[OPTAM] Chapter : 2

At the Navy headquarters dock, Jack wasn't the only one recommended for the elite camp; many others from major naval branches were also selected. Previously, this opportunity might not have garnered much attention. Many young recruits were the sons of rear admirals or vice admirals and were often sheltered, so sending them to a rigorous training island seemed unthinkable. However, with Zephyr as the new chief instructor, sending their sons became an enticing prospect. Training under an admiral, second only to the fleet admiral, was an excellent opportunity for both prestige and advancement.

For these reasons, parents were eager to send their children to training, hoping to strengthen their ties with Zephyr or ensure a bright future for their offspring.

Amidst this group of young recruits, many of whom looked lazy despite wearing their Navy recruit uniforms, Jack felt a sense of rejection and even disgust. Nevertheless, he knew it was wise to keep a low profile at this time.

However, keeping a low profile was challenging for Jack because he stood out on the dock.

Firstly, he was young. Most recruits were in their twenties, similar to Akainu and Kizaru. Many of them joined the Navy through conscription and had significant experience. In contrast, Jack, at just eighteen, appeared more immature and, in their eyes, 'green'.

Secondly, while the other recruits wore short-sleeved blue and white shirts, Jack, as an Ensign, had the qualifications to wear a navy coat. This made him both the youngest and the highest-ranked individual present.

These factors, combined, made it difficult for Jack to remain unnoticed. Inevitably, someone approached him.

"Hey!"

Jack's shoulder was slapped, and he quickly turned around.

"Don't be nervous. Are you, an Ensign, here to participate in the elite battalion assessment?" A young man with pierced ears and a casual demeanor asked.

Jack didn't respond, simply shrugging off the man's hand.

"Wow, an ensign with a big attitude. Who's your father?"

Seeing the young man's entitled behavior, Jack couldn't help but feel disdain. Such individuals seemed to exist in every world.

"None of your business," Jack replied coolly.

"Hey, it seems you have a significant background to become an ensign at such a young age. My grandfather is a vice admiral at the headquarters. Stick with me, and you can surely rise through the ranks," the young man offered with a smile.

"Not interested," Jack said, turning away.

"Wow, quite an attitude for an ensign."

Suddenly, the young man swung his fist, landing a punch on Jack's back. The impact echoed like a drum, a muffled thud resonating through his body.

Jack stumbled and took a step forward, reacting instinctively. He spun around, grabbed the young man's wrist with his left hand, and swung his right fist at the young man's face.

"Thud!"

If measured by CP9’s power level, where an ordinary soldier scores ten doriki, this young man was likely around three or four. Jack, on the other hand, had a power level of at least fifty. His punch had more than ten times the strength of the young man's.

The young man's nose sank in, and blood spurted from his nostrils.

Jack, already attracting attention, became the center of it. The crowd around them parted, and more people gathered to watch the commotion.

“What’s going on here?”

A higher-ranking officer, wearing a naval coat indicating he was a colonel, approached.

The young man lay on the ground, shocked and enraged. He had always relied on his family’s influence—his grandfather being a vice admiral and his father a base commander—to get his way. He had never been struck before.

“You dare hit me! Don’t you know who my grandfather is? You’re dead! I’ll have you punished!” The young man shouted, covering his bleeding nose and pointing at Jack.

“What’s happening here?” the colonel demanded, his face stern.

“Isn’t it obvious? This guy hit me! I’m the victim. My grandfather is a vice admiral at the headquarters. Arrest him!” The young man yelled at the colonel.

The colonel’s expression shifted as he quickly assessed the situation, glancing at Jack, who wore an ensign's coat.

“Ensign, explain what happened.”

“He attacked me first,” Jack said calmly.

“Liar! Why would I attack him first? Who saw it? Who saw it?” the young man shouted.

“Stand up first,” the colonel ordered. “Ensign, why did he attack you?”

Jack shook his head. “I don’t know why he attacked me, but he did.”

“Which unit are you from?”

“G8 branch, Navarone fortress.”

“And you?” the colonel asked the young man.

“How should I know? My grandfather is Vice Admiral Meida from headquarters,” the young man said, standing up and covering his nose.

The colonel’s demeanor softened upon hearing this. “So, you’re Vice Admiral Meida’s grandson. That means you’re with the headquarters.”

The onlookers now understood the situation: one was a branch ensign with no apparent connections, and the other was a headquarters second-generation with a vice admiral grandfather. It was clear where the colonel’s sympathies lay.

“Ensign, you violated military discipline,” the colonel said to Jack.

“So?” Jack responded.

“Leave now. I will report this to the disciplinary committee, and they will decide the matter,” the colonel said.

“Understood,” Jack replied coolly.

Jack’s indifference made the colonel frown. The colonel began to suspect that Jack might have a significant background, despite being from a branch. Just as the colonel was pondering this, Jack did something unexpected.

Jack stood on the dock, unbuttoned his shoulder strap, and set his coat aside. He then removed his shirt. The colonel and onlookers watched curiously, unsure of his intentions.

When they saw Jack's bare torso, they fell silent.

“When I was eight years old, my village was plundered by pirates. My entire family was killed. I joined the navy at eight, became a recruit at sixteen, and was promoted to ensign at eighteen. I swear on the scars on my body that everything I’ve said is true.” Jack spoke deeply, his upper body exposed.

In the navy, scars symbolize a man's journey and achievements. Jack's body bore countless knife wounds, bullet injuries, and large explosive scars on his back, evidence of numerous battles over a long period.

Compared to the others present, Jack, at only eighteen, had endured much more. His scars spoke volumes, needing no further explanation.

The colonel, favoring the young man with a vice admiral grandfather, was initially biased. However, Jack's display of battle-worn scars made him pause. He realized Jack was a dedicated naval officer, despite his background.

“Bah, just an orphan.” The young man spat blood and looked at Jack disdainfully.

The colonel hesitated, then said, “The warship is here. Everyone, board the ship.”

“What did you say?” The young man grabbed the colonel’s shoulder.

“Didn't you hear me? Board the warship now, or you’ll be disqualified,” the colonel replied firmly.

“What about him?” The young man pointed at Jack.

“He's a recruit, like everyone else,” the colonel said, leading the group to the warship.

Jack put his shirt back on, draped his coat over his shoulders, and followed the colonel.

The others glanced at the young man before boarding. Covering his now dry nostrils, he grudgingly joined them.

On the warship, Jack kept to himself while others formed groups. The young man from earlier stared at Jack with a glare that could kill if looks had power.

After a day at sea, they reached their destination: Future Island. The dock was surrounded by dense jungle, with towering ridges and snow-capped mountains in the distance. People were already waiting for them as the colonel led the team off the warship.

"This is the last batch of trainees," the colonel said to the Commodore waiting on the dock.

"Thank you for your hard work," the Commodore replied, taking the documents from the colonel, who saluted and returned to the ship. The warship departed, leaving hundreds of naval recruits on the dock.

"Line up!" commanded the Commodore, who was also an instructor at the academy. His order was absolute.

The recruits tried to form ranks, but the group was disorganized, particularly because many had privileged backgrounds and were unaccustomed to military discipline. Amidst the chaos, Jack instinctively stood at attention in the first position on the right.

Jack's years of self-discipline showed in his stance. Unlike the protagonists in novels, he had no supernatural powers or Devil Fruit abilities. Instead, he focused on physical training to become stronger. Entering the elite camp was an opportunity to refine his skills; the navy was renowned for its physical training, boasting strong figures like Admiral Zefa, Garp, and Sengoku.

Jack's commitment to the Navy's values grew stronger over time. Unlike many, who admired the protagonists like Luffy, Jack appreciated the navy's dedication to justice, even if some members tarnished its image. Figures like the three admirals and other justice-driven officers resonated with him.

The instructor noticed the chaos among the recruits and frowned. However, he was pleased to see Jack standing quietly and correctly. After a period of confusion, the group finally settled into a semblance of order.

"Report when I call your name," the colonel instructor said, opening the roll call document.

"Jack!"

"Present!"

Jack was surprised to be called first but responded loudly.

The colonel paused, comparing Jack’s appearance with the photo in the document. He nodded, noting the recommendation about Jack. Each soldier entering the training camp had recommendations, and Jack’s was from the G8 branch commander, a vice admiral. This high-level recommendation indicated Jack's exceptional abilities.

It was clear to the colonel that Jack was not an ordinary recruit, and his commendation by a vice admiral underscored his potential.