The three returned to their seats after receiving their gifts.
"All of you are not only my direct subordinates, but also my disciples! So, taking this opportunity, I intend to teach you everything I know — including Navy Rokushiki, Fishman Karate, and even Total Concentration Breathing! I'll hold nothing back!"
"R-Really?!"
The most excited one was none other than Prinprin. Just a month ago, he was merely a base-level Brigadier or HQ Major, and now he had become a direct disciple under the tutelage of the famed "Flame Pillar."
"Of course it's true! And not only that — your fellow trainees are also here! Come on in!"
At Rengoku's call, four silhouettes appeared from a corner of the training hall.
"S-S-Smoker-san and H-H-Hina-san?!"
Prinprin's eyes widened at the tall, sharp-eyed woman and the hulking man chomping on a cigar.
"My name's not Hi-hi-hi-na. It's Hina. Hina is disappointed."
"Tch... So this was your doing. I was wondering why my assignment suddenly changed."
"U-Um… Justice! Private Coby reporting!"
"Justice! Private Helmeppo reporting!"
The remaining two were the tall Coby and the sharper-looking Helmeppo. Now, seven Marines of different ranks had gathered in Rengoku's private 4th training hall.
"Good. You all are elite Marines with a strong sense of justice whom I've been keeping my eye on! It'll be great to train together during this opportunity!"
"I mean… Smoker and I already learned the basics of Rokushiki. Is it really worth spending more time learning something else? Hina finds this troublesome."
"What I'm going to teach you today isn't just another technique—it's something entirely my own. If you can master it, your combat power will increase exponentially—I guarantee it."
Rengoku then turned his gaze to Smoker.
"Especially for someone like you, Smoker, who prefers close combat over Devil Fruit reliance—this will be a crucial training. I highly recommend you learn it."
Having been directly addressed, Smoker scratched his head with a sigh.
"Tch… Fine. I'll take you up on it."
"Then everyone—attention!"
At Rengoku's command, all seven Marines, regardless of their differing ranks, stood at attention. Even the usually carefree Smoker and Hina followed suit.
"What I'll be teaching you today is called Total Concentration Breathing! It's a technique where you consciously control your breathing to enhance your physical capabilities!"
"Total Concentration Breathing? You mean like just... breathing in really deeply?" Smoker asked.
Rengoku shook his head.
"It's also about controlling your internal muscles! I'll explain everything step by step—so let's begin."
He removed his Marine coat and set it aside before continuing.
"First, you need to focus on long, deep breaths that allow oxygen to travel throughout every corner of your body. When practicing this breathing, you must maintain absolute focus—be aware of the intensity of your breathing and the flow of oxygen. This will naturally enhance the body's healing processes, stabilize your mind, and bring about heightened awareness and vitality!"
"Relax your upper body so it's loose and flexible, but apply strength to your lower body to form a solid base like roots anchoring you to the ground! If your body doesn't follow naturally or you don't quite get it, take a horse-riding stance to force your body into the right form!"
Thanks to Rengoku's clear explanation, everyone took their positions and prepared for breathing.
Only Coby and Helmeppo, who didn't fully understand yet, had to assume the horse-riding stance to complete the posture.
"Good! Now start inhaling!"
WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!
Rengoku struck the abdomens of Coby, Helmeppo, Prinprin, and even Smoker.
"That's not it! You need to focus more precisely!"
"Huhu, Smoker, what was that posture? Hina finds this amusing."
WHACK!
"Yikes!"
"Hina! Please focus!"
After several rounds of physical correction, all seven of them were finally able to maintain the breathing technique, at least somewhat.
However, since it was their first time attempting Total Concentration Breathing, none—except the experienced Tashigi—could hold it for more than three minutes.
Watching Tashigi maintain it for ten full minutes, both Smoker and Hina silently made up their minds.
"I'm glad everyone has grasped the breathing method! From now on, make a habit of practicing this breathing technique in your daily life—until you can maintain it anytime, anywhere!"
Rengoku was extremely satisfied with the results after just half a day of training. Especially Smoker and Hina, who threw themselves into mastering the breathing head-on.
"Let's see whether the breathing wins or I do! Five-minute challenge!"
"Smoker can't handle this? Hina will aim for ten!"
It was a side of them no one usually got to see—but it also proved they were the first to realize how effective this technique really was.
"Private Coby! Private Helmeppo! You're lower-ranking, yet how can you fall behind Private Vivi! Tighten your core!"
"Ugh… It's too much, Vice Admiral!"
"Say that again if you dare!"
"Eeeek! Sorry! I'll focus!"
Inside the 4th Training Hall, the only sound that echoed now was the deep, concentrated breathing of the seven Marines.
"Start with one minute, then three—gradually increase the time. Once you can maintain it even during sleep for 24 hours, that state is called Total Concentration Breathing – Constant. At that point, I'll teach each of you personalized techniques suited to your body! Hang in there!"
At Rengoku's encouragement, the seven gathered their focus again and resumed their breathing.
"Phew… Hina is hot."
Sweat poured from Hina as she concentrated deeply on her breathing. She threw off her Marine coat, and even her suit jacket was tossed aside.
Her short-sleeved blouse was soaked through, revealing the deep crimson undergarments beneath. But Hina didn't care—she raised both arms and tied her hair back with the hair tie she had in her mouth.
The tall Hina tying her hair up was a striking sight. The rubber band gripped by her plush lips stirred something in many of the men.
"...Gah!"
As Helmeppo and Prinprin stole glances at her, Rengoku immediately intervened.
"Fall into lust, and all your training goes to waste! Helmeppo, Prinprin—cover your eyes from now on!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Tch."
Smoker also threw off his coat, revealing a body of bulging muscle, pouring his entire focus into breathing.
"To think they'd get distracted by a woman's body when we have such an incredible technique right in front of us... fools!"
Smoker had often questioned the usefulness of his Devil Fruit, the Moku Moku no Mi.
Aside from smoke propulsion and snuffing out flames, he struggled to find ways to maximize it. That's why he turned to martial arts and jitte-based weapon techniques.
For someone like him, specialized in close combat, Total Concentration Breathing was an incredibly effective enhancement—it showed instant results.
So to see Helmeppo and Prinprin wasting this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity just to ogle at a woman made them look like absolute idiots in his eyes.
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