Modsen made no attempt to conceal his anger.
He had spent more than a decade clawing his way up to the rank of Marine Commander.
Why should some sixteen-year-old boy receive the rank of captain the moment he enlisted?
Modsen refused to accept it.
Inviting Leon to take the Doriki test was his way of venting that resentment.
He wanted everyone to see exactly what qualifications a sixteen-year-old possessed to become a Marine captain.
His pointed challenge immediately drew the attention of everyone on the training grounds.
That included all 180 recruits.
Among them were those who had traveled with Caron and personally witnessed Leon knock out a Sea King with Conqueror’s Haki before sinking two pirate ships with a single attack.
They knew exactly how powerful Leon was.
They also understood why Marine Headquarters had granted him an exceptional promotion despite his age.
Naturally, they looked toward him with eager anticipation.
They wanted to see what kind of astonishing Doriki score he would produce.
The recruits brought back by Modsen reacted very differently.
They had never seen Leon fight, so they remained deeply suspicious of a sixteen-year-old receiving the rank of captain on his first day.
“A sixteen-year-old captain?”
“And Headquarters sent his appointment order before he’d even settled in?”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“He must have powerful connections.”
“Without an extraordinary background, how could a boy who only just enlisted receive such a high rank?”
The recruits openly expressed their doubts and dissatisfaction.
They now understood why Modsen had challenged Leon so directly.
Had they spent more than a decade struggling to reach the rank of commander, only to watch an unknown teenager instantly rise above them, they would probably have felt the same way.
Such an enormous difference in treatment could easily make anyone angry.
Hopefully, Captain Leon possessed strength worthy of his rank.
Otherwise, he would be nothing more than a decorative officer sent to the North Blue to build an impressive service record.
Modsen’s sudden challenge caught Caron off guard, though it was not entirely unexpected.
“You…”
Caron looked at Modsen with irritation before releasing a helpless sigh.
Modsen had never mentioned any intention to challenge Leon.
Caron disapproved of his actions, but he could also understand the resentment behind them.
He chose not to intervene immediately.
In his current state, Modsen would not listen to advice.
He would only interpret any attempt to defend Leon as further favoritism.
His anger had already clouded his usual judgment.
There was only one reliable way to make him accept reality.
He had to witness Leon’s strength for himself.
Otherwise, this resentment would continue causing problems throughout the Mushroom Town Marine Branch.
Caron did not want that.
Since things had already reached this point, perhaps Modsen needed to learn a memorable lesson.
Maybe this is for the best.
Once you see the truth, you’ll know better than to challenge Captain Leon again.
You cannot begin to understand what kind of monster he is.
You’re playing with fire.
Caron sighed inwardly.
After today, Modsen would finally understand why Headquarters had approved the immediate promotion of a newly enlisted recruit.
Leon was not merely Kizaru’s nephew.
More importantly, he was terrifyingly powerful.
A genuine monster.
A man born with the qualities of a king who had already awakened Conqueror’s Haki.
Was it truly unreasonable for someone like that to receive the rank of captain immediately?
Geniuses and monsters had always been granted privileges unavailable to ordinary people.
That was simply reality.
Unfortunately, Modsen knew none of this.
Even if Caron explained everything now, he probably would not believe it.
He needed to see it with his own eyes.
A sixteen-year-old receiving the rank of captain upon enlistment was simply too difficult for most people to accept without proof.
Had Caron not personally witnessed Leon’s overwhelming strength, he might have felt exactly as Modsen did.
“Captain Leon, surely you don’t intend to refuse?”
When Leon continued to ignore him, Modsen pressed the issue impatiently.
“How tedious.”
Leon yawned without leaving his rocking chair.
Testing his Doriki sounded like unnecessary effort.
He would rather continue lying down.
As for Modsen’s suspicions and the recruits’ criticism—
Why should he care?
Whether people believed he had gained his rank through connections or strength made no difference to him.
At worst, a few rumors would spread.
Leon had no interest in what strangers said behind his back.
“You—!”
Modsen’s anger surged.
Leon casually lifted his drink and took a long sip through the straw.
The sweet taste spread across his tongue, bringing a contented smile to his face.
He had spent his previous life working himself to death through endless overtime.
What was wrong with enjoying himself now?
He settled more comfortably into the chair and continued sunbathing.
Leon’s completely indifferent attitude only made the hardworking Modsen even angrier.
The commander strode toward him.
Caron hurried after him, terrified that the situation might turn violent.
He was worried that Modsen would provoke Leon and be killed on the spot.
I’m trying to save your life, you fool.
Stop making things worse.
That young man is a genuine monster.
If he decides to attack you, not one person here will be able to stop him.
Modsen had faithfully served the Mushroom Town Marine Branch for more than a decade.
His strength might not be exceptional, but he had fulfilled his duties responsibly.
Caron could not simply stand by while the man recklessly endangered himself.
“Captain Leon, surely you don’t want to hear rumors about yourself every day.”
Modsen stopped beside the chair.
“This is your opportunity to prove that you deserve your rank.”
Leon looked at him through his sunglasses.
Caron immediately stepped forward and spoke with great caution.
“Captain Leon, perhaps you could give them a small demonstration.”
“That would put an end to the accusations spreading through the branch.”
Modsen was not the only one questioning Leon.
Many veteran Marines stationed at Mushroom Town also believed that the sixteen-year-old captain had received unfair treatment.
The simplest solution was for Leon to personally silence them.
Once they witnessed his strength, no one would have anything left to say.
“Fine.”
After considering it briefly, Leon slowly rose from the chair.
He looked at Modsen.
“I’ll accept your invitation so this doesn’t create even more trouble later.”
“But…”
“This is the only time.”
“I don’t want anyone bothering me with this sort of thing again.”
With that, Leon walked toward the Doriki measuring device.
Caron, Modsen, and all 180 recruits watched him closely.
Some gazes held curiosity.
Others anticipation.
Many were filled with skepticism and contempt.
Leon ignored all of them.
He stopped in front of the device.
There was no elaborate preparation.
He simply raised his right hand and loosely curled his fingers into a fist.
Then he punched the machine.
His expression remained completely casual.
Anyone could see that he was not taking the test seriously.
The motion looked more like a warm-up than an actual attack.
Leon’s fist drifted toward the Doriki measuring device with almost no apparent force.