That day, forty-five Devil Fruits were dispatched from the Dressrosa Neo Navy Headquarters and delivered to the North Blue at full speed.
After several rounds of discussion, the rewards were distributed accordingly.
Yamakaji, Doberman, and the other five elite vice admirals consumed Ancient Zoan-type Devil Fruits, and their strength increased greatly. After a period of training, they were expected to reach the level of Drought Jack.
Thirty regular vice admirals and ten outstanding captains also consumed Devil Fruits, and their power was rapidly approaching that of elite vice admirals.
This was mainly because they already had solid foundations in Haki and physical prowess. Naturally, gaining Devil Fruits brought a substantial boost.
After all, the Devil Fruits distributed by Caelan were of high quality, with even the lowest being the same level as the Leopard Fruit eaten by Lucci.
Leaving the admirals behind to assist Kuzan, Caelan led the rest back to Dressrosa.
News of the Neo Navy dispatching four admirals to pacify the North Blue within three days spread across the world, thanks to the coverage by Morgans.
[The Neo Navy deploys four admiral-level forces and unifies the entire North Blue within three days! World unification is just around the corner!]
[Commander Caelan establishes the North Blue as the second core of the Neo Navy, appoints Admiral Kuzan to secure it like a fortress!]
[Commander Caelan issues directive: the "General Rules of the Illuminati Member States" to be enforced across the North Blue, greatly protecting the people's safety and property!]
Upon reading these positive headlines, the fervor for enlisting, which had slightly cooled, surged once more.
"If they could conquer the North Blue in three days, then in another nine days, they'll take the other three Blues. The whole world could be unified!" Hans exclaimed exaggeratedly.
"It's possible," Mokri nodded and analyzed. "The Neo Navy deployed four admirals directly to the North Blue. I suspect the other seas will face a similar scenario."
"Is that for real? Weren't admirals said to be top-tier warriors who rarely appear?" Hans was a bit skeptical. "Maybe they're just putting on a show this time."
"What do you know?" Mokri looked at Hans with disdain. "The God Slayer personally recruited four admirals during the war at Marineford. Not to mention his original team, the Neo Navy is filled with hidden experts. Deploying four admirals is nothing for them."
Hans nodded in sudden realization.
"But why doesn't Caelan come conquer our West Blue? It would be great if the West Blue were ruled by the Neo Navy," Mokri said emotionally. "Now that the North Blue is peaceful, all the once-arrogant gangs and pirates have vanished. Few people dare to cause trouble anymore."
Hans responded indifferently, "So what? Ordinary people like us aren't just bullied by gangs and pirates. It's the nobles who're the cruelest."
"Then let's hope Caelan comes to our place." Mokri pointed to a special section in the newspaper. "Look at this 'General Rules of the Illuminati Member States.' Every article restricts nobles and the elite from arbitrarily taking lives. The Neo Navy overthrew many tyrants when they took over the North Blue."
"Awesome! That sounds amazing!" Hans's blood boiled. "I have to enlist! I'll follow the Neo Navy to liberate the West Blue!"
"Let's go, together." Mokri's eyes lit up with admiration.
"I've never seen a Celestial Dragon, but I've seen how disgusting the nobles can be."
"Maybe I'll get to chop off a few noble heads myself. Those bastards deserve it."
…
Revolutionary Army Headquarters
"They took the North Blue in three days. This time, the Neo Navy really showed their strength," Sabo said with envy.
The Revolutionary Army often spent months or years preparing before they could overthrow a tyrannical regime.
Compared to Caelan's three-day sweep of the North Blue, their efficiency looked pathetic.
"With their strength, it's not surprising," Dragon said, his tone complicated. "Four admirals deployed to the North Blue. That's like using a cannon to shoot a mosquito."
Four admirals. Four.
Caelan sent four admirals to the North Blue and still had two guarding the home front.
Dragon could hardly imagine the Revolutionary Army ever having that kind of strength.
"Chief, what about our Revolutionary Army personnel in the North Blue?" Sabo asked seriously.
Now that the North Blue was under Caelan's rule, and all its nations had joined the Illuminati, all of the Revolutionary Army's deployments there were rendered meaningless.
"Have them cooperate with the Neo Navy to suppress any unrest," Dragon said after thinking it over. "That was part of the agreement when we formed an alliance with Caelan. He lacked the manpower to stabilize everything alone."
After saying this, Dragon gave a self-deprecating laugh. "But once Caelan's world conscription is completed, our Revolutionary Army won't even be needed for that."
"Chief, are we just going to sit and do nothing?" Sabo asked, clearly unwilling. "We can't miss this global shift."
"Of course not," Dragon said, his eyes sharp. "Since Caelan declared war, the world has been in chaos. The World Government can barely hold itself together."
"Concentrate our forces in the East, West, and South Blue. Use this opportunity to rescue the most oppressed nations. Once the Neo Navy's recruits are ready, they'll take over from us."
He had already seen the World Government's downfall coming. Now was the time to strike hard and hasten its collapse.
If he did nothing now, and the Neo Navy came to clean up, then the Revolutionary Army would have been built in vain, and his years of patience would be for nothing.
"Understood, Chief," Sabo replied, though he still seemed disheartened.
In his mind, the Revolutionary Army was supposed to be the one saving the world heroically.
Now, playing the role of post-battle cleanup didn't quite fit the grand ideal he had imagined.
"Don't be discouraged, Sabo," Dragon said, seeing through his thoughts. "The original intent of the Revolutionary Army is to let the people live peacefully and happily. It doesn't matter who achieves that."
"Some pirates are starting their last rampage. Now is our chance to act. If we can eliminate them and bring peace to the people, then the Revolutionary Army will still have fulfilled its purpose."
He had already accepted reality. Rather than enduring and hoping for a glory that might never come, he would rather see Caelan's Neo Navy pacify the world with overwhelming force.
He had already sacrificed too much since leaving the Marines. He didn't know what would happen if he continued enduring in silence.
"Chief, I understand." Sabo regained his composure. "I'll fully cooperate with the Neo Navy to liberate the world."
"Good. That's how a Revolutionary Army staff officer should be."
Dragon looked at him with approval.
With his faith restored, Sabo asked another question, "Chief, do you think Luffy is doing alright?"
He had regained his memory after seeing Ace executed at Marineford.
Though he still grieved Ace's death, he was also worried about Luffy, who was still alive.
"He's fine. Garp is looking after him." Dragon showed a rare expression of relief. "I've already contacted the old man. Luffy's doing well. He might even inherit Garp's position in the future."
"Huh? Marine Luffy?" Sabo was stunned. "But he's always wanted to be the Pirate King since he was a kid!"
"The era of great pirates ended with Whitebeard. There's no future in piracy anymore." Dragon shook his head. "With Zephyr's guidance, no matter how stubborn Luffy is, it's pointless."
"What if Luffy still insists on being Pirate King?" Sabo asked cautiously.
Dragon snorted. "If he dares say that again, I'll break his legs myself."
He knew how ruthless Caelan was. Becoming a pirate now was a straight path to death.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)