Killing Bulla seemed easy, and so was Lazarus's task, because it had been meticulously arranged by Captain Daigin. Even though he still held the rank of Captain, Daigin truly deserved to be a Commodore.

  Captain Daigin's plan was a delicate dance, a performance I watched with bated breath. He'd told me Bolla wasn't Haimon, that he could take him. But Daigin wasn't after a clean win. He needed Bolla trapped, no escape route. That's where I came in.

  He held back, I could see it. Every parry, every strike, was measured, restrained. He was playing the fool, letting Bolla think he had the upper hand. I saw Bolla's arrogance grow, his movements becoming sloppy, predictable. Just as Daigin intended. He was baiting him, letting Bolla underestimate him, drawing him into a false sense of security.

  My heart pounded in my chest. I was the hidden blade, the shadow waiting in the wings. Daigin's feigned struggle was my cue. I watched Bolla, his focus entirely on Daigin's apparent weakness, his guard dropping with every passing moment. He was so convinced he was winning, he didn't see me.

  That was the point. Daigin's calculated weakness was my opportunity. While Bolla was busy basking in his imagined superiority, I prepared to strike, to end this charade and secure our objective. My ambush, the culmination of Daigin's careful manipulation, was about to begin.

  The salt spray stung my face, a constant, gritty reminder of the endless, monotonous patrols. Day in, day out, the same stretch of sea, the same empty horizon. Near this base, it's like the pirates have vanished, taken to hiding like rats in the face of a flood. Or maybe, they've just realized the pickings are too slim here, too well-guarded.

  Seven months of Bulla, and now, this? A desolate, pirate-free zone. Two months, dwindling to one, before Elite Camp, and I'm stuck babysitting calm waters. It's a cruel joke. I joined the execution team, thinking I was being smart, efficient. Cut out the middleman, deal with the scum directly, and rack up the points. But the system's a trap, a rigged game. Bounties nullified, efforts wasted.

  I can feel the pressure building, a cold, hard knot in my chest. Each passing wave is a reminder of the precious time slipping away. Elite Camp. They say it's where legends are made, where the weak are broken. I was supposed to be ready. I thought I was ready. But how can I prepare for the crucible when I'm stuck in this stagnant pond?

  One month. One month left, and a week of that gone, swallowed by the journey to Marine Headquarters. A week of enforced idleness, of watching the clock tick down, of feeling the gap widen.

  It's not just the lost points, the wasted effort. It's the feeling of helplessness. The knowledge that I'm going in blind, unprepared, like a lamb to the slaughter. I need to find pirates, even a 10 million bounty would be fine, anything to get simulation point. But here? Near a marine base, it's nearly impossible to find them. Just the endless, mocking expanse of the sea.

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  "One hundred points," I muttered, staring at the glowing number on my interface. "Still one hundred. Silver or Gold... that's the question."

  If I want Gold, I thought, I need to boost my endurance first. Ten points. Ten points for a chance at a real edge.

  "But where am I going to get ten points now?" I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "The elite camp starts soon. I need a simulation, and I need it now. To upgrade my battle skill, or unlock my ability, anything to give me an edge."

  "The stronger I am..." I whispered to myself, "...the more Zephyr will notice. The more they'll invest in me. That's the logic, right?"

  I paced the room, my mind a whirlwind of calculations and what-ifs. "Endurance... it's important, yes. But time..."

  "Time is running out."

  A sudden wave of clarity washed over me. "No. No more hesitation." I stopped pacing, my decision made. "Forget the endurance. Forget the extra points."

  "All in," I said, my voice firm. "All one hundred points. Gold Simulation. Right now."

  "System, I'd like to use the Gold Simulation now that I've exchanged my simulation points."

  Ding! Host use Gold level simulation opportunity, life simulation started.

  The screen appeared before me and text began to emerge on it.

  On the first year, you joint Elite Camp, recognizing your skill with firearms and your untapped Haki potential, Zephyr gave you special training. After several months of hard work, you began to master and were able to effectively utilize Haki. You now one of strongest on Elite Camp.

  On the second year, following the destruction of a town near G-3, the Vice Admiral assigned Captain Darius's squad to investigate. Due to the possibility of dangerous pirate activity, indicating a disregard for Marine presence, you advised that Squad Darius proceed with caution before. Zephyr's relentless personal training, though near fatal, triggered a profound physical transformation. You're become the strongest at Elite Camp.

  On the third year, you graduated from Elite Camp as the top performer. Your rank was elevated to Marine Commodore, and you was assigned to Marine Headquarters. While hunting pirates, you found a Devil Fruit. After eating it, you realized it had belonged to Bolla. But you were happy with your new ability.

  On the four year, Your relationship with Zephyr is very good; you will always follow his division when pirate hunting. An unidentified pirate attacked Zephyr's ship, but you and Zephyr killed him. Your ability made his escape impossible.

  On the fifth year, you focus on hunting pirate, and Almost a quarter of the pirates in the Grand Line have been eliminated by you. Though merely a Commodore, you command a reputation that sends shivers down the spines of pirates, akin to a Marine Admiral.

  On the sixth year, you get promote as Rear Admiral and assigned directly to marine headquarter. Because of this Raigin still Marine Captain. You feel sorry for him.

  On the seventh, Despite knowing the consequences of killing Bekori, you do so anyway, viewing him as no different from a pirate. This act results in your dismissal and a 300 million Berry bounty with nick name Purple Demon. Subsequently, at the invitation of your friend, Bartholomew Kuma, you join the Revolutionary Army. You learned that Zephyr angrily confronted Fleet Admiral Sengoku about your situation and resigned from the Marines.