Chapter 15: Survival
Next day,
Nearly 100 marine trainees stood in the open field decked in low-ranking marine uniform and geared with a basic weapon of their choice; knife, sword, pistol, rifle, and so on.
Standing at the front were Blaize, Vergo, Shuzo, Gion, and others of the same grade. They were the most relaxed and confident group while the ones behind them were rather nervous.
All of them had heard many things about the island from other senior recruits who went there a few months back.
The creatures living on the island are scary and formidable with terrifying strength, while regular swords and bullets can't even penetrate their skin.
What the older recruits are trying to say is, if they aren't careful, they might even lose their lives. This kind of talk can deter normal recruits, but against somebody like Blaize, it only invigorated him further.
"I have to commend you guys for your courage, even after knowing the threat and the kind of creatures that roam that Island, you lot have come forward. Your training is simple: survive and stay alive."
Instructor Zephyr nodded his head in approval. Apart from instructing them in daily training, he didn't teach them much as he was concentrating on senior recruits.
Even so, he found the current training recruits much pleasing to the eyes. Especially trainees like Gion, Shuzo, Blaize, Vergo, and few others.
He's sure of the fact that with proper supervision and discipline, they will become splendid Marines in the future. He's waiting for them to enhance their physical strength.
Once they reach the target, he will teach them Rokushiki.
"It's true most of the island has been closely monitored. At any moment of danger, a marine officer will reach your location and protect you from danger. Even so, you won't be saved unless requested by yourself."
A marine officer came forward and explained a few rules that they have to follow once they reach the Island.
Soon, the 100 marine recruits along with few marine officers and instructor Z reached the Island in rowboats coated in seastone.
Setting foot on the Island, Blaize found the air here is so fresh and pure. The island looked quiet and serene as if what they heard from the senior recruits were nothing but hearsay.
On the beach part of the area, a two-storied building with a marine symbol was constructed and shielded by special wooden spikes.
Blaize saw some strong marine officers patrolling the sandy area of the Island with an alert expression. He heard even marines who train their haki come here to practice it.
All the recruits stood in the beach area staring at the densely grown forest before them. The tall and thick trees with several protruding branches blocked them from any kind of sounds— that may have given them an impression about this place.
"Go! Survive and stay alive." Instructor Zephyr said.
Some eager ones dashed into the forest-covered region as soon as Zephyr finished his speech. Blaize, Gion, and others also followed suit.
Since forming groups isn't allowed, all the recruits split up and sprinted in different directions. Even if one another meets inside the island, they have to part their ways after 5 minutes.
--
Blaize sprinted for 15 minutes before meeting a strong creature that sneaks attacked him from a blindspot. With ultra-quick reflex, channeling his strength to his legs, he dodged the strike by leaping back.
The attacker is a huge black tiger spread with yellow stripes. Unlike regular tiger, it had a shiny saber-tooth and club-like tail as weapons. Its electric blue eyes looked threatening and wild.
"Grrrr..."
Failing to kill its target in a single pounce, it circled Blaize looking for an opportunity, a weakness. Likewise, Blaize also scrutinized his assailant and calculated his next move.
He figured the beast isn't a normal one from its attack. Its glittering claws are more than capable of ripping his flesh and heavily injure him.
In the next moment, both the tiger and Blaize clashed. Blaize refrained from using his devil fruit powers so that he can enhance his combat ability.
The tiger aimed to finish off the prey by sweeping its sharp claw at the target's neck. Blaize skillfully evaded the strike in mid-air by wheeling his body and threw a punch.
"Bang!"
His fist connected with the tiger's head, blasting it a few meters back. It hit the ground with a heavy 'thud', but in the next moment, it instinctually jumped back to its feet.
Glaring at Blaize, it shook his head a few times before once again leaping at him. It didn't shrink back, even after knowing its prey is stronger than it thought and may lose its life in the process.
It's how life on the Island is like. In order to survive, they have to eat. If they want to eat, they have to kill. Otherwise, they will get killed.
Undaunted by the fearlessness and wild nature exuded by the tiger, Blaize faced it head-on. He didn't rush to kill the tiger, as it's a perfect target to hone his skills.
Licking his lips in excitement, Blaize pulled the sharp dagger stowed in his back. At a breakneck speed, he bridged the gap and slashed at the tiger.
The tiger blocked his attack with its club tail. What astonished him is, upon contact a 'clang' sound resounded.
'What a tough tail!'
Exerting a force on its tail, the tiger pushed Blaize back and leaped onto a nearby tree. Its shadowy form easily blended with the surroundings and disappeared from his view.
It didn't diminish his vigilance but further enhanced it. He knew the tiger creature is finally showing its strength and the advantage it had in its own terrain.
A rustle sounded around him. Something shifted from one tree to another in lightning-fast speed leaving behind nothing but yellow bolts.
Out of nowhere, an attack came. Even though he remained vigilante, he couldn't react in time and something heavy rammed his back.
The force of the attack jostled him forward. At that moment, Blaize skillfully stopped the momentum by flipping two times and steadied his steps.
Utilizing the surplus force in his body, Blaize yelled and slashed the dagger at his back with his entire strength.
'Sphhhlt!'
The tiger stopped in its track and slowly limped to the ground lifelessly. The dagger in his right hand directly pierced its right eye and penetrated its brain.
Blaize didn't celebrate his lucky victory. He doesn't have that luxury. Not wasting another second, he yanked the dagger out of the tiger's corpse and scurried away without looking back.
In the next second, a huge bird descended from the sky and grabbed the tiger's corpse. But before it could take off, a green-scaled snake slithered out from the shadows of the tree, frightening the bird.
It then pounced and twisted itself around the bird immobilizing it to the ground. The bird struggled with everything it got but everything is in vain and it soon succumbed to death.
While the snake enjoyed its brunch—feathered-bird and tiger—the silence once again occupied the area as if nothing transpired here.
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