Chapter 301: People Surfacing
"The World Government is launching a mass conscription?"
Fish-Man Island, inside the Mermaid Café—Brett sipped his coffee while flipping through the newspaper in his hands.
Genuine surprise showed on his face.
"Navy admirals are generally considered the World Government's highest combat power, right?" Shyarly said calmly from across the table. "To offer even that position... it seems the World Government has truly made up its mind this time."
"Yeah."
Brett nodded in complete agreement. "The Navy's losses were too severe. If they don't do something about it, the government's fighting strength will become far too scarce."
"But can they really recruit people this way?"
A mermaid waitress nearby asked with some doubt. "Those are Navy admirals, you know. Even if they can't compare to our Deep Sea Emperor Brett, they're still among the sea's most powerful fighters, right?"
"Can they really recruit that kind of person so casually?"
Even if there truly were deeply concealed powerful individuals in this world, would they really be swayed by the World Government's conditions? Did people of that strength level need to accept government control? With their power alone, wasn't there already nothing on these seas they couldn't obtain?
"Who knows about that sort of thing."
Brett snorted softly.
In the original story, they did recruit two monsters. The question was whether at this point in the timeline, they could still bring those two in.
If he remembered correctly, Fujitora joined the Navy to abolish the Warlord system. But now, because of his arrival, the Warlords in this timeline were basically insignificant.
That guy Crocodile's schemes were still far from being exposed. Did Fujitora have any reason to join the World Government?
As for Ryokugyu, in the manga Brett had read, that guy had far too few appearances.
The only thing apparent was that he was a loyal lapdog of the World Government and Celestial Dragons—at least on the surface.
That one might actually respond to the government's call.
"Things might get a bit troublesome afterward, Brett."
Shyarly looked at Brett meaningfully, then spoke.
Brett froze, then his eyes widened slightly. "Shyarly, you mean—?"
"But as I always say," the pale-skinned woman's lips curved upward, "everything will ultimately move toward a beautiful future."
Brett smiled faintly as well. "Then let me help accelerate it."
This was six years before Straw Hat set sail, eight years before the great decisive battle that might erupt in the manga.
But Brett felt eight years wouldn't be necessary.
The Navy's recruitment announcement truly caused the entire sea to explode with excitement.
This was simply too shocking.
If it were only lower-level Navy officers, that would be one thing. But the problem was—even positions like Navy Headquarters admiral were being advertised!
As long as someone's strength and character could pass the examination, they could immediately take office, leaping from an ordinary civilian to a genuine high official within the World Government.
Beyond shock, the most prominent emotion among the sea's people was worry.
"Has the government Navy gone insane? Can they really find just anyone and have them serve as admiral?"
"Navy admirals are justice's strongest guardians, the government's highest combat power! Even if their strength qualifies, what if they harbor evil intentions? Won't that bring disaster?"
"Is it because Zephyr and the NEO Navy brought too much pressure on the government? It feels like they've gone mad!"
"What will this world become afterward?"
The people on the seas found it difficult not to feel panic over this matter.
However, some people maintained an optimistic attitude about it.
"The World Government must have their considerations for making this choice, right?"
"Even if it's to supplement their fighting strength, when they actually recruit admirals, they'll definitely prioritize character assessment, won't they?"
That's what they said.
"So you see, the World Government has ruled the world for eight hundred years. Among ordinary people, their prestige remains too high. Even now, after suffering consecutive devastating blows, many have gradually lost faith in them, but more people still believe they're that unshakable World Government."
In Brett's office, Tesoro said with a laugh. "They don't even think about it—are admiral-level powerhouses really that easy to recruit?"
Regarding the outcome of that New World battle, Tesoro held a gleeful attitude.
The more the World Government was weakened, the closer they came to finally overthrowing them.
Glancing at Tesoro, Brett said casually, "Can they really not recruit anyone?"
"Hm?"
Tesoro froze, then exclaimed in surprise, "Hey, Brett, what do you mean by that? Do you have some inside information?"
"Who knows."
Brett smiled. "It doesn't matter anyway. What you should be concerned about now is when to release the movie."
That spy film from before had been completely finished after final editing. All that remained was the release.
"Damn it."
Tesoro cursed. This bastard Brett was always being evasive, refusing to explain anything clearly—like some kind of riddle-master.
"I've already contacted Morgans to prepare the promotional campaign," he snorted. "But there's been too much big news lately. Damn it, you guys stole all the attention."
"Haha."
Brett couldn't help but chuckle. "Then wait a bit longer. There's definitely more big news coming."
To promote a movie, they naturally needed to avoid these explosive events.
"So you really think the government will—" Tesoro couldn't help but press for answers.
"Let's wait and see. There should be results before too long."
That's what Brett said.
Somewhere in the first half of the Grand Line, on a certain island.
"The government's recruiting admirals, huh."
In a tavern, people were sharing their thoughts on the latest news. "That's great. If I had that kind of strength, I'd definitely apply!"
"If you're a Navy admiral, you'd have high position, authority, and excellent treatment."
"Don't be stupid. Being an admiral isn't as comfortable as being a pirate. With that kind of strength, you could swagger around anywhere on the seas."
"Hahahaha, true enough!"
The people laughed and joked.
All they could do was comment.
But some could participate.
In a corner of the tavern.
A man wearing a purple coat, eyes tightly closed, with a terrible scar across his forehead—his lips curved into a slight smile.
"Navy admiral, hmm? Now that the Navy has suffered heavy losses and the forces maintaining justice are unbalanced, this position does need to be filled."
"And besides, only by standing at a high position can one see this world more clearly."
In another corner of the world.
"Hey hey hey, recruiting Navy admirals? Doesn't that mean you can become someone important in one leap? Can't miss this opportunity!"
"Hahaha, no way—Aramaki, are you finally going to make a move, you lazy bastard? Planning to mess up the government too?"
"Don't say stupid things. Next time we meet, you'd better respectfully address me as Admiral-sama!"