"Fleet Admiral Aokiji, we just received word that Vice Admiral Zephyr has formed the Neo Marines in the New World! They're going after pirates everywhere!" Aokiji had barely returned from the Holy Land when Brannew hurried into his office.
"Teacher Zephyr? Sigh. We never should have made Weevil a Shichibukai."
Aokiji shook his head and sighed. Weevil had been the final straw that drove Zephyr out of the Marines. Now Weevil had betrayed them too, and Zephyr refused to come back. Marine Headquarters had suffered a severe blow, and the situation was growing more dire.
Still, Aokiji was not without options. He immediately ordered every branch to identify promising recruits and launched a World Military Draft. Anyone with potential and ability would be promoted, regardless of background. Koby, who had long served under Garp, became the Marines' most promising rising star. Within a few months, he was promoted to lieutenant commander at Marine Headquarters. If not for his lack of seniority, he would even have qualified for vice admiral.
Ye Chen and his companions left Amazon Lily and sailed toward Fish-Man Island.
To reach Fish-Man Island, they first had to stop at the Sabaody Archipelago. After they docked, Ye Chen found it far more chaotic than before. The Marines no longer had the strength to send troops against the lawless pirates. Anyone could see that the Summit War had cost them dearly, and the battle at Amazon Lily had dealt them another crushing blow. They could no longer keep the pirates pouring into the New World in check. As piracy grew rampant, all manner of criminal forces spread like wildfire.
Ye Chen's ship did not need coating. It had a built-in diving system and could serve as a submarine when necessary. He docked anyway: they needed to replenish their