Chapter 22: Preparing to Return to Sorbert Kingdom

"Report, Captain. Vice Admiral Karp has already departed..."

Hitsugaya, now a member of Renji's direct combat unit, was temporarily serving as the captain's assistant, responsible for relaying and organizing various messages.

"Understood..."

Renji didn't even look up, focused on the documents piled on his desk. Being an officer felt more like being in prison—either dealing with paperwork or on the way to dealing with more paperwork.

"Is there something else?" Renji asked directly, noticing Hitsugaya seemed to have more to say.

"Nothing critical, but when Vice Admiral Karp left, he took... quite a lot of things with him," Hitsugaya said, sweating nervously.

"That's fine. Karp rarely visits, so I told him to pick some things from the warehouse to take with him," Renji replied casually. Karp was a vice admiral, after all, and didn't lack for resources. He probably wouldn't take much. Renji was generous with his own people—material possessions meant little to him.

"But... the naval warehouse is almost empty now. Vice Admiral Karp took nearly everything," Hitsugaya continued, worried Renji might not believe him. "Many people on the island saw it. His ship was so full it looked like it might sink."

Originally, the base's warehouse hadn't contained much. The previous captain had squandered most of it, leaving behind only worthless scrap. What Karp had taken were items Renji had arranged to have delivered via Den Den Mushi, including all the products he had developed over the years. Renji had planned to use these to boost the island's economy.

"What?!" Renji was stunned.

The warehouse had contained items meant to replace the outdated equipment in the base, new office supplies, and goods for trade with the island's wealthy residents. Most importantly, it had also stored a significant amount of food.

"Other items are mostly fine—only about ten of each were taken. But the food... it's almost all gone," Hitsugaya explained, puzzled. He could understand taking the new tables and chairs—they were indeed useful—but why take all the food? The navy still needed to eat. With the warehouse empty, they'd have to rely on the town for meals.

Renji facepalmed. "That old man really didn't hold back..."

It seemed Karp had developed a taste for the food Renji had been preparing during his stay. The ingredients were from seeds Renji had exchanged in the system shop, which he had been experimenting with to grow in this world. The quantities were still small, not yet ready for large-scale cultivation.

"Never mind. I'll arrange for another batch to be sent over," Renji said. A single warehouse wasn't a big deal for him, though it would be a hassle for the person delivering the goods. Transporting that much would be troublesome.

Hearing that the food situation would be resolved, Hitsugaya was overjoyed. It wasn't just Karp who loved the food—the soldiers did too. The entire base had seemingly turned into a group of food enthusiasts, with everyone eagerly anticipating the next meal.

"Oh, right, Hitsugaya. Is the ship ready for my return to Sorbert Kingdom?"

Under Renji's leadership, the island had regained order and was even more bustling than before. There was no need for him to stay any longer.

Hitsugaya nodded. "Captain, the ship for your departure is ready. You can leave at any time."

"Would you like to come with me?" Renji asked.

He valued Hitsugaya's potential. Though the young man's strength was still lacking, Renji admired his character. Someone who stood up for others in times of hardship deserved a place in his team.

Hearing this, Hitsugaya's face lit up with joy. "I'd be honored!"

Renji paused for a moment, then nodded. "No need to get so excited... Pack your things. I'll take you with me when the time comes."

"Understood! I'll prepare right away," Hitsugaya said, unable to contain his excitement as he dashed off.

"Kids these days... so impulsive," Renji chuckled.

He seemed to have forgotten that he was only 22 himself.

...

Sorbert Kingdom

"Big Brother Bear, when is my brother coming back?" Shanks asked anxiously, worried that Renji might be in danger.

"He said he'd be back soon, but it's been over a month already..."

Shanks sniffled, feeling a bit wronged. He had never been apart from Renji for so long before. Even with Bear and Ginny around, he still felt uneasy.

"Don't worry, Shanks. Your brother is strong, and you've been talking to him regularly," Ginny sighed, trying to comfort him.

"But he hasn't called me in two hours..." Shanks muttered, his voice trailing off.

Bear and Ginny exchanged a glance, both at a loss for how to handle Shanks' brother complex. It was hard to believe that the usually mature Shanks could become so clingy when it came to his brother.

Even their close relationship with Shanks didn't make comforting him any easier.

"Your brother is busy today. He even asked me to deliver some things for him earlier," Bear said, patting Shanks' head. "But he said he'll be back soon."

"We'll all go to the port to wait for him when he returns."

Shanks looked skeptical. Bear had said the same thing half a month ago, and yet...

Bear awkwardly rubbed his nose. Under Shanks' gaze, he remembered those promises. He really wasn't good at comforting people.

And he was still just a kid himself...

Ginny glanced at Bear, who was blushing slightly, and found it somewhat endearing. "Shanks, Bear is telling the truth."

"I also heard Renji say it when he called earlier."

"Just relax. He'll be back soon."

...

Meanwhile.

On the ship heading to Marineford.

"Vice Admiral Karp, don't you think this is a bit... excessive?"

Karp's adjutant looked at the mountains of food piled on the ship. The remnants of his conscience made him uneasy.

"What? You don't like this food?" Karp replied nonchalantly, biting into a piece of fruit.

The adjutant hesitated but eventually succumbed to the temptation of the delicious food.

"I believe Vice Admiral Karp has his reasons for everything."

"Don't eat it all yourself. Share some with us."

Seeing Karp enjoy the food so heartily, the other marines couldn't help but drool.

Karp laughed. "The food's right there. Do you need me to feed you?"

"Long live Vice Admiral Karp!"

Laughter echoed across the sea, while the fish below trembled, too scared to surface.

...