章 37: Chapter 37 Elite Recruits
"The above are the results for all recruits in this assessment!"
The major general's voice echoed along the coast: "Now, I will announce the candidates who have passed the elite assessment."
The recruits perked up, waiting with bated breath. Even those who didn't expect to qualify couldn't help but be curious, eager to see how many would enter the elite camp this year. Rumor had it that some recruits even started betting on the outcomes, sneaking off to the toilets after training to place their wagers, fearing they'd be attacked and knocked out if caught by others.
Loya said: "If you think it was me, I swear it wasn't."
"First place: Tony Mill, step forward!"
"Yes, sir!"
The crowd immediately fell silent. It was no surprise that Tony, with a high score of 1750 points, had secured his spot in the elite camp.
Tony was a young man with a mature, hardened demeanor, likely the result of witnessing his family's tragic destruction. His eyes always carried a deep, unshakeable sadness, and a scar ran from his forehead down his left cheek—a reminder of the day pirates attacked his town, a mark earned while defending his people.
As Tony stepped out of the ranks, he locked eyes with Loya and clenched his sword tightly.
"First place, huh?" he thought bitterly. "Only because that guy didn't participate."
Loya noticed Tony's glare, turned around, and smiled brightly. When Tony finally looked away, Loya quietly exhaled in relief.
The elite camp offered a level of freedom from the strict rules of the recruit battalion, including the freedom to challenge others whenever you wanted. Tony, with his strength and competitive spirit, was bound to make life interesting in the camp. Loya knew he'd be in for endless challenges from someone like Tony, who thrived on combat. Worse still, defeating Tony wouldn't even give Loya much energy value, making it a waste of time!
The major general ignored their silent exchange and continued reading.
"Second place: Laurent Minnie, step forward!"
A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd.
"Minnie? She only scored just over 800 points!"
"Yeah, why is the cut-off so low?"
"This has to be a joke. There must be some favoritism going on!"
The recruits buzzed with disbelief, staring at Laurent Minnie with a mix of confusion and skepticism.
Tony's inclusion had been expected, but Minnie's advancement shocked everyone. How could someone with a score so much lower make it into the elite camp?
A young blonde woman, Laurent Minnie, stepped forward from the seventh team, catching Loya by surprise. Minnie was from the North Blue, known for her exceptional kicking skills. She performed well in training but wasn't someone you'd expect to excel in a points-based assessment that rewarded hunting prowess.
So how had she managed to get second place?
Loya's eyes fell on her worn-out shoes. The sturdy sea-animal leather footwear was stained with blood and falling apart, with rough edges peeling back and even her toes showing through.
Those specialized shoes, designed for kicking, were high-quality and built to endure harsh conditions. The state they were in now told a story of intense effort and relentless struggle.
"A hard-working genius," Loya mused, quoting a phrase used to describe a certain determined friend.
The major general ignored the recruits' whispers. The selections had been made by Zefa and approved through a vote by all the instructors. There was no favoritism or trickery—Minnie's spot was well-deserved.
But there was still more. The major general continued to announce the results.
"Third place: Simon Dennis Westin, step forward!"
Simon was well-known among the recruits. His family had served in the navy for generations, and from a young age, he had dreamed of bringing honor to them. Despite being naturally frail and having a weak constitution, he worked tirelessly on his swordsmanship and martial arts.
One notable thing about Simon: he was a Devil Fruit user.
At the mention of Simon's name, the crowd grew silent. It wasn't because they were intimidated by his status as an N-generation military scion—his family wasn't particularly influential—but because of his Devil Fruit abilities.
Devil Fruit users always made it into the elite camp, regardless of how average their skills might seem otherwise. No one could predict the upper limits of a fruit user's potential.
Simon, however, was no ordinary fruit user. In addition to his Devil Fruit powers, he was also one of the best snipers among the recruits, making him a formidable fighter even without relying on his fruit.
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The recruits reacted with mixed emotions to the announcements. Some were thrilled, while others felt disappointed. Once the assembly was dismissed, they boarded the ship, ready to return to headquarters.
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