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Fujitora wasn't like Ryokugyu, who didn't know when to back down. Although the meteor wasn't his ultimate trump card, it was undoubtedly his most destructive move. Yet, Uchiha Kitaro had stopped it as if it were nothing. Continuing to fight someone like that would leave Fujitora with almost no chance of victory.
Especially considering Kitaro's enormous energy blast, which Fujitora knew he had no way of withstanding.
To Kitaro's surprise, Fujitora conceded so decisively. With the meteor now unnecessary, he had no choice but to toss it aside.
BOOM—!
The massive meteor crashed into the ground, shaking the area.
"What? You're giving up already?" Kitaro asked, a bit amused.
"This is a competition for rank, not a fight to the death," Fujitora replied calmly. "I know I can't block your attacks. Rather than get beaten up for nothing, it's better to concede early. Besides, there's more than one admiral position. If I exhaust myself here, I'd lose the chance for promotion altogether."
In simple terms, he'd rather avoid fighting someone like Kitaro and focus on defeating a weaker opponent—like Ryokugyu. With two wins and one loss, he could still secure a spot as an admiral.
"Uchiha Akira wins!" Sengoku announced.
"Congratulations, Uchiha Akira! You've officially secured one of the admiral positions."
"Thanks!" Kitaro replied, unable to hide the happiness on his face. Even though he'd expected this, hearing it officially brought satisfaction.
"Akira's victory means he'll soon be Admiral Uchiha Akira, right?" one of the marines murmured.
"Given his power, he's undoubtedly the strongest participant here," another marine commented, with many others nodding in agreement.
Meanwhile, Saint Rosward's face twisted in displeasure. "How did that guy end up as an admiral?"
"Don't worry, Father," Saint Shalria said. "An admiral is just a dog raised by the Celestial Dragons. We tell them who to bite, and they obey."
Smack! Smack!
Out of nowhere, both Rosward and Shalria were slapped across the face.
"Ahhh—!"
"Who dares to hit—?!" Rosward trailed off mid-sentence as he looked up and froze. A tall, imposing man stood before him—none other than Figarland Garling, the highest commander of the Holy Knights.
"Figarland Garling! What are you doing?!" Rosward demanded angrily.
"You may do as you please," Garling said coldly, "but insulting an admiral is unacceptable. If you continue to act recklessly…"
"I protect the collective interests of the Celestial Dragons," he continued. "Anyone jeopardizing those interests—whether Celestial Dragon or not—will face consequences. That's the purpose of the Holy Knights. Do you understand?"
"Hmph! Let's go, Shalria, Charloss!" Rosward snapped, leading his family away, their arrogance temporarily subdued.
While Rosward liked to throw his weight around, he wasn't stupid. Unlike other marines, admirals were the pinnacle of the Navy's strength. Any disruption involving them could lead to massive repercussions. To the cold, calculating World Government, the life of a Celestial Dragon was far less valuable than the effectiveness of an admiral.
After the Rosward family stormed off, Garling returned to his seat to watch the ongoing competition.
"The next match is Aramaki versus Chaton…"
"I forfeit!" Chaton announced abruptly. Then, with a determined expression, he turned to Kitaro. "Uchiha Akira! I challenge you! The winner gets Gion!"
Kitaro's expression darkened. "Sorry, but I don't gamble my women, and I certainly don't like it when others do."
"Then the loser will leave Gion!" Chaton countered stubbornly.
"And who the hell do you think you are?" Kitaro's voice dropped, his gaze icy. "What gives you the right to say such things? I'll let it slide this time because you've been good to Gion in the past, but if you pull something like this again, don't blame me for what happens next."
"I…" Chaton tried to respond but froze when Kitaro's Sharingan flared. His body went limp, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
"Did Chaton just fall over?!"
"Was it a genjutsu?!"
"So that's the power of the Uchiha clan's Sharingan… He hypnotized a vice admiral candidate just like that. Incredible!"
Ryokugyu, witnessing this, felt a chill run down his spine. If Kitaro had used that ability earlier, would he have been able to resist it? Likely not. In that case, he would've been at Kitaro's mercy.
Fujitora, however, was unaffected. Being blind, Kitaro's eye techniques had no effect on him.
"Now it's down to Issho and Aramaki," Sengoku announced. "The winner will become the next navy admiral."
Ryokugyu's eyes burned with determination as he turned to Fujitora. Losing to Kitaro was one thing, but he couldn't afford to lose again—not to Fujitora. Another defeat might cost him the chance to ever become an admiral.
"You coward!" Ryokugyu taunted. "You didn't even fight Akira. Someone like you doesn't deserve to be an admiral!"
Fujitora chuckled lightly. "I'm simply taking the path with the highest chance of success."
"You bastard! Are you saying I'm weaker than you?!"
"Do you disagree?" Fujitora said with a sly smile.
Ryokugyu was furious. He had hoped Kitaro (Akira) would injure Fujitora, giving him an easier opponent. But Fujitora, crafty as ever, had forfeited, avoiding injury altogether. Now, Ryokugyu had to face a fresh opponent.
"You blind old man! I lost to Akira, but there's no way I'm losing to you!"
With a roar, Ryokugyu's body grew massive, vines bursting out to attack Fujitora.
"Let me return those words to you!" Fujitora retorted, and the two launched into a ferocious battle. Neither could afford to back down.
The fight raged on for three days and nights. In the end, Fujitora emerged victorious, defeating Ryokugyu.
And so, the battle for the title of navy admiral came to an end.
Admiral Uchiha Akira and Admiral Fujitora were officially announced as the new admirals of the Navy.
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