Just like yesterday, everyone stared blankly at Elliot’s back, once again wearing expressions of astonishment and bewilderment.
The cadet handbook did state that training started at eight o’clock.
But according to Instructor Zephyr, that sort of thing was just written casually; no one ever actually took it seriously.
After all, as a Marine, where would you ever have normal hours?
Not to mention this was the Marine Training Academy.
But…
Elliot took it seriously.
And he was going to strictly abide by it like this?
Everyone watched Elliot’s back, at a loss for words for a moment.
Even though they had witnessed Elliot’s self-centered ways yesterday, especially when facing Admiral Sakazuki, this was just…
Why is he still like this today!
Breakfast or whatever, none of us have eaten either!
“Hahahahaha!”
But right then, Zephyr’s laughter suddenly reached everyone’s ears.
The crowd turned their heads to look.
They saw Instructor Zephyr with a smile on his face, just watching Elliot’s back with an entirely unbothered expression.
“Instructor,” the blue-haired female instructor Ain said, looking at Zephyr.
Zephyr smiled and shook his head.
“It’s fine.
Besides, since that kid has already completed his morning training on his own, let him do as he pleases.
Moreover, today’s main task is to select the cadets who can go out on missions, and he has already passed his evaluation.
So he…
huh?”
As he said this, Zephyr’s expression blanked for a moment.
“Hound is here this early?”
Ain turned to look.
Over by the training ground gates, Vice Admiral Hound, dressed in a blue striped suit and wearing pointed glasses, was slowly walking toward them.
And he came face-to-face with Elliot, who was on his way out.
Upon seeing Hound, Ain immediately looked at Zephyr.
“Instructor, Vice Admiral Hound doesn’t know that Elliot’s evaluation yesterday also counted as his field mission evaluation.”
Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral!
If Marine Headquarters Admirals existed as the highest military force within the Marines, leading all Marines!
Then, Headquarters Vice Admirals were the core strength standing on the front lines against pirates and the Revolutionary Army rebelling against the World Government!
Every Vice Admiral was a veteran of a hundred battles, having survived countless death matches, possessing formidable strength.
Elliot had gained a general understanding of military ranks when he followed Garp to Headquarters, so when he saw the rank on the cloak of the Headquarters Vice Admiral approaching him from straight ahead…
…he didn’t hesitate at all and immediately saluted Hound.
Hound looked at the elegant young man with slightly curly black hair and glasses in front of him, recalling the image of this youth battling Instructor Zephyr at the port yesterday.
Subconsciously…
Hound clenched his fists.
That battle yesterday hadn’t just ignited the hot blood of the young Marines.
It had also fired up commissioned officers like them!
But looking at the youth before him, although Hound really wanted to spar with him, he was also very clear about his purpose for being invited here this time, so he spoke up.
“The field mission evaluation is about to begin.
Where are you going…”
After saying that, he added, “And as a Special Recruit, I’ve already figured out exactly how I’m going to evaluate you.”
Hearing this, Elliot pondered for a moment before asking, “Mr.
Vice Admiral, may I ask what the field mission evaluation is?
Is it like selecting personnel for a business trip?”
Yesterday was the Special Recruit evaluation, which was about whether he was qualified to be a Special Recruit.
Hound’s eyes beneath his sunglasses were faintly visible in the light of the rising sun, but his expression remained stern.
“Didn’t Instructor Zephyr tell you?”
Saying this, Hound glanced at Zephyr and the others standing over there, then explained, “Every three months, the cadets in the Marine Academy are led by Instructor Zephyr to carry out missions in the [New World].
However, due to certain past events, any cadet going out must be evaluated by Instructor Zephyr and a Headquarters Vice Admiral.
Only those who pass the evaluation are allowed to go out.”
Hearing this, Elliot understood at once.
But after checking the time, he looked up at Hound.
“I understand.
Thank you for your hard work.
I will appear at the training ground right on time at eight o’clock.”
With that, Elliot saluted Hound and walked straight toward the exit.
*Swish!*
But just as Elliot walked past Hound, an arm suddenly raised to block him.
Hound turned his head to look at Elliot beside him, his expression even more stern and heavy.
“I just said the evaluation is about to begin.
What are you talking about, coming back at eight o’clock?”
Elliot pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose.
“Because official classes don’t start until eight o’clock, I’ll come back at eight.
Right now, I’m going to go eat breakfast first.”
Hearing this, Hound’s expression blanked.
“Huh?”
Elliot reached out, lowered Hound’s arm, saluted once more, and then continued walking outside.
Breakfast was a very important matter to Elliot.
After all, skipping breakfast was bad for one’s health.
Elliot, who pursued a leisurely and comfortable life, absolutely would not allow his body to have any problems.
“I said, what kind of place do you think the Marines are!” Hound clenched his fists and looked back at Elliot.
“Since yesterday, you’ve been going on about overtime, salary, and the like!
What is your purpose for joining the Marines!
Furthermore…
I am your examiner right now!”
Elliot had just turned his head to look at Hound…
…but the moment he turned, he saw pitch-black claws already slashing toward him!
“Huh?”
Seeing Vice Admiral Hound’s appearance, Elliot looked startled.
But his body instinctively leaned slightly to the side.
*Swish!*
Five claw marks descended right in front of Elliot, and five deep gouges instantly appeared on the ground.
But Elliot just stared at Vice Admiral Hound’s appearance…
No!
Rather than saying his name was Hound, it was more accurate to say that the Vice Admiral had completely transformed into the shape of a humanoid hound!
“A Devil…
Fruit?” Elliot looked at Hound.
*Thud!*
After leaping back a few steps, Hound locked his pupils onto Elliot.
“Yes, I am a Devil Fruit user of the Dog-Dog Fruit, Model: Hound.
Originally, since I’m just here to help as an examiner, I shouldn’t show this form to the cadets, but since I’m facing you, it’s absolutely necessary!”
As he spoke, not only was the breath exhaling from Hound’s mouth clearly visible, but his arms hung low, and dark purple Armament Haki completely coated his claws.
Accompanied by a low growl, his bulging muscles instantly stretched his suit tight.
“Time and time again, you spout those self-indulgent words, and now you even shamelessly declare that you’re ditching the evaluation to go eat breakfast!
Do you have any idea which is more important?!”
Elliot answered bluntly, “Breakfast.”
*Crack~~*
Just hearing that single word from Elliot, a low growl rumbled from Hound’s throat as his fangs bared.
In the very next instant, Hound’s entire body lunged toward Elliot.
He was strong!
Elliot was strong!
He had seen that yesterday!
Therefore!
Today, he had to go all out!
As an examiner!
He had to give it his all!
That was why he had instantly transformed into his hound form to attack with full force!
Especially…
*I want to see just how strong you really are!!*
“Saying breakfast is more important!
Then your evaluation begins right now!”
As Hound roared, black clouds faintly appeared around his body, and his physical form grew even closer to that of an actual hound!
This was the Awakened state that only appeared after developing his Devil Fruit to a certain level, though he couldn’t maintain it for long.
But…
This was already his strongest state!
“…”
Elliot extended his middle finger and pushed up his glasses.
He had more or less grasped the situation.
So…
Elliot looked at Hound charging toward him.
And raised his fist.