One Piece: Waves of Destiny

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In the Air

Stella felt as if she was shrouded in the shadow of death.

In her pupils, the figure of Tokikake loomed larger and larger.

She wanted to dodge, to escape the strike in mid-air—

But she couldn't.

There was nowhere to run.

It seemed like the end.

For a moment, Stella surrendered herself to the thought of death. Slowly, she closed her eyes. Memories of her life played in her mind like a kaleidoscope.

Yet, the happiest moments she recalled were those she spent by her master's side.

"Master... perhaps this is really the end for me," she murmured softly to herself.

But just as Stella prepared to embrace her fate, a familiar voice rang in her ears.

"Who said you could die without my permission?"

Her eyes shot open in shock.

What she saw was the broad, reassuring back of her master, Roja, standing before her.

The Soldiers' Shock

All around the training grounds, the marines gawked in stunned disbelief.

"How did Admiral Roja get up there?"

"I blinked, and suddenly he's in mid-air!"

"This is Tokikake's full-power strike! Is Admiral Roja really going to block it so casually?"

Roja's Calm Defense

Hovering in the air, Roja stood with a relaxed posture in front of Stella. Without even using Armament Haki, he simply extended a single finger.

The massive fangs of Tokikake's transformed form—a Giant-Tusked Venom-Spiked Boar, an ancient Zoan-type Devil Fruit—crashed into Roja's fingertip.

BOOM!

The impact caused a violent gust of wind, which whipped through the training ground. The Justice Cloak on Roja's back billowed dramatically in the air, along with Stella's crimson, blood-like hair from her Rakshasa form.

But those massive fangs, capable of shattering walls and rending the ground, didn't even leave a scratch on Roja's skin.

Tokikake's Shock

"What… what's happening?!" Tokikake stammered, his face contorted with disbelief.

The sight before him defied everything he knew.

He blocked it... with just one finger?! This is impossible!

Even Admiral Sengoku, who was observing the match, frowned in astonishment.

It would have been one thing if Roja had used peak Armament Haki or some other advanced technique to counter Tokikake's attack.

But he hadn't.

Sengoku's sharp senses detected a faint, mysterious aura radiating from Roja.

Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't identify what it was.

Nearby, Kizaru flashed into the air with a beam of light, landing beside Roja. He raised a brow lazily and asked, "Admiral Roja, what exactly are you planning? Are you going to join the fight yourself?"

Roja shook his head with a calm smile.

"Why would I need to? I'm just protecting my subordinate. We concede the match."

At his words, Stella released her Rakshasa form, reverting to her original, graceful self.

Roja's Growing Influence

The marines around the training ground whispered among themselves.

"Admiral Roja… he's incredible."

"He even protects his subordinates so fiercely. What a leader!"

"This kind of loyalty is inspiring. If he wins this contest, I'm joining his faction for sure!"

Sengoku noticed the growing admiration among the soldiers and sighed internally.

Roja… are you starting to build your faction already? Are you planning to compete with the other admirals for influence and resources?

Sengoku could feel the tide shifting in Roja's favor, yet he had no way to stop it.

Kizaru and Tokikake's Confidence

Back on the ground, Kizaru smirked and said, "Well, Admiral Roja, it seems we've won one match each now. Who will you send next?"

Tokikake, feeling emboldened, grinned smugly.

"Admiral Roja," he sneered, "with all due respect, I doubt anyone else under your command can match my strength!"

But despite their taunts, Roja remained utterly calm. His gentle smile didn't waver.

"Hmm… who should I send next?" he mused aloud, his tone casual.

A Sudden Challenger

Before Roja could announce his choice, a tall figure emerged from the Crowd.

The room fell silent as all eyes turned to the newcomer.

Her long, slender legs bore a spider tattoo, adding a striking contrast to her elegant presence. Her beauty, far from being diminished by this detail, was only heightened. Her aura exuded confidence and authority.

"I'll handle the next match."

Tokikake's pupils shrank in shock.

"Gion?! What are you doing on Admiral Roja's side?!" he stammered, his voice laced with disbelief.

His gaze darted toward Sengoku on the platform, searching for answers.

As expected, Sengoku's expression was uneasy.

Even Kizaru's usual laid-back demeanor shifted to one of concern.

"What's going on? Why is Gion siding with Roja?" Kizaru blurted.

Gion, stepped forward confidently.

She cast a cold glance at Tokikake and smirked.

"Let's just say, Vice Admiral Tokikake, I've been wanting to put you in your place for a while now."

Her tone was sharp, her words cutting.

This wasn't just about the match—it was personal. Tokikake's repeated, obnoxious advances on her had pushed her patience to its limit.

But was that the real reason?

Roja's Confidence

Watching Gion step forward, Roja's smile grew even brighter.

He knew that with Gion now taking the stage, victory was practically assured.

The Crowd's Enthusiasm

The marines erupted into cheers, their energy reaching a fever pitch.

"Gion! Gion! Gion!"

The soldiers' chants echoed across the training ground.

Their enthusiasm was a stark contrast to the earlier lukewarm reception during Tokikake's fight.

The Start of the Match

Sengoku, looking visibly uncomfortable, raised his hands to quiet the Crowd.

"Now… let the match begin!" he declared.

The soldiers roared louder, their excitement at its peak.

Tokikake's earlier confidence began to falter as he faced Gion, who stood ready with a calm yet deadly aura.

And Roja, watching from the sidelines, remained relaxed, knowing full well that the tide of this contest had already turned in his favor.

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