Hammer numbly walked over to stand beside Sakazuki.
The usually silent Sakazuki suddenly sized up the young man who was a full head taller than him.
"Pretty good strength."
"Mm."
Huhh??
What the heck, did Sakazuki just talk to him?
Hammer froze.
The stone-faced killing machine Sakazuki actually initiated a conversation?!
Damn, if there were an achievement system, he'd probably have just unlocked one.
While Hammer was still spacing out, the next test candidate had already stepped up.
With a punch
Boom!
Crack!
"Ahhhhh-!!!!"
The testing machine, unlike before when it just vibrated, suddenly gave a fierce recoil and sent the tester flying backward.
A number appeared at the same time: -400.
The sound of bones breaking rang out sharply, followed by a miserable scream. The young man clutched his deformed right arm and passed out.
Silence
Everyone was stunned. What the hell just happened?
How did this guy end up like that after just one punch?
Even Zephyr was stunned. 'Did this idiot just break his own arm from punching too hard?!'
As the person in charge, Zephyr quickly called out:
"Medics! Get him to the infirmary!" Zephyr barked.
"Pathetic. Can't even take a simple test without crippling himself. NEXT!"
With Zephyr stepping in, the crowd calmed down, and everyone started criticizing the poor guy's weak physique.
Only Hammer, standing aside, had the corner of his mouth twitching.
'Oh no.'
Suddenly, he understood what that attribute that had just been activated meant.
That "100% Rebound" effect from his Critical Crafting, it wasn't just for show.
'This machine was now a goddamn booby trap!'
Realizing this, Hammer quickly stepped forward to Zephyr.
"Admiral Zephyr, I think there's something wrong with this machine. Maybe we should switch it out?"
Zephyr gave Hammer a glance. His expression was gentle but firm.
"Hammer, stay put. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this machine. It can withstand up to 5,000 Douriki. Unless you exceed 5,000 and destroy it outright, it will continue to keep working."
"Alright, next!"
Zephyr pushed Hammer aside and continued the testing.
Before Hammer could say anything more—
The next victim had already stepped up.
His stance was cool, his strength solid, power level 700, not bad.
Crack!
"Ahhhh!"
The arc of the body flying through the air was quite graceful.
Mm, but tragic.
Same familiar pose, same familiar scream, same familiar landing.
This victim also clutched his right arm and fainted.
Two victims in a row left Zephyr puzzled.
What's going on?
While everyone in the square exchanged bewildered glances
A loud, booming voice suddenly rang out.
"Bwaahahaha, Zephyr, you've already started here, huh!"
"Looks like I'm late!"
With short black hair, the same robust physique as Zephyr, the laughing man was none other than the Marine Hero
Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp.
Beside him stood a young man.
Not especially handsome, but he looked sharp and capable.
Hammer stared for a long time before realizing this was Garp's son, Monkey D. Dragon.
"Garp, what are you doing here? Can't you see I'm testing recruits?"
"C'mon~ I came to deliver you a recruit!"
Garp laughed loudly, picking his nose as he shoved Dragon forward.
Hammer's face darkened, if he wasn't mistaken…
The hand Garp used to push Dragon had just been digging in his nose.
"Oh? Your son? Good. He'll take the test in a bit."
"Hey, hey, Zephyr! Does my son really need to take the test? Are you questioning my training?"
Zephyr wasn't having any of Garp's nonsense. He called the medics to carry away victim #2.
"Next!"
Victim #3 stepped forward nervously.
The machine looked like a giant beast.
Clenching his fists, gritting his teeth, he threw a punch.
Bang~
A crisp sound rang out.
Power level: 150
Pretty low, but because it was low, the third victim only felt a huge force rebound from the machine, but he could handle it.
After all, he had deliberately held back his strength.
Although his fist was sore and his arm numb, he survived!
At that moment, two streams of tears ran down victim #3's face. But before he could celebrate
Zephyr's furious roar and a giant boot came crashing down.
"What the hell! 150 power units and you dare join my training camp? Are you looking down on me?!"
Victim #3 exited with honor, but as he passed the next recruit, he whispered:
"Bro… if you wanna survive, hold back your strength."
Then he walked away, leaving behind a shining, heroic back.
Only now did everyone realize the only way to survive was to control their strength!
From that point on, no more victims appeared.
Everyone dialed down their power.
The machine's display never went over 200.
Zephyr was fuming. Garp was laughing.
Even Sakazuki's face darkened.
He couldn't understand why so many "elites" were so weak.
100, 200 power units, what were they good for?
How could they uphold justice with that? Was this still justice???
Only Hammer had an awkward look, covering his face, unable to watch the circus on the square.
"Damn it! What kind of cowardly soldiers are these!"
"I'm so pissed off!"
"Where's Sengoku?! That bastard! What kind of people did he send me?!"
Zephyr was about to explode with rage.
It wasn't his fault; this was the first Marine Elite Training Camp, and he'd invested huge hopes in it.
Who would've thought it would end in disaster before it even started?
Soon, hundreds of people finished their tests.
They all shared one thing in common, unconsciously clutching their right arms.
Even after holding back their power, the countershock still left them miserable.
But none of them were resentful. On the contrary, they sent victim #3 countless grateful looks.
"Borsalino!"
The future Yellow Monkey, last in line, finally stepped up.
Borsalino looked confused — he had just been napping, how was it his turn already?
Zephyr looked at the tall, lanky Borsalino with great confidence.
This training camp had several outstanding talents — Sakazuki was one, and this Borsalino was another.
If he was right, Borsalino's power level shouldn't be lower than Sakazuki's.
"Ugh, such a pain, I just wanted to sleep…"
Borsalino muttered to himself as he walked to the machine.
Veins bulged on Zephyr's forehead.
What was with this guy's attitude?!
"Hurry up and test!"
Borsalino helplessly scratched his hair, then started gathering power.
Only then did Zephyr's face ease a little.
Boom!
Crack!
"What the—ahhhhh!!!!"
The next second, Borsalino earned the title of Victim #4!