In just a short moment, Smoker quickly organized his thoughts and was about to explain that he wasn't Wood's subordinate and that they had just met today. But before he could even finish his sentence, a fist the size of a large bowl had already connected with his face, sending him flying several meters away...
"Wait a minute, let me explain! I'm not this guy's... I've just met this senior today! If you have any problems, take them up with him..."
Smoker tried to clarify that he had no real connection with Wood, but halfway through his words, he realized he didn't even know Wood's name. And before he could finish his sentence, the large fist was already heading toward him again.
In the Navy academy, Wood had always been somewhat of an invisible figure. He wasn't exactly antisocial, but he typically kept to himself and wasn't known to be close with anyone. Seeing Smoker and Wood having a meal together, with Smoker even treating, it was clear to the group that they must be quite familiar with each other.
So, when Smoker claimed he had just met Wood, the group of disgruntled Navy recruits didn't believe him at all.
They were already dissatisfied with Wood being allowed to stay while they were being sent off as cannon fodder, and when Wood had the audacity to call them mere background characters, they decided they needed to prove they weren't just extras. Their plan was to take down Wood's new recruit first, and then deal with Wood himself to prove they were the ones who deserved to stay.
Facing this misunderstanding, Smoker could only look toward Wood for help, hoping that Wood would clarify the situation and then take on these challengers honorably.
Unfortunately, Smoker had overestimated Wood's character. The shameless guy simply ignored Smoker's plea for help and even taunted the group more arrogantly.
Smoker might one day become a prominent figure in the Navy, but right now, he was just an ordinary person. Facing three burly men who took turns beating him up, his young face quickly became swollen and bruised.
To be fair, the three Navy recruits weren't completely without honor; they offered to let Smoker go if he would just admit defeat. But Smoker, stubborn as he was, declared that he might take a beating, but he would never surrender!
Thus, Smoker was repeatedly knocked down, only to struggle back to his feet each time. The three recruits were already panting heavily, yet Smoker, though swaying on his feet, kept getting back up.
"You can't defeat me. All you're doing is making me stronger!" Smoker wiped the blood from his mouth and spat onto the ground, his defiant posture and words leaving the trio momentarily stunned.
With his undying resolve and those typical hero lines, Smoker seemed like he was about to have a protagonist moment straight out of a shonen anime. Under normal circumstances, this would be the point where Smoker would experience a breakthrough and unleash his full potential, effortlessly defeating the villains before him.
However, the sad reality was that Smoker wasn't the destined protagonist, and his current strength was lacking. No matter how much he might want to power up, it just wasn't happening.
Though the trio was initially taken aback by Smoker's spirit, it didn't take long for them to resume beating him down into the dirt.
"Getting stronger, are you? Then show us how strong you've gotten!" they taunted.
As it turns out, if you're not the actual protagonist, it's best not to try and act like one. Smoker's failed attempt at a breakthrough only served to increase his enemies' anger, leaving him more battered and bruised than before.
"What are you doing?! Do you know what consequences you'll face for attacking a new recruit like this?"
Just as Smoker was about to be beaten beyond recognition, Wood was about to step in and stop the fight. But before he could act, someone else intervened.
The Navy academy didn't forbid students from competing against each other; after all, competition is what drives growth. However, such competition had to be fair. What the trio was doing—ganging up on and beating a new recruit like Smoker—was clearly against the rules.
The person who stepped in to stop the trio was a tall and strikingly beautiful young woman. She left a blur in the air as she moved, and before anyone knew it, the three attackers were sent flying backward.
When they looked up, they found a sheathed katana pointed directly at their throats.
Faced with this powerful and intimidating woman, the trio didn't even have the courage to speak up before they were knocked unconscious with precise strikes to the back of their necks.
"I did just help you out, didn't I? The least you could do is say thank you before leaving. It's rather rude not to even say goodbye."
The tall beauty who had easily taken down the three background characters turned around, only to see Wood helping Smoker up and preparing to leave. Her tone was clearly displeased.
"Ha ha ha, what a coincidence, Gion. I was just passing by, and I was about to help out this new recruit myself. But knowing my own limits, I worried I might end up getting beaten up, so I was waiting for the right moment. I didn't expect you to show up. You really are the number one among our cohort! Even without additional training, you're already this strong. After a year at the academy, you'll likely graduate as a sergeant or higher."
Initially planning to slip away quietly, Wood sighed and turned around when he heard the voice, knowing he couldn't avoid this encounter.
"So you just stood by and watched this kid get bullied because you were afraid of getting hurt?" Gion replied coldly.
"That's pathetic. Hina is very disappointed. I thought those selected for advanced training were supposed to be the most exemplary Navy elites."
Beside Gion stood a young girl with pink hair, around the same age as Smoker, who bluntly voiced her contempt for Wood's behavior.
Yes, Gion wasn't the only one who had shown up. Standing next to her was a pink-haired girl who, judging by her uniform, was also a new recruit at the Navy academy.
"Hina, don't believe his nonsense. This guy is a master at deception. He may look weak and timid now, but his real strength is far greater than you can imagine. Even if I hadn't intervened, that new recruit wouldn't have been in any danger. Those three over there are no match for him."
Seeing Hina's disdainful attitude and her readiness to step in and teach Wood a lesson, Gion quickly intervened to warn her.
A year had passed, and while Wood's disguise was nearly perfect, it hadn't fooled Gion.