21 Devil fruits.

Alex laughed and went to go get Sengoku a new glass of tea. "I assume you were first place on the other ship then, Dragon?"

Dragon nodded. "I don't think a single other recruit took out more than one pirate other than me."

Alex laughed. "Yeah, that sounds about right. We actually had some pretty strong guys on ours."

Dragon raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

Alex smiled as he handed Sengoku his new mug. "Akainu, Kizaru and Aokiji. They all had logias."

Dragon nodded. "Those guys aren't half bad."

Alex laughed. "But, I also think it's bullshit. It was totally rigged. We took down the captain but didn't get first place just because we didn't kill people."

Garp shook his head. "Sorry to hear that." He said genuinely.

Sengoku set down the tea. "Sorry."

Alex smiled. "It's fine, you just wanted to use those three to your advantage right? If they all place in the top 5 then you only have to give away 2 devil fruits instead of 5."

Sengoku pretended he didn't hear what Alex just said and Alex sighed.

"How are the marines more scummy than pirates… Hais… so upsetting." Alex said.

Dragon cleared his throat to suppress a laugh.

Alex grabbed the book and flipped through it. He found a certain page and smiled.

"This one." He said as he tossed the book back on the table, leaving it open to a certain page.

Sengoku looked down with a frown. "Are you sure?"

Alex walked away. "Of course. You just wouldn't understand. I'm surrounded by morons after all."

Sengoku snorted and shook his head. "We've been trying to get rid of that one for a while anyway."

The next day.

Shanks, Alex and Buggy were all standing shoulder to shoulder in a crowd of marine candidates. There was a section of stands for parents or other visitors on either side of the cluster of recruits and trainees.

Sengoku was standing on a stage at the front with a podium in front of him, looking down towards the recruits.

"Welcome everyone, to the trainees graduation. You are the elite marines who have trained within our marine organization for years and are finally ready to graduate and become full fledged marines!"

All the trainee's saluted in sync and Buggy stumbled around before mimicking Shanks and Alex, who were already saluting.

Sengoku continued. "Although you have only just become marines. You trainees are the future of this organization and I hope to one day see one of you giving this speech in place of me, to another generation of trainees. While people join the marines every single day, very few of them have dedicated themselves to the world government from childhood like many of you have. And for that, you should all be proud. However, do not become complacent, the seas are filled with monsters stronger than you could ever imagine! Just look at the two vicious pirates who have been indiscriminately attacking marine bases! One day, you trainees will be facing scum on the same level as Roger and Whitebeard. For that reason, we must all work together! To rid the world of scum, and bring JUSTICE!"

The marines roared in cheers. "FOR JUSTICE!!!"

Sengoku took a moment to let the voices die down and smiled. "Now, as I'm sure you are all aware, and what is likely what most of you are most excited for. The top 5 recruits who had the best results in our latest test will be given the honour of receiving devil fruits."

The marines cheered again.

"Ahem. Now then, when I call your name, come up on stage. Dragon, Akainu, Kizaru, Aokiji… and Alex! The five of you, come on up."

Buggy looked around in confusion. "B-b-but I won! I got fifth place!"

Shanks laughed. "Dahahaha! Did you forget there were two boats?"

Buggy fell to his knees. "Why me? Why does everything bad happen to me???"

Shanks smiled. "Cheer up, Buggy. Congratulate Alex with me."

Buggy groaned. "You stole it from me! My fruit! My well deserved fruit! I nearly died for it!"

Alex and Shanks laughed at Buggy.

Shanks smiled and slapped Alex on his shoulder. "Congrats, but don't forget the only reason you get the fruit is because I declined it for you."

Alex rolled his eyes. "Don't act like you did it for me, you just didn't want the fruit."

Shanks laughed. "You still owe me one."

Alex pointed to the sword on Shanks's waist. "I seem to remember giving you a pretty nice gift… it would be a shame if I had to take it back."

Shanks looked away and whistled. "Go Alex! You earned the fruit yourself!"

Alex chuckled as he walked away from his friends and to the stage.

Alex stood next to Aokiji in the line of 5 recruits, no, now the five young marines.

A man presented Sengoku with a velvet red pillow carrying a fruit on top of it. Sengoku took the pillow and walked over to the line of marines.

"Dragon, congratulations on graduating top of your class. In honour of your bravery and results, you have been awarded with this fruit…"

Dragon took the fruit from the pillow and held it in his hands.

Sengoku continued. "The storm-storm fruit."

Dragon smiled and took a bite. He swallowed and set the rest of the fruit down on the pillow.

The crowd cheered.

Sengoku smiled and went back to the podium. "Our 2nd, 3rd and 4th place winners all already have fruits. And considering we don't want to kill the next generations of marines just yet, we have opted to allow them to not accept new fruits."

The crowd laughed and Alex smiled.

Sengoku then grabbed another red velvet pillow from a different man.

"Our 5th place graduate, I would like to offer my congratulations to you, Alex. For your reward, you will be offered…"

Sengoku paused for suspense.

"The Tinker-Tinker fruit!"