As soon as the words fell, Kaiji froze for a moment.
Clearly, he had not expected Issho to surrender so decisively.
Meanwhile, Issho had already pressed the button in his hand, formally conceding the match.
Seeing the confusion on Kaiji's face, Issho spoke calmly.
"Mr. Kaiji, I truly cannot defeat you. Even if I pushed my Devil Fruit to its limits, it would not be enough… after all, my power has yet to awaken."
Kaiji paused, then reluctantly accepted the explanation.
"Mr. Issho, when you grow stronger in the future, let's fight again."
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Issho's lips as he nodded.
"Of course. I will gladly oblige."
With the two shaking hands in reconciliation, the World Recruitment finally came to an end.
Watching the scene on the screen, Xu stretched lazily.
"Finally… it's over."
Beside him, Aokiji and the others rubbed their sore eyes.
"Let's go. Time to welcome the champion."
With that, Xu stood and led the group toward the edge of Mechanism Island.
Before long, they arrived. In the distance, Kaiji and Issho were already approaching.
"Admiral Xu!"
Before anyone else could react, Kaiji rushed forward at incredible speed and stopped right in front of Xu.
"Admiral Xu, sir! I'm Kaiji, user of the Tree-Tree Fruit!"
His enthusiasm was overwhelming.
Xu, caught slightly off guard by the intensity, still extended his hand.
"Nice to meet you, Kaiji."
Kaiji grabbed Xu's hand with both of his, shaking it vigorously.
"Nice to meet you! Really, really nice to meet you!"
Xu's lips twitched as he struggled to pull his hand free.
At that moment, Issho stepped forward as well.
"Lord Xu, I have failed to meet your expectations."
Xu waved it off without a second thought.
"Issho, what are you saying? In my eyes, your performance was flawless."
"You flatter me."
"Heh, if the Admiral says full marks, why aren't you happy about it?"
Kaiji immediately cut in, sounding oddly dissatisfied on Issho's behalf.
Issho fell silent, clearly unsure how to respond.
Tina, standing nearby, could not help but laugh.
Xu glanced back at her. She blinked as if to say, You are going to have your hands full with this one.
Xu sighed inwardly, then lightly tapped her head before turning back to the group.
Clearing his throat, he spoke.
"Alright. The World Recruitment ends here."
"Kaiji, Issho, and Kira will be selected as Marine officers."
"The remaining six will be assigned to various branches as junior officers."
He paused briefly.
"As for your ranks…"
Xu hesitated. Even now, he had not fully decided how to position the three of them.
"For now, you will remain at headquarters. I will inform you of your posts later."
The three nodded without objection.
"Good. Prepare to set sail."
"You three will board my warship for now."
"Yes, Admiral Xu!"
Under Tina's direction, everyone quickly returned to their respective ships.
Xu and Aokiji, along with the three new recruits, boarded the Pluton.
Issho had already seen the ship before, but Kaiji and Kira could not hide their amazement. They looked around in awe, taking in every detail.
After all, it was their first time seeing such a massive warship.
Aokiji, having nothing better to do, casually took on the role of tour guide.
Issho, however, chose to visit the ship's doctor due to the lingering pain in his abdomen.
With no one left to interrupt him, Xu took out a Den Den Mushi.
Blu blu blu blu…
After a brief ringing, a voice answered from the other side.
"Young Master, what are your orders?"
"I'm creating a special combat unit. Small scale. Around ten to fifteen members."
"I will personally select the candidates. Later, Sengoku will send you the necessary documents."
"I understand, Young Master. Does this unit have a codename?"
Xu smiled faintly.
"I've already decided. It will be called Zero Division."
There was a brief silence on the other end.
"Zero Division…"
The Five Elders clearly grasped the implication immediately. This was no ordinary unit. It was meant to be elite. Absolute.
"We understand, Young Master."
"Good."
With that, Xu hung up the Den Den Mushi connected to the Five Elders.
Then he took out another and called Sengoku.
"Admiral Xu, it seems the World Recruitment has concluded."
Xu nodded slightly.
"Yes. It's over. The one you favored won."
Sengoku paused for a moment, then chuckled.
"So Kaiji won, huh? I knew he had it in him."
"Right, right. You are very wise. Now can we focus on something serious?"
"…Go ahead, Admiral Xu."
Xu explained the creation of Zero Division, including the approval he had already obtained.
On the other end, Sengoku was momentarily stunned.
Forming a new unit was not unheard of. For example, Kizaru's science unit existed for a reason. It benefited the World Government.
But this?
A pure combat unit… and the Five Elders approved it just like that?
What exactly was going on here?
"Is there a problem, Uncle Sengoku?"
Snapping out of his thoughts, Sengoku shook his head.
"No problem. I'll handle it."
"Good. The sooner the better. Preferably before I return."
Sengoku nearly cursed out loud.
What a demanding superior.
"…Understood. I'll start immediately."
He hung up in a hurry.
Xu simply shrugged and put the Den Den Mushi away.
A short while later, Aokiji returned with Kaiji and Kira.
"Finished touring?" Xu asked, reclining comfortably on a beach chair.
The two nodded eagerly.
"Admiral Xu, your warship is incredible!"
That was the unanimous conclusion.
Xu smiled.
"Do you like it?"
They nodded without hesitation. What man could resist a warship like this?
"In that case, you will be working here from now on. Issho will be joining you as well."
Kaiji raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
Xu nodded.
"Yes. I'll explain everything once we return, after Issho recovers."
Kaiji scratched his head, a bit awkward.
After all, he had been the one to injure Issho.
Xu noticed and chuckled.
"Kaiji, that doesn't sound like you. Weren't you enjoying yourself back then?"
Kaiji coughed lightly.
"Well… it's a fight. Once it starts, you just get carried away."