Class Assignment Test (I)

As Zephyr's words fell, the atmosphere across the training ground instantly turned restless.

Instructor Iron Jaw stepped forward, his booming voice ringing across the field. "Now, the first round of testing begins—Doriki Value! When your name is called, come forward in order! Anyone below 80 Doriki will be assigned directly to the preparatory class!"

A line quickly formed for the test.

"Hank!"

A burly recruit who looked like one of the branch's aces stepped up first. He took a deep breath and threw a punch with all his strength.

"125 Doriki! Passed!"

The recruit let out a breath of relief, but there was little joy on his face. That result was clearly nothing exceptional.

The next few recruits passed without much trouble, their scores mostly hovering between 100 and 150.

Soon, a rather skinny-looking fellow strained with all the strength he had, only to score "79." Amid regretful looks from the crowd, he was mercilessly led toward the preparatory class area.

Just as the mood gradually became stifling, a resounding name was called.

"T Bone!"

A lanky young man with an honest gaze, thin and straight as a ruler, stepped forward.

Rayne looked at his overly gaunt face. This guy... why does he look a little familiar? he muttered inwardly. He seems like someone with a name in the original manga, right? But I can't remember. Damn it, it's because you're a man. If it were Hina, I'd remember her perfectly.

While Rayne was inwardly complaining, T Bone had already meticulously assumed the most standard Navy combat stance. With a loud shout, he threw a fierce punch!

"420 Doriki! Excellent!"

The moment that number appeared, the entire field erupted! It was the highest score so far, nearly three times the average! T Bone ignored the surrounding exclamations, merely gave a silent salute, and returned to the line.

"Next, Rosinante!"

The blond boy ran up clumsily, nearly tripping over his own left foot and drawing a burst of laughter. His face flushed red with nerves. Closing his eyes as if throwing caution to the wind, he wildly swung a punch.

"221 Doriki! Passed!"

Hearing the unexpectedly high number, Rosinante was startled himself. He hurriedly bowed, then retreated in a fluster.

"Hina!"

Though still young, Hina already carried the air of a mature beauty. She stepped forward gracefully and removed her coat. Instead of using her fists, she spun and drove the sharp heel of her shoe into the center of the tester's target with swift, powerful precision!

"310 Doriki! Excellent!"

The entire field cried out again, looking at the strong and dashing woman with awe.

However, the real shock was only beginning.

"Smoker!"

When the instructor called his name, Smoker spat out his cigar and slowly stepped forward. He looked at no one. The carefree expression on his face vanished the moment he approached, replaced by an intensely focused chill.

Rayne's incomprehensible punch last night had shaken him to his core. He desperately needed an overwhelming display of power to reaffirm his position as the strongest—and to silently show that monster lurking in the corner his "true" strength.

He walked before the machine and assumed the opening stance of standard Navy combat.

"Oh? That troublemaker is actually getting serious?" The instructors were somewhat surprised.

Smoker took a deep breath, drove power through his waist, twisted all his strength into one force, and smashed his fist forward without holding anything back!

Boom—!

The tester let out a violent roar as though it could no longer bear the strain. The numbers on it shot upward at an unprecedented speed before finally freezing on a figure that made everyone suck in a cold breath!

"602 Doriki! What a monster!"

Even several instructors wore stunned expressions. The recruits present immediately began chattering among themselves.

"You've got to be kidding?! Can a rookie really hit that hard?"

"T Bone's record was broken that quickly?"

"I heard he's a Logia Devil Fruit user. Devil Fruits really do give terrifying boosts to the body!"

Indeed, for teenagers, their bodies were still far from fully developed. For a Top-tier Devil Fruit user like Smoker, the Fruit's power would passively strengthen his body year after year, giving his physique a starting point far beyond that of his peers.

Amid the field's thunderous astonishment, Smoker showed no trace of pride. He slowly withdrew his fist, then abruptly turned around. His hawk-like eyes pierced through the ranks of hundreds of people and fixed on Rayne with undisguised provocation.

It was as if he were saying: Did you see that? This is my true strength! Last night, you were just lucky!

While Smoker basked in the mixed gazes of awe and envy from the crowd, several more forgettable recruits passed before the final name was finally called.

"Rayne!"

After Smoker had set the whole field ablaze, the following few Marines seemed utterly unremarkable.

Thus, Rayne's appearance drew little attention. Only Smoker stared at him relentlessly.

Rayne calmly stepped forward. Like every ordinary recruit before him, he took a deep breath, then used his "full strength," shouted loudly, and threw his punch.

The number on the tester flickered upward at an unhurried pace before precisely stopping at a figure that plunged the entire field into silence.

"101 Doriki."

After a brief silence, several suppressed snickers broke out from the line.

"What was that? I thought the last one out would be some hidden expert."

"Well, he was only added at the last minute. It's already good enough that he can keep up."

Listening to the surrounding chatter, Smoker's expression became even uglier than it had been in the detention room last night.

He stared fiercely at the "101" on the tester, his eyes wide as bells, as though he would not stop until he somehow found another zero in it.

"101? What kind of joke is this?!" Smoker felt as though his entire worldview had been overturned.

That punch he landed on my stomach last night... was definitely way more than 101! Even if it wasn't 1001, it couldn't have been far off! This bastard... he's absolutely putting on an act?!

He suddenly turned his head and glared at the figure calmly walking down from the testing platform as though he were looking at a monster.

How is that possible... How can anyone control their strength to that extent?! What the hell is he trying to do?!

Standing not far from Smoker, Hina keenly noticed his abnormal reaction. With interest, she glanced at the transfer recruit who had scored only 101, then at Smoker's ghost-stricken expression. A playful curve appeared on her lips, and the suspicion in her eyes deepened.

Perfect. Rayne felt no ripple in his heart; if anything, he wanted to laugh. Pulling back 99% of my strength in the instant before impact was far harder than blowing this lousy machine apart. Good. I definitely won't be sent to the preparatory class now. Step one, complete.