"58 million Berries?!"
The moment they heard the bounty figure, the new recruits on the deck were stunned, wondering if their ears were playing tricks on them.
Was there some mistake?
We're just new recruits who've only been in the elite camp for a year! We haven't even mastered the basics of Rokushiki, and now we're supposed to take on a pirate captain of this level?
Nao Natsuya was also surprised, though his attention was more focused on the pirate captain's name.
Capone? That name sounded familiar. Wasn't the infamous "Worst Generation" Supernova, Capone Bege, also from the West Blue? Could there be some connection between them?
"You seem to be misunderstanding," said Kuzan with a shrug. "Let me repeat myself. Your mission is to reclaim Silest Island, one of the many islands controlled by the Capone Pirates."
"Vice Admiral Kuzan, does that mean Capone Bege himself isn't on the island?"
A Marine recruit hesitantly raised his hand and asked, "We just need to deal with the forces stationed on the island, right?"
"More or less," Kuzan nodded. "But don't underestimate them. The Capone Pirates grew out of a mafia family and have considerable numbers. According to Marine intelligence, there are over 500 pirates stationed on Silest Island, including more than ten officers with bounties. They won't be easy to handle."
"That's why I need to make a few things clear in advance."
His gaze swept over the young faces before him. His expression sharpened, and he raised a finger.
"First: Do not act recklessly!"
"This will be your first real combat experience. Blood and smoke often drive rookies to lose their heads. When you encounter an enemy you can't handle, don't forget to stop and think—whether it's better to call for backup or retreat temporarily."
"Having courage is good, but being foolhardy will only get you killed!"
"Second: While this assessment's rankings will be based on your contributions during the mission, I expect this will not affect your cooperation with each other."
"Remember who you are. If you sabotage your teammates or stand by while they're in danger just to get a better ranking, then you're no better than a pirate!"
"Third, and most importantly!"
Kuzan paused, waiting until everyone's attention was fully focused, before continuing in a low, serious tone:
"The assessment will begin the moment you set foot on the island and will last for 48 hours. During these two days, I'll be observing the entire time. But unless it's absolutely necessary, I won't intervene. You're on your own!"
"I've said everything I needed to. Understood?"
A thunderous response rang out from the deck: "Yes, Vice Admiral Kuzan!"
"Good."
Having said so much in one go, Kuzan's throat was dry. His aide quickly handed him a bottle of water, which he opened and drank from gratefully.
At that moment, a hand rose from below. "Vice Admiral Kuzan," someone called.
"Yes?" Kuzan glanced over to see a blue-haired girl with delicate features.
"What about Rear Admiral Gion?"
The long-haired girl glanced sideways at someone in the crowd before turning her attention back to Kuzan, her expression unreadable.
"Was she also assigned by Zephyr-sensei to supervise us? Will she stay on the island and observe the entire mission with you?"
"…."
Was it just his imagination, or did Kuzan sense a hint of hostility from the girl's gaze when it came to Gion?
"No," he replied simply. "Rear Admiral Gion has her own assignment in the West Blue and is just hitching a ride on our ship."
"Oh."
The blue-haired girl nodded lightly, lowered her gaze, and said no more.
Kuzan scratched his head, dismissing the matter. He gave a few more brief instructions before declaring the meeting over and turning to head into the ship.
At that moment—
The silent figure of Gion, who had been standing behind Kuzan the whole time, raised an eyebrow and glanced at the blue-haired girl with mild curiosity. Then her eyes flicked over to a certain corner of the crowd where Nao stood.
With a faint smile that said nothing, she turned and followed Kuzan into the ship.
"…As expected, it's been misunderstood."
In the back corner of the deck, Nao , seeing Gion's departing figure, finally relaxed his military posture, sighed, and rubbed his brow.
He had been staring at Gion the entire time before Kuzan gave his briefing.
Partly because it was his first time seeing this future candidate for an Admiral seat, and partly because when Gion appeared, his system interface had refreshed with a new side quest.
Who would have thought that his blue-haired classmate, Shia, misinterpreted his gaze as a sign of infatuation and, reacting with obvious jealousy, unintentionally caught Gion's sharp attention?
This was just too awkward...
Recalling Gion's amused expression—the kind of look a grown-up gives when watching a young couple quarrel—along with Shia's subtle, sidelong glances, Nao couldn't help but sigh and shake his head.
Clearly, despite being firmly rejected that night, Shia hadn't given up on pursuing him.
What a headache. It's not my fault I'm handsome.
Praying that Shia would soon give up on her unrealistic fantasy, he absently opened the system's task interface and glanced at the new side quest.
Side Quest: A Superior's Confession
"At last, an outstanding woman has appeared in your life—what a blessing! Now, how about tackling this as your first 'hard-mode' romance challenge?"
Quest Objective: Within 15 days, have Gion say the words, 'I like you, Nao.'
Quest Reward: 150,000 points, 2 random attribute points
…
Reading through the quest, Nao found himself wondering if this stupid system was just there to mess with him.
Why did it keep giving him tasks with ridiculous rewards but even more ridiculous difficulty levels?
In 15 days, get Gion—whom he didn't even know—to confess her feelings to him?
He figured it might actually be easier if the system assigned him a quest to become Fleet Admiral in 15 days instead.
In his past life, when he crossed into this world, the manga was only just entering the Wano arc, and Gion, this Admiral candidate, had only appeared twice in canon. His impression of her was shallow at best.
But no matter how one looked at it, both her potential and her looks were top-tier in the Marines. To ordinary recruits like them, she was like an unattainable goddess.
What's more, Gion's standards were known to be high—so high that even Tokikake, a fellow Admiral candidate, had confessed to her over a hundred times, only to be turned down each time.
"So, how is this even possible?" Nao muttered. "Am I supposed to trick her into playing truth or dare or something, and make her say it that way?"
He leaned on the railing, gazing out over the endless sea, then sighed, scratching the back of his head. "Earning points… really isn't easy."