One Piece: sign-in to Ryujin Jakka

The next morning.

The training field buzzed with life. Countless soldiers had gathered, eyes full of anticipation.

Even Fleet Admiral Sengoku and the legendary Vice Admiral Garp had arrived in person.

Excitement crackled in the air.

But as time ticked by, there was still no sign of Roman.

Sengoku glanced at his watch. Five minutes remained.

If Roman didn't show up soon… he'd be disqualified by default.

Akainu stood tall in the center of the field, arms crossed, his aura as arrogant as ever.

Whispers began to ripple through the crowd.

"Did Roman chicken out?"

"No way. He's strong enough to fight Akainu, right?"

"His fruit's good for support, not direct combat. He probably won't last."

"So he really might've backed out…"

Akainu heard it all and sneered inwardly. A clown. Just a latecomer thinking he can grasp the rank of Admiral? Ridiculous.

But then, a commotion broke out—

"Look, it's Roman!"

"He really showed up!"

"He's a real man!"

Roman and Kalifa stepped through the crowd, calm and composed.

Ignoring Akainu, Roman's gaze locked on Sengoku. It was their first face-to-face meeting.

With a warm smile, he nodded politely.

That subtle charisma hit Sengoku harder than expected.

Akainu's scowl deepened. He turned to Sengoku. "Can we start, Fleet Admiral?"

The more people liked Roman, the more Akainu hated him.

This man, joining the Marines at such a time and daring to dream of an Admiral's seat, was a disgrace to the Marines' sense of justice!

He strongly disputed Sengoku's decision. But there was nothing he could do. He couldn't defy Sengoku after all due to the difference in their ranks. So naturally, all his fury had to be directed… at Roman.

He stared at him with a murderous gaze, looking at him like he was already dead at his feet.

Sengoku, catching Akainu's intense bloodlust, frowned for a split second—only Roman noticed.

"Roman," Sengoku said, "are you ready?"

A grin tugged at Roman's lips. "Yup~ ready as ever."

Sunlight kissed his face. Kalifa's heart fluttered once again.

"Then let the duel… begin!"

BOOM!

Akainu stepped forward, magma churning— "Hell Hound!"

A fiery punch blasted toward Roman, a true force of nature!

But Roman met it head-on, fist wrapped in Armament Haki—

BOOM!

The crowd gasped. Akainu's magma swallowed Roman's fist… and struck his chest!

BOOM—

The figure dispersed.

An illusion.

Kalifa let out a relieved sigh.

Akainu didn't flinch. "So predictable. No variations. Just the same cheap tricks. How boring"

He spun and slammed another magma fist behind him.

Boom!

Another phantom shattered!

"Only three illusions left, hub?" Akainu scoffed.

Right on cue, as if summoned, three more phantoms materialized and charged!

"Great Eruption!"

A massive magma fist erupted forward, like a volcano exploding—shattering all three phantoms in a flash.

Five-fold phantom illusion—gone.

Roman's real body stood revealed.

The audience was stunned silent.

It had all happened… too fast.

"Akainu's insane…"

"He really is one of the Marines top monsters."

"Roman's strong, but he's not at the Admiral-level."

"No wonder Akainu doesn't respect him. He just can't keep up"

Akainu stepped forward, eyes full of scorn. "The weak have no place on the seas. And even less in enforcing justice! You are too weak!"

"Oh? Is that what you believe?" Despite all his illusions dispersed, Roman still smiled, utterly unshaken.

It was this grin that ignited Akainu's rage.

"Still running your mouth?! THEN DIE! Hound Blaze/ Hound Crimson Lotus!!!"

A magma fist shaped like a fanged hound's head launched forward—air boiling, heat distorting the space.

Soldiers instinctively backed away.

"Why's he not dodging!?"

"Is he frozen in fear?!"

"If that hits he might sufffer severe injuries…"

"… or just meet his end!"

Standing nearby, even Garp frowned. "Sengoku, maybe we should stop this? That kid's got potential. Would be a shame if he died now."

"Roman isn't injured and he hasn't surrendered," Sengoku replied. His brow was slick with cold sweat.

The fanged magma hound grew larger and larger in Roman's eyes.

At the last moment…

Roman smiled.

And then—