#54 - Chapter 54 Discussion on Recruiting Soldiers

"From what I've heard, we're sending quite a few people as well, right..." Garp said hesitantly.

Sengoku turned his head to look out the window. "But we lack people who can withstand the pressure. When the island was falling, all the people I brought were preoccupied with their own safety and couldn't provide me with support."

He faced the entire Flying Pirates of the Golden Lion alone...

"I think our navy needs to replenish itself with some fresh blood. Judging from recent times, the rising stars on the pirate side far surpass what we have here." Sengoku's expression was somewhat desolate.

Most of the children nowadays take pride in going to sea as pirates. Their numbers and quality are constantly improving. On the other hand, the growth of fresh blood on our navy side is very slow, and elite talents mainly rely on naval families to replenish our ranks.

We are now in a very difficult situation.

"Ah? Is it that difficult?" Garp was a bit bewildered. "I always thought our combat power was pretty good. It seems I was overthinking it..."

If he had known about the difficulties the navy was facing, he would have tricked that Jin An guy over here directly.

"I can recommend some people to you," Garp muttered, stroking his beard.

Sengoku pushed up his frog-like glasses. "You're talking about Jin An, right."

"That guy's strength and ability are indeed very good. He's a good seed."

Sengoku paused, as if thinking of something. "According to news from the South Sea, this guy seems to have a tendency to be lazy now, and has left all the affairs of the South Sea to his deputy, Kuzan."

"That's not a good habit..."

Garp recalled his time with Jin An, and it seemed that there were signs of this even back then.

"So I think it's best to let him come to headquarters for a period of study, but he hasn't been in charge of the South Sea for very long, so let's wait and see for a while..."

What Sengoku was thinking was that Jin An must gain a foothold in the entire South Sea before he could leave.

Otherwise, if he couldn't establish his authority, the good situation in the South Sea might be ruined by pirates taking advantage of the chaos at any time.

"..."

Just as the two of them made a decision, a powerful and majestic voice rang out outside the ward.

"I've also heard a little about that young man. I agree with your opinions on this matter, but the matter of recruiting people is indeed urgent..."

Hearing this voice, Sengoku and Garp's expressions changed immediately. Garp stood up straight from his seat, his body ramrod straight, and even the smile that he always wore on his face instantly disappeared, replaced by a respectful expression.

Sengoku, who was lying in bed recuperating, didn't care about the pain in his body and struggled to get up.

There was only one person in the navy who could make them both act like this.

The current Fleet Admiral of the Navy Headquarters... Kong!

The burly figure pushed open the door and walked in. There was deep fatigue on his face, but he still showed a smile when facing his two subordinates.

"Sengoku, with your body, you should just lie down properly. Don't get up and cause me trouble!" Kong said with a smile and a scolding tone.

"Fleet Admiral Kong!" Sengoku and Garp shouted respectfully at the same time.

"Are you feeling better, Sengoku?" Kong nodded to them. "The navy suffered heavy casualties this time."

Sengoku said in a hoarse voice, "It's all my fault. I apologize to you!"

"No! Sengoku, I'm not blaming you. You've done a very good job to this extent on the sea." Kong shook his head and comforted him softly.

"..."

Sengoku was silent, and his heart ached when he thought of the marines who died in the battle.

After this incident, many families lost their breadwinners.

Those families probably hate him, the person mainly responsible, to death in their hearts...

Kong took Sengoku's expression into his eyes. How could his heart not be grieved, but time is always moving forward. They must prepare for the future generations and respond to the challenges ahead.

"I have discussed the matter of recruiting for the navy with the Five Elders..." Kong said with difficulty.

Hearing this, Sengoku and Garp asked with anticipation, "How is it? Did the Five Elders agree?"

Kong first nodded, then slowly shook his head.

"What do they mean? Fleet Admiral Kong, don't keep us in suspense," Garp, who was impatient, asked directly.

Sighing, Kong said with difficulty, "They agreed that we can recruit for the navy, but they will not pay for the extra naval expenses..."

"Isn't that the same as not letting us expand the army?!" Garp said angrily. He couldn't understand the Five Elders' thoughts at all.

A bitter smile appeared on the corner of Sengoku's mouth.

As expected, he shouldn't have had too much expectation for the World Government's decision...

"Although the Five Elders, representing the World Government, gave me such a broken answer, I still decided to issue a public announcement to the world!" Kong's eyes were firm.

In his position, he must fulfill his responsibilities. Since he is the Fleet Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, he should have the corresponding courage and be worthy of the word 'justice' behind this uniform.

"But... we have no money at all."

"Most people in this world dream of becoming the Pirate King. If we can't afford to pay the salaries of those newly enlisted, there's no way to recruit people..."

A clever woman cannot cook without rice. That's the situation the navy is in now.

"I'll figure out a way to solve the money problem," Kong took out a cigar and lit it. "The main thing now is to find a way to attract capable people to join the navy."

What the navy needs are generals who can stand alone. In this world where pirates are rampant, although he doesn't want to admit it, it is a fact that ordinary marines can hardly achieve anything...

Talent is hard to find...

"I think we can brainstorm together." Sengoku looked at the position where Garp was standing.

Garp slapped his thigh. "That's right! Although that kid Jin An can't come to headquarters yet, he has a lot of tricks up his sleeve. It's okay to let him help come up with ideas."

"Jin An has this ability?" Kong exhaled a puff of smoke, somewhat disbelieving.

Sengoku was also a little unsure: "He should... have it."

"That kid has a lot of ideas. Remember the things I brought back the other day?" Garp's eyebrows danced.

Thinking of the delicious food that Garp brought back, Sengoku and Garp both swallowed their saliva. "Of course I remember. We've never seen those foods before."

Garp had black lines all over his head. "I'm talking about the chairs and other things that improve the quality of life."

"What chairs?"

Sengoku and Kong looked confused. They had never seen the things Garp was talking about.

Looking at the reactions of the two, Garp also knew that he had let something slip. Because they couldn't finish all the food, he sent some to Sengoku and the others.

As for the other things, he kept them all for himself...

"Those things are not important. I use these examples just to let you know that that kid has a strong imagination and can provide us with some help..."

...