Although the heavenly tribute had increased and the Navy's military budget had risen substantially, its current funding was still insufficient.
The World Military Draft alone was a massive undertaking.
Postwar compensation also amounted to an enormous sum.
Without compensation, who would still fight for the Navy?
Most Marines were actually serving to survive, not for some elusive ideal of justice.
All kinds of arms and supplies needed replenishing.
As the Navy's ranks grew, the cost of maintaining a force of that size would also increase.
To regain control of the Four Seas, the Navy needed not only to expand its forces, but also to establish more Marine Bases and Marine Branches.
Only then could it cover a wider expanse of sea and restore the influence it had lost.
This was especially true in the West Blue, where the Navy's influence was weakest.
It had fewer Marine Branches than the other three seas, and the funding required was even greater.
Civilian guilds were growing rapidly, especially in the North Blue, where naval power had weakened.
In the West Blue, guilds had replaced the Navy to a certain extent, and that became increasingly apparent as time passed.
When the World Government proposed raising the heavenly tribute, the affiliated nations of the West Blue were rather noncommittal.
The World Pirates' rampage through the West Blue had left widespread and far-reaching consequences.
While Marine Headquarters had been unable to focus its attention on the Four Seas.
The West Blue Navy had weakened further, while underground forces had been purged during the war.
The number of pirates had also fallen dramatically.
This had brought a degree of peace to the West Blue.
After enduring such suffering, most people deeply cherished the good lives they now enjoyed.
It could be said that the West Blue was