Chapter 40 Array, Training
Fishman Street is exceptionally vibrant today.
Brett's address at the breakfast establishment this morning rapidly spread throughout Fishman Street, eliciting immediate excitement.
"Mining? Are there natural resources beneath the ocean? "
"Brother Brett claimed there are many, and they would be quite valuable if sold to humans. "
"Is it okay to trade with humans? "
"Isn't it preferable to earn income from humans? Extracting seabed minerals seems rather straightforward for us! "
"I also think it's fantastic. If I could genuinely earn more, it would alleviate much of the financial pressure at home. "
"Yes, I have five children to support. "
The majority of Fishman Street inhabitants view mining positively.
Fishman Street is characterized by its poverty. The residents face significant financial hardships and have limited means of generating income.
The prospect of increased earnings and reduced familial stress is a tremendous advantage for most people.
For those unruly youths resistant to being sidelined, Brett's additional proposal intensified their enthusiasm further.
"As expected of Brother Brett! He's been so assertive from the outset! "
"This was long overdue! How many years have humans exploited Fish-Man Island without restraint? "
"Fishman Island is meant for fish people and mermaids. Humans ought to behave honorably! "
"I want to enlist! I intend to join the army that Brother Brett is establishing! "
"Army? I heard it's referred to as the Exit-Entry Administration? "
"Regardless, it is said to have the same status as the Dragon Palace military and even offers higher salaries! "
"However, Brother Brett only requires 10,000 recruits! There will surely be a lot of competition! "
"Hahaha! That's how it should be; the strongest should rise to the top! The weaker ones should step aside! "
It's undeniably vibrant; one can only describe it as lively.
The entire Fishman Street is filled with excitement.
…
"So, will Brother Brett assume the responsibility of safeguarding Fish-Man Island moving forward? "
That evening, at the Mermaid Cafe.
The mermaid ladies surrounded Brett with evident astonishment.
"Roughly so."
Brett nodded slightly, stating, "It's time for Fish-Man Island to undergo some transformation. Someone must take the initiative, right? "
"So cool! "
The mermaid ladies nearly exclaimed, " We'll truly be safe! "
"It's wonderful, Shyarly, that you have such a childhood friend. "
Shyarly rolled her eyes, "If you have time for this, you might as well finish cleaning up and end your shift. "
"No, Brother Brett is destined to be the prominent figure in Fish-Man Island from now on! We must treat him with the proper respect. "
The mermaid ladies expressed openly their intent to cultivate a close relationship with him.
"…brother? "
Shyarly furrowed her brows.
"Or,"
The mermaid ladies floated over and surrounded Shyarly, attentively massaging her shoulders. "To win Brother Brett's favor, should we shower praises on Boss Shyarly?"
"It hurts, you idiots! Don't use excessive force while cleaning the table! " Shyarly chastised loudly, her face flushed.
The attempts at flattery were unsuccessful.
Brett could not suppress a smile.
"Brother Brett, are you planning to safeguard Fish-Man Island? That's fantastic! "
Little Nana looked up at Brett with admiration, "When I grow up, I aspire to be like Brother Brett! I want to protect my mother, my sisters, and Fish-Man Island! "
Brett smiled and affectionately patted her head, "Then you, little Nana, must strive to improve yourself. "
"Um! "
The young girl nodded earnestly, "I will eat well every day and grow up quickly! "
'This is the reason. To ensure that relatives, friends, and children like Nana can live a peaceful and joyful life.Is this the rationale behind my decision?'
Brett turned and walked past the mermaid ladies who were laughing and conversing, his gaze locking onto Shyarly's.
She offered him a gentle smile.
Brett returned a grin.
There is nothing to fear, Shyarly mentioned; they will progress toward a splendid future.
The recruitment process took three days.
The delay was not due to a lack of volunteers.
On the contrary, there were an overwhelming number of fishmen and mermaids wishing to join the Immigration Bureau, far surpassing the cap of 10,000 people set by Brett.
The economic capacity of the Dragon Kingdom is limited. Establishing a force of 10,000 has already imposed a significant financial strain. To expand, they must wait until the ore business is properly established.
Therefore, it is necessary to meticulously screen and select those who demonstrate loyalty and capability in combat.
Loyalty is the primary criterion.
Brett seeks a force capable of defending Fish-Man Island, not a band of fishman pirates.
Fortunately, with the assistance of all the leaders, who are well-acquainted with these fishmen and mermaids, identifying suitable candidates is manageable.
It has taken three days to reach this point.
The chosen Fishmen were filled with joy, while those who were not selected felt dejected, even leading to some unrest due to dissatisfaction.
However, the situation was eventually brought under control.
Consequently, on the second day following the finalization of personnel, everyone was gathered in the Forest of the Sea.
Brett arrived early.
Nevertheless, he did not make his presence known immediately, instead observing quietly from a distance.
The scene was chaotic and lacked any semblance of order.
"Ha, we have a total of ten thousand people! "
Arlong, accompanying Brett, laughed heartily, "What a formidable force! "
"We still have a long way to go,"
Jinbei remarked beside him, "At present, they are merely a group of ruffians and require extensive training. "
Brett nodded slightly, "Indeed. "
Enhancing combat capabilities can be deferred; the immediate priority is to cultivate discipline and obedience among these fishmen.
"In this regard, I must entrust this responsibility to you, Brother Jinbei! " Brettt stated earnestly.
Although he is now a pirate, Jinbei was previously a commanding officer.
"Leave it to me,"
Jinbei replied with a nod of assurance.
Who else could undertake this task?
"Let us move over there. "
Brett sprang up, and in an instant, he collided with the front of the line with the force of a cannonball.
The fishmen were taken aback for a brief moment before erupting into enthusiastic cheers.
"Brother Brett! ! "
"Be silent! "
Brett's voice resonated with the intensity of thunder, "My initial command to you is to follow orders! "
Having secured Fishman Street through his might, Brett had indeed established a respectable reputation, leading to immediate silence among the crowd.
Brett nodded in approval.
A commendable beginning.
"I believe you are already aware of the purpose of my summons," Brett proclaimed loudly, "From this day forward, you will serve as the warriors defending Fish-Man Island. "
"We are all familiar with such matters, but Boss Brett, the compensation is quite substantial, is it not? " a voice emerged from the assembly.
Brett turned towards the direction of the voice and was somewhat taken aback, "Hyouzou? You're here? "
Octopus Hyouzou, who had previously fought Brett, replied with a grin, "Hey, why would I miss out if there's money to be made? "
"In that case, you should conduct yourself more appropriately henceforth. "
Brett replied curtly, "My second command to you is to behave properly. "
"The careless mannerisms characteristic of Fishman Street are no longer acceptable. What I require is a contingent of reliable warriors! "
"Oh my, how severe. "
Hyouzou maintained his smile, "I understand, if there is money to be made, I am willing to comply with your wishes. "
He posed no threat, and Brett chose not to escalate matters.
Ultimately, in comparison to others, Hyouzou embedded within Fish-Man Island can be regarded as remarkably competent.
"My final command,"
Brett stated with gravity, "I hope you cherish this Fish-Man Island. "
"Never lose sight of the fact that we are fighting for our Fish-Man Island, our homeland, and our people! "
A momentary stillness ensued.
Then came a resounding affirmation.
"Yes! Brother Brett! ! "
The response was akin to a tidal wave of cheers.
It is not an exaggeration to assert that while the residents of Fishman Street may harbor disdain for the Dragon Palace, their affection for their race is unequivocal.
Due to their hardships, their sense of national identity is particularly robust.
Brett smiled warmly, "So, are you prepared for the forthcoming training? "
Jinbei approached confidently, stating, "There is no benefit in regrets. I will transform you into capable warriors as swiftly as possible! "
Before initiating the training, Jinbei first organized the participants into ten groups of one thousand, appointing captains and vice captains for each group.
Each brigade is further divided into ten hundred-person squadrons, each with its own captains and vice captains.
Following this structure, below the squadron level is the ten-person unit.
An organized framework has been established.
The captains report directly to Brett, and each one has been meticulously chosen as an expert. This reflects a fundamental aspect of this world. In aggressive organizations, the powerful must occupy prominent roles, and Hyouzou is one of them.
Once the groups have been separated, training commences.
The primary objective in the initial phases is to cultivate obedience and foster teamwork abilities.
They aim to transform the Fishmen, who resemble small thugs, into a cohesive unit governed by established rules and restrictions.
This marks the commencement of intense training.
However, Brett does not completely relinquish control. He also possesses certain responsibilities to fulfill.