Chapter 302: Fujitora, Ryokugyu
The year 1514 of the Sea Circle Calendar reached its end amid the Navy's grand and vigorous mass conscription.
Too many world-shaking events had occurred during this year.
Especially the war between the World Government and the NEO Navy, which had profoundly changed the entire world's situation.
In the New World, the NEO Navy had declared its rise. Several nations that had originally been non-affiliated with the World Government had joined under their banner.
Combined with various scattered regions and islands, the territory this organization now controlled was no less than that of the New World's pirate emperors. Their soldier count had already exceeded fifty thousand.
Add the grand fleet obtained from the government, and this military force was undoubtedly powerful and well-equipped. Some were beginning to call them the uncrowned new emperors.
Meanwhile, their opponent—the Navy—seemed rather silent.
Two Navy admirals and several vice admirals remained imprisoned in the NEO Navy's jail cells. Beyond launching the mass conscription, the Navy had taken no other action.
People on the seas were saying the Navy and World Government had become afraid of the NEO Navy.
At this time, at the headquarters of the Navy that supposedly feared the NEO Navy.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku looked at the two men before him, his eyes somewhat suspicious.
These two men had distinguished themselves during the past month's vigorous mass conscription. As long as they passed the final examination and received the Five Elders' approval, they could immediately assume the position of admiral.
"Hahahaha, please take care of us from now on, Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
A man wearing sunglasses, with thick lips, messy black hair, and a bare upper torso greeted Sengoku cheerfully.
Four kanji characters were tattooed from his chest to his lower abdomen: "Death River Heart Center."
Sengoku pressed his lips together.
He looked like some street punk. And this fawning attitude was no different from scum trying to bribe their way to a promotion.
Could someone like this really shoulder the responsibilities of an admiral?
With faint disdain in his heart, Sengoku turned to look at the other fellow.
This one also wore a cheerful expression.
Though blind, he seemed much more composed and reliable.
"Just call me Issho, Fleet Admiral," the man in a purple coat, holding a blind man's staff, said with a smile. "I also hope to contribute to justice."
Sengoku nodded inwardly.
Compared to that punk Aramaki, this blind swordsman Issho was definitely more suitable to become an admiral.
It wasn't about insufficient strength. In fact, anyone who'd made it this far—whether Issho or Aramaki—had already had their abilities verified.
In terms of pure power, they absolutely deserved the title of admiral. Sengoku was amazed this mass conscription had actually managed to recruit these two monsters from among civilians.
He'd originally thought this attempt might yield nothing, yet unexpectedly brought such tremendous gains.
But things weren't finished yet. Rather, this was the most critical moment.
Beyond strength, what truly mattered now was examining their moral character and integrity.
Just as people on the seas had said, if someone serving as a headquarters admiral lacked proper moral character and principles, it would undoubtedly only bring disaster.
Withdrawing his gaze from these two men, Sengoku took a deep breath and said solemnly, "So then, are you prepared to accept the final examination?"
"Hahaha, isn't that obvious?"
The man named Aramaki nodded repeatedly like a pecking chicken. "The sooner I pass the examination, the sooner I can become an admiral, right?"
Sengoku couldn't help but grimace slightly.
Though his strength was formidable, his personality was far too low-class.
"I'm ready to begin anytime. I've been preparing all along."
Issho also nodded with a smile.
Fish-Man Island.
"Latest news!"
Tesoro rushed to find Brett. "The Navy's conscription seems to have borne fruit! Damn it, it looks like two candidates really have entered the final examination stage!"
Brett glanced at him sideways. "Your information network's quite sharp."
"Is now the time to talk about that?!"
Tesoro said angrily. "The point is the Navy might really be about to gain two new admirals!"
"So what?"
Brett replied casually.
"What do you mean 'so what'? Brett, you bastard, why are you still so indifferent?"
"Would the Navy stop their conscription if I vehemently objected?"
Brett smiled. "What we need to do now isn't panic."
"That's true. Then, Brett, what's your plan to deal with this?"
"Play it by ear. Nothing's really changed from before. As long as Zephyr-sensei's side has no problems and doesn't let Akainu and Aokiji escape, then it won't be any stronger than the Navy of the past."
"You bastard!"
Looking at Brett's completely composed face, Tesoro finally managed only one sentence: "You're really damn arrogant!"
This attitude of not taking the Navy seriously at all—he didn't know what to say.
Facts proved Tesoro's intelligence had no problems whatsoever. Just two days later, the entire sea exploded once again.
New admirals had been born!
That day, this was the headline in every newspaper across the seas.
No need for the government to deliberately bribe various news agencies to publish stories. Any outlet that didn't report this news would be the stupidest of idiots. No news agency could miss such a major story.
The mass conscription had borne fruit. With Akainu and Aokiji captured and still not escaped, the government had recruited two new admirals from among civilians, once again replenishing the Navy's strength.
"Admiral Fujitora! Admiral Ryokugyu! The mass conscription really worked!"
People exclaimed.
"Their real names are Issho and Aramaki—never heard of them! The government isn't faking this to stabilize public sentiment, are they? Admiral-level powerhouses don't appear that easily, and two at once!"
Of course, some people were filled with doubt.
"Issho, I know this person! He's a wandering vigilante who's often active in the first half of the Grand Line—a monster with a strong sense of justice and incredible strength!"
Not everyone was unfamiliar with their names.
But regardless of what attitude the sea's people held, the new Navy admirals had been born.
The Navy forces that had been severely damaged in that battle over a month ago had been replenished.
Many people were anticipating whether the Navy, having restored its three-admiral configuration, would launch another war against the NEO Navy.
"It's not that easy."
Brett casually set aside the newspaper and smiled at Neptune and Jinbei, who'd come to discuss future countermeasures with him. "After the lesson from last time, how would they dare start another war without confidence they could deal with me?"
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