76. These Factories Are Called "Rehabilitation"!

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The next day.

Akira woke up in the warm and comfortable luxurious bed.

Looking around at the unfamiliar hotel layout, he was momentarily confused. But as the last traces of sleepiness faded, he couldn't help but laugh.

"The allure of a new experience has its own charm!"

He glanced to the side.

There, Yuki, the renowned reporter, was still fast asleep. Her delicate collarbone, visible above the sheets, looked both fragile and alluring.

She seemed to be dreaming something sweet, with a smile playing on her lips.

Last night, as promised, Akira met up with Yuki and treated her to the thank-you dinner he had promised.

Not one to skimp on expenses, and wanting to show his hospitality, he booked the most upscale hotel in Marineford.

They dined and drank, and soon, Yuki, who was "overwhelmed by alcohol," mumbled something about wanting to rest.

Akira had no choice but to escort her to the room he had reserved.

But as soon as the door closed, Yuki, who had appeared drunk, immediately became alert.

...

Well, that's how it went!

Who would have thought that the goddess Yuki, admired by men all over the world, would be so passionate, eager, and... submissive when it came to him.

"The taste of power is really something else."

"Completely addictive!!!"

Akira stood up carefully, wrapped a towel around his waist, and walked over to the hotel's floor-to-ceiling windows to look down.

The sun was high in the sky, and Marineford was already bustling with activity.

Countless soldiers were training intensely.

Shops in the living area had opened, and business was in full swing.

Some vacationers were gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing as they made their way to the bar.

Everything looked so beautiful! So peaceful!

Akira watched this scene with a smile.

He hadn't seen this kind of atmosphere in a long time.

Since Roger had sparked the Great Pirate Era, the entire Marine had been not only overworked but also directionless.

At that time, even the admirals couldn't see a clear future or hope.

Everyone was just drifting along.

But in just two months, the Marine's spirit had undergone a significant transformation.

Confidence, courage, and hope were visible on everyone's faces.

And all these changes were because of him—the new Marine Fleet Admiral, Shinma Akira!

A great sense of satisfaction and pride swelled in his heart.

The corners of Akira's mouth widened into a smile. He picked up a cigar from the coffee table, lit it, and continued to comfortably observe the scene below.

"Looks like you, Akira-sama, share the same tastes as the king of the animals."

After who knows how long, Yuki's adoring voice suddenly came from behind.

Her voice was soft as silk, meant to melt a person's resolve, and utterly captivating.

A pair of slender white hands emerged from behind, wrapping around Akira's broad, strong waist.

Akira took a slow puff from his cigarette, smiling as he asked without turning around, "And what hobbies does the king of animals have?"

"Always likes to stand tall and observe his people and territory."

"That's a lovely view."

"Hey, let me watch with you."

The two stood like that, savoring the moment in silence.

Finally, when the cigar had burned down to the nub, Akira moved.

He turned around, scooped Yuki up, and headed toward the bathroom. "Let's take a shower together, then I should get to work."

"Uh-huh!"

Yuki, like a compliant kitten, nestled her head against his broad chest.

After a full hour and a half.

Outside the hotel, Akira stepped out, fully dressed and looking sharp.

"Hello, Fleet Admiral!"

The stationed soldiers hurriedly saluted and greeted him loudly.

"Yeah!" Akira nodded, striding toward the office building without stopping.

"What time is it?"

"Fleet Admiral, it's one hour until noon."

Akira paused, then resumed walking, this time at a slightly quicker pace.

A hint of regret crossed his handsome face.

"Indulging in pleasures, so irresponsible!"

"As the Fleet Admiral, leading by example but showing up late... I truly feel guilty."

"By the way, soldier, do you like to read?"

The soldiers exchanged puzzled glances.

They didn't understand why their Fleet Admiral had suddenly brought up reading.

Why would he care whether they read or not?

But it was a question that stumped most of them.

As soldiers, they knew barely a dozen characters, so how could they read?

Those with better family backgrounds who could afford an education had gone into business or become kingdom officials.

"Fleet Admiral, don't be fooled by my rough appearance, but I actually like to read a few pages before bed when I rest at night."

While everyone remained silent, unsure how to respond, a burly soldier raised his hand.

Akira turned to him, a smile forming on his face.

Seeing this, the other soldiers immediately looked enviously at the soldier, who was known as Fat Tiger, for being literate.

To be noticed by the Fleet Admiral—wasn't that a fast track to promotion?

Fat Tiger clearly thought so too, as excitement spread across his face.

Akira looked up at the sky, sighed deeply, and said slowly:

"I just had some doubts, and I wonder if you can help me answer them."

"Who am I, where did I come from, and where am I going? Does time have a beginning? Does the universe have an end?"

"What is the meaning of my existence in this world? Am I influencing the world, or is the world changing me?"

"The me at this moment—am I still the same me as before?"

"Soldier, do you know?"

Swish.

All the soldiers turned their gaze to Fat Tiger.

Fat Tiger broke into a cold sweat. "Fleet Admiral, isn't that a bit too much for me? Isn't that the kind of stuff only sages would understand?"

"Fleet Admiral, you've worked hard!"

"Good afternoon, Fleet Admiral Akira."

As he made his way to the office building and up to the top floor, Akira encountered various civil servants and generals along the way.

Whenever they saw him, they would immediately stop and greet him earnestly.

Akira smiled and nodded in return.

It really was hard work—for the Marines and for justice. His shoulders bore the weight of it all.

Of course, this kind of burden is something only he could understand—it wasn't something he could openly talk about.

Tread. Tread.

As Akira walked past the quiet general's office, he turned his head to take a peek inside.

There he saw Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Garp, and the others, looking completely drained. They held their pens with trembling hands, their expressions resembling prisoners facing execution, filled with resistance but unable to escape their duty.

Grumble, grumble.

The loud sound of hunger suddenly echoed through the entire office.

Sengoku and the others immediately reached for the food beside them, stuffing it into their mouths without even glancing at it. They only stopped once their hunger was sated.

"When will this torment end~~" Borsalino slumped in his chair, sighing toward the ceiling, his face full of pain.

Sakazuki, who usually would have been unmoved, was about to say something when he caught a glimpse of a figure at the window out of the corner of his eye. Recognizing the face, it was as if a lazy student had spotted the head teacher peeking in during class.

His heart skipped a beat, and he stood up abruptly, "Fleet Admiral—err!!"

Before he could finish, Akira's figure had already disappeared.

Out in the corridor.

Akira's footsteps quickened as he made a beeline for the stairs.

Just as he suspected!

"Akira, get over here, you rascal!" Garp's loud, resentful voice echoed, shaking the entire office building as if it would collapse.

"This old man here is worn out, and you have the nerve to only show up now? Are you trying to show off? Huh??"

As expected, when Akira reached the corner, Garp's booming voice reached his ears.

Akira glanced back, relieved to see that Garp hadn't chased after him. He let out a sigh of relief, muttering to himself, "Sakazuki is too rigid; he doesn't get it at all."

Facing Garp and Sengoku right now? That would be walking straight into the lion's den.

Especially since he still had the scent of perfume lingering on him.

Akira continued walking, his pace returning to a more relaxed speed.

As he passed by the staff headquarters, the bustling and noisy atmosphere inside, much like a busy marketplace, reached his ears.

All the civil servants were at their workstations, diligently holding Den Den Mushi, explaining the officers' plans and directives.

"Yes, Rear Admiral Cole, just follow the plan issued by the staff. The leaves will be sent to your base by tonight at the latest."

"The Fleet Admiral has ordered that as long as someone is willing to contribute their physical strength to help with copying, we shouldn't worry about their identity for now. Yes, even if it's a pirate, they can help, but remember—don't get rid of them immediately, understood?"

"Is there anyone volunteering without pay? The staff department is designing a certificate of honor, and the details will be announced worldwide through the newspapers later."

"Remember, the Fleet Admiral doesn't make exceptions for the weak unless they have a Devil Fruit ability."

"Vice Admiral Tokikake, what's the matter? Oh, you want to help with the leaf transformation too? Unfortunately, there's a manpower shortage, and we can't deliver it to Fish-Man Island at a depth of 10,000 meters. You'll have to pick it up at headquarters when you return."

Compared to the quieter atmosphere downstairs, the energy in the staff headquarters was lively and full of vitality.

The civil servants were patient and skilled, clearly explaining the officers' plans to the Marines stationed all over the world.

Akira's various operations in the past two months had thoroughly seasoned them.

And compared to the previous Honey Plan and God of Wealth Plan, this God's Generals plan was relatively straightforward. 

There was no need to rack their brains to come up with sweet love stories, nor did they have to stand in front of the Den Den Mushi every day, trying to deceive people.

"Have the food and housing factories in various locations been built? Are they preparing for a unified opening?"

"Do they need a unified name?"

A civil servant repeated the message coming through the Den Den Mushi, nodding as they spoke.

Indeed, a unified name is very necessary. Without it, each place might have a different name, which would easily confuse people.

"Alright, hold on a moment. I'll go ask the chief staff officer about the name for the factory," the civil servant said, preparing to hang up.

But just then...

Clap.

A large hand suddenly clapped him on the shoulder from behind.

At the same time, a deep, magnetic voice reached his ears.

"If the factory needs a name, let's call it Rehabilitation!"

"The leaf is primarily for replicating the strong, and these strong ones are here to help the world live in health and stability!"

Rehabilitation?

The civil servant thought carefully along those lines.

The more he thought about it, the more it made sense.

He nodded in agreement, but still turned around to respond. "That's a really good idea. I'll pass it on to everyone as proposed by the staff, but ultimately, the Fleet Admiral will have to make the final decision, and it can be—"

The moment he saw who was standing behind him, he started stammering.

"Fleet Admiral! I send my greetings to you!"

Realizing who it was, he immediately stood up and saluted, no questions asked.

Akira nodded with a smile. "Do you still need to run the factory name by the chief staff officer?"

"Of course not! Since you've made the decision, it will be called [Rehabilitation]," the civil servant quickly replied.

Good call! Since the Fleet Admiral, the big boss himself, has confirmed it, there's no need to waste time asking the chief staff officer.

"Thank you for your hard work!"

"Yes, Fleet Admiral! Rest assured."

After inspecting the staff department's work, Akira left, satisfied.

The civil servants had their own efficient methods for getting things done. All he needed to do was enjoy some tea in his office, stamp documents, and wait for results.

In the Fleet Admiral's office.

"Fleet Admiral, good afternoon!"

As Akira walked in, Secretary Rouge, as usual, took his justice cloak.

After tidying it up, she went to brew a strong cup of tea and placed it on the desk.

Akira was used to this routine.

He sat down at his desk, reviewing the documents in front of him.

"Do the scrolls in various branch banks need replenishing?"

"Perfect timing, the old version of the scrolls should be replaced, and the new ones will last for quite some time."

Akira spat out the leaf with his left hand, picked up his pen, and began to write.

Currently, the entire headquarters was busy using the leaf to clone personnel. He couldn't find anyone extra to make scrolls for him.

So, he had to rely on him for this kind of task.

Fortunately, duplicating something like a scroll didn't require much stamina.

Moreover, the branch banks weren't in urgent need of them. To maintain stability, Akira had strictly required each branch to have three scrolls as backups.

This meant he could afford to take it easy for a while, playing it cool and being a little lazy when he got tired of copying.