Leon's training results were far from ideal.
After three months, Rosinante's results had risen from rock bottom to the middle of the pack.
Leon, meanwhile, had consistently ranked one place behind Rosinante.
Although the two oddballs had made tremendous progress, by all rights, with their mediocre results, their fate would have been the same as that of most of the recruits in the training camp: they would be assigned to Marine Branches across the Four Seas.
Only after accomplishing something would they have a chance to be recalled to Marine Headquarters for further training.
But...
Leon casually glanced toward the Navy families waiting expectantly nearby.
Many of the recruits directly accepted by Marine Headquarters came from naval families and lived in Marineford's residential district for military families.
Today was the final day of the new recruit training camp, as well as the day their futures would be decided. As a result, the area outside the training grounds was already packed with the recruits' families, who had come to watch.
With his keen perception, Leon immediately noticed a tall, big-haired man mixed in among the crowd.
Marine Admiral Sengoku had changed out of his usual attire. He had removed his glasses, put on plain clothes, and even stuck a goatee to his chin.
He was craning his neck and peering toward Leon's side.
Beside Leon, Rosinante held his head high, his eyes shining as he immersed himself in the excitement of taking the first step toward realizing his dream. He had not noticed Sengoku spying on them at all...
In any case, this was as good as settled...
The Steely Instructor ordered them to assemble.
The recruits quickly formed ranks. After three months of training, they already looked somewhat like elite Marines.
The Steely Instructor nodded in satisfaction, then shouted, "Now we begin the final training exercise—the combat practice!"
"For this round of combat, you're allowed to use real weapons. We'll score you based on your performance in battle!"
"Your score will directly affect your final results!"
"So don't hold back! Use all your strength to defeat your opponent!"
"Now! Begin!!!"
The pairings for this round had already been decided by drawing lots, and all the matches began at the same time.
Leon looked at the opponent in front of him.
A white cloth mask covered most of the man's face, leaving only a pair of fierce-looking eyes exposed. His Marine cap was bulging as though something beneath it were propping it up, and he wore two specially made bracers, one on each arm...
"What was this guy's name again... Hyouen, I think?"
At the referee's command, the battle began.
Hyouen looked at Leon, who stood motionless before him, his entire body riddled with openings. A trace of disdain flashed in his eyes.
"My luck is terrible. I got stuck with such a weak opponent..."
"Whatever. I'll show off my strength with an overwhelming victory!"
Hyouen assumed a fighting stance, but Leon's thoughts were nowhere near him.
In the center of the field, Rosinante wore an unusually serious expression.
His opponent was none other than Smoker, who currently ranked first in the training camp's overall results!
When Hyouen saw that Leon still had not attacked, his arrogant, dismissive attitude infuriated Hyouen.
"You bastard, are you looking down on me?!"
Hyouen exploded into action, rushing toward Leon. Leon simply sidestepped his attack.
"Do I know you? Why are you getting so angry?"
Leon was baffled.
It was only a training match. He could just go through the motions and be done with it. With that thought in mind, Leon engaged Hyouen directly.
Their fists and legs flew back and forth, and for a while, the two were evenly matched.
Hyouen was deeply dissatisfied with the situation. Drawing with someone like Leon would definitely drag down his score.
In that case, I'll just have to use my true ability!
Hyouen changed his approach and began attacking furiously. Leon, who was still holding back plenty of strength, also sensed that something was wrong.
Hyouen seemed to have unleashed some strange power...
Leon opened up some distance and looked at the places on his body where Hyouen had struck him.
"Heh heh, can you feel it? You can't move anymore, can you?"
"I originally planned to pick an opponent who used a sword so I could fully display my ability."
"After all, I'm the Rust Man who ate the Rust-Rust Fruit! I'm the bane of all swordsmen!"
"With your strength, there's no way you should rank this low! Are you hiding your abilities too, waiting to surprise everyone?"
"Not a bad idea, but unfortunately, you ran into me!"
"I've already used my ability to rust your joints. Give up. There's no way you can beat me!"
Hyouen, who had been so aggressive moments earlier, stood in place and began talking to himself.
There was no helping it. Whenever a Devil Fruit User used their ability against an enemy for the first time, they had to give a detailed explanation to clear up any confusion!
That might just be one of the laws governing the world of the Pirate King...
Leon had not become unable to move as Hyouen claimed, simply because his joints had rusted.
He merely lowered his head and looked at the Silver Fiber Bandage on his body, which he had traded his entire fortune to obtain.
Even after three months of training, the silver bandages covering Leon's body had not suffered the slightest damage under his careful maintenance. They remained as new as ever.
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