Chapter 3: Timed Mission
"The Doriki test is over. Everyone, follow me!"
The Doriki test ended quickly. Among the new recruits, only three were noteworthy.
The first was Karl, who currently had the highest Doriki. The other two were Paramecia users: Ain with 401 and Bins with 451.
Karl, finding out he was the highest in the group, was filled with regret. He wished he had just thrown a casual punch. Now he had stuck his neck out, which would very likely attract extra attention, needlessly increasing the difficulty of slacking off.
Ding! [Daily Task Issued (Training Camp Phase)]: During daily training, accumulate 8 hours of slacking. Reward: Designated Attribute Enhancement Card *2, Random Additional Reward *2.
"Holy crap, the daily rewards for the training camp are doubled?!" Karl could only marvel at how worthy it was of a career mission.
"Ding! Friendly reminder: The currently bound occupation is Marine. Career mission and daily mission rewards will increase along with the host's military rank."
"Host, please correct your attitude. Slacking is not giving up!"
That was right. For Karl, slacking was just the means; getting stronger was the goal!
Take that long-faced man Kuzan. Don't be fooled by his constantly sleepy appearance; when things needed doing, he really stepped up. This attitude of slacking when it's time to slack and working when it's time to work was something Karl found very worthy of study.
Even though Aokiji maintained this passive attitude after the Ohara incident, it didn't stop Sengoku from appreciating Kuzan as he neared retirement, even wanting to recommend him as the next Fleet Admiral.
What a role model for the slacking world! This was it!
It was just a pity that the World Government interfered. He then lost to that workaholic, became disheartened, and retired from the slacking world.
Thinking of this, Karl couldn't help but think of the Holy Light Fruit he had just obtained. This fruit seemed especially suitable for him!
No, no rush. There were too many people right now. Even if he was going to eat it, it wouldn't be now.
With a complicated heart, Karl followed the new recruits to the training grounds. Instructor Zephyr was already waiting.
Once everyone had arrived, Zephyr took the roster from Shuzo, glanced at it casually, and set it aside. He then roared at them, "Attention!"
"I declare the 24th Marine Training Camp officially open! Everyone, turn to the right! Run 50 laps around this field! Begin now!"
At the command, all the new recruits obediently began running laps around the field.
Zephyr took this opportunity to study each recruit's file, exchanging a few words with Shuzo from time to time. When he saw Karl's file, he couldn't help but ask.
"Huh? That kid who was late just now is actually the strongest in this batch?"
"Yes, Teacher Zephyr. Even I was very surprised. That pretty boy... no, that kid looks so frail, I didn't expect him to have decent strength."
Zephyr nodded and patted Shuzo's shoulder. "Keep a close eye on this kid for me. He still has potential to be dug out!"
On the track, Karl ran in the middle of the group with a bitter expression. He swore he was definitely slacking, but his slacking time wasn't accumulating at all.
Karl was almost frantic. If this kept up, he might not even be able to complete his daily task. Did he really have to feign illness to skip training for it to count as slacking?
But that wouldn't work either! This wasn't the military training of Karl's original world. Faking an illness wasn't that easy.
If he was exposed, given Zephyr's attitude towards Kizaru, it would very likely lead to a souring of his relationship with Zephyr, and it wasn't impossible he could even be expelled from the training camp!
After all, he wasn't Kizaru, who was a powerful Logia-type Devil Fruit user. He was currently just a marine with mediocre talent.
An ordinary marine who didn't train hard and only thought about slacking off and avoiding training... trying to coast by at Marine Headquarters?
"Host detected in a slacking dilemma. Time-limited mission issued: Find a perfect way to dodge this training session within 10 minutes.
Reward: Active Skill [Frail]: Upon use, Lifespan -3 days, Defense -100%, Injury/Illness chance +1000%, and gain Major Injury Exemption (immune to fatal injuries and their aftereffects). Lasts for 3 minutes. PS: Can only be used once every three days."
Karl's eyes lit up instantly. He felt that life had hope again. As expected of the Slacking System, so considerate!
The autonomy to slack!
Although it cost lifespan, it was only three days, and it wasn't like he would use it often. Not to mention, the random rewards could give him more days of lifespan.
But the question was, what method should he use to perfectly dodge this training?
"Tsk tsk~"
With only ten minutes, Karl suddenly felt immense pressure. His gaze began to wander. Unconsciously, he saw Ain running steadily in front of him. An idea!
I choose you! Ain!
This girl's ability was the Return-Return Fruit. If Karl remembered correctly, her ability could make people "younger."
As long as he became a child, would Zephyr have the heart to make a little kid run fifty laps?
The plan was perfect! Time to act!
Karl immediately accelerated, sprinting to Ain's side. He looked straight ahead, but the corner of his eye was fixed on Ain's youthful figure. He smiled without showing his teeth: "Hey, Ain! Can you do me a favor!"
Ain, who was focused on running, turned her head. She saw Karl winking at her, and her pretty face flushed slightly.
Faced with Karl's handsome and bright smile, she was too thin-skinned to look him directly in the eye.
She could only pretend to be casual and replied shyly, "Um~ What do you need me to do?"
Yes! Karl cheered in his heart. Being handsome really paid off!
If he looked like Silver Fox Foxy, this probably wouldn't have worked.
"Ain, I heard you're a user of the Return-Return Fruit. Can you show me your ability?"
Ain frowned slightly, saying with difficulty, "This... Brother Karl, you mean right now?"
"Yes, yes, right now! Try it on me! Don't worry, if anything happens, I'll take full responsibility!"
Karl slapped his chest loudly, afraid Ain wouldn't believe him.
When Ain heard this, she knew it was a bad idea. She knew her ability better than anyone! Once used on Karl, it would definitely turn him into a small child. She absolutely could not do this to her colleague.
"No, no, no, I can't, Brother Karl! I absolutely can't do that!"
After speaking, Ain immediately pulled away, her attitude extremely firm.
Karl, angry at his own failure, wanted to slap his own face. Dammit, why couldn't you be just a little more handsome!
I'll teach you a lesson this time. If there's a next time, you can forget about washing your face for the rest of your life!
It was fine that Plan A failed; he still had Plan B!
Running up next to Ain again, Karl whispered: "Ain, just let me see your ability. You don't have to use it on me, okay?"
Karl's tone carried a trace of pleading, and he looked at Ain with pitiful eyes.
Time ticked by, second by second. Ain really couldn't stand Karl's gaze any longer and sighed helplessly.
As Karl watched, she extended her left hand. A deep pink halo of light emerged from her palm, flickering like a flame, mysterious and strange.
Now!
A glint flashed in Karl's eyes. His right hand shot out with the speed of lightning and grabbed Ain's left hand, holding on tight and not letting go.
As his body began to change, Karl smiled slightly. The "frame-up" plan was a success!
"This!"
Ain covered her mouth, completely stunned by Karl's move. But she reacted quickly and immediately retracted her power.
However, her ability took effect instantly upon contact. It was already too late to retract it.
Karl, now a 14-year-old boy, was tripped by his own pants and fell to the ground. The marines behind him couldn't dodge in time and were tripped by the fallen Karl.
One after another, the commotion on the field quickly attracted Zephyr's attention. He shouted for the running recruits to stop and then sprinted over to Karl's side.
Frowning deeply, Zephyr looked at the comical boy trying to cover himself with his oversized clothes and asked in a deep voice, "What happened?"
"Reporting, Instructor! I asked Ain to show me her ability just now. Out of curiosity, I touched it, and this happened..."
"This is preposterous! You are in training, not playing house! Ain, is it so great being a Devil Fruit user? You have to show off in front of your colleagues?"
"I... I... It was my fault, Instructor Zephyr!"
Ain wanted to say something, but she quickly hung her head in dejection under Zephyr's stern gaze, admitting fault and taking the blame for Karl.
"Hmph! What are you all still looking at? Do you not need to train? Keep running!"
"You two, come with me!"
Zephyr's face was full of anger. He stormed off, flicking his sleeve. Karl whispered to Ain, "I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you later!"