Kaido did not take Marco's childish defiance to heart at all. He knew the sea was vast beyond measure, but truly gifted people were few and far between.
Not everyone could grow into a powerhouse capable of standing on their own.
For the Whitebeard Pirates to surpass the War God Pirates?
Kaido was not optimistic in the slightest.
Especially since the War God Pirates were about to enter a phase of explosive growth, while the current Whitebeard Pirates had no one but Whitebeard himself and a few little brats.
Chinjao cut in and advised, "All right, all right. Why bother arguing with a child?"
Then he looked at Ares.
"Boss, you're about to become Wano's shogun. Once that happens, the name War God Pirates and the way we're called now probably won't fit anymore."
"That makes sense." Kaido nodded in agreement. "First Division, Second Division, that sort of setup works for the War God Pirates. But once you become Wano's shogun, are we supposed to keep the War God Pirates and Wano separated forever?"
Sladar laughed. "Ares is about to become the ruler of an entire country. This won't be some small pirate crew operation anymore."
Ares fell silent and thought for a moment.
The War God Pirates had only been established a few months ago. The officer structure and organization still were not clearly defined.
Then he said in a deep voice, "I'll think this through carefully. Or maybe later we can organize our fighting forces by legions."
What Ares wanted was not a band of pirates fighting like scattered rabble. He wanted a true military force, one that could be commanded like an arm, one that followed orders without hesitation.
Of course, he understood even more clearly that in this world, personal strength mattered enormously.
The greater the number of top-tier powerhouses, the greater the impact on war. But right now, the members of the War God Pirates still needed time to grow.
"Legions?!" Kaido's eyes lit up, his expression turning excited. "If we're forming legions, then I definitely want to be a legion commander!"
Whitebeard grinned. "Gurarara... managing an army isn't the same as managing pirates. But Wano has hundreds of years of history, so it should have experience in that area."
Pirates were mostly people who had grown used to freedom, restraintless, lawless even.
If it had been Rocks, it would have been much harder to achieve, because most of his crew were pirates. But Ares was different.
Most of his subordinates right now were refugees and former slaves. Add in Wano's formal troops, and management would be much easier.
Chinjao laughed. "Hahaha... did you all forget about me? Don't forget what I was before I joined the War God Pirates."
Chinjao.
Leader of the Happo Navy.
That was right. He was the commander of the Eighth Navy division of the Kano Country navy. He had plenty of experience in this area.
Navy...
Not the best name. Ares smiled faintly.
"Since everyone likes the idea, then after the succession ceremony, we'll start building... our own legions."
"And also..."
"Kaido, I think you should manage those baboons. That Sun Wukong isn't stupid at all. And those creatures are naturally good at imitation. They match your Devil Fruit well too. So why not lead those human imitators and form a..."
"Ape Legion."
That made Ares think of Planet of the Apes. Kaido's fruit was monkey-themed too, so it fit perfectly.
"An Ape Legion?" Kaido froze for a moment. Then he remembered the task Ares had recently given him, telling him to spar with Sun Wukong whenever he had time and teach it how to fight.
That thing's learning ability really was outstanding...
Those creatures called Human Imitators learned everything incredibly fast.
And there were quite a lot of baboons on that island. Absorbing a few thousand of them into a legion would not be difficult at all.
After a brief moment of thought, Kaido grinned.
"Ares-bro, let's do it your way. From now on, I'm the commander of the Ape Legion!"
"I'll start training them properly later. But as for armor and weapons..."
Seeing Kaido agree, Ares smiled.
"Armor and weapons won't be a problem. Wano's craftsmen are highly skilled, and those Human Imitators do not only copy fighting styles. They can imitate weapon-making too."
"Once I officially become shogun, I'll establish an official smelting department and gather Wano's most skilled craftsmen to forge swords."
He had already considered this before.
After all, if he wanted to open Wano to the outside world in the future and trade with other countries, then he had to export local specialties.
Swords would naturally be one of them. So would Seastone, kimono, and even the pleasure quarters. All of them were uniquely Wano, things that could attract people and bring in wealth.
Sladar asked curiously, "What about me?! What kind of legion am I supposed to build?"
Fish-men.
That was Ares's first thought, though right now that idea was still far off.
So for the moment, he could only leave Sladar in charge of the ports.
As for Chinjao, he would return to what he knew best and formally reorganize the Happo Navy under him into the Water Serpent Legion.
Next, Ares would also build a Samurai Legion, a Ninja Legion, a Beast Legion...
But all of that would have to wait until after he officially took over as Wano's shogun.
Footsteps approached.
A subordinate came in and reported, "Ares-sama, there's a man outside calling himself Orochi. He says he wants to see you."
"Oh?"
Ares set down his wine cup.
"Let him in."
The moment Kurozumi Orochi entered, he dropped flat to the ground and began congratulating him with a beaming smile.
"Congratulations, Ares-sama, on soon becoming Wano's shogun, the most exalted person in all of Wano..."
A string of flattery rolled right off his tongue with practiced ease.
"Well said." Ares laughed. "Orochi, you're here to claim your reward, aren't you?"
"Guhuhuhu..." Orochi gave a cautious little smile. "I have rendered Ares-sama many meritorious services, so naturally I hope Ares-sama will reward those who have served well."
Ares looked toward Kanjuro, who was seated off to one side in the corner.
"Kanjuro."
Kanjuro immediately rose in alarm and bowed toward Ares.
"Yes, Ares-sama. What are your orders?"
"Use the sword at your side and kill him."
The instant he heard the order, Kanjuro's whole body shuddered violently. He looked up at Ares in disbelief.
His heart pounded furiously.
"Why would Ares-sama give such an absurd command?!"
"Hey, Uncle Ares, why kill this guy?" Marco asked, confused. "Didn't he just say he'd done a lot for you?"
Bista quickly grabbed Marco and lowered his voice.
"Marco, are you crazy? This is their own business. It has nothing to do with us."
Ares slowly rose to his feet. His tall frame cast an enormous shadow across the floor, swallowing Orochi whole.
Orochi trembled all over as he looked up at Ares in terror, hurriedly trying to defend himself.
"Ares-sama, I've always helped you obtain intelligence on Shogun Sukiyaki. It was all for Ares-sama's sake. If they'd found out, I'd already have been chopped into pieces..."
He desperately listed off all the great contributions he thought he had made, hoping to win sympathy from the others.
Some people in the room did not understand Ares's move, but still no one stepped forward to speak for him.
Only Marco, still young enough to speak without restraint, asked why.
Kaido grinned.
"Worororo... Orochi, did you really think your identity could stay hidden from Ares-bro?"
"Nani?!"
Orochi's heart nearly stopped. It leapt straight into his throat.
Then he burst into tears and cried, "What identity could I possibly have? I'm just an insignificant servant from Shimotsuki Yasuie's estate!"
"Really? Kurozumi... Orochi?"
Ares stopped in front of him, his gaze amused as he looked down at the shivering Orochi, who now resembled a helpless little lamb.
Thud.
The moment Ares spoke his full name, Orochi's heart sank straight to the bottom.
Alarm bells screamed in his mind.
Ashura Doji shot to his feet in shock and stared at Orochi.
"He's... he's one of the remnants of the Kurozumi family?!"
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