Chapter 24: Training Sengoku as a Shield
"Chiba, are you planning to single-handedly overhaul the entire Marine training system?" Sengoku asked, peering at Chiba over the top of the documents with an incredulous expression.
Within a single year, Chiba had developed a method for cultivating Haki, a Qi training method, the Foundation Building Liquid, the Foundation Building Pill, and the Breaking Barrier Pill. And now, he was aiming to refine the Marine Six Styles as well. The sheer talent and determination left Sengoku staring at him as if he were some kind of phenomenon.
Chiba laughed modestly. "Marshal Sengoku, you give me too much credit! It's not that I want to change everything; it's just that I noticed the Marine Six Styles can be a bit cumbersome to learn, and even Hina hasn't fully mastered it. I thought simplifying it could benefit the entire Marine force."
Sengoku chuckled, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "So, is this really for Marine's benefit, or are you just trying to help Hina?"
Chiba scratched his head, grinning. "Nothing escapes you, Marshal. I guess you could say it's both."
"Alright, alright, cut the flattery. I'll have someone deliver the Marine Six Styles data to you," Sengoku replied, though clearly pleased by Chiba's deference. "But if you actually manage to simplify and popularize Marine Six Styles, it'd be a major contribution. Honestly, with all the achievements you've made, it wouldn't be unreasonable to consider you for an Admiral position."
He sighed. "But rules are rules. I can't simply remove one of the Admirals to make room for you, now can I?"
As Sengoku spoke, Kizaru, who had been listening quietly, felt a slight pang. Though the remark seemed casual, it was enough to raise concerns for someone in Kizaru's position.
Reflecting on past meetings, Kizaru thought, Sengoku did mention dismissing Akainu once. I thought it was just a warning, but maybe he was serious. If Sengoku were to push him out, it'd cause quite the stir in the Marine ranks.
He frowned, considering his options. If they're going to remove someone, it could be me instead… no, I can't let that happen. I'll have to stay on Chiba and Garp's good side.
Kizaru made up his mind: he'd keep a close eye on Luffy during his upcoming mission, careful not to hurt him too much. After all, forming a bond with Chiba might prove invaluable.
Meanwhile, Chiba was well aware of his own limitations. Even if he were offered the Admiral position, he wasn't sure he could command the respect required, nor did he crave it. In this world, personal strength meant everything.
"Heh, I'm content as Vice Admiral, really. With your support for my research, I couldn't ask for more," Chiba said, feigning indifference.
Sengoku's face grew serious. "Listen here, you're just as obstinate as your grandfather. Sure, I can support your research now, but I won't be around forever. Someday, I'll have to step down, and whoever takes over may not be as eager to protect your work."
He leaned forward, his tone firm. "Think about it: without backing, a new Marshal could easily claim your research and shut down your lab. You've accomplished so much, but only because you've had Garp and me shielding you from the politics. I'm not saying this to gain credit—I'm getting old, Chiba. I just want to make sure your talents aren't wasted because of power struggles."
He sighed, a deep crease forming on his brow. "I know you hate political games, but sometimes, there's no avoiding them. Unless you leave the Marines, you'll be caught up in it. And where else could you continue your research like this?"
Chiba nodded thoughtfully. Sengoku had a point; Marine Headquarters was the perfect place for his research, and he'd been overlooking the fact that Sengoku's support wouldn't last forever. If Sengoku retired and Akainu became the new Marshal, his work could be in jeopardy.
Could he really aim for the positions of Admiral or Marshal just to keep his work safe? But those roles came with endless responsibilities, leaving little time for research. If only Sengoku could remain in his position indefinitely.
An idea dawned on him, and his eyes brightened. If I can help Sengoku extend his tenure as Marshal…
With the right techniques, Sengoku could strengthen his physical energy, potentially boosting his vitality enough to lead for another decade. Yes, if he could train Sengoku, he could keep him in place as his shield.
A subtle smile crossed Chiba's lips as he considered the plan.
Meanwhile, Sengoku gave Kizaru his next orders. "The young pirates at the Sabaody Archipelago are stirring up trouble. Kizaru, I want you to go handle those kids. And as for that Luffy, make sure to teach him a lesson."
Kizaru listened closely, picking up on the nuanced phrasing. Handle the others likely meant a harsher response, while teaching Luffy a lesson suggested restraint. He knew exactly what Sengoku wanted.
"Understood, Marshal. I'll prepare to set off for Sabaody," Kizaru replied with a smirk.
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𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮. 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚!
𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼:
• 𝘽𝙤𝙜𝙙𝙖𝙣 𝙋𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙪
• 𝙅𝙘𝟭𝟮𝟬𝟮
• 𝘼𝙝𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙟𝙖𝙝
• 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗯 𝗠𝗼𝗲𝗲
𝗔𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸:
• 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟴𝟱+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.
• 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁-𝗢𝘂𝘁: 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩!
𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝘀 𝗺𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗲𝘁, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝘀!
👉 𝙅𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙣𝙤𝙬: 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣.𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧