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

Chapter 165 The New Navy Formation Plan is About to Begin!

February 12, 1521 (Haiyuan Calendar)

New World, Egherd Island.

Zefa was radiating health as he frantically lifted weights in the physical training room, testing his current physical condition.

Outside the training room, after dealing with Melvieu's affairs, Bane returned to Egerhead a couple of days ago. He and the others were watching the scene. Zefa underwent a series of high-intensity physical tests, but his condition remained stable, showing no signs of asthma, which proved that his illness had been fully recovered.

Moreover, although Zefa's appearance hasn't changed much and he still looks like an old man, you can feel that his vitality is very strong. It's an indescribable feeling; just one look at him makes you feel that he is very energetic!

Meanwhile, Zefa's arm, which he lost years ago, has regrowed, which is Zefa's greatest comfort. He has become a whole man again!

As soon as Zephyr finished the physical fitness test, Ian rushed over and excitedly handed him a towel.

"Teacher, congratulations on returning to your peak condition!" Ain's expression seemed even happier than Zephyr's.

Taking the towel and wiping the sweat from his face, Zephyr chuckled and said, "Now, I can finally say with confidence that I will never let that kind of tragedy happen before my eyes again, Ain."

"Teacher!!!" Tears welled up in Ain's eyes.

Soon, Bane stepped forward, smiling, and asked, "Godfather, how are you feeling?"

"It feels like I've gone back to when I was thirty-eight," Zephyr said, patting Bane on the shoulder with a touch of emotion.

That year, he was promoted to admiral, at the peak of his career!

After sharing his thoughts with everyone, Zephyr pulled Bane to sit on a chair by the training field and got down to business.

"You plan to make Melvure our future headquarters?" Zepha asked.

"That's right, I conducted on-site investigations and also had Ain summarize a plan," Bane nodded in response.

"I read that plan this morning, and it is indeed very good. Of course, it can only be completed if you have enough funds. Otherwise, it is really a bit of a pipe dream. This whole plan is no less than building a new naval headquarters," Zephyr said with emotion.

It's not just comparable to the Naval Headquarters; if the entire archipelago plan were completed, it would be a project far exceeding that of the Naval Headquarters.

"I have submitted a plan to headquarters on your behalf to establish the New World Navy G-6 base in Melvure. I expect that Fleet Admiral Sengoku will soon be asking you about it," Bane said with a smile.

Zefa paused for a moment, then asked for more details.

Only after Bane's explanation did he understand the situation. The plan that Bane submitted to the Navy Headquarters only briefly described the situation and only involved some modifications to Melvyu, which was a large-scale downgraded version.

Their purpose is to use the construction of a new world naval base as a pretext to openly build the headquarters of their new navy, while also swindling some funding from the world's governments.

"Now that our navy's strategic focus has returned to the New World, headquarters has been considering establishing some new fortress bases there, and it's even possible that the navy headquarters itself will be relocated. So, if nothing unexpected happens, this plan will be approved. Then I will negotiate with Sengoku to take control of the construction of this base. There shouldn't be any problems in the short term," Zephyr said, stroking his chin.

As Zephyr said, the Navy Headquarters has begun to approve the construction plans for three new naval bases in the New World. According to some information released in the internal publication, it is expected that six to seven new naval bases will be built in the New World within five years to support the Navy's subsequent strategies.

Therefore, with the strong support of Bane and Zephyr, the construction of Melvure's base should not be a problem. It is estimated that Sengoku will approve it soon after communicating with Zephyr.

As for the relocation plan of the Naval Headquarters, there are some signs of progress. This plan is led by Admiral Sakazuki. He believes that the original Naval Headquarters can no longer fulfill its important functions due to its geographical location. Considering the Navy's new world strategic focus, he proposed to relocate the Naval Headquarters to the current G-1 Naval Base.

In fact, G-1 Naval Base was designed with this purpose in mind when it was built. Its scale and specifications far exceed those of a typical naval base. Although there has been no clear designation, it has always been regarded by the Navy as a "preparatory naval headquarters".

This is a very normal situation. As a large organization like the Navy, it is natural to establish a sound support system. Just as there are candidates for admiral, the Navy Headquarters also has contingency plans in order to quickly establish a new "heart" in the event of an abnormal situation at headquarters.

In the original story, the Battle of Marineford shattered the entire Marineford. Although it didn't sink, it was no longer suitable to be the Marine Headquarters. In addition, with the shift of the Navy's strategic focus, G-1 naturally became the new Marine Headquarters.

Although Marineford has not been destroyed, Sakazuki has still chosen to push forward with the plan forcefully. His purpose is clear: he wants to use this method to enhance his prestige and influence, while reducing the influence of the old marshal Sengoku.

Moreover, this will also influence some trends. For example, since the headquarters has been moved, it would be reasonable to change the marshal, right?

Sakazuki is pushing for it, and Marshal Sengoku, so far, doesn't seem to intend to stop it. He has held several meetings at headquarters to discuss this matter, and his original intention should be to support it. However, during the meetings, he repeatedly promoted communication with Admiral Kuzan, clearly intending to use this method to let Kuzan also gain some influence in this plan.

The Holy Land of Mary Geoise also supports this, so Bane thinks that if things go quickly, the relocation of headquarters could be completed this year.

I'm not quite sure whether this matter will occur before or after the marshal competition.

"Not long ago, Zoro contacted me and said that the atmosphere between Sakazuki and Admiral Kuzan at headquarters has reached a critical point. The two have even had several heated verbal conflicts in public. It's not just them; the conflict between the doves and hawks in the Navy is also gradually escalating." Bane rubbed his temples, looking somewhat troubled.

"Then why don't you hurry back and unequivocally support Sakazuki?" Zephyr couldn't help but tease.

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

"I'm definitely going to do that, but the thought of having to face Marshal Sengoku and Mr. Garp when I get back makes me feel a little ashamed," Bane said with a pout, sounding quite helpless.

"You're overthinking it." Zeff stopped teasing Bane and patted him on the shoulder. "Ultimately, this is all internal strife within the Navy. Sengoku won't mind. You have to trust his magnanimity. On the other hand, Garp might try to put you in a sack and beat you up."

In fact, Bane understood that factional struggles within the Navy were perfectly normal. As the Fleet Admiral, Sengoku could have foreseen this situation and was even used to it. Just as he told Issho, as long as Bane didn't betray the Navy, he wouldn't see any problem with it.

Everyone made their choice under the naval banner, so what's wrong with that?

Without such tolerance, the Warring States period would not have been worthy of sitting in the position of marshal.

If he were truly so petty, would Sakazuki be sitting in the position of general now? It's even possible to sense that Sengoku, in his capacity as marshal, never forcibly suppressed Sakazuki at this time. Even when he supported Kuzan, it was within the bounds of the rules, without restricting or using his power to suppress Sakazuki.

After a moment of silence, Zeff spoke again: "After this, I'll also start contacting my old subordinates. You go to headquarters to support Sakazuki, and I'll stay here to support Kuzan, and also lay some groundwork. If the situation doesn't deteriorate to the point you foresee, that's fine. But if it really does, and Kuzan leaves the Navy, then I'll have to capture him and make him my laborer."

"If that's the case, I'm actually looking forward to General Kuzan arriving soon, hahaha," Bane said without any attempt to hide his feelings.

Now that Zephyr has returned to his peak condition and is building a new navy, he will definitely be the 'commander-in-chief' or marshal for the time being, since Bane's current prestige and appeal are not enough.

But as Zephyr's adopted son and his last disciple, Bane will naturally take over the entire new navy when the time is right.

Before that, he, Kuzan, and Issho formed the new Navy's three admirals, which immediately boosted the prestige of the new Navy!

Just thinking about it is so exciting!

(End of this chapter)