The Assessment Begins! (Third Update! Please Bookmark and Recommend!)

Just as Momonga was about to give up and leave, Zephyr slowly said, "I'll discuss these matters with Sengoku."

To Momonga, those words were like music to his ears. He saluted in delight. "Yes, thank you, Teacher!" Then he dashed toward the cabin like a gust of wind, intending to trade back the photograph in Loa's hands.

The journey was uneventful, and the warship entered the Calm Belt before stopping in a bay on a medium-sized island.

This was an island that had never been marked on any map. For decades, the Marines had used it as a training ground for recruits.

The island's magnetic field was extremely weak. Aside from an Eternal Pose, ordinary Log Poses would never point here, making it sufficiently secluded. Moreover, the island was home to many powerful native creatures, along with ferocious beasts the Marines had gradually released here later on. It was more than suitable as a training ground for recruits.

Ordinary recruits from the Four Seas naturally did not need to undergo assessments, but as Marine Headquarters recruits and the future elite of the Marines, this trial of blood and fire was indispensable.

The island was thick with vegetation. Looking out from the crude harbor, all they could see were stretches of lush green leaves. Two fiery-red crabs strolled along the beach, creating a peaceful and tranquil scene.

Yet the savage roars that occasionally echoed from deep within the island proved that it was not as peaceful as it appeared.

Many recruits swallowed nervously and exchanged uneasy looks.

"Hey, we're not going onto the island, are we?"

"Probably. I heard from the seniors that this island is full of man-eating beasts."

Hearing that, everyone around them grew even more anxious.

"S-So scary!"

The personnel aboard the surrounding warships stood in neat formation, waiting for Zephyr's orders. He nodded to Momonga, ordering the signalmen to notify every ship and prepare for the assessment.

The instructor of Loa's Seventh Squad stood at the front and shouted, "Next, the Elite Assessment will begin! I'll explain the rules now!"

"Your task is to hunt the creatures on this island and earn points. The time limit is three days, and only the top three in points will have a chance to join the Elite Camp. The creatures on this island range from strong to weak, and the points awarded range from high to low. Even stomping a crab to death earns you points."

The major general instructor pointed at the crabs piled atop one another on the beach and made a rare joke, but it did not have much effect. The recruits remained uneasy and tense, gripping their rifles as though they were swords, their palms slick with sweat.

Seeing that no one responded, the major general instructor cleared his throat twice and continued.

"This assessment is an individual battle, but teams are allowed. Once multiple people participate in an attack, the points will be divided equally among everyone involved. Also, Surveillance Den Den Mushi are stationed all over the island, so don't harbor any delusions of luck. Every move you make is under our watch."

"Before leaving, each of you will collect a distress smoke bomb. Although there are Surveillance Den Den Mushi all over the island, even in the sky, they cannot report your location if you truly encounter an overwhelmingly powerful creature. If an accident occurs, use this to call for help and tell us where you are."

"However, remember this well: anyone who uses a distress signal will have all their results reset to zero!"

"And," the major general instructor said sternly, "that doesn't mean you'll all be safe. If you encounter a ferocious beast you cannot resist, being torn to pieces in an instant is entirely possible. So, good luck to you all!"

After finishing, the major general instructor glanced at Zephyr. Only after Zephyr nodded for him to continue did he shout, "Now, come collect your lifesavers, you little brats! All weapons you brought with you must be handed over. You may only use the standard-issue weapons we prepared, and each of you will receive an extra ration of dry food!"

Some recruits trembled with fear, while others were eager to try. They lined up in an orderly fashion to collect their equipment.

After thinking it over, Loa took a dagger and a bag of gunpowder, but no firearm. The Marine distributing equipment looked at him in surprise and asked, "I understand taking a dagger, but why take gunpowder without taking a gun? Most recruits chose guns. It gives them another layer of protection when facing danger."

Loa shrugged and explained, "I'm strong enough that I no longer need a gun. Besides, if I get injured or run into rain, gunpowder is useful for starting fires and disinfecting wounds. By the way, Uncle, is this bag waterproof?"

The Marine uncle nodded with a smile. "You've got ambition! Don't worry, it's sewn from sea beast hide. Tie the string around the opening tightly, and it won't get wet even if it's submerged."

"That'll do, then. Thanks, Uncle."

Loa waved, collected his distress smoke bomb and rations nearby, and left the warship.

As for why he did not get seasick, it was because he had been jumping up and down on blocks of ice in place the entire time. His feet had never touched the deck.

"Loa, let's go together!"

"Yeah, with you around, we'll definitely be fine."

The moment Loa stepped off the ship, several recruits he knew gathered around him. Their voices carried pleading as they hoped to team up with him. Their tone was pitiful, without the slightest hint of entitlement.

This was the world of One Piece, not some place overrun by SPH who believed that the greater the ability, the greater the responsibility. On these seas, strength reigned supreme. When facing an unknown danger, seeking the protection of the strong while acting entitled was simply courting death.

No matter how close they normally were, doing that now, during this serious Elite Assessment, would be no different from seeking death.

Loa looked helplessly at his expectant comrades, then glanced behind him. The important figures aboard the warships had already left the deck for the surveillance center. He could not even find someone to help him out.

So he resigned himself with a sigh and spread his hands. "Fine, but only for one day. After one day, you should be more or less familiar with this island and able to search for targets and hunt independently. You all know that if we stay together, it'll be impossible to earn a ticket into the Elite Camp."

That was indeed the truth. Among these recruits, how many did not want to join the Elite Camp? Hearing Loa say this, they gritted their teeth and agreed.

They were recruits from Marine Headquarters, the future elite of the Marines. If they acted timidly now, how would they fight pirates in the future?

Seeing that everyone agreed, Loa raised his fist. "All right, then let's go!"

"Yes!"

Aboard the warship was a spacious room. This was the surveillance center for the assessment, and nearly all the Marine officers had gathered here.

The surrounding walls were filled with images projected by Visual Den Den Mushi. Dozens of Marines bustled about with notebooks in hand, recording the recruits' scores.

Zephyr sat at the head of the conference table, flipping through the recruits' files.

Suddenly, he raised his head and said helplessly to the person across the table, "Are you really that free, Kuzan?"

"Ara ara, I am. Though I have to thank you for that, Teacher. Otherwise, Fleet Admiral Sengoku would have sent me out on a mission long ago." Kuzan removed the eye mask before him and replied, "That kid calls me Teacher, after all. Since my disciple is taking the Combat Assessment, it wouldn't be right for me not to come take a look."

Zephyr had only just learned that Kuzan had boarded another warship back at Marineford and accompanied them all the way here.

Just as Kuzan said, it really was thanks to Zephyr.

To help Loa grow faster, Zephyr and Sengoku had discussed the matter for a long time before Sengoku finally relented and allowed Kuzan to teach Loa every day. As a result, Kuzan had lived quite comfortably this month, and now he had even followed them here for the Combat Assessment because he had nothing better to do.

Zephyr could not help regretting his original decision. Hadn't he just given Kuzan the perfect excuse to slack off?