OP: The Flame Pillar Of Justice

It had been a week since Vivi enlisted in the Marines.

She had only undergone a week of basic training, but it was already far more grueling than her time in Baroque Works.

She'd developed a deep respect for the Marines who endured this kind of training without faltering.

"Vivi! Private Fullbody! One of you joined through Vice Admiral Rengoku's recommendation, and the other was demoted from a Headquarters lieutenant. So we've prepared separate training curriculums suited to your respective levels!"

On the morning of the seventh day, the training instructor called the two of them out for a private announcement.

"Yes, sir!"

"Huh?"

Vivi accepted the news without complaint—this was her first time in the military, after all—but Fullbody, who had once held the rank of lieutenant, had never imagined things would come to this.

"'Huh?' Did I just hear 'huh'?"

The instructor's face was hidden beneath the brim of his Marine cap, but his low, stern tone made it clear—he was not amused.

The instructor held the rank of major—higher than Fullbody's former rank—and Fullbody had no choice but to apologize.

"I'm sorry, sir!"

"Good. Then, Private Fullbody, starting today, you'll report to Training Ground 7. You'll be training with the troops stationed there."

"Training Ground 7…?"

"Any complaints?"

"No, sir!"

Snapping to attention, Fullbody immediately ran off toward the 7th training grounds.

"Private Vivi!"

"Yes, sir!"

The instructor's stiff, emotionless expression seemed to soften just a little at Vivi's spirited response.

"Private Vivi, you are to head straight to Training Ground 4. Vice Admiral Rengoku has agreed to train you personally."

"Training Ground 4…? May I ask where that is, sir?"

Realizing that Vivi was unfamiliar with the layout, the instructor clarified:

"Understandable. You're new, and this base only has Grounds 0, 1, 2, 3, and 5 in the main area. Training Ground 4 is located in the third basement of Marineford Headquarters."

"Yes, sir! Thank you!"

And so, Vivi quickly made her way to Training Ground 4.

...

"Private Vivi! I've been expecting you."

Vice Admiral Rengoku was already seated inside the underground facility.

"Apologies for arriving late, sir!"

"You're new here—no need to apologize for something so trivial. It's completely understandable."

"Thank you, sir!"

From princess of a kingdom, to a criminal syndicate officer, and now a rookie Marine—Vivi's life had been nothing short of turbulent.

Rengoku knew this well. And he also knew how mercilessly merit-based the Marine hierarchy was. That's why he'd prepared a special training course just for her.

"Before we begin, let's explain what Training Ground 4 is. Lieutenant Tashigi!"

"Yes, sir! I'll explain right away. This facility, Training Ground 4, is a specialized training area located in the basement. It was originally an abandoned workout space, but Vice Admiral Rengoku personally renovated it into a private training room."

Tashigi adjusted her glasses before continuing.

"All the standards here are set by Vice Admiral Rengoku himself. It was once opened to other soldiers—but nine out of ten quit halfway through. It's known as a hellish training chamber. However, those who make it through gain incredible results."

"Um… I have a question!"

Vivi raised her hand high.

"Yes, go ahead."

"When you say nine out of ten quit… does that mean one person actually endured it?"

"Yes. Only one person has managed to survive months of training in this room."

"Can I know who it was?"

"That would be me," Tashigi replied, her shoulders lifting ever so slightly with pride.

Rengoku stood from his seat and approached Vivi.

"Private Vivi, considering your past experience as a Frontier Agent in Baroque Works, your combat capabilities are likely equivalent to at least a non-commissioned officer—possibly even a junior officer. That's why I believe this training ground is fitting for you. However, overexerting yourself won't help either. Why don't we try one session first and see how it goes?"

This was Rengoku's personal special training course. Though it had been made available to others, none had been able to endure it.

Vivi was intrigued.

"Yes, sir! I'll make sure to endure it!"

"I like that attitude! Then we begin immediately!"

"Yes, sir!"

As Rengoku approached a stack of weapon crates in the corner, he turned to ask Vivi a question.

"What kind of weapon are you most familiar with, Private Vivi?"

"Back when I was in Baroque Works, I used a bladed weapon called a 'Peacock Slasher!'"

"So you've got some experience in close combat. Does that mean you've had any training in swordsmanship?"

"I've never formally trained in swordsmanship. Currently, I'm assigned as a rifleman in the Marines."

Hearing her honest reply, Rengoku pulled out a sword from the crate and handed it to her.

"Then, from today forward, your weapon will be the sword!"

"I'll pass down to you a very important technique that I taught Lieutenant Tashigi as well!"

Rengoku drew a sword of his own and stood in front of Vivi, assuming a middle stance.

"An important technique, sir…?"

Vivi followed his example, gripping the sword with both hands and mimicking the stance.

"First, we'll begin with the fundamentals—breathing technique."

...

Three days had passed since Vivi began Rengoku's special training.

And in those three days, she had endured relentless physical and mental torment in that small training ground.

Though she joined under a hidden identity, rumors had spread quickly across the base—after all, she'd been personally brought in by Vice Admiral Rengoku.

Because of her graceful appearance, she had already gained a growing number of admirers among the Marines, and along with that, strange rumors began to circulate.

Some said she was the daughter of a high-ranking noble.

Others claimed she was Rengoku's secret lover.

Some even whispered she might be the illegitimate child of Vice Admiral Gion—aka "Momousagi."

In the military, the absurd often sounded more believable than the truth, and gossip had a way of spreading like wildfire.

Especially since Vivi would always emerge from the underground training ground looking completely exhausted—yet still stunning in her fragile, determined state—it only fueled the fantasies of less disciplined soldiers.

A few ill-natured Marines even started spreading rumors that there had to be something going on between her and Rengoku.

Though Lieutenant Tashigi repeatedly denied the nonsense, those who enjoyed crude talk dismissed her, calling it a "lover's quarrel"—the kind that made for great gossip in a place like the military.

Naturally, Vivi heard these ridiculous rumors herself, and it was becoming a serious source of stress.

Rengoku, the subject of all this gossip, was rarely seen, and Vivi never spoke up in her own defense. So the dirty jokes only escalated.

Until they were caught red-handed by Prinprin...

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