A Young Noble Peerless in the World!

The Second Lieutenant examiner confirmed Morito's Doriki test results once more. The noisy clamor in the arena gradually died down, but this did little to diminish the skepticism in everyone's hearts.

"The machine must be malfunctioning. This is impossible!"

Suddenly, a loud shout rang out in the quieted examination hall.

Everyone turned to look at the source: Onigumo!

In ordinary times, Onigumo not only had excellent grades but also possessed a steady temperament. Although he wasn't good at socializing, he met the standards of an outstanding student at the Naval Academy in every aspect.

Such a promising student, excelling in both character and academics, was naturally favored by many instructors.

However, on such an important occasion today, facing the entirety of Marineford, how could this kid Onigumo publicly question the Naval Academy?

The examiner in charge of the Doriki test frowned slightly.

He was not just a Second Lieutenant; standing here, he represented the Naval Academy!

"You have a question?"

The examiner looked at Onigumo with cold eyes and asked.

Onigumo did not believe that a weakling could transform into a rooster in just a few days.

He had sparred with Morito only two days ago. That kid was as frail as a reed, knocked over simply by the wind pressure from his punch.

Could someone of that caliber strike a Doriki of 999?

Even a pig wouldn't grow that fast!

"Everyone has seen what Ōtsutsuki Morito is capable of. No matter how good his exam results are, he is still just a piece of trash!"

Although Onigumo respected Garp, he was the type of person who couldn't tolerate a single grain of sand in his eyes.

His words were blunt; he might as well have been pointing at the examiner's nose and accusing him of corruption.

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of those present shifted slightly.

Whispers began to rise.

"Yeah, it makes no sense for a guy who's always at the bottom to suddenly score first."

"I heard that the kid named Morito was brought back by Vice Admiral Garp a few years ago, and he's been at the bottom of the Training Camp exams every year!"

"Vice Admiral Garp? Well, that makes it hard to say for sure."

The gossiping crowd didn't say it outright, but deep down, they all arrived at the same conclusion!

The Naval Academy was just trying to save face for Vice Admiral Garp!

It must be that Morito's strength is too weak!

If someone who is always first suddenly places second, you could say they had an off day or didn't perform up to their usual standard.

But if someone who is always dead last suddenly places first—and by a margin that leaves the runner-up in the dust—there is no way to spin that!

The examiner was a Second Lieutenant, not a deaf man; how could he not hear the murmurs of the crowd?

His gaze toward Onigumo turned icy.

"Are you questioning me?"

"I wouldn't dare. I just think the machine might have malfunctioned. Even the strongest people get sick, and even the most precise instruments can have issues."

Onigumo remained insistent.

The examiner's look toward Onigumo shifted from cold to disappointed. Is this what the Training Camp calls its top three?

Failure is not shameful.

What is shameful is being unable to accept or face that failure.

To become a powerhouse, one must possess a strong heart. Admitting you are inferior to someone else, then keeping that failure in mind to eventually surpass them—that is what a true powerhouse does.

It is not about blindly belittling or questioning your opponent to elevate yourself.

Facing the countless questioning gazes and voices, Morito remained indifferent, standing there silently like a bystander.

Do you really think you can turn the tables just by saying "I don't believe it" or "I don't accept it"?

You are not the protagonist!

The more stubbornly Onigumo insists now, the more embarrassing the result will be for him later.

The examiner grinned, though his smile was cold.

"Since you haven't tested your Doriki yet, come up and test it now."

"With so many eyes watching, no one has touched the machine since Morito finished his test. Even I only gave it a cursory look."

The examiner had only walked around the testing machine, checking the connections between the wires and the steel plates with his eyes; he hadn't touched a single data cable.

All the students present and the onlookers were watching with wide eyes.

He might be able to fool one person, but he couldn't fool everyone.

Hearing this, Onigumo's eyes narrowed, and he walked up without hesitation. If that blind man could hit 999 Doriki...

He had to break ten thousand!!

"Are you ready?"

The examiner stepped aside, keeping a full five or six paces away from Onigumo. He hadn't stood this far back during the initial tests.

He was worried that Onigumo might make excuses later, claiming he hadn't performed at his best because the examiner was standing too close!

Staying far away now would save him from any unnecessary trouble.

"Hoo."

Onigumo took a slow breath, adjusting his body to its peak state. His specialty was swordsmanship, so he had chosen a sword as his weapon for the Doriki test.

He gripped the standard-issue saber of a Marine soldier in his hand.

His aura climbed steadily, surging upward.

Then, with a roar, Onigumo stomped forward and swung his blade with all his might.

Crack!

The ground directly in front of him shattered upon impact. Onigumo sank half his foot into the floor, his body lunging forward in a bow stance as he swung his blade.

"Drawing Slash!"

Clang!!

The resonant ring of metal striking metal exploded through the air. The long blade in Onigumo's hand scraped against the steel plate, sending a fleeting spark flying.

The immense force transferred into the steel plate, traveling through the data cables to the instrument, which displayed the final result.

"Onigumo, Doriki 286, pass!"

Although the examiner was somewhat annoyed by Onigumo's repeated questioning, he still announced the score in a loud voice.

It was an excellent result.

A Doriki exceeding five hundred was considered superhuman.

For Onigumo to hit a Doriki of 286 at such a young age was proof of his talent; the years of training in the Training Camp had not gone to waste.

However, having seen Morito's Doriki of 999 earlier, Onigumo's score now seemed somewhat lackluster.

The plaza went quiet for a moment. A Doriki of 286 was the best score besides Morito's, and it was a full double that of the third-place finisher!

But the reaction from the onlookers was rather lukewarm.

"The top three from the Training Camp feel a bit weak, don't they? That guy named Morito hit a Doriki more than three times higher than his!"

"The two of them tested one right after the other. It's impossible that the machine is malfunctioning, right?"

"The Top Three? Is that it?"

Comparison is the thief of joy.

Aside from a small number of powerful Marine officers, the onlookers didn't truly understand the meaning of Doriki.

It was like a failing student who always scored in the double digits; whether it was a genius with a perfect score of 750, a high-achiever with 650, or even those with 450, 350, or 250, they all looked like titans to him.

They didn't understand the evaluation criteria for Doriki, but they could recognize the size of the numbers!

999 ≈ 286 × 3.5

"I never expected that so-called top three of the Training Camp, Onigumo, to be nothing more than a man of empty reputation!"

"Isn't the age requirement for the Training Camp under eighteen? That Onigumo looks like he's at least thirty to me!"

"Could it be that he's the one who pulled strings to get in!"

The surrounding whispers reached Onigumo's ears, and his expression darkened instantly.

You're thirty, your whole family is thirty.

I'm not even eighteen yet!

"Do you have any other questions?" The examiner glanced sideways at Onigumo and asked.

Onigumo turned around expressionlessly and walked down the high platform.

His footsteps paused on the stairs, and he turned his head to look at Morito in the crowd. "You haven't forgotten our agreement, have you?"

"I hope you can still laugh when the time comes!"

Just then, the results of the written exam were all released. Every test paper had been cross-graded by at least three examiners.

The top-scoring papers were personally reviewed by Zephyr and Garp to ensure the results were accurate.

The announcement was broadcast throughout the entire Naval Academy.

"The first place in this Training Camp examination, for the written portion, is—"

"Ōtsutsuki Morito!"