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The large courtyard naturally had its advantages. Kojin took a leisurely stroll around, finding not a single flaw.
Everything seemed utterly perfect.
“The previous generation planted the trees, and the next generation enjoys the shade. I’m certainly benefiting from their efforts,” He mused, nodding in satisfaction. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed Eveya.
Then, narrowing his eyes, he gazed into the distance.
“This is a new beginning!”
Serving as Commander was indeed far more relaxed than his previous duties. Apart from handling the daily paperwork on his desk when he visited the office, he had little else to occupy his time.
If he didn’t feel like dealing with the tedious tasks, he could simply delegate everything to his adjutant.
Starting the very next day, Crocodile, Bullet, and the others simultaneously launched their plans.
Naturally, the ascension of the eight individuals wasn’t without its challenges. Each promotion was earned through fierce battles. These appointment battles drew the attention of most Marines in the base and left everyone in shock.
“Logia! Good heavens, how could such a monster end up in our branch?”
“Crocodile… he even has the potential to become an Admiral! How is he just a Lieutenant Colonel?”
“And that Bullet guy… I heard he used to be a crew member of the Roger Pirates! He’s as strong as a monster!”
“Kojin’s subordinates… except for those two rookie kids, the rest are all ridiculously strong!”
“Is that Marine Rokushiki?”
“Such elite Marines being assigned to our branch… it’s like a dimensional strike!”
The Marines were deeply shaken, their voices buzzing with astonishment.
Stationed at this remote branch, some had never witnessed such overwhelming power in their entire lives.
Kojin stood calmly on a high vantage point, observing the scene from afar.
Beside him, Eveya’s delicate face was filled with awe, clearly stunned by the sheer strength of his subordinates’ squad.
Buggy and Smoker, meanwhile, leaned over the railing, their eyes burning with envy and resentment as they watched the other eight bask in the limelight below.
“I want to be as strong as them!” Smoker gritted his teeth inwardly.
“Me too! I won’t lose to you, you white-haired brat,” Buggy declared.
“Heh, Red Nose, you slack off on training every day. Even though you’re a few years older than me, I’ll surpass you soon,” Smoker sneered.
“That’s impossible!” Buggy huffed. “I’m Buggy the Great!”
Despite his bluster, Buggy felt a growing sense of urgency. It was one thing to be outclassed by Shanks on Roger’s ship, but if he were to be overtaken by this white-haired brat here, it would be a complete failure.
Just then, a tall shadow loomed over them.
“You two brats need to work harder!” Kojin’s massive hands pressed down on their heads, a smile spreading across his face.
“Especially you, Buggy. You’re older and you’ve eaten a Devil Fruit.”
“Remember, the Chop-Chop Fruit is as powerful as Whitebeard’s Tremor-Tremor Fruit!”
“If I can’t unlock its full potential through you, it would be the greatest waste.”
“In that case, I might just kill you and find a way to reclaim this Devil Fruit.”
Despite the smiling words, Buggy tensed up, shock and fear flashing in his eyes.
“What?”
“My Chop-Chop Fruit… can really compare to Whitebeard’s Tremor-Tremor Fruit, that monster’s power?”
“But… I’ve never felt anything like that!”
Kojin, noticing the boy’s confusion, said calmly, “Devil Fruits have depths beyond ordinary development.”
“That’s the Devil Fruit Awakening.”
“When you push your fruit’s abilities to their highest level, you can affect matter beyond your own body.”
“It was precisely this ability that made Whitebeard the strongest man in the world.”
Pressing down on Buggy’s Marine cap, Kojin added, “And you, Buggy…”
“And you, Buggy!”
“If your Devil Fruit awakens, you’ll possess the power to smash this world!”
Buggy shuddered violently, feeling as if he’d been struck by lightning, his heart pounding with terror.
“The power to smash this world?”
From that moment on, a seed was planted in his heart.
Smoker, standing nearby, clenched his fist, silently resolving to act.
The Commander’s life remained peaceful and comfortable.
In the blink of an eye, Kojin had spent a month at the fortress.
On Bullet’s second day as Chief Instructor, the soldiers’ training regimen was significantly intensified.
He also established a selection system, periodically choosing the thousand most elite soldiers for even more rigorous and specialized training.
The elite among them would earn the right to train in Marine Rokushiki techniques, gaining further opportunities to grow stronger.
This proved immensely enticing to the soldiers at the Branch Base who had struggled to find effective training methods, driving many to train with desperate intensity.
However, Kojin soon faced a new problem.
“As the soldiers’ training intensity increases, our Branch Base’s demand for food and overall expenses have also risen,” Eveya said with a sigh.
“Running out of funds?” Kojin murmured.
Training an army inevitably requires vast sums of money. High-intensity drills consume enormous quantities of food and medical resources.
“I’ll submit a request to Headquarters,” Kojin said, shaking his head. For now, there was no other option.
Financially, Headquarters supported the branch bases, while the World Government funded the entire Marine. No matter how powerful or massive a system is, without proper logistics, it will collapse.
Yet he also noted that Bullet’s training methods were remarkably effective. Compared to a month ago, his subordinates’ strength had improved dramatically.
That afternoon, after a moment’s hesitation, he pressed the communication button on his Den Den Mushi.
BuruBuruBuru!
The Den Den Mushi rang for a long time before finally connecting.
“Hey brat, what brings you calling?” Garp’s cheerful voice boomed through the receiver.
“Before leaving Headquarters, I heard you were taking a break in East Blue,” Kojin said with a smile.
“Taking a break, my ass! They call it a break, but they just sent me to East Blue to work!” Garp roared. “I’ve been busier than ever since Roger died!”
Hearing that familiar voice, Kojin couldn’t help but chuckle.
“And you, kid, landed a cushy job. You must be bored out of your mind these days, right?” Garp continued.
“It’s certainly been quiet,” Kojin replied with a smile.
“Quiet’s good, but you’re done for now. Unless something unexpected happens, you’ll probably be stuck in that fortress forever,” Garp grunted.
“This place suits me just fine,” Kojin said with a faint smile.
“As long as you’re happy. It’s your choice, after all,” Garp chuckled, then his voice turned serious. “Rouge is with you, isn’t she?”
Before Kojin could answer, the Den Den Mushi went silent, clearly indicating Garp had no interest in hearing the reply.
Kojin paused, then chuckled softly.
In the entire Marine, only his Sensei was this absurd. But only he was truly genuine with Kojin.
After a moment, Kojin slowly rose to his feet.
“It’s time I paid Ohara a visit.”
(End of Chapter)
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