Chapter 131

**Chapter 131**

Sengoku hadn't come just to introduce Rocinante. After settling the boy on the sofa, he turned to Carl and said,

"Carl, the Marine Academy's graduation examination will be held in three months. Fleet Admiral Kong wants you to oversee the final assessment."

Carl raised an eyebrow thoughtfully.

"The final assessment? Like the one my instructor Zephyr used to conduct? I'm guessing the candidates are Dragon, Aramaki, and Aokiji, right?"

"That's correct. Just like you back then, their strength far exceeds that of the other students. Not many are qualified to assess them."

"Has Instructor Zephyr retired from this role?"

"Not exactly. Zephyr feels that while they are powerful, they aren't quite at your level from back in the day, so he prefers not to take on this responsibility anymore. Besides, many young recruits look up to you as a role model. Your presence would inspire them."

"So that's the reason… Fine, I'll take the job."

Carl agreed, clenching his fists as a wicked grin crossed his lips.

Dragon had been much more subdued ever since he was beaten twice. Three years had passed. This time, I'll make sure he doesn't forget...

---

Three months later, the graduation examination arrived as scheduled.

Just like previous years, the exam lasted for two days. On the first day, as Dragon and the other students entered the venue, they looked up at the podium. Beneath Fleet Admiral Kong's seat were three chairs, reserved for the Navy Admirals.

The crowd watched in awe as Sengoku, Zephyr, and Carl, all wearing their Marine cloaks, slowly ascended the stage.

Sengoku took the center seat, with Zephyr and Carl on either side.

Compared to the veteran Admirals, the students' eyes were clearly more focused on Carl, seated on the right.

As soon as Carl sat down, shouts of "Admiral Carl!" erupted from below. Zephyr chuckled.

"Carl, your juniors are calling for you."

Carl smiled, waving at the crowd, and the cheers grew even louder—until Kong stood up and announced the start of the examination.

The first day was tedious for Carl. After all, it was just a battle among "ordinary" students. Still, he maintained a pleasant expression and observed.

The quality of this batch wasn't bad, but compared to Carl's generation, they seemed somewhat lacking. Back then, Carl's class had produced seven Navy supernovas. Even without them, elites like Momonga would have easily topped this year's group.

By the end of the day, the regular students had completed their tests. The real excitement was set for tomorrow.

---

The next morning, Dragon, Aramaki, and Aokiji stood in the center of the venue, awaiting their assessment.

This time, the Headquarters hadn't hidden the details. It was publicly known that Carl himself would be their examiner.

Among the three, Aokiji seemed the most eager. He vividly remembered the first time he joined the Navy.

Back then, he had fought against Carl alongside Aramaki and Dragon, but he'd been the first to fall—something he still regretted.

Now, he finally had the chance to make up for it.

"I won't be the first to lose again," he thought confidently, casting a glance at Aramaki.

Aramaki, looking bored, muttered, "What's this kid so excited about?"

Dragon, on the other hand, stood silently, air swirling around him as he prepared for battle.

Up on the platform, Kong reiterated the assessment details. Once he finished, Carl stood from his chair and, in a flash, appeared before the trio.

Aokiji and Aramaki greeted Carl eagerly, but Carl's eyes were locked onto Dragon.

"Dragon, I hear you've been sailing with Vice Admiral Garp. It seems you've been taking my advice. Let's see how much you've improved."

Dragon narrowed his eyes.

"That's for you to find out, Admiral Black Dragon."

Aramaki smirked. "Here we go again with Dragon thinking he's something special."

Carl chuckled softly.

"I'm looking forward to it."

With that, he signaled the referee. The referee saluted and gave the signal to begin.

Without waiting for Aramaki or Aokiji, Dragon transformed into a whirlwind, surging toward Carl with immense force. The ground beneath him cracked under the pressure.

Amid the howling blue storm, a wind claw shot out, aiming straight for Carl's chest.

Carl casually placed one hand in his pocket and raised the other, effortlessly catching the incoming attack.

"Nani!?"

Dragon's face emerged from the hurricane, stunned. Before he could react, Carl yanked him out of the whirlwind and struck his back with a sharp elbow.

**Boom!**

A massive crater formed beneath Carl's feet, green energy still seeping from the impact point.

Garp, watching from the high platform, muttered darkly,

"The gap is still this wide?"

Just then, a violent gust of wind surged from the crater, forming a tornado that lifted Carl's Marine cloak. But just as quickly as it formed, the tornado dispersed, leaving Dragon bent over, his face pale.

Aramaki burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Dragon, how'd you turn into a lobster so fast?"

Ignoring Aramaki, Dragon turned to Aokiji.

"Kuzan, help me."

Aokiji nodded, extending his hand as white mist swirled from his palm.

Dragon summoned a small tornado, rapidly expanding it. Aokiji infused the storm with freezing cold, transforming it into a massive ice-blue whirlwind.

The audience watched in awe as Dragon hurled the freezing storm toward Carl.

"**Extreme Cold Storm!**"