In the Month that Roja trained with Garp, the recruits completely forgot about him.
and in this month a message spread like wildfire in the entire camp.
"Have you heard about it? the combat assessment is about to begin."
"Of course I heard all the training from before is for this combat assessment … and it's said if you get first or if your performance is good you'd be able to get in the elite camp and be trained by Admiral Z."
Recruits talked about and admired former admiral Z. They couldn't help but show worship and respect for him.
The Marine is not a nursing home it's where they fight the pirates and especially the elite in the headquarter.
and so
The Marine would organize an assessment. An actual combat assessment and all recruits have to participate in it.
The camp is divided into an ordinary camp and an elite one. There is about 10 group for the ordinary camp led by 10 instructors and the elite camp had only one group.
And the highest rank after graduation for the elite camp is Captain and the lowest is Lieutenant Commander.
and the most important thing is that the elite camp's instructor is former admiral Z.
Entering into the elite camp is like a dream for all recruits because all the Marine current admirals were trained under Z in the elite camp.
Everyone was excited thinking about this.
There are some people who already know that they don't have a chance, so they discussed who from the recruits will enter the elite camp.
"I estimate that Drake from the 5th group will be first"
"Drake ? … Yes, no one can win against him. This is far too strong. I heard that he killed the 8th group strongest in a spar."
Talking to here the man couldn't help but feel fear.
Even if all of them are recruits, the strongest in each group can easily beat other recruits.
and even the strongest from the 8th group perished under X Drake's spike there is no doubt he is the strongest this year.
"Yes Drake is the strongest, but can he still be in the elite camp?".
Hearing this someone from the crowd couldn't help but laugh.
"strongest? didn't you know that all those in the elite camp are monsters?"
People next to each other looked left and right. Most of them shook their head apparently they didn't know anything about the elite camp. So everyone's eyes directed at the one who spoke.
That recruit seeing that many eyes are looking at him, took a deep breath and turned serious and said: "It is said that The current elite camp's strongest is someone called Smoker and he got the Moku Moku no Mi."
"Do you know what that means ?"
After a moment of silence.
suddenly after understanding his meaning, everyone's eye shined.
"Isn't that the strongest type of devil fruit? the Logia? Is there anyone who can win against him?."
"This is awesome."
"If this is true, then I think no one can win against him."
…
In the courtyard.
The sun was hanging up in the middle of the day.
At this time Roja wielding his Honoo no Tsuki and swinging it down. His arms were going numb but he still tirelessly continued.
Practicing to the limit of his body. Normale training won't so he got to bread through his limit again and again.
Roja's body was getting stronger and breaking the limit become harder and harder.
That's okay.
This is Garp teaching. although it becomes difficult he still can go on.
He has the sword of the soul. So Roja was more interested in swordsmanship, and sometimes even consult Garp about it.
And Garp answers were beyond Roja's expectations.
Garp said To him That everyone has his own way in the sword there is no fixed path. The final road is always different.
To practice your swordsmanship you need physical strength arm strength and movement speed.
as for the so-called Rokushiki. it can augment your strength to a certain extent but it's not good to rely only on it.
although Garp is not strong at fencing as he is one of the strongest in the world he already saw many strong sword masters.
Even so, getting such an answer from Garp wasn't expected. Roja's current training is to strengthen his core. Something essential for sword users.
And that is By just swinging the sword in a motion that seems like haking.
Suddenly Garp came to the courtyard and waved his hand.
"Roja you can take a break".
"Ok ?"
Roja stopped his and looked at Garp strangely.
This month even if Roja was so into the training and drained all his strength when practicing Garp didn't say go rest even once. So how come his telling him now ?.
Looking at Roja's face Garp put his finger into his nose and said "The combat assessment that requires all the recruits to attend will begin tomorrow.
although Garp can easily get Roja out of the assessment. He didn't want to.
Even if Roja's talent and will are strong. He still needs actual combat experience. He has to experience real blood if not he won't become strong.
"What is that ?"
Hearing Garp's words Roja eyes flashed and stroked his mouth that was slightly raised with a smile.
A long time ago Roja found that the energy in the soul system will increase faster in a real battle.
Not to mention that for a long time Roja wanted to test his strength in a real battle so he will certainly not refuse a challenge.
Now that his sword of the soul strengthened to +6 although the distance is still far away from the Shikai in the fifth stage, his not that far from the third stage and most likely in the third stage he will experience another transformation.
So for this Roja was looking foward to get that level up.