Chapter 12: Training Space

Inside the cabin of the warship returning to the base, Renji silently activated the training space in his mind.

The space shifted, and in an instant, he found himself in an unfamiliar place.

[Please select training content.]

After a moment of thought, Renji decided to continue tempering his physique. He believed that quantity would eventually lead to quality. He refused to believe he couldn't break through the 80-point barrier.

Haki training was still out of reach for now. Although he knew the general process, he didn't have a mentor like Monkey D. Luffy, who had someone guiding him every step of the way.

Unless he encountered someone proficient in Haki, the training space could generate a replica of that person. The replica would possess all the original's training insights and could serve as a sparring partner.

That was how he had learned Soru (Shave) and Shigan (Finger Pistol).

Unfortunately, he was currently in the South Blue, where not only were Haki experts rare, but even Devil Fruit users were few and far between.

Without further delay, once Renji decided to focus on physical training, the training space automatically transformed. The environment shifted to a small island filled with a variety of exercise equipment. There was even a sparring area for practicing with simulated opponents.

[Your physical abilities are too extraordinary. The system will increase the training intensity accordingly.]

[All items have been upgraded to the maximum level you can currently handle.]

If it weren't for this system, Renji felt that he would have peaked early (in terms of physique) and would have struggled to improve further.

Other skills could be improved through time and effort, but after eating the Azure Dragon Fruit, ordinary training no longer had any effect on him.

Renji didn't waste any time and threw himself wholeheartedly into the training.

...

In reality, two hours passed.

Having used up his training time, Renji walked onto the deck. The Navy base was now within sight.

"Lieutenant Commander Renji, Admiral Sengoku wants to speak with you."

Kuzan hurried over, holding a military Den Den Mushi.

"Uh, just tell him I'm not here..."

Renji felt a headache coming on just seeing the Den Den Mushi with its frog-like glasses. Whenever this thing rang, it was never good news.

Perhaps because they both hailed from the South Blue, the old man Sengoku had somehow taken an interest in him. Although the two had never met in person, they had interacted quite a few times.

"But... this is the third time..." Kuzan said weakly.

Renji waved his hand. "What's the big deal about the third time? Just say I'm not here..."

"I already used that excuse the second time he called." Kuzan's face fell.

Renji was puzzled. "If you already used it, why is he calling a third time?"

Sengoku usually only called twice at most, and that excuse had always worked before. Could there really be something urgent?

"I slipped up earlier... He said you have to answer the third call..." Kuzan's voice grew quieter as he admitted his mistake.

"Fine, give me the Den Den Mushi."

Knowing he couldn't avoid it, Renji took the Den Den Mushi from Kuzan and headed toward the cabin.

"Finally found time to talk to me, Lieutenant Commander Renji?"

The expected angry outburst didn't happen. Instead, the Den Den Mushi perfectly mimicked Sengoku's sarcastic expression.

"I thought after becoming a lieutenant commander, you'd look down on a mere admiral like me. Should I just hand over my position to you?!!"

Renji rolled his eyes. This guy was a master of sarcasm...

"Do you even take me seriously..."

"Do you even care about Navy regulations??"

Sengoku grew angrier as he spoke, and the Den Den Mushi's saliva almost sprayed onto Renji's face...

Renji silently moved the Den Den Mushi further away...

Back at Navy Headquarters, Sengoku saw Renji's annoyed expression through the Den Den Mushi and clenched his fists...

What Renji didn't notice was that Kuzan and a few other Navy soldiers were eavesdropping by the door, their faces filled with glee.

The lieutenant commander had been caught slacking off again.

"You brat..." Sengoku sighed, rubbing his forehead. "When you come to Marineford for your promotion, just wait and see..."

Renji picked his ear. He had heard this line at least three times already, and his ears were starting to callous...

If you're going to talk the talk, then walk the walk and promote me already. Stop dangling carrots...

(Note: Positions at Headquarters hold more authority and status than those at branch offices, often by half a rank or more.)

Back in the room, the conversation finally reached the main point.

"Leonard, who was in charge of the South Blue, has reached retirement age."

"We've decided to select someone to temporarily take over his position. You can recommend some candidates."

Renji, who had been sitting up straight, leaned back into the soft sofa and took a sip of water from the table.

When he heard the first part, he thought he was finally getting a promotion...

Turns out, he was still just a grunt...

"This is a significant matter, so we need to be careful."

Sengoku's lips trembled as he tried to calm himself. This kid was the type who wouldn't budge without a carrot.

"I suggest I take over this mess myself." Renji volunteered without hesitation.

"..."

"You brat, are you even listening to me?! We need to evaluate! Evaluate, understand?!"

Finally unable to hold back, Sengoku exploded, yelling into the Den Den Mushi.

The paper-eating goat beside him was so startled that it quickly swallowed the paper in its mouth.

"This is a notification. A list will be sent to you shortly. You better evaluate it properly!"

Buru...

The Den Den Mushi, which had been spewing saliva, suddenly went silent. Sengoku, unable to handle Renji any longer, hung up.

He swore that from now on, he would keep his conversations with this kid to one sentence.

Otherwise, he might just die young from frustration...

"Hahaha, Sengoku, got owned by that kid Renji again, huh?" A boisterous laugh came from outside the office.

Without waiting for Sengoku's response, the newcomer walked in, grabbed a handful of senbei from the table, and started munching.

Sengoku's face twisted in pain. First the kid, now this old guy causing trouble.

"Get out of here!"

"Put down the senbei! I haven't even had any yet!"

Sometimes, he really wanted to grab a sword and start swinging...

As the two continued to bicker, the guards outside didn't dare say a word, afraid they might burst out laughing.

Before leaving, Garp glanced at a file on the desk.

Name: Renji

Gender: Male

Age: 22

Devil Fruit Ability: Suspected Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan: Azure Dragon Form

Background: Appeared in the Sorbet Kingdom with Bartholomew Kuma four years ago. Joined the Navy six months later.

...

"Hanging up just like that... So touchy..."

Renji wiped the saliva off his face with his hand. He was always a model youth who cared for his elders.

Seeing how tense Sengoku was on the other end, he had tried to lighten the mood, but the old man couldn't handle a few jokes and ran off.

"Sigh~ It's hard being a good person..."

Outside the door, the eavesdroppers exchanged confused looks. When had the lieutenant commander ever been a good person?

They had no idea...

"As expected of Lieutenant Commander Renji, doing good deeds without anyone knowing."

"That's right! Next time there's a 'Top Ten Good People' award, I'll definitely vote for him with my wife!"

Kuzan quietly distanced himself from the group. Whenever these guys started talking, he always felt a chill down his spine.

He wasn't entirely sure what Renji meant by "good deeds," but having spent enough time with him, Kuzan knew that these "good deeds" were anything but good.