One Piece: sign-in to Ryujin Jakka

Just as the evening sun dipped beneath the horizon, Kalifa tugged on Roman's sleeve.

"Roman, please… surrender tomorrow."

Her voice trembled slightly.

"Surrender? Why?" Roman raised a brow, looking at her curiously.

Kalifa's eyes flickered away. "Be-because… I don't want you to get hurt! Akainu is brutal. He won't hold back. So many have been disabled, even crippled for life, after fighting him!"

Roman's expression didn't change. Calmly, he replied,

"I understand your concern, but surrendering is not in my dictionaty. Besides, Akainu... is no match for me."

"You never listen!" Kalifa clenched her fists. "I'm only saying this because I care about you! Fine, do whatever you want—I'm done!"

She turned on her heel and stormed out of the training ground, leaving Roman staring after her, slightly baffled.

Roman watched her leave with a puzzled expression.

"…What's gotten into her?" Not understanding her sudden emotional outburst, especially since she had been the one who made the first move days ago.

Shrugging it off, he looked up toward the highest point of Marineford—Sengoku's office.

"That admiral seat… is mine." He was just waiting for his chance to be promoted to Admiral rank and report officially.

Elsewhere in Marineford, deep in a quiet, unused training field...

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Kalifa vented her frustration on the wooden dummies. Her fists slammed down again and again—far beyond the strength of an average soldier.

As she punched it repeatedly, cracks webbed across the thick wood.

"Kalifa," came a soft, oddly-intoned voice.

"Hina wants to ask you something."

Kalifa paused and turned. She knew that voice—Hina, the girl with the strange speech patterns.

"What is it?"

"Hina wants to know... what Roman likes."

Kalifa narrowed her eyes.

"You're not worried about Smoker? Why Roman?"

"Hina and Smoker are just friends. But Hina wants to pursue Roman."

"Pursue?!" Kalifa nearly choked.

"You barely know him!"

Hina nodded solemnly.

"After Roman defeated Smoker, Hina has always watched him. His smile… it makes Hina happy. Isn't that what love is?"

Kalifa felt her chest tighten with rising fury.

Why was he so gentle with others, but always cold to her?

Still, hearing someone else proclaim love for him was worse.

That's when it hit her—Roman had quietly walked into her heart.

"I'll tell you right now," she snapped. "That's not love. And I like Roman. You don't stand a chance against me!"

Hina smiled confidently.

"Then let's have a fair competition. Hina won't lose!"

With a final glance, she walked off.

Kalifa stood silently, then clenched her fist.

She had no intention of losing. This meant she had to make some moves.

Smashing the dummy with one last strike, she turned and headed for Roman's quarters—now upgraded to the Vice Admiral's level.

She stood at the door, took a deep breath, and knocked gently.

The door opened... and then faded. Just a mirage. A phantom image created from his Illusion-Illusion devil fruit's power.

Truly, a lazy man's best tool.

Inside, Roman was lost in thought, gazing out the window at the setting sun.

Seeing him alone like this, Kalifa's heart ached.

In this fortress of power and responsibilities, he was truly alone. Was he always this isolated?

Before she could speak, Roman spoke up.

"Come in," he said, not turning around.

"Sit wherever. I don't have much to offer."

Kalifa quickly replied, "It's fine! I didn't come here for that…"

She hesitated, then bit her lip.

"Need something?"

"I… I came to apologize. I was being bratty earlier. I'm sorry! And... I want to cheer you on tomorrow! I believe in you, Roman—you can beat Akainu!"

Roman turned to face her.

A soft smile tugged at his lips.

The sunlight framed him in a golden glow.

He stepped forward, brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, and said warmly:

"Don't worry. I won't disappoint you. Akainu... is not my match."

Kalifa's heart fluttered. Her ears burned.

He was finally smiling—at her.

"You're finally smiling at me…" she whispered.

Excited, she leapt into his arms.

"From now on," she said, looking up at him, "you won't be alone in Marineford. I'll always be with you!"

"Mm."

A short reply. But this time, it was all she needed.

She was happy because it meant she'd finally been accepted.

The next day...