After the test, those who passed were officially named reserve marines.
But did they think that was the end?
No—
This was only the beginning!
Though called marines, reserve members were barely above civilians in combat ability. No training, no skills, not even discipline. Just raw numbers.
And now began—the trial.
Only the best would be selected from the batch.
This was the navy—a world ruled by strength. As long as you had the talent and power, you'd be entitled to privileges others could only dream of.
Training resources. Personal mentorship. Advanced techniques.
Even the legendary Rokushiki—the Six Marine Styles—and the use of Kenbunshoku and Busoshoku Haki would be taught... step by step.
Of course, those elite techniques weren't offered here in a backwater branch. Only at the holy land of the navy—the Headquarters—could one access such secrets.
…
A few days later, the trial began.
Rather than a test, it was a duel—a battle between new recruits.
Only the top dozen would be selected as key recruits.
And word had it—a trial ship from Navy Headquarters would arrive in two months. Those who made it in would board that vessel and step onto sacred ground.
The better you performed, the greater your chances of leaving this place behind.
Naturally, Yuno dominated every round.
He barely tried. His victories were clean, silent. As if this trial bored him.
He didn't even activate White Thunder. He didn't need to.
Likewise, Lafer—the brawny youth from earlier—also claimed victory after victory. His style was wild and straightforward, driven by brute strength alone.
He crushed opponents with raw physicality.
Eventually, the two titans met.
When the crowd saw them step into the arena together, excitement buzzed in the air.
"Heh, who do you think'll win?" someone whispered.
"Speed versus strength. Hard to say," another muttered.
"My bet's on Lafer! That guy's a monster."
"Why?"
"Yuno's fast, sure—but I don't think he can even scratch Lafer."
"That's not guaranteed. What if Lafer can't land a single hit? He'll exhaust himself!"
"Stop arguing. It's starting!"
Conversations hushed as attention snapped to the field.
A nearby naval officer turned to watch.
"What do you think, Captain?" asked one lieutenant.
The captain rubbed his chin. "Lafer has potential. His raw strength's monstrous. Even I might not overpower him in a test of muscle."
"He could become a future pillar of the navy!"
"Seems we all agree. That Yuno kid is fast—might master Soru one day—but right now? Lafer's physique wins."
"That speed won't matter if he can't do damage."
The consensus was clear: most doubted Yuno.
This stage—the earliest tier of combat, where no one had learned real techniques—was dominated by brute force.
And by that standard, Lafer reigned supreme.
Yuno heard every word. His sharp ears caught every whisper and murmur.
But he didn't react.
Perhaps they were all correct.
Perhaps, physically, Yuno was inferior.
But—
Victory in battle doesn't hinge on muscle alone.
Even now, without drawing on even a sliver of true power, Yuno could think of dozens of ways to defeat Lafer instantly.
"Hahaha! Brother, we meet again!" Lafer beamed with joy as he stepped forward. "I saw your matches—you're strong! I'm glad to fight you. You're the opponent I've been waiting for!"
Despite his brutish appearance, Lafer spoke with surprising honesty.
In contrast, Yuno stood calmly beneath the blazing sun, unreadable and utterly still.
He didn't speak.
He didn't posture.
He simply stared.
This wasn't a contest of might.
It was a test of dominance.
And in that battlefield—
he would write the result.
Even when he offered them a friendly smile, they remained so xenophobic. How unfriendly!
Yuno was the first person to speak to him, which deeply touched him.
He considered Yuno a friend!
And after witnessing Yuno's exceptional skill, Lafer immediately regarded this new acquaintance as a formidable rival.
Mother once said that a good rival can only make you more ambitious!
Thus, Lafer's gaze was filled with fighting spirit as he looked at Yuno.
Lafer stood over two meters tall, nearly three meters even. Compared to him, Yuno, just over five feet, looked like a tiny, frail child.
'An opponent you've got your eye on?'
Yuno was puzzled. This guy seemed rather familiar; he'd known it from the moment they spoke. But when had he become his rival?
And why was he suddenly so eager to fight?
It was inexplicable.
"Your name is Lafer, right? Let's get started. There are people waiting behind us," Yuno said calmly, his tone composed.
"Then, Brother Yuno, be careful!"
Lafer's gaze sharpened, his already ferocious features growing even more intimidating. The sight alone caused the spectators around them to shudder.
"So terrifying! Wasn't this guy a gangster before? He looks scary enough to be arrested just for showing his face!"
"His face alone could scare a child into obedience!"
The murmurs continued around them, but Lafer paid them no mind. He charged forward like a raging bull, his feet slamming into the ground with thunderous force as he hurled himself at Yuno with unstoppable momentum!
His fist—massive, like a cast-iron pot—swung down toward Yuno.
Yuno dodged, slipping away easily.
Lafer's first strike missed, but he quickly followed up with another punch.
Yuno evaded once more.
"You trying to tire me out? Pointless! I can go all day like this!"
Lafer roared, striding forward and swinging yet another fist at Yuno's chest.
"Straightforward attacks like these won't work on me," Yuno said calmly, sidestepping again.
"As expected of my chosen rival! You're exactly as tricky as I hoped!"
Lafer didn't waver. Maybe he was just thick-headed, or maybe he truly believed brute force would prevail. Either way, he paid Yuno's words no mind and kept swinging.
Yuno sighed, a little exasperated. "Then I'll get serious. Watch closely."
At that moment, he seized an opening. As Lafer lunged forward with another heavy punch, Yuno used shunpo to disappear—reappearing behind him in an instant.
Then he kicked.
Bang!
Lafer, already off-balance from his missed punch, staggered forward. Yuno's kick pushed him just enough—his foot landed just beyond the marked boundary line.
"…Thank you," Yuno said softly, turning away.
"I… lost?"
Lafer looked down, staring at the foot he had stepped out of bounds with, dazed.
But then, his eyes lit up again, burning with passion. "So strong! As expected of the rival I chose! I'll definitely train hard and surpass you!"
Yuno: "…"
The crowd was equally stunned.
"Huh? Lafer lost just like that?"
"Wasn't that just a simple kick?"
"Did he let him win?"
"Or was it just an accident…?"