"Gion, is this really okay?"
Sengoku asked cautiously.
He knew that Gion represented Caelan's will and was highly favored by him.
Still, the idea of mobilizing so much force made him uneasy.
Even when he was Fleet Admiral, he never dared to do this.
"No problem. The more power we use, the faster it'll end. It's the same for everyone," Gion said calmly. "Besides, there are a lot of criminal groups in the North Blue. We may as well wipe them out in one go. That way, we don't have to waste time running back and forth."
"With so many already deployed, adding the two of us won't be a problem, right?"
Sengoku and Zephyr both stepped forward, unwilling to be left behind.
Everyone else was going. Only the two of them, who didn't get along too well with the others, were being left out.
"The mission assigned by Caelan isn't just about taking the North Blue. It's also about global conscription," Gion said with a smile. "That part's a little more challenging. I'd feel more at ease leaving it to you two."
She had considered the roles carefully. Sengoku and Zephyr were the best candidates to lead the recruitment campaign.
After all, Borsalino, Kuzan, and Garp all had… personality quirks.
As a gesture of goodwill to Zephyr's faction and a reward for loyalty, three-fifths of the vice admirals participating this time would be from Zephyr's side.
After all, it was only fair that a treasure like a Devil Fruit should go to someone who had stayed loyal the longest.
"…Fine."
Sengoku and Zephyr looked at each other and reluctantly agreed.
If only one of them went, the other would make a fuss.
But if neither went, that was something they could both accept.
At that moment, Garp patted Zephyr on the shoulder with a grin and said seriously, "Zephyr, I'm entrusting my grandson to you. Train him hard, like a convict in a labor camp!"
He was dead serious.
Luffy's dream of becoming a pirate had to be corrected. If not, just break his legs and keep him at home.
"Don't worry. I'll make a soldier out of him," Zephyr replied confidently. "I've trained students for years. No matter how unruly they are, they eventually fall in line!"
He already knew about Luffy's record and understood the kid was more of an adventurer than a real pirate. If he were the pillaging type, Zephyr wouldn't bother teaching him, he'd just kill him.
"Haha, once you're done, I'll treat you to some senbei!"
Garp laughed heartily.
No matter what, he approved of Zephyr's teaching style.
In the conference room, the assignments for the two major operations, conquering the North Blue and initiating world conscription were finalized.
With that, a grand campaign began.
…
Meanwhile, on Enies Lobby.
Akainu, still seriously injured, dragged his weakened body here alongside Kong to carry out their duties.
Marine Headquarters had been nearly destroyed by Caelan and was now unusable.
The Navy had suffered immense losses and had no way to reestablish its base in the New World.
For now, they could only make do by occupying space on Enies Lobby.
The new commander of Enies Lobby, Spandine, naturally objected. Why should he make room for the Navy?
He even suggested that since Impel Down had been cleared out by Caelan, it could be used as the new Navy Headquarters.
In response, Akainu slapped Spandine so hard that he saw stars, and then moved the base to Enies Lobby by force.
Are you kidding? You still think you can act like a World Government official in front of him?
Right now, he alone bore the burden of the Navy. He refused to suffer any more indignity.
Simply put, if they wanted him to be Fleet Admiral, then he was in charge. If they didn't like it, they could kill him.
Saint Saturn and Saint Nusjuro naturally couldn't care less about these minor disputes. Between two dogs, the one with more bite—Akainu—was more useful.
"Keith, where's Onigumo?"
Akainu frowned and asked a nearby vice admiral.
This vice admiral had always been loyal to the World Government and didn't get along well with either the hawks or the doves.
But upon arrival, Akainu discovered that his most trusted subordinate, Onigumo, was missing. Along with nearly all of the hawkish officers.
He clearly remembered that Onigumo wasn't killed by Caelan and should still be alive.
"Vice Admiral Onigumo left with someone else," Keith replied cautiously. "He said he was going to live in seclusion and told you not to worry."
Keith was actually a CP agent planted within the Navy. Loyal to the World Government, he had no plans to leave.
"Left?" Akainu frowned, then sighed. "Good. Let him go. This rotting Navy is no place for good men anymore."
Onigumo's departure had come as a surprise, but it made sense.
Most of Akainu's hawkish subordinates had suffered trauma from pirates. Now that the Navy had been exposed by Caelan as corrupt, it was only natural that they'd leave.
It was a shame. He had wanted to rely on them. Now he had no one.
"Akainu, watch your words," Kong warned in a low voice.
"There's nothing to hide. Anyone who's been in the Navy knows what it has become," Akainu said with scorn.
There had once been justice in the Navy, but now it was a den of snakes and traitors.
Supporters of the World Government. Spies. Opportunists waiting for a comeback. Corrupt officers who lied to their superiors and mistreated subordinates.
All kinds of scum.
They all had their own agendas, but none of them could be called righteous.
I'll gather all the trash together to fight Caelan. If we're wiped out, maybe that's for the best.
Maybe my own brand of justice was wrong all along.
Akainu had already prepared to die.
After his battle with Caelan, he didn't expect to survive.
He might not even make it that far. Kuzan and Borsalino alone could take his life.
"Akainu, stop overthinking. Just finish the mission the Five Elders gave you."
Kong frowned and said, "The World Government has ruled for 800 years. It will endure. The so-called sins of the World Government are just the darkness the world needs. There's no need to overthink it."
He had been a key figure in the last era, living his entire life under the World Government's banner.
At first, he believed in justice and tried to change the Navy. But over time, he came to understand.
The world is always dark. The World Government is today's darkness. Caelan might be tomorrow's. There is no real difference.
And if everything is darkness, then preserving the current system is better.
Who's to say Caelan won't become something worse?
"Whatever you say," Akainu replied calmly. "All I can do is lead the Navy and fight. That's my mission."
"There's also world conscription," Kong reminded.
Akainu glanced at him and gave a faint sneer. "Yes, world conscription."
Would anyone really want to join the World Government now?
They'd probably just get some lowlifes and pirates looking to curry favor.
Still, no matter what, the global conscription had officially begun.
And so, the remaining Navy officers with hidden agendas and CP agents started organizing their own recruitment efforts.
…
Dressrosa.
Morgans rushed to report the latest news to Caelan.
"The World Government is recruiting soldiers too?"
Caelan sneered. "Let them. All they'll gather is garbage for us to clean up."
"Print a paper to help advertise their efforts. Put our conscription campaign on the front page. Use the back page for half news about our North Blue offensive, and the other half for the World Government's conscription."
"I want the entire world to know—by tomorrow."
If the World Government wanted to play, so be it.
Would someone like Fujitora really side with them now?
"Yes, Caelan-sama!"
Morgans bowed deeply in response.
And so, a grand world conscription began.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)