Chapter 6: Graduation of Legends
After weeks of dominance in the Navy Elite Program, the five of us—Garp, Sengoku, Tsuru, Zefa, and I—stood together with one shared decision.
We would graduate early.
We went straight to our instructor, Vice Admiral Yami, a sharp-eyed veteran known for shaping many great officers.
Garp spoke first, "We want to graduate, sir. We're ready."
Yami narrowed his eyes. "You five are monsters already… but are you prepared for the trial?"
I nodded. "We're ready for whatever test you give."
With a smirk, he said, "Fine. Two days from now. The graduation arena. Be prepared."
---
Two Days Later — Navy Headquarters Battle Arena
The atmosphere was heavy. The colossal arena buzzed with anticipation. Standing above us were the three Admirals, the Marshal of the Navy, and dozens of high-ranking officers, including several Vice Admirals.
Today, we were going to prove ourselves.
The graduation trial was simple but brutal:
Challenge an opponent of your choice. The higher their rank, the greater your reward.
If we could defeat—or even impress—a Vice Admiral, we'd be granted the rank of Rear Admiral.
I stepped forward first.
"I'll challenge a Vice Admiral."
My voice echoed through the coliseum. A murmur passed through the spectators.
Behind me, Sengoku, Tsuru, Zefa, and Garp stepped forward too.
"We'll do the same," they declared, one after another.
A Vice Admiral stepped down from the observation deck. A scarred veteran with iron gauntlets and eyes like steel.
"So, brat," he said, cracking his neck. "You aim high?"
I smirked. "If I don't aim high, what kind of man am I?"
He grinned. "I like your spirit. Come at me!"
The match began.
Without wasting a second, I activated Armament Haki, vanishing in a blur using Soru. I appeared behind him, my strike inches from his neck—but he ducked and countered with a devastating elbow.
I twisted midair, barely dodging.
He was strong. Fast. Experienced.
But I had something he didn't expect—my system.
As the battle dragged on, I began subtly using my Steal ability. Bit by bit, I siphoned his strength, agility, and endurance.
At first, he overwhelmed me. But slowly, I began to close the gap. My strikes hit harder. My movements sharpened.
His reactions dulled.
And finally—with a flash of Haki-infused swordsmanship, I knocked him off his feet and pinned him.
A stunned silence followed.
The Vice Admiral blinked, then… laughed.
"You got me, brat. You've got potential… and ambition. I accept your challenge."
I had passed.
---
The others stepped up next.
Garp fought like a wild beast, unleashing powerful punches with raw Haki. He defeated his Vice Admiral cleanly, shocking even the Marshal.
Zefa relied on brute power and endurance. He struggled, but pushed through.
Sengoku used precise tactics and Devil Fruit mastery to turn the tides.
Tsuru, graceful yet deadly, used strategy to slowly overwhelm her opponent.
All of them earned their victories. We had done it.
---
Two Days Later – Promotion Ceremony
We stood side by side before the highest-ranking officers of the Navy.
"Effective immediately," the Marshal said, "you five are promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral of the Navy."
Cheers erupted.
That wasn't all.
Each of us was also gifted our own custom warship—a symbol of our new status.
Garp's ship had a goofy yet proud figurehead with his signature grin.
Sengoku's warship bore the majestic golden Buddha.
Zefa's was sleek and practical, outfitted for elite combat.
Tsuru's ship was elegant, clean, and battle-ready.
And mine?
It was magnificent—a lion-headed warship reminiscent of the Thousand Sunny, but far more fearsome. It felt like a beast that could charge through the seas.
I named it: "The Golden Roar."
---
As our ships were christened and our new ranks announced, I felt it clearly:
This was only the beginning.
The world had no idea what was coming.
A new era of the Navy was about to begin.