One Piece: sign-in to Ryujin Jakka

White Dove looked at Kizaru.

A faint smile hung on his lips.

Time seemed to freeze in that moment.

No one knew how long had passed before Roman smiled and said, "Alright, as you wish."

"Roman, think carefully. This is a competition between subordinates," Sengoku reminded him sternly.

Roman replied calmly, "I never do anything I'm not prepared for."

Kizaru's heart grew heavier hearing this.

Just as he was about to initiate the challenge immediately, Roman turned to him again. "Admiral Kizaru, how about we hold the competition a month from now? That should be enough time, right?"

The last sentence was directed toward Sengoku.

Sengoku nodded. "A month is fine."

Kizaru opened his mouth as if to object, but, catching Roman's gaze, gave a lazy reply: "Oh la oh la~ If that's what Admiral White Dove wants, then we'll meet in a month!"

With that, Kizaru's figure vanished from Sengoku's office.

Sengoku looked at Roman. "Are you sure this will be okay?"

"Just think of it as a training opportunity for them."

"But aren't Ain and maybe Kalifa your only options? Wait, Kalifa's currently undergoing special training on a secret island—she can't join. You only have one person available right now!"

Sengoku was clearly worried for Roman.

"Don't worry, Fleet Admiral. I never do anything without a plan."

Roman turned and left.

Watching his confident figure, Sengoku didn't know what else to say. He believed Roman could go toe-to-toe with Kizaru himself. But this was a battle between their subordinates.

What was Roman planning?

"I really can't read him…"

Sengoku rubbed his forehead and gave up thinking, diving back into his pile of documents.

As for the competition between Roman and Kizaru, he'd let them handle it themselves!

The news spread like wildfire.

Before long, all of Marineford knew: White Dove and Kizaru were going to have a showdown!

Back in his room, Roman found Ain and Stella waiting.

"Ain, finished your training for the day?"

"Yes, Lord Roman. I heard about the…"

"I was just about to tell you."

Roman sat down, facing the two women.

"You've both heard the news by now. The competition between me and Kizaru."

Ain gave a sharp salute. "Lord Roman, we'll give it our all!"

"I know. You two are my trusted aides."

Roman smiled. "So I was thinking—it might be time to apply a little pressure, push you to grow even faster."

He truly meant it for their sake. Their recent training had been too relaxed. Stella had just eaten her Devil Fruit—it was the perfect time for advancement. Time for some intense, hands-on combat training!

"But… isn't the match supposed to be three-versus-three?" Ain asked. "Including Stella, that's just the two of us. What about the third person?"

Just as she finished speaking, a knock echoed from the door.

Roman snapped his fingers.

An Illusion Phantom appeared, opened the door, and disappeared.

The door swung open slowly, revealing a woman with long, soft-pink hair stepping in.

"Lord Roman, could I be the third member?"

Hina stepped forward confidently.

She hadn't appeared to change his mind about anything. As soon as she heard the news, she rushed here. She was confident that her strength—and her timing—would be enough to earn Roman's approval.

Ain and Stella both looked at her with uncertain expressions.

Roman stood up and smiled.

"Hina, I appreciate your offer, but I've already have someone else in mind for my third member."

Hina froze, her face flushing bright red.

"Th-that's okay, Lord Roman. Just pretend I was never here…"

She bolted toward the door in embarrassment. Rejected after volunteering herself? It was too much!

"Wait, Hina—at least stay for dinner. You came all this way, didn't you?"

How could he not offer dinner when she'd made the effort?

After hesitating a moment, Hina agreed.

It was, after all, a perfect opportunity to get closer to Roman.

At the dining table, Hina looked at Roman and asked, "Lord Roman, may I ask… who is the third person you plan to invite?"

"A woman with exceptional swordsmanship," Roman replied, taking a bite of sashimi.

In this world of pirates, fish were never in short supply.

The three women fell into thought.

Try as they might, they couldn't recall any female Marine known specifically for her sword skills.

The afternoon arrived.

Most Marines were now on their break. Roman, however, made his way to another residential district.

The housing for Vice Admirals. It wasn't luxurious, but it was decent.

Knock knock knock~

Roman rapped gently on a door.

It slowly creaked open.

A mature, elegant woman greeted him.

"Oh my, Admiral White Dove—it's rare to see you here."

"I've been meaning to visit for a while, but things have been busy. I hope you don't mind."

"To have you come personally… is this about the upcoming competition?"

Gion—Vice Admiral Momousagi—looked at Roman curiously.

"That's one of the reasons," Roman said.

"Then I'm sorry, Admiral White Dove," she replied. "I won't be joining anyone's side. Please, turn back."

Her tone was firm.

But Roman simply smiled—gentle and relaxed, as if everything was under control.

"Momousagi, you're a Vice Admiral Candidate, aren't you?" Roman asked, emphasizing each word slowly. "Are you not even going to consider my offer?"

The weight of those words instantly caught her attention…