After giving them instructions, Admiral Sengoku dismissed them.
As for Blaize, he followed Garp and spoke to Kuzan. "Hello. You are Vice-Admiral Kuzan, right?. I heard you will be soon promoted to Admiral."
"Ah...you are?" Kuzan asked, completely puzzled by Blaize's overly enthusiastic character.
"I'm Blaize, a marine recruit. Can you duel with me?" Blaize asked. He wanted to test whether his devil fruit is immune to Ice-type powers.
"Kuzan, can't you accept his challenge?" Garp asked, drawn by Blaize's idea.
"No. It's a bother. Why do I want to do that, Garp-san?"
"Come on, Kuzan, he's a promising, young marine. As a senior, can't you guide him for a short while?" Garp persuaded but Kuzan rejected him, showing his lazy attitude.
Like in the series, Kuzan had a lean, long build and stood nearly 10 feet tall. He was dressed in a white-buttoned vest over a long-sleeved navy blue shirt.
Aokiji noticed Blaize because of his devil fruit powers and also heard about the latter from Garp. As an ice-devil fruit user, he's sensitive to hot things and he senses a blazing breath from Blaize.
As if he's the Sun. Cough...that's the truth. Pity, no one knows.
"Aren't you scared of wandering the sea alone? It's pretty tough you know, surviving the sea, alone." Kuzan spoke.
"No. I think I am going to enjoy it." Blaize replied without thinking, getting a weird stare from Kuzan while Garp laughed.
Blaize knew he's weak now so his words may seem ridiculous to others but that's what his heart feels. He's the type of person who wants to explore the sea and have a fight with all sorts of strong people.
The only thing that stops him from doing what he wants, is his lack of strength.
"Vice Admiral Kuzan, how do you see Justice in your eyes?" Blaize asked.
Hearing his question, Kuzan's eyes shone for a moment before diminishing again. A nostalgic feeling rose in his heart. When he first joined Marines he used to be like Blaize: fired up, passionate and curious.
But now, he's lazy to care about such things. After thinking for a moment, he replied: "I am lazy to answer such a troublesome question, well..."
"How do you see it?" Kuzan asked, interested in how the latter would answer.
"There's no right or wrong in this world, only the strongest. In my case, I am the 'justice' since I will ultimately become the strongest." Blaize replied, emitting a strange momentum unknown to himself.
His words came from the depth of his heart. He firmly believes in himself and no one can sway his resolve.
Kuzan was taken aback for a moment, hearing his answer. Blaize's words stirred something deep inside his heart and made him contemplate.
Unlike Kuzan, Garp was stunned by the momentum emitted by Blaize. 'This brat possesses the aura of Haoshoku Haki users, will he awaken it in the future?. Sengoku's in for it. The trouble he brings is going to be a headache for him.'
"Bwahaha...Brat, you are too young to utter such profound words. Grow up first." Garp kidded.
Blaize didn't mind Garp's tease, instead, he voiced his opinion about the test. "I think the test arranged by Admiral Sengoku is a good one. It grants the young marines like us, a chance to temper ourselves and view the world as it is."
"Bwahaha, your words keep on amusing me. The first half of Grandline won't pose a threat to you, but it will be a test to your heart. Traveling the world alone isn't easy.
Don't die brat, we will meet after a month." Leaving such words, Garp and Kuzan disappeared into the Marine tower.
--
The twenty-five recruits were granted two days off so that they prepare themselves mentally. Some were indignant that Admiral Sengoku didn't give them an option.
They don't want to do this, but none of them had the guts to raise their voice against Sengoku and were forced to take on the test.
Two days later, saying his good wishes and goodbyes to Gion and others, Blaize set off from the Headquarters with a small wooden boat and ample rations to support him for a week.
Under the shocking eyes of marine recruits, Blaize's back blasted a tremendous heat, thrusting the wooden boat forward. In no time, his figure vanished in the vast sea.
Like him, the other recruits also left the headquarters one by one. If they remain strong and survive this month, they will meet again at the headquarters.
After a few hours of sail, Blaize's Log Pose rocked a little and locked onto an Island. 'Uhh...Finally!'
Blaize was excited as it's going to be the first adventure in the outside world. "One Piece world, here I come!'
It's been a year since he transmigrated to One Piece World. Unlike when he first arrived, he got stronger and grown for the better.
His strength is insignificant among big shots, but it's more than enough to protect himself. His true journey starts from here onwards.
Blaize checked his attribute panel. There wasn't much change to it, but...
[~ Name: Blaize Hunt
Occupation: Marine
Constitution: 18.3 [Strength: 18.3, Speed: 18.2]
Devil Fruit Potential: 18.5
Haki: None
Items in storage: None
Free attribute point: 1.5 ~]
Unlike before, regular training fails to raise his attributes. He has a Senju bloodline, but to bring out its full potential he needs to improve his constitution attribute.
His constitution attribute is directly related to his strength and speed. The only way to increase them quickly is via the system.
It's true, basking in the sun enhances his physique but it's a slow and gradual process that can't be accelerated using external means like training.
He saves the free attribute point for later use, to break past the 20 bar limit. Currently, he has two tasks in the system task panel.
[~ Task: One-Punch Man Workout.
Description: Do 2000 push-ups, 2000 sit-ups, 2000 squats, and a 30KM run daily for 750 days.
Time: 750 days [It isn't mandatory to fulfill the tasks daily, you can take rests in between]
Reward: 5.0 constitution+ 5.0 Devil Fruit Potential+ 3 Free attribute points. ~]
[~ Task: Punches and Kicks.
Description: Do 1000 Punches and 1000 Kicks daily facing the sun.
Time: One Year
Reward: 2.0 constitution+ 2.0 Devil Fruit Potential+ 1 Free attribute points. ~]
It's been seven months and a few days since the system released these two tasks. To complete the One punch-man workout task, he needs another one and a half years.
As for the second one, he could finish it in another five months then his strength will have another leap.
'I have a long way to become the strongest person in the world!' Blaize mused while his heart throbbed in expectation.