Why did you join the Marines?
This is a broad question that can touch on world affairs, personal ambitions, or even basic needs like food and clothing.
When Tashigi saw this question, she was initially stunned. Then she remembered her dream. She had joined the Marines to reclaim famous swords from the hands of evildoers, so she wrote this answer directly.
…
When Mode saw this question, what came to his mind was his impoverished family and the grandmother who raised him but was unfortunately afflicted with illness. The high medical costs had put Mode in a dire situation.
To keep his grandmother alive and buy the expensive medicine to treat her illness, Mode joined the Marines. He fought bravely in every battle to earn more loot, kill more pirates with bounties, and accumulate enough money to pay for the treatment. It was a tough, ongoing battle.
Mode had to continuously improve his skills to earn more money and increase his chances of survival in dangerous encounters with pirates. Desperate to enter the elite training camp, he didn’t write down his true thoughts. Instead, he filled his answer with words about eradicating pirates and upholding justice.
…
After taking the written exam and submitting their answers, the participants were left to wait for their evaluations and results. Marine Headquarters officers began reviewing and scoring the participants’ performances from the day, eventually giving them different grades.
Multiple Marine officers reviewed the written exam answers, and Chief Instructor Zephyr evaluated the final question himself.
Midnight, heavy rain.
All of Marineford was enveloped in a storm, with fierce winds howling outside. In the office of the Marine Academy’s Chief Instructor, hundreds of exam papers were neatly placed on a large wooden desk.
Beside him, an oil lamp shielded by a glass cover burned stubbornly. The dark wick was struggling but still emitted a dim, yellow light.
Zephyr sat behind his desk, reviewing each exam paper. However, he didn’t grade the answers on why they joined the Marines because there was no right or wrong reason. As long as they joined, they were honored members of the Marines.
He reviewed this question better to understand the participants in the elite training camp.
Most answers were about justice, but some were different, like the one in Zephyr’s hand. It was from the East Blue Marine rising star, Charlotte Curls. Along with the exam paper, there was a report card.
It showed the scores from the morning’s tests and the secret assessments.
Name: Charlotte Curls
Age: 18 years
Gender: Male
Alertness: 10/10
Combat Ability: 10/10
Reaction Time: 10/10
Speed: 10/10
Written Exam: 9/10
Power Level: 1200 (Rare)
…
Final Evaluation: S-Rank
(Potential Admiral Material)
This final evaluation was given after careful consideration by many officers. It was neither biased nor understated. A near-perfect report card was extremely rare in recent years’ elite training camps.
Zephyr was not surprised by Curls’ report card, having seen his file during a previous meeting. As his gaze swept over the report card, he read Curls’ answer to the final question on the exam:
“To protect my family!”
There were no elaborate stories or emotional appeals, just a simple sentence. Yet, in that sentence, Zephyr felt the young Marine’s determination.
To protect his family? How commendable!
Zephyr couldn’t help but think of his own family, feeling a pang of sadness. He removed his sunglasses and rubbed his eyes with his remaining hand.
The wind must have been strong to make his eyes water.
Zephyr put his sunglasses back on, stood up, and let the rain lash against his aged face. Cold rain fell, fierce wind blew, and memories of the past lingered.
After a long while, Zephyr returned inside, drenched but indifferent to the cold. Regaining his composure, he donned his Marine coat and left his office.
“Charlotte Curls, I hope you don’t become another me.”
…
Outside, the rain continued through the night. In the waiting area’s dormitory, some awaited their results with sleepless anticipation, some slept soundly with confidence, and some meditated and trained, making the most of their time.
…
The rain stopped the next day, and Marineford returned to tranquility. However, the waiting area’s dormitory was filled with anxious participants, as today was the day the results were announced.
Around nine in the morning, the examiners began distributing report cards to each participant. Only the top 100 would be accepted into the elite training camp.
Curls was studying a map of the Grand Line when he received his report card. Opening the envelope, he saw the results. Besides a congratulatory note, the most noticeable part was his ranking and evaluation.
NO.1
S-Rank!
As Curls looked at the report card, his mind was flooded with thoughts. Expected, yet somewhat surprising.
Before the Great Pirate Era began, the Marines had a strong influx of new talent. Current Admirals like Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji, as well as many current Vice Admirals, had joined the Marines during that time.
However, after the Pirate King Gol D. Roger announced the existence of the legendary treasure “One Piece,” chaos ensued. Ambitious individuals began vying for the fabled fortune. Many talented people, unwilling to remain ordinary, pursued the legendary treasure, leaving fewer gifted individuals to join the Marines.
This was one reason for the gap in new Marine recruits. Nonetheless, Curls earned the top rank not only due to this factor but also because of his exceptional talent and relentless training.
Before joining the Marines, Curls’ efforts to become stronger were no less than anyone else’s. Even after gaining his Devil Fruit powers, he never slackened, constantly seizing opportunities to improve himself.
His hard work and growth were evident, and his strength and development were traceable. This top rank in the elite training camp’s preliminary assessment was well-deserved.
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