There is an unwritten tradition in the recruit camp: when the new students first arrive, the senior trainees always give them a "welcome" — a show of strength.
No one knows exactly when this tradition began, but it's been going on for many years.
Even the three admirals experienced it!
Of course, back in their year, they simply killed all the veterans and were immediately admitted to the elite camp as an exception.
Because of that outrageous performance, they were labeled as monsters from the very beginning.
And in the end, they didn't disappoint — all three went on to become admirals of the navy.
…
Suddenly, a hundred people broke away from the main group, moving like a mighty tide toward the new recruits. The rest of the seniors didn't bother to join. A hundred were enough. The others stood aside, watching the show with anticipation.
Naturally, the freshmen, including Yuno, noticed this sudden gathering.
At first, no one paid much attention. But soon, a group of senior students blocked their path.
Their route was cut off. The pace of training came to a halt.
The new recruits stared forward with puzzled expressions.
Who were these people?
What did they want?
Yuno looked up. Among all the freshmen, only he noticed something — the aura in front of them was clearly hostile.
One of the new recruits frowned and stepped forward. "Who are you? You're blocking our training."
He wasn't foolish. He could guess that these people must also be members of the training camp.
After all, they couldn't be the only group undergoing training. These seniors were likely those who had joined earlier.
A slouching senior stepped out of the crowd. He ignored the one who had just spoken, instead scanning the new recruits with a mocking smirk.
"So… you're the freshmen this year?"
His tone was casual — but arrogant, even contemptuous.
The gathered newcomers frowned at his attitude.
The same freshman spoke again, "Yeah, we are. So what? Are you also part of the training camp?"
The senior sneered, then, without warning, lashed out with a savage kick, sending the freshman flying over ten meters. The poor guy landed hard and groaned in pain, clutching his stomach.
The senior scoffed, "Do you even know the rules? Around here, you call us senior."
The sudden violence left the new recruits stunned.
Especially the one who had been kicked — his face was full of disbelief.
Why did he attack out of nowhere?
Only the older trainees burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Jas, what was that? You trying to scare the newbies?"
"Yeah, what if they all piss their pants?"
Though it sounded like they were reprimanding their companion, their tone was clearly just teasing.
The senior called Jas shrugged, laughing as he spread his arms. "Hey, what can I say? They didn't know the rules."
The atmosphere shifted.
Everyone could tell — this wasn't some random encounter.
This was a deliberate provocation.
A tradition.
Trouble had arrived.
…
Meanwhile, inside one of the nearby buildings, several instructors were observing the confrontation unfold on a monitor.
This was nothing new. It happened every year.
None of them chose to intervene. They simply watched in silence.
After all, failure wasn't the end.
What mattered was whether the recruits could pick themselves up afterward.
This, too, was a test.
A test of spirit.
A brawny instructor with the rank of major general leaned back and chuckled, "Here we go again. Let's hope they don't go too far. Wouldn't want the training schedule thrown off."
A bald brigadier general gave a smirk. "Nah, they know the limit."
Another instructor with a sword at his waist suddenly laughed. "I wonder what kind of batch we've got this year. Think they'll fight back?"
"There was that one class years ago… those kids were vicious. Even the veterans got knocked around."
"Oh yeah, Smoker's class? Him, Drake, and that girl… Hina, was it? All Devil Fruit users. They were fierce. All of them made it into the elite camp."
"I heard Smoker and Drake already graduated. Real monsters, those two."
At that moment, Cage entered the room.
Hearing their conversation, he smiled and chimed in, "Rear Admiral Maynard, Commodore Leighton, Captain Mandel — reminiscing about the good old days?"
Maynard, still shirtless, turned and grinned. "Haha! Rear Admiral Cage. What brings you here?"
Leighton, holding a knife, pointed ahead with a grin.
"It's because the old students couldn't hold back after seeing the freshmen arrive."
Captain Mandel chuckled.
"It's that same old 'tradition' every year. You guys just love stirring up trouble. Later, run a few dozen laps to cool off!"
Cage's mouth twitched, ignoring Maynard's earlier question—Why was he so late?
Of course, he'd just finished his punishment laps. Three thousand laps.
Even with his mastery of physical combat, it had taken nearly a whole day to finish.
No way was he going to talk about that.
Instead, Cage looked toward the commotion and instantly understood.
"You mean that so-called 'tradition' that's been going on forever?"
Back in the day, he used to enjoy watching the seniors stir up trouble for the rookies.
But this year… it was different.
There was that monster of a freshman—the same one who'd repelled him yesterday.
No way were the newbies going to get bullied.
As he looked over, he noticed Yuno staring directly at him.
But Yuno quickly withdrew his gaze.
That brief eye contact sent a chill through Cage's heart.
"This kid... Observation Haki, no doubt about it."
Yesterday, Yuno had tracked his movements with uncanny precision.
Cage had suspected it then.
Now, he was certain.
This wasn't just talent—it was freakish perception.
This kid was a demon in the making.
Mandel glanced at Cage.
"By the way, Cage, you were in the same class as Admiral Aokiji, right?
I heard he beat down all the seniors by himself?"
Cage scratched his cheek, remembering the chaos.
"Pretty much. Aokiji was terrifying even back then.
None of the senior students stood a chance."
The memory was vivid.
Crushed bones, broken egos, absolute domination.
Aokiji had shown Admiral-level potential even as a recruit.
"Hey, stop chatting," someone said.
"Look! The clash has started!"
"I hope it doesn't go overboard this time.
We'll get scolded again if it turns into a full-blown riot."
"Relax. We're watching. No one's gonna die."
Cage laughed and shook his head.
"No need to worry. The ones who'll suffer are the seniors."
"...Huh?"
The three officers turned to Cage, confused.
He gave a sly smile, saying nothing more.
"Just watch."
They were puzzled by his confidence.
But with their curiosity piqued, all eyes turned toward the field.
Meanwhile, on the training grounds—
Yuno retracted his gaze from the instructors.
'They're not stepping in? That means they've tacitly approved this…'
Their lack of surprise spoke volumes.
This "ambush" wasn't spontaneous.
It was a tradition—no, a test.
A long-standing ritual disguised as hazing.
'I see. They're gauging our reactions. Another kind of assessment, huh?'
Yuno clicked his tongue in annoyance.
'Tch. These guys really have layers to their schemes.'
One instructor to intimidate them.
Now the veterans to "remind" them of their place.
It was all coordinated.
'Afraid we'd get arrogant, huh?
Trying to hammer in our "position" through humiliation.
Such a damn routine.'
Yuno's thoughts were sharp, already peeling back the Marine Headquarters' layered indoctrination strategy.