At the Marines Headquarters meeting room in Marineford.
"That's the situation."
Kizaru slumped into his chair.
To ensure the information arrived as quickly as possible, he barely rested after returning from the Sabaody Archipelago. After reaching Marineford, he even used his Devil Fruit ability to travel the remaining distance.
His stamina was completely exhausted. Right now he could barely stay seated.
"How is that possible?!"
The first person to react was Akainu.
He stared closely at Kizaru, trying to detect any sign that he was hiding something.
But there was none.
Kizaru might usually behave casually, but his strength was acknowledged by almost everyone present, including Akainu himself.
Yet despite that strength, he had fought a vice captain of the Whitebeard Pirates for an entire day and night. In the end, the Marines were forced to withdraw from the island.
It was simply unbelievable.
"There's nothing impossible about it."
Kizaru's expression had lost its usual laziness. He looked far more serious now.
"It's not that I couldn't defeat Renji."
"He's strong, but he still isn't truly stronger than me."
"The key issue was that Rayleigh was there."
Silvers Rayleigh might have looked calm, but if he had the chance to kill a Marines Admiral, he definitely wouldn't hold back.
"If I had gone all out against Renji, even if I won…"
"I'd probably have been killed by Rayleigh afterward."
Kizaru was extremely serious as he spoke.
He still had a trump card he had not used. That move was specifically reserved to deal with Rayleigh and guarantee his own survival.
"However…"
"Renji is indeed impressive."
"If we only talk about conventional methods, I can at best fight him to a draw."
"There's even a chance I could lose."
Everyone in the room nodded.
That explanation made sense.
"I've heard Renji was personally promoted by Edward Newgate."
"He's supposedly Whitebeard's chosen successor, but he's only in his twenties. Could he really be that strong?"
Sengoku frowned.
He turned toward the intelligence officers.
"Intelligence Division, retrieve all information about Renji immediately."
"I want to analyze every detail."
"Yes, sir!"
The intelligence officers quickly gathered all available records.
Soon Renji's full file was presented.
Renji, resident of Fire Dragon Island in the New World. Before joining the Whitebeard Pirates he lived alone on that island.
About three and a half years ago he began integrating into the island's human settlement.
A year and a half ago he boarded the Whitebeard Pirates' ship and was assigned to the Fourth Division.
Because of his strength, abilities, and personality, he became a squad leader within one month.
After several naval battles, he was promoted to a major leader within three months.
Six months later he was promoted again to vice captain of the Fourth Division and began receiving direct guidance from Whitebeard.
Two months ago, after Marshall D. Teach betrayed the crew, speculation about the Whitebeard Pirates spread throughout the New World. One of the Beasts Pirates All-Stars, Jack, attacked their territory.
Renji personally requested permission to fight and ultimately captured Jack alive.
To reward him, Whitebeard personally trained Renji for one month and granted him the title "Instructor of the Whitebeard Pirates."
Half a month ago, because Portgas D. Ace had not returned, Renji was sent out to search for him.
Abilities:
Conqueror's Haki, extremely advanced Armament Haki, extremely advanced Observation Haki. Possesses a Devil Fruit ability similar to Whitebeard's Gura Gura no Mi.
Based on the Devil Fruit encyclopedia, it is most likely an undiscovered fruit temporarily designated as the Tremor Fruit.
Evaluation:
Renji has an extremely easygoing personality. He frequently trains alongside the crew members under him, which has earned him tremendous respect within the Whitebeard Pirates.
Because of this, although he joined only a year and a half ago, he already holds authority equal to a division commander without causing jealousy.
Key point:
Renji is now confirmed to be Whitebeard's chosen successor.
After hearing the report, Sengoku fell silent.
"This man truly is a talent."
"If the Marines had discovered him first and he had joined us…"
"I would personally train him as the future Fleet Admiral."
Sengoku said this without hesitation, even though Aokiji, Akainu, and Kizaru were all strong candidates for the position.
Renji's talent and potential were obvious to anyone.
More importantly, he had an excellent personality and knew how to build strong relationships with the people around him.
That kind of person rarely inspired jealousy.
Sengoku sighed.
"What a pity."
"There's nothing we can do now."
Such a talent would never belong to the Marines.
"However…"
"This information only tells us who Renji is."
"It doesn't help with our future strategy."
At that moment Kizaru spoke again.
"The strangest thing is that Renji also possesses the Pika Pika no Mi."
"What?!"
Sengoku froze.
That completely violated the world's rules.
"You're certain it's the Light-Light Fruit?"
"Not a similar fruit or a weaker version?"
"I'm certain."
"The Light-Light Fruit has been with me most of my life. There's no way I'd mistake it."
"Renji absolutely used the Light-Light Fruit."
Kizaru nodded.
"On my way back I asked Sentomaru to confirm something."
"This matter doesn't appear directly related to Dr. Vegapunk."
"But whether it's connected to Vegapunk's research results is still unclear."
Sengoku slowly calmed down.
Two identical Devil Fruits.
And according to the report, Renji possessed not just one, but two Devil Fruits.
That meant Renji had two Devil Fruit powers simultaneously.
"That completely violates the world's laws."
He murmured to himself.
But soon his eyes cleared.
"This man may interfere with our preparations."
After further discussion among the Marines' high command, Sengoku assigned tasks for everyone.
Soon afterward, a message was rapidly dispatched from the Marines…
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