The conscription process was simple. First, one had to fill out a form with their name, age, and background. Then came the physical fitness assessment.
Once a candidate passed the basic physical tests, they would be accepted—albeit only as the lowest-ranking navy personnel: privates, the ones tasked with carrying muskets and patrolling the streets.
If someone wanted to become a captain, they'd usually have to serve for years. Once their background had been thoroughly vetted and they'd proven themselves, promotions would follow.
"Here. Fill it out and hand it back," a navy officer said flatly, not even bothering to look up as he passed Yuno a form.
Yuno took it and glanced over the contents. It was straightforward—name, background, and other basic personal information.
He hesitated briefly on the name. After a moment's thought, he decided to go with Yuno. But then he paused and added a surname.
"Let's go with... Patino Yuno," he murmured to himself.
The surname "Patino" came from a half-forgotten memory—back before his time travel, back when he had a fleeting fling with a pale, long-legged foreign girl. He vaguely recalled that her last name had been Patino...
He didn't remember much about his previous life. The only thing burned into his memory was a fire—a fire that had once swept through an entire nation. Everything else was fragmented and blurred.
But it didn't matter. As long as he wasn't a wanted criminal, it would be fine.
After all, even pirates could reform and join the Navy. So his identity wasn't an issue.
He filled out the form, handed it back to the navy officer, and was met with a brief nod.
"Alright. Go wait over there. You'll be tested shortly. If you pass, you'll be listed as a reserve recruit for this island's branch."
Yuno nodded and headed to the testing area.
A quick glance revealed a crowd had already gathered. Many were stretching or jogging in place, mentally preparing for the test.
The test itself was straightforward—assessing physical capabilities: speed, strength, stamina, and jumping ability. Meeting the standard in two of those four areas was enough to pass.
The line moved quickly, and before long, it was Yuno's turn.
So—how to describe his physical fitness?
In a word: terrible.
At this stage—before activating Shunko—Yuno's physical strength wasn't even on par with a basic Germa clone soldier.
The reason he had sliced through those clones like melons before had nothing to do with raw power—it was his swordsmanship. He was a skilled swordsman capable of executing slashes that ordinary people couldn't even see, let alone dodge.
Looking around now, Yuno had to admit—some of the test participants looked physically stronger than him.
Especially the burly young man he'd met earlier at the gate—his physicality was unquestionably superior.
But if it came down to a fight?
Yuno could finish him with a single strike.
Still, he didn't show off. He kept things simple, performing just slightly above average in most categories—except for two.
Speed and jumping.
In those areas, Yuno completely outclassed everyone.
Gasps of amazement erupted from the crowd:
"Whoa, look at that guy's speed—he's a full lap ahead!"
"His jump… that's more than double anyone else's!"
"He's definitely getting in! No doubt about it!"
"So strong—and so young!"
The buzz around him wasn't just due to his performance, but also his age. He looked like he was still in his teens, which naturally caught attention.
His strength and endurance stats were unremarkable, but his explosive agility pushed his overall score to the top tier of applicants.
The Marines from the island's branch base took note. Several officers glanced at each other, clearly surprised. It had been a while since they saw a talent with such potential.
Just then, the burly youth from earlier stepped up for his own test.
With his towering figure and shredded upper body, he immediately turned heads.
But then came his face—fierce, with a menacing smirk. The mood shifted.
"…Wait, is this guy some gang boss or what?"
Yuno also turned to look, narrowing his eyes.
He could tell from a glance—this guy's physical stats were leagues above the others. His arms, chest, and shoulders practically screamed raw power.
Definitely a gifted individual.
But in the pirate-infested world they lived in, that wasn't rare.
There were kids who awakened Observation Haki in the womb and toddlers who could crack rocks with their fists.
Some people were just freakishly strong.
"Is it my turn?" the burly youth asked with a wide grin, stepping in front of the testing machine.
This machine was designed to test physical strength.
"Hah!"
The young man roared as his right arm tensed, muscles surging like coiled steel cables. Veins bulged, his body radiating raw power.
With a fierce punch, he struck the machine—his fist slicing through the air with a whistle.
Boom!
A solid impact echoed as his knuckles slammed into the strength-testing machine. The dial began to spin, ticking upward with a mechanical hum.
[120]!
Gasps erupted from the crowd.
"Wait—am I seeing things? 120?! I only scored 70!"
"Your 70's already solid. I barely hit 50—didn't even qualify!"
"What's with today?! First, that guy with insane speed, and now someone this powerful? Are us normal folks just meant to be cannon fodder?!"
The score left everyone in awe.
120—far and away the strongest recorded today.
A full twenty points higher than second place!
Yuno turned his gaze toward the youth and nodded subtly.
That body… monstrous.
From his punching stance and wild technique, it was clear—no formal training.
All raw, terrifying talent.
Even nearby marines exchanged uneasy glances. Some of them couldn't hit 120 either.
"Impressive."
A navy officer, white cloak fluttering from his shoulders, gave a satisfied nod.
"Two outstanding ones this time," another marine remarked, flipping through his recruitment notes. "Let's see… Patino Yuno, from Dongzik Island. And the other, Lafer, Kammaboka Island."
"Promising young blood!"
A third officer grinned. "If you want to enter the Headquarters Training Camp, you'd best keep pushing!"
"300 Doriki. That's the benchmark. How many of you will reach it?"
Doriki—a measure of pure physical combat power in the navy.
An average recruit? 10.
Break 500, and you're officially superhuman.
At that level, you're officer-tier—at least a Second Lieutenant.
Of course, it wasn't a universal system.
Devil Fruit users often rendered such numbers meaningless.
Doriki remained a reference, not an absolute.
Even so, there was a saying among marines:
"Hit 500, and you earn that justice-draped cloak."
But any real soldier knew—combat power wasn't just a number.
Strength alone doesn't win wars.