South Blue's First High-Level Meeting

The moment he received the reward.

Jin An felt as though his perception had grown stronger.

He could easily sense every movement people made in the square.

"Looks like you've awakened a new ability."

Karp praised him. As things stood, this brat was practically an absurd genius. Barely in his twenties, he had already reached this level. His future was truly limitless.

After resting for a while, Jin An felt the pain in his abdomen ease somewhat and tried to stand.

Seeing that he was all right, Karp stood as well and held out a hand to Jin An.

Jin An did not hesitate. He grasped Karp's hand and let himself be pulled to his feet.

Jin An looked at Karp, a smile appearing on his face. "If there's another chance, I'll ask for your guidance again."

Through this exchange, Jin An realized that he was still far from the strongest people in this world.

Fighting experts was one of the best ways to improve.

Another, faster method was a life-or-death battle. There was great terror between life and death, but if one overcame it, one could advance by leaps and bounds.

"Keep working hard, Jin An."

"You already have the strength to roam the seas, but remember, there is always someone stronger."

"You just comprehended Haki, right?"

"When you get to Marine Headquarters, you can seek out Zephyr. He has unique insights into Haki."

"Train this power diligently. It will take you even further. Then, you'll truly step onto the stage built by this world."

As for the elusive Conqueror's Haki, Sengoku was the only one in the entire Navy who had awakened that power.

Still, there was a trace of expectation in Karp's eyes. Perhaps this kid could do it too.

Jin An was pleased by Karp's words, but if a girl were showing concern for him right now, he felt he would be even better...

Karp sneezed beside him.

"Is Sengoku thinking about me again?" He scratched his head, then cast the matter aside.

"Colonel Jin An, you're incredible!"

Watching Jin An walk to the edge of the field, Huo Shaoshan laughed heartily and gave him a thumbs-up.

Everyone in the Navy knew how strong Karp was, so they naturally gave Jin An, who had been able to fight Karp, the highest praise.

"Why, thank you..."

Jin An rolled his eyes while rubbing his stomach, then sighed as he looked at the ever-squinting Huo Shaoshan.

He had arrived in this world too early. There were many things from this period that he did not know, and most of his "acquaintances" had not even been born yet.

This was truly painful...

"Kid, do you still want to establish your base in the Sorbet Kingdom?" Karp asked after giving it some thought.

Jin An nodded without hesitation. "Of course. That's the place I know best."

Besides, most of his businesses were located there.

Karp reminded him, "But the Navy base in the Sorbet Kingdom doesn't seem to be as large as this one."

"It's fine. I can expand it myself when the time comes. Besides, I think its current size is enough." Jin An did not care much. There was no need to put that much thought into a workplace.

Karp said no more. "Get some rest first. I'll arrange for people to send the prisoners away."

With that, he slowly departed amid the crowd's cheers.

Jin An looked at the devastated training ground. "Fixing this thing should cost quite a bit, right?"

"Reporting, Colonel, it will probably take several hundred thousand Beli to repair it," a Navy officer at the base answered.

Karp and he had damaged this place. Surely they would not be expected to pay for the repairs, right?

Jin An turned toward the direction Karp had vanished in. Had Karp run off so quickly because of this...

Navy Base Conference Room

This was one of the Navy's most frequently used places. Matters great and small were ultimately decided here.

That made it an important location, one ordinary people could not enter.

In this hall, a group of Navy officers sat around a table.

Naturally, seated at the head was Jin An, who had just become a headquarters colonel. Beside him sat influential figures from the South Blue.

The atmosphere in the conference room was far from pleasant. Several people in justice coats glared angrily at Jin An in the seat of honor.

Many who were not qualified to sit at the table noticed the tense atmosphere and chose to stand silently at the side.

"When did the South Blue become like this? Even some wet-behind-the-ears brat can ride roughshod over us now." The moment a Navy colonel spoke, he drew furious glares from several people.

Jin An waved a hand at his subordinates. "Whether anyone gets ridden over isn't decided by everyone sitting here?"

Hearing Jin An's words, those people became even angrier. The hands pointing at him trembled continuously, yet they had no way to refute him.

"I can sit here because I possess the ability and strength to do so." Jin An swept his gaze over the officers seated below. "Anyone dissatisfied can stand up and say it."

Everyone below knew about the spar between this young man and Karp, so naturally, no one dared stand.

"What about the one who spoke earlier? Why aren't you standing up?" Jin An asked flatly.

"Colonel Jin An, I acted rashly."

The colonel who had mocked Jin An earlier took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice. He truly had not thought things through before, which had led to Jin An making an example out of him. Though he was still unconvinced deep down, he could only lower his head.

At the end of the day, this world was ruled by strength. Since he could not win, he could only swallow his anger. That was still better than losing his life.

"We were indeed a little rash." Someone stepped forward to smooth things over.

We were at fault, but weren't you at fault too? It takes two to make a quarrel. Aren't you just a tiny bit stronger than us?

"Then let me ask again. Do you all agree to the matters I proposed earlier?" Jin An asked, his eyes fixed on them.

"We have no objections to opening schools and commercial companies in the South Blue," everyone said after exchanging glances.

"But we still need to consider the matter of establishing the Inspection Bureau."

An agency like the Inspection Bureau was extremely disadvantageous to local tyrants like them. If such a department were suddenly established, every move they made would be watched by it from then on.

They would no longer be able to do many things, so how were they supposed to make money?

"Strictly speaking, we are an institution under the jurisdiction of the World Government. If you want to suddenly establish a new agency like this, shouldn't you seek approval from those above?"

This time, they had reason on their side. Even if the matter reached the Holy Land, those people would surely support them.

"That need not concern you. I will be directly responsible for this agency, and I will cover its operating expenses. You only need to carry it out."

"Besides, I'm informing you, not negotiating with you!"

Jin An slammed a hand on the table, threw on his justice coat, and could not be bothered to keep looking at these people.