Chapter 122: The New Admiral, World Conscription Begins

New World, Navy Headquarters G-1 Base!

At this moment, the island had only recently become the seat of the Navy Headquarters. The expansion from the G-1 branch base to the Navy Headquarters had been completed!

However, the completion of the new naval base did not restore the morale of the Navy, which had been severely damaged in the Summit War. Instead, due to various events happening recently, the atmosphere at the Navy Headquarters was extremely low.

Especially concerning the disappearance of Admiral Aokiji and the demotion of Admiral Kizaru, who had his salary deducted for reasons unknown. This left everyone at the Navy Headquarters in a state of panic.

After all, just two months ago, the Navy Headquarters was still set up in Marineford, led by the three Admirals, shining like a constellation of stars! But in a short time, Marineford was destroyed, Admiral Aokiji went missing, Admiral Kizaru was demoted, the Admiral candidate Tokikake disappeared, and the candidate for Admiral Momousagi defected from the Navy.

Nearly 100,000 elite Navy soldiers defected to follow the infamous Shiro!

All of this deeply disturbed the Navy Headquarters and even the officers and men worldwide. Even Sengoku the Buddha, who was still temporarily serving as the Fleet Admiral, could only watch helplessly. As an old Marine who had dedicated almost his entire life to the Navy, he felt completely powerless to change the dire situation the Navy was facing at this time.

The only way forward was the upcoming World Conscription. As long as the Navy could replenish its strength, especially filling the vacant Admiral positions, everything would naturally return to the right track.

However, during this period, Sengoku felt uneasy, as if something terrible was on the horizon. Having served as a Fleet Admiral for decades, the Summit War had nearly tarnished his honor. If there were another crisis, he would undoubtedly be remembered as a failure in the Navy's history.

At this moment, inside the Fleet Admiral's Office, Fleet Admiral Sengoku called in Admiral Akainu, just after the latter had recovered from his injuries in the Battle of Punk Hazard.

Akainu looked at the Admiral's Office sign with burning ambition. Soon, the position would be his.

"Shiro! Prepare to face the wrath of Absolute Justice!" Akainu thought to himself. After the World Conscription, he would become the Fleet Admiral and lead the Navy to cleanse away the shame!

"Sakazuki, are your injuries healed? If so, you will be inaugurated as Fleet Admiral tomorrow!" Sengoku said bluntly as Akainu entered the office.

Akainu was stunned. What was going on? According to protocol, his formal inauguration should wait until after the World Conscription.

"Don't hesitate. I have already reported to Commander-in-Chief Kong. The conscription is imminent, and your appointment as Fleet Admiral will help stabilize the current situation!" Sengoku continued, not giving Akainu a chance to refuse, not that he ever would.

"Sakazuki, the Navy Headquarters is unstable right now. You must light the fire as the new Fleet Admiral and stabilize the situation. Moreover, the World Government has agreed to improve the Navy's treatment to attract more powerhouses from the sea to join during the World Conscription!"

Sengoku explained. "You will oversee this conscription. Though Garp has returned to the East Blue, I will help you by being on the platform."

With Kuzan missing and Kizaru demoted, the Navy urgently needed a change. Allowing Akainu to take up the post of Fleet Admiral now was a suitable choice.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, it's my duty to stabilize the situation, but what about Kizaru's demotion and salary deduction?" Akainu asked seriously, concerned about how this might affect the World Conscription.

As Sengoku had stated, the Navy Headquarters was on shaky ground. If Kizaru refused to work due to his demotion, the conscription process could be severely hindered.

The World Conscription was a grand event, and even the Four Emperors of the New World would avoid clashing with the World Government and the Navy during this period. However, there was one force even more troublesome than the Four Emperors—Shiro and his group.

According to the latest intelligence, Shiro had formed a terrifying force under the noses of the World Government and the Navy. He had even managed to recruit powerful cadres while evading surveillance.

Despite the opposition, Akainu couldn't help but admire Shiro. The young man was truly a rare monster of the sea.

Even if Akainu was confident, he was uncertain if Shiro would attempt to disrupt the World Conscription.

There were even rumors that Zephyr, who had left the Navy, had joined Shiro. In such a short time, Shiro had built a formidable force!

"You don't need to worry about Kizaru. I have already requested the World Government to reinstate him as Admiral after the conscription. As for the salary, the Navy will cover it. In the incident, Kizaru was just used as a scapegoat," Sengoku reassured.

He hoped nothing would disrupt the World Conscription. To this end, preparations had been made with the CP Organization of the World Government. Not only were the Calm Belt waters monitored, but all routes in and out of the New World were also blocked, with tight control over the island hosting the conscription.

The main target was Shiro.

The next day, Akainu was officially inaugurated as Fleet Admiral, ready to enforce Absolute Justice.

His first act as Fleet Admiral was to announce the World Conscription, calling for all powerhouses across the sea to join the Navy.

The World Conscription was set to recruit the two strongest individuals, who would be promoted to Admirals. The announcement sent ripples across the sea, stirring up excitement and drawing countless hopefuls to enlist.

Amidst the commotion, an inconspicuous small wooden boat made its way to the island where the conscription was being held, just off the coast of the New World Navy Headquarters.

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The fanfic is finished on p@treon/tambeerg