, his grandsons tangled in all sorts of chaos. Stolo Berry shook his head. Garp could never hope to have a star like Bedori under his wing.
At that moment, Sengoku rose to leave, still not having spotted Finn or Tashigi. But as he turned, a voice rang out across the field.
"Grandpa Sengoku! Sorry, we're late!"
Heads whipped around, and the mood of the crowd shifted again. Finn, the unpredictable troublemaker, had arrived. Memories of his antics flooded back into everyone's minds—most recently, the Tea Dolphin's humiliating defeat. The thought alone sent ripples of discomfort through the audience.
Garp, who had been dozing off, suddenly snapped awake. "Finn? What are you doing here, kid?"
"Oh, hey, Grandpa! I didn't see you there," Finn called out with a wave. Then he grinned. "But of course, you're here with Grandpa Sengoku—just like always. You two are inseparable, huh?"
The insult landed like a grenade. Sengoku's face turned an alarming shade of red, while Garp glared daggers at his grandson. Around them, the Marines stifled their laughter, trying not to make eye contact with either of the furious veterans.
"Finn!" Sengoku barked. "If you've come to watch your little girlfriend lose, you're in for a show. Bedori here doesn't go easy."
"Little girlfriend?" The whispers spread through the crowd as they turned their attention to Tashigi, who stood nearby, ready to fight.
Garp's eyes widened. "Sengoku, what's going on here?"
Sengoku shrugged. "Finn wanted to get his little girlfriend into the academy. I thought you knew. So, I told him she could compete, just like everyone else."
Garp was livid. "You made my grandson's girlfriend fight Bedori? Are you trying to set her up for failure?"
But Sengoku remained cool. "Rules are rules, Garp. She'll have to earn her place."
Meanwhile, Finn stood on the sidelines, arms crossed. "Tashigi, make sure you show this guy what you're made of. And don't hold back."
Tashigi saluted. "Yes, sir!"
Bedori smirked. "A lady like you? You won't last 20 moves."
As the fight began, a strange tension filled the air. Bedori's arrogance radiated, but something about Tashigi's calm demeanor hinted at the unexpected.
The fight wasn't just about strength. It was a clash of pride, loyalty, and the ever-shifting dynamics of the Marine hierarchy. And as the sun dipped lower, it was clear: this wasn't over yet.