The next day, everyone got up early again, but when they arrived at the training grounds this time, they found Zephyr already waiting for them.
"Not bad. You didn't keep me waiting too long." Zephyr folded his arms, looking at the trainees below as though they were a flock of docile little lambs.
"I won't waste words today. We'll begin training directly. Line up and run fifty laps around the track first! Same for men and women!"
Everyone clicked their tongues. The headquarters Training Camp's track was practically a huge plaza, with each lap exceeding a kilometer. But since Zephyr had given the order, no one dared complain. One by one, they lowered their heads and started running.
Senga was the first to set off. He understood the importance of stamina. Most battles in the world of Naruto had actually centered on Taijutsu. Even when everyone later started piloting Gundams, the final outcome was still unavoidable: beating each other up at close range.
One lap... ten laps... twenty laps... Although the humans of the Pirate World possessed exceptional physiques, they were still human. Gradually, some began falling behind and were separated from the main group.
By the thirtieth lap, some had already collapsed from exhaustion midway through. A group of medical personnel immediately rushed over, placed the unconscious trainees onto stretchers, and carried them away.
"Phew... phew..."
Ain gritted her teeth and persevered. As the only female trainee still running on the track, she had already been at a physical disadvantage compared to most of the trainees. Making it to thirty laps was already remarkable, and even Zephyr noticed this unyielding girl.
"That girl is Ain, right? Setting everything else aside, with that kind of willpower, she'll become an outstanding Marine someday."
Zephyr praised her inwardly and instructed the medical staff beside him to keep an eye on her. The moment Ain could no longer hold on, they were to step in and treat her immediately.
No, there's still less than half the distance left. I have to keep going! Ain was a fiercely competitive girl. She did not want to feel justified in running fewer laps than everyone else simply because she was a girl.
At last, her strength reached its limit as well. She stumbled, and just as she was about to fall, a hand caught her. She turned her head with difficulty, intending to thank the person, only to discover that she actually knew him—though he might not know her.
The person holding her up was Uchiha Senga. He only had two laps left before completing the fifty-lap assignment. Seeing a girl whose steps had already become unsteady still refusing to give up, he could not help but admire her.
No one failed to respect someone who worked hard. Seeing that she was about to collapse, he hurried over to support her.
"Are you okay? Don't force yourself anymore. Everyone has seen how hard you worked. Since you've reached your limit, go rest for now. Ruining your health from exhaustion wouldn't be worth it."
Senga's concerned words sent a warm current through Ain's heart.
"Thank you. I understand. You're Uchiha Senga, right? You're amazing. You've been running for so long, yet you don't look tired at all."
"Haha, no. I'm tired to death too. But with the title of first place in the entrance test hanging over my head, I have to keep going even if I can't. I've wanted to pass out and go to the infirmary to see the pretty ladies for ages."
Senga deliberately covered his mouth, like a little thief who had done something bad.
Ain let out a soft laugh, and some of the exhaustion left her body. She knew Senga was trying to comfort her by acting silly, but she did not dislike it. On the contrary, she rather liked it.
"Thank you, Senga." Ain sincerely thanked him again, then stopped insisting on continuing and went to rest.
Senga waved his hand and continued running his remaining two laps.
Off the track, Ain sat on the ground resting, staring blankly at Senga as he ran around the field. Suddenly, someone patted her shoulder. It was her roommate, who had come looking for her.
"Stop staring, Ain. He's a hot commodity—you can't handle him." Her roommate teased her with a grin.
Ain's face reddened. She smacked her roommate, then got up and prepared to leave with her. Before going, she looked back at Senga on the track once more. Senga seemed to notice; while running, he waved at her. She hurriedly turned her head away and left with her roommate.
On the way back, thinking about everything that had happened today, the corners of Ain's lips unconsciously lifted as she murmured,
"Uchiha Senga?"
"He really is such a nice person..."
Seeing her muttering to herself, her roommate could not make out what she was saying and asked,
"Ain, are you feeling unwell? Did you overdo it during training just now?"
Ain waved her hand to show she was fine, then gave a playful smile and grabbed her roommate's hand, quickening their pace.
Her roommate was dragged away with a bewildered expression, saying,
"Hey, hey, you little girl! Why are you suddenly acting crazy? You really did run yourself stupid!"
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