Starting as a pirate, he rose to become the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society.

Chapter 136 uses Bane and others as an opportunity to stop the massive conscription!

Sengoku picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and then continued, "Although many unexpected things happened in this operation, the final result was good and completely in line with our expectations. I currently predict that the casualties and losses will be quite high, but..."

"However, the losses among officers of general rank and above, especially lieutenant generals and above, are far lower than initially predicted, right? So you think that under these circumstances, we don't need to start conscription at the general rank and above, and only need to replenish the ranks of junior and middle-ranking officers, right?" Kuzan stroked his chin and said.

Before Sengoku could speak, Kuzan sighed again and said, "The impact of large-scale conscription at the mid-to-lower levels might be smaller, but it's still a kind of damage to our naval system. The best outcome is not to start this conscription mode. Smoker and Tina are the most obvious examples. They've been in the navy for so many years and made a lot of contributions, and they're only at the captain level now. But once this conscription starts, the rewards they've worked so hard for suddenly seem so worthless. I wonder how many hardworking people like them will be disheartened."

Upon hearing this, Sengoku's expression also showed some emotion.

But in the end, he shook his head and said, "From the moment we planned to wipe out the Whitebeard Pirates, from the moment we plotted this war, from the moment we intended to shift our focus to the New World, this recruitment has been unstoppable. The only difference is the degree."

The atmosphere in the office fell silent after those words.

As a naval admiral, Kuzan was not ignorant; he fully understood the meaning behind Fleet Admiral Sengoku's words.

If the war is lost and the navy is on the verge of collapse, what does it matter if the military strength is not up to par? In this situation, a large-scale conscription will inevitably be initiated.

The war resulted in heavy losses for both sides, with the navy and pirates suffering significant losses. Naturally, the navy needed to recover its strength by recruiting soldiers worldwide to maintain its status as the dominant force at sea.

The war has been won, and in a relatively easy way, but we still can't completely get rid of conscription. The reason is simple: we've won, and in order to achieve the next stage of strategic goals, the navy needs to rapidly enhance its strength and then step into the new world as soon as possible.

In any case, Mary Geoise has plenty of reasons to forcibly order the navy to begin this recruitment drive.

The only thing the Warring States marshal can do now is to see how to reduce the impact and extent of this conscription.

After a moment, Kuzan broke the silence, asking, "So what's your plan? How can we minimize the impact of this conscription?"

Sengoku's previously gloomy expression gradually eased, and he said with a slight smile, "Before you came, I promised Bane two general candidates. At the same time, I think I can at least guarantee two major generals and one brigadier general among their group."

Kuzan looked at Marshal Sengoku with some surprise and said, "Didn't you and Sakazuki both think that we shouldn't give them too high a position all at once, to avoid problems that might not be in line with their status?"

"Things are different now." Sengoku immediately shook his head and said, "Back then, I didn't understand them; I only heard rumors. Now, this war has tested their abilities. Isn't the battlefield the fairest place?"

After a slight pause, Zhan Guo continued, "Moreover, their status is different now. Although they were friendly before, they were ultimately a group of outsiders whose backgrounds we didn't know. Now, no one can look at them from that perspective anymore."

"That's true." Kuzan nodded in agreement.

Back then, Bane and his group only had a slight connection with Smoker and Karp, and it really was just "a little" connection.

Things are different now. The group can all be considered his "junior brothers" from Kuzan, because they've managed to get on Zeff's good side.

Especially Bane, who directly became Zephyr's adopted son. Even Admiral Kuzan had to take Bane, the "adopted son of the principal," seriously.

Will the situation and its impact be the same as before?

"At first I was a little worried that Bane and the others would be negatively affected by Zephyr. But after thinking about it carefully, I realized that if I was worried, I should make arrangements for them as soon as possible and exert my influence on them so that Zephyr wouldn't monopolize everything." Sengoku smiled and said, "So this is also my way of making friends with these young people."

"At the same time, given their performance in this war, such an arrangement could also help you block the recruitment of generals, right?" Kuzan raised an eyebrow.

"Of course, that was the main factor that ultimately made me decide," Sengoku admitted without hesitation.

That's right. Whether Bane and his men could fight, their identities, status, and influence were just factors to consider for Fleet Admiral Sengoku.

There was only one reason that truly convinced the Grand Marshal of the Warring States period to make his decision: whether it aligned with the interests of the navy's future development and with the tasks he was obligated to undertake as Grand Marshal.

And Bane and his gang undoubtedly fit the bill at this point.

After the war ended, the losses of officers above the rank of general were not significant, especially the core force of lieutenant generals and above. Although there were injuries, very few were killed in action, with only a few unlucky lieutenant generals dying in battle!

As for rear admirals and commodores, to be honest, the navy is not short of candidates for such ranks. It can promote a large number of navy colonels to rear admirals and commodores at any time. Especially after this war, no one can stop them because they have made meritorious contributions.

People risk their lives in war, and when it's time to promote them, you don't give them a promotion? Is there any justice in this world?

Is there no law anymore? Is there no justice left?

Sengoku has decided to promote elite naval captains like Smoker and Tina.

I casually filled in the entry-level general officer positions.

With very few casualties among the lieutenant generals in the core force, and under such stable circumstances, what reason do you Mary Geoise have to force me to start recruiting generals?

Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!

This is just too unreasonable without a proper reason, isn't it? And it's really affecting the morale of our navy!

Ah! There really is a reason. As I just said, in order to attack the New World, the Navy must further improve its combat capabilities even without suffering too many losses, in order to ensure the smooth progress of the next strategic step.

But as soon as Mary Geoise brings up this line, Sengoku can immediately retaliate!

I'm prepared, and I've prepared quite a lot.

I've prepared a ready-made Admiral-level fighter (laughs), a prospect who can quickly grow into an Admiral-level fighter (Bane), two Logia-type Rear Admirals who have performed exceptionally well in war and have very high growth potential (Fubuki and Zoro), and a Commodore who also possesses strong combat skills and is very likely to unleash his full potential (Wave).

Am I not prepared enough? I've arranged a full strength lineup from general to brigadier general!

What? One general isn't enough?

General-level combat power? You think it's as common as cabbage? You think it's everywhere?

Given that our navy has not suffered too many losses among its senior officers, I have made these preparations, arranged these follow-ups, and agreed to start a large-scale conscription for the middle and lower ranks. Under such circumstances, it would be inappropriate for you to forcibly start a large-scale conscription for our navy's officer ranks.

Although our navy is a subordinate unit of Mary Geoise, we are often slandered by people at sea as being nothing more than watchdogs.

But you can't really treat us like dogs, can you?

No matter what, we are a violent military organization!

You should at least give us this much face, right?

If you don't give it to me, I, Zhan Guo, am going to retire anyway. You try and see if I dare to turn on you and cause you some trouble!

"The nomination of an admiral candidate requires your approval as the Fleet Admiral, as well as the support of at least one admiral. So, are you telling me this so that I can be the one to initiate this proposal?" Kuzan asked after pondering for a moment.

"Yes, that is my plan," Sengoku nodded calmly.

"Understood." Seeing that the Grand Marshal Sengoku had already made his decision, Kuzan didn't say anything more and immediately agreed.

In Kuzan's view, this is also beneficial to the navy.

Recruiting Bane and his gang into our own ranks, even if it comes at the cost of becoming a candidate for general, is still better than starting a recruitment drive for generals.

After all, Bane was Zephyr's adopted son, and they both contributed to the war, didn't they?

(End of this chapter)