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

Karl was startled. Was Kizaru trying to recruit him? No, he was recruiting him!

Generally speaking, recruits who participate in training camps are assigned to the four seas and the Grand Line after graduation based on their performance. Only the most outstanding recruits will stay at the Navy Headquarters and grow under the guidance of a vice admiral or admiral for a period of time.

For example, Aokiji used to be Garp's sidekick and big fan.

Kizaru's advance notice undoubtedly showed that he valued his abilities, something Karl was very confident about. What ADC wouldn't want a reliable support?

But Zephyr had just told him to stay away from Kizaru, and now Kizaru is trying to recruit him.

This inevitably made Carl suspect that there was some unspeakable secret competition between these two rivals, and it was really difficult for him, a newbie, to be caught in the middle!

However, to be fair, if he were to choose who to follow, he would most likely choose Kizaru. The reason is simple: Aokiji is currently slacking off, so how can Karl slack off?

Although Akainu is dedicated, given his harsh personality, he would not stand idly by while Karl slacks off, and would definitely raise his standards for him.

Therefore, Karl doesn't have many options. One is Garp, who is strong and has many vacation days.

Another one is Kizaru. He's fast and efficient. If Karl gave him a buff at Marine Headquarters, Kizaru could take down people in a flash.

"Haha, Admiral Kizaru, there's still a long way to go before graduation! No need to rush. But don't worry, if I had to choose, I would definitely prioritize being your adjutant!"

Kizaru's lips curled slightly, seemingly satisfied with Karl's answer. He then pulled a bunch of keys from his pocket and tossed them to Karl.

"This is the key to my old place. If you don't mind, you can move in now. Consider it a gift from me!"

After saying that, Kizaru transformed into a golden light and disappeared from the spot, giving Karl no room to refuse.

"Wow, today was truly magical! I got a house, my career is stable, and I even had a great time fishing! Tsk tsk tsk~"

Chapter 8 Frail and Delicate

The fourth day of the training camp, at the training ground.

"System, check the total time spent slacking off!"

"[Training Camp Chronicles]: Total slacking time: 35/400 hours. Please keep up the good work, host!"

The training camp runs from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., with 12 hours of training time and only three hours for meals and rest combined.

The daily task only required 8 hours of free time, which led to Karl exceeding the task limit after skipping class for three days.

Now his system space has 6 designated attribute enhancement cards, as well as a lot of snacks and drinks, which can be described as making money while lying down. Unfortunately, as his body size and age return to normal, Karl's good days have officially come to an end.

Karl reluctantly returned to the training ground and joined the main group in basic training, saying that today they would begin practicing the Six Styles of the Navy.

Zefa stood in front, his face glowing. His physical condition was much better than on the first day, a fact that Zefa himself was well aware of.

Since being healed by Karl's holy light, his chronic asthma has been completely cured! These past few days, he has not only been breathing smoothly, but he also runs without getting out of breath, as if he had never had asthma at all.

Without the torment of asthma, his strength gradually recovered. Although he was not as good as that old monster Garp, he was much stronger than he used to be.

"Today, I will personally teach you the training methods and application techniques of the Navy's Six Styles - Iron Body. Regardless of whether you have learned it before or not, listen carefully. If anyone slacks off, you will all be punished!"

Iron block? A strange look flashed across Karl's face. The only six techniques he knew were shaving and paper drawing.

One pursues (escapes), the other tries to save his life (dodges bullets).

He knew nothing else, not because he didn't want to learn, but because his physical condition was too poor in the past. Even if he knew the techniques, he couldn't use them due to his physical limitations. Now, however, it was a good opportunity to learn.

There are 12 hours a day anyway! I'm not worried about not being able to complete my daily slacking-off tasks.

"Iron Block, the only defensive technique among the Six Styles, works by accelerating blood flow and speeding up muscle movement, thereby giving muscles the hardness of steel. The drawback is that you cannot move freely when using Iron Block."

"Therefore, we must choose the right time to use iron blocks. We must not be overconfident and use iron blocks to defend against any attack the enemy uses."

"Alright, next I will explain in detail how the iron block can cultivate..."

An hour later.

"Ding, this world's combat skill - Naval Six Styles - has been detected and added to the system as a random reward. The chance of drawing it during the Training Camp Storm Mission is increased by 50%."

Carlton breathed a sigh of relief. He should have said so earlier! He had been listening so attentively, wasting an hour of his time daydreaming.

"Alright, I've told you all the cultivation techniques for the Iron Block. Is there anyone who still doesn't understand?"

The new recruits all shook their heads. The technique of using the iron block wasn't difficult; as long as one had sufficient body control, it was easy to master. Besides, even if someone didn't understand something, they wouldn't be the one to stick their neck out; they could just ask someone else! How pathetic.

"Very well, now that you all understand, let's begin our cultivation! I'll only give you three days. If anyone still can't master the iron block, hmph!"

As a result, the training ground turned into a poop-holding contest, with everyone frowning, their faces flushed, and looking like they wanted to poop but couldn't. Karl was no exception.

Fortunately, Carl, a veteran of ten years, had already mastered the art of paper drawing and had a much better control over his body than the other recruits. After practicing the method taught by Zephyr a few times, he easily mastered the iron block.

Believe it or not, after using the iron block, Carlton felt his confidence soar. With his steel frame, no one could do anything to him!

Unfortunately, it's not very effective in that area; I guess only Armament Haki can enchant it.

"Huh! This kid... he's learning way too fast!" Zephyr, who had been watching Karl closely, suddenly noticed the familiar luster and realized it was definitely an iron block. After a moment's thought, he called Karl over.

"Karl, you've studied the Six Styles of the Navy before?"

"Yes, Instructor Zephyr. Brigadier General Charles taught me, but before that I could only use shaving and paper drawing. I only just mastered the iron block technique."

“Charles~”

A youthful face flashed into Zefa's mind—it was Charles in his younger days. The reason he remembered it so clearly was because Charles was his first student.

However, he was not very talented. More than 20 years later, he was only a brigadier general in a branch, which was more than enough to guard the branch.

"That's not bad either. Your talent is indeed better than that kid Charles's. Remember not to be arrogant or complacent. Keep practicing!"

Karl readily agreed. Practice? Forget about it! Time to slack off is about to begin!

But before that, we need to find an unlucky guy to test the effect of "weak and frail".

Hmm, after scanning the room, Karl's gaze settled on a strangely shaped guy. "I've decided on you, Binz!"

Don't let his thin arms and legs fool you; he's a user of the Abundance Fruit, and he scored an impressive 451 points in the Power Test, securing second place.

All things considered, he is already the strongest recruit besides Karl, which shows how depleted the Navy's talent pool is now.

"Your name is Binz, right? Could you please test the effectiveness of my Iron Block defense?"

Looking at the grinning Karl, Binz subconsciously frowned. Of all the recruits, Karl was the one he disliked the most. Why did Karl not have to train as hard as the others, yet still get Instructor Zephyr's favor? Just because he was some kind of ability user?

Although it wasn't very clear on the first day, most of the new recruits could roughly guess that Karl was a Devil Fruit user.

Otherwise, it would be impossible for a normal person to release a golden ball of light. It's just that they don't know what Karl's ability is, and even if they wanted to ask, they couldn't see him.

So when faced with Karl's request, he instinctively wanted to refuse, but then he thought, testing the defensive effect of the iron block, isn't that just getting beaten up? In other words, Karl is actively asking to be beaten up? Is there really such a good thing?

"Great! No, I mean, I'd love to help!"

Binz changed his tune quickly, but Carl still caught on to the clues. Combined with the envious looks from others, Carl easily came to the conclusion that he wasn't very popular. But Carl didn't care. Putting himself in others' shoes, he himself couldn't stand himself.

They're both new recruits, so why should others suffer through physical training while he lies at home enjoying himself? It would be strange if anyone admired him for that!

Karl ripped open his shirt, revealing his muscular upper body, signaling to Binz that he was ready to attack at any moment. Then, he silently chanted in his mind, "System, use Fragile."

"The Fragile skill was successfully used. Defense -100%, chance of injury +1000%, and a critical injury immunity is granted for three minutes."

"Six Styles: Iron Body!"

Binz, just go for it!

Chapter 9 One Punch and One Eye Roll

The new recruits who were trying to hold their poop nearby were also attracted by the commotion. Since they couldn't hold it in anyway, they decided to just watch the show.

And so, a group of people surrounded the two of them. Zephyr and Xiuzo stood on the high ground and commented: "Xiuzo, do you think Binz can break Karl's iron block?"

Xiu Zuo shook his head: "Impossible, absolutely impossible. With Binz's skinny arms and legs, I just don't think it's possible. What do you think, teacher?"

Although Xiu Zuo wasn't sure who would be stronger in a real fight, when it comes to defense, isn't it true that the more muscle you have, the tougher you are? Karl at least looks tough, while Binz is in a completely different league, looking like a dried-up chicken.

Zefa chuckled and patted Xiu Zuo on the shoulder: "Hahaha, no one knows Karl's strength better than me. That guy isn't so easy to defeat!"

With a large crowd watching, Binz suddenly felt the pressure. In other people's eyes, he was second only to Karl. What if he couldn't even break Karl's defense with his full-force attack? That would be so embarrassing!

Thinking of this, Binz, who had only intended to vent his anger, suddenly became furious, staring intently at Karl and shouting.

"Ninpo: Hao Kanshou!"

Binz spread his slender arms, stomped his left foot on the ground and leaped into the air. In mid-air, he pulled his arms back and, like a spring compressed to its limit, lunged at Karl, who stood motionless in place.

"what!"

With a double-dragon-emerging-from-the-sea cough cough, he threw out both fists, and at that moment, he was simply like a god of war!

Binz's attack landed squarely on Karl's chest without any doubt. There was a loud bang, followed by a cracking sound as Karl was sent flying cleanly.

He was lying on the ground, barely alive, seemingly wanting to say something, but after spitting out a mouthful of blood, he immediately paid homage to Luffy and rolled his eyes in warning.

Before losing consciousness, Karl's only feeling was a burning pain in his chest, like he had been shot. Damn it, he thought using the iron block would lessen his suffering, but he didn't expect to be injured so badly!

What a stupid defensive technique!

Binz: ? ? ?

Binz stared at his hands in disbelief, thinking, "Am I really that strong? I defeated Karl, who uses the Iron Block, in just one move!"

The new recruits watching were in an uproar. Many felt that the punch was somewhat driven by personal grudges. Binz seemed so amiable, but they didn't expect him to be so ruthless! They would have to stay away from him in the future.

"what!"