Time passed peacefully into April.
In that short span, the Flying Pirates added four more fleet commanders.
This brought the Flying Pirates' total number of fleet commanders to eighteen.
As new fleet commanders were promoted, each fleet's troop strength was reduced to roughly thirty-five hundred.
In just seven or eight months, the Flying Pirates' overall troop strength had recovered to its prewar peak—and even exceeded it.
These changes also made something clear.
Faced with vast numbers of troops and an enormous territory, the Flying Pirates had consciously begun making sensible adjustments to their internal governance.
The first step was to reduce the troops under each fleet commander and the territory they administered.
With troop numbers reduced, each fleet ruled around thirty islands.
This was because the Flying Pirates' troop strength would continue to grow, and the number of fleet commanders would increase as well.
They could not divide up all their territory in one go.
The territories assigned to these fleets were largely on the outer fringes, bordering other powers.
Together, they formed a formidable barrier.
Meanwhile, "Golden Lion" Shiki's directly commanded force numbered ten thousand, stationed in the Sky Kingdom at the heart of the Flying Pirates' domain.
The Sky Kingdom consisted of dozens of islands kept floating in the air by Shiki's Float-Float Fruit ability.
The Sky Kingdom had no fixed location, roaming the skies above the Flying Pirates' vast maritime territory.
This system of rule ensured that the Flying Pirates could efficiently manage their enormous pirate population, so long as Shiki maintained his deterrent power as he always had.
If Shiki fell, the Flying Pirates would immediately disband.
Their holdings would be carved up by the many fleet commanders.
Just like the Rocks Pirates of the past.
Even without the battle at God Valley, the Rocks Pirates