Questions Arose, and Boundless Arrogance!

When Feng Lei appeared at the Marine Academy with Victoria,

At once,

Everyone's eyes turned toward him.

But in an instant, their initial excitement, curiosity, and anticipation turned to surprise, shock, and disappointment!

"Is he really a special recruit? Could there be some mistake?"

"If the Fleet Admiral's secretary brought him here herself, what else could he be?"

"What? He just looks like a little brat. He doesn't seem strong at all!"

"Why would Vice Admiral Garp recommend a little brat like him as a special recruit?"

"Shh, keep your voice down. He's Vice Admiral Garp's disciple. If Garp didn't recommend him, who else would he recommend?"

"Oh, so that's how it is!"

As Marine elites selected from all over the world, they naturally had their pride.

If he had been as strong as Aokiji, Kizaru, or Akainu, they would naturally have accepted him.

But judging by appearances, there was nothing remarkable about this special recruit, so naturally, some people suspected he had gotten in through connections.

Back in the day,

The Three Admirals, Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu, had all been in their twenties when they became special recruits.

If they had been teenagers,

None of the three would have met the requirements for special recruitment.

Meanwhile,

A surprised voice also sounded from a corner.

"Why is he a child? Is he really a special recruit?"

The woman who voiced her doubts wore square red-framed glasses. She had dark brown eyes and dark blue hair, and her eyes were full of astonishment as she spoke.

A man and a woman stood beside her.

The man was tall and muscular, with a scar on his right chest and two cigars clenched between his teeth. His short silver-white hair and reddish-brown eyes were particularly striking.

The woman had long, stylish, light pink hair parted down the middle, and wore purple-lensed sunglasses on her head.

Like the man, she had a long, thin cigarette between her lips.

If Feng Lei had noticed the three of them, he would surely have recognized them as Smoker, Hina, and Tashigi!

Thanks to their contributions in taking down Crocodile of the Shichibukai, the three had caught the attention of Marine Headquarters and been transferred to the Marine Academy as students.

At that moment,

Smoker looked disdainful.

"I thought the higher-ups at Marine Headquarters would have a better eye for talent. I never expected them to pick a little brat as a special recruit. It's an insult to the Marine Academy!!"

As soon as he said that,

Tashigi and Hina were both startled. The latter hurriedly said, "Smoker, watch your words. This is Marine Headquarters!"

Although Hina also thought it was rather ridiculous to choose a teenage brat as a [special recruit],

It was one thing to think it, but she couldn't say it so openly.

"Tch."

Smoker turned his head away. He had always despised that kind of hypocrisy.

In his view,

Feng Lei had gotten in through connections, becoming a [special recruit] thanks to Garp's recommendation.

As for his strength?

Heh.

How strong could a teenage brat be?

He had only come to the Marine Academy to burnish his credentials so he could climb the ranks later!

Whatever hopes Smoker had once held for the Marine higher-ups were completely dashed, and even his gaze turned disgusted when he looked at Feng Lei.

Feng Lei took in everyone's reactions, but he paid them no mind.

Victoria, on the other hand, frowned.

But these students would all become pillars of the Marines in the future, so she couldn't very well say anything.

What displeased her more was everyone's attitude toward the Fleet Admiral and Vice Admiral Garp.

After all, she didn't think much of Feng Lei's prospects either.

If Garp weren't his teacher, he might not even have been qualified to enter the academy.

"Feng Lei, let's go! We need to register you with Instructor Zephyr!"

"Okay!"

Feng Lei nodded.

Only after Feng Lei had passed by on his way to Zephyr's office did an uproar break out across the hall.

"I wonder what expression Instructor Zephyr will make when he sees a special recruit like that?"

"I heard special recruits have to take an assessment, right? Can that kid Feng Lei really pass it?"

"He is Vice Admiral Garp's disciple, after all. Surely he can't be that weak, can he?"

"I doubt it!"

"Me too. Maybe they'll go easy on him during the assessment!"

"If they do, I won't acknowledge him as a special recruit!"

"Me neither!"

In an instant, the Marine elites reached a consensus.

Seeing the others so indignant, Tashigi remarked, "I'm afraid that special recruit won't have an easy time from now on!"

With so many people against him, once the assessment was made public, the slightest sign that anyone had gone easy on him would surely cause them all to turn on him.

Even Vice Admiral Garp might become the subject of malicious gossip!

"Hina would like to know what you think, Smoker."

Hina took a drag on her cigarette and looked at Smoker teasingly.

Smoker's expression darkened. "If they go easy on him during the assessment, I'll make him see that he isn't qualified to be a [special recruit]!"

"Hina can hardly wait!"

Hina's eyes lit up. She was eager to watch the commotion, no matter how big it got!

Meanwhile,

At the Marine Academy's chief instructor's office.

"What kind of joke is Garp playing?"

When Victoria introduced Feng Lei as the [special recruit] Garp had recommended, Zephyr, the chief instructor, was incredulous.

He had previously heard that Garp had recommended a special recruit, and because he trusted Garp, he had thought the recruit must be someone exceptional.

But then...

Sixteen years old?

A special recruit?

Back then, not even Aokiji and the other two had met the standards at that age!

Looking at the mild-mannered Feng Lei, who showed none of the bearing of a strong man, Zephyr wondered if Garp had reached the age where he had gone soft and recommended this kid to pave the way for him!

"Instructor Zephyr, this is Fleet Admiral Sengoku's order, and Feng Lei is also willing to take the assessment!"

Victoria spoke calmly.

"Take the assessment?"

Zephyr was taken aback.

Then,

He frowned, stared at Feng Lei, and said harshly, "Kid, do you even know what the assessment is? How can you agree to it so recklessly?"

The assessment had only been decided after discussions with the other Marine Vice Admirals.

Because Garp had recommended him, they placed great importance on this special recruit, so the assessment was among the hardest there had ever been.

"Isn't it just capturing a pirate with a bounty over a hundred million? Is that difficult?"

Faced with Zephyr's doubts, Feng Lei didn't indulge him.

As the chief instructor of the Marines, he was actually judging people by their appearance!

Seeing the arrogance on Feng Lei's face, Zephyr narrowed his eyes.

As the chief instructor of the Marines, he had seen many students, but never one as arrogant as Feng Lei. Even Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu had been nowhere near this arrogant back then.

This arrogance wasn't merely confidence in his own strength, but the kind of pride that made him look down on everyone else!

"Garp's eye is as sharp as ever!"

At that moment,

He finally began to believe in Feng Lei!

Even if Feng Lei failed this assessment, his future achievements would definitely not be low!

"In that case, the assessment will officially begin in three days!"

"I'll arrange for someone to take you to the New World. The assessment won't end until you capture a pirate with a bounty over a hundred million!"