Reprimand

A crying recruit lost control of his emotions and said, "But even an invincible Logia user was defeated. What can we possibly do?"

Zhong Hao suddenly spoke up. "Are Logias really that powerful?"

Zephyr was not angry at Zhong Hao interrupting him. Instead, he naturally took a step back, bringing Zhong Hao into the spotlight.

At a time like this, the words of Zhong Hao, the victor, carried more weight than Zephyr's.

The recruit shouted indignantly, "Of course Logias are powerful! No matter how we attack them, it's useless. Not everyone has talent like yours."

Zhong Hao shot him a mocking glance. "Talent? Fine, I admit that I'm talented. But does having talent make someone strong? Can talent alone erase a person's hard work?"

"Before dawn, I get up and train with the sword. Then I eat breakfast. After breakfast, I train my body until lunch. After lunch, I practice the Six Powers until dinner. Then I continue training until I sleep. Every day is like this. That's why I have the strength I do today."

Smoker's mouth twitched violently as he cursed him as a monster. Hina opened her mouth wide in a most unladylike manner, while everyone stared at Zhong Hao as though he were some kind of freak.

Only Zephyr's eyes gleamed brightly, and he was practically drooling. Inwardly, he cursed Garp while also envying him.

Zhong Hao continued, "You think Logias are powerful because the three Admirals are all Logia users, right? But former Admiral Zephyr, my teacher Garp, and the previous Fleet Admiral Steel Bone Kong were all powerful fighters proficient in physical techniques and Haki. Even the current Fleet Admiral, though he ate a Devil Fruit, possesses incredibly strong physical skills and Haki. Not one of them is a Logia user."

"Has your excessive pursuit of Logias, your obsession with Logias, made you think that no one can become strong unless they have a Logia?"

Zhong Hao glanced at Smoker, a trace of contempt and ridicule flashing through his eyes. "You're the one with the biggest problem, Smoker. Haven't you realized it yet? Other than your Devil Fruit ability, your physical skills are only at the level of that tenth-place finish. If you encounter a Devil Fruit ability that counters yours, wouldn't you be taken out in minutes?"

Smoker's face immediately darkened. He snorted and said nothing.

"Still unconvinced? What advantages does your Smoke-Smoke Fruit even have? Aside from elementalization, when you meet a truly strong opponent, that little attack power of yours can't even break their defenses. You'd be better off honestly strengthening your physical training and complementing your Devil Fruit with it. That would make you far stronger."

Smoker cursed endlessly in his heart. Damn it, stop singling me out and yelling at me! It's so humiliating to get scolded in front of so many people!

Zhong Hao could not hear his thoughts, but he still refused to let him off. "When Mr. Zephyr came to see me yesterday, he specifically mentioned your name. After eating a Logia Devil Fruit, you became arrogant and conceited. Mr. Zephyr reminded you several times, but it had no effect, so he asked me to teach you a lesson and knock some sense into you. In other words, the reason for this special assessment is because Mr. Zephyr thinks highly of you. Eighty percent of the reason this class became the weakest class is because of you."

With a few casual words, he thoroughly smeared Smoker and redirected much of the resentment he had drawn toward him. Smoker's face instantly turned black. Seeing the people around him glaring at him with murderous looks in their eyes, killing intent radiating from them, he inwardly cried out, This is bad, and shuddered.

Zhong Hao said nothing more and looked at Zephyr. Understanding his meaning, Zephyr stepped forward. "The weakest class is a title of shame. Even becoming official Marines will not wash it away."

As soon as those words were spoken, more and more people began to cry. Everyone present was an elite selected from various branches. Even if they did not say it aloud, they inevitably held some pride in their hearts. Yet the gap between being elites and becoming the weakest class was too much for them to accept.

Seeing that the moment was right, Zephyr's tone suddenly sharpened. "Tell me, are Rear Admirals weak?"

The recruits replied listlessly, "No."

Zephyr asked again, "Are Vice Admirals weak?"

The recruits answered together, "No."

Finally, Zephyr asked, "Are Admirals weak?"

Suppressing their confusion, the recruits replied, "No."

Zephyr suddenly smiled. "Very good. Even if you are the weakest class, you at least retain the ability to distinguish strength from weakness. Since you now bear the title of the weakest class, then work hard to become Rear Admirals, Vice Admirals, or even Admirals. When that day comes, you will naturally break free from the shame of being called the weakest class. What you will bear then will be the Navy's heavy responsibility and the title of the strong."

That impassioned speech made everyone breathe heavily. Their clenched fists turned white, the pent-up frustration in their chests vanished, and hot blood surged from their hearts. They nearly roared aloud.

Zephyr pointed at Zhong Hao and said to the recruits, "However, you are too weak. If you want to become Rear Admirals, Vice Admirals, or even Admirals, you must train twice as hard. Take his training attitude and intensity as your goal. Can you do it?"

The recruits roared in unison, "Yes—"

Outside the recruit training camp, Zhong Hao stood facing Zephyr.

Zephyr said, "Zhong Hao, you cooperated very well today. After today, they should be able to cast aside their pride and work hard."

Zhong Hao asked curiously, "Mr. Zephyr, you don't really intend for them to use my training intensity as their standard, do you?"

Zephyr shook his head. "How could that be possible? They don't have your talent. If they trained the way you do, their bodies would collapse in less than three days. I merely gave them an unattainable goal, one that can forever push them forward."

Zhong Hao nodded in realization and asked, "Then when are we leaving for West Blue?"

Zephyr smiled. "Can't wait? Don't worry. We'll leave the day after tomorrow."

Zhong Hao nodded, thinking, Today's combat training was quite effective. I'm more proficient with the Six Powers now. But an assessment is only an assessment. What I'm really looking forward to is a true battle...