Momonga was also one of Zephyr's student.
As a fellow disciple of Zephyr—and as Garp's nephew—Roya had earned Momonga's genuine respect. Roya's prior performance had left him repeatedly surprised.
But respect aside, just like Strawberry, Momonga had no intention of holding back.
Even if he let Roya win the tenth match and break the record set by Aokiji, Kizaru, and the others, it would be meaningless. The purpose of this graduation assessment was to showcase the full strength of the graduating recruits.
At this moment, there was no need for words.
Momonga knew that Roya definitely wanted to win, and he would fight seriously. Whether Roya could pass the tenth stage—something no one had ever done—and surpass the accomplishments of Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu would entirely depend on himself.
"Watch yourself."
As Yamakaji announced the start, Momonga lightly placed one hand on the hilt of his sword, gripping it firmly, and addressed Roya with a serious tone.
The next moment, Momonga drew his sword.
"Ittōryū, Iai!"
The Iai strike—also known as a draw-and-slash—is a basic technique for swordsmen. But in the hands of different user, its effect can vary drastically.
Clang!
Momonga drew his sword at near-lightning speed. In that instant, the pressure released from the movement surged outward, forming a terrifying sword aura.
Buzz!
A flash of teal cold light appeared, and as Momonga swung, it transformed into a brilliant wave of sword energy that shot forward, seeming capable of cutting anything in its path—unstoppable!
Momonga's strength was absolutely superior to any opponent Roya had faced so far.
Yet facing such an overwhelmingly powerful Marine Headquarters vice admiral, Roya's battle intent only intensified. The spirit of the sword—ignited by the sheer sharpness of Momonga's strike—imparted to Roya a will so strong it felt capable of splitting heaven and earth itself.
"Ittōryū, Iai!"
Roya countered with the same basic draw-and-slash, a technique he had mastered thoroughly. As he drew his sword, Engetsu gleamed with a hint of cold light. At the moment of the swing, it transformed into a silver-white crescent sword wave that shot forward.
Boom!
The two sword waves collided midair, erupting in a tremendous explosion that tore two gaping cracks in the ground.
Momonga wielded a single sword with both hands. Purely in terms of slashing, his strike was stronger than Strawberry's. On top of that, Momonga's swordsmanship and Haki exceeded Strawberry's as well.
This sword wave was even more formidable than the combination of Strawberry's two sword waves.
It shattered Roya's sword wave with raw force, its dimmed remnants continuing to surge toward Roya. When it struck the tip of Engetsu, it sent Roya stumbling back two steps before finally dissipating.
"Powerful."
Roya shook off the residual force of Momonga's sword wave, took a deep breath, and his battle intent soared even higher. His entire being seemed to enter a complete state of combat readiness.
Whoosh!
Roya launched his counterattack. His swing unleashed a sword wave imbued with a terrifying pillar of flame, crashing toward Momonga like a blazing column.
Momonga's expression remained calm. He neither dodged nor hesitated, raising his sword to meet the attack.
Swoosh!
A flash of cold light appeared. The flames split apart, and the sword wave was forcibly deflected by Momonga. Without pause, he used Soru, charging straight at Roya.
"Your strength is impressive, but I'm afraid it ends here. My apologies."
Regret flickered across Momonga's eyes. Roya's flame ability was powerful, and a prolonged battle would have severely affected him. He had to finish this quickly.
At this moment, it was clear that Roya could not withstand Momonga's slashes.
Even if Momonga had wanted to hold back, he couldn't, and it wouldn't necessarily be good for Roya to win continuously. Experiencing a setback might not be a bad thing.
"Momonga is far stronger than Strawberry… His slashes are much more powerful than Roya's."
"In that case, Roya's flames, though strong, won't matter if Momonga's sword strikes can crush them directly."
Observing the brief clash, many vice admirals felt regretful but not surprised.
After all, a Marine Headquarters vice admiral is still a vice admiral. Whether relying on physical prowess, swordsmanship, or Devil Fruit abilities, their power is nearly maximized, capable of handling any situation.
With Roya's talent, a few more years of training in swordsmanship and Haki would likely make Momonga no match for him.
It seemed the tenth stage of the elite camp graduation exam was ultimately unbeatable—for now. Whether an even more extraordinary recruit could pass it in the future remained unknown.
However—just when the vice admirals believed the outcome was settled—a dramatic change occurred!
In the arena, Momonga had charged straight at Roya, ready to crush him. Suddenly, Roya raised his sword high, his gaze sharp, and swung down.
"Getsuga… Tenshō!!"
The previously unused Getsuga Tenshō was finally unleashed against Momonga, a Marine Headquarters vice admiral whose swordsmanship and Haki were extremely formidable.
Buzz!!
The air vibrated as the sword swung. Even before it struck, the terrifying sword pressure—amplified several times over—caused Momonga's expression to change drastically.
"How is this possible?!"
Momonga was stunned. He had already gauged Roya's swordsmanship, yet this strike was far stronger than anything before!
Because Roya had taken the initiative, Momonga had no choice but to face the attack head-on. The Getsuga Tenshō crashed against his blade.
Despite Momonga's full-force Haki hardening and an explosive release of sword energy, Roya's strike smashed through him.
Boom!!!
The ground cracked, forming a massive chasm. Momonga was blasted back over ten steps, the earth shattering beneath him—evidence of the immense force he had endured!
The tide had completely turned.
Previously, Roya could not withstand Momonga's slashes. Now, one airborne sword wave from Roya sent Momonga staggering backward.
Even if Roya's sword energy doubled, Momonga might barely resist—but the Getsuga Tenshō amplified his sword energy threefold!