One Piece: sign-in to Ryujin Jakka

After testing a few of the fruit's abilities, Stella reverted from her transformed state.

Night had fallen. She was preparing a rich dinner for Roman. Inside the room used as the kitchen, the two young women helped each other cook, laughter and the clinking of utensils filling the space.

Roman sat comfortably, soaking in the moment. Becoming stronger—wasn't it just to live a better, more comfortable life?

After all, on this vast sea, only the strong are allowed to survive!

Soon, morning came.

Roman awoke from his slumber, stretched, and made his way into the living room.

Ain had returned to her room.

Only Stella remained, wearing an apron, busy making breakfast in the kitchen.

When she saw Roman, she spoke gently, "Master, Fleet Admiral Sengoku called with a Den Den Mushi earlier. He said to come by after breakfast."

"Got it," Roman replied, settling into his chair to await his meal.

"How's your adaptation to the new fruit?"

"I can freely shift forms now."

"Good. Train hard—your goal should be to awaken at the very least. Understood?"

"Yes, Master!"

In Roman's mind, to truly move freely on this sea, a Devil Fruit awakening was the minimum requirement. Even if he couldn't win, a user at that level could at least escape unscathed. That's why he set the same standard for those close to him.

After finishing breakfast, Roman made his way to Sengoku's office.

Upon entering, he noticed Kizaru was already seated there.

"Fleet Admiral, you called for me?"

Roman casually took a seat across from Sengoku.

Without saying much, Sengoku handed both Roman and Kizaru a document.

"This Buster Call mission was excellently executed. The Five Elders have issued a reward for your efforts."

He paused. "However, there is only one reward. The two of you will have to decide who gets it."

Hearing that, Roman raised an eyebrow and opened the file.

What immediately caught his eye was the title:

"Special Science Group Reorganization Allocation"

Roman's pupils shrank slightly.

In today's Marines, every warship, weapon, and advanced machine came from one department:

The Special Science Group—the Marines' special ops technology unit.

A division rarely granted but extremely powerful once controlled.

In the original timeline, it was Kizaru who ended up overseeing the department. But this time, Roman was here. There was no way he'd let it go.

Kizaru, with his usual irritatingly relaxed tone, said, "Oh~ I didn't expect the reward to be the Special Science Group this time."

He closed the file and leaned back, crossing one leg over the other.

Sengoku looked at the two and offered a neutral suggestion.

"Because of the uniqueness of this reward, the final decision lies with you. However… the one who doesn't receive the Special Science Group will be given a tenfold salary increase."

Ten times the pay.

Tempting… but compared to the Special Science Group, it was nothing. Anyone with a functioning brain knew which was more valuable. Kizaru then turned to Roman with a sly grin.

"Admiral White Dove, you're already quite powerful. If you're willing to give me the Special Science Group, I'll make sure you get first access to any scientific advancements that come from it."

He added with a wink, "Of course, you won't have to pay a single beri."

Roman smiled—gentle and warm on the surface.

But the glint in his eyes betrayed a different intention.

"Admiral Kizaru, I've heard for a long time about the wonders of the Special Science Group. I've dreamed of commanding them myself. Would you, perhaps, be willing to grant me this small wish?"

Sengoku sighed.

He could already feel the tension rising like gunpowder in the air.

He had protested the Five Elders' decision, but they had rejected his objection.

Sengoku knew this was their way of curbing Roman's growing influence in the Marines. By creating a direct competition between Roman and Kizaru—while Aokiji remained uninvolved—they sought to divide the power the Admirals wielded.

If Kizaru got it, no big deal. The man lacked ambition and had a vague sense of justice.

But if Roman received the Special Science Group…Given his ability, charisma, and rising power on the seas… He would become a faction of his own in the Marines. As a Dove Faction leader, Sengoku didn't want to see that.

But as Fleet Admiral, he did—because Roman was the one most capable of bringing order and peace to the world. So Sengoku made the only decision he could: No decision. Let them fight for it.

Whoever won would take command of the Science Force.

Roman glanced over with a smile. "Admiral Kizaru, how were the sake and grilled skewers last night?"

Kizaru's face twitched.

He had shamelessly freeloaded on dinner.

A man should never accept free food when there's a negotiation on the table…

But Kizaru was Kizaru—thick-skinned and slippery.

Standing from his seat, he turned to Roman.

"Well then, Admiral White Dove… how about we settle this with a little competition?"

"Oh~? What kind of competition?" Roman asked, still smiling softly—but his eyes gleamed sharply.

"Something simple. Best two out of three."

"Best of three?"

"Yes. But not between us—we'll have our subordinates compete. What do you think?"

Kizaru smirked.

He knew Roman possessed peak-level Armament Haki, mastery of the Marines' Six Styles, and the power of the Illusion-Illusion Fruit.

He couldn't match him in raw power.

So he proposed a test of leadership—a battle of personnel.

A clever strategy indeed…