Among the remaining Admiral Candidates, Hancock did not participate in the challenge. With her status, even if she wanted to be the First Admiral, Roger would have stepped aside for her.
The four Admiral Candidates—Marco, Oars, Gion, and Tokikake—took the stage to spar with Fujitora and Barrett. Unsurprisingly, they were defeated. They had no choice but to remain in the Admiral Candidate ranks.
With this, the internal martial arts competition came to an end.
The Twelve Admirals, in order, were:
First Admiral, Roger.
Second Admiral, Whitebeard.
Third Admiral, Garp.
Fourth Admiral, Monkey D. Dragon.
Fifth Admiral, Akainu.
Sixth Admiral, Shimotsuki Ryuma.
Seventh Admiral, Hawkeye.
Eighth Admiral, Aokiji.
Ninth Admiral, Kizaru.
Tenth Admiral, Barrett.
Eleventh Admiral, Fujitora.
Twelfth Admiral, Sengoku.
As for the Admiral Candidates, there were eight in total, with no specific ranking among them. However, Ryokugyu's branch comforted themselves with the saying: "Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix." Within the Admiral Candidate sequence, he was indeed the strongest.
On the presiding platform, Luo Chen was just about to stand up to formally announce the results when Robin quickly pulled him back, reminding him in a low voice, "There is still one more segment."
Luo Chen paused for a moment, then remembered. Robin had suggested that after the internal competition, he should also display his military might. The Jinghai Army had recently been flooded with many newcomers, and many had never seen Luo Chen's true strength with their own eyes. For Luo Chen to strike today and show his power would help establish his prestige.
Luo Chen coughed lightly and sat back down. Robin gave a look to Kizaru in the spectator stands.
Kizaru, who had been waiting for the signal, understood immediately. He stood up and said loudly, "Lord Fleet Admiral, today is a rare and grand occasion, and all the people of Totto Land are watching. Since the Paramount War, everyone has yet to witness your elegance in person. I wonder if you could grant us some guidance?"
Kizaru asked with a beaming smile. Nico Robin had previously asked him to act as a plant to invite Luo Chen to take action and showcase his power. For such a small matter, Kizaru was more than happy to oblige.
In the spectator stands, everyone—especially those familiar with Kizaru like Sengoku and Garp—raised an eyebrow. Given Kizaru's personality, it was absolutely impossible for him to say such a thing. In other words, this segment had been pre-arranged by Luo Chen.
They all looked toward the presiding platform. Who would Luo Chen choose to fight? Roger? Or Whitebeard?
In truth, they knew that individually, none of them were a match for Luo Chen. Unless they went at him all together, it wouldn't even be close.
Luo Chen smiled and said, "Very well. In that case, all of you come at me together."
If he was going to show his power, he would do it thoroughly. To take on all the Admirals of the Jinghai Army alone—only that would have true deterrent power.
Roger, Whitebeard, and the others looked at each other. Did he really want to deal with all of them at once? Even for Luo Chen, winning might not be easy, right?
Luo Chen would likely win; after all, he had already defeated Imu when she attacked with the Five Elders and the God's Knights. However, that battle had not been easy for Luo Chen, and he had even sustained significant injuries. If they were to accidentally injure Luo Chen shortly, wouldn't that cause the Fleet Admiral to lose face?
Roger, Whitebeard, Garp, and the others stood up and walked slowly toward the arena. They discussed in low voices whether they should pull their punches. Everyone had guessed by now that Luo Chen wanted to establish his prestige before the people of Totto Land and the world. Putting on a bit of a show would do no harm.
"No need to hold back."
The command from Luo Chen echoed in the minds of the Impure World Reincarnation individuals, such as Whitebeard and Roger. Their expressions stiffened slightly as they nodded secretly. Since that was the case, they would use their full strength. As reincarnated beings controlled by Luo Chen, they could not disobey his orders.
...
In the spectator stands, people sat up straight, focusing intently on the arena. Since the Paramount War, basically no one had seen Luo Chen take action in person. Whether it was the Sabaody Archipelago incident or Imu leading powerhouses to attack Totto Land, they had only learned of those events through newspapers and news reports.
After several months, just how strong was Luo Chen? His methods were indeed mysterious and extraordinary, but many still didn't have a clear understanding of his actual combat power.
The newly joined Gion and Tokikake watched with serious expressions. Zephyr and the students beside him—Ain, Binz, Smoker, Hina, and Tashigi—also braced themselves.
"Twelve Admirals... can he really win?" A look of doubt flickered in Ain's beautiful eyes. This was the first time she had seen the real Luo Chen; previously, she had only seen him in newspapers.
Hina crossed her legs and shook her head. "Hina doesn't know either. He should be able to win, right?"
Smoker took a deep drag of his cigar and said in a heavy voice, "He will definitely win. He has never lost." Among this group, he was the one who understood Luo Chen the best and had clashed with him the most. From Orange Town and Loguetown in the East Blue to Alabasta and Marineford on the Grand Line, Smoker had personally witnessed Luo Chen's rise—invincible and unstoppable all the way.
He believed Luo Chen would definitely win, and that he would win without anyone holding back.
At the Revolutionary Army seats, Sabo, Koala, Zoro, and Carina watched without blinking. Luo Chen, who was roughly the same age as them, had reached his current position. Just how strong was he now?
...
On the arena, the twelve Admirals of the Jinghai Army stood clad in their white Jinghai coats. Each person's aura was incredibly powerful. Roger, Whitebeard, Garp, Dragon... these were all world-renowned, peerless powerhouses. The sight of these twelve people standing side-by-side in the same frame brought an intense shock to the hearts of the world.
And opposite them stood Luo Chen, dressed in his Fleet Admiral uniform. A legend who, in just a few months, was on the verge of becoming the King of the World.
Across the waters of Totto Land, viewers on every island held their breath, their faces flushing slightly with excitement. This battle was bound to be spectacular and heart-stirring!
"Come. Give it your all, there's no need to hold anything back."
Luo Chen smiled, and in an instant, he was draped in an indigo energy cloak. Twelve pitch-black Truth-Seeking Balls revolved around him. His eyes turned sky-blue, becoming indifferent and distant, like a god of the heavens.
In the Observation Haki perception of Roger, Whitebeard, and the others, Luo Chen's aura did not seem powerful. In fact, it was no different from an ordinary person's. This, however, made their expressions turn extremely grave.
Their Observation Haki was definitely giving them false information. There was only one explanation: Luo Chen's strength had already surpassed the limits of their perception. Like an ant, they could not perceive the human who could easily crush them.
Any lingering thoughts of holding back were completely extinguished. This fight, it was feared, would be an extremely lopsided battle.
The longsword in Roger's hand spun at high speed, as Conqueror's Haki and Armament Haki were entirely condensed within the blade. The entire sword erupted into flames, and even the surrounding air was ignited. He stepped forward with force, a wave of air rolling out as his figure blurred and charged.
"Fire of Kagutsuchi: Megujishi!"
This was Roger's strongest attack. Whitebeard, Garp, Dragon, Akainu, and the others unleashed their strongest moves almost at the same time.
"Sky-Shattering Blade!"
"Infinite Bone Crushing Fist!"
"Wrath of the Wind God!"
"Great Eruption!"
"..."
Inside the arena's light barrier, numerous powerful techniques bloomed with extreme brilliance. Whitebeard slashed out with his great blade, which emitted a dazzling white light. Garp swung out countless fist shadows entwined with flames. Dragon appeared above the arena, his figure wrapped in a hurricane, Armament Haki, and Conqueror's Haki as he crashed toward Luo Chen below. Akainu's right arm extended rapidly, transforming into a ferocious, molten hound's head.
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