Compared to the jubilant atmosphere surrounding the Neo Navy's recruitment, the situation on the World Government's side was far more bleak.
Recruitment had only been underway for two days, and though it wasn't the deadline, the future outcome was already clear.
The World Government once had thousands of Marine bases across the world. But ever since Caelan's assault on Marineford, a large number of Marine personnel had fled.
Now, only around two hundred bases remained.
In response to the World Government's orders, these remaining bases began recruiting in their regions with everything they had.
Unfortunately, the results were abysmal.
Everywhere was filled with gloom and disappointment. Recruiting twenty or thirty people at a base was considered a lot.
And those twenty or thirty recruits were either fools, brainwashed loyalists of the World Government, or pirates unwilling to face annihilation who now sought to cooperate with the government to fight a common enemy.
Naturally, the World Government accepted them all.
At this point, it was all about amassing cannon fodder. Whether they were pirates or not no longer mattered.
"Is this really the result of this conscription?" Akainu nearly burst out laughing as he looked at the report in his hand. "Over two hundred recruitment points, and in two days, only 3,471 people were recruited!"
"It wouldn't be so bad if the numbers were just low, but why do I see so many idiots in here drooling while they talk?"
"And those obviously vicious pirates, they're being recruited too?"
He had expected poor recruitment results, but not this bad.
Back in the day, that number would've come from just two medium-sized recruitment points.
Now, with 200 bases active, only a few thousand people had joined, many of whom were useless or problematic.
It was pathetic.
"This World Government is truly unbeatable," Akainu sneered.
"Fleet Admiral Akainu, please don't get angry! Stay calm!" Keith quickly tried to soothe him. "The current situation is complicated. The World Government is in crisis. It's normal for some to be blind to the truth!"
"But don't worry, I'm sure things will turn around!"
As the liaison sent by the World Government to assist Akainu, Keith did his best to calm his superior and keep the Navy from boiling over.
As for the recruitment problem, there were always solutions.
If people wouldn't volunteer, then force them. If there were no soldiers, they could always rely on slaves.
"Forget it. I'm not angry. There's nothing left to be angry about."
Akainu slumped into his chair, looking deadpan.
He wasn't in the mood. The Navy no longer had any decent people. They were destined to be crushed by Caelan.
"Admiral Akainu, actually, there is some good news."
Keith offered with a bit of excitement.
"Oh? What is it?"
"Don't tell me Caelan is about to conquer the North Blue, so we can pull back our defense lines?"
Akainu raised an eyebrow, sounding half-joking.
Of course, he had read the World Economy News.
Caelan printing both recruitment ads on the same page had enraged him to the point of laughing.
He also knew of the Neo Navy's bold declaration to conquer the North Blue.
Incidentally, his daughter Hibari and Vice Admiral Tsuru's granddaughter Peacock were stationed in the North Blue previously.
By now, they had probably already been captured by Saint Jaygarcia Saturn and his gang.
Thinking about this, his mood soured again.
He had wanted to personally fight Caelan in the North Blue, but those two bastards, Saturn and Saint Nusjuro, wouldn't allow it.
And now that the World Government was being attacked on all sides, what kind of "good news" could there possibly be?
"Admiral Akainu, please be serious," Keith frowned.
Akainu was truly unbearable sometimes. He mocked the World Government without restraint.
If he weren't still useful, Keith would've already asked Saturn to get rid of him.
"Then just say it already."
Akainu's tone turned cold at the thought of Hibari.
"We've located two incredibly powerful individuals and will soon persuade them to join the Navy."
Keith said confidently.
"What kind of powerhouse are we talking about? More powerful than Caelan?"
Akainu didn't bother to hide his sarcasm.
After standing at the top, he had come to understand just how unreachable Caelan truly was.
The idea that any so-called powerhouse could rival him was laughable.
"No, they're admiral-level powerhouses, like yourself." Keith didn't dare to exaggerate.
"Oh? Now I'm curious. Who would be foolish enough to join the World Government at a time like this?"
Akainu was somewhat interested now.
Anyone daring to side with the World Government at this point must have lost their minds.
That was no different from diving headfirst into a crumbling toilet.
"Just wait and see. One has already agreed, and the other should come around soon."
Keith said excitedly.
When he received the news, he had been ecstatic.
Getting such powerful reinforcements at this time proved that the World Government still had supporters. It would surely raise morale.
"Then I'll take a good look."
Akainu crossed his arms, slightly intrigued by these so-called brave warriors.
…
At that moment, a man with moss-green hair and an open-collared shirt was walking casually behind two CP7 agents en route to the Navy Headquarters.
"Why did you agree so easily?"
One of the CP agents couldn't help but ask.
The man had agreed the moment they stated their purpose.
Even they didn't understand such decisiveness.
After all, even the staunchest loyalists to the World Government were wavering now.
"The World Government has ruled the world for 800 years. It's weathered countless storms. Its foundation is unimaginably deep," Ryokugyu said with a confident grin.
"Whether it was Rocks or Roger, none of them could shake its rule."
"Even if Caelan suddenly appeared, it's just a temporary disturbance. He can't shake the World Government."
"At most, he'll just force the World Government to play another trump card."
As he spoke, Ryokugyu shot the two agents a smug smile.
"Ah! So we still have a trump card!"
The two agents were immediately encouraged by Ryokugyu's confidence.
Yes, the World Government had ruled for eight centuries. There had to be a hidden trump card.
"Hmm?"
A question mark appeared above Ryokugyu's head.
Wait, don't tell me… you guys don't have a trump card?
But then he thought about it. These two were just small fries. Of course they wouldn't know anything about the World Government's real secrets.
Feeling reassured, Ryokugyu continued walking forward with a swagger.
He firmly believed that the World Government would be the last one standing.
On the other hand, the CP agent dispatched to approach the blind swordsman was not having such luck.
(To be continued.)
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◇ 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.)