River naturally welcomed the Blind Swordsman's arrival with open arms.
Recruiting such a formidable fighter so easily was certainly cause for celebration.
Donquixote Doflamingo, who had suffered a minor setback in their exchange, walked over. After taking a close look at Fujitora, he chuckled twice and said nothing more.
The three headed toward the palace, and River spoke with a smile along the way.
"Master Issho, you possess both great strength and a strong sense of justice. How would you like to serve as a Kingdom Admiral?"
Fujitora paused, then promptly replied with solemn gratitude, "Thank you for your favor, Your Majesty."
"Of course, Dressrosa's influence and military strength cannot yet compare with the Navy or the World Government."
"But with time, we may well match them someday."
River smiled faintly.
"What is your next objective?"
Fujitora asked curiously.
"First, we will bring the entire New World under our control. Otherwise, our influence, military strength, and scale will never be enough to stand against the entire World Government."
River stopped and looked at Fujitora, speaking with a soft chuckle.
"Unifying the New World?"
Fujitora froze, then murmured.
"Your Majesty, you truly have extraordinary ambition!"
Compared with the Four Seas, the New World was a tangled mix of factions, with the Four Emperors holding sway and powerful fighters gathered everywhere. Unifying it would be immensely difficult.
But if River truly accomplished such a feat, the forces under his command would rise to their peak in one stroke, and his grand ideal of changing the world would have a real chance of becoming reality.
"That is the task we must accomplish in the next phase. It may take some time."
"But the gains and results will surely be a pleasant surprise."
River smiled.
The present Dressrosa was only a starting point. Its