Name: Aren Neri
Rank: Captain
Enlistment Date: February 18
Potential Rating: S+ (Haki not yet awakened)
Aside from that, the file contained plenty of other information as well, things like what Aren had done in the past, his main military achievements, and so on.
Zephyr had no interest in any of that, and he could not be bothered to read it carefully.
Since the boy was already standing here, what mattered was what he could do now and in the future. No matter how impressive past deeds might look on paper, to Zephyr they were all worthless.
"Join the formation."
After folding the documents closed, Zephyr looked at Aren and Jero and spoke calmly.
Aren, naturally, had no objections. He went to stand beside Jero in the small formation of barely more than a dozen people.
"Instructor Zephyr."
Just as Aren was lining up and lowering his gaze to glance at the pocket watch in his hand, a voice rang out behind them.
A marine major who was waiting to hand over his own documents stepped forward, looked at Zephyr, and called out loudly, "According to the rules of the Marine School of Justice, if there is a special recruit, all other trainees are allowed to challenge him. If they win, they can take his place."
"Fellot, is it?"
Zephyr checked the file in his hand, then raised his eyes to the major from the West Blue who had spoken.
"West Blue, 19th Base, Major Nefa Fellot."
The burly marine major snapped to attention and saluted Zephyr at once.
"There is indeed such a rule in the Marine School of Justice," Zephyr replied with a nod.
"I want to challenge Captain Aren Neri."
As Nefa Fellot declared this to Zephyr, he turned toward Aren. His fists clenched tighter by his sides, his stance lowering ever so slightly. He was clearly ready to start a fight at any moment.
Zephyr did not say anything more. He simply took a step back.
The instructors of the Marine School of Justice behind him, as well as the surrounding marines, understood immediately what that meant. Zephyr had given silent permission.
Aren looked at Nefa Fellot, then drew his pocket watch out from inside his coat and checked the time. "Because special recruits are allowed to stay here at Marine Headquarters after graduation, instead of being sent off to some branch base, I will be blunt. I am not going to give that position to you. However, right now..."
He slipped the pocket watch back into his coat, then took off his Marine justice cloak with the captain's rank insignia on the shoulders. He folded it neatly over his arm.
Only after doing all that did he push his glasses up slightly and look at Fellot with a serious expression. "It is already five o'clock. My workday is over. From this point on, it is my personal time. If you want to challenge me, come find me tomorrow at nine. I start work at nine sharp."
With that, Aren turned his back on all of them and headed toward the small town behind the harbor, not even sparing a glance over his shoulder. His entire posture screamed one thing: he had clocked out and was going to deal with his own business.