Chapter 34: Focusing Inward

Two years had passed since Raizer Phoenix decided to slow his outward expansion and focus inward. His trade network, a sprawling empire that connected supernatural communities across the world, was thriving under capable administrators. The alliances he had forged still held strong. For the first time in years, he wasn't preoccupied with deals or diplomacy.

Instead, he had dedicated himself entirely to what truly mattered: breaking into Satan Rank and becoming a leader worthy of his peerage.

The Shadowed Cliffs Training Grounds

The morning sun was just beginning to crest over the Shadowed Cliffs Fortress, casting long shadows across the training grounds. Raizer stood off to the side, arms crossed, watching his peerage in action. Each of them was a force to be reckoned with, and every day spent alongside them was a reminder of just how far he still had to go.

• Garp, his first and most relentless teacher, stood in the middle of the field barking orders at a group of devil soldiers who were trying—unsuccessfully—to meet his impossibly high standards. His booming voice echoed across the grounds as he grabbed one poor soldier by the scruff of his neck. "What was that? That's not a punch, that's a love tap! Hit it like you mean it!"

• Whitebeard and Gol D. Roger, both wielding their legendary strength and overwhelming Haki, sparred against each other in a duel that shook the earth beneath them. Their clashing Conqueror's Haki sent visible shockwaves rippling through the air, while the sound of their laughter rang louder than their attacks.

• Mihawk stood further back, practicing precise swings of Yoru, his every strike cutting the air like a razor. His focused, almost meditative presence made him a stark contrast to the chaos surrounding him.

• The rest of his peerage—Beckman, Akainu, Kuzan, Green Bull, Fujitora, and Shiki—were all engaged in their own training. Each one radiated an aura of power that made even the devil troops pause when they passed too close.

Yubelluna, though not part of this fray, stood by a group of spellcasters, guiding them through advanced magical techniques. Her voice was calm and instructive, and the raw energy of her high-Ultimate Class magic made her presence impossible to ignore.

The Weight of Leadership

Raizer couldn't help but feel a pang of inadequacy as he watched. He had climbed to the peak of Ultimate Class, but every time he stood beside his peerage, he was reminded of the gap between them.

"Peak Satan Class, the lot of them," Raizer muttered under his breath, rubbing the back of his neck. "And here I am, barely hanging on at the edge of Ultimate Class."

"You're doing that thing again," a voice said behind him.

Raizer turned to see Shiki floating lazily in mid-air, his trademark grin plastered across his face. "Brooding. It's not a good look on you, boss."

"I'm not brooding," Raizer said, rolling his eyes. "I'm reflecting."

"Reflecting, brooding—same difference," Shiki said with a shrug. "You're overthinking it. You've grown a lot in the last two years. Garp himself said so, and you know he doesn't give compliments lightly."

Raizer snorted. "Garp also called me a weakling the other day."

"Exactly," Shiki said with a laugh. "He calls everyone a weakling. Means you're in good company."

Training and Growth

Raizer's days were defined by relentless training. Garp pushed him to his physical limits, Mihawk honed his precision, and Whitebeard and Roger tested his endurance.

His mornings began with Mihawk, who drilled him in the art of blending precision and strength.

"You're still trying to brute-force your way through everything," Mihawk said during one sparring session, effortlessly parrying Raizer's strike. "Power is useless without control."

Raizer adjusted his stance and attacked again, this time channeling his Haki with more focus. Mihawk nodded slightly as their blades clashed. "Better. Now, do it again."

Afternoons were spent with Garp, whose harsh but effective training methods had become the stuff of legend among the fortress's troops.

"You want to be a Satan Rank?" Garp roared as he hurled a massive boulder at Raizer. "Then act like it! Use your damn Haki!"

Raizer summoned every ounce of his strength, smashing the boulder apart with a Conqueror's-infused punch. Garp grinned. "There it is! Do it again!"

Evenings were reserved for magic. Yubelluna often joined him for these sessions, her expertise in combat magic complementing his own raw power.

"You're overcomplicating it," Yubelluna said one evening, watching as Raizer struggled to balance a complex spell with his Haki. "Magic isn't about controlling every detail. It's about trusting yourself to guide it."

Raizer frowned, letting her words sink in. He adjusted his focus, and the spell surged to life, filling the chamber with a fiery glow. Yubelluna smiled. "See? Trust yourself."

A Wholesome Moment

One evening, after a particularly grueling day of training, Raizer and his peerage gathered around a bonfire near the fortress. The warm glow of the fire and the quiet crackle of the flames created a rare moment of peace.

"I've been thinking," Raizer said, breaking the silence. "You're all monsters."

Roger let out a booming laugh. "And you're just figuring that out now?"

Raizer smirked. "I'm serious. Garp could crush mountains with his fists. Whitebeard can split the sea. Mihawk's sword could cut the heavens in two. Even you, Roger—you're a walking force of nature. Compared to all of you, I'm just…"

"A work in progress?" Shiki suggested, earning a round of chuckles.

Raizer sighed, shaking his head. "I'm just saying, I've got a long way to go before I'm on your level."

Whitebeard rumbled a deep laugh. "Boy, you've come farther in two years than most devils do in a century. Stop comparing yourself to us. We're here to push you, not overshadow you."

"Exactly," Roger said, grinning. "You're not supposed to be us. You're supposed to be you. And if that means taking your time to hit Satan Rank, then so be it."

Yubelluna, seated beside Raizer, placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're the one who brought us together, Raizer. That takes more than strength. It takes vision. And trust me, we all see it."

Raizer glanced around the group, their faces illuminated by the firelight. Despite their overwhelming power, they were smiling at him with genuine camaraderie and respect.

"Thanks," Raizer said softly.

Looking Ahead

As the fire burned low, Raizer felt a renewed sense of purpose. He might not have reached Satan Rank yet, but he was closer than ever. With his peerage's support and his own unwavering determination, he knew it was only a matter of time.

For now, he was content to keep moving forward, one step at a time.

This chapter emphasizes Raizer's growth, his relationship with his peerage, and the wholesome camaraderie they share. Let me know if there's anything you'd like to expand or adjust!