Chapter 23: Winning Kizaru

Seeing the eyes of the two people nearly popping out in shock, Chiba felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

"There is pressure to be motivated," he remarked.

"Why have you retreated even before you started?" Chiba's sharp gaze pierced through them. "You lack the courage. Go back and tell my grandfather that it's not that I refuse you; it's that you two cannot endure the hardships. You lack the courage and ambition of the strong, so you are retreating voluntarily."

Koby and Helmeppo's faces turned pale at the thought.

If they returned to Garp with such news, they would be exiled from the Marine for the rest of their lives. The Marine had no room for cowards, and Garp held even less respect for such individuals.

Chiba's words struck them like a sharp knife, severing any chance of retreat.

With no option left but to move forward, Koby felt a renewed fortitude within him; his tenacity far exceeded that of ordinary people.

"Vice Admiral Chiba, we will definitely train hard," he declared.

"We will reach Rear Admiral level within a year."

"We will never let Vice Admiral Chiba down, nor will we let Vice Admiral Garp down."

Chiba nodded with satisfaction. "That's more like it."

"I'm off to see Marshal Sengoku now. Soon, I will train you two myself."

"Dismissed."

"Yes, sir." Koby and Helmeppo saluted and retreated.

Chiba then made his way to the marshal's office, carrying the documents for two new pills: the Forging Body Building Foundation Pill and the Forging Body Breaking Mirror Pill.

As he approached the door, Sengoku's voice boomed from inside.

"Garp the b******d! Look at his troublemaking grandson messing with the Marine!"

"These little pirates have all grown too bold; it's truly a headache."

"It seems it's time to teach these kids a lesson."

Just as Chiba was about to knock, a lazy voice called out from behind him, "Yo, Vice Admiral Chiba! Long time no see."

Chiba turned to see Admiral Kizaru approaching with his hands in his pockets.

Chiba smiled and replied, "Ah, Admiral Kizaru! What brings you here?"

"It's tough work. Some brats in the New World have gone too far, especially your younger brother Luffy. He's quite a headache. Marshal Sengoku must have sent me here regarding this matter."

As Kizaru spoke, he noticed the documents in Chiba's hand and added with a grin, "It looks like Vice Admiral Chiba has been working on something interesting these past few months."

With that, Kizaru leaned in closer and said in a low voice, "If there's something good, don't forget about me. If the marshal sends me to deal with those kids, Vice Admiral Chiba, don't worry—I know what to do."

Chiba smiled slightly. "If Senior Kizaru doesn't mind, let's share a drink later."

"Sure, let's have a drink." Kizaru noticed the change in Chiba's address—Admiral had become Senior, indicating a more friendly tone.

Kizaru wore a bright smile; he expected to gain a lot from this encounter with Chiba.

He secretly hoped that Luffy would create a bigger mess, allowing him to benefit even more from Chiba's innovations.

"Let's go in together," Kizaru suggested, smiling as he pushed open one door.

"Okay, let's enter together." Chiba also smiled and opened the other door.

"We've come to see the marshal," they said in unison as they walked in.

"Yeah," Sengoku replied, his eyes lighting up as he noticed the two documents in Chiba's hands. The previous tension lifted as he asked excitedly, "Little Chiba, what have you been working on?"

Chiba smiled and explained, "One is an enhanced version of the Foundation Establishment Liquid, which I call the Foundation Establishment Pill. Its medicinal effects are ten times stronger than the Foundation Establishment Liquid."

"Additionally, during my body training, I noticed some people encounter bottlenecks, so I developed the Breaking Barrier Pill to help them break through."

"The first pill has the best effect, the second has a reduced effect, and the third is almost useless."

Sengoku's breath became short as he listened, and Kizaru's eyes widened in shock.

"Little Chiba, are you joking?" Sengoku exclaimed. "The Foundation Establishment Liquid is already powerful; how can this Foundation Establishment Pill be ten times stronger?"

Although Sengoku knew Chiba was exceptionally talented, he couldn't believe he could create something like the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Kizaru, however, was more intrigued by the Barrier-Breaking Pill. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he asked, "Vice Admiral Chiba, do you have any of the Barrier-Breaking Pills ready? Can I try it out?"

Recently, Kizaru had been practicing both qi training and body training, significantly enhancing his physical energy. However, after doubling his strength, he hit a bottleneck.

He had spoken to Aokiji and Sakazuki, who were also facing similar challenges.

However, Aokiji and Sakazuki were faring better, especially Akainu, who showed faint signs of a breakthrough. Kizaru felt anxious about falling behind, so the mention of the Barrier-Breaking Pill piqued his interest.

"I don't have any ready-made, but there's a furnace in the research room that will be ready soon. After I finish here, Senior Kizaru, come to me," Chiba replied.

"Thank you so much!" Kizaru beamed.

Sengoku cleared his throat and added, "I want some for myself too; I'd like to test its effects and then credit you for it."

"When the refining is complete, I will have Hina send you a batch, Marshal."

"I came to see you today hoping you'll give me the details on the Marine Six Styles."