"???"
Sentomaru scratched his head, his plump face filled with confusion.
He glanced down at the contract, where the bold letters read: New Marine Employment Contract.
"Uncle, what is this…?"
"Don't ask too many questions, just sign it!" Kizaru urged. "Oh, let me check how much the recruitment bonus is for someone of your rank…"
As he spoke, he pulled out a small booklet from his pocket, its cover labeled New Marine Internal Compensation and Benefits Standards (Draft).
This was something Mike had brainstormed with Kuzan on their way back from Fish-Man Island to headquarters.
Of course, 99% of the content came from Mike.
Kuzan occasionally added a few words but mostly just nodded in agreement.
Kuro was responsible for recording, organizing, refining, and compiling the notes before presenting them to Mike for review.
After Mike gave his approval, Kuro hand-copied the final version.
This became the New Marine's highest guiding doctrine.
...
There were three volumes in total:
New Marine Internal Compensation and Benefits Standards (Draft).
New Marine Military Training Standards and Combat Readiness Enhancement (Proposal).
New Marine Civilian Development and Social Welfare (Guidelines).
At present, they hadn't been printed yet—only two handwritten copies existed.
One was kept by Kuro, while the other had been handed over to the three New Marine Admirals at the Hot Springs.
Akainu took New Marine Military Training Standards and Combat Readiness Enhancement (Proposal).
After a quick skim, he was utterly astonished.
The contents of this booklet completely overturned his understanding of military training.
Drill marches, formation drills, chants, military songs…
The Three Main Rules of Discipline, the Eight Points for Attention…
These regulations were meticulously detailed.
There were also sections on maritime assault tactics, anti-piracy strategies…
The booklet exhaustively covered combat techniques and tactical coordination for different sea conditions and enemies.
It even included survival training for extreme weather conditions—far surpassing the rigid and outdated training methods of the old Marine.
The more Akainu read, the more shocked he became.
This wasn't just a "proposal"—it was a revolutionary training manual!
Drill marches and formations might seem flashy, but they cultivated discipline and teamwork.
Chants and military songs might appear trivial, but they boosted morale and unity.
The Three Main Rules of Discipline and Eight Points for Attention fundamentally shaped a New Marine that truly served the people—one worthy of their trust.If this training method could truly be implemented, to what terrifying heights would the combat power of the New Marine rise?
A surge of fervor welled up in Akainu's heart.
He couldn't wait to immediately promote this training manual throughout the entire New Marine, ensuring every soldier underwent this revolutionary regimen.
Unfortunately, the Suspension Plan had already begun, and the New Marine's grand scheme couldn't be delayed.
Once he finished his current tasks, he would personally transcribe a copy and deliver it to Zephyr.
Every promising recruit in the future New Marine must be trained this way!
Akainu carefully tucked the booklet into his chest pocket, saving it for a more thorough study when time permitted.
"New Marine Civil Development and Social Welfare (Outline)"—this had been taken by Kuzan.
The weight of this document pressed heavily on his mind.
He had always cared more deeply about the concept of "civil welfare" than most.
Over these past days, that kid Mike would occasionally share his thoughts on civil development with him.
From vague initial ideas to gradually refined frameworks, and now this fully formed outline.
He had listened and remembered every word in silence.
Some of Mike's words had seemed wildly imaginative, even somewhat "naive" at first.
But upon closer reflection, they were all excellent measures benefiting the nation and its people.
Though he had committed most of Mike's words to memory, he still wanted a physical copy of this outline—something he could reference and ponder at any time.
Because this outline resonated with the Justice he had long sought in his heart, the Justice that had once left him somewhat lost.
On the first page of the outline, a bold line of text caught his eye.
"The New Marine is not merely force—it is liberation, and above all, hope."
Yes, soldiers shouldn't just be instruments of violence maintaining order.
They should also be guardians of the people, bringing them hope and prosperity.
The outline's contents were meticulous and comprehensive, covering nearly every aspect of civil welfare—education, healthcare, housing, employment, elderly care, environmental protection...
"With this outline, the future of these seas..."
"Will surely be brighter."
...
As for the "New Marine Internal Salary and Benefits Standards (Draft)," naturally, it had been taken by Kizaru.
After all, it detailed various benefits and bonuses, including—specific monetary rewards for recruiting officers of different ranks from the old Marine.
"Let me see here..."
Kizaru flipped through the booklet, his finger tracing the table of contents as he muttered.
"Science Unit Captain... found it!"
"Recruitment bonus: fifty million Belly..."
"Sentomaru, you're not even worth a hundred million yet?"
"Ah well, even a mosquito is still meat!"
Kizaru consoled himself and handed the contract to Sentomaru.
"Go ahead and sign."
Sentomaru looked utterly bewildered, glancing between Kizaru and Vegapunk, his eyes filled with confusion and uncertainty.
'What in the world was going on?'
'He had just come to say hello—how had it turned into signing a contract?'
'And joining some New Marine?'
Vegapunk gave a slight nod, signaling to Sentomaru that it was okay to sign.
He knew this was Mike's arrangement, part of the New Marine's plan.
'Sentomaru, following Mike and the New Marine—they wouldn't let you down.'
Sentomaru looked at the two most important elders in his life as they simultaneously gestured for him to sign the contract.
Without hesitation, he took the contract and signed his name.
From this moment on, Egg Head Island officially changed ownership!
Kizaru took a photo of the contract with the Photography Transponder Snail as proof for claiming his reward.
Then, with his hands in his pockets, he leisurely walked deeper into the research facility.
There, a massive figure lay quietly on the operating table.
Nearly seven meters tall, its presence was overwhelming even while lying down.
The prototype of the war weapon "Pacifista"—Bartholomew Kuma.
"Dr. Vegapunk,"
Kizaru approached the operating table, looking at the familiar face with a flicker of complex emotions in his eyes.
He didn't have many friends.
The few on Egghead Island were among his only close companions.
The friendship from back then.
He turned to Vegapunk, who had followed him in, and asked.
"Has Kuma's modification… been completely finished?"
"Not yet."
Vegapunk shook his head, his enormous tongue swaying along.
"The final memory deletion hasn't been done yet…"
"Can he be modified back?"
"Yes, I've kept all of Kuma's original organs."
"That's good…"
Kizaru sighed in relief, "Modify him back then. As for the costs…"
"That kid Mike said the New Marine will cover it for now."
"Later, Kuma can work to pay it off."
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