A few more days passed, and the Neo Navy's world recruitment came to an end.
It wasn't because no one else wanted to join, but because the recruitment quota had already been filled. Any additional recruits would be excessive and a burden.
Interestingly, the Neo Navy had recruited 50% new soldiers and 50% veterans, totaling 3.08 million personnel.
The new recruits were naturally young and strong men from all over. While physically capable, they lacked any training or combat experience. They were true greenhorns.
As for the veterans, they were former Marines. Though experienced from numerous battles, they had already surpassed the minimum standards for physical and combat readiness.
These were the people whose faith had been shaken by what Caelan previously revealed and had since turned toward the light.
Combined with the 3.08 million new recruits and the 500,000 veterans retained from before the Battle of Marineford, the total combat strength of the Neo Navy now exceeded 3.58 million.
This figure didn't include the full-time logistics personnel. If those were included, the total number would reach the tens of millions.
Even without waiting for the new recruits to finish training, the Neo Navy already had enough power to take control of the world.
At the same time, the World Government's large-scale conscription also came to a halt.
It wasn't because they didn't want to recruit more, but because they simply couldn't. They were forced to give up.
Even so, including the civilians and slaves they had captured, they managed to gather 501,321 new soldiers.
However, even with these additions, the current size of the Marine force was only about one-fifth of what it used to be, sitting at around 1.5 million sailors.
Fortunately, the World Government had recruited three brand new admirals.
The addition of these three Logia-type users was something they could proudly announce.
After all, the common people of the world were unaware of the Knights of God. Seeing three admirals join the Marines gave the impression that the World Government still had some fight left in them.
Thus, the Neo Navy and the World Government both issued announcements, showcasing their respective recruitment results.
Just like with the earlier recruitment propaganda, the World Government's results were published alongside the Neo Navy's achievements by the World Economy News and distributed to the entire world.
The front page of the newspaper was clean and flat, printed with the Neo Navy's results.
[On November 20, 1520 of the Sea Circle Calendar, the fourteen-day World Recruitment has concluded. The Neo Navy welcomes 3.08 million new comrades. Under the leadership of Supreme Commander Caelan, the Neo Navy marches toward new glory.]
[At the same time, the Neo Navy officially confirms the appointment of six admirals: Fujitora Issho, Buddha Sengoku, Black Arm Zephyr, Momousagi Gion, Aokiji Kuzan, and Kizaru Borsalino. These six are the first batch of admirals in the Neo Navy.]
[...With Supreme Commander Caelan and the six admirals at the helm, the Neo Navy is destined to achieve final victory.]
On the back of the newspaper were the World Government's conscription results.
[After fourteen days, the World Government and the Marines recruited a total of 501,321 soldiers. A gratifying outcome. World Economy News note: the current total strength of the Marines stands between 1.5 to 2 million personnel, a force still to be reckoned with.]
[In addition to the 500,000 aspiring recruits, three admirals with extraordinary vision have joined the World Government. Admiral Golden Bear Castellon, Admiral Ryokugyu Aramaki, and Admiral Black Snake Urther are all Logia-type Devil Fruit users, drawn by their admiration for the World Government's 800 years of prestige.]
[Saint Jaygarcia Saturn: The power of the World Government, forged over eight hundred years, remains as mighty as ever. Though storms may come, it will ultimately endure.]
The moment this double-sided newspaper was published and circulated globally, it immediately drew massive attention.
The first to start talking were the new recruits of the Neo Navy.
"The Neo Navy got 3.08 million recruits. We can't even find space for the extra 80,000."
"The World Government only recruited a little over 500,000 soldiers. They're so desperate they might as well try squeezing out every last drop from the men's sacks!" Morik burst out laughing as he looked at the paper.
"The more you lack, the more you try to show off. Still, are there really 500,000 idiots willing to join the World Government?" Hans asked, puzzled.
Logically speaking, after the Battle of Marineford, the World Government and the Marines had completely lost their credibility. The truth behind the pirates had been exposed by the God Slayer.
After that, the entire World Government shrank to a mere fraction of its original size, with territory reduced to less than one-third.
For such a decayed regime to still recruit soldiers was already unbelievable, but the fact that 500,000 people joined was downright absurd.
(To be continued.)