One Piece: Starting as a Marine Lieutenant, I Slack Off and Get Stronger

Sakazuki jumped to his feet, staring at Kizaru in disbelief: "What! It can be used on other people too!"

A glint flashed in Aokiji's eyes as he half-asleep. Without a word, he removed his blindfold, rested his chin on his hand, and began to watch intently as Carl and Smoker dueled.

"Otherwise, why do you think I have such high hopes for him?" Kizaru looked at the excited Akainu and the suddenly serious Aokiji and felt a little regretful.

It seems a bit premature to brag! What if these two change their minds?

Then Kizaru stopped talking, silently watching Smoker and Karl bickering like idiots, his only thought being to end it quickly so he could go find Karl and settle things, otherwise something bad was definitely going to happen!

The scene returns to Smoker and Carl.

Smoker was slightly out of breath, while Karl barely had any, because he not only had Holy Light to sustain him, but also the divine skill [Swift as a Rabbit], which halves stamina consumption, so this level of intensity was nothing to him.

On the other hand, Smoker, because of his lifelong ambition and love of showing off, deliberately gave up his advantages, which led to his current close fight with Carl, and even a slight disadvantage for Smoker.

He was only three years older than Karl after all. After Karl used Holy Light to strengthen himself, his physical advantage was also eliminated, and he could only rely on his rich combat experience to deal with Karl.

"Hey, your name is Karl, right? I acknowledge your strength!"

"Hahaha, Major Smoker, if you hadn't willingly given up your advantage in the natural sciences, I would have definitely lost."

Smoker forced a smile but didn't reply. He thought to himself that once Karl learned Haki, his advantage would disappear. However, it probably wouldn't be that soon. He hadn't even seen a trace of Haki yet, let alone Karl, a rookie.

"time up!"

As Shuzo's voice rang out, the battle officially ended, and Smoker breathed a sigh of relief.

He gave up his advantage in nature and fought to a draw with Karl, which wasn't too bad, considering that the kid was indeed a monster.

Zephyr, dressed in a purple suit, stepped forward, holding a microphone.

"The last group's battle is over. In my capacity as the Chief Instructor of the Navy, I hereby announce the official conclusion of the 24th Marine Training Camp!"

"Okay!" Clap clap clap~

Applause erupted, and the freshmen cheered. After two months of grueling training, they had finally graduated!

The officers in the stands were immediately eager to act. They had already selected their favorites and were just waiting to approach them after the event ended.

Kizaru's eyes, hidden behind his sunglasses, slyly glanced at Aokiji and Akainu beside him. His body was already prepared; as soon as that old man Zephyr announced the disbandment, he would immediately rush over to find Karl.

I will absolutely not give those two bastards any chance!

"...Starting tomorrow, the next month will be your internship period. All the new recruits in the training camp will be involved in the entire process of capturing pirates!"

"You will personally experience the ferocity and cruelty of pirates. You are the elite of the Navy! Only after being baptized in blood can you be considered true Marines!"

"Upholding justice and maintaining peace, justice will prevail!"

As Zefa finished speaking, shouts rose and fell from the new recruits, who loudly chanted the Navy's slogans!

Justice will prevail! Justice will prevail! Justice will prevail!

Karl sighed slightly. It had finally come. The day destined for Teacher Zephyr.

Even before he saw Binz and Ain, he knew that a calamity was coming. It was this painful defeat that led to the ruthless Z becoming the one who never kills.

But fate had already quietly begun to turn. Would Zephyr, who was not troubled by asthma, still lose an arm because he was no match for Weevil, that snotty-nosed guy, and cry his heart out while looking at the student's corpse, to the point of finally becoming completely disillusioned with the Navy?

"Very well, I can tell those guys have been itching to get started, hahaha! In that case, dismissed!"

The lieutenant generals in the stands moved at the mere sound of their approach, each one smiling as they walked toward the new recruits, occasionally letting out lewd laughter that sent shivers down the spines of the rookies.

Since Carl figured he was already reserved by the ape, he simply turned around and left.

The next second, a flash of golden light appeared, and Kizaru's tall figure suddenly appeared in front of Karl.

"Namikaze, Admiral Kizaru, you've arrived!"

Kizaru's expression was serious. He glanced around furtively and whispered, "I don't have time to explain. Come with me now!"

"Hey! Borsalino, don't be in such a hurry! Don't we even have the right to take a look?"

Kizaru slowly turned his head to look, and saw Aokiji and Akainu walking slowly towards them side by side, with faint smiles on their faces, but Akainu's smile was more like a grimace.

"My God! All three generals have taken a liking to Karl at the same time, what kind of luck is that?"

"Luck? It's clearly skill! Isn't Karl the strongest in our batch?" "That's true."

Amidst the envious glances of the other recruits, Karl felt a chill run down his spine. He finally understood why Instructor Zephyr had told him not to reveal his abilities; it really was troublesome.

Karl couldn't afford to offend any of these three old men, and he dared not offend any of them. Fortunately, the ape had recruited him in advance, giving him at least a reason to do so.

"Ahem, Karl, you haven't forgotten what I told you before, have you? Come be my adjutant! Just report to me when your internship is over."

After saying that, Kizaru frantically winked at Karl, signaling Karl to act according to his signals, but Karl remained unmoved.

Are you kidding me? You wear those crappy sunglasses all the time, how can anyone read your eyes?

Feeling the curious gazes of Akainu and Aokiji, Karl panicked, but thankfully Kizaru's words reminded him.

"Of course, Admiral Kizaru, I..." "Wait a minute!"

Kizaru looked at Akainu with a livid face. "Fine!"

I never expected that you, Sakazuki, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, would go back on your word!

Chapter 15, the popular Karl

"Karl, can I experience your abilities?"

Akainu stared intently at Karl, an invisible pressure enveloping him, while Aokiji beside him also cast a "longing" glance.

Although he didn't speak, his face was full of unspoken words.

"Uh, of course, Admiral Aokiji, would you like to give it a try?"

Aokiji feigned surprise and said, "Oh? So I got a share too?"

On the surface, Karl was all smiles, but behind his back... Nonsense, what if you make things difficult for me later?

Hearing Karl say this, Kizaru's expression became somewhat mournful. Don't ask Karl how he knew; he had the same expression when Monica's relatives came.

However, Monica was, after all, a young married woman, and she always managed to perfectly alleviate Karl's "grievances".

But Kizaru only showed resentment; there was no sign of anger or rage on his face. A seasoned veteran is a seasoned veteran.

With no other option, Karl couldn't afford to offend anyone, so he could only spread his hands, conjure two golden orbs of light, and throw them at Akainu and Aokiji.

The moment the holy light entered his body, Akainu immediately closed his eyes, feeling the power of the holy light. His body instantly felt much lighter, and his fatigue was greatly reduced, but these were not the main points.

Slowly clenching his fist and feeling his body grow stronger, Akainu couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "This is the long-lost feeling of becoming stronger!"

He became about 2% stronger. Perhaps his sense of it wasn't accurate, but the effects of Karl's ability were very obvious, not only physically but also mentally.

Akainu suddenly opened his eyes, his sharp gaze fixed on Karl. This man had to become his subordinate.

On the other side, Aokiji also slowly opened his eyes. Although he didn't show it as obviously as Akainu, his eyes were filled with longing for Karl.

"Karl, become my subordinate! I guarantee you'll become a major general within three years!"

"Oh my god~ Sakazuki, this is different from what we said before. No way? No way? You wouldn't even want to steal my pre-selected subordinate, would you?"

Kizaru pouted in surprise and started chattering, taking the opportunity to mock Akainu for breaking his promise, then pursed his lips.

The gist is that Akainu's promise is a joke, and you can just take it with a grain of salt.

Ignoring Kizaru's sarcastic tone, Akainu calmly said, "I'm sorry, Salino, but Karl's abilities are exactly what I need. With his assistance, I will be more efficient in completing missions, and I won't be afraid even if I encounter the Whitebeard Pirates!"

"With your abilities, you don't need Karl's assistance at all. Let him be my adjutant!"

He said he was sorry, but Kizaru didn't show any remorse at all. He clearly wanted to just steal it. It's infuriating!

"Karl, what do you think? Don't forget, the more missions you complete, the more military merits you can accumulate and the further you can advance!"

After finishing his sentence, Akainu glanced at Kizaru and said casually, "Boltarino, Karl can only get the best environment to grow under my command."

"Whether it's physical skills, ability development, or even swordsmanship, I will impart all my knowledge to Karl without reservation. You... heh heh~"

Honestly, Karl almost fell for it, but when he thought of Akainu's personality from his memories, he ultimately hesitated.

"How terrifying! Since you put it that way, it seems I have no choice but to give Karl to you..."

Akainu remained expressionless, but the joy in his eyes betrayed his true feelings. Kizaru, however, changed the subject, gently adjusting his sunglasses before speaking.

"Oh, I almost forgot... Young Karl already made a promise with me that he would come and report to my place after graduation, right, Young Karl!"

Very well, now the pressure is on Carl.

Karl's gaze turned serious. He thought that if it were Aokiji, he would have to consider it, but Akainu was not even on his list of considerations.

In short, we have incompatible values. Rather than having conflicts later, it's better to be frank and open with each other.

During his moments of deep contemplation, when he would hold Monica and listen to her gossip, he had heard his fair share of rumors about Akainu.

Simply put, Akainu is too dedicated; he's either killing pirates or on his way to kill pirates. Becoming his subordinate would likely cut into Karl's time to slack off, and that alone is something Karl can't accept.

Karl's thinking was very clear: slowly coast along, accumulate seniority, build up military merits, and advance in rank to improve his own strength—that was what Karl needed.

Some might say that Karl wasn't a qualified navy officer, always thinking about slacking off, but for Karl, the navy was just a job, nothing more.

So, it's you I choose! Ape!

"Admiral Akainu, although I would love to be your subordinate, I do have a promise with Admiral Kizaru, and I am a man of my word, so I apologize."

After saying that, Karl turned to look at the pouting Kizaru: "Admiral Kizaru, I will report to you after my internship ends, so please don't worry."