One Piece: sign-in to Ryujin Jakka

In the very next second, Vice Admiral Kovahl's arm suddenly erupted in a multitude of wounds, spiraling outward like a coiled snake.

Blood splattered everywhere. His nerves and tendons were completely severed, rendering his arm utterly useless.

Kizaru's expression changed drastically. He rushed in front of Stella.

"What do you think you're doing?! Trying to kill a fellow officer?!"

At the same time, Kovahl's thunderous cries of agony echoed across the field.

"It hurts!!"

"My arm! My arm!!"

"You actually crippled my arm! You did this on purpose, didn't you?!"

Just then, Roman also stepped forward to face Kizaru.

The auras of two Admirals collided in the air.

"Stella only acted because I gave the order."

Sengoku's brows furrowed. "White Dove, what do you mean by that? I can't just ignore what you said."

Roman replied calmly, "Fleet Admiral, have you all forgotten about my medical skills? It's just nerve and tendon damage—it's not like I can't fix it. Isn't that right, Vice Admiral Kovahl?"

Kovahl, clutching his mangled left arm, felt an overwhelming dread—as if he were being stared down by a terrifying beast.

He instinctively yielded. "Yes, Admiral White Dove. As long as it can be healed, I don't mind."

Sengoku said no more. In truth, with Roman's medical abilities, this trial-by-combat was fairer than most.

Roman summoned a phantom illusion and began treating Kovahl on the spot. With a few quick movements, Roman stopped the bleeding and began repairing the severed arm with a specialized surgical technique.

Everyone watching was stunned.

"My goodness, his medical skills are insane!"

"I've heard Admiral White Dove's medical prowess even surpasses the Marines' Medical Department head!"

"This is basically an undying miracle technique!"

"If I could join his faction, I wouldn't have to fear getting hurt anymore!"

"Why didn't I think of this sooner?! I want to join Admiral White Dove, too!"

The Marines whispered in awe.

Sengoku caught bits and pieces of the chatter. His pupils narrowed, and his expression darkened.

'Roman… was this your plan all along?'

To flaunt his medical skills and draw more support into his faction, establish a power base in Marineford to seize greater resources?

Garp noticed Sengoku deep in thought and quickly coughed, nudging him.

"Sengoku, maybe it's time to announce the next match."

Pulled back to reality, Sengoku looked toward the field.

Kovahl had long exited the arena. Stella still stood alone in her maid outfit, her expression blank and ice-cold.

At this point, no Marine dared to see her as "just a maid."

She wasn't a maid—she was a devil born of the abyss!

That eerie and terrifying appearance... anyone wrapped in her arms would surely meet death.

"Second match, begin! Admiral Kizaru, please send out your second fighter."

Kizaru's face twisted into an unusually sour expression.

Originally, he thought he could avoid a head-on clash with Roman and still win. But now, even White Dove's subordinates were monsters! After staring intently at Stella, Kizaru turned to a man beside him.

"It's a best-of-three. We still don't know what that maid is truly capable of. Just to be safe, I have to send you in now, even though I meant for you to be the finisher."

"It's fine, Admiral Kizaru. Just remember the conditions you promised me."

As the man spoke, he emerged from the crowd.

A cigarette hung from his lips. He wore a straw-yellow outfit, a bit rustic, with wooden clogs on his feet and hands in his pockets as he slowly stepped into the arena.

The moment he did, the crowd fell silent. Every soldier stared in disbelief. Some even trembled at the corners of their mouths.

"Vi-vice Admiral Ch-chaton !!"

"It's Vice Admiral Chaton!"

"That's the Admiral candidate, Chaton, right?!"

"Yeah! The guy who confessed to Vice Admiral Momousagi a hundred times and got rejected every time!"

"It's over... that maid is done for."

"No matter what, he's an Admiral candidate! He's at least at pre-Admiral level!"

Roman naturally recognized the man, too.

"Stella, step down. You're not ready ye—"

Before he could finish, Stella turned back and said softly:

"Master, I'd like to try."

That sweet and delicate "Master" made the surrounding Marines feel like their bones were melting.

Only Roman remained calm, his eyes gentle. He smiled warmly and nodded.

"If you want to fight, then fight without fear. I'll always have your back."

Encouraged, Stella turned and faced Chaton.

"Ready?"

Chaton looked at her, but before she could respond, he turned to Roman and declared:

"Then I'll make my move!"

Without warning, he charged at Stella. The Marines watching were stunned by his shamelessness.

"This guy didn't even wait for confirmation?!"

"So shameless!"

"We always knew Vice Admiral Chaton was thick-skinned, but this is a new level!"

Facing Chaton's attack, Stella transformed once again.

She activated her basic Observation Haki.

Armament Haki coated her razor-sharp limbs.

"Blood Song."

With a soft whisper, her body shot forward, moved across the arena like a whirlwind, launching straight at her opponent...