It wasn't until this moment that Kalifa pulled Roya aside and said to him, "Roya, you should just surrender tomorrow!"
"Surrender? Why?"
Roya looked at Kalifa beside him.
"B-because..."
Kalifa hesitated slightly, glancing at Roya before continuing, "Because I don't want you to get hurt! Akainu... that guy really doesn't hold back. Except for Doglam, many who fought him suffered severe injuries, some even unable to stand for the rest of their lives!"
"Hmm, I see. But surrendering isn't my style. Akainu's no match for me."
Kalifa stared at Roya, her hands clenched tightly. "I'm clearly worried about you, why won't you listen to reason? I... I won't care about you anymore!"
With that, Kalifa turned and left the training ground.
Watching Kalifa's retreating figure, Roya wore a strange expression.
He didn't understand why Kalifa had such emotional fluctuations.
Not long ago, she was the one who made the first move!
Not dwelling on it too long, Roya looked up toward the top floor—Sengoku's office.
He was now just waiting to become an admiral so he could clock in at Sengoku's office.
At the same time, he wanted to experience what it would be like after becoming an admiral.
——
Meanwhile, Kalifa arrived at a secluded corner of the training ground.
This area was so remote that few ever came here.
Kalifa began venting her frustrations violently on a wooden training dummy.
"Bam!"
"Bam!"
"Bam!"
Kalifa seemed completely numb to pain, punching the dummy relentlessly.
These dummies were specially made with extremely dense wood—ordinary people couldn't even make a dent with a sledgehammer.
Yet under Kalifa's assault, cracks began spreading across its surface.
"Kalifa, Tina wants to ask you something."
A young woman with striking pink hair approached Kalifa.
Kalifa recognized her—that girl with the weird speech quirk!
"Tina, what do you want?"
"Tina wants to know what Roya usually likes."
"Why aren't you asking about Smoker? Why care about Roya?"
Kalifa instantly became wary.
"Tina and Smoker are just friends. Tina wants to pursue Roya!"
"Pursue Roya?!"
Kalifa's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Tina.
"Do you even hear yourself? Roya doesn't even know you, and you're talking about pursuing him?!"
Tina nodded at Kalifa. "Ever since Roya defeated Smoker, Tina has been watching him. Every time Tina sees his smile, Tina feels so happy. Isn't that love?"
Hearing Tina's words only made Kalifa angrier.
Why was he so gentle with others, yet so cold to her?!But the thought of Roya being pursued by other women made her feel even more uncomfortable.
It wasn't until this moment that Kalifa truly realized—somewhere along the way, without her noticing, Roya's figure had quietly made its way into her heart.
With this realization, Kalifa immediately said to Tina, "Tina, let me make this clear—this isn't love. Besides, I like Roya too, and you absolutely won't win against me!"
Hearing Kalifa's words, Tina raised an eyebrow and replied, "Then let's compete fairly! Tina will never admit defeat!"
With that, Tina turned and left.
Watching Tina's retreating figure, Kalifa felt she needed to expand her advantage and leave no opportunity for Tina!
As for her earlier frustration, Kalifa had already cast it aside.
With this in mind, Kalifa smashed a wooden training dummy with a punch and then headed toward Roya's room.
According to the promotion tournament rules, Roya had already achieved the rank of vice admiral after his consecutive victories.
Thus, he was now staying in the quarters designated for vice admirals.
Upon reaching Roya's room, Kalifa took a deep breath, steadied her emotions, and mustered the courage to gently knock on the door.
The door was opened by Roya's Phantom, which dissipated into the air immediately after.
It had to be said—from a certain perspective, the Illusion-Illusion Fruit was truly a skill made for laziness!
Anything could just be left to the Phantom to handle.
Stepping inside, Kalifa saw Roya gazing out the window.
For some reason, seeing Roya lost in thought made her heart ache.
In Marineford, aside from her, Roya hardly had anyone to talk to. He must be so lonely!
Before Kalifa could speak, Roya said softly, "Make yourself at home. Though I might not have much to offer in terms of hospitality."
Hearing this, Kalifa quickly shook her head. "N-no, that's not necessary. I didn't come here for—"
At this point, she bit her lip lightly, her face inexplicably flushing.
"Is there something you need help with?" Roya turned to face her.
"I... I came to apologize, Roya. Before, I was too impulsive, willful, and unreasonable. I'm truly sorry!"
"A-and also... please do your best tomorrow! I'll cheer for you with all my might! I believe you can definitely defeat Akainu!"
Looking at Kalifa, who was now so embarrassed she seemed ready to vanish into the floor, Roya's lips unconsciously curled into a faint smile.
Sunlight streamed through the window, filling the room with a warm, comfortable glow.
Roya stepped closer to Kalifa, reached out with his right hand, and gently tucked a few stray strands of her hair behind her ear. Smiling, he said, "Don't worry, I won't let you down. Akainu is no match for me."
Kalifa could barely register his words—her senses were overwhelmed by the warmth of Roya's palm.
Her eyes were fixed on the tender smile he was giving her.
"You finally smiled at me!" Kalifa exclaimed, her voice rising with excitement.
"This is amazing! You finally smiled at me!"With that, Kalifa threw herself into Roya's arms, nestling against him with evident joy.
Looking up at Roya from his embrace, Kalifa said, "Roya, from now on, you won't be alone in Marineford anymore. I'll be by your side!"
"Hmm."
This time, Kalifa didn't mind Roya's indifferent response.
On the contrary, she was overjoyed, as it meant Roya had accepted her.
The next day...