13 Chapter 13: Test
Amidst the serene expanse of the sea, a weathered sailing ship cuts through the waves, with Isaac positioned at its forefront, allowing the wind to tousle his black hair. Having departed Shibara Island a few days ago, Isaac has set his sights on a specific destination.
However, the task at hand is far from easy. The southern blue sea is scarcely mentioned in the anime, making it arduous to gather information and navigate the relatively remote island.
Presently, Isaac is en route to the main branch of the Navy in Southern Blue, driven by his aspiration to join their ranks. Though it may appear peculiar, there are several compelling reasons behind his decision.
First and foremost, he yearns to acquire the Rokushiki arts and master Haki, abilities that hold immense potential but necessitate proper guidance for their development.
Secondly, he recognizes the reputation of the Navy, an organization of considerable magnitude capable of providing him with essential resources such as information, safety, and a tranquil environment in which he can mature until he attains the strength required to fend for himself.
' Damn, I'm broke. I gave the majority of my savings to Reiner. I wish some weak pirates would attack me and try to rob me,' Isaac lamented, unable to contain his sigh.
After inquiring with several individuals, he discovered that the main branch of the Navy is situated on an island known as Tierra del Fuego.
However, the challenge lies in its distant location, requiring him to make multiple stops on various islands and change ships several times before reaching his destination. The entire journey spans over a month and entails significant expenses.
Regarding his yearning to encounter pirates, he doesn't truly wish for that. Although the majority of pirates operate in the Grand Line, there are notable figures present in this region as well. One of the most perilous pirates he's heard of is the Crimson Chameleon, with a bounty on his head amounting to 100 million belly.
...
"Hmm...this journey took longer than expected, I am running low on funds, with only 50,000 belly remaining the only good thing is,I'm almost there," Isaac reflected.
As he explored the various islands, he noticed that they were quite ordinary, resembling Shibara Island in many aspects.
While there were minor cultural differences among the local inhabitants, it didn't particularly captivate his interest. However, he set aside such thoughts upon reaching his intended destination.
Isaac stood at the ship's bow, gazing at the island emerging on the horizon. It possessed an eerie aura, unlike anything he had ever seen before.
The island's distinct feature was its crimson red color, giving it an appearance of being engulfed in flames from a distance. Even the trees and plants were said to be red, owing to the unique soil found on the island.
In the heart of the island stood a colossal edifice that resembled a castle, adorned with the navy emblem carved in vibrant blue at its pinnacle.
Although the island itself was considerably smaller compared to Shibara, it possessed open spaces and a medium-sized city in close proximity to the navy headquarters. The city primarily housed the families of naval officers, alongside some merchants and dignitaries.
As the ship docked, Isaac observed the port divided into two sections. One part served as a bustling hub for naval ships, heavily guarded and bustling with activity, while the adjacent area accommodated a smaller port for public use.
After wandering through the city for a while, Isaac made his way towards the grand edifice. He pondered whether he would be accepted into the navy, considering his young age—still not yet 11 years old. Upon reaching the entrance of the navy headquarters, he marveled at its immense size.
The towering walls extended over 7 meters in height, featuring various stations for surveillance. While he couldn't catch a glimpse of the internal structure due to the adorned exterior, the scale and grandeur impressed him.
As mixed emotions of sadness and joy welled up within him, Isaac contemplated his situation. He had wandered around the place, taking note of the strict security measures and realizing that he would face numerous challenges and limitations. It dawned on him that his freedom would be curtailed, and he wouldn't be able to act as he pleased.
"Boy, what are you doing here?" A marine suddenly appeared, questioning Isaac. Despite his young age, Isaac's presence had aroused suspicion, prompting the marine to investigate further.
"Oh, nothing, sir. I'm just here because I want to join the navy, but I don't know how," Isaac replied, adopting a childish tone and showing his vulnerability. He hoped that by initially revealing his weaker side, he could dispel any doubts and gain information more easily.
"Boy, you've arrived quite early. The entrance exams won't begin for another month. Anyone above the age of 11 is eligible to join. You can obtain more information about the process when the time comes," the marine informed Isaac.
"Thank you, sir," Isaac expressed his gratitude before making his way back to the city. Armed with this valuable information, he now needed to secure accommodation and start saving money for the upcoming exams.
...
[after a month]
"Damn"
Frustration and exhaustion consumed Isaac as he stood in front of the Navy headquarters. His plans had unraveled, leaving him with a sense of defeat. The past month had been a grueling ordeal.
His lack of funds prevented him from finding a place to stay, leading him to consider stealing from thieves or pirates. However, the island's strong security thwarted his attempts, leaving him with only suspicions and constant scrutiny due to his aimless wanderings.
He found himself trespassing into restricted areas multiple times, resulting in four detentions. He managed to feign ignorance to secure his release each time. Disheartened by these experiences, he sought refuge in a small mountain on the island, hoping to hunt for food, train, and rest.
However, even this plan fell through when he was promptly stopped and informed that the mountain was reserved exclusively for marine soldiers.
'Fuck you bastards, if I don't take advantage of you and learn something useful, I'm sure to cause you a lot of trouble'
After venting his frustrations, Isaac made his way into the Navy headquarters. As he entered, he found himself amidst a bustling crowd of people. He had arrived slightly late, resulting in the candidates being divided into two groups.
The first group comprised children between the ages of 11 and 14, while the second group consisted of teenagers aged 15 to 19. The test for the older candidates was notably more challenging, but Isaac wasn't particularly interested in that.
He believed he could easily outmatch the marines, except for the commanders and higher-ranked individuals, so passing the test seemed like a given to him.
However, there was a dilemma that Isaac faced. Although he claimed to be 11 years old, he was uncertain of his exact age. Upon arriving in this world, he estimated his age to be around 6 years, and he had been keeping track of time accordingly.
...
"Well, you youngsters, the test is about to begin. Let me tell you, it won't be easy. You aspire to join the force that safeguards citizens from pirates and monsters that threaten the world's security.
There's no room for the weak among us. Those who fail will be eliminated, and they'll have another chance to join after 4 years," a stern naval officer stepped forward and addressed the crowd of candidates, his words instilling tension in many and causing some to tremble.
"The second age group will proceed to Ward B for their test, while you children will be tested here."
The first test is an 8 km non-stop run.
The first test posed no challenge for Isaac. He maintained a steady pace and completed the entire 8 km without stopping. Over half of the candidates managed to pass this test since it primarily tested stamina, an attribute the people of this world were not lacking in.
The second test involved weightlifting. Candidates who could lift a weight exceeding 40 kilograms would pass, and those who lifted over 100 kilo(220.4 pounds)
would proceed directly without needing to undergo the third test.
One by one, the children started attempting to lift the weight. While 40 kilograms was not overly heavy, given their age, some struggled with it. However, none of this concerned Isaac, as he didn't believe anyone would catch his interest. That is until he began hearing sounds of cheering.
"That's impressive," Isaac murmured as he observed the boy lifting a weight of 150 kilograms. His curiosity piqued, Isaac found himself intrigued by this boy.
The boy stood out from the rest, not just in strength but also in appearance. He had a handsome face, black hair like Isaac's, but his brown eyes added a distinctiveness. A resident of Wano, he carried a sword at his waist, resembling a samurai.
"Hatori Shingen, you have passed the test. You may leave now. No need to linger," the naval officer declared with a wide grin on his face. This talented young boy had the potential to bring honor to his branch in the future.
"Sir, thank you, but I would like to participate in the final exam as well," Isaac expressed his desire.
...
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