CHAPTER 300: MASS CONSCRIPTION
The negotiations ultimately reached a conclusion.
Zephyr's side agreed to release rear admirals and below, along with the captured Navy soldiers, back to them.
In exchange, the government would provide fifty Buster Call-level warships with matching weapons and equipment, plus gold worth fifteen billion berries.
The NEO Navy could be said to have gotten fat off this deal.
They didn't even have enough personnel currently to fill the great fleet they were about to receive.
"Contact us again once you've prepared everything."
After leaving those final words, Zephyr-sensei hung up.
"Next comes recruiting soldiers then."
Brett smiled.
With support from the government and Navy, equipment was completely sufficient, but Zephyr's side still had too few people.
Even though he'd already turned some from the Navy and even recruited several former students, they were still far too short on personnel.
Up to now, the NEO Navy's total personnel numbered less than five thousand.
Once those fifty Buster Call-level warships arrived, they wouldn't even be able to crew them properly.
"That's no longer difficult."
Zephyr smiled. "This battle really made our name ring out loudly. Many New World nations are already contacting us."
"They hope to join the alliance I'm forming, just like those previous nations. Recruiting a batch of soldiers from among them should be quite simple."
"Mm."
Brett nodded lightly.
They really should properly thank the World Government. This battle not only made Zephyr's name ring out but also obtained a huge ransom from the government.
Now, even if the membership fees from those nations willing to join under his banner didn't arrive that quickly, it was enough for Zephyr-sensei to raise a force.
"In any case, be more careful afterward."
Brett said seriously. "This time is just the beginning. The Navy is ultimately just the World Government's surface. They still hide power sufficient to overturn everything in their hands."
"I naturally know that."
Zephyr nodded solemnly.
This was indeed an unprecedented great victory, but thinking this alone could defeat the World Government would be far too naive.
Wanting to achieve final victory required long-term, uninterrupted effort.
"Since matters here have concluded, I'll head back first."
Brett proposed his farewell.
He'd already been away from Fish-Man Island for quite some days. Now that the war here had ended, what remained was just the final cleanup phase.
Brett felt he couldn't be of much use now. The greatest help he could give Zephyr was returning to Fish-Man Island, making the government not dare act rashly.
"Good."
Zephyr nodded. "I'll also quickly get my side on track."
"Be careful of the Emperors." Brett warned. "Especially Kaido. This time we really played him for a fool. He absolutely won't let this go."
"Of course."
While Brett was saying goodbye to Zephyr-sensei, at Mariejois, the Five Elders had already learned the negotiation results.
"Damn that Zephyr! That bastard really won't easily release Sakazuki and them!"
Saint Warcury cursed.
"If that guy easily chose to compromise, I'd instead worry Sakazuki and Kuzan had already been turned by him."
Saint Ju Peter said gravely. "Looks like rescuing Sakazuki and the others through negotiation has become impossible."
Though this time they'd rescued a batch of low-to-mid-level officers and brought back the tens of thousands of captured Navy soldiers—
All these people combined couldn't compare to either Sakazuki or Kuzan alone.
Even those vice admirals who similarly weren't released were more important than them.
The strong—in this world they possessed such status.
"We need to think of another method."
Sain Mars said. "We can only put pressure on CP—have them search for where Zephyr is hiding, find where Sakazuki and Kuzan are imprisoned."
Large-scale frontal war couldn't be waged anymore.
The Navy side was severely short on personnel. Just defending was already stretched thin.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku sat at Marineford. Hero Garp had to remain stationed at G-1 Base. These two bases were gateways protecting Mariejois—absolutely no failures allowed.
So only Kizaru alone could be deployed. The Navy couldn't spare more strength to subjugate Zephyr and his NEO Navy.
Not to mention even if they spared the strength, they might not necessarily win.
Brett's existence brought tremendous pressure to the Navy and World Government.
"Waiting for CP to succeed—who knows when that'll be. We can't remain passive like this."
Saint Nusjuro said loudly. "We need to find a way to expand Navy strength!"
"What other method is there?"
Saint Warcury asked. "Recruit new Warlords?"
"No, this time we won't recruit Warlords—we'll recruit Navy!"
Saint Nusjuro said. "The Navy has so many vacant positions—ultimately someone has to fill them!"
"Then let's just launch a mass conscription across the entire world!"
"As long as their strength is sufficient, as long as they can maintain basic loyalty, then grant them appropriate Navy positions!"
This extremely bold statement shocked his colleagues.
"You mean, even admiral..."
"Best if we can recruit two admirals! Otherwise who will compensate for the strength lost due to Sakazuki and Kuzan?"
The other Five Elders all fell somewhat silent.
This was far too risky.
Those were Navy admirals—the World Government's highest combat power! Truly high officials!
If loyalty couldn't be guaranteed yet this position was rashly granted to others, it might bring catastrophic consequences.
"I think we can try it."
Saint Mars said. "Momousagi and Chaton's strength is still insufficient—they can't yet shoulder the burden of admiral. So if we can't rescue Sakazuki and them, should we just leave admiral positions vacant forever?"
Though the Navy of the previous era also only had one admiral, both Garp and Zephyr were equivalent to Headquarters admirals without the title.
This time was different.
"Then let's do it!"
Saint Warcury gritted his teeth, finally nodding heavily. "At this point there's no better method!"
"Publish conscription notices to the entire world! As long as their strength is sufficient, the government can let them reach heaven in a single step!!"
The Five Elders realized—this era had gradually become chaotic. If the government still wanted to maintain eight hundred years of rule, then they had to make changes too.
Without exception, when this conscription notice was published on the seas, the entire world was stirred up once again.
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