After the written examination concluded, the completed papers were gathered and presented to the instructors for evaluation.
Saint Roselith Seraphina, who had proposed the final question, naturally participated in the grading.
She carefully examined the answers written by the candidates.
"Everyone's answer is different."
Seraphina rested her pen against the table and looked thoughtful.
Zeff, the veteran Marine instructor, watched her for a moment before asking, "So, Seraphina, what do you believe justice truly is?"
He had expected this outcome.
There could never be one universally accepted definition of justice.
Even within the Marines, the concept of justice had always differed from one person to another.
Zeff himself was proof of that.
He had spent decades teaching Marines and had once been known throughout the organization for his strict adherence to the principles he believed in.
Yet after everything he had experienced, even Zeff's convictions had begun to waver.
"There is no single, definitive answer to what justice is."
Seraphina slowly shook her head.
"I'm still searching for my own answer."
That wasn't entirely true.
She did have her own understanding of justice.
However, explaining it within the framework of this world was difficult.
The world she now lived in was fundamentally different from the world she had once known.
The seas were ruled by pirates, the World Government possessed enormous political authority, the Marines enforced its laws, and individuals with extraordinary strength could overturn entire battles by themselves.
Most importantly, the existence of Devil Fruits and Haki meant that individual power could reach levels that ordinary people could scarcely comprehend.
After her previous conversations with Hancock, Seraphina had begun thinking more carefully about the nature of justice in this world.
Her original understanding of justice might have been perfectly reasonable in another world.
But here, simply possessing enough power to enforce one's ideals could completely change the balance between justice, freedom, and authority.
"Professor Zeff already has an answer in his heart."
Seraphina looked directly at him.
"And, in his own way, he has already been carrying out the kind of justice he believes in."
Zeff was silent.
He understood exactly what she meant.
Justice differed from person to person.
For some Marines, justice meant absolute obedience to the law.
For others, justice meant protecting civilians.
For some, it meant eliminating pirates without hesitation.
And for others, justice meant preventing unnecessary suffering whenever possible.
Zeff had spent his life somewhere within that complicated spectrum.
"I never thought that, at my age, I would be receiving a lecture from one of my own students."
Zeff gave a bitter smile.
"I suppose I really have grown old."
He lowered his eyes toward the examination papers.
"I've spent decades believing that the path I chose was the right one."
"But now…"
"I'm no longer completely certain."
Zeff rubbed his temples.
"I don't know whether the justice I've upheld all these years was truly right or wrong."
"And the worst part is…"
"I don't know where else to turn."
His voice became quieter.
He was no longer the imposing instructor who could command hundreds of Marines with a single shout.
He was simply an aging veteran carrying decades of memories on his shoulders.
He had watched countless young Marines enter the battlefield.
He had watched some return victorious.
He had watched others return wounded.
And he had watched far too many never return at all.
At his age, searching for an entirely new path was not as easy as it had been when he was young.
He had neither the boundless energy of youth nor the luxury of pretending that the consequences of his decisions did not matter.
"Professor Zeff…"
Seraphina slowly placed her pen on the table.
Concern appeared in her eyes.
Zeff immediately waved his hand.
"Enough."
"If we continue talking about this, my old heart might not survive the discussion."
He forced a laugh and deliberately changed the subject.
"Besides, there are still several hundred examination papers waiting for us."
Seraphina understood.
She did not press him further.
Everyone had a path they needed to walk themselves.
She could offer guidance.
She could provide another perspective.
But she could not decide Zeff's definition of justice for him.
…
"The third assessment will be a physical combat evaluation."
The candidates gathered once again on the training grounds.
Several large mechanical testing devices had been arranged throughout the area.
The instructors stood beside them, preparing the candidates for the next stage.
"You will strike the testing apparatus with all your strength."
"The device will record the force of your impact."
"Your physical assessment will then be combined with the results of the written examination."
"The combined score will determine your standing before the final assessment."
"Your official results will be announced tomorrow."
"You will then use those results to proceed into the final stage of the selection process."
The candidates immediately began moving toward the testing machines.
Tashigi stood before one of them.
She looked at the mechanical apparatus nervously.
This was different from the push-ups.
This time, she couldn't rely on endurance alone.
She had to demonstrate her actual striking power.
"Begin!"
Tashigi clenched her fist.
She inhaled deeply.
Then she stepped forward and threw a powerful punch.
BANG!
The machine shook violently.
Numbers rapidly appeared across the display.
The instructor standing beside the machine glanced at the result.
"Tashigi."
"Combat output score: 120."
The number was recorded on the assessment sheet.
Tashigi blinked.
"120…"
"That's actually higher than my previous physical tests."
A small smile appeared on her face.
She had improved.
Even if the improvement wasn't extraordinary, it was still proof that her training had produced results.
Then the instructor looked at the ranking table.
"Assessment rank: E."
Tashigi's smile disappeared.
"…E?"
She stared at the ranking beside her name.
The candidates were divided into five general performance categories, ranging from A to E.
E was the lowest classification.
Tashigi's shoulders dropped.
"So I'm really at the bottom…"
She clenched her fist.
Her disappointment was obvious.
She had trained hard.
She had endured the previous day's brutal physical assessment.
Yet when her actual combat strength was measured, she still fell into the lowest category.
She couldn't help comparing herself to Kuina.
"Next!"
"Kuina!"
Kuina stepped forward.
She casually rolled her shoulders and loosened her fingers.
She had no intention of holding back.
The testing apparatus registered the impact.
The numbers rapidly climbed.
"Combat output score: 1,023!"
The instructor looked at the display.
"Assessment rank: B."
Kuina blinked.
"Only 1,023?"
The instructor stared at her.
"Only?"
Kuina immediately realized how that sounded.
"Ah…"
She scratched her cheek awkwardly.
Zeff had previously explained that anyone who demonstrated sufficient physical ability and combat potential would have a strong chance of entering the Special Training Camp.
A score above 500 had generally been considered a strong benchmark for candidates.
Therefore, Kuina wasn't particularly worried.
She had already surpassed that threshold by a considerable margin.
"Next!"
"Riva!"
Riva stepped forward.
He struck the machine with tremendous force.
The display rapidly climbed.
"Combat output score: 1,403!"
"Assessment rank: B."
Riva looked at the number.
"1,403…"
He nodded.
"That should be close to my current limit."
He had trained relentlessly under Garp.
For him, the number wasn't simply an evaluation.
It represented the results of countless hours of physical conditioning.
"Next!"
"Turi!"
Turi approached the machine.
He looked calm.
He threw a single punch.
BOOM!
The machine shook violently.
The display flashed.
"Combat output score: 2,231!"
The instructor's eyes widened.
"Assessment rank: A!"
Turi did not celebrate.
He simply turned around and left the testing area.
Seraphina had been observing the entire assessment from a short distance away.
Her eyes narrowed slightly when she saw the result.
"Turi…"
"That's interesting."
Zeff glanced toward her.
"You know him?"
Seraphina nodded slightly.
"I've encountered him before."
She continued observing the candidates.
"There are more exceptional candidates this year than I expected."
Zeff smiled.
"Every generation produces a few monsters."
"It's not every year that someone with exceptional physical ability appears in the recruitment pool."
He paused.
"But don't compare ordinary candidates with true prodigies."
"Even among Marines, natural talent varies enormously."
Seraphina nodded.
She knew that better than most.
She had seen enough monsters throughout her career to understand that numerical measurements could never completely define someone's potential.
A person's combat ability depended on far more than raw physical strength.
Swordsmanship.
Haki.
Battle experience.
Tactical awareness.
Devil Fruit abilities.
Mental fortitude.
And most importantly, how effectively someone could combine all of those elements in actual combat.
A numerical score was merely a measurement.
It wasn't destiny.
…
Tashigi stood to the side with a disappointed expression.
Kuina noticed immediately.
She walked over and gently patted Tashigi on the shoulder.
"Tashigi."
"Don't be discouraged."
"Raw strength can be improved through training."
Tashigi looked at her.
"Kuina…"
Her expression became even more complicated.
Kuina had just scored more than one thousand.
Being comforted by someone who was vastly stronger than her didn't exactly make Tashigi feel better.
Kuina noticed the awkward expression on her face.
She quickly changed the subject.
"By the way…"
"You carry a sword."
"You're a swordswoman too, aren't you?"
Tashigi immediately shook her head.
"I wouldn't call myself a swordswoman."
"I simply love swords."
"I'm more of a sword enthusiast."
She adjusted her glasses.
"My instructor back in the East Blue was just an ordinary dojo teacher."
"And although I've trained for years, I still have a long way to go before I can truly call myself a swordsman."
Kuina's eyes brightened.
"Really?"
"Then we're both sword enthusiasts."
She drew the sword at her waist slightly.
The familiar white scabbard immediately caught Tashigi's attention.
Tashigi's eyes widened.
"Wait…"
"Kuina."
"Is that…"
She stared at the sword.
The distinctive white hilt and elegant scabbard immediately triggered her extensive knowledge of famous blades.
"That's…"
"One of the Twenty-One Great Grade Swords!"
"The Wado Ichimonji!"
Tashigi's voice trembled with excitement.
Kuina looked at the sword.
"This?"
"Yes."
"It was given to me by my father."
"It's a family sword."
Tashigi's eyes practically sparkled.
As someone obsessed with famous swords, being this close to one of the world's renowned blades was almost irresistible.
The Wado Ichimonji was one of the 21 Ō Wazamono, the Twenty-One Great Grade Swords.
Its reputation alone was enough to make a sword enthusiast's heart race.
Tashigi swallowed.
She desperately wanted to examine it.
But she hesitated.
A sword was not an ordinary possession to a swordsman.
A treasured blade could carry immense personal significance.
Asking someone to hand over such a weapon could easily be considered rude.
Kuina noticed her expression.
"You want to see it, don't you?"
Tashigi immediately looked away.
"I…"
"It's fine."
Kuina smiled.
"I'll let you examine it."
Tashigi looked surprised.
"Really?"
"Of course."
Kuina carefully removed the Wado Ichimonji from her waist.
"But be careful."
"This blade is extremely sharp."
Tashigi nodded rapidly.
"I'll be extremely careful."
Kuina handed the sword over.
Tashigi accepted it with both hands.
For someone who loved swords, holding a famous blade like the Wado Ichimonji was almost like holding a piece of history.
She carefully examined the white hilt and the elegant scabbard.
Her expression became increasingly fascinated.
"It's beautiful…"
Kuina smiled.
"My father gave it to me."
"I've had it for years."
"It's been with me through almost everything."
Tashigi carefully held the sword.
"May I draw it?"
Kuina nodded.
"Go ahead."
"But slowly."
"The blade is extremely sharp."
Tashigi took a breath.
She carefully placed one hand on the scabbard and the other on the hilt.
Then she slowly drew the Wado Ichimonji.
SHING!
The blade emerged from its scabbard.
A brilliant reflection of light ran along the polished steel.
Tashigi's eyes widened.
For a moment, she forgot everything else.
The examination.
The training camp.
Her disappointing combat score.
Even the strange coincidence of meeting someone who looked almost exactly like her.
All of it disappeared from her mind.
There was only the sword.
The legendary blade resting in her hands.
And somewhere in the depths of Tashigi's heart, her love for swords burned brighter than ever.
✦ [SYSTEM] ✦
[Third Assessment Completed.]
[Physical Combat Evaluation: Recorded.]
[Candidate Kuina: 1,023.]
[Candidate Riva: 1,403.]
[Candidate Turi: 2,231.]
[Candidate Tashigi: 120.]
[Assessment results will be combined with the written examination.]
[Final selection assessment pending.]
The candidates still had one final hurdle ahead of them.
And for Kuina and Tashigi, their unexpected meeting had only just begun.
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