Rengoku packed up his belongings and left the Marine Headquarters building.
Though stripped of authority, at least he was allowed to continue using his Marineford quarters. It was a small mercy—otherwise, he might have been cast out entirely, left homeless.
By Fleet Admiral Sengoku's order, no officer or soldier dared to approach him. They could only watch from a distance.
Rengoku understood. He bore no disappointment, no resentment toward them. If anything, their restraint gave him a strange sense of ease.
With a lighter heart, he made his way toward the Marineford barracks.
A man of his rank could have easily requisitioned a personal estate, but he never cared for luxury. He lived simply, side by side with the ordinary soldiers, in the same kind of modest quarters.
Inside his room, he unpacked carefully. His uniforms and coats, his officer's cap, the maintenance kit for his blades—Enrin Kitetsu and Shusui—some reports, and a handful of photographs.
Not much, but each item carried weight.
Suspension meant he would be out of duty until the war—at least two months, perhaps three or four. Rengoku counted on three.
He refused to let this time become idleness. To do nothing while suspended would be true negligence.
Even as a civilian in all but name, he would prepare for what was to come.
Knock. Knock.
Just as he was finishing his unpacking, someone rapped at the door.
Rengoku frowned. Who would dare come to see him now?
He slid the door open.
A familiar young man stood there, nervously straight-backed.
"Coby?"
"Justice! S–Second Lieutenant Coby, reporting, sir!"
Against the protests of his friend Helmeppo, and in defiance of Sengoku's direct orders, Coby had come to see him.
"There's no need for salutes. I'm suspended—no longer an officer worth that respect."
But seeing one of his disciples again eased Rengoku's heart a little.
"No, sir! Once a Marine, always a Marine! To me, you'll always be Vice Admiral Rengoku!"
The boy who had once been a cowardly crybaby now stood tall, brimming with resolve. Rengoku couldn't help but smile with pride.
"Very well. Come inside. Standing out in the open will only attract unwanted eyes."
"Yes, sir!"
Coby stepped into the room. It was his first time entering a Vice Admiral's quarters, yet—because it was Rengoku—the room felt strangely familiar and unadorned.
Rengoku poured tea for them both, then asked,
"So. What compelled you to defy the Fleet Admiral's orders to come here?"
"I heard you attempted seppuku… and that you were punished."
Coby's eyes widened with conviction as he spoke.
"As a newly commissioned officer, I still don't fully understand. But I believe you had your reasons."
Rengoku met his gaze calmly.
"When rules are broken, punishment must follow. Only then can justice remain fair—whether one is a private… or the Fleet Admiral himself."
Coby nodded slowly, taking in every word. Then, his expression brightened.
"I also heard of your deeds at Enies Lobby. Accidentally triggering a Buster Call, yet still evacuating over ten thousand men to safety…! That's just like you, Vice Admiral Rengoku!"
Coby's voice trembled slightly, as if moved to the core. Rengoku listened in silence.
When Rengoku offered no reply, Coby spoke again.
"That Buster Call… it's nothing but indiscriminate slaughter! No one else could have acted the way you did! In such a short time, with such quick judgment, you saved over ten thousand lives! Not a hundred, not two hundred—ten thousand! Who else could accomplish such a miracle? Vice Admiral, you… you saved countless people!"
Rengoku lowered his eyes.
"But if I hadn't let Nico Robin go in the first place, the Alabasta tragedy would never have happened. Thirteen thousand two hundred and five lives were lost because of my failure. That, too, is the truth."
"You didn't kill them!" Coby countered, his voice sharp with conviction. "If you follow that logic, then all blame falls on the very first person who ever raised a hand in violence in this world!"
Rengoku fell quiet again. Coby took a sip of tea and continued.
"I want to become a Marine as great as you, sir! To save lives like you did. I'm still lacking in every way… but if I keep training with all I've got, I know—someday—I can become like Vice Admiral Rengoku, can't I?"
Rengoku's eyes softened.
"You will. Among all the Marines I've seen, Coby, you are the hardest worker. If you keep on this path, you may even surpass me—rising all the way to Admiral… perhaps even Fleet Admiral."
"Ad… Admiral?! F–Fleet Admiral?!" Coby stammered, waving his hands frantically. "N-no, impossible! I'm just an ensign! How could I ever reach that far? It's too much—absolutely impossible!"
He fell back into his old habit of immediate denial.
Rengoku only gazed at him steadily.
Realizing his mistake under that quiet gaze, Coby scratched his head sheepishly.
"S-sorry, sir… I said something foolish again…"
....
"Brother, I heard you saved over thirty people this time! You truly are amazing… what did Father say?"
"Brother, if I join the Demon Slayer Corps and one day inherit the Flame Hashira title, Father will surely be proud, won't he?"
"Brother… why can't I improve my swordsmanship? Could it be… do I simply lack talent?"
Senjuro…
In this young officer, Rengoku caught a glimpse of his little brother.
Their personalities and talents were worlds apart, yet there was something oddly similar—especially that timidity.
For the first time in days, his heart eased a little.
"It's fine," Rengoku said at last.
"…Sir?"
"You will become an Admiral one day, Coby. With tireless effort and unwavering passion, you'll surpass me and rise as a true protector of justice. So stop drowning yourself in negative thoughts."
Perhaps because he saw Senjuro's shadow in the boy, Rengoku encouraged him with warmth.
"T-thank you, sir! I'll… I'll train without rest, and I'll reach the rank of Admiral, I swear it!!"
"Good! That spirit is the very first step toward the Admiralty. Even I have not reached it yet."
"You're wrong!" Coby shot back with sudden fire. "Vice Admiral, you'll go beyond Admiral! Beyond Fleet Admiral! You'll rise as Supreme Commander of the World Government's entire military! I believe it, the three thousand Marines who endured your hellish training believe it, and the countless citizens you've saved believe it too!"
Coby's words were rough, clumsy, but his feelings carried through with sincerity.
"…Thank you, for your encouragement. But I think it's best you head out now."
"Eh?"
"The sun is setting. Night roll call will begin soon. If you're late, being caught here won't look good for either of us."
"Eeehh?! It's that late already?!"
Startled, Coby fumbled into his shoes and rushed to the door.
"Vice Admiral! I'll always be cheering for you!"
With a sharp, perfect salute, Coby took his leave and sprinted back toward headquarters.
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