The two-meter-tall testing device exploded overhead.
A small crystal fragment shot out, still smoking, as it crackled with a glitchy mechanical voice:
"I'm burning… I'm burning up so bad…!"
All the recruits sucked in sharp breaths.
Their wide, bewildered eyes locked onto the proud, swan-like girl below.
At the instant of the explosion, she had sensed something—
and vanished from the platform, reappearing on the ground in a blink.
What exactly… just happened?
Among her age group, the only one who seemed to guess the truth was Ain.
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
This woman…
is definitely stronger than me.
But even so—
Ain would not surrender the top ranking without a fight.
"Must've exceeded the machine's Doriki limit."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku stepped forward, hands braced against the balcony railing.
His stern expression finally loosened.
The recruits below ranged from 14 to early 20s.
Considering potential, the machines here were calibrated to withstand as much as 3000 Doriki.
For the machine to explode—
That child's Doriki must have surpassed 3000.
Doriki grew with age, training, and physical talent.
The only known young fighter who had surpassed 3000 Doriki…
Rob Lucci, seven years ago.
According to Commander-in-Chief Kong, Lucci's most recent measurement had exceeded 3500 Doriki—
the strongest agent in CP9's 800-year history.
So what surprise would this girl give the Marines today?
With anticipation brimming, Sengoku waved for his adjutants to replace the machine—
preferably with one calibrated for Fish-men or even Giants.
Orders were executed instantly. Within minutes, a much larger device was erected on the high platform.
"Show me how strong you are…" Ain murmured, eyes fixed on Laurentina, fingers tightening on her short swords.
"No matter what, Ain-sis is still stronger," one of the girls behind her whispered.
Ain's icy gaze shot back.
The girl immediately fell silent.
Ain sighed inwardly… she only meant to explain—
but with strangers, her face always defaulted to coldness.
Still… she wanted to see the truth with her own eyes.
Laurentina stepped up again and pressed her hand to the glowing circle.
This time the blue light burst forth like a noonday sun, tearing through the grey clouds.
It was so bright people had to turn their heads away.
They were just preparing to comment—
When a sickeningly flattering robotic voice chimed:
"Lady Laurentina! Your Doriki is 4396!
You've effortlessly achieved a perfect score!"
Nani?
4396?!
The training grounds fell into a dead vacuum of silence.
The machine's shameless fawning didn't matter—
everyone was too stunned by the number itself.
A small, terrifying gift of shock for the masses.
Laurentina could practically hear the device mocking the "commoners" below.
"This… this is impossible…" a girl gasped.
No wonder Ain had looked at her like that.
The crowd erupted in chaos.
Not only was she stunningly beautiful—
her strength and potential were beyond comprehension.
They were the same age, but the difference felt like two different species.
No one could even imagine challenging her.
Shuzo's eyes unfocused.
Binz blinked silently.
Future-fated Isuka slapped her own cheek—
the pain confirmed this wasn't a dream.
Ain trembled.
Her grip loosened around her swords.
She exhaled shakily and rubbed her forehead, her stomach twisting.
She remembered—
The day Admiral Zephyr's ship arrived at her hometown.
Her parents lying in pools of blood.
Pirates laughing with knives dripping red.
Her town bleeding like a dying giant.
Her own small hand, reaching through the cracks of a splintered ship rail—
unable to say a word—
only breathing, trembling, choking.
Become a Marine.
Become the strongest Marine and capture every pirate.
The old Marine's voice echoed.
She had stood there on the deck, weak, clutching her tear-staind sleeves.
Was she wavering?
No.
She wasn't that fragile.
Looking at Laurentina glowing on the platform, Ain's resolve burned again.
I will become the strongest Marine.
Setbacks are a part of life.
From the balcony, Zephyr smiled faintly.
Good.
That determination was exactly what he hoped to see.
With the Doriki test completed, Laurentina walked toward the rest area.
Colonel Tashigi descended the stairs with a deeply satisfied expression.
She was doing her best not to sprint using Moonwalk—
a sign of just how excited she was.
Laurentina walked through the crowd as if she were the only one in color while others were faded silhouettes.
She flashed a bright smile at Tashigi.
Tashigi's cold façade cracked slightly—
she raised a hand and gently ruffled Laurentina's soft hair.
Too many people were watching.
She couldn't look too happy.
Tina? Laurentina?
Recruits and veteran Marines alike whispered about their relationship.
Sisters?
But their hair colors were completely different…
From above, Sengoku was the first to recover.
He clapped—hard.
A rare, delighted smile blooming on his face.
As fleet admiral, he had long been troubled by the weakening younger generation.
After Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu…
who would carry the mantle?
Now Laurentina gave him the answer.
The other commanders applauded with equal vigor.
Even stoic Tsuru's eyes shone with warmth.
"Ara ara… what kind of monster have I brought back?" Aokiji smirked.
"My my… the youth these days are terrifying."
A soft light gathered beside him—
and Kizaru materialized, lips pursed.
"So she's the famous girl who beat a Supernova? Impressive."
Vice Admiral Gion crossed her arms—her long, white legs straight and poised.
After the Doriki test, the recruits officially entered the Marines.
Next came skill assessments—combat, navigation, medicine, engineering, logistics, cooking.
Laurentina aced every physical metric with perfect scores.
The commanders nodded nonstop.
Finally came combat trials.
Recruits could choose their opponent:
minimum rank Major, maximum rank Vice Admiral—
if one had the guts.
Most chose Majors.
Laurentina was not "most people."
When her turn came, she gripped her chainsaw, stepped forward, and shouted:
"Vice Admiral Bastille!
Please come down for a spar!"
"OOOOOHHHHHH!!!"
The recruits erupted.
The first person to challenge a Vice Admiral!
If she won—
what face would Bastille even have left?
"Do these two have some sort of grudge?" Sengoku asked Aokiji.
"Ara ara… I don't think so. She's only been here one day." Aokiji scratched his head.
They would never guess Laurentina's actual reason.
Her logic was simple:
This bastard's nickname was "Shark Butcher."
His favorite food: Grilled Shark.
His sword: Shark-Cutter Blade.
In short—
He and Laurentina were destined to be enemies.
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