As time passed, the day of the scheduled three-month hellish training finally arrived.
The training site was a fully sealed, massive underground arena in Marineford.
The training goal: to maximize combat strength over three months.
The participants: a total of 3,000 elite soldiers.
Over the next three months, these 3,000 would undergo ultra-intense training and rest cycles for 18 hours a day, all within this facility.
Unless a special situation arose, no one would leave or return to normal life until the entire three-month period was complete.
Due to the nature of this training, the 3,000 Marines selected were handpicked elite soldiers, chosen with extreme scrutiny.
Among them were several notable names connected to Rengoku.
Rear Admirals: Smoker and Hina
Commodore: Prinprin
Commander and Captain: Tashigi and Jose
Lieutenant: Vivi
Major: Bartel
Coby, Helmeppo, and… even Fullbody, who through sweat and tears had earned back his rank as Lieutenant.
Their ranks and power levels varied, but all had passed the aptitude screening and were considered exceptional talents.
...
"Welcome to this facility!"
Rengoku, along with dozens of the base's top instructors, stepped onto the stage.
"For the next three months, we will undergo the highest-intensity training possible—just short of dying!"
"As for the reason... unfortunately, I can't tell you yet. However, what I can guarantee is this—by the end of this training, each and every one of you will have the strength equivalent to at least two ranks above your current level!"
...
"Two ranks?! So that means I'll be Vice Admiral-level?"
"Please shut up."
It was a conversation between the only two Rear Admirals, Hina and Smoker.
"Haha! So that means officers like us will rise by just one rank!"
Rengoku didn't mind their personal exchange and continued.
"During these three months, all aspects of your daily life—training, rest, nutrition—will take place within this underground arena!"
"You will receive: optimal nutrition, the best training equipment, and elite instructors! But in return, there's a price to pay!"
"No one is allowed to leave during the training period! If something happens, only those officially designated by HQ may be granted temporary leave!"
Seeing the 3,000 trainees remain motionless in response, Rengoku smiled with satisfaction.
"Is there anyone here who wishes to leave?"
"None, sir!!!"
A thunderous shout echoed through the chamber.
"Good! Then since this is day one, we'll start with a warm-up level session. All personnel—drop and give me push-ups!"
At Rengoku's command, the best of the best across all of Marine HQ instantly hit the ground, ready for push-ups.
"Instructors and assistants—place weight plates on their backs! The weight will be based on each person's rank! You'll perform 1,000 reps, on my count! Understood!?"
With Rengoku's order, dozens of instructors and hundreds of assistants rushed around, carrying compressed weight plates.
"Ugh...!"
"Huff...!"
"Gahhh...!"
Heavy compressed plates—up to a ton for the highest ranks, and at least 100 kg for the lowest—were placed accordingly.
Tweet!
At Rengoku's whistle, all arms bent down.
And they held the position for quite a long time.
By the time Hina and Smoker, both Rear Admirals, began to feel their bodies heating up and started sweating, Rengoku's whistle blew again.
Tweet!!
"One!!!"
Tweet!!
All 3,000 soldiers bent their arms once more.
...
Tweet!
"One thousand!!!"
A total of 1,000 push-ups — completed over two hours.
"Good! Now, change positions for sit-ups — 1,000 reps! This time, no added weights. Let's treat it like a well-earned, fair break!"
Tweet!
"One!!!"
...
"That's it for today! Good work, everyone! Return to your quarters and rest!"
The first day of training had ended.
And it was brutal.
For officers of commander rank and above, it was manageable. But for everyone else, the training had completely wiped them out.
The only silver lining was that today had been just basic physical training.
A base count of 1,000 reps. The intensity was tailored to push each person's physical and mental limits. Rest only came when someone collapsed — and even then, just a single minute.
That's the kind of training they endured... with just weighted plates alone.
This underground training arena was also equipped with hundreds of high-end machines far beyond what had been used today — but not a single one had been touched.
Once they started using those machines in rotating circuits… that would mark the beginning of another layer of this "hell."
The facility even included arenas where officer-level combatants could engage in actual battles.
In other words, once someone became proficient at solo training, they'd have to face off against others.
Maybe against their fellow trainees. Maybe against their own superiors. Or maybe… even against Vice Admiral Rengoku himself.
Today had been limited to basic endurance and strength training — and everyone was thankful for that much.
The 3,000 soldiers chewed on their distributed high-calorie Marine rations between sets, igniting both body and spirit.
...
"Ugh… I don't think I can keep this up…"
Helmeppo muttered to his friend Coby on their way back to their quarters.
"You can't say that, Helmeppo. Don't you know how rare it is to get personal training directly from Vice Admiral Rengoku? Others would kill for this chance!"
"I know, I know… I was just venting… Ah, my back… You holding up okay?"
Helmeppo's concern prompted Coby to rub his sore shoulders as he answered.
"It was tough for me too. But enduring it — that's what it means to be a Marine, right? Haha!"
"'Haha'? What kind of joke is that… You're way too optimistic, man."
While the lower ranks were aching all over, the top brass was a different story entirely.
...
"Mmm~ It's been a while since I had a workout that felt like a real workout. Hina is satisfied."
"That was just the warm-up. From tomorrow on, things will only get tougher…"
"Oh? Smoker, are you scared? That's kinda cute."
"Shut up. If anything, I'm excited."
Smoker had been eagerly awaiting this kind of physically demanding training.
After being promoted to Rear Admiral at HQ, his days had felt tedious. But ever since he started following Rengoku, not only had he been promoted, but he also found his motivation reignited.
And now, just when things were starting to feel dull again — this hellish training had come along.
Smoker couldn't wait to see the version of himself that would emerge after these three months.
"My pace is completely swept up in Rengoku's flow… but honestly, it's not bad. This feeling… I actually like it."
With clenched fists, Smoker made his way to his room.
Watching her colleague walk off, Hina smiled to herself and murmured,
"He really is a strange one."
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