The first to speak was Jozu.
He knew very well Renji's status within the Fourth Division. They were not selecting a new division commander, so naturally they needed someone who could command respect among the Fourth Division members.
"I agree as well."
Marco nodded.
Although Renji had not been on the ship for very long, he was the most diligent. His strength was not far behind the others, and because he constantly trained the pirates, he had gained enormous popularity throughout the Whitebeard Pirates.
Let alone becoming an acting division commander.
Even if Edward Newgate decided to create a seventeenth division specifically for Renji, Marco would still support it.
"Agreed."
"No problem."
Soon,
The other division commanders also expressed their opinions.
Renji had a gentle personality and fit perfectly with the atmosphere of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Receiving unanimous approval was not surprising.
"Very well."
Whitebeard nodded.
"From today onward, Renji will act as the commander of the Fourth Division, handling internal matters and the training of the crew."
At this point,
Whitebeard changed the topic.
A trace of concern appeared on his face.
"The next matter is something I have been thinking about recently."
Hearing this,
All sixteen commanders, including Renji, looked at him curiously.
It was the first time they had seen Whitebeard hesitate like this.
"From today onward, everyone will begin intensified training. Division commanders will spar with each other and also fight against me to improve your strength."
This thought had remained in Whitebeard's mind ever since the incident with Marshall D. Teach.
He clearly understood his own physical condition.
If it were not for his overwhelming strength, he might have already passed away.
Even now, it was not impossible for him to leave this world at any time.
He himself could leave whenever fate decided.
But what about the people beneath him?
Sixteen divisions, more than sixteen hundred crew members, and the tens of thousands of pirates from the forty three allied crews who followed him.
What would happen to them?
As long as he was alive, others did not dare act recklessly.
But if he were gone?
They might not even be able to live peacefully in the New World.
Once he fell,
The foundation of the Whitebeard Pirates in the New World might collapse completely.
"Marco. Jozu."
Whitebeard turned his gaze toward the two strongest people currently aboard the ship.
One possessed incredible mobility.
The other had nearly unmatched defense.
Both were powerful figures capable of standing on their own and had reached a high level among Yonko commanders.
Improving their strength first was obviously the best approach.
"You two come at me together."
"As for the others, step aside."
So he planned to train them directly?
Marco and Jozu looked at each other and nodded.
This kind of situation was not rare.
In order to strengthen the crew, Whitebeard had done this many times before. Sometimes even ordinary pirates received personal guidance from him.
Renji himself had experienced it before.
That was one of the reasons why the Whitebeard Pirates were so powerful.
"Alright."
"Pops, here we come!"
Marco and Jozu quickly moved apart.
Marco instantly transformed into the phoenix and leapt high into the sky.
Jozu's body turned into diamond as he charged toward Whitebeard like a raging bull.
Seeing this,
Renji's eyes lit up.
He was already just one step away from reaching Yonko commander level strength.
Now the division commanders were fighting, and Whitebeard himself was personally training Marco and Jozu.
This was not only a perfect opportunity for Renji to break through to Yonko commander level.
If the fight lasted long enough, reaching Admiral level might not even be an impossible dream.
Thinking of this,
Renji stepped closer to observe.
"Good coordination."
Whitebeard moved quickly and dodged Marco's attack first.
At the same time, the power of the Gura Gura no Mi began gathering in his fist.
He threw a punch.
Jozu was instantly sent flying backward.
"But you are still too naive."
"Do you think I would not kill you? How can you be so careless?"
"I am personally training you so you can become stronger, not playing games with you. Do you understand?"
Hearing Whitebeard's slightly angry voice,
Marco and Jozu, both powerful Yonko commander level fighters, nodded like children being scolded.
"Pops, we were wrong."
[You picked up 1 Strength!]
[You picked up 1 Combat Experience!]
[You picked up 1 Armament Haki Insight!]
[…]
Renji had already been only one step away from breaking through.
Now two Yonko commander level fighters were battling under the guidance of a Yonko level powerhouse.
Standing nearby and collecting attributes, Renji quickly broke through to Yonko commander level.
The moment he reached that level, Renji felt a surge of strength flow through his body.
"Good!"
"Now this is more like it."
"Once a fight begins, no matter who your opponent is, you must fight with the intention to kill. Do you understand?"
The battle between Whitebeard, Marco, and Jozu continued.
After being scolded by Whitebeard,
Marco and Jozu clearly became more serious.
Even Whitebeard could no longer fight as casually as before under their joint assault.
Gradually,
Whitebeard also became more serious.
"Phoenix Brand!"
From the sky, Marco seized a brief opening in Whitebeard's attack. Blue flames ignited around his legs as he launched a sudden strike.
[You picked up 1 Strength!]
"Good attack!"
Whitebeard laughed.
The power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit gathered once more in his fists.
His eyes were filled with excitement.
That was the thrill of battle.
"But it is still not enough!"
As he spoke,
The energy of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit condensed around his fists.
He threw a powerful uppercut.
Marco's body shattered instantly.
[You picked up 1 Observation Haki Insight!]
"Marco!"
Seeing this, Jozu rushed forward.
He was not worried about Marco's life.
As the user of the Phoenix Devil Fruit, Marco could recover from almost any injury unless he was restrained by Seastone.
Jozu's body completely transformed into diamond.
"Brilliant Crash!"
He charged forward like a raging bull.
Whitebeard smiled.
He ignored the sparks of flame that Marco had turned into and focused on Jozu instead.
The energy of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit compressed once again in his fists.
Then he swung forward.
Boom!
With a heavy impact,
Diamond Jozu was blasted backward.
Whitebeard immediately pursued him.
[You picked up 1 Tremor-Tremor Fruit!]