Bullying an Honest Man?!

Bullying an Honest Man?!

The Marine Academy might call itself a school, but in truth, it was also a Marine unit. Its military nature far outweighed its academic one.

In a military unit, humility and politeness could not help Tsugikuni Yoriichi gain a foothold.

Here, only one thing could help Tsugikuni Yoriichi establish himself quickly: strength! Strength! And more strength!

The moment Zephyr pushed Tsugikuni Yoriichi into the spotlight, he understood Zephyr's intentions. With a calm expression, he stepped before the many Marine cadets and readily accepted Zephyr's description of him as the "strongest."

Seeing Tsugikuni Yoriichi's composed demeanor, the restless young Marines began discussing among themselves. Yet at that moment, not a single person stepped forward to prove himself.

Everyone who could enter the Marine Academy was an elite selected from the Four Blues. Though young, most of them had brains.

Although none of them had ever met Tsugikuni Yoriichi, since their chief instructor Zephyr had called this red-haired youth the strongest, there had to be a reason for it.

Though these Marines continued talking, everyone was watching and waiting for someone else to take the lead. Defeat the red-haired brat before them and receive a promotion by one rank? If promotions were that easy, Marine officers would have been everywhere already.

Under the enormous bait Zephyr had thrown out, the Marine cadets instead became even more cautious.

This was completely different from the eager response Zephyr had expected. Looking at the Marine cadets who only moved their mouths and not their hands, Zephyr frowned slightly and said unhappily:

"No one wants to challenge him?!"

"You have no objections to letting some brat ride over your heads?"

"A bunch of cowardly idiots!"

"If no one steps forward, every one of you will be demoted by one rank!"

Zephyr's feelings were somewhat complicated. Tsugikuni Yoriichi was indeed his disciple, but these Marine cadets also counted as his disciples. He had drawn hatred toward Tsugikuni Yoriichi so that Yoriichi could quickly gain a firm footing at the Marine Academy through his own strength.

At the same time, he wanted to see these cadets' abilities and let Yoriichi understand that the Marine Academy was not some worthless place.

But every one of these Marines had their own little schemes and refused to step up, leaving Zephyr in an awkward position. If they all kept shrinking back and waiting for someone else to take the lead, this little performance of his truly could not continue.

After a while, seeing that no one had voluntarily stepped forward, Zephyr could only add more fuel to the fire.

Hearing that everyone would be demoted if no one stepped forward, the Marines' discussions grew even louder. Everyone could smell danger in the air.

"Hey, Kyros, why don't you give it a try?"

"You only just arrived at the Marine Academy, but you're really strong! I don't think the rank of Private Third Class suits your abilities at all."

"Kyros, go on! Beat that brat, get promoted by one rank, and you'll become a Private Second Class right away. Promotions aren't normally this fast when you're out at sea carrying out missions!"

Within the crowd, a young Marine with a cross-shaped scar on his chin nudged Kyros in the waist and encouraged him with a grin. This Marine was named Kibin, a Marine Petty Officer.

Though his rank was not particularly high, he was quite famous among the Marine Academy cadets.

The reason was simple. During his year of study at the Marine Academy, Kibin had mastered Tekkai, one of the Marine Six Styles.

At this Marine Academy, where the minimum entry Doriki Value was 80, putting aside those with special abilities, Kibin was practically invincible after mastering Tekkai. He and the newly enrolled Kyros were roommates and got along fairly well.

Kyros's expression immediately stiffened when he heard Kibin's words. Just as he was about to refuse, the surrounding Marines crowded around him and offered their "kind" encouragement.

"Kibin is right! Kyros, you currently hold the lowest rank in the Marine Academy. Opportunities like this to get promoted aren't easy to come by!"

"That's right, that's right! Kyros, go teach that brat a lesson. We'll cheer for you! I'm an Ensign, so I won't compete with you for such a wonderful chance at promotion."

"Hahaha, Ensign Shuen is right. Go for it, Kyros! I support you!"

Kyros, who had wanted to refuse, was pushed forward by his Marine comrades. Seeing how "enthusiastic" they were and how much they supported him, the young man was simply too thin-skinned to refuse.

Looking at Tsugikuni Yoriichi standing not far away, Kyros could only grit his teeth, carry his sword on his back, and walk out of the crowd. As Kyros stepped forward, the Marines immediately burst into cheers and loudly rooted for him.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi had seen everything that had happened. When he saw Kyros walk out from the group with his sword on his back, he could not help sighing inwardly.

That honest man Kyros has been pushed out to be used as a gun.

When Zephyr saw Kyros leave the crowd, a faint smile appeared on his face. Walking to Kyros's side, he gave him a hard pat on the shoulder and said loudly:

"Not bad! At least you dared to step forward!"

"That's more like it! That's what a Marine should be!"

"Your name is Kyros, right? I like you. Work hard!"

Zephyr patted Kyros on the back several times as encouragement before stepping away and clearing the open space ahead. The Marines eager to watch the show also retreated several meters, leaving the area open.

Yoriichi stood before Kyros and spoke before Kyros could greet him. "Let's begin directly. Don't hold back."

The words at Kyros's lips were swallowed back down.

Then, with a solemn expression, he drew the greatsword from his back and gripped it tightly. Kyros knew that he was absolutely no match for Tsugikuni Yoriichi, but since he had already stepped forward, he could not simply admit defeat and retreat.

Kyros was also a proud man. He had left Dressrosa over a month ago, and he had trained diligently for some time aboard Garp's ship. He also wanted to know how wide the gap between himself and Tsugikuni Yoriichi had become. After all, he too was a swordsman!

"Be careful, Tsugikuni."

The moment Kyros finished speaking, he attacked first. With a push of his feet, he rushed straight before Tsugikuni Yoriichi. The longsword in his hand slashed down swiftly, showing no restraint whatsoever.

"Whoa! Incredible! This Kyros is no ordinary guy!" Though Kibin was Kyros's roommate, Kyros had only just joined the Marines, and no one had ever seen him fight before. Seeing Kyros's attack, Kibin could not help crying out in admiration.

It was not just Kibin. The young Marines who had urged Kyros on earlier also nodded slightly, clearly recognizing Kyros's strength.

Seeing the attack coming, Yoriichi instinctively prepared to counterattack. But then he seemed to think of something. The corner of his mouth lifted, and with a backward leap, he "slowly" dodged Kyros's slash.

Kyros froze at the sight. He had seen Tsugikuni Yoriichi fight before. Against those lightning-fast, terrifying attacks, there had been no need for Yoriichi to dodge at all. Yet now, Tsugikuni Yoriichi had actually avoided his strike?!

Zephyr, who had been preparing to watch a good show, was also slightly startled. Then, as though he had understood something, he cast a somewhat malicious glance at the Marine cadets cheering desperately for Kyros at the side.

Amid the Marine cadets' cheers, Tsugikuni Yoriichi struggled to "barely survive" beneath Kyros's sword, nearly getting cut several times. During one attempt to block Kyros's attack, Yoriichi was even knocked back several meters.

His few counterattacks only came when Kyros's old strength had faded and his new strength had not yet formed. To the other Marines, it looked as though Tsugikuni Yoriichi was merely relying on his decent speed to fight Kyros in a drawn-out exchange.

And this battle situation made the Marines grow excited.

Clearly, Kyros might not necessarily win! But Tsugikuni Yoriichi's strength was obviously not at some insurmountable level either.

They felt that their chance at promotion had arrived!

(End of Chapter)