Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Black Wrist Method
Chapter 7: Black Wrist Method
In the blink of an eye, seven days passed swiftly.
During this time, aside from eating and sleeping, Karen had been training almost nonstop at the academy. Although it had only been a week, perhaps due to the naturally strong physiques of people in this world, he felt he had made significant progress.
"Am I secretly a genius?" Karen thought to himself with a hint of narcissism.
Additionally, the progress bar of his system had also risen quite a bit over these days.
765/1000.
He was getting closer to the next draw.
This made him feel a twinge of regret. Perhaps he shouldn't have focused so much on training. Instead, he should have sought out a few more famous individuals to spar with—maybe that would have pushed him past the 1,000-point mark.
Once he reached the threshold, he could use the lottery again. If he drew something like a Saiyan's physique, he wouldn't need to work so hard anymore.
With that kind of body, he could effortlessly achieve the peak of life and perhaps even marry the likes of Hancock, Bonney, Nami, Robin, Reiju, Hina, Gion, Kozuki Hiyori, and Kalifa...
A smile crept onto Karen's face as he indulged in his fantasy, though it soon disappeared as he regained focus.
The Marine recruit standing nearby noticed Karen's daydreaming expression, rolled his eyes in exasperation, and quietly edged away from him.
The recruit's subtle movement snapped Karen out of his reverie. Wiping the drool from the corner of his mouth, Karen noticed the recruit keeping his distance. He awkwardly composed himself and casually asked:
"Hey, brother, we've been waiting here for quite a while. Do you know when the selection will start?"
The recruit glanced at Karen with mild disdain and replied irritably, "I'm not sure. But I heard that not only will Instructor Zephyr be present, but Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Garp will also be observing."
"So now, even those who initially didn't plan on participating are trying their luck. If a Admiral remembers your name, it could catapult you to success in the future."
"Such grand dream! Are you confident about passing?" Karen asked.
"I was at first," the recruit admitted. "But now that so many people have signed up, I'm not so sure anymore."
"Well, just give it your best shot," Karen encouraged.
He wanted to ask more questions, but suddenly noticed the recruit straightening up and focusing intently on a high platform in the distance.
The platform wasn't particularly tall but was elevated enough for everyone in the crowd to see the person standing atop it.
Standing there was a man with short purple hair, a white justice cloak draped over his broad shoulders, and an imposing physique that exuded authority. His expression was solemn.
It was none other than former Marine Admiral Black Arm Zephyr.
Karen couldn't help but feel a deep respect for the man on the stage. Known as a hero of justice, Z or Black Arm Zephyr was a legendary figure—the Admiral who didn't kill, the mentor who trained countless admirals, and the man known as "Instructor Z."
A man who dedicated his life to the Marines, Zephyr had defeated countless pirates but had never taken a life. However, after pirates he had once spared murdered his family in retaliation, Zephyr began to question his pacifist philosophy and stepped away from frontline duties.
He then devoted his energy to training the next generation of Marines, earning Garp's admiration as "the man who trains them all."
Later in life, Zephyr suffered yet another tragedy when the recruits he was leading were ambushed by pirates. He lost an arm, and only two of his students survived the attack. Adding insult to injury, Zephyr discovered that the pirate responsible had been pardoned by the Marines and granted the title of Warlord of the Sea. Disillusioned, he left the Marines to form the NEO Marine faction, eventually meeting his end at the hands of the very students he had once trained.
But at this moment in time, Zephyr had yet to endure those tragedies. His dedication and passion for nurturing the next generation burned brightly, and his focus remained on training young Marines.
Admiration aside, Karen knew that aspiring to become someone like Zephyr was an entirely different matter.
As Zephyr surveyed the recruits standing at attention, he nodded in approval and stepped forward to address them:
"Very good. Your spirits are high. I am Zephyr, though I'm sure many of you already know my name. I am your chief instructor."
"Those of you who have signed up for this selection are here because you believe you're among the best. I see geniuses from Marine branches, elites from all over the world, and even some who've been eliminated in the past."
Pausing for effect, Zephyr continued, "But here, I hope you forget all your prior titles and accomplishments. The only identity you need to remember is that of a candidate for the elite training camp."
"Don't overthink things. Just give it your all. Do you understand?"
"YES, SIR!!!" the recruits responded in unison, their voices echoing across the grounds.
Zephyr nodded in satisfaction. "Impressive. Let's hope your actions live up to your words."
"Now, I'll explain the selection process. It's straightforward—just two tasks."
"First, you'll see a power-measuring device in front of the wooden platform. It's similar to the strength-testing machines from my youth. Your task is to strike the device with full force. A score of 500 or above is required to pass."
"You'll take turns hitting the machine. Those who meet the standard can move on to the next stage."
"Let's not waste any more time. Begin!"
With that, Zephyr descended from the platform, joining Sengoku and Garp, who were observing nearby. Sengoku, watching the energetic recruits, remarked with a hint of envy:
"This atmosphere is refreshing. It's far better than my desk job, surrounded by endless stacks of paperwork."
Zephyr glanced at Garp, who appeared half-asleep, and replied, "You envy me? You should envy him."
"Haha, I can't emulate Garp's carefree ways," Sengoku said with a helpless smile.
Meanwhile, the strength test had begun.
...
"Jace! Power level: 367. Not qualified."
"Victor! Power level: 530. Qualified."
...
"Next up, Smoker!" the instructor called out.
"Is that this year's standout recruit?" Sengoku asked with curiosity.
"Indeed," Zephyr confirmed, watching Smoker approach the machine.
The instructor encouraged him, "Just strike with full strength. You have two attempts."
"Hmph, no need for the advice," Smoker replied confidently. He adjusted his posture and unleashed his first strike.
"786!"
"Qualified. Congratulations!"
Smoker wasn't satisfied. "I still have another attempt, right?" He took a deep breath, channeled his strength, and struck again.
"827!"
"Congratulations! You've passed."
Smoker took the qualification badge and left without a word, his confidence unshaken.
The recruits were awestruck. In contrast to the average scores hovering around 300, Smoker's 827 was a remarkable display of power.
The recruit beside Karen murmured in admiration, "As expected of this year's top recruit. What incredible strength. If only I could achieve such results."
Karen observed Smoker thoughtfully.
"Although Smoker becomes somewhat of a side character later, as the first Logia-type Devil Fruit user to appear, he had an undeniable aura of dominance in the early storylines."
"But with my system and a mastery of Life Return, I'm confident my future achievements will surpass his."
"First, though, I need to pass this test."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone